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#RAFLincolnshire
> RAF Bases
Interactive map
Full list of locations
Alma Park
Anwick
Bardney
Barkston
Heath
Belton Park
Binbrook
Blankney Hall
Blyton
Boston Wyberton Fen
Bottesford
Bracebridge Heath
Braceby
Buckminster
Bucknall
Caistor
Cockthorne
Coleby Grange
Coningsby
Cranwell
Cuxwold
Digby
Donna Nook
Dunholme Lodge
East Halton
East Kirkby
Elsham Wolds
Faldingworth
Fiskerton
Folkingham
Freiston
Fulbeck
Gosberton
Goxhill
Grantham
Greenland Top
Grimsby
Grimsthorpe Park
Harlaxton
Hemswell
Hibaldstow
Holbeach
Humberston
Immingham
Ingham
Ingoldmels
Kelstern
Killingholme
Kirmington
Kirton in Lindsey
Langtoft
Leadenham
Lincoln West Common
Ludford Magna
Manby
Market Deeping
Market Stainton
Mere
Metheringham
Moorby
Morton Hall
New Holland
Nocton Hall
Normanby
North Coates
North Killingholme
North Witham
Norton Disney
Orby
Rauceby
Saltby
Sandtoft
Scampton
Skegness
Skellingthorpe
Skendleby
South Carlton
South Elkington
South Witham
Spilsby
Spitalgate
Stenigot
Strubby
Sturgate
Sutton Bridge
Swinderby
Swinstead
Theddlethorpe
Tydd St Mary
Waddington
Wainfleet
Waltham (Grimsby)
Wellingore
Wickenby
Wigsley
Winterton
Woodhall Spa
Updated: 6 Dec 12
Opened: Dec 1916
Closed : Jun 1919
Opened: Jul 1941
Closed: 1947
Airfield code :: QS, RU > ES
ICAO Code ::
Airfield call sign :: SHOPBOY, HAZEL (Apr 1943)
Squadrons based here:
C Flt 33 Sqn :: Dec 1916 - Jun 1919
103
Sqn :: Jul 1941 - Nov 1945
renumbered
57 Sqn :: Nov 1945
- Dec 1945
576 Sqn :: Nov 1943 - Oct 1944
100 Sqn :: 1 Apr 1945 - Dec 1945
103 Conversion Flight :: 22
Apr 1942 - 7 Oct 1942
merged into 1656
HCU on 7 Oct 1942
1662 HCU :: Jan 1943 - Apr 1945 (Based at RAF Blyton)
21 HGCU :: Dec 1945 - Nov 1946
103 Squadron Conversion Flight :: May 1942 - Oct 1943 Halifax Mk II equipped, absorbed into 1656 HCU in Oct 1942 (RAF Breighton)
Elsham was first used from Dec 1916 to Jun 1919 by C Flight of 33 Sqn RFC equipped with FE2b and FE2d. The Sqn was deployed to 3 bases between Hull and Lincoln to counter nighttime Zeppelin raids into the Midlands. Flying operations ended in Jun 18? and site was cleared by Oct 1919.
The former airfield site was surveyed in 1939 and found to be suitable for the construction of a new bomber base. An important factor in this decision was access to the rail network via nearby Barnetby. WWII offensive operations commenced with 103 Sqn's first night time sortie on 24 Jul 1941. RAF Elsham Wolds was protected by night bombing decoy Q sites at South Ferriby to the north and Great Limber to the south-east.
The airfield closed in 1947 and its site is now bisected by the A15 dual carriageway from south to north.
576 Sqn formed here from C Flt, 103 Sqn in Nov 1943 before moving to RAF Fiskerton in Oct 1944. RAF Elsham Wolds is commemorated in a memorial stone in the grounds of the Anglian Water treatment works. See "A Brief History of the RAF in Lincolnshire" :: website. The relevant page is linked directly in the column to the right of this page.
21 Heavy Glider Conversion Unit was equipped with the Halifax Mk VII, Albermarle tugs and Horsa gliders and was stationed here from Dec 1945 to Nov 1946.
The RAF Elsham Wolds
website has a comprehensive and fascinating collection approximately
40 aircrew biographies and stories from World War II which put a fascinating
human dimension on the history of the station and 103 Sqn and 576 Sqn: click
here.
RAF Elsham Wolds museum. There is also a small museum at the treatment works.
The Memorial Rooms and Garden are viewable only by prior appointment,
due to security issues on the site. Contact details are on our
the Association n web site under
the
the Memorial Rooms/Garden Section.
The Viking Way long-distance footpath skirts the perimiter of the former airfield site to the north-east.
RAF Elsham Wolds Memorial
RAF Elsham Wolds page on RAF website
RAF Elsham Wolds website, including photos of Elsham Wolds today
RAF Elshan Wolds memories on the Wartime Memories Project
Elsham Wolds, 103 and 576 Sqn biographies
RAF Elsham Wolds on ControlTowers.co.uk
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