I hardly ever read anything about the role Winkleigh played during the war, and virtually nothing about the ‘Black Squadron’ that flew British agents to and from France from Winkleigh aerodrome using lysanders painted black. As an evacuee aged 11 living close by we lads would lie hidden in the long grass at the end of the runway writing down the numbers from the side of each plane as it took off and counting them back in later that day, often one wouldn’t come back and we would discuss amongst ourselves what could possibly be the fate of the aircraft. On two occasions we arrived at our hiding place to find first a wellington bomber that had overrun the runway and on a second occasion a crashed beaufighter on the same spot.
Here is a website telling the history of the aerodrome and of the secrecy surrounding it. http://www.jackiefreemanphotography.com/RAF_Winkleigh_part_II.htm
By: Discendo Duces - 12th June 2011 at 17:36
I’m a bit confused.
No. 161 (Special) Squadron were operating from RAF Tempsford, Bedfordshire from April ’42 to June ’45. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._161_Squadron_RAF
More on 161 and 138 at RAF Tempsford here:
http://www.tempsford.20m.com/aircraft.html
There was at least one detachment from Tempsford, in August 1944, for ops into Western France – (or maybe the usual destinations, but avoiding the hazards of the Normandy bridgehead ?)
Here is an extract from the RAF Winkleigh ORB at Kew:
” 27th July 1944. 161 Sqn Lysander Flight, advance party, arrived for Ops during the August moon period, led by S/Ldr LF Ratcliff DSO DSC AFC.
4th Aug. 44 Seven Lysanders took off on Ops. F/O Alcock failed to return.
11th Aug. 44 161 Sqn det returned to Tempsford. “
There is also mention of Winkleigh in Hugh Verity’s book.
HTH
DD
By: SqL Scramble. - 12th June 2011 at 12:56
I’m a bit confused.
No. 161 (Special) Squadron were operating from RAF Tempsford, Bedfordshire from April ’42 to June ’45. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._161_Squadron_RAF
More on 161 and 138 at RAF Tempsford here:
http://www.tempsford.20m.com/aircraft.html
By: Man of Kent - 12th June 2011 at 11:48
Much of the stone used in building the runways came from a quarry near Torrington, the red painted trucks were furiously driven mostly by irishmen working for Wimpey who were paid by the load and we lads would sometimes manage to cadge a ride with them. In 1948 I returned again to live and work with the people where I was evacuated, by then many of the huts on the aerodrome were occupied by displaced persons from Europe, some of whom worked on local farms etc.
I’ve passed the info on this website to a friend who recently worked for Reynolds Boughton.
By: Arabella-Cox - 9th June 2011 at 21:57
Yes, bus collection has regular days, certainly every October the old T.2 can be viewed. And aviation has returned in a roundabout way…
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=107823
.
By: Discendo Duces - 9th June 2011 at 21:34
Pagen
Some land that included the old watch office was auctioned off in the last 18 months or so, I don’t know who the buyer was.
I think the Gannet pilot was just using an empty airfield to practice his routine.
Another of the hangars is used by a chap that collects old buses, he used to have an open day every year but don’t know if he still does.
DD
By: pagen01 - 9th June 2011 at 19:50
Yes great little site, you rarely get to hear of the exploits of Winkleigh and it’s great that someone who was there at the time has taken the trouble to post here.
I’ve often thought of popping by the airfield to see what is left of the old watch office etc, and great to see on the site that Reynolds Boughton used one of the old hangars there, as they manufacture specialist and airfield vehicles.
Would you know anything about a Fairey Gannet crash there in September 1959?
I know it was XA424/283 of 814 sqn and that it was practising a display routine, but unsure if it was some sort of display for there or just using an empty airfield?
Any info is welcome.
Sign In
June 8, 2011 at 9:06 pm