Monument record MWX1164 - Christchurch Airfield (1935-62), Bure, Christchurch

The OS 1:10000 map sheet SZ 19 SE, 1975 edition <1> shows factory buildings and a "Signals Research and development Establishment" along with airfield runway at the site centered at SZ 185 932.

The airfield was also host to the Signals Research and Development Establishment (SRDE) until 1980 when the establishment was moved to Malvern. A strengthened police post/guard room was located at the entrance to the SRDE close to the junction of Highcliffe Road and Grange Road. The site was recorded by Michael Hodges <2> prior to 1982. It is not clear if it still exists.

Christchurch Airfield was opened in 1935 but closed at the start of World War II. It was soon reopened to house the Air Ministry Research Establishment, and by 1940 it had also become a centre for the production of aircraft including Horsa gliders, and for the conversion of Spitfires to Seafires. The airfield became an advanced landing ground in December 1943 with the addition of a Sommerfield tracking runway, and was used by the USAAF from April - June 1944 during the preparations for D-Day. The site then used as an aircraft manufacturing site by Airspeed and De Havillands, and was closed in 1962. <3>

Christchurch airfield Hampshire SZ 186 933: airfield opened in 1935 and closed 1967, situated just inland from Christchurch bay. By 1944 the airfield had five landing surfaces composed partly of concrete, grass and steel matting. It also had aircraft hangars of Bellman, Bessoneau and Blister types. <4>

Christchurch Airfield: Although not a large base it was important during World War Two as part of the Air Defence Experimental Establishment; experimenting with radar navigational and interception mechanisms. It was also the home of the Airspeed aircraft factory, which amongst designs produced the Airspeed Oxford trainer aircraft. In the build up to D-Day in 1944 the USAAF 405th Fighter Group were also stationed there, and the airfield was used as an Advanced Landing Ground. After World war Two Airspeed continued to use the site until 1964. The site has since been built over as a residential housing estate.<5-6>

Christchurch Airfield is visible on aerial photographs of the 1940s <7> in an area now covered by residential housing. The airfield consists of three technical area, runways, connecting roads and pathways, and various hangars and ancillary buildings. The airfield covers an area of approximately 1655 m by 1080 m. Photographs from 1940 show that the airfield had a different layout and was camouflaged at this time with fake field boundaries (see linked record MDO28773). This site was digitally plotted during the South West Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey (Dorset).

<1> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey 1:10,000 scale map, 1975 (Map). SDO17396.

<2> Hodges, M A, 1982, Prepared for Battle - some details of forts and fights in and near Christchurch over the last three millennia. , 38 (Monograph). SWX8109.

<3> Davies, K, 1992, Ninety Days to Normandy - The Advanced Landing Grounds of 1944, p 22-3 (Monograph). SWX4230.

<4> Willis, Steve, and Hollis, Barry, 1987, Military airfields in the British Isles 1939-1945, 49 (Monograph). SDO17980.

<5> Smith, G, 1999, Dorset Airfields of the Second World War, 88-103 (Monograph). SWX8847.

<6> Brooks, R J, 2003, Hampshire Airfields in the Second World War, 155 (Monograph). SDO20263.

<7> Royal Air Force, 12-DEC-1946, RAF/CPE/UK/1893 4276-7 (Aerial Photograph). SDO12710.

<8> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1030555 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Aug 29 2024 1:48PM