Henley
Note: This map only shows the position of Henley-on-Thames within the UK.
HENLEY: Military aerodrome (Sites in this area also known as UPPER CULHAM FARM, CRAZIES HILL and COCKPOLE GREEN - see the COCKPOLE GREEN entry for a bit more information)
Military users: RAF Flying Training Command 50 Group
Initally used as a RLG, Relief Landing Ground
8 EFTS {Elementary Flying Training School] (de Havilland DH82A Tiger Moths & Miles Magisters)
13 EFTS (de Havilland DH82A Tiger Moths)
10 FIS [Flying Instructors School] (Probably also using Tiger Moths, Magisters and Miles Masters)
529 (Rota) Squadron [Radar Calibration Flight] (Airspeed Oxford, Avro Rota, de Havilland DH87B Hornet Moth and Sikorsky Hoverfly types)
Location: NW of Cockpole Green, S of A423 (now the A4130), roughly 2nm E to ESE of Henley-on-Thames, 6nm NNE of Reading
Period of operation: Military: 1940 to 1945
Note: One reliable source says ops started from 1935 but these were civilian operations and by all accounts possibly limited to a single visit by the 1935 Alan Cobham 'flying circus' tour
Runway: ‘All-over’ grass airfield with a landing area 640x732 with emphasis on SSW/NNE
NOTES: To say the least I was most surprised to discover this aerodrome listed in the excellent Willis & Holliss book of WW2 Military airfields. Having flown extensively in this area and being really quite familiar with most of it I’d have thought somebody would have mentioned it. On the other hand with just 70 RAF personnel at best being stationed here in late 1944, (a pitiful amount by WW2 standards). Much later through the help of the Museum of Berkshire Aviation I found out that locally built Spitfires, (PR versions only?), were assembled here before being delivered to BENSON.
Apart from EASTLEIGH (SOUTHAMPTON AIRPORT, other airfields used by Vickers-Supermarine for the final assembly and test flying of Spitfires were ALDERMASTON, also in BERKSHIRE, CHATTIS HILL, CHILBOLTON and WORTHY DOWN in HAMPSHIRE. In WILTSHIRE they used HIGH POST, KEEVIL near Trowbridge and SALISBURY (presumably OLD SARUM)?
MUCH MORE INFORMATION
In October 2016 I was kindly contacted by Darren Pitcher who supplied a wealth of extra information for which I am most grateful. For example he explained that the first RAF arrivals here, on the 4th July 1940, were Tiger Moths of 13 EFTS based at nearby WHITE WALTHAM. But they only used the site as and RLG (Relief Landing Ground).
On the 3rd February 1941 it appears that control of the airfield passed to 8 EFTS, based at WOODLEY, and they also used it as an RLG. Darren tells us that 10 FIS, also based at WOODLEY, were the next to use the site, probably in 1942. Night flying commenced here around 1942 and the School used the airfield until 1943.
THE SPITFIRE LEGACY
Darren also pointed out that the Spitfires which were assembled here, and built in nearby Reading, were principally the Mk.V version. Many were converted to the PR.IV version for photo-reconaissance and it seems that nearly all of the PR.IV version were assembled and test-flown here. It also appears that the early examples of the PR.XI were assembled and flown here until the assembly and testing of these aircraft was moved to ALDERMASTON.
A CLAIM TO FAME
Another interesting point that Darren makes is that from the 16-18th August 1944, 529 (Rota) Squadron arrived from RAF HALTON. However, as he also points out, their main claim to fame is that on the 16th April 1945 the Squadron received two Sikorsky Hoverflys -which were true helicopters - although of limited capabilities.
However, as the war in Europe ended officially on V-E Day, the 8th May 1945, it would appear, (unless you know otherwise?), that 529 (Rota) Squadron were the first and only squadron to operate helicopters during WW2. I suppose it should be noted that there is quite a big difference between operating a type and the type being fully operational.
Darren also tells us that the Cierva W9 Autogyro was test-flown here in 1945 and the 'Man Pick-Up' trials were also held here using an Avro Anson in the summer of 1945. 529 (Rota) Squadron was disbanded in late 1945 and it would appear the airfield was closed shortly afterwards.
A SHUTTLE SERVICE?
It would also seem that in WW2 a ‘shuttle service’ was operated by Cierva auto-giros between here and BLETCHLEY PARK, (the famous WW2 code-breaking intelligence centre), near MILTON KEYNES. Can anybody add to this or confirm it? I would imagine that the conection here is that the major Photo-Reconnaissance and Intelligence centre at Medmenham is quite close by.
NOT QUITE THE END
Darren tells us that after the airfield closed it became a polo field, as did SMITHS LAWN in Windsor Great Park not so very far away. But, the site was also used for model aircraft flying by the Henley model club.
Grant
This comment was written on: 2017-08-27 20:46:24I'm doing some research about this Airstrip. My Grandma got a little too drunk one night of a Farewell Pilots Dance at the Mess in Henley Aerodrome. She also got pregnant and had the resultant son (My father) adopted!! The deed will have happened in about August 1941 and the pilots were shipped off to war, presumably newly qualified judging by all the flight training groups here. If I find anything useful I'll let you know but thanks for the steer towards No.8 EFTS. Gx
Reply from Dick Flute:
Hi Grant, Many thanks indeed, this is 'a-story-and-a-half' without a doubt. Glad to be of help and will look forward to any extra information that might emerge. Best regards, Dick
John C Pilcher
This comment was written on: 2020-04-20 13:57:51I guess it makes sense for PR Spitfires as Danesfield not far away was where all the photos where brought to so they could be studied for I formation.
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