Merston
MERSTON: Military aerodrome
Note: This picture (2015) was obtained from Google Earth ©
It never ceases to amaze me just how the outline of so many airfields, like this, can still be traced quite clearly into the 21st century.
Military users: RAF Fighter Command 11 Group
41, 145, 303 (Polish), 307 (Polish), 402 (RCAF) & 485 (RNZAF) Sqdns (Vickers-Supermarine Spitfires)
Location: W of Merston & NNE of Runcton villages. 2nm SE of Chichester
Period of operation: 1941 to 1945
Runways: Steel matting: 04/22 1456 grass 13/31 1280 grass
NOTES: As pointed out elsewhere the contribution the Polish pilots and aircrews made to the RAF far exceeded their numbers, they were mostly very determined and highly skilled.
Even so it should be of interest I think to learn that it appears the RAF had only fourteen squadrons of Polish airmen in both Fighter and Bomber Command. Plus a fifteenth squadron, 663, who flew Austers on Artillery Observation Flights during the invasion of Italy.
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