Query from a good mate: "Anyone know anything about a possible temporary grass-track airfield possibly used by the SOE. The National Trust own an estate in Norfolk and claim that it includes the site of a former secret WW2 airfield. The estate is centered on the hamlet of Horsey, in the parish of the same name, just to the north-west of Somerton. I have drawn a blank so far with the usual sources and think it unlikely to show up on OS mapping or aerial photography." Any suggestions or information would be very much appreciated. (I posted this on another forum & was reccomended by Gordon to post here as well... a certain gent may be able to help ) Cheers, Adam.
According to my book they operated out of Tempsford, which was based at Chedburgh in Suffolk. 161 squdron did most of the operations to France in Lysanders but they used many types of aircraft. 138 squadron also did special ops. as well as 214 squadron later in the war. Hope this helps.
As good buddy TA correctly states, Tempsford was a major site for SOE flights. Re Horsey on the coast side of the Norfolk Broads, I can’t find any listing of it in the SOE data I have? I have a listing of RAF craft assigned to SOE and where they were nominally stationed and, logically, operated from. However, as the claim seems to be for a temporary grass-track, something like a Lysander may of necessity or convenience have used it – perhaps in connection with Holland – or the field may have been specified as an emergency landing option? Tempsford, established March 1942, was probably the largest base, and others were (none near Horsey BTW): North Weald – August 1940 Stapleford Abbots – September 1940 Stradishall – October 1940 Newmarket Racecourse – February 1941 Graveley – March 1942 In addition American planes began to be involved, though I believe only large types right up to B-17’s which were co-opted for mass supply drops. However, Horsey would surely have been at the opposite end of the scale? No.9
Good stuff people, thanks for that. I'll get back to him and see if there's a bit more back-story, he seems quite specific about the location. I can only guess he's looking for something quite ethereal... if there was ever anything there at all. Cheers, Adam.
Please let us know the outcome, particularly if there is a specific event and/or person we can anchor to. No.9
I hope you didn't hold your breath waiting for answer to this one, but I may have found something in 'Norfolk Airfields & Airstrips Pt. I' , published by the Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum. According to this, near Somerton ( O/S Ref TG485205 ), on the marshes North of Gt Yarmouth, there is the site of a WWII 'decoy' airfield. It's not certain whether this was a 'Starfish' decoy for the town of Great Yarmouth itself, or a 'Q' decoy site for RAF Ludham. The site at Somerton was bombed by a Luftwaffe aircraft on the night of 28/29 March, 1943.
That does sound rather likely doesn't it, and could very well explain other rumours and stories becoming associated with the place, or even officially encouraged. Thank you very much Martin, I'll pass that on to him. Cheers, Adam.
