Lympne Airfield |
Hob Uid: 1402460 | |
Location : Kent Folkestone and Hythe Lympne, Sellindge, Stanford
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Grid Ref : TR1180035800 |
Summary : A former military airfield used in both World Wars. It was opened in 1916 and in World War Two served as an operational satellite fighter station for 11 Group RAF Fighter Command. During the Battle of Britain the airfield was under such a high risk of attack that no squadron was permanently based there but used the airfield on a day to day basis for operations, then returning to safer airfields when not required. The World War Two airfield comprised grass landing surfaces of about 1400 by 1000 yards with Blister aircraft hangars and temporary accommodation for personnel. The military airfield was closed in 1945 but has been used post-war for private flying. Post war it has also been known as Ashford Airport. This site is not to be confused with the former RAF station of Ashford (please see TQ 94 SE 38). |
More information : Lympne Airfield, Kent, TR 110 355 was opened in 1916 and in World War Two served as an operational satellite fighter station for 11 Group RAF Fighter Command. The World War Two airfield comprised grass landing surfaces of about 1400 by 1000 yards with Blister aircraft hangars and temporary accommodation for personnel. The military airfield was closed in 1945. Site use in 1985 was given as "private flying". (1)
During the battle of Britain no one squadron was based at Lympne because its position was vulnerable to attack. instead units used the airfield for their operations then retired to more secure bases. (2)
Typical WWII temporary brick hutting at Lympne is illustrated in David Burridges book on 20th century defences in Kent. (3)
Ashford Airport. TR 115 355 (NAT). (4)
Nine air raid shelters and eight brick huts on the Western side of Otterpool Lane are remnants of the wartime use of the airfield. (5)
For further information on this site (HMS Buzzard and HMS Daedalus II) please refer to the source. (6) |