RAF Keevil
Encyclopedia
RAF Keevil is a former World War II
airfield in England
. The field is located 4 miles east of Trowbridge
, Wiltshire
.
The airfield was built on a site previously ear-marked for the purpose in the mid 1930s. Consisting of 3 long concrete runways the airfield was used by the Royal Air Force
and the United States Army Air Force Eighth
and Ninth Air Force
s.
, but a large number of specialist subcontractors were used. Many workers were drafted into the area and found accommodation in the surrounding villages, particularly Steeple Ashton
and Keevil
.
The airfield and its associated buildings were of a standard wartime construction. Altogether around 400 buildings and constructions of all types were erected, and accommodation, catering, workstations and services provided for a permanent staffing of 165 officers, 523 senior NCO's and 1854 other ranks.
A highly important and unusual addition to the airfield was an aircraft final assembly hangar - still in situ - from where completed Spitfire fighter aircraft were taken to 'dispersal' for test flying and delivery to maintenance units, where ancillary equipment such as radio and armament would be fitted.
, arriving at Keevil on 6 September 1942 from Florence AAF
, South Carolina
. The group consisted of the following operational squadrons:
The group transported military freight and supplies using C-47
and C-53 aircraft and the aircrews at Keevil carried out extensive practice with the paratroops they would carry to North Africa. The unit remained in England until 15 November until being transferred to Tafaraoui Airfield, Algeria
as part of Twelfth Air Force.
in December 1942.
From Keevil the squadron flew a combination of Douglas Bostons
, Douglas A-20 Havocs
and Supermarine Spitfire
s and was chiefly a source of pilots and aircraft for target-towing and training duties.
In the spring of 1943, the squadron standardized on Havocs and Bostons, with a few A-20Bs These aircraft were converted to carry combat cameras and carry out various reconnaissance sorties over the French coast.
In March 1944 the 153d OS was disbanded, then re-formed for duties as the 2911th Bomb Squadron as a liaison and communications squadron, being equipped with Stinson L-5s
at RAF Erlstoke.
363d Fighter Group moved to Keevil from Sacramento AAF
California
. The group consisted of the following operational squadrons:
At Keevil, the group assembled from its movement from the United States
, however its Bell P-39 Airacobra aircraft were not deployed from their training base in California. The group awaited its operational aircraft until 22 January 1944 when the group moved to RAF Rivenhall
in Essex
, as Ninth Air Force's need for bases near the south coast of England
for its fighter groups saw an exchange of Keevil for RAF Stoney Cross
.
and 299 Squadron
Short Stirling
glider tugs of No. 38 Group RAF
arrived followed by a large number of Horsa gliders, crewed by Army pilots of the Glider Pilot Regiment.
The RAF Stirling aircraft were crewed by RAF, RCAF, RAAF, RNZAF and SAAF personnel and were engaged in SOE
and SAS
drops. largely in France
, and in glider
towing. Their involvement in the Normandy invasion of France
and Operation Market-Garden is well remembered by Keevil and Steeple Ashton villagers. Casualties of army and air force personnel were heavy and a number of aircraft were lost.
brought Keevil to a training role when in October 1944 No.22 Heavy Glider Conversion Unit arrived with their twin-engined Albermarle aircraft and Waco Hadrian Gliders.
They, in turn were replaced in June 1945 by 61 Operation Training Unit converting newly qualified pilots on to Spitfires and, later, on to Mustangs. 61 OTU in due course became 203 Advanced Flying School and moved to Chivenor in Devon in July 1947 and this marked the end of RAF Keevil as a fully staffed and equipped operational airfield.
used the base occasionally for training airborne forces and Keevil was listed as a reserve Third Air Force
base.
Keevil was kept in reserve status until 1965 when it was closed.
and RAF exercises.
Since 1992 it has also been home to the Bannerdown Gliding Club, an RAF Gliding and Soaring Association Club affiliated to the nearby RAF station at Lyneham. The airfield is also used as a motorsport circuit for various events.
In September 1994 the Keevil Society, organised by Paul Vingoe, held a Commemorative Day to mark the 50th anniversary of the D-Day
and Arnhem
operations and to dedicate a memorial to all who served at Keevil, especially those who flew from there and lost their lives.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
airfield in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The field is located 4 miles east of Trowbridge
Trowbridge
Trowbridge is the county town of Wiltshire, England, situated on the River Biss in the west of the county, approximately 12 miles southeast of Bath, Somerset....
, Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
.
The airfield was built on a site previously ear-marked for the purpose in the mid 1930s. Consisting of 3 long concrete runways the airfield was used by the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
and the United States Army Air Force Eighth
Eighth Air Force
The Eighth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Global Strike Command . It is headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana....
and Ninth Air Force
Ninth Air Force
The Ninth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command . It is headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina....
s.
Origins
Land for Keevil airfield was requisitioned in 1941 under emergency powers with the intention of returning it to the owners when hostilities ceased. The principal contractor for the construction of the airfield was the Wates GroupWates Group
The Wates Group is one of the UK’s largest family-owned construction services and development companies.-History:Established by Edward Wates in 1897, the Company expanded into speculative housebuilding and general contracting in the 1920s and 1930s. During World War II it was involved in building...
, but a large number of specialist subcontractors were used. Many workers were drafted into the area and found accommodation in the surrounding villages, particularly Steeple Ashton
Steeple Ashton
Steeple Ashton is a village and a civil parish in Wiltshire, England.-Description:Steeple Ashton today is a busy village. It has an award winning local shop, run by a small army of volunteers, a thriving pub, a football team, an active Trust supporting the Church which organises events, a day...
and Keevil
Keevil
Keevil is a village and civil parish in Wiltshire, England. The parish population has varied little since 1801.After the Second World War the barracks of RAF Keevil were used as a temporary home for Polish refugees. Today the small Ministry of Defence airfield at RAF Keevil is used for gliding at...
.
The airfield and its associated buildings were of a standard wartime construction. Altogether around 400 buildings and constructions of all types were erected, and accommodation, catering, workstations and services provided for a permanent staffing of 165 officers, 523 senior NCO's and 1854 other ranks.
A highly important and unusual addition to the airfield was an aircraft final assembly hangar - still in situ - from where completed Spitfire fighter aircraft were taken to 'dispersal' for test flying and delivery to maintenance units, where ancillary equipment such as radio and armament would be fitted.
USAAF use
In 1942 Keevil airfield was provided to the USAAF and it was assigned USAAF designation 471 (KV).62nd Troop Carrier Group
The first American unit assigned to Keevil was the 62nd Troop Carrier Group62d Airlift Wing
The 62d Airlift Wing is a wing of the United States Air Force stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. It is assigned to the Eighteenth Air Force of Air Mobility Command and is active duty host wing on McChord. The wing is composed of more than 7,200 active duty military and civilian...
, arriving at Keevil on 6 September 1942 from Florence AAF
Florence, South Carolina
-Municipal government and politics:The City of Florence has a council-manager form of government. The mayor and city council are elected every four years, with no term limits...
, South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
. The group consisted of the following operational squadrons:
- 4th Troop Carrier Squadron4th Airlift SquadronThe 4th Airlift Squadron is part of the 62d Airlift Wing at McChord Air Force Base, Washington. It operates C-17 Globemaster III aircraft supporting the United States Air Force global reach mission world wide.-Mission:...
- 7th Troop Carrier Squadron7th Airlift SquadronThe 7th Airlift Squadron is part of the 62d Airlift Wing as McChord Air Force Base, Washington. It operates C-17 Globemaster III aircraft supporting the United States Air Force global reach mission world wide.-History:...
- 8th Troop Carrier Squadron8th Airlift SquadronThe 8th Airlift Squadron is part of the 62d Airlift Wing as McChord Air Force Base, Washington. It operates C-17 Globemaster III aircraft supporting the United States Air Force global reach mission world wide.-History:...
- 51st Troop Carrier Squadron
The group transported military freight and supplies using C-47
C-47 Skytrain
The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in operation to this day.-Design and...
and C-53 aircraft and the aircrews at Keevil carried out extensive practice with the paratroops they would carry to North Africa. The unit remained in England until 15 November until being transferred to Tafaraoui Airfield, Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
as part of Twelfth Air Force.
153d Observation Squadron
After the departure of the transport group, Keevil saw the arrival of the 153rd Observation Squadron from the 67th Recon Group at RAF MemburyRAF Membury
RAF Station Membury is a former World War II airfield built in the civil parish of Lambourn in Berkshire, England. The airfield is located approximately mi north-northwest of Hungerford, at the Membury services stop of the M4 motorway; about miles west-southwest of London...
in December 1942.
From Keevil the squadron flew a combination of Douglas Bostons
Douglas DB-7
The Douglas A-20/DB-7 Havoc was a family of American attack, light bomber and night fighter aircraft of World War II, that served with several Allied air forces, principally those of the Soviet Union, United Kingdom, and United States. The DB-7 was also used by the air forces of Australia, South...
, Douglas A-20 Havocs
Douglas DB-7
The Douglas A-20/DB-7 Havoc was a family of American attack, light bomber and night fighter aircraft of World War II, that served with several Allied air forces, principally those of the Soviet Union, United Kingdom, and United States. The DB-7 was also used by the air forces of Australia, South...
and Supermarine Spitfire
Supermarine Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries throughout the Second World War. The Spitfire continued to be used as a front line fighter and in secondary roles into the 1950s...
s and was chiefly a source of pilots and aircraft for target-towing and training duties.
In the spring of 1943, the squadron standardized on Havocs and Bostons, with a few A-20Bs These aircraft were converted to carry combat cameras and carry out various reconnaissance sorties over the French coast.
In March 1944 the 153d OS was disbanded, then re-formed for duties as the 2911th Bomb Squadron as a liaison and communications squadron, being equipped with Stinson L-5s
Stinson Aircraft Company
The Stinson Aircraft Company was an aircraft manufacturing company in the United States between the 1920s and the 1950s.-The Company:The Stinson Aircraft Company was founded in Dayton, Ohio, in 1920 by aviator Edward “Eddie” Stinson, brother to Katherine Stinson. After five years of business...
at RAF Erlstoke.
363d Fighter Group
On 20 December 1943, the Ninth Air ForceNinth Air Force
The Ninth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command . It is headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina....
363d Fighter Group moved to Keevil from Sacramento AAF
Sacramento
Sacramento is the capital of the state of California, in the United States of America.Sacramento may also refer to:- United States :*Sacramento County, California*Sacramento, Kentucky*Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta...
California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The group consisted of the following operational squadrons:
- 380th Fighter Squadron
- 381st Fighter Squadron
- 382d Fighter Squadron
At Keevil, the group assembled from its movement from the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, however its Bell P-39 Airacobra aircraft were not deployed from their training base in California. The group awaited its operational aircraft until 22 January 1944 when the group moved to RAF Rivenhall
RAF Rivenhall
RAF Station Rivenhall is a former World War II airfield in Essex, England. The airfield is located approximately south-southeast of Braintree; about northeast of London...
in Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
, as Ninth Air Force's need for bases near the south coast of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
for its fighter groups saw an exchange of Keevil for RAF Stoney Cross
RAF Stoney Cross
RAF Station Stoney Cross is a former World War II airfield in the New Forest, Hampshire, England. The airfield is located approximately northwest of Lyndhurst and west of Southampton....
.
RAF Fighter Command use
With the departure of the Americans, the RAF used Keevil beginning in March 1944 for 196No. 196 Squadron RAF
No. 196 Squadron was a Royal Air Force squadron originally formed as a training unit during World War I. It was active during World War II in Nos. 3, 4 and 38 Group RAF...
and 299 Squadron
No. 299 Squadron RAF
-History:No. 299 Squadron was formed on 4 November 1943 form 'C' flight of 297 Squadron at RAF Stoney Cross, Hampshire as a special operations squadron. It became operational in April 1944 dropping SOE agents. During the Normandy landing the squadron first delivered paratroopers, and then returned...
Short Stirling
Short Stirling
The Short Stirling was the first four-engined British heavy bomber of the Second World War. The Stirling was designed and built by Short Brothers to an Air Ministry specification from 1936, and entered service in 1941...
glider tugs of No. 38 Group RAF
No. 38 Group RAF
No 38 Group RAF was formed on 6 November 1943 from nine squadrons as part of Fighter Command. It was finally disbanded on 1 April 2000.-History:...
arrived followed by a large number of Horsa gliders, crewed by Army pilots of the Glider Pilot Regiment.
The RAF Stirling aircraft were crewed by RAF, RCAF, RAAF, RNZAF and SAAF personnel and were engaged in SOE
SOE
- Organizations :* Special Operations Executive, a British World War II covert military organisation* State-owned enterprise, a government-owned business* Sega of Europe, a computer game developer* Sony Online Entertainment, a computer game developer...
and SAS
Special Air Service
Special Air Service or SAS is a corps of the British Army constituted on 31 May 1950. They are part of the United Kingdom Special Forces and have served as a model for the special forces of many other countries all over the world...
drops. largely in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, and in glider
Military glider
Military gliders have been used by the military of various countries for carrying troops and heavy equipment to a combat zone, mainly during the Second World War. These engineless aircraft were towed into the air and most of the way to their target by military transport planes, e.g...
towing. Their involvement in the Normandy invasion of France
Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord was the code name for the Battle of Normandy, the operation that launched the invasion of German-occupied western Europe during World War II by Allied forces. The operation commenced on 6 June 1944 with the Normandy landings...
and Operation Market-Garden is well remembered by Keevil and Steeple Ashton villagers. Casualties of army and air force personnel were heavy and a number of aircraft were lost.
RAF Flying Training Command use
The departure of these units to East AngliaEast Anglia
East Anglia is a traditional name for a region of eastern England, named after an ancient Anglo-Saxon kingdom, the Kingdom of the East Angles. The Angles took their name from their homeland Angeln, in northern Germany. East Anglia initially consisted of Norfolk and Suffolk, but upon the marriage of...
brought Keevil to a training role when in October 1944 No.22 Heavy Glider Conversion Unit arrived with their twin-engined Albermarle aircraft and Waco Hadrian Gliders.
They, in turn were replaced in June 1945 by 61 Operation Training Unit converting newly qualified pilots on to Spitfires and, later, on to Mustangs. 61 OTU in due course became 203 Advanced Flying School and moved to Chivenor in Devon in July 1947 and this marked the end of RAF Keevil as a fully staffed and equipped operational airfield.
Postwar military use
Between 1955 and 1964 the United States Air ForceUnited States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
used the base occasionally for training airborne forces and Keevil was listed as a reserve Third Air Force
Third Air Force
The Third Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Forces in Europe . It is headquartered at Ramstein Air Base, Germany....
base.
Keevil was kept in reserve status until 1965 when it was closed.
Civil use
With the end of military control, Keevil airfield is virtually complete with all of its runways, perimeter track and many of the hardstands still in place. It is used occasionally for British ArmyBritish Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
and RAF exercises.
Since 1992 it has also been home to the Bannerdown Gliding Club, an RAF Gliding and Soaring Association Club affiliated to the nearby RAF station at Lyneham. The airfield is also used as a motorsport circuit for various events.
In September 1994 the Keevil Society, organised by Paul Vingoe, held a Commemorative Day to mark the 50th anniversary of the D-Day
D-Day
D-Day is a term often used in military parlance to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. "D-Day" often represents a variable, designating the day upon which some significant event will occur or has occurred; see Military designation of days and hours for similar...
and Arnhem
Arnhem
Arnhem is a city and municipality, situated in the eastern part of the Netherlands. It is the capital of the province of Gelderland and located near the river Nederrijn as well as near the St. Jansbeek, which was the source of the city's development. Arnhem has 146,095 residents as one of the...
operations and to dedicate a memorial to all who served at Keevil, especially those who flew from there and lost their lives.