Early years and World War II RAF Benson

fairey battles of no. 12 operational training unit raf in flight

construction of raf benson began in 1937 part of expansion of raf , in response threat of war nazi germany. construction undertaken contractors john laing & son. benson officially opened raf station on saturday 1 april 1939 under command of group captain r t leather afc. station s first aircraft 2 squadrons of fairey battle light bombers, began arrive few days later. no. 103 squadron arrived raf boscombe down , started flying in on 3 april 1939, joined in next few months no. 150 squadron arrived raf abingdon.

the battles replaced in december 1940 vickers wellington medium bombers. @ same time supermarine spitfires of no. 1 photographic reconnaissance unit (pru) , raf coastal command arrived. benson gained considerable fame home of photographic reconnaissance remainder of second world war. in june 1943, no. 1 pru formed no. 106 wing, 5 squadrons (no’s 540 544 inclusive) , no. 12 operational training unit.

the wing elevated status of no. 106 (photo reconnaissance) group in april 1944, 2 de havilland mosquito , 2 supermarine spitfire squadrons (no. 543 squadron having been disbanded when aircraft strength per squadron increased). group assigned coastal command s photo reconnaissance assets whole of northern europe operational area. spitfire , mosquito aircraft flew missions on occupied europe, including provision of battle damage assessment images after operation chastise, attack on german dams no. 617 squadron in may 1943. period of station s history reflected in use of full-scale replica of wartime spitfire pr.mk xi on main gate - having replaced genuine spitfire pr.mk xix has been restored flying status. vera lynn, forces sweetheart , visited raf benson entertain troops, reportedly singing white cliffs of dover @ station.