CHRISTCHURCH AIRFIELD CIRCA 1944 Christchurch began its existance in 1926 when a field known as Burrys field near Mudeford, Christchurch UK was used for pleasure flights.In 1935 airfield became known as Bournemouth Airport. Christchurch Airfield was therefore the original Bournemouth Airport. In the early March of 1944, the USAAF arrived as the 509th, 510th and 511th Fighter Squadrons of the 405th Fighter Group. The squadrons flew P47 aircraft on raids over occupied France. All the 405th units left for airfields in occupied France shortly after D-Day. Production of Mosquitos, Horsa Gliders and the Oxford was undertaken here during war time and post war the Airspeed Ambassador and the DH Sea Vixen.Hurn is now "Bournemouth airport. Christchurch was closed in 1964 and after some years the site developed for housing. Regretably there is no Memorial to the airmen who flew from here or any reminder of their sacrifice. Many people I have met who live on what was the airfield have no idea that it ever existed!
By kit.yardley, 2008-07-27 03:27:37
By kit.yardley, 2008-07-27 03:27:37