RAF North Killingholme
Encyclopedia
RAF North Killingholme is a former Royal Air Force
station in England
, used during the later years of World War II
. It was located just to the west of the village of North Killingholme
in North Lincolnshire
.
The airfield lies west of the village of North Killingholme, between the village and the north-south railway line
to Goxhill, mostly in the parish of North Killingholme with the northern edge being skirted by the parish of East Halton
. A 400kV pylon line traverses the airfield today from north to south.
.
The airfield was built (to the north) adjacent to the east-west railway which heads to Immingham docks, and north-east of Ulceby Junction.
The station opened in November 1943 and became fully operational in January 1944 when 550 Squadron
moved there from RAF Waltham. The station was with 1 Group
. 550 squadron flew 190 operations from the base, with the loss of 62 Lancasters. Three Lancasters completed 100 operations each.
550 Squadron has the honour of opening the aerial attack on 5 June 1944.
It remained operational until October 1945. 550 squadron was the only squadron to be based at North Killingholme and flew only Avro Lancaster
s.
There is the North Killingholme Industrial Estate on the site. There is a large depot for Volvo construction equipment. Low Farm is on the north-west of the site.
Another nearby airfield, RAF Kirmington
became Humberside Airport
.
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
station in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, used during the later years of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. It was located just to the west of the village of North Killingholme
North Killingholme
North Killingholme is a small village and civil parish in North Lincolnshire, England. It has a population of 224. Along with its larger neighbour South Killingholme, it makes up the area of Killingholme. It is slightly closer to Grimsby than to Scunthorpe...
in North Lincolnshire
North Lincolnshire
North Lincolnshire is a unitary authority area in the region of Yorkshire and the Humber in England. For ceremonial purposes it is part of Lincolnshire....
.
The airfield lies west of the village of North Killingholme, between the village and the north-south railway line
Barton Line
The Barton Line is a railway line in North and North East Lincolnshire. It runs from Barton-upon-Humber south east to Cleethorpes and was designated by the Department for Transport as a community rail line in February 2007....
to Goxhill, mostly in the parish of North Killingholme with the northern edge being skirted by the parish of East Halton
East Halton
East Halton is a small village and civil parish in North Lincolnshire, England, close to the Humber Estuary. It is from Immingham and north of the neighbouring village of North Killingholme.The 2001 census recorded a population of 604 people,...
. A 400kV pylon line traverses the airfield today from north to south.
History
An airfield had initially opened in July 1914, being the first aerodrome in Lincolnshire, then known as LindseyLindsey
Lindsey was a unit of local government until 1974 in Lincolnshire, England, covering the northern part of the county. The Isle of Axholme, which is on the west side of the River Trent, has normally formed part of it...
.
The airfield was built (to the north) adjacent to the east-west railway which heads to Immingham docks, and north-east of Ulceby Junction.
The station opened in November 1943 and became fully operational in January 1944 when 550 Squadron
No. 550 Squadron RAF
No. 550 Squadron RAF was a heavy bomber squadron of the Royal Air Force during World War II.-History:No. 550 squadron was formed at RAF Waltham , Lincolnshire on 25 November 1943 from 'C' Flight of 100 Squadron. Equipped with Avro Lancasters, they began operating in the same month, as part of No. 1...
moved there from RAF Waltham. The station was with 1 Group
No. 1 Group RAF
Number 1 Group of the Royal Air Force is one of the two operations groups in Air Command.The group is today referred to as the Air Combat Group, as it controls the RAF's combat fast-jet aircraft and has airfields in the UK plus RAF Unit Goose Bay in Canada, which is used extensively as an...
. 550 squadron flew 190 operations from the base, with the loss of 62 Lancasters. Three Lancasters completed 100 operations each.
550 Squadron has the honour of opening the aerial attack on 5 June 1944.
It remained operational until October 1945. 550 squadron was the only squadron to be based at North Killingholme and flew only Avro Lancaster
Avro Lancaster
The Avro Lancaster is a British four-engined Second World War heavy bomber made initially by Avro for the Royal Air Force . It first saw active service in 1942, and together with the Handley Page Halifax it was one of the main heavy bombers of the RAF, the RCAF, and squadrons from other...
s.
Post-war use
After North Killingholme closed, the land reverted to agriculture use, but the layout of the station is very easy to see from aerial photographs.There is the North Killingholme Industrial Estate on the site. There is a large depot for Volvo construction equipment. Low Farm is on the north-west of the site.
Another nearby airfield, RAF Kirmington
RAF Kirmington
RAF Kirmington was a Royal Air Force Bomber Command station in North Lincolnshire during World War II.It took its name from the village of Kirmington nearby; the most notable squadron based there was 166 Squadron and a memorial plaque to the members of that unit is in the parish church.-After World...
became Humberside Airport
Humberside Airport
-Cargo flights:Icelandair Cargo operate a weekly Sunday flight from Keflavík which then departs to Liege-Passenger statistics:-Bus service:An hourly daytime bus service runs from Grimsby and Hull to the airport from Monday to Saturday.-External links:**...
.
Squadrons based at RAF North Killingholme
- No. 550 Squadron RAFNo. 550 Squadron RAFNo. 550 Squadron RAF was a heavy bomber squadron of the Royal Air Force during World War II.-History:No. 550 squadron was formed at RAF Waltham , Lincolnshire on 25 November 1943 from 'C' Flight of 100 Squadron. Equipped with Avro Lancasters, they began operating in the same month, as part of No. 1...
January 1943 - 31 October 1945