RAF Davidstow Moor
History
Airfield Code Letters - DD
Bodmin Moor is an area of bleak moorland that forms the highest part of Cornwall. Lower than its neighbour Dartmoor, Bodmin Moor still reaches the lofty height of 417 m (1368’).
As you look to the West with Roughtor on your left an area of fairly level ground is where the former airfield of RAF Davidstow Moor is located. At 294 metres (970’) it is the highest airfield in Britain. This made the airfield very susceptible to hill fog, sea mists and low cloud, all of which are not a good thing if you happen to be flying aircraft. It was estimated in 1943 that for 80% of the time, weather conditions at Davidstow were unsuitable for flying. Place the highest point in Cornwall next to it and the problem is further compounded. Davidstow Moor could be a very inhospitable place but it could also be a very pleasant place to be, especially on a summers day with the wonderful views out over Bodmin Moor and Dartmoor.
The airfield was opened on 1st October 1942, the three runways and fifty panhandle dispersals were complete, but accommodation was not and the lack of a permanent water supply must have made life a little difficult for those posted to the field. Its three concrete runways were laid down in the classic “A” shape configuration, with three T2 Hangars provided to give a degree of cover for aircraft maintenance, in what was quite a harsh exposed environment.
On 12th October 1942 a convoy of ninety eight vehicles arrived at the site carrying American personnel and equipment. This was followed on 15 October by the first recorded landing by an aircraft at the airfield, when a Douglas DC.3 Dakota of No 24 Squadron brought in eighteen army personnel who were to perform guard duties.
The first operational aircraft to arrive at Davidstow flew in on 8th November 1942, eighteen B-24D’s Liberators of the 44th (The Flying Eight-Balls) and 93rd Bombardment Groups landed from their bases at Shipham and Alconbury respectively. The Liberators caused a bit of apprehension to the locals who thought the aircraft maybe German. The units were fuelled and bombed up ready to fly the next day in an attack on the U-Boat pens at St Nazaire. The attack was in support of Operation Torch which was the allied invasion of French North Africa. Fourteen aircraft carried out the raid with the 93rd bombing at 14.02 hrs and the 44th at 14.08 hrs. The aircraft returned to Davidstow having achieved varying degrees of success with damage being inflicted to one B-24 from the 93rd during the raid. The B-24’s returned to their home bases on 9th November 1942. Similar missions were flown later in the month using Boeing B-17F’s of the 306th Bomb Group who flew in from Thurleigh.
Bodmin Moor is an area of bleak moorland that forms the highest part of Cornwall. Lower than its neighbour Dartmoor, Bodmin Moor still reaches the lofty height of 417 m (1368’).
As you look to the West with Roughtor on your left an area of fairly level ground is where the former airfield of RAF Davidstow Moor is located. At 294 metres (970’) it is the highest airfield in Britain. This made the airfield very susceptible to hill fog, sea mists and low cloud, all of which are not a good thing if you happen to be flying aircraft. It was estimated in 1943 that for 80% of the time, weather conditions at Davidstow were unsuitable for flying. Place the highest point in Cornwall next to it and the problem is further compounded. Davidstow Moor could be a very inhospitable place but it could also be a very pleasant place to be, especially on a summers day with the wonderful views out over Bodmin Moor and Dartmoor.
The airfield was opened on 1st October 1942, the three runways and fifty panhandle dispersals were complete, but accommodation was not and the lack of a permanent water supply must have made life a little difficult for those posted to the field. Its three concrete runways were laid down in the classic “A” shape configuration, with three T2 Hangars provided to give a degree of cover for aircraft maintenance, in what was quite a harsh exposed environment.
On 12th October 1942 a convoy of ninety eight vehicles arrived at the site carrying American personnel and equipment. This was followed on 15 October by the first recorded landing by an aircraft at the airfield, when a Douglas DC.3 Dakota of No 24 Squadron brought in eighteen army personnel who were to perform guard duties.
The first operational aircraft to arrive at Davidstow flew in on 8th November 1942, eighteen B-24D’s Liberators of the 44th (The Flying Eight-Balls) and 93rd Bombardment Groups landed from their bases at Shipham and Alconbury respectively. The Liberators caused a bit of apprehension to the locals who thought the aircraft maybe German. The units were fuelled and bombed up ready to fly the next day in an attack on the U-Boat pens at St Nazaire. The attack was in support of Operation Torch which was the allied invasion of French North Africa. Fourteen aircraft carried out the raid with the 93rd bombing at 14.02 hrs and the 44th at 14.08 hrs. The aircraft returned to Davidstow having achieved varying degrees of success with damage being inflicted to one B-24 from the 93rd during the raid. The B-24’s returned to their home bases on 9th November 1942. Similar missions were flown later in the month using Boeing B-17F’s of the 306th Bomb Group who flew in from Thurleigh.
Boeing B-17F 41-24485 "Memphis Belle"
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One aircraft that was later to achieve celebrity status in a film made by William Wyler was Memphis Belle. The aircraft was a Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress with a tail number of 41-24485 and flew with the 324th Bombardment Squadron of the 91st Bomb Group. Memphis Belle was the first 8th Air Force bomber to be officially recognised as achieving 25 missions. On 17 November 1942 Memphis Belle flew on a mission to bomb the submarine pens at St Nazaire. This was to be the aircraft's third mission and the 324th's log for the day shows that Memphis Belle landed at Davidstow Moor with the rest of the squadron, due to poor weather at Bassingbourn.
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The aircraft was captained on this day by Robert K Morgan and anyone who has seen Wyler's film will recognise the name and the man. The aircraft survives today at The National Museum Of The United States Air Force at Wright Patterson AFB.
During December 1942 Bell P-400 Airacobra of the 360th Fighter Group used the airfield on their way to North Africa. These mid-engined fighters would have been quite a rarity to Cornwall at the time and in the UK for that matter.
During December 1942 Bell P-400 Airacobra of the 360th Fighter Group used the airfield on their way to North Africa. These mid-engined fighters would have been quite a rarity to Cornwall at the time and in the UK for that matter.
The first six months of 1943 saw various squadrons operating from Davidstow, these included Lockheed Hudson’s of No 53 & 279, No 304 (Polish) flying Vickers Wellington MK.1C’s, and No 612, flying Armstrong Whitworth Whitley MK.VII’s (later Wellington MK.X). None of the Squadrons stayed for long and soon went to other duties and destinations.
The grave of Fg Off C H Norton - The Church Of St David Davidstow
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As always in wartime as in peace there are losses of aircraft and crews. On 6 May 1943 AW Whitley MK.VII EB328 of No 612 Squadron was flying from Davidstow when the aircraft crashed near Wadebridge with the loss of all crew.
The crew on this day flying EB328 were -
Whilst four members of the crew have been interred in churchyards in other parts of the UK, Fg Off Norton was buried at The Church Of St David Davidstow, close to the airfield from where he took his last flight all those years ago. |
The next major event took place on May 16th with the 8th Air Force returning with forty five Liberators of the 44th & 93rd Groups. The next day the Liberators attacked Bordeaux where opposition was light with damage witnessed to the lock gates and the Matford Aero engine works.
In June 1943 full control was taken of Davidstow by No 19 Group. No 304 (Polish) Squadron moved in along with 547 both units flying Wellington’s, their mission was to attack submarines in the Bay Of Biscay. At this time the U-Boats changed their tactics and instead of diving when aircraft approached they chose to fight it out with their tormentors on the surface. This made life far more difficult for the attacking aircraft and crews, success was limited but the attacks continued, later on with the use of the Leigh Light which was used at night to illuminate surfaced U-Boats. Inevitably there were casualties whilst undertaking the attacks, in July No 304 lost three of its Wellingtons. One aircraft crashed on take off which killed the pilot and navigator although four other crew members survived. Two further aircraft were lost by 304 the following month, along with No 547 Squadron, where several aircraft fell to the guns of Junkers JU88’s who were now on regular patrol in the Bay Of Biscay.
Davidstow due to its position was always subject to the vagaries of the Cornish weather. Frequently obscured by sea mists, fog or low clouds, operations were often hampered. In an attempt to overcome this frequent situation it was decided to use a rudimentary type of ground controlled approach radar at the airfield. The equipment was installed and trialled in August 1943 but, ironically, the poor weather prevented it from being calibrated correctly. It was therefore removed and sent to RAF St Eval further down the Cornish coast near Padstow. So Davidstow was still, due to its location, subject to the weather and all that entailed to flying operations. I have been to the field several times when the cloud has been down to the level of the runway and believe me you cant see more than a few metres. Imagine trying to land or take off in such conditions.
In October four Wellington X and a single Halifax III aircraft of No 192 Squadron arrived at the airfield. The aircraft's operations were somewhat secretive as they flew ELINT missions out into the Bay Of Biscay as far as the north coast of Spain. The aircraft were equipped to gather information, location, volume and direction of German radio signals and radar patterns, that were tracking Coastal Commands anti submarine patrols in the Bay. 192 remained at Davidstow until mid May 1944 and flew on average 50 sorties a month, losing three aircraft in the process. One of 192's tasks was to interrupt the Germans supply of ball bearings. Condor aircraft would fly ball bearings from Sweden down to Spain and Portugal. The aircraft would then fly up the Bay Of Biscay and home onto a beam for navigation purposes. 192 would "bend" this beam so that the Condor's would fly off out into the Atlantic and run out of fuel half way to America.
No 547 Squadron left the airfield in October 1943 for RAF Thorney Island in Hampshire with No 304 Squadron leaving for RAF Predannack in December. As 304 left, No 280 Squadron flying Warwicks arrived. Search And Rescue (SAR) was now for the time being the main purpose of Davidstow. 280’s Warwick’s were joined by 269 Squadron in January 1944 and converted to the SAR role. 269 used a variety of aircraft which included Hudson III, Spitfire V’s and Walruses. In March 1944, the squadron moved out of Davidstow to take up residence in the Azores.
For a brief period in March 1944, Flying Fortress IIAs of No 206 Squadron used the airfield prior moving to RAF St Eval where the crews converted to Liberators.
In April 1944, No 524 Squadron reformed at Davidstow with Wellington XIV’s. Subsequently 524 absorbed 415 Squadron which resulted in sixteen aircraft being on strength. Following on the Wick Strike Wing located to Davidstow. The Wing consisted of No 144 and 404 Squadrons flying Beaufighter’s. On 12th May, 144, 404 and 524 joined up to become the 154 (GR) Wing.
In June 1943 full control was taken of Davidstow by No 19 Group. No 304 (Polish) Squadron moved in along with 547 both units flying Wellington’s, their mission was to attack submarines in the Bay Of Biscay. At this time the U-Boats changed their tactics and instead of diving when aircraft approached they chose to fight it out with their tormentors on the surface. This made life far more difficult for the attacking aircraft and crews, success was limited but the attacks continued, later on with the use of the Leigh Light which was used at night to illuminate surfaced U-Boats. Inevitably there were casualties whilst undertaking the attacks, in July No 304 lost three of its Wellingtons. One aircraft crashed on take off which killed the pilot and navigator although four other crew members survived. Two further aircraft were lost by 304 the following month, along with No 547 Squadron, where several aircraft fell to the guns of Junkers JU88’s who were now on regular patrol in the Bay Of Biscay.
Davidstow due to its position was always subject to the vagaries of the Cornish weather. Frequently obscured by sea mists, fog or low clouds, operations were often hampered. In an attempt to overcome this frequent situation it was decided to use a rudimentary type of ground controlled approach radar at the airfield. The equipment was installed and trialled in August 1943 but, ironically, the poor weather prevented it from being calibrated correctly. It was therefore removed and sent to RAF St Eval further down the Cornish coast near Padstow. So Davidstow was still, due to its location, subject to the weather and all that entailed to flying operations. I have been to the field several times when the cloud has been down to the level of the runway and believe me you cant see more than a few metres. Imagine trying to land or take off in such conditions.
In October four Wellington X and a single Halifax III aircraft of No 192 Squadron arrived at the airfield. The aircraft's operations were somewhat secretive as they flew ELINT missions out into the Bay Of Biscay as far as the north coast of Spain. The aircraft were equipped to gather information, location, volume and direction of German radio signals and radar patterns, that were tracking Coastal Commands anti submarine patrols in the Bay. 192 remained at Davidstow until mid May 1944 and flew on average 50 sorties a month, losing three aircraft in the process. One of 192's tasks was to interrupt the Germans supply of ball bearings. Condor aircraft would fly ball bearings from Sweden down to Spain and Portugal. The aircraft would then fly up the Bay Of Biscay and home onto a beam for navigation purposes. 192 would "bend" this beam so that the Condor's would fly off out into the Atlantic and run out of fuel half way to America.
No 547 Squadron left the airfield in October 1943 for RAF Thorney Island in Hampshire with No 304 Squadron leaving for RAF Predannack in December. As 304 left, No 280 Squadron flying Warwicks arrived. Search And Rescue (SAR) was now for the time being the main purpose of Davidstow. 280’s Warwick’s were joined by 269 Squadron in January 1944 and converted to the SAR role. 269 used a variety of aircraft which included Hudson III, Spitfire V’s and Walruses. In March 1944, the squadron moved out of Davidstow to take up residence in the Azores.
For a brief period in March 1944, Flying Fortress IIAs of No 206 Squadron used the airfield prior moving to RAF St Eval where the crews converted to Liberators.
In April 1944, No 524 Squadron reformed at Davidstow with Wellington XIV’s. Subsequently 524 absorbed 415 Squadron which resulted in sixteen aircraft being on strength. Following on the Wick Strike Wing located to Davidstow. The Wing consisted of No 144 and 404 Squadrons flying Beaufighter’s. On 12th May, 144, 404 and 524 joined up to become the 154 (GR) Wing.
Beaufighter TF.10, RD253 - Royal Air Force Museum Hendon.
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The Beaufighter could fly at 300mph at sea level and had a range of some 1,500 miles. To be on the receiving end of a Beaufighter would be a very unpleasant experience which must have caused great fear to German naval crews.
The commander of No 404 was Wing Commander A.K. “Ken” Gatward DSO, DFC Bar, who was the pilot of a Beaufighter that flew on a solo mission to Paris on 12 June 1942. Gatward and his navigator, Sergeant George Fern, flew from Thorney Island to the centre of Paris where a French Tricolour was dropped over the Arc de Triomphe with another being dropped over the German Kriegsmarine HQ. |
To add a little more insult to events, Gatward strafed the HQ with 20mm cannon fire just to make his point it is assumed.
154 (GR)’s role was anti-shipping and their first mission was undertaken on 19th May 1944 when twenty two Beaufighters escorted by twenty eight Spitfires attacked two destroyers and four escort vessels near Brest. The attack was led by W/C Gatward commanding No 404 with an anti flak escort given by No 144. The results of the attack were not that good but the flotilla did have to put into Brest for repairs. The Beaufighter flown by Squadron Leader P.W. Dunn who led No 144 was shot down and a number of others were damaged.
During the afternoon of D-Day three German destroyers were spotted by a PRU leaving Bordeaux. The destroyers aim was to intercept Allied invasion shipping. No’s 144 & 404 were launched to attack and in the company of eight Mosquitos of No 248 Squadron from Portreath, the attack resulted in the three destroyers being sunk. Several Beaufighters were badly damaged during the attack with one force landing at Predannack and another ditching. Proving that the SAR operation was effective, a Warwick dropped a lifeboat to the downed Beaufighter crew who were picked up by destroyer two days later. On the 30 June No 404 along with No’s 235 & 248 flying Mosquitos, shared in the destruction of a submarine chaser UJ1408 in the Bay Of Biscay. So ended the operations for the month of June.
Following on from this activity, on July 1st, 154 (GR) Wing moved to RAF Strubby in Lincolnshire, however, 404 left a number of aircraft at the airfield. On 6th August No 236 Squadron arrived at Davidstow to join 404, the purpose of the two squadrons was to take part in shipping strikes against the German Navy. The Beaufighters used 25Ib “J” type rocket projectiles to devastating effect. Between 6 and 26 August the Beaufighters destroyed or damaged, minesweepers, a floating dock, armed trawlers, and an assortment of destroyers.
The final mission by the Davidstow Beaufighters took place on 24 August. Twenty aircraft led by Squadron Leader Tacon attacked a destroyer and a torpedo boat in the port of Le Harve. Three Beaufighters were lost on this operation so it goes to show that the German flak defences were still as effective as ever. Luckily the crews of the downed aircraft all survived.
After all this activity Davidstow fell into relative quiet and the airfield was placed in Care and Maintenance on 20th September 1944. The RAF Regiment had been in residence since July 1944 and their numbers built up over the coming months. The camp started to run down in 1945 and by October of that year the Regiment had left. So it was in December 1945 Davidstow finally closed.
After closure Davidstow became for a short time one of the first Formula 1 racing circuits. Once again the weather played a hand in making the site too dangerous to race at due to poor visibility.
Dairy Crest have a creamery built on part of the old site and it is from here they make their very popular (with me anyway) Davidstow cheese.
154 (GR)’s role was anti-shipping and their first mission was undertaken on 19th May 1944 when twenty two Beaufighters escorted by twenty eight Spitfires attacked two destroyers and four escort vessels near Brest. The attack was led by W/C Gatward commanding No 404 with an anti flak escort given by No 144. The results of the attack were not that good but the flotilla did have to put into Brest for repairs. The Beaufighter flown by Squadron Leader P.W. Dunn who led No 144 was shot down and a number of others were damaged.
During the afternoon of D-Day three German destroyers were spotted by a PRU leaving Bordeaux. The destroyers aim was to intercept Allied invasion shipping. No’s 144 & 404 were launched to attack and in the company of eight Mosquitos of No 248 Squadron from Portreath, the attack resulted in the three destroyers being sunk. Several Beaufighters were badly damaged during the attack with one force landing at Predannack and another ditching. Proving that the SAR operation was effective, a Warwick dropped a lifeboat to the downed Beaufighter crew who were picked up by destroyer two days later. On the 30 June No 404 along with No’s 235 & 248 flying Mosquitos, shared in the destruction of a submarine chaser UJ1408 in the Bay Of Biscay. So ended the operations for the month of June.
Following on from this activity, on July 1st, 154 (GR) Wing moved to RAF Strubby in Lincolnshire, however, 404 left a number of aircraft at the airfield. On 6th August No 236 Squadron arrived at Davidstow to join 404, the purpose of the two squadrons was to take part in shipping strikes against the German Navy. The Beaufighters used 25Ib “J” type rocket projectiles to devastating effect. Between 6 and 26 August the Beaufighters destroyed or damaged, minesweepers, a floating dock, armed trawlers, and an assortment of destroyers.
The final mission by the Davidstow Beaufighters took place on 24 August. Twenty aircraft led by Squadron Leader Tacon attacked a destroyer and a torpedo boat in the port of Le Harve. Three Beaufighters were lost on this operation so it goes to show that the German flak defences were still as effective as ever. Luckily the crews of the downed aircraft all survived.
After all this activity Davidstow fell into relative quiet and the airfield was placed in Care and Maintenance on 20th September 1944. The RAF Regiment had been in residence since July 1944 and their numbers built up over the coming months. The camp started to run down in 1945 and by October of that year the Regiment had left. So it was in December 1945 Davidstow finally closed.
After closure Davidstow became for a short time one of the first Formula 1 racing circuits. Once again the weather played a hand in making the site too dangerous to race at due to poor visibility.
Dairy Crest have a creamery built on part of the old site and it is from here they make their very popular (with me anyway) Davidstow cheese.
No 304 (Silesia) Squadron
No 304 (Silesia) Squadron was formed in July 1940 with mostly Polish aircrews who had escaped from their native country to Great Britain, in order to continue the fight against the Nazis, following the Fall Of France. Initially assigned to Bomber Command, No 304 Squadron transferred to Coastal Command in May 1942. Their purpose now was to undertake maritime patrols to seek out and attack German E & U Boats which were wreaking havoc among the Allies convoys.
At the time No 304 was flying Vickers Wellington bombers and in June 1943 the Squadron moved to the No 19 Group airfield of RAF Davidstow Moor, located high on Bodmin Moor in North Cornwall. From here the Wellingtons of No 304 undertook long and arduous patrols out over the Bay Of Biscay in order to conduct anti-submarine warfare. Not only was the weather often against them but they would also ran the risk of interception by Luftwaffe long range fighters and a number of Wellingtons were shot down.
The Squadron relocated to RAF Predannack in February 1944 and their endeavours whilst at Davidstow are commemorated in the Davidstow Moor RAF Memorial Museum.
Today the Polish Naval Aviation Brigade from 44 Baza Lotnictwa Morskeigo - Siemerowice (44 BlotM) flies PZL M28B 1R Bryza aircraft to undertake maritime surveillance, a role that their forefathers in No 304 Squadron would have been very familiar with.
In remembrance of their former comrades deeds one of 44 BlotM’s Bryza aircraft, No 1017, has had special tail art applied that depicts No 304’s Winged Bomb Badge. The aircraft is often seen at UK airshows and the application of the art is a very fitting reminder and thought provoking nod to their countryman’s struggle against tyranny all those decades ago.
The Squadron relocated to RAF Predannack in February 1944 and their endeavours whilst at Davidstow are commemorated in the Davidstow Moor RAF Memorial Museum.
Today the Polish Naval Aviation Brigade from 44 Baza Lotnictwa Morskeigo - Siemerowice (44 BlotM) flies PZL M28B 1R Bryza aircraft to undertake maritime surveillance, a role that their forefathers in No 304 Squadron would have been very familiar with.
In remembrance of their former comrades deeds one of 44 BlotM’s Bryza aircraft, No 1017, has had special tail art applied that depicts No 304’s Winged Bomb Badge. The aircraft is often seen at UK airshows and the application of the art is a very fitting reminder and thought provoking nod to their countryman’s struggle against tyranny all those decades ago.
PZL M28B 1R Bryza 1017 - arriving at RNAS Yeovilton 2 July 2016
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I have heard tale that RAF and Navy helicopters do put in appearances at Davidstow, although I have not personally witnessed this.
However, on 26 July 2012 I did witness this Merlin helicopter land at the airfield near the old Watch Tower. It was very nice to see that aviation is still making use of Davidstow and that the old airfield still has its occasional airborne visitor.
However, on 26 July 2012 I did witness this Merlin helicopter land at the airfield near the old Watch Tower. It was very nice to see that aviation is still making use of Davidstow and that the old airfield still has its occasional airborne visitor.
Merlin MK642 - ZR340 on test prior to delivery to India.
Sources -
Memories and Records of RAF Davidstow Moor David Keast
Action Stations 5: Military Airfields of the South-West Chris Ashworth
Devon and Cornwall Airfields in the Second World War Graham Smith
Bomber Command - Reflections Of War Volume 3 - Martin W Bowman
Mighty Eighth War Diary - Roger A Freeman
Memphis Belle - Dispelling The Myths - Graham Simons & Harry Friedman
raf.web
Return To RAF Davidstow Moor Home Page
Memories and Records of RAF Davidstow Moor David Keast
Action Stations 5: Military Airfields of the South-West Chris Ashworth
Devon and Cornwall Airfields in the Second World War Graham Smith
Bomber Command - Reflections Of War Volume 3 - Martin W Bowman
Mighty Eighth War Diary - Roger A Freeman
Memphis Belle - Dispelling The Myths - Graham Simons & Harry Friedman
raf.web
Return To RAF Davidstow Moor Home Page