Now that my spotting skills have been firmly debunked I’ll try another query and see who sets me right this time!
My family are from Great Sampford which some might remember as a fairly unimportant fighter airfield in Essex, mostly a satellite of Debden. I have spent years occasionally uncovering little snippets of info about the place (no war-winnig heroics, but “our” local airfield so dear to the heart and all that), but still have yet to find a picture taken there or much in the way of personal accounts. However having spotted a reference in Geoffrey Wellum’s “First Light” (Chapter 14) I managed to find his address and got a very nice letter back. Didn’t tell me a lot (come on, he was there for a couple of months sixty years ago – what do you expect) but it was extremely kind of him to reply to someone impeertinent to write out of the blue, and it’s not every day you get a letter from a Boys Own Hero!
So, emboldened by my success, … Does anyone know of anyone who may have served either with 65 Squadron or with whichever Eagle Squadron became the 4th Fighter Group in around 1942? Or whether the RAF Museum might have a map of the place? The latter would be very useful as there is an archaeological survey being undertaken in the area and it would fill in some blanks nicely.
Your assistance much appreciated!
Adrian
By: adrian_gray - 11th November 2003 at 17:53
Thanks very much for that, folks. Much appreciated! I’ve emailed DoRIS at Hendon and am hoping for a reply. I’ve also discovered that station ORBs (that survive) are at Kew – worth trying as well, seeing as I owe someone a favour there already! Already familiar with the lack of detail in the Action Stations books – could be because b. all went on there?!
adrian
By: dhfan - 11th November 2003 at 13:45
The information in Action Stations 1 is pretty sparse.
It was only fully operational from April 1942 until March 1943.
616 Squadron was also there for about 3 months.
133 (Eagle) Squadron became 336 (Pursuit) Squadron of the 4th Fighter Group and was based at Great Sampford for just over a month. They were followed by the 335th Squadron which left on 01/12/42 after only about 3 weeks and seem to be the last permanent residents.
By: Ant.H - 10th November 2003 at 20:14
Hi Adrian,
If you ask the guys at the RAFM nidely they could probably provide you with a copy.Might set you back a couple of quid,but from what others have told me they’re very good copies with plenty of info.Should be just the ticket.
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November 10, 2003 at 6:14 pm