RAF Deanland

RAF Deanland is a former Royal Air Force advanced landing ground located 4 miles (6.4 km) west of Hailsham, East Sussex and 13.4 miles (21.6 km) north east of Brighton, East Sussex, England

RAF Deanland
Ripe, East Sussex in England
RAF Deanland is located in East Sussex
RAF Deanland
RAF Deanland
Shown within East Sussex
Coordinates50°52′50″N 000°09′09″E
TypeAdvanced Landing Ground
CodeXB[1]
Site information
OwnerAir Ministry
OperatorRoyal Air Force
Controlled byRAF Second Tactical Air Force
* No. 84 Group RAF[1]
Site history
Built1943 (1943)/44
Built byRAF Airfield Construction Service
Royal Engineers Airfield Construction Group
In useApril 1944 – January 1945
Battles/warsEuropean theatre of World War II
Airfield information
IdentifiersICAO: EGKL
Elevation23 metres (75 ft)[1] AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
06/24 457 metres (1,499 ft) Grass
00/00 (WW2)  Sommerfeld Tracking
00/00 (WW2)  Sommerfeld Tracking

History

RAF Deanland was planned as an Advanced Landing Ground in order to provide support for the D-Day Landings on 6 June 1944, with construction started in Spring 1943. The first aircraft to take to the air on D-Day flew from RAF Deanland, providing top-cover over the OMAHA and GOLD landing beaches.

The airfield was heavily involved in the fight against the V-1 flying bombs (with 185 destroyed) and during D-Day[2] in which it is believed to have been the home of the first Supermarine Spitfire squadron to provide air cover.[3]

The landing ground was used by multiple units:

Along with the following ground units at some point:

On 6 June 1994, an oak-tree was planted at the western end of the airfield entrance-road. This tree is a memorial to those pilots who flew from Deanland and died in operations.

Current use
Deanland Airfield in 2013.

The Airfield was dormant for a time, post-war, but the land came into the ownership of Richard Chandless, a farmer, who reactivated the site as an airfield in 1963. Richard operated his own aircraft, and he was for a number of years the main U.K. agent for Avions Pierre Robin demonstrating and selling new and used aircraft from Deanland. Richard invited a number of other aircraft owners to keep their machines at Deanland. During Chandless' time Deanland became a very active airfield, both day and night: lights were installed shortly after the runway was re-activated. It was used by a number of local business people, farmers and visitors to the area. With Glyndebourne Opera House close it was very normal to see both light aircraft and helicopters parked while their owners enjoyed the opera. In 1991 the airfield came into the ownership of Deanland Airfield LLP. In 2012 the airfield is still in use as a private airstrip.

References

Citations
  1. Falconer 2012, p. 77.
  2. "Our History is as bright as our future". Deanland Park Homes Estate. Retrieved 10 September 2012.
  3. "Deanland Wood Park". Chalvington with Ripe Parish Council. Retrieved 10 September 2012.
  4. Jefford 1988, p. 45.
  5. Jefford 1988, p. 52.
  6. Jefford 1988, p. 75.
  7. Jefford 1988, p. 84.
  8. Jefford 1988, p. 85.
  9. Jefford 1988, p. 86.
  10. Jefford 1988, p. 88.
  11. Jefford 1988, p. 100.
  12. "Deanland". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 10 September 2012.

Bibliography
  • Falconer, J. (2012). RAF Airfields of World War 2. UK: Ian Allan Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85780-349-5.
  • Jefford, C G (1988). RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury: Airlife. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
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