As we marked the 80th anniversary of the start of the Battle of Britain in September, I thought it would be interesting to recall how the Aerodrome in Kings Mill Lane, Nutfield was involved and became RAF Redhill during WW2.
The airstrip first became in use in the 1930’s for private and commercial aircraft, as an alternative for Imperial Airways to the Croydon Aerodrome and was also used as a Flying Training School from 1937. This later moved to the north of England in 1939 when the threat of a German attack became apparent. The airfield then became an operational RAF station – RAF Redhill.
Many Polish and Canadian airmen were stationed and trained at Redhill and in June 1940 No. 16 Squadron was the first to arrive, with its Westland Lysander aircraft. Redhill became relatively inactive for much of the Battle of Britain until the arrival of No. 600 Squadron with its Blenheim and Beaufighters in September & October 1940. They flew many night fighter operations during the latter part of 1940. In May 1941 Redhill then became a satellite aerodrome for RAF Kenley and No.1 Squadron’s Hurricanes moved in, employed as specialist night fighters.
From May 1941 to January 1944 numerous fighter Squadrons with Spitfires flew ‘Rodeo’ fighter sweeps over France from RAF Redhill. The airfield was used as an advanced air base for the attack on Dieppe in August 1942. By this time over 800 personnel were employed at Redhill and in 1944 the airfield became an important platform to build up supplies and equipment in preparation for D-Day with over 200 fighter aircraft based at Redhill to support the invasion forces.
In January 1945 Redhill became a satellite for RAF Biggin Hill and in February, Nos. 166 and 287 were the last Squadrons, with their Tempest aircraft, to occupy the airfield. At the end of WW2, Redhill was used for storage of unused bombs which were finally cleared by December 1946 and it again became a flying school to train RAF pilots in 1948 with Tiger Moths used as basic trainers. The increasing complexity of modern aircraft resulted in the closure of the training school and it was disbanded in June 1954 and the airfield was returned for commercial and private light aircraft use.
Today the airfield is busy with light aircraft and helicopters and is the base for the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance helicopter and also base for the National Police Air Service helicopter. The ‘Pilots Hub’ café is a popular eatery situated in No. 9 hangar, one of the original hangars built in the 1930’s and houses some historic aircraft and artefacts from the conflict. There is also a viewing area outside the café where you can observe the airfield’s activities.
A memorial plague to the 76 airmen who gave their lives, flying from the airfield during WW2 is located in the Nutfield Memorial Hall and was unveiled in April 2017.
For more detailed information on the role of RAF Redhill from 1939 onwards, go to the Wings Aviation Museum website at www.wingsmuseum.co.uk/raf-redhill
Keith Ramsay