Report - Raf Deenethorpe - 2016

[Bikin Glynn]

RAF Deenethorpe

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Deenethorpe was constructed in 1943 and was allocated to the United States Army Air Forces Eighth Air Force. It was assigned USAAF designation Station 128.

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401st Bombardment Group (Heavy)​

With the opening of the airfield in October 1943, the 401st Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrived from Great Falls AAB, Montana, in November. The 401st was assigned to the 94th Combat Bombardment Wing of the 1st Bombardment Division. Its tail code was Triangle-S.​

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The 401st BG operated chiefly against strategic targets, bombing industries, submarine facilities, shipyards, missile sites, marshalling yards, and airfields; beginning in October 1944, concentrated on oil reserves. The Group received a Distinguished Unit Citation for striking telling blows against German aircraft production on 11 January and 20 February 1944.

In addition to strategic missions, group operations included attacks on transportation, airfields, and fortifications prior to the Normandy invasion and on D-Day, June 1944; support for ground operations during the breakthrough at Saint-Lô in July, the siege of Brest in August, and the airborne attack on the Netherlands in September 1944.

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The worst accident occurred on 5 December 1943 when a Fortress which failed to get off the ground careered over farmland and came to rest after crashing into a cottage on the edge of Deenethorpe village. The surviving members of the crew just had time to evacuate the wreckage and warn the villagers of the imminent explosion of the bomb load before it detonated damaging many houses in the village. The blast was felt in Kettering nine miles away.

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As you may of noted these are old pics but this one is local to me & I have been several times since, so far as Im aware nothing has changed.
Unfortunately Benifield scrap yard which was also located in a old military building has now been razed to the ground.
My report here Report - - Benefield Car Spares, Northamptonshire - Jan 22 | Industrial Sites
Its generally a nice relaxed mooch round here, there are bridleways running through the middle of the airfield but be aware this is still a live airfield.

Flight Training & Flying Experiences - Cabaero Aviation

Flight training and flying experiences based at Sywell Aerodrome, Northampton. PPL (A), LAPL, Night Rating and Aerobatic Rating. Trial flying lessons and aerobatic experiences.

cabaeroaviation.com

Quite a cool bit of farmers junk

Finally plonked right in the middle of the runways is a bonus ROC post.

Thanks For Looking

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[Lndnpdd]

Nice one, looks there is still a lot left of this site - will have to add it to the list (I do love a nissan hut)

 

[Bikin Glynn]

Nice one, looks there is still a lot left of this site - will have to add it to the list (I do love a nissan hut)

yes as noted Im pretty sure all the buildings are still there not changed. Dosent seem to get covered much this one.
TBB there may be more stuff in woods far side of airstrip but Iv never really investigated.

 

[HughieD]

Pretty decent that mate.

 

[Bikin Glynn]

Pretty decent that mate.

thanks dude