Colerne Airfield
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| Colerne Airfield | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| IATA: none – ICAO: EGUO | |||
| Summary | |||
| Airport type | Military | ||
| Operator | University Air Squadron | ||
| Location | Colerne | ||
| Elevation AMSL | 593 ft / 181 m | ||
| Coordinates | |||
| Runways | |||
| Direction | Length | Surface | |
| m | ft | ||
| 01/19 | 1,095 | 3,593 | Asphalt |
| 07/25 | 1,664 | 5,459 | Asphalt |
| Airport information for EGUO at World Aero Data | |||
Colerne Airfield (IATA: N/A, ICAO: EGUO), formerly known as RAF Colerne, is located at Colerne, Wiltshire, England.
By October 1940 RAF Colerne was still partly in the course of construction being a fighter station for the defence of Bristol. At that date the contractors were still building and the ground was a quagmire in many areas. Our unfinished barrack blocks were pretty cold we had very little running water. We were taken in Bedford trucks once a week to the luxurious baths in Bath used in peacetime by wealthy invalids. These sunken baths, tiled and entered down steps by brass handrails were in contrast to conditions at the camp I remember 87 sqadron being there and a Polish fighter squadron. Later Defiants came but they were not a success as nightfighters being superseded by the more suitable Beaufighter.
The entry under RAF Charmy Down suggests it was more active than Colerne but when I was sent there to open up a substore in late 1940 it was more of a satellite although some flying was taking place. I remember doing guard duty at night high up on Charmy Down and seing Bristol down below being pounded by enemy bombers. From Colerne we had periodic 24 hour passes during which we could travel down Bannerdown Hill into Bath and enjoy the many cultural actvities there, the Pump Room, the Theatre Royal etc.
Roy Gandy 1151158
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