Headcorn
HEADCORN: Military temporary airfield (Aka EGERTON)
Note: These pictures were obtained from Google Earth ©.
The first picture is interesting because it shows that various efforts had been made to camouflage the airfield, which was common practice and a complete waste of time and effort. Typically in WW2 different parties in the military did not consult each other. If they had any pilot would have told those in charge of camouflage that nothing can be done to disguise an airfield.
The second picture, on Google Earth as 1940, but clearly some time later, only shows two Bellman type hangars on the airfield.
Military users: RAF Fighter Command 11 Group
ALG (Advanced Landing Ground)
Location: WSW of Egerton Forstal village, roughly 2nm N of LASHENDEN airfield and about 7nm WSW of Ashford town centre
Period of operation: 1943 to 1944
Runways: Steel matting: 09/27 1463 grass 18/36 1189 grass
NOTES: This airfield is typical of many which for ages had me covered in confusion. Even today some flight guide books list LASHENDEN aerodrome as (HEADCORN). For many years I’d also regarded LASHENDEN as being more properly called HEADCORN as many pilots and other sources still refered to it by this name. Quite understandable considering the proximity of Headcorn village.
In researching this Guide I’m now certain of the true answer. In fact there were actually two aerodromes in WW2 not very far away from each other in the greater scheme of things. HEADCORN ALG was about 3nm NNE of LASHENDEN and fell into disuse in 1944. LASHENDEN is the aerodrome still used today.
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