Cockthorne
Note: This map is only my estimation of the location for this airfield. If anybody can kindly offer a more precise location, this advice will be very welcome.
COCKTHORNE: Military Landing Ground (also known as MARKET RASEN)
Military user: RFC (Royal Flying Corps]), later RAF (Royal Air Force)
33 [Home Defence] Sqdn
Note: Originally flying Royal Aircraft Factory BE.2s, these were replaced with FE.2s. Later it seems, in June 1918 Bristol Fighters were flown for a few months until 'night-fighter' Avro 504s arrived in August
Location: 2nm W to WSW of Market Rasen
Period of operation: 1916 to 1919
Site area: 56 acres 549 x 411
NOTES: It appears, as is so common with other 'Home Defence' Squadrons during WW1, they were basically a waste of time and resources and did not destroy one German bomber or airship. It now seems their only purpose was to try and allay the quite irrational fears the civilian population had about being bombed. The vast majority never experienced aerial bombardment.
Isn't history fascinating? Some twenty years later, when the Luftwaffe unleashed their devastating 'Blitzkreig' offensive in WW2, this same civilian population responded and coped magnificently, depite the large criminal element in British society having a heyday as a result. As many have said, the fear of fear itself it far more potent. Dealing with reality, no matter how bad, most can cope with.
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