Airfields Used During WW2 by the NZ Squadrons in Europe - Ayr/Heathfield

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Ayr - Heathfield

Opened Apr 41
Closed

RAF Heathfield also know as RAF Ayr / Heathfield
due to its proximity to Glasgow Preswick Airport

Used by
141 Squadron
Baulton Paul Defiants, Beaufighters

Provided greater coverage for the defence of Glasgow
The Defiants had some limited success against the Luftwaffe
raiding Scotland and the northern England.

186 Squadron

241 Squadron

312 Squadron

406 Squadron

486 [NZ] Squadron

488 [NZ[ Squadron Sep 42 to Aug 43
flying Beaufighters

Two months later a change in role saw No 14 Armament Camp
being formed out of 1490 Flight to give more fighter Squadrons
the ability to briefly come and go to participate in realistic training
in the run up to D - Day

Another great difference was to have the base move to Fleet Air Arm
control in 1 Sep 44 and become known as HMS Wagtail.

The activity changed to loading and unloading the aircraft onto and off
the Aircraft Carriers.

One of the airfield’s initial duties after opening was to send personnel
up the main A77 Ayr-Glasgow road to help capture Deputy Fuhrer
Rudolf Hess after he parachuted into Scotland near Eaglesham in
May 1941.

The story goes that assistance was required after the head of the local
Home Guard unit emerged a touch unsteadily out of the village’s
Eglinton Arms.

with thanks to son-of-satire for the banner