You are in [Events] [Second World War] [Lest we forget - A Hungerford's Birds-eye of D-Day Preparations]
With thanks to Martin Crane, OBE, June 2024.
A large proportion of the retrospective media focuses upon the troops and equipment landing on the beaches from the huge armada of ships. However, nearly 20% of the troops that were engaged in this momentous event were transported by air.
Some were parachutists from troop-carrying aircraft but a significant proportion landed behind enemy lines having been conveyed in glider planes towed by the work-horse of aircraft, the DC 67 Dakota and Hungerford was at the epicentre of the training of troops and pilots for many selected for this means of transport. The newly created airfields of Ramsbury, Membury, Greenham and Welford became the base for USAF 101st Airborne Division whose HQ was in Littlecote House.
All these airfields were denoted as RAF bases but in practice, it was the American generals that ran the ‘show’.
Gliders?
Although the use of gliders towed by powered aircraft was not a new concept and indeed the Germans were well advanced in the design of huge craft but lack of sufficient towing power to lift the glider had halted their development. Nevertheless RAF/USAF engineers were able to use a UK designed prototype known as the Horsa. Named after a C5th King that ruled in Southern England. This had a tricycle wheeled undercarriage which was jettisoned after take off and a special wheel under the nose cone used when landing in rough fields.
These craft could carry 28 fully equipped troops or 2 Jeeps and the ubiquitous Dakota was able to lift and tow these fully laden across the Channel and of course, return after release.
Parachutists
Originally it had been thought that the Horsa could be used as an additional form of transport for parachutists but trials for this proved to be unsound for several reasons not the least of which was the adverse impact opening doors in flight made the craft aerodynamically uncontrollable.
Our local airfields were nevertheless used for training parachutists in and around Salisbury Plain and especially in the area near the Coombe Gibbit where a Memorial stands today.
Hazardous operation
There was a major problem with the use of these gliders in that the maximum towing speed was only 150mph but by flying at low level and clever decoyed routing, the majority of these missions were successful. Where and how the troops performed thereafter is another story.
Ramsbury
Created from agricultural land in 1942 to act as a Transport hub and training for both paratroopers and the pilots of the C47 aircraft to tow gliders.
On D-day saw 52 missions taking troops of US 82 Airborne Div. from this airfield.
The airfield was closed in 1946 and returned to agricultural use.
Membury
Designated as a new airfield in 1941 and originally intended as a training base for RAF Bomber Command but after completion was handed over to USAAF. Here the US 101 Airborne “Screaming Eagles” were deployed for D-Day sadly losing 5 of their C47 aircraft.
The airfield was closed in 1946 after being considered suitable for a Strategic Air |Command airfield but Greenham Common was chosen instead. Nevertheless much of the hard standing was reused as a trading Estate but lost a significant area with the construction of the M4 .
Greenham
Perhaps better known today for the Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp in the 1980’s when cruise missiles were deployed there.
The airfield was built in 1942 and prior to D-Day, General Eisenhower gave his famous “Eyes of the World” speech to the US 438th Troop Carrier Group before they took to the air.
The airfield was closed in 1992 and in 1997 was designated as public parkland.
RAF Welford
Whilst the only airfield retaining the status of an RAF base, today it is operated and managed by USAAF as a munitions depot.
It was opened in 1943 and the RAF shared facilities with USAAF training both pilots of C47 Dakotas aircraft to tow and those as for the Horsa gliders. It was clearly an important base as PM Churchill met Gen Eisenhower there to observe the cooperation between both forces. On D-Day troops of the US 435th Troop Carrier Group were transported by these aircraft.
After the war, the base was closed but placed in reserve status and was subsequently re-opened in1955 as a USAAF managed munitions depot.
Today it is very much a shadow of its past which nevertheless if remembered by a group of volunteers who manage a small museum on site. Details of which can be found at www.rafwelfordhistoricalsociety.org
The Canal Wharf, 2011