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  RAF Elsham Wolds (Elsham landing ground)

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#RAFLincolnshire

> RAF Bases

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Full list of locations

Alma Park
Anwick
Bardney
Barkston Heath
Belton Park
Binbrook
Blankney Hall
Blyton
Boston Wyberton Fen
Bottesford
Bracebridge Heath
Braceby
Buckminster
Bucknall
Caistor
Cockthorne
Coleby Grange
Coningsby
Cranwell
Cuxwold
Digby
Donna Nook
Dunholme Lodge
East Halton
East Kirkby
Elsham Wolds
Faldingworth
Fiskerton
Folkingham
Freiston
Fulbeck
Gosberton
Goxhill
Grantham
Greenland Top
Grimsby
Grimsthorpe Park
Harlaxton
Hemswell
Hibaldstow
Holbeach
Humberston
Immingham
Ingham
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Kirton in Lindsey
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Leadenham
Lincoln West Common
Ludford Magna
Manby
Market Deeping
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Mere
Metheringham
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Spilsby
Spitalgate
Stenigot
Strubby
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Sutton Bridge
Swinderby
Swinstead
Theddlethorpe
Tydd St Mary
Waddington
Wainfleet
Waltham (Grimsby)
Wellingore
Wickenby
Wigsley
Winterton
Woodhall Spa

Updated: 6 Dec 12

Opened: Dec 1916

Closed : Jun 1919

Opened: Jul 1941

Closed: 1947

Airfield code :: QS, RU > ES

ICAO Code ::

Airfield call sign :: SHOPBOY, HAZEL (Apr 1943)

Squadrons based here:

C Flt 33 Sqn :: Dec 1916 - Jun 1919

103 Sqn :: Jul 1941 - Nov 1945
renumbered

57 Sqn :: Nov 1945 - Dec 1945

576 Sqn :: Nov 1943 - Oct 1944

100 Sqn :: 1 Apr 1945 - Dec 1945

103 Conversion Flight :: 22 Apr 1942 - 7 Oct 1942
merged into 1656 HCU on 7 Oct 1942

1662 HCU :: Jan 1943 - Apr 1945 (Based at RAF Blyton)

21 HGCU :: Dec 1945 - Nov 1946

103 Squadron Conversion Flight :: May 1942 - Oct 1943 Halifax Mk II equipped, absorbed into 1656 HCU in Oct 1942 (RAF Breighton)

Elsham was first used from Dec 1916 to Jun 1919 by C Flight of 33 Sqn RFC equipped with FE2b and FE2d. The Sqn was deployed to 3 bases between Hull and Lincoln to counter nighttime Zeppelin raids into the Midlands. Flying operations ended in Jun 18? and site was cleared by Oct 1919.

The former airfield site was surveyed in 1939 and found to be suitable for the construction of a new bomber base. An important factor in this decision was access to the rail network via nearby Barnetby. WWII offensive operations commenced with 103 Sqn's first night time sortie on 24 Jul 1941. RAF Elsham Wolds was protected by night bombing decoy Q sites at South Ferriby to the north and Great Limber to the south-east.

The airfield closed in 1947 and its site is now bisected by the A15 dual carriageway from south to north.

576 Sqn formed here from C Flt, 103 Sqn in Nov 1943 before moving to RAF Fiskerton in Oct 1944. RAF Elsham Wolds is commemorated in a memorial stone in the grounds of the Anglian Water treatment works. See "A Brief History of the RAF in Lincolnshire" :: website. The relevant page is linked directly in the column to the right of this page.

21 Heavy Glider Conversion Unit was equipped with the Halifax Mk VII, Albermarle tugs and Horsa gliders and was stationed here from Dec 1945 to Nov 1946.

The RAF Elsham Wolds website has a comprehensive and fascinating collection approximately 40 aircrew biographies and stories from World War II which put a fascinating human dimension on the history of the station and 103 Sqn and 576 Sqn: click here.

RAF Elsham Wolds museum. There is also a small museum at the treatment works.

The Memorial Rooms and Garden are viewable only by prior appointment, due to security issues on the site. Contact details are on our the Association n web site under
the the Memorial Rooms/Garden Section.

The Viking Way long-distance footpath skirts the perimiter of the former airfield site to the north-east.

location of RAF Elsham Wolds in relation to Lincolnshire - click here for full-size map showing all station locations

RAF Elsham Wolds photos

RAF Elsham Wolds Memorial

Elsham Wolds Association

RAF Elsham Wolds page on RAF website

RAF Elsham Wolds website, including photos of Elsham Wolds today

RAF Elsham Wolds Association

RAF Elshan Wolds memories on the Wartime Memories Project

Elsham Wolds, 103 and 576 Sqn biographies

RAF Elsham Wolds on ControlTowers.co.uk

Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire
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