Kingston Bagpuize
KINGSTON BAGPUIZE: Military aerodrome
Note: This picture (2018) was obtained from Google Earth ©
The WW2 airfield extended across the A415, (then the A45), and I am tempted to say that today nothing exists. But, if you look in the bottom right hand corner, it certainly seems that a small piece of the 'peritrack' has survived? Plus, there is a very distinct E/W 'cut' to the fields across the airfield site.
Note: This aerial photo was taken by the USAAF in March 1944
Military users: RAF Fighter Command 12 Group
Note: I have failed to discover any information regarding RAF operations here. Can anybody help?
USAAF (1944) 9th Air Force Service Command 2nd & 42nd Air Depot Groups
4th Tactical Air Depot (Basically USAAF aircraft were brought here for modifications and 'heavy' maintenance such as major overhauls)
Typical of the types seen here were; Lockheed P-38 & F-5 Lightnings, North American P-51 Mustangs, Republic P-47 Thunderbolts and the ubiquitous Douglas C-47 Skytrain transports.
Location: Intruding across and blocking the A45, S of A45/A420 junction, 5nm W of Abingdon
Period of operation: 1942 to 1954
Runways: WW2: Steel matting 02/20 1829x46 grass 08/26 1280x46 grass
NOTES: It appears that when the USAAF arrived in 1944 they overlaid these two runways with Pierced Steel Planking, but also laid out a PBS runway alongside 02/20. PBS (Prefabricated Hessian - yes, don't ask why?)) was made of asphalt-impregnated jute. It appears that this airfield was used for several runway surface experiments designed for temporary use.
This was very important work, because it was realised that following on from the D-Day invasions many ALGs (Advanced Landing Grounds) would have to be very quickly installed behind the 'Front Line' as the invasion crept towards Germany and eventually Berlin.
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