I don’t think this place has been covered before on this site which I find strange given the number of remaining buildings and the unique history of this RAF base.
The History
Initially the aerodrome was built as RAF Winfarthing in 1943 but was later designated RAF Fersfield (Station 554) in 1944. Although constructed as a heavy bomber airfield, very little is known about RAF Fersfield, perhaps because it played a less traditional and more secret role.
The image below shows the layout of the airfield, with the technical sites and accommodation areas shown at the bottom. Today, only the perimeter track remains on the airfield proper, but a number of buildings have survived to the south of the airfield as well as a remaining T-2 hanger now used to store grain (for beer!).
In July 1944 a detachment from the 562nd Bombardment Squadron of the 388th Bomb Group (Heavy) were brought here to perform secret missions code-named "Aphrodite", involving the use of remote-controlled aircraft against the German V-1 and V-2 weapons sites, submarine pens and other fortifications.
The plan was to use “old” bombers which would be loaded to capacity with explosives and radio controlled to crash into targets. As the planes could not take off via remote control, and pilot and flight engineer with launch the plane and then parachute out once it was above 2,000ft.
Although there were a number of successes, due to continuous problems with malfunctioning or out of control aircraft and accidents, some fatal, the operation was however abandoned after 19 missions.
The most famous fatal incident happened in August 1944 when Lieutenant Joseph P. Kennedy Jr (the eldest brother of later US president JFK) took off from RAF Fersfield (photo below of Kennedy taken on that day at Fersfield) in a B-24 Liberator (below) rigged for remote flying, with the V2 rocket launching site at Mimoyecques as the target. Lt Kennedy and the flight engineer (Lt Willy) took off and armed the bombs in the air. Whilst flying over Blytheburgh in Suffolk, shortly before the planned bailout time, the plane detonated in mid-air, killing both occupants.
Joseph P. Kennedy was being groomed by his father for a career in politics. His death meant that the next oldest brother, John F Kennedy took on the family ambitions, resulting in him becoming president in 1961.
In 1945 the RAF took over the airfield again with its specialist No. 2 Group which was used for specialised bombing missions. It was from here that one of the most secret missions of the war was launched in March 1945: Operation Carthage.
Requested by the Danish resistance, the RAF bombed the Shellhus building, the Gestapo reginal headquarters in the centre of Copenhagen. This was a low level raid which was in fact so low, one of the bombers was lost through hitting a telegraph pole. The raid consisted of 20 bombers from RAF Fersfield, and 30 fighter escorts, with a loss of 6 planes. Although the target was destroyed with approximately 100 Gestapo employees killed (photos before and after below), sadly a school was also destroyed an about 125 civilians also lost their life.
After the war, the field was closed to flying in 1946 and after a brief spell in the early 1950s as a motor racing circuit it reverted to agriculture.
The Explore
This was a very quick explore as I was driving close by and only had about 1hr spare, and only a camera phone for taking pictures. Hopefully someone can go back with more time and equipment (and skill) and do this site the justice it deserves.
The explore was pretty easy though the remaining buildings are spread across a fair few sites, which I didn’t manage to make to all of due to running out of time. I got caught at one of the locations so didn’t quite get to take all the photos I wanted, but these things happen.
Approaching the old airfield from the south you come across the former Operations Block / HQ site which still stands, although I was unable to get access as it was in active use at the time as part of a farm.
At the bottom of the main airfield site there is still an original T-2 hanger (photo below is taken of internet and mine came out horribly with a thumb across the lens!) This used to house B-17 flying fortresses, but now stores grain before it is turned into beer.
Nearby, there is also the remains of the technical site including a few stores buildings and blast shelters.
This prefabricated concrete building on the airfield's former technical site used to be the Gas clothing and respirator store. The pastel colours inside are typical of RAF buildings.
I then headed over to the old accommodation site, which is now part of a farm. This mainly consists of Nissan Huts and smaller buildings, with at least 15 still standing in various states of disrepair.
Driving away from the main airfield I came across another side with more blast shelters, picket posts and latrines.
On my way out, I came across was the gymnasium, which is now being used as a car repair workshop and two Nissan huts that had been rebuilt recently.
All in all, a very fun little explore.
The History
Initially the aerodrome was built as RAF Winfarthing in 1943 but was later designated RAF Fersfield (Station 554) in 1944. Although constructed as a heavy bomber airfield, very little is known about RAF Fersfield, perhaps because it played a less traditional and more secret role.
The image below shows the layout of the airfield, with the technical sites and accommodation areas shown at the bottom. Today, only the perimeter track remains on the airfield proper, but a number of buildings have survived to the south of the airfield as well as a remaining T-2 hanger now used to store grain (for beer!).
In July 1944 a detachment from the 562nd Bombardment Squadron of the 388th Bomb Group (Heavy) were brought here to perform secret missions code-named "Aphrodite", involving the use of remote-controlled aircraft against the German V-1 and V-2 weapons sites, submarine pens and other fortifications.
The plan was to use “old” bombers which would be loaded to capacity with explosives and radio controlled to crash into targets. As the planes could not take off via remote control, and pilot and flight engineer with launch the plane and then parachute out once it was above 2,000ft.
Although there were a number of successes, due to continuous problems with malfunctioning or out of control aircraft and accidents, some fatal, the operation was however abandoned after 19 missions.
The most famous fatal incident happened in August 1944 when Lieutenant Joseph P. Kennedy Jr (the eldest brother of later US president JFK) took off from RAF Fersfield (photo below of Kennedy taken on that day at Fersfield) in a B-24 Liberator (below) rigged for remote flying, with the V2 rocket launching site at Mimoyecques as the target. Lt Kennedy and the flight engineer (Lt Willy) took off and armed the bombs in the air. Whilst flying over Blytheburgh in Suffolk, shortly before the planned bailout time, the plane detonated in mid-air, killing both occupants.
Joseph P. Kennedy was being groomed by his father for a career in politics. His death meant that the next oldest brother, John F Kennedy took on the family ambitions, resulting in him becoming president in 1961.
In 1945 the RAF took over the airfield again with its specialist No. 2 Group which was used for specialised bombing missions. It was from here that one of the most secret missions of the war was launched in March 1945: Operation Carthage.
Requested by the Danish resistance, the RAF bombed the Shellhus building, the Gestapo reginal headquarters in the centre of Copenhagen. This was a low level raid which was in fact so low, one of the bombers was lost through hitting a telegraph pole. The raid consisted of 20 bombers from RAF Fersfield, and 30 fighter escorts, with a loss of 6 planes. Although the target was destroyed with approximately 100 Gestapo employees killed (photos before and after below), sadly a school was also destroyed an about 125 civilians also lost their life.
After the war, the field was closed to flying in 1946 and after a brief spell in the early 1950s as a motor racing circuit it reverted to agriculture.
The Explore
This was a very quick explore as I was driving close by and only had about 1hr spare, and only a camera phone for taking pictures. Hopefully someone can go back with more time and equipment (and skill) and do this site the justice it deserves.
The explore was pretty easy though the remaining buildings are spread across a fair few sites, which I didn’t manage to make to all of due to running out of time. I got caught at one of the locations so didn’t quite get to take all the photos I wanted, but these things happen.
Approaching the old airfield from the south you come across the former Operations Block / HQ site which still stands, although I was unable to get access as it was in active use at the time as part of a farm.
At the bottom of the main airfield site there is still an original T-2 hanger (photo below is taken of internet and mine came out horribly with a thumb across the lens!) This used to house B-17 flying fortresses, but now stores grain before it is turned into beer.
Nearby, there is also the remains of the technical site including a few stores buildings and blast shelters.
This prefabricated concrete building on the airfield's former technical site used to be the Gas clothing and respirator store. The pastel colours inside are typical of RAF buildings.
I then headed over to the old accommodation site, which is now part of a farm. This mainly consists of Nissan Huts and smaller buildings, with at least 15 still standing in various states of disrepair.
Driving away from the main airfield I came across another side with more blast shelters, picket posts and latrines.
On my way out, I came across was the gymnasium, which is now being used as a car repair workshop and two Nissan huts that had been rebuilt recently.
All in all, a very fun little explore.
