RAF Newchurch
RAF Newchurch | |||||||||||||||||||
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 Ground crew refuel and re-arm Hawker Tempest Mark V 'JF-G' of No. 3 Squadron RAF at Newchurch | |||||||||||||||||||
| IATA: none – ICAO: none | |||||||||||||||||||
| Summary | |||||||||||||||||||
| Airport type | Military | ||||||||||||||||||
| Owner | Air Ministry | ||||||||||||||||||
| Operator | Royal Air Force | ||||||||||||||||||
| Location | Newchurch, Kent | ||||||||||||||||||
| Built | 1943 | ||||||||||||||||||
| In use | 1943-1944 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 3 ft 3 in ft / 1 m | ||||||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 51°03′04″N 00°55′13″E / 51.05111°N 0.92028°ECoordinates: 51°03′04″N 00°55′13″E / 51.05111°N 0.92028°E | ||||||||||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||||||||||
  RAF Newchurch Location in Kent | |||||||||||||||||||
| Runways | |||||||||||||||||||
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Royal Air Force Station Newchurch or RAF Newchurch was a temporary Second World War airfield at Newchurch, Kent, it was a base for a wing of Hawker Tempest fighters that defended south-east England against attack from V-1 flying bombs launched from continental Europe.
History
Newchurch was one of a number of Advanced Landing Grounds built in Kent during 1943. From July 1943 it became the base for three Spitfire and one Hurricane squadrons.[1] In October 1943 the squadrons moved to RAF Detling while the airfield was improved.
In April 1944 it became the base of 150 Wing comprising three squadrons of Hawker Tempests. Commanded by Wing Commander Roland Beamont the Newchurch Tempest Wing provided air cover for the Normandy landings it was then tasked with defending against attacks by V-1 flying bombs. The Wing destroyed 638 V-1s before leaving Newchurch to support the advance through Belgium and the Netherland. No longer needed in December 1944 the airfield was restored to farmland.
Royal Air Force units and aircraft
| Unit | Dates | Aircraft | Variant | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 3 Squadron RAF | 28 April 1944 – 21 September 1944 | Hawker Tempest | V | [2] |
| No. 19 Squadron RAF | 2 July 1943 – 18 August 1943 | Supermarine Spitfire | VB & VC | [3] |
| No. 56 Squadron RAF | 28 April 1944 – 23 September 1944 | Hawker Tempest | V | [4] |
| No. 132 Squadron RAF | 3 July 1943 – 12 October 1943 | Supermarine Spitfire | VB/IXB | [5] |
| No. 184 Squadron RAF | 17 September 1943 – 12 October 1943 | Hawker Hurricane | IV | [6] |
| No. 486 Squadron RNZAF | 29 April 1944 – 19 September 1944 | Hawker Tempest | V | [7] |
| No. 602 Squadron RAF | 13 August 1943 – 12 October 1943 | Supermarine Spitfire | VB | [8] |
References
Citations
- ↑ Jefford 2001, p. 168.
- ↑ Jefford 2001, p. 24.
- ↑ Jefford 2001, p. 30.
- ↑ Jefford 2001, p. 43.
- ↑ Jefford 2001, p. 59.
- ↑ Jefford 2001, p. 66.
- ↑ Jefford 2001, p. 94.
- ↑ Jefford 2001, p. 98.
Bibliography
- Jefford, C.G, MBE,BA,RAF (Retd). RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive Record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 2001. ISBN 1-84037-141-2.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to RAF Newchurch. |
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