Warmwell
*WARMWELL: Military aerodrome (Previously known as RAF WOODSFORD 1937 to 1938)
Note: This great somewhat battered picture, from a postcard, was kindly sent by Mike Charlton who has an amazing collection. See; www.aviationpostcard.co.uk
I can identify an Avro Anson with a gun-turret. Can anybody offer more advice?
Note: This picture was obtained from Google Earth © and replaces the previous picture. See 'Comments' below.
Note: All pictures by the author. I was surprised and pleased to discover that not only a couple of WW2 hangars plus a couple of other buildings exist, but also that this significant 'Battle of Britain' airfield is remembered in other ways, including a memorial.
Military users: 1937 through to WW2:
6 ATC later 6 ATS
62 Sqdn (Hawker Hinds)
Armament Practice Camp
WW2: RAF Fighter Command 11 Group
(Forward Airfield) *Battle of Britain Station
152 (Nizam of Hyderabad) & 234 Sqdns (Vickers-Supermarine Spitfires)
307 (Polish) Sqdn (Spitfires)
421 (RCAF) Sqdn (Spitfires)
604 Sqdn (Bristol Beaufighters)
609 (West Riding of Yorkshire) Sqdn (Spitfires)
689 Sqdn (Spitfires)
14 & 17 Armament Practice Camp (Miles Masters, Westland Lysanders, Miles Martinets)
RAF Coastal Command
217 Sqdn (Avro Ansons)
275 (ASR) Sqdn (Avro Ansons, Supermarine Walrus & Spitfires)
277 (ASR) Sqdn*
Location: W of B3390 and roughly 2nm N of the A352. Adjacent to the MORETON Admiralty Airship Station according to some records which seems incorrect? Moreton village is about 4nm NE of Warmwell village so there is obviously some doubt about this claim. This aerodrome was about 4nm SE of Dorchester
Period of operation: 1937 to 1945
Runways: NE/SW 823 grass WNW/ESE 1536 grass
NW/SE 823 grass
THREE MORE PICTURES
Note: Regarding the information board adjacent to the memorial it is a shame that it has not been maintained and is rather difficult to read.
NOTES: Soon after starting the research for this Guide I made this note: 'Typical of so many WW2 military aerodromes there now seems to be some confusion in the records as to where it was actually situated.' I trust you will agree that I have made a lot of progress since in nailing locations. But, it does serve to illustrate that for the casual enquirer, the subject is often fraught with confusion and contradictions. I soon realised that seeking out dependable sources of information was a top priority and thank heavens I quickly had so many generous and knowledgeable people offering to help. Sadly many of these people are no longer with us.
It appears quite surprising that, as late as 1944, WARMWELL was, (or so it appears), still a major RAF Fighter Command aerodrome with 2238 RAF personnel plus 302 WAAFs based here.
COASTAL COMMAND
Regarding 217 and 275 (ASR) Squadrons it is perhaps not much remembered these days that at the beginning of WW2 the Avro Anson was the mainstay of RAF Coastal Command. A very fine aircraft in itself, serving the RAF until 1968, it would be hard to imagine a less capable type to be chosen for Coastal Command duties.
* 277 (ASR) Sqdn did, it seems, send a detachment just for August 1944. Why? The D-Day landings had occurred in June so it is not obvious why this sudden and short move was required? At that time the squadron was operating Spitfires, Sea Otters and Lysanders – but, if all these types were deployed here seems questionable? Another detachment was sent to HURN (HAMPSHIRE) for the same short period.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED READING
In early 2015, purely by chance in our local library, I came across the superb book Spitfire Pilot by Roger Hall, DFC. As you may well imagine, in my research I have read a great many books on the history of flying in WW2, but this book is outstanding in that the descriptions of aerial combat especially are quite remarkable, being descibed in great detail and worthy of the best 'thriller' authors. And, he makes no secret of the anxiety and often fear felt during these operations.
Ted Spring
This comment was written on: 2018-05-31 04:46:48Thanks for your info. Re Warmwell, coincidently i just finished a book by WW2 pilot Nick Berryman, "In The Nick Of Time", recounting his life's experiences before and leading up to the war, and theres some lovely descriptions included with his being posted to Warmwell, driving Spits and "Shagbats" in 276 Sqdn., Air Sea Rescue. Yes, it's a pity so much of the sites where was played out this history of such a critical moment in time for the whole world has been unappreciated and lost. Best regards, Ted
Lee Gray
This comment was written on: 2018-11-30 18:26:28Hi, Your Aerial View Google earth photo above seems to be in the wrong place?? The map above it is right but your photo is too far east. The airfield was just East of Crossways, where the Gravel pits are now. The Hangars are still there. I have an aerial photo of the airfield in 1943 which shows the location if interested. Regards, Lee
Reply from Dick Flute:
Hi Lee, Many thanks, I'll put this right. Regards, Dick
Paul Doyle
This comment was written on: 2020-03-02 17:51:37Warmwell opened as 'Woodsford' until it was realised this might be confused with Woodford, near Manchester, where Lancasters were built. Moreton (Woodsford) was the Naval airship station sited north of the railway line running along the north side of the airfield. Crossways village occupies what was the technical site, whilst the grass airfield was south of the road running past the north side (where the control tower remains as 'Egdon House'), north of the road running past the south edge, and between the two remaining hangars and Crossways village. Another long-term user was 263 Squadron with the Westland Whirlwind fighter-bomber.
Malcolm Sewell
This comment was written on: 2020-04-12 11:33:32further to comments above, My father was an armourer on both 276 Air sea rescue and 263 Whirlwinds at Warmwell. I have press photos of 263 squadron dated 18th june 1943 which include the whole squadron, and my dad arming a Whirlwind. I believe Crossways village hall used to be the camp cinema. Nick Berrymans book confirms my Dads story of an aircrash there he witnessed, whilst riding his push bike ,on the perimeter track, the pilot had been thown clear but fell from a great height, Dad ran over to the unfortunate pilot and must have stood next to Nick as the descriptions match exactly. Dad also got a shilling a day extra to fly as the emergency air gunner in the Walrus from Warmwell. He was 20. The holy Trinity church at Warmwell village has graves of Airmen and some records inside.
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