Second World War MoD Lyneham

aerial view



the station badge of raf lyneham reflected role in air transport

the station opened on 18 may 1940 no. 33 maintenance unit (33mu), no ceremony , few personnel. on first day of operations, personnel strength recorded 4 officers, 1 other rank , 15 civilians. 9 vehicles recorded, including 2 tractors, ambulance , crossley fire engine. station did not have aircraft however, until end of month when de havilland tiger moth , fairey albacore arrived.

a single enemy aircraft attacked station on 19 september 1940, dropping incendiary , 2 high explosive bombs before strafing part of airfield. 5 civilian workmen killed.

lyneham s first runways constructed during 1940 , 1941, longest being 4,375 ft (1,334 m), other 3,542 ft (1,080 m). during following years these both extended, , in 1943 6,000 ft (1,829 m) north-south runway opened well.

on 14 october 1942, no. 511 squadron raf (511 sqn) formed no. 1425 (communication) flight raf (1425 flt) @ raf lyneham. squadron continued work of flight, operating regular transport schedules gibraltar using consolidated liberator. extend route gibraltar malta squadron operated armstrong whitworth albemarle. war progressed, 511 sqn expanded long-range transport role , first squadron operate avro york (a transport aircraft based on avro lancaster). @ first liberators , yorks operated separate flights, liberator flight became no. 246 squadron raf (246 sqn) in 1944. squadron continued fly trooping flights, particularly between united kingdom , india until disbanded on 7 october 1946.

with increase in air transport operations in raf, opposed ferrying, transport command formed in march 1943. lyneham, in no. 46 group raf (46 gp), main airfield in south, , sending own aircraft overseas, acted clearance airfield planning, diplomatic clearance, customs , briefing purposes transport aeroplanes other stations flying abroad. provided facilities aircraft being ferried overseas.