RAF Saltby
Encyclopedia
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 Leicestershire
Leicestershire
Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire...
, England. The airfield is located approximately 8 miles (12.9 km) northeast of Melton Mowbray
Melton Mowbray
Melton Mowbray is a town in the Melton borough of Leicestershire, England. It is to the northeast of Leicester, and southeast of Nottingham...
; about 90 miles (144.8 km) north-northwestof London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
Opened in 1942, it was used by both 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 United States Army Air Force. During the war it was used primarily as a transport airfield. After the war it was closed in 1945 and kept in reserve until 1955.
Today the remains of the airfield are located on private property and, now known as Saltby Airfield, is used primarily for gliding.
Overview
Built in 1942, Saltby airfield was built to the Class A airfieldClass A airfield
Class A airfields were military installations originally built for the Royal Air Force in the Second World War. Several were transferred to the U.S...
standard with a set of three converging runways each containing a concrete runway for takeoffs and landings, optimally placed at 60 degree angles to each other in a triangular pattern. It was built as a satellite for RAF Cottesmore
RAF Cottesmore
RAF Cottesmore was a Royal Air Force station in Rutland, England, situated between Cottesmore and Market Overton. The station housed all the operational Harrier GR9 squadrons in the Royal Air Force, and No 122 Expeditionary Air Wing...
and was first used by the Vickers Wellington
Vickers Wellington
The Vickers Wellington was a British twin-engine, long range medium bomber designed in the mid-1930s at Brooklands in Weybridge, Surrey, by Vickers-Armstrongs' Chief Designer, R. K. Pierson. It was widely used as a night bomber in the early years of the Second World War, before being displaced as a...
s of RAF No.14 Operational Training Unit, initially as a sod airfield. As one of the northern airfields allocited for USAAF troop carrier use, the RAF OTU moved out in August 1943, following which the concrete runways were built by units of the RAF's No.5352 Airfield Construction Wing.
The airfield had the standard runway lengths, a main of 6,000 ft and secondaries of 4,200 ft. aligned 07/25, 02/20 and 13/31. respectively. The 50 hardstands were 33 loops plus 17 pans connecting to an enclosing perimeter track, of a standard width of 50 feet.
The ground support station was constructed largely of Nissen hut
Nissen hut
A Nissen hut is a prefabricated steel structure made from a half-cylindrical skin of corrugated steel, a variant of which was used extensively during World War II.-Description:...
s of various sizes. The support station was where the group and ground station commanders and squadron headquarters and orderly rooms were located. Also on the ground station were where the mess facilities; chapel; hospital; mission briefing and debriefing; armory and bombsite storage; life support; parachute rigging; supply warehouses; station and airfield security; motor pool and the other ground support functions necessary to support the air operations of the group. These facilities were all connected by a network of single path support roads.
The technical site, connected to the ground station and airfield originally consisted of a B-1 and two T-2 hangars were provided, however another two T-2s were added when the airfield was also used for the storage of 32 Horse gliders in 1943. In addition various organizational, component and field maintenance shops along with the crew chiefs and other personnel necessary to keep the aircraft airworthy and to quickly repair light and moderate battle damage. Aircraft severely damaged in combat were sent to repair depots for major structural repair. The ammunition dump was located outside of the perimeter track surrounded by large dirt mounds and concrete storage pens.
Various domestic accommodation sites were constructed dispersed away from the airfield, but within a mile or so of the technical support site, also using clusters of Maycrete or Nissen huts. The Huts were either connected, set up end-to-end or built singly and made of prefabricated corrugated iron with a door and two small windows at the front and back. They provided accommodation for 2,414 personnel, including communal and a sick quarters.
During airborne operations, when large numbers of airborne parachutists were moved to the airfield, tents would be pitched on the interior grass regions of the airfield, or wherever space could be found to accommodate the airborne forces for the short time they would be bivouacked at the station prior to the operation.
USAAF use
Saltby was known as USAAF Station AAF-538 for security reasons by the USAAF during the war, and by which it was referred to instead of location. It's USAAF Station Code was "SY".314th Troop Carrier Group
Although a US ground party arrived in December 1943, it was not until the following February that a C-47 group moved in. This was the 314th Troop Carrier Group with Douglas C-47 and C-53 Skytrain transportsC-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...
which flew in from Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
. Having earned a Distinguished Unit Citation for its operations in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations
Mediterranean Theater of Operations
The Mediterranean Theater of Operations, United States Army was originally called North African Theater of Operations and is an American term for the conflict that took place between the Allies and Axis Powers in North Africa and Italy during World War II...
since May 1943 with Twelfth Air Force. Operational squadrons and fuselage codes of the 314th were:
- 32d Troop Carrier Squadron (S2)
- 50th Troop Carrier Squadron50th Airlift SquadronThe 50th Airlift Squadron is one of four operational flying Air Mobility Command squadrons currently stationed at Little Rock AFB in Jacksonville, Arkansas...
(2R) - 61st Troop Carrier Squadron61st Airlift SquadronThe 61st Airlift squadron is part of the 19th Airlift Wing and operates C-130 Hercules aircraft from Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas. The unit predominantly deploys in support of Operation New Dawn and Operation Enduring Freedom....
(Q9) - 62d Troop Carrier Squadron62d Airlift SquadronThe 62d Airlift Squadron is part of the 314th Airlift Wing at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas. It operates C-130 Hercules aircraft and provides advanced training to pilots, copilots, navigators, flight engineers, and loadmasters for airlift and airdrop operations.-History:During World War II...
(E5)
The 314th TCG was part of the IX Troop Carrier Command
IX Troop Carrier Command
The IX Troop Carrier Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the Ninth Air Force, based at Greenville Army Air Base, South Carolina. It was inactivated on 31 March 1946...
52nd Troop Carrier Wing
52d Troop Carrier Wing (World War II)
The 52d Troop Carrier Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the New York Air National Guard. It was inactivated on 31 October 1950....
.
The group quickly set to work with the men of the 82nd Airborne Division who were deployed around the Leicester
Leicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
area engaging in practice drops and glider launches in preparation for the Battle of Normandy
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...
. This came on 6 June when 51 C-47 and nine C-53 aircraft of the 314th dropped paratroops in the dark hours, following up the next day with re-supply and reinforcement missions. One C-47 was shot down and many damaged in these operations for which the group later received a Distinguished Unit Citation.
Although tactical missions were the priority during the following months, much time was spent in hauling cargo into 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...
.
The air operations over Holland in September was the next major combat involvement and, on the 17th, the 314th Troop Carrier Group despatched two serials to north of Renkum
Renkum
Renkum is a municipality and a town in the eastern Netherlands.The municipality has 31.801 inhabitants and has a land area of 47,12 km². Renkum is situated along the river Rhine The municipality Renkum is part of the Stadsregio Arnhem-Nijmegen.The surrounding of the municipality are mainly...
. The first, comprising 36 C-47s, dropped 595 paratroops and 120 parapacks (from under-wing racks). The second, of 33 C-47s and three C-53s, carried 520 paratroops and 128 parapacks. Two of the men refused to jump and 19 parapacks failed to release. Three C-47s suffered flak damage but none were lost.
The group was not so fortunate the next day when 69 C-47s and three C-53s set out from Saltby to drop more British paratroops. One C-47 was lost to small arms fire and three to flak. Unbowed, the group put up two serials on 21 September, one of 27 carrying 395 Polish parachutists, 112 parapacks, eight motor cycles, six bicycles and five mortar trolleys. The second serial of 33 planes carried 396 Polish paratroops and 116 parapacks (a total lift of 29,183 lbs). The weather was bad and 14 aircraft had to turn hack and another 16 received battle damage from anti-aircraft fire encountered. The 314th was not called upon again until September 26, when 29 C-47s flew in troops and supplies to the airstrip at Keent, Holland.
Throughout the winter of 1944-45, the 314th spent much time flying supplies between continued training for delivery of paratroops for the next great enterprise. During the crisis caused by the Germans' Ardennes offensive
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was a major German offensive , launched toward the end of World War II through the densely forested Ardennes mountain region of Wallonia in Belgium, hence its French name , and France and...
, the group transported troop reinforcements from bases in southern England to France.
At the end of February 1945, a move was made to the Advanced Landing Ground
Advanced Landing Ground
Advanced Landing Ground was the term given to the temporary advance airfields constructed by the Allies during World War II in support of the invasion of Europe...
(ALG) at Poix, France (ALG B-44), the squadrons leaving Saltby in early March.
Legacy
From Poix, the 314th released gliders carrying troops and equipment to the Wesel
Wesel
Wesel is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is the capital of the Wesel district.-Division of the town:Suburbs of Wesel include Lackhausen, Obrighoven, Ginderich, Feldmark,Fusternberg, Büderich, Flüren and Blumenkamp.-History:...
area on 24 March 1945 when the Allies launched the airborne assault across the Rhine
Operation Varsity
Operation Varsity was a successful joint American–British airborne operation that took place toward the end of World War II...
.
Continually transported freight in the Mediterranean
Mediterranean Theater of Operations
The Mediterranean Theater of Operations, United States Army was originally called North African Theater of Operations and is an American term for the conflict that took place between the Allies and Axis Powers in North Africa and Italy during World War II...
(MTO) and European Theater of Operations
European Theater of Operations
The European Theater of Operations, United States Army was a United States Army formation which directed U.S. Army operations in parts of Europe from 1942 to 1945. It referred to Army Ground Forces, United States Army Air Forces, and Army Service Forces operations north of Italy and the...
(ETO), when neither training for, nor participating in airborne operations; hauled supplies such as food, clothing, gasoline, aircraft parts, and ammunition. Also carried wounded personnel to rear-zone hospitals.
After V-E Day, the group evacuated Allied prisoners from Germany, and later made scheduled flights to transport freight and personnel in Europe as part of the European Air Transport Service known as EATS.
The 314th Troop Carrier Group was transferred, without personnel and equipment, to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in February 1946 where it was deactivated.
349th Troop Carrier Group
The USAAF returned to Saltby in May 1945 when a detachment of 349th Troop Carrier Group from RAF Barkston HeathRAF Barkston Heath
RAF Barkston Heath is a Royal Air Force station near Grantham, Lincolnshire.RAF Barkston Heath is the home of the Defence Elementary Flying Training School which, for a period between approximately 1995-2010 operated the Slingsby T67M260 Firefly two seat trainer. The school now operates the Grob...
with Curtiss C-46 Commandoes to carry British paratroops to Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
. These aircraft remained until the end of the month.
RAF Bomber Command use
Later in March. the RAF's No. 1665 Heavy Conversion Unit, mainly with Short StirlingShort 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...
s, moved in and remained until August that year. In the autumn of 1945, Saltby became a RAF Maintenance Command
RAF Maintenance Command
RAF Maintenance Command was the Royal Air Force command which was responsible for controlling maintenance for all the United Kingdom-based units from formation on 1 April 1938 until being renamed RAF Support Command on 31 August 1973.- History :...
station holding surplus stores. Activities were gradually run down and the airfield was disposed of in 1955.
Civil use
Upon its release from military use, much of the airfield was returned to agriculture, although today, a large amount of the airfield still exists. Almost the entire main runway remains, along with the south-west (20) half of the 02/20 secondary runway. Only a small section of the NW/SE 31/13 runway remains, although the runway is clearly visible as disturbed earth in aerial photography where it is being used for agriculture. The perimeter track and loop dispersal pads are all removed, with some of the track being used as single-lane agricultural road. The technical site and associated buildings has long since been dismantled, although evidence of its existence remains with some single lane roads.Flying continues today as Buckminster Gliding Club
Buckminster Gliding Club
The Buckminster Gliding Club is a gliding club based at Saltby Airfield on the Leicestershire / Lincolnshire border, England. It is affiliated to the British Gliding Association and runs a seven-day-a-week operation throughout the year except on Christmas Day.-History and changes:Saltby Airfield...
operates 7 days a week from Saltby Airfield using about half of the main runway (07/25) The club specializes in gliding, motor gliding and glider aerobatics.
See also
- List of RAF stations
- 82nd Airborne Division
- Buckminster Gliding ClubBuckminster Gliding ClubThe Buckminster Gliding Club is a gliding club based at Saltby Airfield on the Leicestershire / Lincolnshire border, England. It is affiliated to the British Gliding Association and runs a seven-day-a-week operation throughout the year except on Christmas Day.-History and changes:Saltby Airfield...