Charmy Down
CHARMY DOWN: Military aerodrome
Note: All four of these pictures were obtained from Google Earth ©
Military users: RAF Flying Training Command 23 Group
ATU
RAF Fighter Command
421 (RCAF) Sqdn (Vickers-Supermarine Spitfires)
USAAF 9th Air Force
425 NFS (Night Fighter Squadron)
Location: 3nm N to NW of Bath
Period of operation: 1940 to 1946
Runways: 13/31 1325x46 hard 07/25 1234x46 hard
01/19 853x46 hard
NOTES: It seems worthwhile mentioning here, and generally speaking, just how geographically contained the European sphere of USAAF operations were in WW2 considering the massive impact they had on the outcome. They were really only employed on two aspects of winning this war. The first was the day-time bombing operations over mainly Germany with fighter escorts who were allowed to do a bit of ‘gung-ho’ low level straffing etc on the way back.
The second major aspect concerned the ‘D’ day landings and providing air support to enable US ground troops battling their way across Europe to eventually confront the advance of Soviet forces heading westward in the region around Berlin. It appears this was the essential American priority during this stage of WW2 whereas the RAF, (looking after British interests), were equally concerned about dealing with the V.1 and especially V.2 ‘flying bomb’ attacks which were truly awful for our civilian population.
Given this highly simplified picture, and if the information is correct, I was rather surprised to see that a USAAF night fighter squadron was based here, for a short time at least. This said, assuming they were here to support the D-Day landings (?), and given the performance and range of fighters by this stage, I suppose it didn't much matter. And of course, given the collosal build-up prior to D-Day, quite possibly everywhere else was full?
CHARMY DOWN: Private airstrip - see seperate entry for SAINT CATHERINE
Runway: 250mtrs
NOTES: Many years ago I had made this comment: "To say the least there seems scant info about this strip so anything known is more than welcome. It is of course common to find private strips on ex-military airfield sites so perhaps this might be another example?"
CHARMY DOWN: Model flying site (See seperate entry)
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