Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

RAF Newchurch, the site of an advanced landing ground 1943-44.

Monument Types

• MILITARY AIRFIELD (Unknown date)

Full description

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RAF Newchurch.

The site of an advanced landing ground, a special type of World War Two temporary airfield prepared to support the Allied invasion of Europe. It was opened in 1943 and flying ceased at the end of 1944. The airfield was situated west of Newchurch around the area occupied by Brooker Farm and Will's Farm. It consisted of two intersecting runways made of Sommerfeld Track, a type of steel mesh matting. Personnel were housed in a tented camp (or billeted in local houses). There were 4 Blister Aircraft hangars. The airfield had improvements made to its tracks in October 1943- April 1944. In contrast to some other advanced landing grounds in Kent, Newchurch was fully used for D Day with fighter aircraft of Numbers 3 and 56 Squadrons and 486 (New Zealand) Squadron giving air cover for the Normandy landings. Subsequently they were engaged in intercepting V1 missiles. The site was decommissioned in December 1944. After the war the site returned to agriculture. There are little remains of the former airfield, reportedly gaps in field boundaries and a concrete bridge are among the few traces. (1-3)

<1> Bennett, D., 1977, A Handbook of Kent's Defences 1540-1945 (Monograph). SKE7811.

<2> Ashword, Chris, 1985/1990, Action Stations 9: Military Airfields of the Central South & South East (Monograph). SKE8330.

<3> Romney Marsh Research Trust, 2010, Romney Marsh Research Trust Gazetteer 2010 (Unpublished document). SKE16034.

Sources and further reading