RAF Matlaske

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name = Royal Air Force Station Matlaske


caption = Station crest
dates = 1940-1945
country = United Kingdom
branch = Royal Air Force
command_structure = British Armed Forces,
No. 1 Group RAF
type = Flying station
role = Fighter attack and defence, ground attack
size = closed
current_commander =
garrison = Matlaske, Norfolk, England
garrison_label = Based near
ceremonial_chief =
ceremonial_chief_label =
colonel_of_the_regiment =
colonel_of_the_regiment_label =
nickname =
motto =
colors =
colors_label = Royal Air Force Ensign
march = Royal Air Force March Past
mascot =
equipment = Supermarine Spitfire
Hawker Henley
Hawker Hurricane
Hawker Typhoon
Miles Martinet
Miles Master
P-39 Airacobra
P-47 Thunderbolt
Supermarine Walrus
Taylorcraft Auster
Westland Lysander
Westland Whirlwind fighter
battles = Battle of Britain
notable_commanders =
identification_symbol =
identification_symbol_label =
anniversaries =

RAF Matlaske was a satellite air station to RAF Coltishall of the Royal Air Force, situated near Matlaske in Norfolk, England. RAF Matlaske opened in 1940 and closed in 1945.

History

In September 1942, the airfield was allocated to the 8th United States Army Air Force as a fighter base but was only used from March to April 1943 by P-47 Thunderbolts of the 56th Fighter Group from RAF Kings Cliffe.

From August 1942 to July 1943, No. 56 Squadron RAF Typhoons from RAF Snailwell moved to Manston.

No. 195, 245, 266 and 609 Squadron Typhoons, No. 19 Sqn Spitfires and the USAAF's 56th Fighter Group P-47 Thunderbolts were detached here at various times from August 1942 to August 1943.

From April to May 1943, No. 1489 Flight RAF conducted target towings with Hawker Henleys, Westland Lysanders, M.25 Martinets and M.9 Masters, which were also based at RAF Coltishall and RAF Sutton Bridge.

In August 1943, the airfield was transferred to 8th USAAF control and rebuilt. Reopened in September 1944 and used by 3, 19, 56, 65, 122, 229, 451, 453, 485, and 601 Squadrons at various times until October 1945.

From July to October 1945, the British Army operated Taylorcraft Austers as liaison aircraft from here.

Units

The following units served at Matlaske at one point or another during World War II:

Royal Air Force

*No. 3 Squadron RAF
*No. 19 Squadron RAF
*No. 56 Squadron RAF
*No. 65 Squadron RAF
*No. 72 Squadron RAF
*No. 122 Squadron RAF
*No. 137 Squadron RAF (Famous for its use of the Westland Whirlwind fighter)
*No. 222 Squadron RAF
*No. 229 Squadron RAF
*No. 245 Squadron RAF
*No. 266 Squadron RAF
*No. 278 Squadron RAF
*No. 451 Squadron RAF
*No. 453 Squadron RAF
*No. 485 Squadron RAF
*No. 601 Squadron RAF

*No. 1489 Flight RAF

Royal Australian Air Force

*No. 229 Squadron RAAF
*No. 453 Squadron RAAF
*No. 602 Squadron RAAF

Royal Canadian Air Force

*No. 412 Squadron RCAF

United States Army Air Force

*56th Fighter Group

Aircraft

The following aircraft types served at the base:

*Supermarine Spitfire
*Hawker Henley
*Hawker Hurricane
*Hawker Typhoon
*M.9 Master
*M.25 Martinet
*P-39 Airacobra
*P-47 Thunderbolt
*Taylorcraft Auster
*Supermarine Walrus
*Westland Lysander
*Westland Whirlwind