Lashenden Remembers – Lashenden Air Warfare Museum

There can be few more iconic locations for an air warfare museum than Lashenden/Headcorn aerodrome. Although its history goes back to the 1920’s, it will be remembered as a World War Two Advanced Landing Ground. The aerodrome was first used for private general aviation in 1927 and remained so until 1942 when it was requisitioned by the Airfields Board and prepared for military use.

The original intention was to create a light bomber base, including a bomb storage area but this was never to be. Lashenden (as it became known) was subsequently prepared for use as an Advanced Landing Ground, operating fighter aircraft in accordance with the Air Staff’s plans to support the proposed invasion of occupied Europe. Two grass runways of 1,600yds and 1,400yds were made available and covered in a steel mesh known as Sommerfeld Tracking. This enabled aircraft to operate in all but the most atrocious weather conditions. Similar ALG’s were created at Staplehurst, Egerton (although confusingly called Headcorn!), Ashford, Brenzett, High Halden, Kingsnorth, Lydd, Newchurch, New Romney and Woodchurch. Lashenden became known as Station 410.

It was on the 6^th August 1943, that 127 Wing Royal Canadian Air Force comprising No’s 403 and 421 Squadrons arrived with their Spitfire IXb’s, but their stay was short and by the end of the month they had moved on. On the 15^th April 1944, the airfield became the responsibility of the 100^th Fighter Wing, 19^th Tactical Air Command, 9^th Air Force. The Americans had arrived ! On the 17^th April, the 354^th Fighter Group flew in comprising the 353^rd, 355^th and 356^th Fighter Squadrons with their North American P51B Mustangs. The 354^th flew bomber escort missions, some as far as the Polish border and later, fighter bomber operations against targets in Northern France designed to disrupt German communications. During the D-Day landings in Normandy on the 6^th June 1944, the 354^th escorted troop carrying C47’s to the battle area. On the 18^th June 1944, the 354^th left Lashenden for Criqueville on the French coast, with the airfield subsequently being handed back to civilian ownership. With the resurgence of interest in civil aviation in the 1950’s, the airfield was opened as a base for private and commercial flying and has been thriving ever since.

The Lashenden Air Warfare Museum has been a permanent resident on the aerodrome since 1970 and has expanded at a steady pace with the collections of a number of preservation and recovery groups being acquired on the demise of these groups.

In 2007, the Museum embarked on a major project aimed at the complete restoration of its rare Fieseler Fi130R-4 “Reichenberg”. Resembling a V1, “Doodlebug”, these missiles were fitted with a small cockpit and intended for precision attacks on targets of importance although never actually used operationally. Restoration of the “Reichenberg” was completed in 2013, when the missile was returned to the Museum.

£40,000 is needed – Can you help?

In order to display the “Reichenberg” together with other related exhibits, the Museum is currently in the process of funding and constructing a new display hall. The sum of £40,000 is still needed to complete this exciting development and donations from the public will be very much appreciated and greatly assist the project.

The Museum is situated in the south east corner of the airfield and is open both Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday during the summer months. Limited opening times apply during other periods and visitors should check the Museum website, www.lashendenairwarfaremuseum.co.uk for details. There is no admission charge to view one of the UK’s leading aviation archaeology collections.

By Graham Holmes
Lashenden Air Warfare Museum
Headcorn, Kent