Due to the deteriorating situation in the Philippines after the Japanese attack, they were diverted to Australia where they reformed into a combat unit and fought in the Dutch East Indies and New Guinea Campaigns.

After disembarking the following day, they travelled by train and then by truck to Northamptonshire, England and soon they arrived at their respective RAF Airdromes on 12 June 1942.

The newcomers found their old comrades, after almost a month abroad, adept at calculations in shillings and pence, and authorities on other peculiarities on life in England.

For the most detailed account of the activities of the 97th Bombardment Group from the 414th Bomb Squadron first commanding officer's perspective from February 1942 to 5 March 1943, refer to the following book's Chapter 7 (Fast Track Training for Overseas Assignment 1942), Chapter 8 (Combat Missions in Europe with the Eighth Air Force 1942) and Chapter 9 (Combat Missions in North Africa with the 12th Air Force 1942–43), which is freely available to download and view the latest version of the book via this Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/Untold-Stories-of-Colonel-Rudy-Flack-302118180261150/.

Its operational squadrons were: At Grafton Underwood, the group began combat on 17 November 1942 and attacked such targets as submarine pens, docks, harbours, shipyards, motor works, and marshaling yards in France, Germany, and the Low Countries.

From May 1943 until June 1945 384th Bombardment Group (Heavy) used Grafton Underwood, arriving from Sioux City AAF, Iowa.

its operational B-17 Flying Fortress squadrons were: The 384th Bomb Group primarily as a strategic bombardment organisation, concentrating its attacks on airfields and industries in France and Germany.

The Group's targets included aerodromes at Orléans, Bricy, and Nancy; motor works at Cologne; arms manufacturers at Solingen; a coking plant at Gelsenkirchen; an aircraft component parts factory at Halberstadt; steel works at Magdeburg; and ball-bearing plants at Schweinfurt.

The Group made a damaging raid on aircraft factories in central Germany on 11 January 1944 and received a Distinguished Unit Citation for the action.

Received another DUC for the mission of 24 April 1944 when the group, although crippled by heavy losses of men and planes, led the 41st Bomb Wing through almost overwhelming opposition to attack an aircraft factory and airfield at Oberpfaffenhofen.

Supported ground troops during the breakthrough at Saint-Lô, 24–25 July, by bombing enemy strong points just beyond Allied lines.

Hit tank and gun concentrations north of Eindhoven to assist the airborne assault on the Netherlands in September.

Aided the Allied assault across the Rhine in March 1945 by attacking marshalling yards, railway junctions, and bridges to cut off enemy supplies.

Upon activation in 1955, the 384th Bombardment Wing was bestowed the lineage, legacy and honours of the USAAF World War II 384th Bomb Group.

The unit at the airfield repaired and stored thousands of Air Ministry vehicles which were sold at monthly public auctions.

With the end of military control, Grafton Underwood airfield was returned to agricultural use, however some old buildings remain, in varying condition.