RAF Bovingdon: Difference between revisions
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'''RAF Bovingdon''' is a former [[United States Army Air Force]] station in England. It is located two miles south of [[Berkhampstead]] and is bordered on its southern boundary by the B4505 and [[Bovingdon]] village in [[Norfolk]]. |
'''RAF Bovingdon''' is a former [[United States Army Air Force]] station in England. It is located two miles south of [[Berkhampstead]] and is bordered on its southern boundary by the B4505 and [[Bovingdon]] village in [[Norfolk]]. |
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During [[World War II]] it was known as USAAF Station 112. |
During [[World War II]] it was known as USAAF Station 112. |
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== RAF Use == |
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Bovington was built in 1941/42 as a standard RAF bomber airfield. The main NE/SW runway was 1,634 yards long and the two secondary runways were 1,433 yards long each. Over 30 dispersal hardstands were built. |
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On 15 June 1942, No. 7 Group, RAF Bomber Command took up residence at Bovington. Operational missions were flown in June and July by the RAF until the field was turned over to the United States Army Air Forces in August. |
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== USAAF Use == |
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The first USAAF tenant at Bovington was the 92nd Bombardment Group (Heavy) and was assigned the role of a B-17 Combat Crew Replacement Unit (CCRU). In January 1943, the 92nd was transfered to RAF Alconbury where it was reformed as an operational combat group. |
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Some of the personnel and equipment of the 92nd remained at Bovington however to form the 11th Combat Crew Replacement Unit. The training was performed on the B-17E aircraft, and most combat crews of 8th Air Force bombing units for the balance of the war recieved theatere introduction before moving on to their operational bases. |
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Along with it's training role, Bovington housed the Eighth Air Force Headquarters and the Air Technical Section, both equippped with a variety of aircraft types. General Eisenhower's personal B-17 was housed on the base. |
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In September 1944 the 11th CCRU was disbanded and Bovington became the base for the European Air Transport Service. Many thousands of Americans returned to the states via the air terminal. |
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== Postwar Uses == |
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At the end of the war, Bovington was returned to RAF control on 15 April 1947. The British Ministry of Civil Aviation obtained the airfield for civilian airline use. |
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Because of it's elevation, Bovington was often clear when London Heathrow and Northolt were fog-bound, and during the winter months especially, Bovington was used by British European Airways (BEA). [[British Overseas Airways Corporation]] (BOAC) used Bovington as a maintence facility and numerous other independent aircraft operators utilized the former technical site during the postwar years. |
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During the 1950's both civilian and military organizations utilized Bovington. The closeness to the USAF 3rd Air Force Headquarters at RAF South Ruislip and HQ RAF Fighter Command at Bentley Priory made Bovington the ideal location for service aircraft. The USAF returned to Bovington on 25 May 1951, with the establishment of the 7531st Air Base Squadron. In addition, the RAF operated the Fighter Command Communications Squadron on the base. In 1962, the USAF departed from Bovington. |
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In the 1960s, Bovington was used in the production of three World War II films, "The War Lover" (1961); "633 Squadron" (1964) and "Mosquito Squadron" (1969). |
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In 1968, the Ministry of Defense announced that Bovington would be closed for budgetary reasons, and in 1972 the airfield was shut down. All MOD property, escept a small housing facility was disposed of by 1976. An area of the former technical site was transferred to the Home Office for use as a prison. |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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Revision as of 12:22, 20 March 2006
RAF Bovingdon is a former United States Army Air Force station in England. It is located two miles south of Berkhampstead and is bordered on its southern boundary by the B4505 and Bovingdon village in Norfolk.
During World War II it was known as USAAF Station 112.
RAF Use
Bovington was built in 1941/42 as a standard RAF bomber airfield. The main NE/SW runway was 1,634 yards long and the two secondary runways were 1,433 yards long each. Over 30 dispersal hardstands were built.
On 15 June 1942, No. 7 Group, RAF Bomber Command took up residence at Bovington. Operational missions were flown in June and July by the RAF until the field was turned over to the United States Army Air Forces in August.
USAAF Use
The first USAAF tenant at Bovington was the 92nd Bombardment Group (Heavy) and was assigned the role of a B-17 Combat Crew Replacement Unit (CCRU). In January 1943, the 92nd was transfered to RAF Alconbury where it was reformed as an operational combat group.
Some of the personnel and equipment of the 92nd remained at Bovington however to form the 11th Combat Crew Replacement Unit. The training was performed on the B-17E aircraft, and most combat crews of 8th Air Force bombing units for the balance of the war recieved theatere introduction before moving on to their operational bases.
Along with it's training role, Bovington housed the Eighth Air Force Headquarters and the Air Technical Section, both equippped with a variety of aircraft types. General Eisenhower's personal B-17 was housed on the base.
In September 1944 the 11th CCRU was disbanded and Bovington became the base for the European Air Transport Service. Many thousands of Americans returned to the states via the air terminal.
Postwar Uses
At the end of the war, Bovington was returned to RAF control on 15 April 1947. The British Ministry of Civil Aviation obtained the airfield for civilian airline use.
Because of it's elevation, Bovington was often clear when London Heathrow and Northolt were fog-bound, and during the winter months especially, Bovington was used by British European Airways (BEA). British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) used Bovington as a maintence facility and numerous other independent aircraft operators utilized the former technical site during the postwar years.
During the 1950's both civilian and military organizations utilized Bovington. The closeness to the USAF 3rd Air Force Headquarters at RAF South Ruislip and HQ RAF Fighter Command at Bentley Priory made Bovington the ideal location for service aircraft. The USAF returned to Bovington on 25 May 1951, with the establishment of the 7531st Air Base Squadron. In addition, the RAF operated the Fighter Command Communications Squadron on the base. In 1962, the USAF departed from Bovington.
In the 1960s, Bovington was used in the production of three World War II films, "The War Lover" (1961); "633 Squadron" (1964) and "Mosquito Squadron" (1969).
In 1968, the Ministry of Defense announced that Bovington would be closed for budgetary reasons, and in 1972 the airfield was shut down. All MOD property, escept a small housing facility was disposed of by 1976. An area of the former technical site was transferred to the Home Office for use as a prison.
See also
External links
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