RAF Woodhall Spa
Written by Richard Hall.
All images by Richard Hall unless otherwise stated.
On 1 February 1942, RAF Woodhall Spa opened as a satellite to RAF Coningsby and lies approximately 1.5 miles southeast of the town that bears its name. The airfield was built to Class A standard, with runways orientated through 06-24 at 2,075 yards, 12-30 at 1,415 yards and 18-36 at 1,410 yards, all served by a perimeter track with 36 pan-type hardstandings. The technical site was situated between runway heads 30 and 36 with two T2 hangars and one B1 to offer an element of protection for maintenance. Beyond the northern perimeter lay the bomb stores hidden within woodland, and to the south, the dispersed camp consisting of six domestic, two communal sites and a sick quarters. Today, part of this site remains preserved and is known as Thorpe Camp, which is open to visitors on selected days of the year: www.thorpecamp.org
Handley Page Hampden I P1320 ZN-B of No. 106 Squadron. This aircraft was lost after diving into the ground at Pickencote on 25 November 1940. Image - Author's Collection.
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The first unit to use the airfield was No. 106 Squadron with its Handley Page Hampden Is, which were detached from Coningsby due to the latter's waterlogging of its grass runways. On 1 March 1942, the Avro Lancaster Is of No. 97 (Strait Settlements) Squadron relocated from Coningsby after conversion to the type in January of the same year.
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On 20 March, the unit flew its first operation with the Lancaster to drop mines in the Nectarine (Frisian Islands) area. Six aircraft took part, with one L7570 OF-B clipping its starboard wing on a roof in Boston, necessitating a landing on the beach at Frieston. The others all returned safely, although two diverted to Bicester and Upper Heyford, and one crash-landed at Abingdon.
Six of the unit's Lancasters joined forces with No. 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron on 17 April 1942 to bomb the MAN diesel engine plant at Augsberg in daylight at low level. Of the twelve aircraft taking part, seven failed to return due to fighters and flak, two of which were from No. 97 Squadron. Sqn Ldr J. Nettleton of No. 44 Squadron was awarded the Victoria Cross for his outstanding leadership during the operation. The losses again reinforced the view that it was unwise to operate unescorted bombers in daylight without effective fighter escort.
No. 97 Squadron continued to operate from Woodhall, taking part in many of Bomber Command's major raids until mid-April 1943 before then moving to No. 8 Group in the Pathfinder role, flying from Bourn. A detachment remained behind to form the nucleus of No. 619 Squadron. This unit flew its first operation to Dusseldorf on 11/12 June of the same year, with Lancaster III ED978 PG-B failing to return after being attacked by a night fighter. Of the crew, one evaded and six became POWs.
No. 97 Squadron continued to operate from Woodhall, taking part in many of Bomber Command's major raids until mid-April 1943 before then moving to No. 8 Group in the Pathfinder role, flying from Bourn. A detachment remained behind to form the nucleus of No. 619 Squadron. This unit flew its first operation to Dusseldorf on 11/12 June of the same year, with Lancaster III ED978 PG-B failing to return after being attacked by a night fighter. Of the crew, one evaded and six became POWs.
The BBMF's Avro Lancaster I PA474 adorned to represent No. 617 Squadron Lancaster I DV385, KC-A, 'Thumper Mk III which flew from Woodhall Spa.
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In January 1944, a move to Coningsby came with No. 617 Squadron coming in return with thirty-four Lancasters and two Mosquitos under the command of Wg Cdr Leonard Cheshire DSO* DFC* (later VC). The Wooden Wonders were used as low-level target markers and were so successful it was decided to create a unit within No. 5 Group to specialise in the role. In April 1944, No. 627 Squadron arrived to fulfil this requirement.
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On 19/20 September, while flying with No. 627, No.54 Base Operations Commander Wg Cdr G. P. Gibson VC, DSO*, DFC* and his navigator, Sqn Ldr J. B. Warwick DFC, took off aboard Mosquito XX KB267 AZ-E in the Master Bomber role to participate in an operation to Rheydt. The aircraft failed to return and crashed near Steenbergen in Holland with the loss of both crew members. The circumstances leading to the loss have never been satisfactorily explained despite the theories.
Following its arrival, No. 617 Squadron began working up to utilise the 12,000Ib Tallboy and 22,000Ib Grand Slam bombs. Over the coming months, the unit used the ordnance against a range of targets such as U-boat pens, the Tirpitz, V-Weapon sites and viaducts. Due to size and weight of the Grand Slam, a small batch of Lancasters were modified to carry the ordnance.
For those with an interest in the testing of Upkeep, Tallboy and Grand Slam, further information can be found here: www.airshowspresent.com/tall-stories-and-grand-designs
For those with an interest in the testing of Upkeep, Tallboy and Grand Slam, further information can be found here: www.airshowspresent.com/tall-stories-and-grand-designs
12,000Ib Tallboy bomb (located at the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Hangar Coningsby).
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22,000Ib Grand Slam bomb (located at the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Hangar Coningsby).
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Avro Lancaster B.1 (Special) modified to carry the 22,000Ib Grand Slam. Image IWM.
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Grand Slam release. IWM.
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The Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa.
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Woodhall Spa was one of the hastily constructed airfields built during wartime, and it lacked the creature comforts of the Expansion Period sites. Therefore, for the officer's accommodation, the Petwood Hotel set in thirty acres of woodland near the town was commandeered. Originally built as a house in the early 20th century for Lady Weighall, the country pile featured impressive grounds and facilities.
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It can be safely stated that the men would have been more than happy to be billeted here, unlike their uncommissioned colleagues, who had far less salubrious surroundings.
Nos. 617 and 627 Squadrons continued to operate from Woodhall until the war's end, with the former moving to Waddington in June 1945 to prepare for participation in the Tiger Force, while the latter renumbered to No. 109 Squadron and moved to Wickenby in October of the same year. With its units gone, the station was placed under Care and Maintenance on 10 December 1945 and was left in solitude to slowly decay. However, many tons of ordnance were stored onsite and slowly dispersed to other locations.
Aircraft Arrestor Gear
Woodhall Spa was one of four airfields in Lincolnshire that was equipped with Aircraft Arrester Gear. During the early part of the war, some pilots operating with Bomber Command had difficulty landing near the runway threshold, which often resulted in the aircraft running off the end of the concrete. With the larger bombers that were due to come into service, there were concerns that the problem would be exacerbated.
Woodhall Spa was one of four airfields in Lincolnshire that was equipped with Aircraft Arrester Gear. During the early part of the war, some pilots operating with Bomber Command had difficulty landing near the runway threshold, which often resulted in the aircraft running off the end of the concrete. With the larger bombers that were due to come into service, there were concerns that the problem would be exacerbated.
Mather and Platt Ltd arrester gear as installed at Woodhall Spa. This example is preserved at Thorpe Camp.
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The remains of the arrester infrastructure at the head of Runway 12-30.
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As a solution, the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) based at Farnborough were instructed to look into an arrester system utilising a cable strung across the runway designed to engage with a hook located under the aircraft's fuselage, similar to that is seen on an aircraft carrier. The arrester unit was manufactured by Mather and Platt Ltd and positioned within a pit at the end of the runways. Following testing at the RAE, Woodhall received its first arresters in March 1941, and a total of six were eventually installed. Testing began in October of the following year when an Avro Manchester of the RAE completed five arrested landings. It is considered this was the only time the system was used at the airfield. Elsham Wolds, Swinderby and Grimsby also received the equipment. Although Bomber Command instructed that all its sites should have arrestor gear fitted, concerns over the additional weight of arrester hooks and an improvement in pilot skills dictated that the system was no longer needed, but the units fitted remained mothballed onsite.
BAC Bloodhound Mk.2 surface-to-air guided missile. Preserved at Thorpe Camp.
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A reprieve came in May 1960 when Bristol-Ferranti Bloodhound Mk.1 surface-to-air missiles of No. 222 Squadron were installed on the airfield to protect Lincolnshire's V-bomber stations and Douglas Thor ballistic missile sites. Later, No. 112 Squadron replaced No. 222 and operated updated BAC Bloodhound Mk.2 missiles before their removal in 1965. A period of disuse was followed in March 1969 by No. 25 Squadron deploying from North Coates to test the mobility of its Bloodhound missiles.
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Today, the RAF retains a presence at the former airfield with technical workshops located in the T2 hangar that remains near the former missile site. Anyone driving along the B1192 will see a red sign indicating the route to the present-day RAF Woodhall Spa.
In the years that followed closure, the airfield was turned into a quarry, with most of the runways dug up. However, sections of 06-24 and 12-30 remain in place and, with the closure of quarrying activities, are now available for members of the public to walk. The surrounding area has been turned into a nature reserve under the control of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust: www.lincstrust.org.uk
A visit to the town centre is also recommended to view the two No. 617 Squadron memorials:
www.airshowspresent.com/dambusters
www.airshowspresent.com/no-617-squadron
In the years that followed closure, the airfield was turned into a quarry, with most of the runways dug up. However, sections of 06-24 and 12-30 remain in place and, with the closure of quarrying activities, are now available for members of the public to walk. The surrounding area has been turned into a nature reserve under the control of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust: www.lincstrust.org.uk
A visit to the town centre is also recommended to view the two No. 617 Squadron memorials:
www.airshowspresent.com/dambusters
www.airshowspresent.com/no-617-squadron
A view down the remains of Runway 06-24.
Sunset seen from Runway 12-30.
The former bomb dump, known as Ostlers Wood, is also open to the public and is a popular place for a stroll. A wander around either is thoroughly recommended to soak up the atmosphere and serenity of these remnants of Lincolnshire's aviation history.
Remains within the bomb dump at Ostler's Wood.
Moonrise seen from Runway 06-24.
A fox seen running across Runway 12-30.
Poignant words placed near Runway 06-24.
Airfield information board near the entrance to the nature reserve.