Fersfield
FERSFIELD: Military aerodrome
Both of these pictures were obtained from Google Earth ©
The extent of the WW2 airfield, as defined by the perimeter track, is still clearly visible. And, even the runways can be, (more less), discerned.
Military users: RAF Bomber Command 2 Group
2 Group Support Unit
21, 464 (RAAF) & 487 (RNZAF) Sqdns (DH Mosquitos)
8th USAAF Special projects Aphrodite & Batty projects (Radio & TV controlled bombs)
Boeing B.17 Flying Fortresses & B.24 Liberators
Location: Near Diss, 15nm SW of Norwich
Period of operation: 1944 to 1945
Runways: 06/24 1829x46 hard 18/36 1280x46 hard
12/30 1280x46 hard
NOTES: Here again yet another WW2 aerodrome I’d never heard of until researching this project some fifteen years ago but it was obviously a major base during its short period of operation with up to 2894 personnel on station and fifty ‘Spectacle’ layout hardstandings provided. However, I do not know if the amount of personnel was the total of both RAF and USAAF people.
As a general point it does seem rather a shame that little if any attempt is now made today to uphold and describe the ‘real’ truths involved in the WW2 air war. The powers that be clinging on to the propaganda picture and trying to uphold the myth and legend. I suppose the best example is the oddly named ‘Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’ which comprises the Hurricane and Spitfire (naturally), but for some strange reason, a Lancaster bomber. A type that hadn’t even flown when the ‘Battle of Britain’ was taking place mostly over southern England. Perhaps a more apt name would be the 'Battle for Britain Memorial Flight'
However, if this “Memorial Flight” is supposed to commemorate the aerial ‘Battle for Britain’ during WW2 isn't it sad that it obviously lacks another type flying alongside, the De Havilland DH.98 Mosquito. There are several examples existing in flying condition and I would bet a pound to a penny that the BBMF would love to have one of their own.
SOME MOSQUITO HISTORY
Towards the middle and end of WW2 the Mosquito was often employed as a bomber on some highly skilled specific raids, such as individual buildings occupied as Gestapo headquarters. The raid on Amiens prison to blast it open with limited casualties to hopefully ensure the release of many French resistance fighters consigned to a death sentence was a master stroke.
One such raid, ‘Operation Carthage’, is perhaps lesser known today but I suppose of equal importance, and was mounted from this aerodrome. This was the attack on the ‘Shellhaus’ Gestapo headquarters in the centre of Copenhagen on the 21st March 1945. It must be remembered that many of the Danish resistence people who helped with information to plan this raid knew they’d probably die if it was successful! Which it was, rendering the building totally unfit for purpose, destroying countless records, and killing many Gestapo and Danish Nazi regime collaborators as well as Danish Resistance members.
AIRCREW FROM THE BRITISH EMPIRE
As said elsewhere I believe that we, as a nation, have behaved quite disgracefully by not fully attempting to acknowledge the absolutely critical role, in the Royal Air Force, that the aircrew from other countries and our Dominions served. So, can we please remind ourselves that the three Mosquito squadrons selected to be involved for the raid were 21 Sqdn (RAF), 464 Sqdn (RAAF - Royal Australian Air Force) and 487 Sqdn (RNZAF- Royal New Zealand Air Force ), which were all based here at the time. For the anoraks amongst us, (which I suppose I’ve become - hopefully), this raid was escorted by 31 Mustangs of 64, 126 & 235 RAF squadrons based at BENTWATERS.
Don Sandom
This comment was written on: 2018-04-13 17:36:50I've seen several references to Fersfield being USAF/USN up until late 1944 (see "military airfields of E.Anglia" by Michael Bowyer). The Americans were a secret unit (code Aphrodite) developing remote-control unmanned aircraft in the form of war-weary B24 or B17 packed with explosives and intended for particular priority targets. The crews of these flying bombs would bail out after taking of and testing the systems. The rest of the mission would b controlled from fast escort aircraft. The project was not successful. Amongst others, it resulted in the death of Joe Kennedy Junior (elder brother of President JF Kennedy) who was a decorated USN pilot.
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