Funtington
FUNTINGTON: Military aerodrome - ALG (Advanced Landing Ground)
Note: This picture (2018) was obtained from Google Earth ©
The outline of the airfield is pretty much contained within the B2146 and B2147. Common Road has been built across the southern part of the airfield, and indeed, as often happened in WW2, may well have been closed for that eastern section that crossed the airfield. And that section, in those days, was probably not a 'metal' road as such.
Military users: RAF Fighter Command 11 Group
65 & 122 Sqdns (North American P-51 Mustangs)
331 (Norwegian) Sqdn (Vickers-Supermarine Spitfires)
Location: S of the B2146, W of Funtington village and roughly 5nm WNW of Chichester
Period of operation: 1943 to 1944
Runways: Steel matting 08/26 1463 grass 16/34 1097 grass
NOTES: Without any doubt the visit by 331 Squadron was brief. The RAF has always had a policy to keep moving squadrons around, and this does appear to try and inhibit their maximum operational effectiveness, especially during the run-up to D-Day.
As 331 Squadron were reputed to be the best scoring squadron in 11 Group in 1943, I now suppose it is hardly surprising to discover that they were moved from pillar to post in the run-up to D-Day in 1944 to obviously try and hinder their abilities? Hence swift moves from BOGNOR REGIS to TANGMERE, FUNTINGDON and FORD.
Needless to say the RAF historians strenuously deny that during WW2 many of their higher echelon staff numbers were riddled with Nazi sympathisers, (which, without being too cynical, would certainly appear to be the case today?), they prefer to state that they were often incompetent people, in some cases to a ridiculous degree. Perhaps this was indeed the case but by 1944 - hadn't most of these buffoons been side-lined?
Peter Lawson
This comment was written on: 2017-01-13 12:05:44I used to live in the area of Funtington and listened to war stories from my father aboutthe squadrons based there. As a kid I rode my bike all over the area. I have recently visited the local pub (Fox and Hounds) apart from displaying pictures of cornish fishermen on their walls there is no mention of what took place at Funtington. I understand aircrew allways drank at the Fox & Hounds. So I am loking for any photos free of copyright that they might be able if they agree to put on their walls to preserve the memory of those who flew and died from ALG Funtington. Any suggestions? regards P Lawson Surrey.
Reply from Dick Flute:
Hi Peter, Many thanks for your comment. I don't know of any particular source that would be copyright free and which would suit your purpose. However, I will keep this comment posted because somebody else may be able to help. Good luck and best regards, Dick
Terry Clark
This comment was written on: 2018-01-05 02:53:08When I arrived at Farnborough in 1974 to commence work as a very junior Air Traffic Controller, one of the other controllers told me he had been stationed at Funtington in the run-up to D-Day flying Mustangs so obviously he was with 65 Sqdn. There is a naval shore station(Qinetiq Funtington') to the north of Common Road and he told me the ALG was south of this road.
David Fairhead
This comment was written on: 2019-07-31 16:48:36What documentary evidence exists to support your claim that the RAF deliberately tried to undermine the effectiveness of its own squadrons?
Reply from Dick Flute:
Hi David, Clearly I do not have the space for a full reply. This opinion has been derived from many excellent books by highly respected authors, plus meeting many people who served in the RAF. In the last few decades a great deal of detailed information has been disclosed and/or unearthed, which I have to say has been something of a revelation. Just one point, these remarks are generally aimed at the higher ranks and planners of the RAF, not those serving in the squadrons. Best regards, Dick
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