Airfields Uswed By NZ Squadrons During WW 2, n RAF Merston

RAF Merston

RAF Merston was built during 1939 as a grass satellite airfield to RAF Tangmere,
and was sited West of Merston, North, North East of Runcton Village, and 2 miles South East of Chichester.

There were no fixed runways as initially there was only the grass surface, with 17 hard standings, 12 double pens for fighters and 6 blister hangers.

Used by the RAF from May 1941 to August 1942, it was allocated to the USAAF 8th
Air Force in June 1942, as a satellite to RAF Westhampnett.

The USAAF renumbered the airfield to USAAF Station No 351.

The 307th Fighter Squadron of the 31st Fighter Group, flying Spitfire Vs, moved in and made it their home from August to October 1942.

Image Source

Image Source

The 31st Fighter Group only flew missions from England between June and September 1942.

During this period they helped provide cover for the Dieppe Raid.

The Station then closed for redevelopment with two Sommerfeld Track runways being laid, and other improvements.

The Station was re-opened in May 1943 and again allocated to the USAAF, and transferred to the 9th Air Force in October 1943.

Although transferred it was not used again by the USAAF,

The Station was used during the D-Day invasion by three Free French Squadrons flying Spitfire Vs, being No’s 329, 340 and 341, tasked with low cover over the beaches.

Later it was used briefly by Air Disarmament Units of SHAFE during March to May 1945, and then by the Royal Navy for storage of war surplus equipment until it was finally closed in November 1946.

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