RAF Keevil: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Keevil-110456.jpg|thumb|300px|Keevil airfield on 4 November 1946.]] |
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'''RAF Keevil''' is a former [[World War II]] airfield in [[England]]. The field is located 4 miles E of [[Trowbridge]] in [[Wiltshire]]. |
'''RAF Keevil''' is a former [[World War II]] airfield in [[England]]. The field is located 4 miles E of [[Trowbridge]] in [[Wiltshire]]. |
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* 51st Troop Carrier Squadron |
* 51st Troop Carrier Squadron |
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The group transported military freight and supplies using [[C-47]] and |
The group transported military freight and supplies using [[C-47]] and C-53 aircraft and the aircrews at Keevil carried out extensive practice with the paratroops they would carry to North Africa. The unit remained in England until [[15 November]] until being transferred to Tafaraoui, [[Algeria]] as part of [[Twelfth Air Force]]. |
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=== 153d Observation Squadron === |
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From Keevil the squadron flew a combination of [[Douglas DB-7|Douglas Bostons]], [[Douglas DB-7|Douglas A-20 Havocs]] and [[Supermarine Spitfire]]s and was chiefly a source of pilots and aircraft for target-towing and training duties. |
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=== 67th Reconnaissance Group === |
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In the spring of [[1943]], the squadron standardized on Havocs and Bostons, with a few A-20Bs These aircraft were converted to carry combat cameras and carry out various reconnaissance sorties over the French coast. |
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In [[March]] [[1944]] the 153d OS was disbanded, then re-formed for duties as the '''2911th Bomb Squadron''' as a liason and communications squadron, being equipped with [[Stinson Aircraft Company|Stinson L-5s]] at [[RAF Erlstoke]]. |
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From Keevil the squadron flew a combination of Bostons, Havocs and Spitfires performing various Reconnaissance operations until March 1943. |
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=== 363rd Reconnaissance Group === |
=== 363rd Reconnaissance Group === |
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On [[20 December]] [[1943]], the [[Ninth Air Force]] '''363rd Reconnaissance Group''' moved to Keevil from [[Sacramento|Sacramento AAF]] [[California]]. The group consisted of the following operational squadrons and fuselage codes: |
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* 160th Reconnaissance Squadron (A9) |
* 160th Reconnaissance Squadron (A9) |
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* 162d Reconnaissance Squadron (C3) |
* 162d Reconnaissance Squadron (C3) |
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The group flew a combination of F-5 (P-38), F-6 (P-51) and P-39 Airacobra aircraft flying photographic missions to support both air and ground operations |
The group flew a combination of [[P-38|Lockheed F-5 (P-38)]], [[P-51|North American F-6 (P-51)]] and [[P-39|Bell P-39 Airacobra]] aircraft flying photographic missions to support both air and ground operations, and directed fighter-bombers to railway, highway, and waterway traffic, bridges, gun positions, troop concentrations, and other opportune targets. In addition, observations from 363d aircraft adjusted artillery fire amd the group and took photographs to assess results of Allied bombardment operations. |
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On [[22 January]] [[1944]], the group moved to [[RAF Rivenhall]] in [[Essex]], as Ninth Air Force's need for bases near the south coast of England for it's fighter groups saw an exchange of Keevil for [[RAF Stoney Cross]]. |
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== RAF Use == |
== RAF Use == |
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== Postwar Use == |
== Postwar Use == |
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Keevil was kept in reserve status until [[1965]] when it was closed. Between 1955 and 1964 the [[United States Air Force]] used the base occasionally for training airborne forces. The airfield today is virtually complete with all of its runways, perimeter track and many of the hardstands still in place. |
Keevil was kept in reserve status until [[1965]] when it was closed. Between [[1955]] and [[1964]] the [[United States Air Force]] used the base occasionally for training airborne forces and Keevil was listed as a reserve [[Third Air Force]] base. The airfield today is virtually complete with all of its runways, perimeter track and many of the hardstands still in place. |
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Today the airfield is used occasionally for Royal Army and RAF exercises as well as a motor racing circuit. In September 1994 the Keevil Society held a Commemorative Day to mark the 50th anniversary of the D-Day and Arnhem operations and to dedicate a memorial to all who served at Keevil, especially those who flew from there and, sadly, lost their lives. |
Today the airfield is used occasionally for Royal Army and RAF exercises as well as a motor racing circuit. In [[September]] [[1994]] the Keevil Society held a Commemorative Day to mark the 50th anniversary of the D-Day and Arnhem operations and to dedicate a memorial to all who served at Keevil, especially those who flew from there and, sadly, lost their lives. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 11:24, 1 January 2007
RAF Keevil is a former World War II airfield in England. The field is located 4 miles E of Trowbridge in Wiltshire.
The airfield was built on a site previously ear-marked for the purpose in the mid 1930s. Consisting of 3 long concrete runways the airfield was used by the Royal Air Force and the United States Army Air Force Eighth and Ninth Air Forces.
History
Land for Keevil airfield was requisitioned in 1941 under emergency powers with the intention of returning it to the owners when hostilities ceased. The principle contractor for the construction of the airfield was Wates, but a large number of specialist sub contractors were used. Many workers were drafted into the area and many found accommodation in the surrounding villages, particularly Steeple Ashton and Keevil.
The airfield and its associated buildings were of a standard wartime construction. Altogether around 400 buildings and constructions of all types were erected, and accommodation, catering, workstations and services provided for a permanent staffing of 165 officers, 523 senior NCO's and 1854 other ranks.
A highly important and unusual addition to the airfield was an aircraft final assembly hangar - still in situ - from where completed Spitfire fighter aircraft were taken to 'dispersal' for test flying and delivery to Maintenance Units, where ancillary equipment, such as radio and armament would be fitted.
USAAF Use
In 1942 Keevil airfield was provided to the USAAF and it was assigned USAAF designation 471 (KV).
62nd Troop Carrier Group
The first American unit assigned to Keevil was the 62nd Troop Carrier Group, arriving at Keevil on 6 September 1942 from Florence AAF, South Carolina. The group consisted of the following operational squadrons:
- 4th Troop Carrier Squadron
- 7th Troop Carrier Squadron
- 8th Troop Carrier Squadron
- 51st Troop Carrier Squadron
The group transported military freight and supplies using C-47 and C-53 aircraft and the aircrews at Keevil carried out extensive practice with the paratroops they would carry to North Africa. The unit remained in England until 15 November until being transferred to Tafaraoui, Algeria as part of Twelfth Air Force.
153d Observation Squadron
After the departure of the transport group, Keevil saw the arrival of the 153rd Observation Squadron from the 67th Recon Group at RAF Membury in December 1942.
From Keevil the squadron flew a combination of Douglas Bostons, Douglas A-20 Havocs and Supermarine Spitfires and was chiefly a source of pilots and aircraft for target-towing and training duties.
In the spring of 1943, the squadron standardized on Havocs and Bostons, with a few A-20Bs These aircraft were converted to carry combat cameras and carry out various reconnaissance sorties over the French coast.
In March 1944 the 153d OS was disbanded, then re-formed for duties as the 2911th Bomb Squadron as a liason and communications squadron, being equipped with Stinson L-5s at RAF Erlstoke.
363rd Reconnaissance Group
On 20 December 1943, the Ninth Air Force 363rd Reconnaissance Group moved to Keevil from Sacramento AAF California. The group consisted of the following operational squadrons and fuselage codes:
- 160th Reconnaissance Squadron (A9)
- 161st Reconnaissance Squadron (B3)
- 162d Reconnaissance Squadron (C3)
The group flew a combination of Lockheed F-5 (P-38), North American F-6 (P-51) and Bell P-39 Airacobra aircraft flying photographic missions to support both air and ground operations, and directed fighter-bombers to railway, highway, and waterway traffic, bridges, gun positions, troop concentrations, and other opportune targets. In addition, observations from 363d aircraft adjusted artillery fire amd the group and took photographs to assess results of Allied bombardment operations.
On 22 January 1944, the group moved to RAF Rivenhall in Essex, as Ninth Air Force's need for bases near the south coast of England for it's fighter groups saw an exchange of Keevil for RAF Stoney Cross.
RAF Use
With the departure of the Americans, the RAF used Keevil beginning in March 1944 for 196 and 299 Squadron Short Stirling glider tugs of 38 Group RAF arrived followed by a large number of Horsa gliders, crewed by Army pilots of the Glider Pilot Regiment.
The RAF Stirling aircraft were crewed by RAF, RCAF, RAAF, RNZAF and SAAF personnel and were engaged in SOE and SAS drops. largely in France, and in glider towing. Their involvement in the Normandy invasion of France and Operation Market-Garden is well remembered by Keevil and Steeple Ashton villagers. Casualties of army and air force personnel were heavy and a number of aircraft were lost.
The departure of these units to East Anglia brought Keevil to a training role when in October 1944 No.22 Heavy Glider Conversion Unit arrived with their twin-engined Albermarle aircraft and Waco Hadrian Gliders.
They, in turn were replaced replaced in June 1945 by 61 Operation Training Unit converting newly qualified pilots on to Spitfires and, later, on to Mustangs. 61 OTU in due course became 203 Advanced Flying School and moved to Chivenor in Devon in July 1947 and this marked the end of RAF Keevil as a fully staffed and equipped operational airfield.
Postwar Use
Keevil was kept in reserve status until 1965 when it was closed. Between 1955 and 1964 the United States Air Force used the base occasionally for training airborne forces and Keevil was listed as a reserve Third Air Force base. The airfield today is virtually complete with all of its runways, perimeter track and many of the hardstands still in place.
Today the airfield is used occasionally for Royal Army and RAF exercises as well as a motor racing circuit. In September 1994 the Keevil Society held a Commemorative Day to mark the 50th anniversary of the D-Day and Arnhem operations and to dedicate a memorial to all who served at Keevil, especially those who flew from there and, sadly, lost their lives.