Monument record MDO42716 - Former RAF Tarrant Rushton, Tarrant Rushton

A World War Two and Post-War military airfield, opened in 1943. The wartime airfield comprised three concrete runways with some grass overshoot landing areas, and four aircraft hangars (Type T2). There was temporary accommodation for 2325 male and 386 female personnel. Its most important role was immediately prior to and during the D Day landings of June 1944. 298 and 644 Squadrons dispatched elements of the 6th Airborne Division for the airborne assault on Normandy . Supply drops by 190, 196 and 620 Squadrons were also made to the French resistance from Tarrant Rushton. 298 and 644 Squadrons participated in the landings at Arnhem later in the year. From the 1950s the airfield was used for Britain's "V-bomber " jet aircraft. The airfield officialy closed in 1980. In 1981 trenches were dug across the airfield to prevent futher use, and subsquently during the 1980s most of the runways were taken up leaving only a strip in use as a farm track. The airfield, along with ancillary accommodation areas, is visible on 1940s and 1950s aerial photographs and was mapped using these sources during the Dorset Middle Stour AIM project.

Tarrant Rushton Airfield, Dorset, ST 946 058 , opened in 1943. The wartime airfield comprised three concrete runways with some grass overshoot landing areas, and four aircraft hangars (Type T2). There was temporary accommodation for 2325 male and 386 female personnel. By december 1944 it was under the control of 38 Group fighter Command. <1>

Tarrant Rushton Airfield's most important role was immediately prior to and during the D Day landings of June 1944 (Operation Ovelord). 298 and 644 Squadrons dispatched elements of the 6th Airborne Division for the airborne assault on Normandy (this element of Overlord was codenamed Operation Neptune). Supply drops by 190, 196 and 620 Squadrons were also made to the French resistance from Tarrant Rushton. 298 and 644 Squadrons also participated in the landings at Arnhem later in the year. From the 1950s the airfield was used for Britain's "V-bomber " jet aircraft. The airfield officialy closed in 1980. In 1981 trenches were dug across the airfield to prevent futher use, and subsquently during the 1980s most of the runways were taken up leaving only a strip in use as a farm track. <2>

The airfield, along with ancillary accommodation areas, is visible on 1940s and 1950s aerial photographs and was mapped using these sources during the Dorset Middle Stour AIM project. <4 -15>

<1> Willis, Steve, and Hollis, Barry, 1987, Military airfields in the British Isles 1939-1945, 193 (Monograph). SDO19303.

<2> Ashworth, Chris, 1990, Action stations, 5: military airfields of the south-west, 188-191 (Monograph). SDO19304.

<3> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1430476 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

<4> Royal Air Force, 11-JAN-1942, RAF/13A/UK773 V 0082 (Aerial Photograph). SDO19206.

<5> Royal Air Force, 18-NOV-1946, RAF/CPE/UK/1845 FS 2055 (Aerial Photograph). SDO19154.

<6> Royal Air Force, 03-MAR-1945, RAF/106G/LA/194 V 97 (Aerial Photograph). SDO19323.

<7> Royal Air Force, 12-DEC-1946, RAF/CPE/UK/1893 RS 4071 (Aerial Photograph). SDO18567.

<8> Royal Air Force, 12-DEC-1946, RAF/CPE/UK/1893 RP 3071 (Aerial Photograph). SDO18917.

<9> Royal Air Force, 01-JAN-1948, RAF/CPE/UK/2431 RS 4315 (Aerial Photograph). SDO18915.

<10> Royal Air Force, 01-JAN-1948, RAF/CPE/UK/2431 RS 4316 (Aerial Photograph). SDO18057.

<11> Royal Air Force, 07-MAY-1948, RAF/541/7 RS 4032 (Aerial Photograph). SDO18916.

<12> English Heritage, 24-MAR-1949, AFL 61785/EAW021673 (Aerial Photograph). SDO19326.

<13> English Heritage, 24-MAR-1949, AFL 61785/EAW021672 (Aerial Photograph). SDO19325.

<14> Royal Air Force, 25-JAN-1956, RAF/540/1789 V 21 (Aerial Photograph). SDO19324.

<15> Pan Government Agreement, 2001, Next Perspectives APGB Imagery (Aerial Photograph). SDO18519.

Record last edited

Jan 31 2023 9:18AM