Fordingbridge flying sites
Note: This map only gives the position of Fordingbridge within the UK.
FORDINGBRIDGE see also DOWN FARM
FORDINGBRIDGE see also WEST PARK HOUSE (DAMERHAM)
FORDINGBRIDGE: Temporary aerodrome
NOTES: It appears that on the 25th June Sir Alan Cobham’s 1935 main display team performed in/near Fordingbridge. This must have been a major event in recent local history at the time, but is the location used for the venue now known?
FORDINGBRIDGE: Unofficial airstrip? See also GODSHILL for limited WW2 info.
Location: Cricket ground near to The Fighting Cocks pub, in Godshill
Period of operation: 1939 to 1940?
NOTE: Used by military and possibly civil aircraft prior to WW2 only? The Fighting Cocks pub is still very much in business today.
FORDINGBRIDGE: Military airstrip (Known locally and possibly officially as ASHLEY WALK)
Military user: US First Army ‘VII’ Corps Artillery HQ
Location: 4nm NE of Fordingbridge
Period of operation: 1944/5 only?
Runways: Two x 366 grass strips (Orientation?)
NOTES: One Piper L-4 Grasshopper and one Stinson L-5 Sentinel were based here.
We do seem to see and hear rather a lot from accounts by WW2 fighter and bomber pilots and aircrew, which is of course only natural. But why almost nothing from those flying liaison and transport aircraft etc? Today of course, and for many of us, their wartime exploits are equally fascinating.
The New Forest was of course arguably the largest of the marshalling areas for the D-Day invasion forces. In such circumstances and with only a few highly congested narrow roads, deliveries of key personnel, documents, maps etc to the Command centres must surely have kept the liaison pilots very busy.
We'd love to hear from you, so please scroll down to leave a comment!
Leave a comment ...
Copyright (c) UK Airfield Guide
