Doniford
DONIFORD: Military Army Camp, later RAF facility, both for anti-aircraft practice. (See also DONIFORD CAMP)
Military users: British Army from 1925 to 1939
Royal Air Force from 1939 to 1957.
US Army 187th Field Artillery Group (1943 to 1944?)
Location: In/near Doniford village, between 1 to 1.5nm E to ESE of Watchet, 1.5nm NNE of Williton
Period of operation: 1943 to 1944?
NOTES: It appears that the RAF unit engaged on target-towing duties were based at WESTONZOYLAND. However, in 1938 it seems that a catapault was installed for launching radio-controlled Queen Bees - and some did get hit!
The Queen Bee was an adapted DH82 Tiger Moth, (the more common DH82A had anti-spin strakes fitted), on floats. These were recovered, whether hit or not, by the SS Radstock based in nearby Watchet harbour.
Perhaps oddly, I haven't found any other mention of the US Army having an airstrip here, although the original source is highly regarded.
Looking at a map I wonder if the present day Doniford Bay Holiday Park is on the site of the main base facility? It has been quite common for holiday facilities to be based on old military facilities as they already, in many cases, have water, mains electricity and sewerage functions installed.
The reason for having two listings is simply because the DONIFORD CAMP listing is solely about the Queen Bee catapult launching facility. This listing is kept open just in case more information comes to light regarding the U. S. Army airstrip. In producing this 'Guide' it has sometimes been many years after making the original listing that further information has been found. As often as not by some kind person coming across the 'Guide' who has this knowledge.
Another important aspect of keeping this this listing 'open' is the valuable 'Comments' section below. Which I cannot transfer. Note the 'Comment' by Mr Philip John Hurley confirming the existence of the U.S. Army airstrip - but not giving an exact location. Doniford Road starts in the centre of Watchet heading easterley to Doniford before turning roughly SW to Williton - covering a distance of roughly four miles. Does anybody have any ideas?
David hope
This comment was written on: 2019-04-09 22:19:19I remember as a kid going to the camp on an expedition. we came to a hut that was partly white for projecting films on We were told this was a gun trainer
Philip cox
This comment was written on: 2019-07-07 16:25:41I was stationed at Donniford in 1958 with 49 Inkerman Bty R A attached to 1 Btn Northamptonshire Regt during 1 div Trolly trails .We would march each day to the small site near to swillbridge farm right on the beach .Iremember well the small concrete domed construction painted white on the inside ,used by the RAF for gunnery practice .iwas there for around 6mths prior to Cyprus posting .happy days in watchet
Stewart Kitch
This comment was written on: 2019-07-18 21:02:25My father started his RAF war service in 1941 and was stationed at Westonzoyland. They had a target "outpost" at Doniford where he went as well. He mentioned a Tiger Moth I think About 40 years ago we both visited the camp at Doniford, which was then a US base for something. They would not let him in; so much for fighting for your country and being a POW.
Philip John Hurley
This comment was written on: 2020-05-14 17:05:26Hi I was born and grew up in Watchet,I lived in Doniford Road and I can confirm that the US Air Force did ,repeat did have an airfield in front of our house.They arrived in 1944 and flew Piper Cub aircraft, they were used for photo reconassance.They were friendly to us children as they were a long way from home ,we got fruit and sweets from them.At christmas time they sent lorries to our school and took us to camp at St Audries and gave us a christmas meal ,and a fruit basket to bring home. We were sad to see them go ,they vanished overnight a few days before D Day.
Michael Pickett
This comment was written on: 2020-08-19 14:50:56As a child I lived in the RAP married quarters at Watchet. My father was an anti-aircraft gunnery instructor at Doniford. As kids it was very exciting to sit below the low cliffs at the gunnery range with bofors guns (L70s) pounding away at targets being towed over the beach by Mosquitoes.
Michael Pickett
This comment was written on: 2020-08-19 14:51:51As a child I lived in the RAF married quarters at Watchet. My father was an anti-aircraft gunnery instructor at Doniford. As kids it was very exciting to sit below the low cliffs at the gunnery range with bofors guns (L70s) pounding away at targets being towed over the beach by Mosquitoes.
Mike Fitzpatrick
This comment was written on: 2020-11-23 15:25:26I lived in Williton between, 1953/ 1963. and as young lads we used to play in the small old military camp above the left hand side, to the entrance to Donlford beach, 'Adjacent to the Lime Kilns' This camp had a small Nissan, type hanger and many small one story buildings, The camp was and this entrance is directly opposite side of the road from what is now Doniford steam railway junction. I owned a static caravan at the Haven holiday camp in the 1980s. and many times walked along to Watcher, the large concrete anti aircraft gun bases were at the top of the cliffs in the1960s they are now down on the beach below the afore mentioned camp, such is the erosion of this coast line. The Haven holiday camp as of today was further north, and across the Swilly river, this was indeed an Army camp in the 1960s, I know this as my Dad was a civilian working there until we moved from Williton to Bicester 1963. I hope this may be of interest.
We'd love to hear from you, so please scroll down to leave a comment!
Leave a comment ...
Copyright (c) UK Airfield Guide
