Kopfdorfer over att M4T wanted me to relay a request from him since he has some trouble regestring on 1C. Here you go:
"I would like to make the request that RAF Hurn (Bournemouth) be included on the map - it was significant , and is forgotten on most NWE maps.
Located in the Red Square
(se link for his photos:
http://www.mission4today.com/index.p...wtopic&t=22769)
RAF Hurn History Precis
Whilst the former Bournemouth Airport in Somerford had been turned into RAF Christchurch, a new purpose built airfield had been built in Hurn, north of Christchurch.
With solid runways, rather than the grass strips that were used in RAF Christchurch, this enabled a far greater array of aircraft to access the site. Opening in 1941, RAF Hurn saw a huge amount of squadrons based there over the duration of the war.
Telecommunications Flying Unit – 13/8/41 to 25/5/42 – Various types
Special Duties Flight (later absorbed by Telecommunications Flying Unit) – 10/11/41 to 25/5/42 – Various types
1425 Flight – 12/41 to 5/42 – Liberator
297 Squadron – 5/6/42 to 24/10/42 – Whitley V
170 Squadron – 17/6/42 to 10/10/42 – Mustang I
296 Squadron – 29/6/42 to 25/10/42 – Whitley V
298 Squadron – 24/8/42 to 19/10/42 – Whitley V
88 Squadron – 29/9/42 to 30/3/43 – Boston III
239 Squadron – 6/12/42 to 25/1/43 – Mustang I
296 Squadron – 19/12/42 to 3/6/43 – Whitley V and Albemarle 1/II
No 3 Overseas Aircraft Despatch Unit – Formed 1/43
412 Squadron – 1/3/43 to 6/3/43 – Spitfire Vb
No1 Heavy Glider Maintenance Unit – 1/5/43 to 6/5/43 (formed and immediately transferred)
295 Squadron – 30/6/43 to 16/3/44 – Halifax V and Albemarle I/II
296 Squadron – 15/10/43 to 14/3/44 – Albemarle II
570 Squadron – 15/11/43 to 14/3/44 – Albemarle I/II
620 Squadron – 22/11/43 to 18/3/44 – Stirling III
438 Squadron – 18/3/44 to 3/4/44 – Typhoon IB
439 Squadron – 18/3/44 to 2/4/44 – Typhoon IB
440 Squadron – 18/3/44 to 3/4/44 – Typhoon IB
125 Squadron – 25/3/44 to 31/7/44 – Mosquito XVII
181 Squadron – 1/4/44 to 20/6/44 – Typhoon IB
182 Squadron – 1/4/44 to 20/6/44 – Typhoon IB
438 Squadron – 19/4/44 to 27/6/44 – Typhoon IB
439 Squadron – 19/4/44 to 11/5/44 – Typhoon IB
440 Squadron – 20/4/44 to 28/6/44 – Typhoon IB
247 Squadron – 24/4/44 to 20/6/44 – Typhoon IB
604 Squadron – 3/5/44 to 13/7/44 – Mosquito XIII
439 Squadron – 20/5/44 to 27/6/44 – Typhoon IB
198 Squadron – 22/6/44 to 1/7/44 – Typhoon IB
183 Squadron – 1/7/44 to 14/7/44 – Typhoon IB
609 Squadron – 1/7/44 to 9/7/44 – Typhoon IB
257 Squadron – 2/7/44 to 8/7/44 – Typhoon IB
193 Squadron – 3/7/44 to 11/7/44 – Typhoon IB
197 Squadron – 3/7/44 to 20/7/44 – Typhoon IB
263 Squadron – 10/7/44 to 23/7/44 – Typhoon IB
266 Squadron – 13/7/44 to 20/7/44 – Typhoon IB
418 Squadron – 14/7/44 to 29/7/44 – Mosquito II
277 Squadron – 18/8/44 to 29/8/44 – Spitfire Vb
This was an end to RAF involvement with RAF Hurn for the time being, as in August 1944 it was transferred to the command of the USAF.
509th Thunderbolt
In 1943 the USAF required a several advanced landing grounds along the south coast of England prior to the invasion of Normandy, and RAF Hurn was provided for this use. In 1943 a 1650 yard long steel and plank runway was installed to support the heavier American fighters, although it retained its original four grass landing strips.
The 4th April 1944 saw the arrival of the first resident American aircraft, the 405th Fighter Group. The 405th consisted of the following squadrons flying P-47 Thunderbolts.
509th Fighter Squadron
510th Fighter Squadron
511th Fighter Squadron
The next American aircraft to arrive at RAF Hurn were from the 422nd and 425th Night Fighter Squadron, flying six P-61 Black Widows.
These arrived in June 1944 and departed in July, to be replaced the following month by the 397th Bombing Group consisting of the following squadrons
596th Bomb Squadron
597th Bomb Squadron
598th Bomb Squadron
599th Bomb Squadron
All four squadron flew B26 Marauders. Their departure in September 1944, and subsequent reacquisition by the RAF signalled an end to squadrons being based at RAF Hurn.
Castle Cabs
Fate works in funny ways. Before the war, the base at RAF Christchurch had been the areas dominant airport, even referred to as Bournemouth Airport, yet in the closing years of the war (and thanks to substantial government investment in runways and buildings) it was evident that RAF Hurn was by far the more suitable airport to be used for civilian purposes.
Unlike RAF Christchurch which was handed to the Ministry of Supply for use in aircraft manufacture, on the 31st October 1944 RAF Hurn was handed over to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and in the closing years of the war up until 1948 Hurn Airport became the main airport for international flights into the UK and sealed its future as the new site of Bournemouth Airport.
Could you make this comment in my name ?
Thanks ,
Kopfdorfer "