Merley Park
MERLEY PARK: Military airstrip
The aerial view was obtained from Google Earth ©. The local area and area views are from my Google Earth © derived database.
Military user: I cannot be certain, but probably part of the 1st Infantry Division. Either way, the 142nd Field Artillery Group using Piper L-4 Grasshoppers.
Location: S of the A34, about 1nm S of Wimborne Minster town centre
Period of operation: Unknown? Most probably if not certainly up to and during the D-Day invasion
NOTES: We have Mr Graham Frost, a great friend of this 'Guide', to thank for pointing out this location.
It has been a constant quest since starting this project over twenty five years ago, to try and find as many of the airstrips used during WW2 as possible, not just by the U.S. Army but also the British Army, used by light communications aircraft. No doubt it will be impossible to locate them all, but, by 2024 I think, (or hope?), to have found many if not most of them?
With the U.S.Army the majority of these airstrips came into use during the lead up to the D-Day invasion. Almost immediately after a large 'beachhead' area had been established in Normandy, many of these humble types were deployed from the U.K. to serve the advancing American troops in northerrn France. Needless to say, modern history concentrates on the more 'glamorous' and much more powerful fighter/fighter bomber/bomber types of aircraft used in this campaign.
But, make no mistake about it, the role these humble types played a very critical part in the eventual success. Being able at very short notice to carry essential items such as the latest intelligence reports, maps etc, and certainly low level spotter duties, the latter being very dangerous, I think it is a disgrace that these pilots and crews do not, by and large, get the full credit they deserve.
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