|
A No.77 Squadron Halifax returns home
to Elvington, 1944
|
Originally a grass airfield, RAF Elvington was completely rebuilt with three hardened runways in 1942, as a sub-station of RAF Pocklington. Grouped with RAF Melbourne, the three airfields became known as '42 Base', within 4 Group.
The first operational aircraft were the Whitley twin-engined bombers of 77 Squadron, although these were soon replaced by Handley Page Halifax four-engined bombers. The squadron took part in the Battle of the Ruhr and in many other operations aimed at the destruction of German industry. In early 1944, 77 Squadron moved to the newly opened airfield at Full Sutton and Elvington became host to two French Squadrons operating within No.4 Group: No. 346 (Guyenne) and No.347 (Tunisie). Both squadrons played a major part in the bomber offensive.
In March 1945, a Junker JU 88 attacked RAF Elvington when the landing lights were switched on awaiting the French squadrons' return. This aircraft crashed into a farmhouse on the B1228 near the airfield and a memorial to the four German airmen and the two civilians who were killed stands outside the house.
In October 1945, the French Squadrons left for Bordeaux and Elvington became part of 40 Group Maintenance Command until 1952 when it became part of the expansion programme for US Strategic Air Command. The runway was lengthened to 1.92 miles, the longest in the north of England. The base never became operational and it was vacated in 1958.
In the early 1960s, the Blackburn Aircraft Company at Brough, near Hull, used the runway for test flying the prototype Buccaneer aircraft. Afterwards, the RAF flying training schools at Church Fenton and Linton-on-Ouse used the runway to practise circuits and landings. RAF Elvington finally closed in March 1992. |
