"During World War II, Lincolnshire became known as “Bomber County” due to the fact that it was home to a large number of airfields – 49 airfields to be exact"
Photo by Pixabay
Much is known about the role played by the airfields of Lincolnshire during World War II, including the famous Dambuster’s Raid made by Guy Gibson and his 617 Squadron from RAF Scampton.
What is less well known is that by the end of World War II, Lincoln had become a world leader in aircraft production.
During World War II, Lincolnshire became known as “Bomber County” due to the fact that it was home to a large number of airfields – 49 airfields to be exact, which is more than any other county in England.
The average distance between these airfields was 7.5 miles, with bomber stations typically taking up approximately 700 acres. The county was in the forefront of the allied air offensive and was home to 1 Group and 5 Group of the Bomber Command of the Royal Air Force.
The Lincolnshire-based bombers contributed heavily to many crucial attacks in the war against Germany including;
Aside from these undertakings of the Bomber Command, Lincolnshire was witness to the action of day and night fighters, anti-shipping strike and transport, as well as flying trainings.
Today, Lincolnshire is the location of the Royal Air Force Central Flying School and the Royal Air Force Acrobatic Team “The Red Arrows”.
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the RAF’s tribute to the aviators of World War II, is also held in the county and operates a Lancaster, five Spitfires, two Hurricanes, two Chipmunks and a Dakota. The Lincolnshire County Council and Royal Air Force partnership facilitates the viewing of these historic aircraft at their base at RAF Coningsby.
In addition to this, there are various aviation museums and heritage centres throughout the county of Lincolnshire that showcases restored airfield buildings, control towers and operations rooms, among others.
For more information on this, please visit our Lincolnshire modern aviation page.
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitors Centre (BBMF)
RAF BBMF Visitor’s Centre |
Cranwell Aviation Heritage Centre
North Rauceby |
Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre
East Kirkby Airfield |
Metheringham Airfield Visitors Centre
Westmoor Farm, Martin Moor Lincoln |
RAF Waddington Viewing Enclosure
The Sentry Post |
RAF Wickenby Memorial Museum
Wickenby Airfield |
Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre
Woodhall Spa Road |
Newark Air Museum
The Airfield |
Scampton Historical Museum
RAF Scampton |
RAF Digby
Sector Operations Room Museum |
Grantham Museum
St. Peter’s Hill |
This year is the 100th anniversary of the RAF and to celebrate this milestone there are events planned across Lincolnshire. For more information about events near you, visit our information page.
© 2011-2021 All rights reserved | wp_reset_query(); ?> Hosted in Lincolnshire from Jolt Hosting