Airfields Used By NZ Squadrons During WW2, RAF Kings Cliffe

RAF Kings Cliffe

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52^34’13” N, 00^28’57” W

RAF Kings Cliffe is situated near Kings Cliffe, [anciently called Clive] Northamptonshire, 12 miles [10km] West of Peterborough in Cambridgeshire.and is 88 miles from London

Bedford Purlieus lies to the North, Westhay Wood and Wakerley Great Wood to the West, and the Olde Worlde village of Apethorpe and Fotheringhay to the South

The airfield was opened in 1941, originally as a satellite airfield for RAF Whittering, and transferred to the USAAF in January 1943,

During its life it was also known as RAF Kings Cliffe, Peterborough, and USAAF Station 367.

[Ex Ohakea Museum]

From 8th July to 16th August 1942, No 485 [NZ] Squadron, flying Spitfires were Stationed there.

They were moved to West Malling until the 22nd August, when they wre moved back to Kings Cliffe again, this time until 24th October 1942.

They were moved back to Kings Cliffe again on the 13th November 1942 until 2nd Jan 1943

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P 38

At the time of D-Day, it was occupied by the 55th. 77th and 79th Squadrons of the 20th Fighter Group, flying P38’s

When opened it had grass, surfaced, runways, but in early 1943 hard surfaced runways and perimeter track were laid.

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Glenn Miller played his last airfield band concert in the big hanger at Kings Cliffe.

This concert took place on Tuesday 3rd October 1944, as it was getting to cold to play in unheated hangers.

A memorial was placed on Callender Hamilton Hanger base.

After the war, the Station was used primarily for armament storage until it was closed in the early 1950s and sold in 1959

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