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  RAF Wickenby

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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: 7 Dec 12

Opened: Sep 1942

Subordinate to 14 Base: 16 Dec 1943

Airfield code :: UI

ICAO Code :: EGNW

Airfield call sign :: GRATEFUL

Closed: flying ceased shortly after war's end, closed 1956, now home to a civilian air club

Units based here:

12 Sqn :: Sep 1942 - 24 Sep 1945

626 Sqn :: 7 Nov 1943 - 14 Oct 1945

93 MU :: <1949 - 1952

92 MU :: 1952 - 1956

RAF Wickenby, a purpose built bomber station, was constructed from late 1941, additional works taking place in early 1943, and covered about 600 acres in the standard three-runway configuration. 12 Sqn arrived in Sep 1942 from RAF Binbrook and gave birth to 626 Sqn in Nov 1943. On 1 Oct 1943 Wickenby formed 14 Base under RAF Ludford Magna in the 1 Gp Base system. Wickenby was was protected by a Q site night decoy (Q177A) at Rand, one mile north of Wragby.

The Wickenby sqns played a large part in the bomber offensive, were also involved in mine-laying, Op MANNA and Op EXODUS. After war's end 12 Sqn moved back to RAF Binbrook and 626 Sqn disbanded. 109 Sqn was here for a few weeks and was the last flying unit, departing Nov 1945.

After the flying sqns departed 93 Maintenance Unit (MU) and then in 1952 92 MU used the operating surfaces for explosive ordinance disposal until closure in 1956. From 1964 land was cleared and returned to former civilian owners where possible and the site was disposed of in the mid 1960s.

1080 Wickenby-based airmen died during the war when over 300 operations were flown. 166 bombers were lost, 160 of which were Lancasters. A further 30 aircraft were lost in operational crashes. RAF Wickenby is now commemorated in memorial stone of Icarus at the entrance to the airfield, now a flying club. See "A Brief History of the RAF in Lincolnshire" :: website.

In the modern day the northern portion of RAF Wickenby is Wickenby Airport and home to a flying club.

RAF Wickenby Memorial Museum

RAF Wickenby Memorial Stone

RAF Wickenby page on Royal Air Force website

RAF Wickenby memories on the Wartime Memories Project

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