RAF Hornchurch

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name = Royal Air Force Hornchurch


caption = Station Crest
dates = 3 October 1915 – 31 December 1919,
(As Sutton's Farm),
1 April 1928 – 1 July 1962,
(As RAF Hornchurch)
country = United Kingdom
branch = Royal Flying Corps,
Royal Air Force
command_structure = No. 11 Group RAF
type = Flying station
role = Defence of London & South East Engand, Fighter Offensive, Heavy Bomber Escort Duty, Support, Aircrew Selection, RAF(VR) Flying Training
size =
current_commander =
garrison = Hornchurch, Essex, England
garrison_label =
ceremonial_chief =
ceremonial_chief_label =
colonel_of_the_regiment =
colonel_of_the_regiment_label =
nickname =
motto =
colors =
colors_label = Royal Air Force Ensign
march =
mascot =
equipment = B.E.2c,
B.E.12,
Sopwith 1½ Strutter,
F.E.2
Bristol F2B,
SE5a,
Sopwith Pup,
Sopwith Camel,
Sopwith Snipe,
Armstrong Whitworth Siskin,
Bristol Bulldog,
Hawker Demon,
Gloster Gauntlet,
Gloster Gladiator,
Supermarine Spitfire,
Bristol Blenheim,
Bristol Beaufighter,
Boulton Paul Defiant,
battles = Air Defence of Britain 1915-1918,
Battle of Britain,
Evacuation of Dunkirk,
Preparation for D-Day,
Normandy Campaign
notable_commanders =
identification_symbol =
identification_symbol_label = Station crest
anniversaries =

RAF Hornchurch was an airfield in the south of Hornchurch in what is now the London Borough of Havering. Known as Sutton's Farm during the First World War, it occupied 90 acres of the farm of the same name and was situated convert|14|mi|km|1|lk=on east north-east of Charing Cross. Although the airfield closed shortly after the end of WWI, the land was requisitioned in 1923 due to the expansion of the Royal Air Force and it re-opened as a much larger fighter station in 1928. The airfield was ideally located in "bomb alley" to cover both London and the Thames corridor from German air attacks. It was a key air force installation between both wars and in to the jet age, closing in 1962.

History

In 1915 the London Air Defence Area (LADA) was established and a number of airfields were constructed around London with the specific aim of defending the capital from the growing threat from enemy airships. Sutton's Farm, along with its neighbour Hainault Farm, convert|8|mi|km|1|lk=on to the north-east, were selected due to their location covering the eastern approaches to London. They were designated Landing Grounds Nos. II and III respectively and joined the existing airfields of North Weald, Rochford and Joyce Green. Suttons Farm airfield became operational on 3rd October 1915, initially with two BE2c aircraft. As the number of aircraft increased at the airfields around London, it was decided to organise them into 39 Home Defence Squadron, which was formed in April 1916, under the command of Major (later Brigadier-General) Thomas Higgins. As the enemy threat moved from airships to aircraft, so better aircraft were introduced to counter them. The BE12, Sopwith 1½ Strutter, Sopwith Pup, FE2, Bristol Fighter, SE5a and Sopwith Camel all operated from Sutton's Farm at some stage, some with more success than others. 39 Squadron moved to North Weald in September 1917 and was replaced by 78 Squadron, under the command of Major Cuthbert Rowden, a 20 year old veteran of the air war in France and subsequent winner of the Military Cross [ [http://www.rowdensurname.org/ Rowden Family history] ] [ [http://www.worcestershireregiment.com/wr.php?main=inc/a_mc Worcestershire Regimental history] ] . 78 Squadron was later joined by 189 Night Fighter Training Squadron with Sopwith Pups and Camels.

The first recorded interception of an enemy airship over Britain was made by Lt. (later Marshal of the Royal Air Force) John Slessor on the very day he arrived at Sutton's Farm, 13th October 1915. The attack had to be aborted, however, as the airship disappeared into cloud and he had to break off the engagement. [Richard C Smith, "Second To None", p10, Grub Street, 2004, ISBN 1-904010-78-4.] The first victory in Britain was not recorded until nearly a year later, on 2nd September 1916, and was attributed to a pilot from Sutton's Farm, Lt. William Leefe Robinson. Robinson shot down a Schütte-Lanz SL11, one of a 16-strong raiding force over London, using the recently developed Brock and Pomeroy mixed incendiary ammunition, [Robinson's official post-op report] which had been adapted specifically for this task. [] For this action Leefe Robinson was awarded the Victoria Cross and became a National hero. Two other Sutton's Farm pilots from the First World War, Lt. Frederick Sowrey and Lt. Wulstan Tempest, were awarded the DSO for their roles in the destruction of Zeppelins, [Christopher Cole and E.F. Cheeseman, "The Air Defence of Britain, 1914-1918", 1984, Hungry Minds Inc, ISBN 978-0370305387 ] . Tempest's actions were particularly notable; even though his fuel pump was broken and he was having to pump fuel manually whilst flying the aircraft with his other hand, he still managed to engage and destroy an enemy airship and then find his way home in thick fog. These pilots, together with many others, are commemorated by street names in South Hornchurch. [ [http://www.multimap.com/maps/?hloc=GB|sowrey%20avenue,%20hornchurch#t=l&
17|4&loc=GB:51.54117:0.19109:15|rm13%207lx|RM13%207LX www.Multimap.com] ]

Inter War Years

Soon after the war ended it was decided that Suttons Farm was surplus to requirements and the airfield was decommissioned, although it was retained on “List C” (stations temporarily retained for Service purposes) until 27 February 1920. [ [http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/ViewPDF.aspx?pdf=31802&geotype=London&gpn=2464&type=ArchivedIssuePage&all=hornchurch&exact=&atleast=&similar= London Gazette, 2 March 1920] ] The land was returned, most of the buildings demolished and farming resumed once more.

Following the decision in the early 1920s to expand the Royal Air Force, former WWI airfields were inspected to ascertain their suitability for use. Although small, Suttons Farm was ideally located to be able to defend the north-eastern approaches to London. After protracted negotiations, the original land was re-purchased, together with some further land to the south of the original airfield.

The new airfield took four years to build and opened, as RAF Sutton’s Farm, in April 1928. Two months later the name was changed to RAF Hornchurch and the first unit to take up residency was No. 111 Squadron, led by Squadron Leader Keith Park, who also became the first station commander.

World War II

During World War II the station was a Sector Airfield of Fighter Command's 11 Group, covering London and the south east of England during the Battle of Britain in 1940. By this time, its command centre was in Romford, and a satellite station (an advanced attack outpost; RAF Rochford) was unpopular with the Hornchurch crews sent there from time to time because of the canvas accommodation. Following the war, Hornchurch was home to Flying Training Command's Aircrew Selection Centre for 10 years before it moved to RAF Biggin Hill and the RAF station at Hornchurch closed in July 1962.

The Airfield Today

Following a period of gravel extraction and infilling with rubbish in the 1970s, the airfield was extensively landscaped to create Hornchurch Country Park, with work commencing in 1980. Most of the former administrative and technical areas, including the two Type A and one Type C hangers, were levelled in the 1960s and the area is now a housing estate. The names of the streets of the estate commemorate the airfield and its pilots (such as Bouchier Walk, Kirton Close, Tempest Way, Robinson Close, Tuck Road, Bader Way and Malan Square). The former Officers Mess is now a medical centre in Astra Close. The Officers Mess (Astra House), Officers Quarters (Astra Court East, West & North) and WO Quarters (89-99 (odd numbers) Wood Lane) are included in the RAF Hornchurch Conservation Area.

A local school, The R. J. Mitchell School, was named after the man who designed the Spitfire, and a large monument to this effect, with wreaths placed on Remembrance Day, is within the school railings. Another local school (Suttons School) was re-named Sanders Draper School after an American pilot, Flying Officer Raimund ("Smudge") Sanders-Draper, flying with the Royal Air Force at the time, had an engine failure on take-off and stayed at his controls to ensure his aircraft didn't crash on the building, which was full of children at the time.

A number of pillboxes, command bunkers and gun positions, together with the largest number of surviving Tett Turrets in England, still exist within the boundaries of the former airfield and can be seen on the Eastern edge of the country park. RAF Hornchurch artefacts and memorabilia are housed in the Purfleet Heritage & Military Centre.

RAF Hornchurch was the subject of one of the programmes in the BBC TV series " [http://uktv.co.uk/history/item/aid/528186 Two Men in a Trench] ". In the programme, several of the defences were examined. One of the Tett Turrets was excavated, the backfill of which contained a pair of 1940 RAF pilot's goggles along with material from the hospital. [ Pollard & Oliver 2002] . The fire trench, a partially buried pillbox and an E pen were excavated, while the gun emplacement on the northern end of the site was cleared of vegetation.

[http://londonpublichouse.com/essexpubs/SouthHornchurch/gintent.shtml The Good Intent] pub, formerly with a large concrete, planetarium-like dome next door (used for training airgunners), still exists on the Hornchurch Road, was popular with the aircrews and has an interesting collection of photos of the Station.

A DVD about RAF Hornchurch was produced by Mike Jones for [http://www.streetsaheadtv.com/index.php?page=hornchurchaerodrome Streets Ahead Productions] .

The airfield is said to be haunted [Psychic Investigators Chris & Jane McCarthy and Dave Coggins] and was the subject of a paranormal investigation in 2004. Click [http://www.psychicinvestigations.net/html/psychic_investigations_4.html here] for the report.

Controversy

William Leefe Robinson

Although Robinson was awarded the Victoria Cross for shooting down Schütte-Lanz SL11 in 1916, it wasn't celebrated in all quarters, particularly by serving pilots in France. Home Defence was viewed as a relatively easy role and Robinson had trouble earning the respect of his fellow pilots when he was subsequently posted to France. These views were compounded when Robinson was shot down by aircraft led by Manfred von Richthofen shortly after arriving in France. The awarding of the VC was, undoubtedly, partly politically motivated, although it must be remembered that any form of flying was inherently dangerous in 1916, particularly at night and at these tremendous heights without oxygen. Robinson also managed to single-handedly lift the spirit of a nation that had suffered the new terror of aerial bombardment from the apparently invincible airships. [Joshua Levine, On a Wing and a Prayer p290]

Use of Incendiary Ammunition

Although effective in destroying enemy airships, the use of incendiary ammunition was banned under the terms of the Hague Convention of 1899 [ [http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/lawofwar/dec99-01.htm Yale Law School: The Laws of War] ] and pilots using it had to have signed orders from their commanding officer. This type of ammunition was only issued to squadrons in Home Defence roles and never to squadrons serving overseas. On his return to Sutton's Farm, William Leefe Robinson's CO ordered him to keep quiet about it [Ralph Barker, A Brief History of the Royal Flying Corps in World War One] as it was thought the propaganda value for the enemy would be invaluable should it leak out, even though the Germans had already broken the terms of the convention by using gas in 1915. Later in the war the use of incendiary ammunition became officially recognised. [Great War Forum]

The Battle of Barking Creek

The first aircraft to be shot down by the British in the Second World War was a Hurricane of 56 Squadron. On 6th September 1939, three days after the declaration of war, a searchlight battery on Mersea Island incorrectly identified a friendly aircraft crossing the Essex coast. A message was relayed to HQ 11 Group, which ordered Hurricanes from North Weald to investigate. They were subsequently misidentified as hostile aircraft themselves by the Chain Home Radar at Canewdon. [ [http://www.raf.mod.uk/history_old/line1939.html&h=221&w=350&sz=18&hl=en&start=6&um=1&tbnid=KWSQeqOtAPsbSM:&tbnh=76&tbnw=120&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dthe%2Bbattl RAF Website] ] Further aircraft from North Weald were scrambled to intercept their comrades, but they too were misidentified through a combination of miscommunication, inexperience and over-enthusiasm. A tragic, but inevitable mistake was now just minutes away; Spitfires from 74 Squadron, led by “Sailor” Malan, took off from Hornchurch and quickly engaged two Hurricanes, shooting them both down.

PO Montague Hulton-Harrop was killed whilst the other pilot, PO Tommy Rose, baled out and landed safely. The two pilots responsible for the attack, PO John Freeborn and FO Paddy Byrne were placed under arrest upon their return to Hornchurch. Freeborn had been the squadron adjutant and had distributed orders that single engined aircraft should not be engaged as it was assumed that enemy fighters would not have the fuel to be able to fly a return sortie from Germany and, therefore, any single engined aircraft would be friendly.

A court marshal was held on 7th October 1939, at which, Freeborn later claimed, that Malan said he never gave the order to attack. All three were acquitted, with the judge claiming that the case should never have been brought to trial. The proceedings have never been made public. [ Bishop, Patrick. Fighter Boys. Harper, 2003. ISBN 978-0-00-653204-0.] [ Smith, Richard C. Hornchurch Scramble, London: Grub Street, 2000. ISBN 1-902304-62-4.] [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/70/a5781170.shtml The People’s War] ]

Notable Station Commanders

Click [http://www.rafweb.org/Stations/Station%20OCs-London.htm#Hornchurch here] for a complete list of Station Commanders

quadrons

During its relatively short life, RAF Hornchurch became home [Dates refer to the period Hornchurch was the squadron's base station and does not include rest periods and short postings to other airfields] to many RAF squadrons:

References

Notes

Bibliography

* Barker, Ralph. "A Brief History of the Royal Flying Corps in World War One". Robinson Publishing, 2002. ISBN 978-184119-470-7.
* Bishop, Patrick. "Fighter Boys". Harper, 2003. ISBN 978-0-00-653204-0.
* Bowyer, Michael J.F. and Rawlings, John D.R. "Squadron Codes 1937-56". Cambridge, UK: Patrick Stephens Ltd., 1979. ISBN 0-85059-364-6.
* Cole, Christopher and Cheeseman, E.F. "The Air Defence of Britain, 1914-1918". Hungry Minds Inc, 1984. ISBN 978-037030-538-7.
* Cooksley, Peter G. "Aviation Enthusiasts' Guide To London & The South-East", Cambridge, UK: Patrick Stephens Ltd., 1982. ISBN 0-85059-533-9.
* Delve, Ken. "The Source Book of the RAF". Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife, 1994. ISBN 1-85310-451-5.
* Flintham, Vic and Thomas, Andrew. "Combat Codes: A full explanation and listing of British, Commonwealth and Allied air force unit codes since 1938". Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife, 2003. ISBN 1-84037-281-8.
* Glancey, Jonathan. "Spitfire, The Biography". London: Atlantic Books, 2006. ISBN 978-1-84354-528-6.
* Halley, James J. "The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1918-1988". Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1988. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
* Jefford, Wing Commander C.G. MBE, BA, RAF (Retd). "RAF Squadrons: A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912". Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife, 1988, 2nd edition 2001. ISBN 1-84037-141-2.
* Levine, Joshua. "On a Wing and a Prayer: The Untold Story of the Pioneering Aviation Heroes of WW1". Collins, 2008. ISBN 978-0007269457
* Rawlings, John D.R. "Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their aircraft". London: Macdonald and Jane's (Publishers) ltd., 1976, (Reprinted 1978). ISBN 0-354-01028-X.
* Smith, Richard C. "Hornchurch Scramble", London: Grub Street, 2000. ISBN 1-902304-62-4.
* Smith, Richard C. "Second To None", London: Grub Street, 2004. ISBN 1-904010-78-4.

ee also

* Battle of Britain
* Battle of Britain Airfields
* Battle of Britain Squadrons

External links

* [http://www.rafhornchurch.thehumanjourney.net/index.htm The RAF Hornchurch Project website]
* [http://www.havering.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=10387&p=0 RAF Hornchurch Conservation Area]
* [http://www.thesoutheastecho.co.uk/home.html The South East Echo - Local history site]
* [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=100731464675110092482.0004433a0109e4b770717 Google Community map showing location of airfield remains]
* [http://worldwar2airfields.fotopic.net/c948183.html Airfield remains on WorldWar2Airfields.net]
* [http://www.rafhornchurch.thehumanjourney.net/images/gallery_images/Gallery_image07.htm Aerial View of the airfield in 1947]
*
* [http://www.lgfl.net/lgfl/leas/havering/schools/rj-mitchell/?start The R J Mitchell Primary School]
* [http://www.sandersdraper.org.uk/ The Sanders Draper School]