Monument record MLI20490 - RAF Sutton Bridge
Summary
The military airfield at RAF Sutton Bridge opened in 1926, but became inactive in 1946, before fully closing in 1958. It functioned as a training station for fighter aircraft for almost its entire operational life.
Type and Period (2)
- AIRFIELD (Early 20th Century to Mid 20th Century - 1926 AD to 1958 AD)
- MILITARY AIRFIELD (Early 20th Century to Mid 20th Century - 1926 AD to 1958 AD)
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Full Description
The military airfield at Sutton Bridge was opened in 1926, as an Armament Practice Camp training station. It initially had a relatively small grassed area for the landing field, and was in use only during the summer onths, with squadrons camping on the site for intensive training courses. Development on the site gradually added more facilities, with the airfield being renamed as the RAF's No.3 Armament Training Camp in January 1932. The airfield was fully operational by 1936, with three runways largely of grass, but supplemented in areas with steel planking and steel mesh matting. Although its main role was as a training facility, three fighter squadrons of Spitfires and Hurricanes were also based here during the Second World War (254, 264 and 266 Squadrons). During this time the airfield had two Bellman hangers, one ARS hanger and twelve Blister (69ft wide) hangers, with an additional 14 hard standings for aircraft. Part permanent accommodation for the personnel was provided; in December 1944 these numbered 1485 men and 379 women. As one of the RAF's main training facilities, the airfield was a prime target for German attack and was subjected to about a dozen Luftwaffe bombing raids. Training at the airfield gradually wound down after the end of the war, with the last course finishing in April 1946. The site continued to be used as a Maintenenance Unit base for several more years, until the base finally closed in 1958. {1}{2}{3}{4}[5}{6}{7}
Sources/Archives (7)
- <1> SLI1060 Bibliographic Reference: T.N. Hancock. 1978. Bomber County. pp.6, 26, 28, 35, 54, 82, 89, 127.
- <2> SLI10563 Bibliographic Reference: Ron N.E. Blake, Mike Hodgson and Bill J. Taylor. 1984. The Airfields of Lincolnshire Since 1912. pp.177-9.
- <3> SLI9536 Bibliographic Reference: T.N. Hancock. 1985. Bomber County 2. pp.38, 40, 47, 49, 55.
- <4> SLI17285 Bibliographic Reference: Steve Willis and Barry Holliss. 1987. Military Airfields in the British Isles, 1939-1945. p.189, no.549.
- <5> SLI7228 Bibliographic Reference: Patrick Otter. 1996. Lincolnshire Airfields in the Second World War. pp.229-32.
- <6> SLI17598 Bibliographic Reference: Ken Delve. 2008. The Military Airfields of Britain: East Midlands. pp.277-9.
- <7> SLI14623 Digital Archive: Council for British Archaeology. 2006. Defence of Britain Archive. 15011 and Non Anti-Invasion Record 1289.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred TF 4842 1942 (2860m by 2937m) Estimated from Sources |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | SUTTON BRIDGE, SOUTH HOLLAND, LINCOLNSHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (5)
- Parent of: Bore Hole Pump House, RAF Sutton Bridge (Monument) (MLI127438)
- Parent of: Demolished Pillbox, RAF Sutton Bridge (Monument) (MLI125157)
- Parent of: Pillbox, King John's Drove, Sutton Bridge (Monument) (MLI116300)
- Parent of: Pillbox, RAF Sutton Bridge (Monument) (MLI23558)
- Parent of: RAF Sutton Bridge Memorial (Monument) (MLI127437)
Related Events/Activities (1)
Please contact the HER for details.
External Links (0)
Record last edited
Jan 15 2025 9:39AM
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