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Coordinates: 52°36′33″N 000°24′26″E / 52.60917°N 0.40722°E / 52.60917; 0.40722
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{{Short description|Former Royal Air Force station in Norfolk, England}}
{{Infobox Military Unit
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
|unit_name = Royal Air Force Station Downham Market
{{Use British English|date=May 2013}}
|image =
{{more citations needed|date=February 2013}}
|caption = Station crest
{{Infobox military installation
|dates = July 1942 – October 1946
| name = RAF Downham Market
|country = [[United Kingdom]]
|branch = [[Royal Air Force]]
| ensign = [[File:Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg|90px]]
| ensign_size =
|command_structure =
| native_name =
|type = Flying station
| partof = <!-- for elements within a larger site -->
|role = Bomber Command
| location = [[Downham Market]], [[Norfolk]]
|size =
| nearest_town = <!-- used in military test site infobox -->
|current_commander =
| country = England
|garrison = [[Norwich]], [[Norfolk]], [[England]]
| image =
|garrison_label = Based near
| alt =
|ceremonial_chief =
| caption =
|ceremonial_chief_label =
| image2 = <!--secondary image, major command emblems for airfields -->
|colonel_of_the_regiment =
| alt2 =
|colonel_of_the_regiment_label =
| caption2 =
|nickname =
| type = [[List of former Royal Air Force stations|Royal Air Force station]]<br />* Satellite station 1942-44<br />* Parent station 1944-46{{sfn|Falconer|2012|p=82}}
|motto =
| coordinates = {{coord|52|36|33|N|000|24|26|E|region:GB_type:airport|display=inline,title}}
|colors = [[Image:Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg|200px]]
| pushpin_map = Norfolk#UK
|colors_label = [[Royal Air Force Ensign]]
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Norfolk
|march = [[Royal Air Force March Past]]
| pushpin_label = RAF Downham Market
|mascot =
| pushpin_label_position =
|equipment = [[Shorts Stirling]],<br>[[Avro Lancaster]], <br>[[de Havilland Mosquito]]
| ownership = [[Air Ministry]]
|battles =
| operator = [[Royal Air Force]]
|notable_commanders =
| controlledby = [[RAF Bomber Command]]<br />* [[No. 3 Group RAF]]<br />* [[No. 8 Group RAF|No. 8 (PFF) Group RAF]]{{sfn|Falconer|2012|p=82}}
|identification_symbol =
| open_to_public = <!-- for out of use sites/sites with museums etc -->
|identification_symbol_label = Station crest heraldry
| site_other_label = <!-- for renaming "Other facilities" in infobox -->
|anniversaries =
| site_other = <!-- for other sorts of facilities – radar types etc -->
| site_area = <!-- area of site m2, km2 square mile etc -->
| code = DO{{sfn|Falconer|2012|p=82}}
| built = {{Start date|1941}}/42
| used = July 1942 – October 1946
| builder = W. & C. French Ltd
| materials =
| height = <!-- height of tallest part, not above sea level -->
| length = <!-- for border fences or other DMZs -->
| fate = <!--changed from demolished parameter-->
| condition =
| battles = [[European theatre of World War II]]
| events =
| past_commanders = <!-- past notable commander(s) -->
| garrison = <!-- such as the 25th Bombardment Group -->
| occupants = <!-- squadrons only -->
| designations =
| website =
| footnotes = <!-- catchall in case it's needed to preserve something in infobox that doesn't work in new code -->
<!-- begin airfield information -->
| IATA =
| ICAO =
| FAA =
| TC =
| LID =
| GPS =
| WMO =
| elevation = {{Convert|36|m|0}}{{sfn|Falconer|2012|p=82}}
| r1-number = 09/27
| r1-length = {{Convert|1740|m|0}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Downham Market |url=https://www.forgottenairfields.com/airfield-downham-market-1451.html |website=Forgotten Airfields |access-date=24 December 2024}}</ref>
| r1-surface = Concrete
| r2-number = 03/21
| r2-length = {{Convert|1290|m|0}}
| r2-surface = Concrete
| r3-number = 16/34
| r3-length = {{Convert|1290|m|0}}
| r3-surface = Concrete
| h1-number =
| h1-length = <!-- {{Convert| |m|0}} -->
| h1-surface =
| airfield_other_label = <!-- for renaming "Other facilities" in infobox -->
| airfield_other = <!-- for other sorts of airfield facilities -->
<!-- end airfield information -->
}}
}}


'''RAF Downham Market''' was a [[Royal Air Force]] airfield in the west of the [[county]] of [[Norfolk]] in the [[United Kingdom]] which operated during the second half of [[World War II]].
'''Royal Air Force Downham Market''', or more simply '''RAF Downham Market''', was a [[Royal Air Force]] [[List of former Royal Air Force stations|station]] in the west of the county of [[Norfolk]], England, which operated during the second half of the [[World War II|Second World War]].


==History==
==History==


RAF Downham Market opened as a satellite station for [[RAF Marham]] in the Summer of 1942. The station was equipped with three concrete runways, one of 1,900 yards and two of 1,400 yards. Originally there were 36 hardstandings, although this dropped to 34 when an additional B1 hangar was added in the north west of the station. Six T2 hangars were built, three of which were for the storage of gliders. Accommodation was provided for 1,719 males and 326 females, with [[Bexwell Hall]] being used as the officer's mess. In October 1943 the station was equipped with the FIDO fog dispersal system.
RAF Downham Market opened as a satellite station for [[RAF Marham]] in the summer of 1942. The station was equipped with three concrete runways, one of 1,900 yards and two of 1,400 yards. Originally there were 36 hardstandings, although this dropped to 34 when an additional B1 hangar was added in the north west of the station. Six T2 hangars were built, three of which were for the storage of gliders. Accommodation was provided for 1,719 males and 326 females, with [[Bexwell]] Hall being used as the officer's mess. In October 1943 the station was equipped with the [[Fog Investigation and Dispersal Operation|FIDO fog dispersal system]].


The first operational squadron at the station was [[No. 218 Squadron RAF|218 Squadron]], operating [[Short Stirling]] aircraft, who arrived from Marham in July 1942. In August 1943, [[No. 623 Squadron RAF|623 Squadron]] formed at Downham, also operating Stirling aircraft. This Squadron was disbanded four months later, when the station was re-equipped with [[Avro Lancaster]] aircraft.
The first operational squadron at the station was [[No. 218 Squadron RAF|218 Squadron]], operating [[Short Stirling]] aircraft, who arrived from Marham in July 1942. In August 1943, [[No. 623 Squadron RAF|623 Squadron]] formed at Downham, also operating Stirling aircraft. This Squadron was disbanded four months later, when the station was re-equipped with [[Avro Lancaster]] aircraft. [[No. 214 Squadron RAF|214 Squadron]] operated briefly from Downham Market during December 1943 and January 1944.<ref>{{cite book|last=Hilling|first=John B.|title=Strike hard: a bomber airfield at war: RAF Downham Market and its squadrons, 1942–46|year=1995|publisher=Sutton|location=Stroud|isbn=0750909692|edition=1. publ. in the United Kingdom}}</ref>


In March 1944 the station passed to [[No. 8 Group RAF|No. 8 Group]], with 218 Squadron leaving for [[RAF Woolfox Lodge]], being replaced by [[No. 635 Squadron RAF|635 Squadron]], also using Lancaster aircraft. [[No. 571 Squadron RAF|571 Squadron]], equipped with [[de Havilland Mosquito]] aircraft, formed at Downham in April 1944, but had moved to [[RAF Oakington]] within a month.
In March 1944 the station passed to [[No. 8 Group RAF|No. 8 Group]], with 218 Squadron leaving for [[RAF Woolfox Lodge]], being replaced by [[No. 635 Squadron RAF|635 Squadron]], also using Lancaster aircraft. [[No. 571 Squadron RAF|571 Squadron]], equipped with [[de Havilland Mosquito]] aircraft, formed at Downham in April 1944, but had moved to [[RAF Oakington]] within a month.
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[[No. 608 Squadron RAF|608 Squadron]] re-formed at Downham in August, equipped with Canadian-built Mosquito aircraft as part of No. 8 Group's policy of having one Lancaster and one Mosquito squadron at each base.
[[No. 608 Squadron RAF|608 Squadron]] re-formed at Downham in August, equipped with Canadian-built Mosquito aircraft as part of No. 8 Group's policy of having one Lancaster and one Mosquito squadron at each base.


No. 608 and 635 Squadron's operated from Downham to the end of the war, and both were disbanded in late summer of 1945. 170 aircraft either failed to return or crashed during the operations from RAF Downham Market; 109 Stirlings, 40 Lancasters and 21 Mosquitos.
No. 608 and 635 Squadron's operated from Downham to the end of the war, and both were disbanded in late summer of 1945. 170 aircraft either failed to return or crashed during the operations from RAF Downham Market; 109 Stirlings, 40 Lancasters and 21 Mosquitos, including Mosquito KB364 which crashed on [[Bawdeswell]] church.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.bawdeswell.net/rtwebsite/villages/Bawdeswell/Baw%20Ch/Mosquito.htm |title=Mosquito KB364 crashes on Bawdeswell's church |author= The Reeve's Tale magazine website |access-date=2010-01-16}}</ref>


=== Based units ===
==Current use==
Based units:<ref name="ABCT">{{cite web|url=http://www.abct.org.uk/airfields/airfield-finder/downham-market-bexwell/ |title=Downham Market |publisher=[[Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust]]|access-date=11 April 2020}}</ref>

{{columns-list|colwidth=25em|
After closure as an operational airfield in 1946, the airfield remained in a derelict state until it was finally sold in 1957. In approximately 1950 a large proportion of the "domestic" site was re-developed as a short term housing estate, renamed "Stone Cross Estate", which finally closed in 1963. The airfield remained almost intact until the construction of the Downham Market by-pass (A10) in the late 1970s when much of the runways / taxi ways where used as hard core for the road project. Today the majority of the site has been returned to agriculture, with the technical site becoming an industrial estate. There is an unmanned radio relay station located in one corner of the former base. Adjacent to St. Marys Church Bexwell, and opposite the former guardroom, is a small plaque to commerate the stations existence.
* [[No. 214 Squadron RAF]] (1943-44)
* [[No. 218 Squadron RAF]] (1942-44)
* [[No. 571 Squadron RAF]] (1944)
* [[No. 608 Squadron RAF]] (1944-45)
* [[No. 623 Squadron RAF]] (1943)
* [[No. 635 Squadron RAF]] (1944-45)
* No. 14 Heavy Glider Maintenance Section of [[No. 2 Heavy Glider Maintenance Unit RAF]]{{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=191}}
* Satellite for [[No. 274 Maintenance Unit RAF]] (October 1945){{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|Halley|1997|p=216}}
* [[No. 2722 Squadron RAF Regiment]]
}}


== Current use ==
==Downham Market aircraft==
After closure as an operational airfield in 1946, the airfield remained in a derelict state until it was finally sold in 1957. In approximately 1950 a large proportion of the "domestic" site was re-developed as a short term housing estate, renamed "Stone Cross Estate", which finally closed in 1963. The airfield remained almost intact until the construction of the Downham Market by-pass ([[A10 road (England)|A10]]) in the late 1970s when much of the runways / taxiways were used as hard core for the road project. Today the majority of the site has been returned to agriculture, with the technical site becoming an industrial estate. There is an unmanned radio relay station located in one corner of the former base. Adjacent to St Mary's Church, [[Bexwell]], and opposite the former guardroom, is a small plaque to commemorate the station's existence. All the runways have now been removed. There had been a small section remaining alongside the A10 just before the A134 roundabout but that was removed during the latter half of 2016. A large metal tower, which had been a local landmark for years, was removed some years ago.


== See also ==
Several types of aircraft have operated out of Downham Market, among these:
* [[List of Norfolk airfields]]
*[[Short Stirling]]
* [[List of former Royal Air Force stations]]
*[[Avro Lancaster]]
*[[de Havilland Mosquito]]
*[[Airspeed Horsa]]


== References ==
==Downham Market squadrons==
=== Citations ===
* [[No. 218 Squadron RAF]]
{{reflist}}
* [[No. 623 Squadron RAF]]
* [[No. 571 Squadron RAF]]
* [[No. 608 Squadron RAF]]
* [[No. 635 Squadron RAF]]


=== Bibliography ===
==External links==
*{{cite book |last1=Falconer|first1=J.|title=RAF Airfields of World War 2 |year=2012 |publisher= Ian Allan Publishing|location= UK|isbn=978-1-85780-349-5}}
*[http://www.raf.mod.uk/bombercommand/s36.html RAF History - Bomber Command 60th Anniversary]
*{{cite book |last1=Sturtivant|first1=R.|last2=Hamlin|first2=J.|last3=Halley|first3=J.|title=Royal Air Force flying training and support units |year=1997 |publisher= Air-Britain (Historians)|location= UK|isbn=0-85130-252-1}}
*[http://www.hellzapoppin.demon.co.uk/downham.htm Helzapoppin - Downham]


==See also==
== External links ==
{{Commons category|RAF Downham Market}}
{{commonscat|Royal Air Force}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081013135408/http://www.raf.mod.uk/bombercommand/s36.html RAF History – Bomber Command 60th Anniversary]
{{commonscat|Aircraft of the air force of the United Kingdom}}
* [http://www.hellzapoppin.demon.co.uk/downham.htm Helzapoppin – Downham]
*[[Norfolk Airfields]]
*[[Royal Air Force station]]
*[[List of RAF stations]]
*[[List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons]]


{{Royal Air Force}}
{{Royal Air Force}}


{{authority control}}
{{coord|52|36|27|N|0|24|26|E|type:landmark_region:GB|display=title}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Raf Downham Market}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Downham Market}}
[[Category:Royal Air Force stations in Norfolk|Downham Market]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force stations in Norfolk]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Norfolk]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force stations of World War II in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:World War II airfields]]
[[Category:1942 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Military history of Norfolk]]
[[Category:1946 disestablishments in England]]

Latest revision as of 14:18, 1 January 2025

RAF Downham Market
Downham Market, Norfolk in England
RAF Downham Market is located in Norfolk
RAF Downham Market
RAF Downham Market
Location in Norfolk
RAF Downham Market is located in the United Kingdom
RAF Downham Market
RAF Downham Market
RAF Downham Market (the United Kingdom)
Coordinates52°36′33″N 000°24′26″E / 52.60917°N 0.40722°E / 52.60917; 0.40722
TypeRoyal Air Force station
* Satellite station 1942-44
* Parent station 1944-46[1]
CodeDO[1]
Site information
OwnerAir Ministry
OperatorRoyal Air Force
Controlled byRAF Bomber Command
* No. 3 Group RAF
* No. 8 (PFF) Group RAF[1]
Site history
Built1941 (1941)/42
Built byW. & C. French Ltd
In useJuly 1942 – October 1946
Battles/warsEuropean theatre of World War II
Airfield information
Elevation36 metres (118 ft)[1] AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
09/27 1,740 metres (5,709 ft)[2] Concrete
03/21 1,290 metres (4,232 ft) Concrete
16/34 1,290 metres (4,232 ft) Concrete

Royal Air Force Downham Market, or more simply RAF Downham Market, was a Royal Air Force station in the west of the county of Norfolk, England, which operated during the second half of the Second World War.

History

[edit]

RAF Downham Market opened as a satellite station for RAF Marham in the summer of 1942. The station was equipped with three concrete runways, one of 1,900 yards and two of 1,400 yards. Originally there were 36 hardstandings, although this dropped to 34 when an additional B1 hangar was added in the north west of the station. Six T2 hangars were built, three of which were for the storage of gliders. Accommodation was provided for 1,719 males and 326 females, with Bexwell Hall being used as the officer's mess. In October 1943 the station was equipped with the FIDO fog dispersal system.

The first operational squadron at the station was 218 Squadron, operating Short Stirling aircraft, who arrived from Marham in July 1942. In August 1943, 623 Squadron formed at Downham, also operating Stirling aircraft. This Squadron was disbanded four months later, when the station was re-equipped with Avro Lancaster aircraft. 214 Squadron operated briefly from Downham Market during December 1943 and January 1944.[3]

In March 1944 the station passed to No. 8 Group, with 218 Squadron leaving for RAF Woolfox Lodge, being replaced by 635 Squadron, also using Lancaster aircraft. 571 Squadron, equipped with de Havilland Mosquito aircraft, formed at Downham in April 1944, but had moved to RAF Oakington within a month.

608 Squadron re-formed at Downham in August, equipped with Canadian-built Mosquito aircraft as part of No. 8 Group's policy of having one Lancaster and one Mosquito squadron at each base.

No. 608 and 635 Squadron's operated from Downham to the end of the war, and both were disbanded in late summer of 1945. 170 aircraft either failed to return or crashed during the operations from RAF Downham Market; 109 Stirlings, 40 Lancasters and 21 Mosquitos, including Mosquito KB364 which crashed on Bawdeswell church.[4]

Based units

[edit]

Based units:[5]

Current use

[edit]

After closure as an operational airfield in 1946, the airfield remained in a derelict state until it was finally sold in 1957. In approximately 1950 a large proportion of the "domestic" site was re-developed as a short term housing estate, renamed "Stone Cross Estate", which finally closed in 1963. The airfield remained almost intact until the construction of the Downham Market by-pass (A10) in the late 1970s when much of the runways / taxiways were used as hard core for the road project. Today the majority of the site has been returned to agriculture, with the technical site becoming an industrial estate. There is an unmanned radio relay station located in one corner of the former base. Adjacent to St Mary's Church, Bexwell, and opposite the former guardroom, is a small plaque to commemorate the station's existence. All the runways have now been removed. There had been a small section remaining alongside the A10 just before the A134 roundabout but that was removed during the latter half of 2016. A large metal tower, which had been a local landmark for years, was removed some years ago.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]

Citations

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Falconer 2012, p. 82.
  2. ^ "Downham Market". Forgotten Airfields. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  3. ^ Hilling, John B. (1995). Strike hard: a bomber airfield at war: RAF Downham Market and its squadrons, 1942–46 (1. publ. in the United Kingdom ed.). Stroud: Sutton. ISBN 0750909692.
  4. ^ The Reeve's Tale magazine website, Mosquito KB364 crashes on Bawdeswell's church, retrieved 16 January 2010
  5. ^ "Downham Market". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  6. ^ Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 191.
  7. ^ Sturtivant, Hamlin & Halley 1997, p. 216.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Falconer, J. (2012). RAF Airfields of World War 2. UK: Ian Allan Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85780-349-5.
  • Sturtivant, R.; Hamlin, J.; Halley, J. (1997). Royal Air Force flying training and support units. UK: Air-Britain (Historians). ISBN 0-85130-252-1.
[edit]
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