Monument record MDO47105 - Winkton Advanced Landing Ground, Winkton, Christchurch

An advanced landing ground, a special type of World War Two military airfield constructed in 1943 for use during D-Day preparations (also know as Operation Overlord). On D Day itself the airfield was used to fly 191 missions over the invasion beaches by the American 404th Fighter Group. The airfield itself comprised two landing strips made of steel mesh matting known as Sommerfeld Track, with four Blister aircraft hangars and a tented camp for personnel. It had been de-requisitioned by December 1944.

Winkton Advanced Landing Ground, Hampshire, SZ 165 975. The airfield itself comprised two landing strips made of steel mesh matting known as Sommerfeld Track, with four Blister aircraft hangars and a tented camp for personnel. It had been de-requisitioned by December 1944. <1>

SZ 165975; The Winkton advanced landing ground, comprised two wire mesh runways, constructed in September 1943 but was not in use until 1944. Fighter bombers of the USAAF were based here during April 1944, these were involved with D-Day preparations and also with the destruction of V-1 sites. The site reverted back to agricultural use after the D-Day landings. <2-3>

<1> Willis, Steve, and Hollis, Barry, 1987, Military airfields in the British Isles 1939-1945, 216 (Monograph). SDO17980.

<2> Davies, K, 1992, Ninety Days to Normandy - The Advanced Landing Grounds of 1944, 42 (Monograph). SWX4230.

<3> Davies, Ken, 1992, New Forest Airfields (Monograph). SDO20123.

<4> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1030559 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Aug 29 2024 4:25PM