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Post by flyboy on Mar 6, 2015 11:13:20 GMT
The repatriation 'Cator' flights, of former prisoner-of-war victims continued with the Stirlings seen more and more often. Laurie Taylor one of the pilots told me that their orders were to ' facilitate the evacuation and repatriation of service personnel from the Continent as speedily and safely as was possible.' On the 15th alone 16 officers and 351 other ranks were brought home. .........................
Laurie Taylor told me that having joined BOAC in 1946 after leaving the RAF, he was eventually assigned to the Canadair DC4M Argonaut airliner fleet. Between 1949 and 1956 he was to continue his association with Blackbushe Airport as a high percentage of his six-monthly check and instrument-rating renewal flights were carried out at the by then civilianised airport. .........................
On the 16th Warwick HG284 made a successful forced landing at Paris Le Bourget Airport at about 11.20hrs, following the failure of the port engine. The pilot was S/Ldr NVS Hood and neither he nor the other members of the crew sustained any injury. The flight had been non operational but the engine problems experienced by the Warwick fleet had struck again. .........................
On the 17th another 'Cator' flight arrived with 36 officers and 85 other ranks for repatriation. The crew of Warwick HG285 was forced to land in a field near Gisors following yet another engine failure, but the crew were unhurt. This was followed two days later by the crew of Warwick HG235 who had to force land at Paris-Le-Bourget where the aircraft caught fire and was pronounced as damaged Cat E. .........................
Of the four crew on the above Warwick the two pilots and their Polish Air Force Navigator were injured, but the Radio Officer and their 9 passengers received only minor injuries. However, following the continual engine failures the squadron crews were by now particularly unhappy with the poor reliability of their aircraft and made their feelings known. .........................
Following from the above on the 25th due to the continual engine problems 25 Warwicks were grounded and Mr Martin Graham, a representative of the manufacturers Pratt and Witney, arrived to sort out the problems on the 27th. During the time taken to fix the problems the crews made full use of their spare time. The Blue Lagoon swimming pool in Camberley proved popular when the weather was good. .........................
With the Warwicks grounded and plenty of spare time for the crews, there was a noticeable easing of tensions and a very good spirit was felt on the airfield. Everyone seemed very willing to help out when requested to do so and were especially keen to help each other out. .........................
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Post by flyboy on Mar 6, 2015 16:38:15 GMT
In July 1945 an advanced party of 301 (Polish) Squadron departed to RAF North Weald in Essex on the 2nd which was to be their new base. The rest of the squadron was due to move there on the following day. Their flights to Naples and Athens were taken over by 147 Squadron operating from RAF Croydon. On the 5th there was a early demonstration of in- flight refuelling between two converted Lancasters. .........................
The main party of 162 Squadron arrived to reinforce the detachment of the squadron which had arrived in early May with their Mosquito XXVs. The squadron was under the command of W/Cdr MK Swell DFC, with a complement of 12 officers, 1 Warrant Officer, 5 NCOs and 75 other ranks. .........................
Interesting personnel on the airfield included:- On the 8th S/Ldr Whitehead reported for duty as the new Chaplain. On the 10th W/Cdr DE Bennet arrived to take up the duty of W/Cdr Flying . On the 13th Lt Col Li Kuo-Pei, Chinese Liaison Officer, Transport Command came to inspect the Warwicks. .........................
Signs of time to come as G/Capt CN Pelly OBE, of 110 Wing , accompanied by Captain Lybye, Managing Director of Danish Airlines DDL and the airline's Chief pilot and Secretary came to inspect the airfield and discuss the possibility of it being used on a regular basis by the airline. They seemed to be satisfied with their findings and services would begin shortly. .........................
August 1945, and a number of VIP visitors were passing through the airfield. On the 4th the Regent of Iraq arrived on Dakota KG624 from advanced landing strip B151 and having been met by Princess Elizabeth, on behalf of her father, was pleased to inspect a hurriedly drawn up guard of honour before lunching in the Officers Mess. The rumour was that the Regent had come to the UK to visit Ascot Races. .........................
'Uncle Mac', a popular character of the BBC's 'Childrens Hour' programme visited the airfield on the 8th in connection with a number of flights being made over London for a series of broadcasts. VJ-Day was well and truly celebrated on the 14th and 15th by two days leave for all those that could be spared. For those remaining on duty there was an all ranks dance organised. .........................
On the 21st W/Cdr Ingall, of the Department of Petroleum Warfare visited the Airport to witness further testing of the FIDO installation. The Manor House in Hartley Wintney was by this time busy on a daily basis handling visitors transiting through the airfield in ever increasing numbers. .........................
The first VIP in the month of September was King Peter of Yugoslavia on the 5th, who arrived from Paris although he was travelling incognito. He was met at the airport by his wife , the Queen. On the 6th it was His Beautitude Archbishop Danaskinos , Archbishop of Greece,who was invited to inspect a guard of honour mounted by F/Lt Taylor of the RAF Regiment. .........................
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Post by flyboy on Mar 6, 2015 23:45:12 GMT
Visits continued throughout September , the first being from S/Ldr Vincent from the Air Ministry who held meetings on the 11th to discuss provision of further radio and navigational aids. On the 14th S/Ldr Tussard , Command Resettlement Officer visited the Station. Archbishop Danaskinos passed through on the 19th on air passage back to the Continent in York MW110. .........................
The Prestwick service flights were by now being flown regularly and with few problems. Dakota KN432 was used on the 25th and as the month drew to a close three Czech Liberators arrived to fly repatriation flights of Czech civilians. FIDO was still proving very valuable and on the 29th was used to allow two Mosquitos and a Dakota to land. .........................
Fog was again a problem in early October with FIDO being regularly used. On the 4th a two-hour burn was necessary to clear persistent fog which had reduced visibility to 50 yards. Two Mosquitos of 162 Squadron after a long wait took the opportunity to take off. The Warwicks of 167 Squadron were finally withdrawn from use during the month and Dakotas used instead. .........................
On the 5th the whole Station was in a state of shock as a horrible accident happened on the airfield. One of the Czech Liberators (No.867) of the Czech Air Force crashed on take-off and all 23 persons aboard lost their lives. These were Czech civilians returning to Prague and their home land. The funeral of those killed was held at Brookwood Cemetery on the 11th and was attended by the Station Commander. .........................
On the 8th Field Marshal Montgomery landed on his way to London. He used his own Dakota 'KN628', which had a VIP interior fitted. His personal pilot was S/Ldr Duncan, who was to bring his distinguished passenger to Blackbushe many times in the future. .........................
On the same day the Peruvian Ambassador and party arrived from Prestwick by Dakota and were met by W/Cdr Crodon, the Foreign Liaison Officer, and other military officers. The Brazilian Ambassador flew in from Rabat Sali on the following day. .........................
A Victory thanks giving parade was held in Camberley on the 13th. A march-past of service personnel took place, with RAF and WAAF representation from the airfield. A Spitfire was placed on static display so that the public who attended could have a close-up view of the aircraft. .........................
Transport flight continued throughout the month and an important visitor was Queen Wilhemina of the Netherlands, who was on her way to London. A guard-of-honour was mounted by RAF Cadets and refreshments were served to the Queen and her attendants. .........................
A visitor on November 12th 1945, was F/Lt Tipper, who was the Group Welfare Officer. He was followed on the 16th by W/Cdr Bukoninski, from HQ Transport Command who arrived to undertake liaison duties. WAAF Squadron Officer Clancey, visited on the 26th to inspect work and sleep conditions of the based WAAFs. .........................
During the month the Mosquitos of 162 Squadron handled 20000lbs of mail and newspapers and the excellent weather record at Blackbushe helped this operation no end, as it did Danish Airlines , who had flown 49 flights to and from the airport during the month. .........................
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Post by flyboy on Mar 7, 2015 10:14:01 GMT
There was a noticeable lessening of operational flying going on but there seemed to be a continual stream of visitors to the airfield. On the 2nd of December 1945, G/Capt J Bradley assumed control of the airfield and was visited by the AOC HQ Group , Air Com GE Stratton DSO,MC,DFC, to discuss policy and future planning for the Station. ..........................
On the 10th of the month S/Ldr Heale and F/Lt Thomas, of 46 Group came to discuss strength and establishment problems. Followed on the 11th by Air Chief Marshal Sir Fredrick Bowhill, former Commander in Chief, Transport Command, who arrived from Prestwick in Dakota KN520. ..........................
The Rt. Hon. Malcolm McDonald, High Commissioner for the UK in Canada, also arrived from Prestwick. Mr Chuter Ede, Home Secretary departed for Naples in Dakota KJ801 on the 16th. On the 18th Air Vice Marshal AL Fiddament, of HQ Transport Command arrived in Lancastrian VM707 from Canada on completion of his world tour of Transport Command Stations and Staging Posts. ..........................
Also on the 18th The Station Commander departed on leave and was replaced by W/Cdr DE Bennett. Lord Winster, Minister of Civil Aviation, arrived on the 22nd in BOAC Liberator (AM920) from Bermuda where he had been holding talks. ..........................
Field Marshal Alanbrooke, Chief of the Imperial General Staff, arrived from Pomigliano on the 23rd in an Avro York on conclusion of a world tour. Another arrival that day was Field Marshal Montgomery. Both were met by Air Com EH Fielden of HQ Transport Command, and the relief Station Commander, W/Cdr Bennett. ..........................
A four day stand-down was granted to all staff not required for essential duties .This was much appreciated by all ranks and about two thirds of the Station personnel were quick to take advantage of the break to travel home for Christmas. For the 600 remaining personnel one kitchen and Mess remained open where all dined together in the concert hall. A magnificent meal was served and much enjoyed. ..........................
On Christmas Day during the morning the Station Concert Party visited Yateley Cottage Hospital in Cricket Hill Lane , close to the airfield, where they entertained patients and nursing staff as they moved from ward to ward playing Christmas music. The Concert Party had previously given a total of five shows in the London area during the month which had been particularly well received. ..........................
On the 13th of the month a conference had been called to discuss the future of the airfield where plans were put forward concerning what could be done to bring improvement up to the required standard of the accommodation at a reasonable cost. The ablutions on dispersal sites, dampness in living quarter huts and overcrowding in these huts were high-lighted as causes for concern. ..........................
S/Ldr Irving the Senior Medical Officer, had been very much involved with the meetings regarding the requirements to improve the conditions being experienced by personnel. He considered there to be a considerable health risk if conditions were not improved but found it difficult to make headway with his proposals. ..........................
It was suggested that the installation of baths and/or showers on the various dispersal sites would go a long way to improve conditions. Again no definite conclusion was reached . The following day S/Ldr Irving's position was passed to S/Ldr Holland, who arrived from RAF Croydon. On the 17th S/Ldr Irving was admitted to Cambridge Military Hospital, Aldershot, where he stayed until discharged on sick leave on the 22nd. ..........................
Finally to end the year FIDO was used on New Year's Eve to land the all weather Prestwick-Blackbushe service. Visibility had deteriorated to 40 yards in fog but the pilot made a successful landing. ..........................
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Post by flyboy on Mar 7, 2015 13:07:00 GMT
>>>>>>>>>>>>> 1946 <<<<<<<<<<<<<
In early January 1946 The Rt. Hon. Malcolm MacDonald, High Commissioner for the UK in Canada, departed back to Dorval in Dakota KN508. On the 4th F/Lt Greenland, Group Fire Officer paid a visit to instruct F/O Brewer, the Station Fire Officer to take over duties as Fire Officer at RAF Northolt, in addition to his Blackbushe duties. .........................
On the same day a signal was received from HQ, Transport Command, instructing that the A30 through the airfield should be opened to the public for 24 hours daily forthwith. Field Marshal Montgomery departed to Vienna, and Dame Laughton Matthews, Director of the WRNS, arrived from Naples in a Dakota. The following day Sir William Morgan, a Middle East Army Commander also arrived from Naples. .........................
The Station Commander departed on the 12th on board an Anson to HQ 111 Wing. W/Cdr Bennett assumed temporary control of the airfield in his absence. On the 13th Lt Gen Galloway departed to Eindhoven aboard Dakota KK212. The flare path was used on the 14th to assist a Firefly pilot who was lost in 900 metres visibility. .........................
On the 16th four ADLS detachment Ansons from RAF Northolt arrived at the airfield and their crews quickly moved into their allocated accommodation. Another notable visitor on the 17th was Princess Alice of Greece. W/Cdr TC Robertson, Senior Equpmment Officer, HQ 46 Group, paid a visit to discuss paper work problems. .........................
It was pointed out to W/Cdr Robertson that a considerable backlog of paperwork, in particular blue copies of form FS600 were outstanding in large numbers, having built up due to staff shortages over the past year. It was agreed to endeavour to obtain additional personnel, which should help with the task of bringing the paperwork up to date. .........................
The 24th saw the departure to Naples of Lt Gen Sir Fredrick Morgan (UNRRA) accompanied by the Rt.Hon JJ St. Laurent, the Canadian Attorney General. The following day on the 25th atrocious weather forced two Dakotas on the Prestwick all-weather service to land with the assistance of instruments. .........................
W/Cdr Strachley , Under-Secretary for Air , arrived on the 27th from RAF Leuchars in Scotland. The month had been marked by very bad weather conditions, with high winds, rain and fog being common throughout but in spite of this aircraft schedules had been maintained, but the north/south runway which crossed the A30 was now only used in emergencies and had a limiting effect on the airfield operation. .........................
1467 Servicing Wing, was still being kept busy. Since August 1945 they had been maintaining 14 Dakotas in addition to 25 based Warwicks. The Warwicks were flying less but additional servicing was required, changing engines mainly! The bad weather had not helped the Wing and constant release of personnel had placed a heavy burden on those left to cope. .........................
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Post by flyboy on Mar 7, 2015 18:24:38 GMT
At the end of the month there was influenza sweeping across the camp which caused many problems and unfortunately a couple of cases of pneumonia had to be admitted to Aldershot Military Hospital. As the nursing staff were also being affected any other serious cases also had to be treated in hospital. There were so many reporting sick that the medical centre had to introduce an appointment system. .........................
In February 1946, the numbers of VIPs passing through the airfield continued to increase with the French Ambassador, Monsieur Garreal on the 3rd, Mr Cooper, a war correspondent, to Nuremburg by Mosquito on the 5th, The Govenor of Gibraltar in a Lockheed Hudson (FH280) on the 20th and many more. On the 4th Dakota flights to Croydon were diverted to Blackbushe as the grassed surface was waterlogged. .........................
A number of officers and NCOs, aircrew of 147 Squadron at Croydon, were posted to the Station. This influx, plus the personnel from 167 Squadron which was disbanding, resulted in a significant extra work load for the already hard-pressed administration staff at Station HQ. .........................
The Station Commander was becoming most concerned with the labour situation and called together all Squadron, Flight and Section Commanders to ask for help in finding suitable staff to undertake fatigue duties. In addition he also held two meetings in the Station cinema, where he spoke to all personnel to emphasise the need for good discipline and the value of team work to overcome present difficulties. .........................
On the 14th FIDO was required to assist with the arrival of an Anson and a Mosquito, but only the lead-in burners were required. W/Cdr Bullmore of Flying Control HQ, Transport Command, paid a liaison visit to the airfield Flying Control Unit on the 15th. .........................
Squadron, Flight and Section Commanders were read a letter from the Air Ministry on the need for correct dress and deportment as irregularities were being noticed at the airfield. It was stressed that disciplinary action must be taken against individuals to ensure a higher standard. Details of a Colour Hoisting Parade to be held daily were discussed and agreed upon. .........................
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Post by flyboy on Mar 7, 2015 23:08:33 GMT
Strong winds , rain and fog continued throughout the month but things got even worse as a fall of snow on the 27th meant runways and perimeter tracks had to be cleared but the airfield remained operational throughout. In fact when the snow had fallen on the 27th over 30 aircraft movements had taken place. The ADLS Flight had quickly settled in and were operational with their Ansons. .........................
4176 Echelon had been told to be ready to close down their operation by the end of the following month. They had actually only been hanging on to see the departure of various aircraft awaiting collection. Twelve Dakotas and four Ansons departed leaving just one still to go to 87 Group. Four Warwicks went to 45MU and two more had gone to Kinloss, while the Oxford still awaited collection. All other Warwicks were serviceable and ready for collection. .........................
There was an acute shortage of solid fuel for heating, as contractors failed to fulfil their obligations. The Air Ministry were advised of the situation and the position was eased but overall the situation remained serious. Personnel shortages were affecting all areas but in particular the Transport Section which was in difficulty meeting requirements. .........................
On a lighter note The Concert Party gave an outstanding performance which was greatly appreciated by all ranks prior to departure on a six week tour. .........................
162 Squadron had 21 Mosquitos on strength during the month and the serviceability of the aircraft had improved with an average of 12 aircraft having been available for use daily. The squadron had achieved much during the month and the esprit-de-corps of the men was running high. .........................
As March arrived a Mosquito landed without brake pressure but reports indicate that this caused no problem and that the aircraft was undamaged. On the 3rd there was heavy snow which forced the Prestwick service Dakota to use BABA (Blind Approach Beacon Approach) when it landed on runway 32. The pilot had to overshoot on the first approach. .........................
W/Cdr Fogley of the Ministry Accidents Branch, visited the airfield on the 6th to give a lecture on accident prevention. This lecture with films and exhibits was a cause of great interest and was well attended. It was followed on the 8th by a visit from S/Ldr Pengillry, G Nav, who came to visit the Station Navigation Section. .........................
It was a bad start to the day on the 14th when one of the Mosquitos of 162 Squadron taxied into a Nissen hut on departure in the early morning. A full inquiry was ordered to investigate the circumstances leading up to this accident. Also on the same day the first of twenty Dakotas destined for Bavaria arrived. The aircraft remained at the airfield for a few days prior to departing on the 18th. .........................
On the 20th, unusually, the north/south runway was opened and brought into use for the arrival of Air Vice Marshal Huddlestone. General Sir Bernard Paget, Commander in Chief, Middle East Forces, accompanied by General LLoyd, departed to Malta on the first leg of a flight to Cairo aboard Dakota IV KN428. .........................
Field Marshal Montgomery inspected a Guard of Honour assembled from aircrew cadets under the command of Captain of the Guard F/Lt Blackmore. He took a keen interest in the guard and spoke to many of the cadets and expressed his pleasure at the turnout. The Field Marshal then departed to a forward airstrip (B115) on the Continent. .........................
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Post by flyboy on Mar 8, 2015 9:36:20 GMT
On the 30th of the month 4167 Echelon was finally disbanded having, during the month organised the successful despatch of the 45 and 46 MU Warwicks. All the sites were cleaned and equipment returned to the stores. A farewell party attended by the Station Commander had been held a few days earlier in the concert hall prior to the departure of 4167 Echelon personnel. .........................
April 1946 saw the airfield reduced in status from RAF Station to No.160 Staging Post and its future commitments were discussed at length by the Station Commander. The airfield was by now a shadow of its former self and was a great deal less active than it had been only three month earlier. .........................
A new sodium flare path had just been installed on the main runway 08/26 which was much easier to bring into operation than lighting FIDO. The Bavarian Dakotas continued to depart at regular intervals and there were a considerable number of practice QGHs ( Radar Controlled Descents -Ed.) carried out. .........................
The Station concert party returned to the airfield, having given 23 performances to 8000 service personnel during their recent tour. They had been very well received wherever they appeared and the tour was deemed to have been a great success. .........................
For the personnel still remaining at the airfield few aircraft movements possibly left time for reflection. They may have recalled that since March 1944, 11,444 aircraft had used the airfield facilities and 63,934 passengers had passed through en route to and from destinations in countries throughout the world. It had indeed been a very busy airfield in its heyday. .........................
In early May a Lancaster arrived from RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire to take the famous BBC broadcaster Richard Dimbleby on a night flight over London in preparation for a victory celebration broadcast to be made early the following month. .........................
At the same time much planning and preparation was being undertaken to organise this Victory Parade due to take place on the 8th of June. On the 15th of May large numbers of South African troops started to arrive to take part in the forthcoming celebrations. .........................
G/Capt Bradbury handed over command to W/Cdr Bennett on the 31st. At his last Colour Hoisting Parade he took the opportunity to thank all the assembled personnel for their loyalty and co-operation during the previous six months and bade them farewell. .........................
There had been 1020 movements during the month and despite adverse weather conditions, scheduled and other services had not been affected. The QEH procedure (for positioning aircraft into the airfield circuit pattern -Ed) had proved very helpful in this respect. .........................
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Post by flyboy on Mar 8, 2015 14:33:19 GMT
In June 1946 a ball was held in the Mess on the 7th, under the patronage of G/Cpt Bradbury DFC, and Mrs Bradbury, on the occasion of the National Victory Celebrations. It proved very popular. On the 8th, Richard Dimbleby of the BBC flew from the airfield during the evening to commentate on the London Illuminations, this, however, was soon abandoned due to very poor weather conditions. .........................
It was announced on the 25th that 162 Squadron would disband during the following month. At the same time it was revealed by the Commanding Officer that the airfield was expected to continue operating for another year at least. The Sergeants Mess dining room had to be closed due to a lack of cooks. .........................
The 26th saw the arrival of a Dakota from Vienna carrying 14 repatriated British subjects. On the 30th two Mosquitos took off on schedule for the last time , one to Rome and the other to Prague - prior to the squadron disbandment. Total movements recorded for the month were 1036. .........................
The 1st of July saw the arrival of Air Commodore WE Stanton DSO,MC,DFC, AOC 46 Group who visited in connection with the departure of 67 members of the Empire Press Delegation to tour the battlefields of Europe. On the 9th the Governor-Designate of Malta and his wife, Mr and Mrs Douglas, departed aboard Dakota KN213 for the Island. .........................
Lancaster TW904 arrived en route to West Africa with Air Commodore MacDonald AFC, AOC 106 Group aboard. 162 Squadron finally disbanded on the 14th of the month, almost exactly a year after their arrival at the airfield. By the end of the month German prisoners-of-war were drafted in to help relieve the based personnel. .........................
The arrival of two ATC squadrons on their annual camp had been supervised by F/Lt E Burgess DFC, who carried out these duties admirably. A full and comprehensive programme was arranged for the Cadets and their help in many varied ways was of great assistance. Despite the improvement to weather conditions movements for July only reached 872. .........................
August 1946 was a quiet month with not a great deal happening. On the 7th a notable new type arrived , the Bristol Brigand which flew in from Farnborough. This was the cause of much interest as this new type hadn't been seen before by the majority of the personnel. .........................
A meeting was held on the 16th to discuss the possibility of the airfield being used for ground training and flying of Wellington College Cadets. On the 20th an accident occurred when Mosquito HR359 of 21 Squadron, 140 Wing, burst a tyre on landing. This squadron had previously been based at the airfield flying Venturas in August/September 1943. .........................
No.7 Site on the north east side of the airfield was invaded by seven families of squatters. This was quickly followed by negotiations between the Air Ministry and the local council to permit the site to be passed into the care of the council in order that they could take responsibility for the squatter families. A mobile police patrol was introduced which proved successful in protecting service property. .........................
The total number of visiting aircraft during the month was 795 and had included some interesting aircraft with two ex-German JU52/3Ms (VN718 & VN727) being a regular sight. Both aircraft were being used by the RAE Farnborough Transport Flight until they would be withdrawn in the following October. .........................
On the 5th of September His Royal Highness Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands arrived to be met by Major General Mathews, Commandant, Royal Military College, Sandhurst and other high ranking officers. They departed to the RMA where a passing out parade was taking place. W/Cdr Bennet and the Adjutant were invited to attend the parade officially, and later lunched with the Royal party. .........................
On the 10th a W/Cdr O'Connor visited to discuss the possibility of starting up a gliding school. It was 'Battle of Britain Day' on the 14th with plans in place after months of planning. A varied flying programme with in excess of twenty aircraft had been organised and there would be a number of ground exhibits for visitors to see. With a crowd of 5000 visitors expected pleasure flying would be popular. .........................
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Post by flyboy on Mar 8, 2015 21:50:08 GMT
The all-weather service between Blackbushe and Prestwick was terminated on the 15th, having operated for a year. The service had proved most reliable with only two flights being cancelled throughout the period. On the evening of the 20th there was a severe gale which in addition to causing damage to three parked aircraft also lifted and moved one of the Bessoneaux hangars two feet from its foundations. .........................
Anson PH710 landed with a Major General Erskine aboard on the 21st, as a large number of ATC Cadets arrived to take air experience flights in a Rapide transport aircraft. The 30th saw the departure to Germany of Air Vice Marshal Pakton CBE,DFC who was AOC of No.2 Group. .........................
Little of note was happening in October but the start of the month saw a tragic accident on the 3rd when a car knocked down and killed, AC J Hageney as he cycled in to work. There was an inquiry held on the 7th where a finding of accidental death was recorded. F/O Poland represented the Commanding Officer at the funeral in Sheffield on the 8th. .........................
A WAAF Concert Party Gang Show was held on the 9th in the Concert Hall, which was enjoyed by all those able to attend. On the 14th Lincoln 'Excalibar' returned from a flight to New Zealand, having departed the airfield on the 9th of the previous month. .........................
On the 24th news was received that the airfield would cease as a Staging Post on the 15th November 1946 and would be placed on a care and maintenance basis. No further flying would then take place. A civilian Vickers Viking departed for a tour of South Africa on the 28th. This was an aircraft type that would be seen operating at the airfield in future years. .........................
Orders were received at the end of the month that the airfield should be ready for handover to the Air Ministry by 31st December 1946. The total number of movements for the month had been 866. .........................
In November a meeting was held on the 15th to discuss plans for the airfield closure. It was however, announced by the acting Commanding Officer, S/Ldr EC Lenton, that closure plans had been temporarily postponed. Later in the day it was disclosed that in fact the Ministry of Civil Aviation would take over operation of the airfield as a subsidiary of London Heathrow. .........................
Accordingly all personal postings were frozen and all flying at the airfield ceased on the same day. On the 20th it was proposed that a party of approximately 200 personnel would be retained at the airfield until the Ministry of Civil Aviation became established. The Senior Administration Officer sent a message on the 22nd that, contrary to expectations, the airfield was to be closed down. .........................
As work proceeded towards the close down the strength of personnel remaining on the airfield was reduced to approximately 100. As the closure approached W/Cdr Bennet reassumed control of the airfield. Movements up to the 15th when flying had ceased totalled 268. .........................
November 1946.
The airfield officially closed and was placed on a care and maintenance basis. The airfield was strangely quiet. .................................................................................
The above is dedicated to all those who served at the airfield during the troubled times of the Second World War and in particular to all those brave souls who gave their lives so that we can live in a free country today. ...........................................................................................................................................................
I would be pleased to receive any comments or questions in the sub board ' Questions and comments regarding the RAF Hartford Bridge period' to be found in the 'Blackbushe Past...RAF Hartford Bridge' section.
................................................................. ENDS..............................................................
JSM 8.3.2015
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