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> RAF Bases
Interactive map
Full list of locations
on site
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 Kirkby
Elsham Wolds
Faldingworth
Fiskerton
Folkingham
Freiston
Fulbeck
Gosberton
Goxhill
Grantham
Great Limber
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
Metheringham
Moorby
Morton Hall
New Holland
Nocton Hall
North Coates
North Killingholme
North Witham
Norton Disney
Orby
Rauceby
Saltby
Sandtoft
Scampton
Scopwick
Sibsey
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: 17 Aug 04
Opened: 1917
Closed: Mar 1919
Repened: Sep 1943
Closed: May 1945
Squadrons based here:
33 Sqn :: 1917
625 Sqn :: 1943 - 1945
170 Sqn :: Oct 1944
Kelstern was established in 1917 as a night landing ground at Mill Farm in the Great War for 33 Sqn RFC during their Zeppelin hunts to cater for any fuel emergencies. It closed again in 1919. In Jul 1942 construction on RAF Kelstern commenced 1/2 mile to the north-east of the landing ground. In Sep 1943 it opened as No 12 Base substation.
RAF Kelstern is now commemorated in a small memorial stone to 625 Sqn at the corner of the road near the old airfield. 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.
The below is an amusing anecdote cited on The Ridgewell Association's Bomber Command History
Most Station Commanders were tour-expired men, who occasionally flew on operations, usually "incognito" and in defiance of orders. Such spirit and example has to be greatly admired. At Kelstern, G/Capt. Donkin, a WW1 veteran, had flown as supernumerary with a 635 Sqdn. [sic] crew on a 1944 Berlin operation, and on return a BBC reporter, broadcasting "live" in the early hours, asked him what it had been like. The great waxed moustaches bristled. "Ai dain't maind telling yew," replied the aristocratic voice, "that Ai was shite-scaired all the way theyah, and Ai was shite-scaired all the way back."
View airfield photographs here.
Photographs of RAF Kelstern on Fiskney.com
Map and aerial photo of RAF Kelstern on multimap.com
Buy an aerial photo of RAF Kelstern on GetMapping.com
RAF Kelstern Memorial Stone
RAF Kelstern page on Royal Air Force website
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