RAF Matlaske

RAF Matlaske
RAF Matlaske
Matlaske, Norfolk in England
	Aerial photograph of Matlaske airfield looking north, Matlaske village is at the top, 27 June 1946.
	RAF Matlaske Location within Norfolk
Coordinates	52°51′38″N001°11′22″E / 52.86056°N 1.18944°E
Type	Satellite Station
Code	MK
Site information
Owner	Air Ministry
Operator	Royal Air Force ; United States Army Air Forces ; British Army
Controlled by	RAF Fighter Command ; 1940-43 & 1944-45
Site history
Built	1940
In use	October 1940 – October 1945
Battles/wars	European theatre of World War II
Airfield information
Elevation	50 metres (164 ft) AMSL
Runways
00/00	1,463 metres (4,800 ft) Grass
00/00	1,188 metres (3,898 ft) Grass
00/00	1,188 metres (3,898 ft) Grass

Last updated March 12, 2024

Royal Air Force Matlaske or more simply RAF Matlaske is a former Royal Air Force satellite station to RAF Coltishall, situated near Matlaske in Norfolk, England.

History

There was a small aerodrome, details of which are not known, at Matlaske before the war started, then the site was approved for requisition by the Air Ministry in August 1939, with construction works beginning in the summer of 1940. RAF Matlaske became operational in October 1940^[2] as a satellite station to RAF Coltishall when Spitfires of No. 72 Squadron were briefly dispersed there. The airfield was grass-covered throughout its life and had two main landing runs, of which one was 1,600.00 yards (1,463.04 m) with the other being 1,300.00 yards (1,188.72 m).^[2]

Luftwaffe attack

On 29 October 1940^[2] the Luftwaffe attacked the airfield at Matlaske. This attack followed the bombing of RAF Coltishall two days before which had necessitated the re-location of some of the Spitfires of 72 Squadron to Matlaske. Five Dornier ^[3] aircraft carried out the attack, strafing the base and causing damage to parked aircraft as well as inflicting several casualties to personnel. On 12 May 1941^[2] the Luftwaffe attacked the base again but this time they bombed using Incendiary bombs. The attack had limited success with only minor damage caused and no personnel casualties.

United States Army Air Force

In September 1942, the airfield was allocated to the 8th United States Army Air Forces ostensibly for use as a fighter base by Republic P-47 Thunderbolts of the 56th Fighter Group from RAF Kings Cliffe but nothing is recorded of any use by that unit.

Royal Air Force

From November 1941 to August 1942 the base was host to No. 137 Squadron, one of only two RAF squadrons to fly the unique twin-engine fighter, the Westland Whirlwind, when it was engaged on East coast convoy patrols and anti-shipping tasks. It was supported by the Air Sea Rescue squadron No. 278, Matlaske-based from October 1941 to April 1942.

Nos. 56, 195, 245, 266 and 609 Squadrons flying Hawker Typhoons, plus Nos. 19, 222, 229, 453, 602 and 611 Squadrons flying the Supermarine Spitfire, and No. 601 Squadron – the only one flying the Hawker Hurricane from here, were based or detached here at various times between October 1940 to April 1945.

From April to May 1943, No. 1489 Flight RAF conducted target towings with Hawker Henleys, Westland Lysanders, M.25 Martinets and M.9 Masters, which were based at RAF Coltishall and RAF Sutton Bridge and detached to Matlaske as required.

In August 1943, the airfield was transferred to Care and Maintenance and the facilities improved. Reopened in September 1944 it was used further by 3, 19, 56, 65, 122, 229, 451, 453, 485, 486 and 602 Squadrons at various times until April 1945, the RAF vacating the site in October 1945.

Units

The following Royal Air Force units served at Matlaske at one point or another during the Second World War:

Royal Air Force

No. 3 Squadron RAF ^[4] – Hawker Tempest V
No. 19 Squadron RAF ^[4] – Supermarine Spitfire II & Vb
No. 56 Squadron RAF ^[4] – Hawker Typhoon 1b, Tempest V
No. 65 Squadron RAF ^[4] – NA Mustang iii
No. 72 Squadron RAF ^[4]
No. 122 Squadron RAF ^[4] – NA Mustang III
No. 137 Squadron RAF ^[4] – Famous for its use of the Westland Whirlwind fighter
No. 195 Squadron RAF^[4] – Hawker Typhoon 1b
No. 222 Squadron RAF ^[4] – Supermarine Spitfire II
No. 229 Squadron RAF ^[4] – Supermarine Spitfire IX
No. 245 Squadron RAF ^{[ citation needed ]} – Hawker Typhoon 1b
No. 266 Squadron RAF ^[4] – Hawker Typhoon 1a
No. 278 Squadron RAF ^[4] – Westland Lysander IIIa, Supermarine Walrus II
No. 486 Squadron RAF^[4] – Hawker Tempest V
No. 601 Squadron RAF ^[4] – Hawker Hurricane 2b
No. 602 Squadron RAF^[4] – Supermarine Spitfire XVI
No. 609 Squadron RAF^[4] – Hawker Typhoon 1b
No. 611 Squadron RAF^[4] – Supermarine Spitfire IX & Vb
No. 658 Squadron RAF^[4]
No. 659 Squadron RAF^[4]
No. 12 Group Target Towing Flight RAF^[4]
No. 1489 (Fighter) Gunnery Flight RAF^[4]
No. 1489 (Target Towing) Flight RAF^[4]
No. 2738 Squadron RAF Regiment ^[4]
No. 2741 Squadron RAF Regiment ^[4]
No. 2765 Squadron RAF Regiment ^[4]
No. 2805 Squadron RAF Regiment ^[4]
No. 2811 Squadron RAF Regiment ^[4]
Air Sea Rescue Flight RAF, Matlaske (1941) became No. 278 Squadron RAF ^[5]

Royal Australian Air Force

No. 451 Squadron RAAF ^[4]
No. 453 Squadron RAAF ^[4] Supermarine Spitfire LFXVI

United States Army Air Forces

56th Fighter Group (allocated)

Aircraft

The following aircraft types served at the base:

Related Research Articles

Royal Air Force Coltishall, more commonly known as RAF Coltishall, is a former Royal Air Force station located 10 miles north-north-east of Norwich, in the English county of Norfolk, East Anglia, which operated from 1939 to 2006.

Number 6 Squadron of the Royal Air Force operates the Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 at RAF Lossiemouth. It was previously equipped with the SEPECAT Jaguar GR.3 in the close air support and tactical reconnaissance roles, and was posted to RAF Coltishall, Norfolk until April 2006, moving to RAF Coningsby until disbanding for the first time in its history on 31 May 2007. The squadron officially reformed as a Typhoon squadron on 6 September 2010. No. 6 Squadron is unique in having two Royal standards, having been awarded its second one by King Abdullah I of Jordan in October 1950 due to its long period of service in the Middle East.

Number 54 Squadron is a squadron of the Royal Air Force based at RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire. On 1 September 2005, it took on the role of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Operational Conversion Unit, and is now the Advanced Air ISTAR Academy, responsible for training all RAF crews assigned to the MQ-9A Reaper, Protector RG1 (MQ-9B), Shadow R1/R2, RC-135W Rivet Joint and Poseidon MRA1. It also controls the RAF ISR Warfare School (ISRWS) who run the Qualified Weapons Instructor Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance and QWI Reaper Courses.

No. 118 Squadron was a squadron of the British Royal Air Force. Originally formed in 1918, it served as a fighter squadron in the Second World War, flying Spitfires and Mustangs. It flew jet fighters as part of RAF Germany in the 1950s, and Bristol Sycamore helicopters in Northern Ireland before finally disbanding in 1962.

Royal Air Force Snailwell or more simply RAF Snailwell is a former Royal Air Force station located near to the village of Snailwell, Cambridgeshire, located 3 miles (4.8 km) north of Newmarket, Suffolk, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 26 Squadron RAF</span> Defunct flying squadron of the Royal Air Force

No. 26 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was formed in 1915 and was disbanded for the last time in 1976.

Royal Air Force Horsham St Faith or more simply RAF Horsham St Faith is a former Royal Air Force station near Norwich, Norfolk, England which was operational from 1939 to 1963. It was then developed as Norwich International Airport.

Redhill Aerodrome is an operational general aviation aerodrome located 1.5 NM south-east of Redhill, Surrey, England, in green belt land.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 263 Squadron RAF</span> Former flying squadron of the Royal Air Force

No 263 Squadron was a Royal Air Force fighter squadron formed in Italy towards the end of the First World War. After being disbanded in 1919 it was reformed in 1939 flying mainly strike and heavy fighter aircraft until becoming No 1 Squadron in 1958.

Army Aviation Centre (AAC) Middle Wallop is a British Army airfield located near the Hampshire village of Middle Wallop, used for Army Air Corps training. The base hosts 2 (Training) Regiment AAC and 7 (Training) Regiment AAC under the umbrella of the Army Aviation Centre. 2 (Training) Regiment performs ground training; 7 (Training) Regiment trains aircrew on AAC aircraft after they complete basic training at RAF Shawbury.

Matlaske is a village and a civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. The village is 21.6 miles (34.8 km) North-north-west of Norwich, 9.3 miles (15.0 km) south-west of Cromer and 136 miles (219 km) north-north-east of London. The nearest railway station is at Sheringham for the Bittern Line which runs between Sheringham, Cromer and Norwich. The nearest airport is Norwich International Airport. The parish of Matlask in the 2001 census, a population of 124, increasing to 139 at the 2011 Census. For the purposes of local government, the parish falls within the district of North Norfolk.

No. 501 Squadron was the 14th of the 21 flying units in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, the volunteer reserve part of the British Royal Air Force. The squadron won seven battle honours, flying Hurricane, Spitfire and Tempest fighter aircraft during World War II, and was one of the most heavily engaged units in RAF Fighter Command. In particular, the Squadron saw extensive action during the Battle of France and Battle of Britain. At present the unit is not flying any more and has a logistics role as part of No 85 Expeditionary Logistics Wing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF Chilbolton</span> Former RAF base in Hampshire, England

Royal Air Force Chilbolton or RAF Chilbolton is a former Royal Air Force station in Hampshire, England. The airfield was located in Chilbolton approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) south-southeast of Andover, about 62 miles (100 km) southwest of London.

Royal Air Force Ludham or more simply RAF Ludham is a former Royal Air Force station located near the village of Ludham, Norfolk, England.

Royal Air Force Fairwood Common, or more simply RAF Fairwood Common, is a former Royal Air Force Sector Station located on Fairwood Common, on the Gower Peninsula, to the west of Swansea. It is now the location of Swansea Airport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RAF Detling</span> Former Royal Air Force station in Kent, England

Royal Air Force Detling, or more simply RAF Detling, is a former Royal Air Force station situated 600 feet (180 m) above sea level, located near Detling, a village about 4 miles (6.4 km) miles north-east of Maidstone, Kent.

No. 225 Squadron RAF is a former Royal Air Force squadron.

No. 268 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force squadron raised during the First World War and in the Second World War operated the North American P-51 Mustang on tactical reconnaissance missions over occupied Europe and in support of the D-Day landings.

Royal Air Force Tealing or more simply RAF Tealing is a former Royal Air Force station located at Tealing, Angus, Scotland.

References

Citations

↑ Falconer 1998, p. 62.
1 2 3 4 Smith, Graham (2007). Norfolk Airfields in the Second World War. Countryside Books. p. 164. ISBN 9781853063206.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
↑ "Matlaske – (Matlask)". Reference to the type of German Aircraft used in the attack. Control Towers .co.uk. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 "Matlaske". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust . Retrieved 12 April 2020.
↑ Lake 1999, p. 22.

Bibliography

Falconer, J (1998). RAF Fighter Airfields of World War 2. UK: Ian Allan Publishing. ISBN 0-7110-2175-9.
Jefford, C.G. RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive Record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1988. ISBN 1-84037-141-2.
Lake, A (1999). Flying units of the RAF. Shrewsbury: Airlife. ISBN 1-84037-086-6.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[FOOTNOTEFalconer199862-1] Falconer 1998, p. 62.

[NASWW-2] 1 2 3 4 Smith, Graham (2007). Norfolk Airfields in the Second World War. Countryside Books. p. 164. ISBN 9781853063206.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)

[TOWER-3] "Matlaske – (Matlask)". Reference to the type of German Aircraft used in the attack. Control Towers .co.uk. Retrieved 2 September 2014.

[ABCT-4] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 "Matlaske". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust . Retrieved 12 April 2020.

[FOOTNOTELake199922-5] Lake 1999, p. 22.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]