Prawle Point
PRAWLE POINT: Military aerodrome
Note: These three pictures are from my Google Earth © derived database.
Military users: RNAS/RAF
RNAS Marine Operations Station (1917)
492 (Light Bomber) Flight (Airco DH.9s)
517 & 518 (Special Duties) Flights (Airco DH.6s)
RAF 254 Sqdn (Airco DH.6s)
Location: About 2.5nm SE of Salcombe town centre.
Period of operation: 1917 to 1920 (Closed in the 1917/18 winter)
Opened again for RNAS later RAF use from February 1918 to February 1919
Site area: 50 acres 640 x 366
NOTES: It appears that a dozen Sopwith ‘One and half Strutters’ were based here initially, allocated to the Admiralty for inshore patrol duties, before being withdrawn to bolster the Western Front.
In 1918 No.492 (Light Bomber) Flight was formed in May. They flew DH.9 bombers on ‘scarecrow’ patrols in advance of convoys, forcing the U-boats to stay submerged during daylight hours. No. 517 and 518 (Special Duties) Flights arrived soon after with DH.6s. All these flights performed highly dangerous missions flying over the sea using land-planes.
PRAWLE POINT was then home to RAF 254 Squadron undertaking coastal reconnaissance and anti-submarine duties using Airco DH.6 types. It appears the Sopwith ‘One and half Strutters’ were used in Artillery Co-Operation duties until 1920.
If anybody can confirm that the airfield site is in my picture, this will be much appre ciated.
We'd love to hear from you, so please scroll down to leave a comment!
Leave a comment ...
Copyright (c) UK Airfield Guide
