RAF Debden
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RAF Debden is a former RAF airfield in England. The field is located 2 miles SE of Saffron Walden and approximately 1 mile north of the village of Debden in Essex.
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[edit] RAF use
The airfield was opened in April 1937 and was first used by the Royal Air Force. During the early years of World War II, it was a Sector Station with an Operations Block for No.11 Group RAF during the Battle of Britain. Many different RAF Squadrons were here including 1, 17, 29, 65, 73, 80, 85, 87, 111, 157, 418, 504 and 601. The airfield was attacked several times during the Battle of Britain.
Hard surface runways were laid in 1940. During May through into September 1942 it was used by No. 71, 121 and 133 "Eagle Squadrons" with Spitfire V's.
One of Debden's early and most bizarre experiences was when the airfield was chosen as a location for the film "It's in the Air" in which George Formby was to pilot a Hawker Fury through Hangar No. 3. The rather sharper angle of the hangars at Debden built around the tarmac apron allowed free access at both ends of the end hangar. The flying for the sequence was actually done by Flying Officer R. H. A. Lee who went missing on August 18 1940 when he was last seen ten miles north of Foulness Point chasing three German aircraft out to sea.
During the Battle of Britain, the airfield was a sector station for No. 11 Group being occupied by eight RAF fighter squadrons at different times. The first air-raid sounded on 18 June 1940 although the first bombs were not dropped on the airfield until seven days later. Then, on 2 August, came a heavy attack which destroyed several buildings killing five to be followed by another severe raid un 31 August. During August and September, Debaen fighters claimed seventy aircraft destroyed, thirty probables and forty-one damaged.
On 28 January 1941, the station was visited by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth and the following month by a German aircrew. It was on 4 February 1941 that a German pilot landed his aircraft and taxied to the watch office (control tower) at which point the German pilot must have realised his mistake as he took off in a hurry.
[edit] USAAF use
Debden was assigned USAAF designation Station 156.
[edit] 4th Fighter Group
The airfield was transferred on 12 September 1942 to the United States Army Air Force Eighth Air Force. With the transfer of the airfield and the entry of the United States into the war, the Americans in the RAF Eagle squadrons were tranferred into the American ranks, with the 71, 121 and 133 RAF Eagle Squadrons becoming the 4th Fighter Group. The group was under the command of the 65th Fighter Wing of the VIII Fighter Command. Aircraft of the group were identified by red around their cowlings and tails.
The group consisted of the following squadrons:
- 334th Fighter Squadron (QP) (Former 71 Squadron)
- 335th Fighter Squadron (WD) (Former 121 Squadron)
- 336th Fighter Squadron (VF) (Former 133 Squadron)
The 4th Fighter Group destroyed more enemy planes in the air and on the ground than any other fighter group of Eighth Air Force. The group operated first with Spitfires but changed to P-47's in March 1943 and to P-51's in April 1944.
On numerous occasions the 4th FG escorted B-17/B-24 bombers that attacked factories, submarine pens, V-weapon sites, and other targets in France, the Low Countries, or Germany. The group went out sometimes with a small force of bombers to draw up the enemy's fighters so they could be destroyed in aerial combat. At other times the 4th attacked the enemy's air power by strafing and dive-bombing airfields. Also hit troops, supply depots, roads, bridges, rail lines, and trains.
The unit participated in the intensive campaign against the German Air Force and aircraft industry during Big Week, 20-25 Feb 1944. Received a Distinguished Unit Citation for aggressiveness in seeking out and destroying enemy aircraft and in attacking enemy air bases during the period 5 March - 24 April 1944.
The 4th FG flew interdictory and counter-air missions during the invasion of Normandy in June 1944. Supported the airborne invasion of Holland in September. Participated in the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945. Covered the airborne assault across the Rhine in March 1945.
In October 1944, No. 616 Squadron RAF, the first RAF jet unit had a detachment of Gloster Meteors at Debden to practise affiliation tactics with the 4th Fighter Group.
With the cessastion of hostilities, the group was briefly moved to RAF Steeple Morden in early July, then on 10 November the group was inactivated at Camp Kilmer New Jersey.
[edit] Postwar use
Debden was returned to Royal Air Force control on 5 September 1945. Debden became a unit of the Technical Training Commission, firstly, as the Empire Radio School then, in 1949, a Signals Division and later the Debden Division of the RAF Technical College, later being joined by a Bomb Disposal Unit and a Motor Transport Repair Unit.
On 18 October 1973 a Nissen hut, officially designated Building 210 which had been used by the 4th Fighter Group during the war. was presented to the USAF to be flown to the Wright-Patterson AFB Ohio to be re-assembled and displayed in the USAF museum.
The RAF Police Dog Unit, members of which had toured America in September 1969 and which was reviewed by H.R.H. Princess Margaret on 5 June 1973, was withdrawn from Debden in 1974 and the station officially closed on 21 August 1975. However after the RAF left the site became home to the Army's Carver Barracks.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Freeman, Roger A., Airfields Of The Eighth, Then And Now, 1978
- www.controltowers.co.uk Debden
- www.littlefriends.co.uk 4th FG
- Maurer Maurer, Air Force Combat Units Of World War II, Office of Air Force History, 1983
- USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers--1908 to present
