Winkleigh
WINKLEIGH: Military aerodrome
Military user: WW2: RAF Fighter Command 10 Group
286 Sqdn (Army Co-operation target duties)
Note: During WW2 286 Sqdn operated Airspeed Oxfords, Boulton Paul Defiants, Hawker Hurricanes, Miles Martinets & Masters and Westland Lysanders. They were based at LULSGATE BOTTOM, COLERNE, ZEALS and finally WESTON ZOYLAND - so presumabyly only detachments operated here. Needless to say I have no idea how many of the types operated by the squadron used WINKLEIGH. But I expect somebody knows?
406 (Lynx) Sqdn RCAF (Bristol Beaufighters, later DH Mosquitos)
408 (Goose) Sqdn RCAF (Handley Page Halifaxs?)
Note: Typically, when you try to determine squadron histories, accounts vary.
415 RCAF Sqdn (Possibly flying Handley Page Hampdens when based here?)
Note: It appears this squadron was mostly employed on Maritime Patrol duties when based here.
SOE (Special Operations Executive)
161 (Black) Sqdn (Westland Lysanders)
Notes: Almost from the beginning of WW2, top secret operations were being organised by 138 and later 161 Squadrons. By and large 161 Squadron specialised in landing, mostly in France to deliver and collect agents, VIPs, and parcels. Often containing significant intelligence information on the return flights as parcels. Although for 161 Squadron their main base was TEMPSFORD (BEDFORDSHIRE) their forward base thoughout most of WW2 was TANGMERE (SUSSEX). After the D-Day landings this changed the picture entirely, so 161 Squadron and their Lysanders were moved west to WINKLIEGH, where routes could be planned to reach France avoiding the major conflict taking place on Normandy.
The book We Landed By Moonlight by Hugh Verity, published in 1978, is highly recommended reading for those interested in these 'Top Secret' operations. Without any doubt, although impossible to quantify, these operations made a very significant contribution to the outcome in WW2, and indeed helped to hasten the end of the war.
9th USAAF 74th Service Group
12th Tactical Reconnaissance Sqdn (Vickers-Supermarine Spitfire PR Mk.X1s & Douglas A-20 Havocs)
Location: W of B3220 & Berners Cross, NW of Winkleigh, SE of Riddiford, 8nm NNE of Okehampton
Period of operation: 1943 to 1958
Runways: WW2: 09/27 1417x46 hard 18/36 1372x46 hard
NOTES: There is a lot of very good information now available on the web regarding this airfield and those who flew here. Well worth looking at.
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