Another old World War Two base. It’s one I have not visited before, and not seen it documented on here, and was interested to see what remains. Was not as much to see as some former ones I have been too, but still had a few interesting bits to see. I ended up being here about three hours, more to the fact that it’s spread out as is usual with these old bases. Hence the name dispersed sites, and was used to prevent everything being clustered together if the site was attacked. It was a lovely wander and getting on to the former runway and taxiways. Was a few interesting bits of old farm machinery dotted about as well.
RAF Metfield was a former USAAF station designated “station 366”j just outside Metfield in Suffolk. It was constructed in 1943 and was three intersecting runways, plus two T2 hangars and fifty dispersal points. The base accommodated nearly 3000 personnel. The eighth air force was given the airfield which first housed the 353rd fighter group, this consisted of three fighter squadrons. They operated Republic P-47D Thunderbolts and were used in counter air missions and bomber escort. The fighter squadron departed Metfield and was replaced with bombers from the 491st Bombardment Group. This consisted of four squadrons operating Consolidated B-24 Liberators. The squadron was very active during the Normandy landings by attacking airfields, bridges and coastal defences. After the war the base was not used at all and lay abandoned for many years after, until it was sold off in 1964/65. The airfield had a major explosion whilst operational. A delivery of bombs arrived at the airfield, these were normally handled by a crew at the dump who removed them with hoists. But they were on a break, the quartermaster group delivering them decided to unload them without a crane. They rolled two of the truck like they had with other munitions. But these were a bit more sensitive, they both exploded in the dump causing a massive explosion, detonating 1,200 of high explosives in the dump. This had devastating consequences killing six men and damaged five bombers so badly that they could not be repaired, six more were severely damaged. The explosion rocked the countryside for several miles. It left a huge crater what was filled with all sorts of junk, lots was found in the crater years later after dredging it. Pieces of shrapnel are still being found about the area even now.
Starting up is the old parachute store. It was nice that it still had the original porch on and the light which is unusual.
Transport ramp.
The large shed for either floodlight tractor or fire tender.
Night flying equipment store.
Runways and taxiways
Some old bits dotted about.
Moving away from the airside. Here we have the operation block and crew briefing room. This consisted of a block with several rooms and toilets and a Nissen hut extension. It had been used by farmers since as is usual with these old war buildings. Some ducting could be seen in the roof. I even found an old record player in the corridor. I liked this building a lot.
I spotted this old water tower in the distance from the runways. So I made my way to where it was and parked up the road from it. Walking down I thought it was going to be in someone’s garden. But it was situated in some sort of no man’s land between two houses. The land was very overgrown, and I came away with quite a few cuts from brambles, but I had a feeling there might be a borehole pump house behind it. Sadly my thoughts were dashed as one did not exist behind it., but the tower was still nice. They had not even cut the ladder which is unusual. So if you are that way inclined you could climb the wonky ladder.
Still had fencing around it.
Last up is a pair of type 22 pillboxes. One either side of the airfield, both were quite flooded so never bothered going in them. Another type 24 pillbox exists but was so overgrown, I did not bother stopping.
RAF Metfield was a former USAAF station designated “station 366”j just outside Metfield in Suffolk. It was constructed in 1943 and was three intersecting runways, plus two T2 hangars and fifty dispersal points. The base accommodated nearly 3000 personnel. The eighth air force was given the airfield which first housed the 353rd fighter group, this consisted of three fighter squadrons. They operated Republic P-47D Thunderbolts and were used in counter air missions and bomber escort. The fighter squadron departed Metfield and was replaced with bombers from the 491st Bombardment Group. This consisted of four squadrons operating Consolidated B-24 Liberators. The squadron was very active during the Normandy landings by attacking airfields, bridges and coastal defences. After the war the base was not used at all and lay abandoned for many years after, until it was sold off in 1964/65. The airfield had a major explosion whilst operational. A delivery of bombs arrived at the airfield, these were normally handled by a crew at the dump who removed them with hoists. But they were on a break, the quartermaster group delivering them decided to unload them without a crane. They rolled two of the truck like they had with other munitions. But these were a bit more sensitive, they both exploded in the dump causing a massive explosion, detonating 1,200 of high explosives in the dump. This had devastating consequences killing six men and damaged five bombers so badly that they could not be repaired, six more were severely damaged. The explosion rocked the countryside for several miles. It left a huge crater what was filled with all sorts of junk, lots was found in the crater years later after dredging it. Pieces of shrapnel are still being found about the area even now.
Starting up is the old parachute store. It was nice that it still had the original porch on and the light which is unusual.
Transport ramp.
The large shed for either floodlight tractor or fire tender.
Night flying equipment store.
Runways and taxiways
Some old bits dotted about.
Moving away from the airside. Here we have the operation block and crew briefing room. This consisted of a block with several rooms and toilets and a Nissen hut extension. It had been used by farmers since as is usual with these old war buildings. Some ducting could be seen in the roof. I even found an old record player in the corridor. I liked this building a lot.
I spotted this old water tower in the distance from the runways. So I made my way to where it was and parked up the road from it. Walking down I thought it was going to be in someone’s garden. But it was situated in some sort of no man’s land between two houses. The land was very overgrown, and I came away with quite a few cuts from brambles, but I had a feeling there might be a borehole pump house behind it. Sadly my thoughts were dashed as one did not exist behind it., but the tower was still nice. They had not even cut the ladder which is unusual. So if you are that way inclined you could climb the wonky ladder.
Still had fencing around it.
Last up is a pair of type 22 pillboxes. One either side of the airfield, both were quite flooded so never bothered going in them. Another type 24 pillbox exists but was so overgrown, I did not bother stopping.
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