RAF Middle Wallop was originally opened as a training school, home of the 15th Service Flying Training School flying Oxfords and Masters, who arrived in June 1940. The airfield and base had taken 18 months to build.
With the fall of France and the outbreak of the Battle of Britain, however, the airfield was soon in demand for operational purposes, and it became a sector operations HQ (Y Sector) for 10 Group. Both fighters and light bombers were based here.
‘Y’ sector had responsibility for defending the naval base of Portland, as well as the Supermarine aircraft factory on Southampton and the Isle of Wight. After the beginning of the Blitz in September 1940 its duties extended to defending the cities on the South Coast.
Squadrons stationed here included 236 Squadron (flying Blenheim light bombers), 238 Squadron (Hurricanes) and 401 (RCAF – Hurricanes) from June 1940, 501 Squadron (Hurricanes), 609 Squadron (Spitfires) and 604 Squadron (Blenheims) in July, 222 Squadron (Spitfires) in August, and 238 Squadron (Hurricanes) and 23 Squadron (Blenheims) in September. 604 squadron was later equipped with Beaufighter nightfighters flown by Sqn Ldr John Cunningham.
609 Squadron was perhaps the most famous squadron to be based at RAF Middle Wallop during the Battle, being the first to down 100 enemy aircraft. On August 13, the squadron intercepted a raid over Portland. They claimed at least 13 enemy aircraft downed and several more ‘probables’. On the next day the Luftwaffe visited their revenge – a single German bomber dropped five bombs on the airfield, damaging hangars four and five. Three airmen died as they were trying to close the vast doors to protect the aircraft inside.
RAF Middle Wallop was also used by the United States Army Air Forces Ninth Air Force as IX Fighter Command Headquarters beginning in November 1943. Today the airfield is the home of the Army Air Corps.
12 comments
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September 14, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Stan. Hurrell
Middle Wallop was also the home of F.E.E. (Fighter Experimental Establishment) formed from 93 Squadron and later renamed T.F.U. (Telecommunications Flying Unit) which in 1941 experimented with the laying of aerial minefields using Wellingtons and even H.P. Harrows. The mines consisted of 4lb bombs suspended from long lengths of piano wire and, vectored by Ground Control, layed in quantities across the front of the incoming enemy bomber force. The E.A was then supposed to fly into it and a steadying parachute at the upper end of the wire pulled the bomb up until it impacted with the underside of the wing and exploded. Surprisingly we got several successes with this Heath Robinson scheme which was the brain child of a Cmdr. Dove of the Royal Navy. The B.B.C. reported these sucesses as due to “other devices”
September 14, 2010 at 6:59 pm
Roy Watts
Middle Wallop was the Sector Station in Number 10 Group not Number 11, under the command of the AOC No. 10 Group and not Air Vice Marshall Park. In September 1940, the exigencies of the battle led Air Marshall Dowding to include its squadrons in the “A” designation of front line squadrons along with all of those in 11 Group and the squadrons at Duxford in No. 12 Group.
September 14, 2010 at 8:46 pm
Tony Rudd
Thank you so much for that correction of our careless oversight. We have appended the entry.
October 17, 2010 at 1:54 pm
susan coleman
I am the daughter of corporal arthur wade who was stationed with 93 squadron at middle wallop in 1940. He was in the F.E.E and later in the A.I.S.service. He was later posted to India. Would love to hear from anyone who knew my father or who was also stationed at middle wallop during 194O. Am trying to find out exactly what my father did during the war, am thinking he worked on radar maybe fitting it on night fighters. Any information would be appreciated.
October 22, 2010 at 3:08 pm
susan coleman
I have no objections to a book being published containing my comments. I have recently received my fathers service history as am very interested in what he did. I have some of my fathers things from his time in the RAF including pilots notes for the spitfire, log books, and personal messages from his friends. If i can be of any help please let me know. Sue Coleman.
October 25, 2010 at 9:40 am
Tony Rudd
Thank you so much for your kind offer and thank you for giving permission to use your comment. With kindest regards, Tony Rudd
October 26, 2010 at 3:17 pm
susan coleman
Thats ok hope everything goes well and the book gets published on time. Will keep in touch if thats ok. Could you please let me know when the book is published as i would love to purchase one. Sue Coleman.
November 28, 2010 at 1:06 pm
susan coleman
Hello Tony, is there any news yet on the book getting published? Sue Coleman.
November 29, 2010 at 12:29 pm
Tony Rudd
Yes. The book will be available this or next week. Watch this space fhttps://battleofbritain.wordpress.com/wp-admin/edit-comments.php#or further details! Best regards, Tony
December 1, 2010 at 6:52 pm
susan coleman
Will do, many thanks. Sue Coleman
May 30, 2011 at 6:08 pm
Richard Henwood
Hello Tony- you forgot to mention 234 squadron, who were also based there from Mid August 1940 to September 1940. They were heavily involved in the BOB . Thanks
October 31, 2011 at 11:10 pm
Finn Otto Krogsen
Dera Sir’s
Does anyone knows what callsign Middle Wallop Sectorstation had
during Battle of Britain
Best Regards
Finn Otto Krogsen
Norway