RAF Oakington

History of RAF Oakington

RAF Oakington

1938

Construction of aerodrome began.

1940

A German JU 88 on a photographic reconnaissance flight was forced to land at Oakington. The base initially had Blenheims, followed by Wellingtons and then Stirlings.

Stirlings had very large wheels and consequently a long undercarriage that was often damaged by enemy fire or became faulty. Sometimes they landed and one wheel would collapse and the plane would slew off to the side of the runway. Three Stirlings finished up within 20 feet of 101 Longstanton Road. (p.35)(Memoirs of C T Warboys)

(War Torn Skies, Cambridgeshire, Julian Evan Hart)

1941

17th June Jack Overhill records in his diary:

We heard eight or nine terrific explosions in the night and heard today that a German bomber followed a Stirling bomber home and unloaded when Oakington aerodrome lit up to receive it in ….

31st August: a Vickers Wellington crashed in Rampton after failing to gain height on take-off. Two crew members were killed. There is a memorial in Rampton churchyard.

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1942

29th July Jack wrote:

Last night as we were going to bed after 11 o’clock the sky northwards was suddenly lit up with a bright crimson glow that repeatedly blazed and faded We wondered what it was …. Heard today this light was caused by a Stirling bomber crashing at Oakington. Don’t know whether it’s true or not; can’t believe all you hear nowadays; far from it…