By the end of the Second World War, there were a substantial number of airfields covering the UK, mainly used by the Royal Air Force, the United States Army Air Force, the Royal Navy and all their associated branches; they were handed back to the RAF at the end of the war as the various forces were pulled out. Some were used as POW or repatriation camps, some were used to store surplus aircraft, vehicles or ordinance; many were put into care and maintenance whilst the RAF decided their ultimate fate.
Thankfully a few have lasted as airfields and are even fulfilling that role today, sadly though, many were dug up, their runways used for hardcore, the buildings demolished and the events that occurred there reserved for the history books.
The scale and pace of development was massive. The size of these sites bigger than many of the villages they took their names from, the populations larger than many towns of the time. Architecturally they changed the landscape dramatically.
Today as they dwindle away, many are mere names, locals have little knowledge of their existence, memorials are being forgotten, and life is moving on.
As a little reminder of those times and to put the scale of development into perspective, here are two maps held by the British Library that show the main Royal Air Force and Royal Navy airfields as of 31st December 1944.
The two maps, divide the UK and show not only the airfields but satellites as well. They also show Royal Air Force and Royal Navy Water Airfields, and Royal Air Force Moorings. There are a number of sites not included on the map such as relief landing grounds, and training schools, but they do give an indication of the number of airfields that covered the UK by the end of the war.
These are both low resolution pictures, and copyright is held by the British Library who have given permission for them to be reproduced here.
© The British Library, Maps MOD GSGS Misc. 505 (sheet 1 and Sheet 2)
Aviation Trails 
For me, it is the speed with which they threw away so much history that is amazing. And that extends to the planes as well. I saw a programme last night that said that Mosquitoes were sold off at £1200….in today’s money!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s frightening really. Many were simply scrapped, burned or just chopped up. But there again, what do you do with thousands of surplus aircraft!
LikeLike
Doesn’t seem like they thought much about whether or not future generations would be interested in seeing the sites and equipment from WWII.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely not. I guess at the end of the war most wanted to forget and put it all behind them. Understandably so in many cases. A sad decision in the long run though.
LikeLike
Incredible. Thanks for sharing. I suppose a plus for all of these airfields was that if a plane came back damaged then there were plenty of options for alternate landing sites
LikeLiked by 1 person
That they certainly had Tony. Many seem to have come down in rather bizarre places too, airfields you wouldn’t expect!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh? Do tell.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nothing quite that exciting! Heard of B17s landing on small grass airfields, overshooting etc. many bombers were so badly damaged any port became their home. Others landed on the wrong base or simply diverted to nearby airfields that were generally unsuitable.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Then there was the odd German pilot who landed in Wales thinking it was Calais. I can understand the mix up as both have beautiful weather
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not sure if there’s sarcasm in there about Welsh weather! I’ll err on the side of Caution for fear of
Upsetting a Welshman, I know how fearsome they can be! 109 landed at Hawkinge (out of fuel) and another Ju 88 in the midlands also thought he was in France! How did they find their target!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha. In some instances these were pilots who wanted out of the war but didn’t want to defect. They just preferred to sit it out in a cosy PoW camp. In other instances we have to remember that German night navigation technology never really rose to the level of Bomber Command and so it is wholly feasible that the Ju88 crew flew around the country for hours thinking they were heading home.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely, I’m sure it was much better to use that as your excuse rather than say to your downed colleagues that you defected. I’m sure some internal court would have had them shot!
LikeLike
Well I’m a sucker for maps anyway – but this is a rare treasure. I’m re-reading Bud Anderson’s “To Fly & Fight” at the moment, so the density of airfields in East Anglia (and Lincolnshire) shown here is particularly terrifying. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you like it. It certainly gives an idea of the number involved even though many types are still not included.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had no idea that the network of airfields in 1940 was so comprehensive – it is truly staggering in comparison to the number in existence today. Thank you for highlighting this Andy.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The difference is incredible. These are not them all either!
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s astonishing!
LikeLiked by 2 people