Horsa Glider Storage

[Steve Smith]

Hi,

Looking for details please on the storage Horsa Gliders especially at RAF Downham Market, Norfolk. What was the policy of storage, what airfields were used.

Kind regards

Steve

[Bruce Dennis]

Hello Steve,
No promises, but I would expect some information in the AIR 10/296x range of files at Kew, which covers 'airframes'.
HTH,
Bruce

[Steve Smith]

Hi Bruce,

Mmmmm, sounds interesting, I am putting together a list at the moment, will be emailing you soon.

Kind regards

Steve

[MW Giles]

Wef 10.02.43 27+0 Horsas had been stationed at 14 Bomber Command Airfields administered by Heavy Glider Maintenance Sections. No 14 was based at Downham Market

wef 10.06.43 the establishment was increased to 32+0 Horsas and a number of other airfields were added to the list

2 Heavy Glider Maintenance Unit Formed in 12 Group 16.08.43 to administer the Sections

Wef 15.03.44 the Horsas were removed and distributed to 15 Glider Servicing Echelons based on 38 and 46 Group Stations administered by 1 Heavy Glider Servicing Unit prior to D-Day

Regards

Martin

[andy bird]

Theres a movements book at RAFM which has the locations I'm fairly certain for years 43 and 44. If you mail Archives & Library Dept I'm sure they'll be able to help out.

Andy Bird

[Steve Smith]

Originally Posted by MW Giles

Wef 10.02.43 27+0 Horsas had been stationed at 14 Bomber Command Airfields administered by Heavy Glider Maintenance Sections. No 14 was based at Downham Market

wef 10.06.43 the establishment was increased to 32+0 Horsas and a number of other airfields were added to the list

2 Heavy Glider Maintenance Unit Formed in 12 Group 16.08.43 to administer the Sections

Wef 15.03.44 the Horsas were removed and distributed to 15 Glider Servicing Echelons based on 38 and 46 Group Stations administered by 1 Heavy Glider Servicing Unit prior to D-Day

Regards

Martin

Hi Martin,

Thanks for this, but can I clarify ;

27+0 Horsas had been stationed at 14 Bomber Command Airfields administered by Heavy Glider Maintenance Sections. No 14 was based at Downham Market

Does this mean 27 Horsa to Downham Market which is airfield 14, or 27 Horsa gliders to 14 airfields including Downham Market?

Or am I being thick !

Steve

[MW Giles]

I think D-Day required more than 27 Horsas!

27+0 means the establishment at each airfield was 27 Horsas with no reserve (as they were in storage a reserve would be superfluous). Therefore initially 378 Horsas between 14 airfields, later more airfields and 32+0 Horsas on each

In the end the following airfields were involved
no 11 Sculthorpe
no 12 Foulsham
no 13 Lakenheath
no 14 Downham Market
no 15 Little Snoring
no 16 Great Massingham
no 17 Swanton Morley
no 18 Oulton
no 19 Marham
no 20 Feltwell
no 21 Methwold
no 22 Newmarket
no 23 Chedburgh
no 24 Wratting Common
no 25 Mildenhall
no 26 Stradishall
no 27 Syerston
no 28 Balderton
no 29 Fulbeck
no 30 Bottesford
no 31 Langar
no 32 Saltby
no 33 Woolfox Lodge
no 34 Cottesmore

Newmarket and Chedburgh had Hamilcars instead of Horsas

No I do not know where Sections 1 to 10 were, or if they existed at all

Regards

Martin