RAF Sedgeford

RAF Sedgeford was a Royal Air Force airfield, located in the East of England county of Norfolk, East Anglia.

RAF Sedgeford
Sedgeford, Norfolk in England
RAF Sedgeford
Shown within Norfolk
Coordinates52.90010°N 0.54290°E / 52.90010; 0.54290
Site information
OwnerAir Ministry
OperatorRoyal Navy
Royal Flying Corps
Royal Air Force
Site history
Built1915 (1915)
In use1915-1919
1940-1942 (1942)

History

RAF Sedgeford was used as an airfield in the First World War, as a satellite airfield (officially called "Night Landing Grounds") of RAF Great Yarmouth.[1]

First World War

During the First World War, the airfield was used for home defence duties, and was initially attached to the Royal Navy.[2] By 1916, the Royal Flying Corps, a precursor to the current Royal Air Force, took over the facilities.[2]

After the conclusion of the war, RAF Sedgeford was abandoned around 1919 to 1920.[2]

Units[3]

Second World War

RAF Sedgeford was reused during the Second World War, when it was classified as a 'Q-type' and 'K-type' bombing decoy.[2]

The buildings and hangars on site made it a dummy airfield, which prevented nearby, functional airfields from being bombed by enemy bombers. At night, the airfield was lighted up, and made to look like an active airfield in order to trick the enemy, again to prevent nearby airfields from being bombed.[2]

Official records recorded RAF Sedgeford to be in operation from June 1940 to August 1942.

Present state

Smaller buildings, dating back to the First World War, survive, as does an air raid shelter that was built during the Second World War.[2]

See also

References
  1. "Zeppelin".
  2. Historic England. "Sedgeford Airfield (1464403)". PastScape. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  3. "Sedgeford". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
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