History of Manston Airfield 100 years of flight

Because of some of the detail for the daily posts, you can see today’s events on our timeline page

• #OnThisDay1918
• Two Sopwith Camels flown by Lt Jack Arthur Horton Pegram (B5601) and Lt Wagstaff (B7628) escorted two Short seaplanes from Westgate in a patrol. Both seaplanes were shot down by a pack of five German Brandenberg Seaplanes. Both crews lost.
• #OnThisDay1931
• First Thanet Air Race took place at Manston after plans to hold it at Nethercourt Farm were abandoned due to weather.
• #OnThisDay1940
• Visit by His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent to Manston.
• #OnThisDay1941
• No.21 Sqn Blenheim IV V5595 YH-P crewed by Sgt. E.A. Goold, Sgt J.R.M. Kemp and Sgt. F.J. Soal took off from Manston at 1115hrs on an anti-shipping operation. It was shot down off Gravelines by Navy flak. All crew POW.
• No.21 Sqn Blenheim IV V6369 YH-N crewed by Sgt. Bangor Jones, Sgt. Haskins and Sgt. Maguire took off from Manston at 1115hrs on an anti-shipping operation. It landed at 1150hrs with irrepairable damage, crew safe.
• No.21 Sqn Blenheim IV Z7502 YH-R crewed by Sqn Ldr D. Graham-Hogg, Sgt J. Marsden and Flt Sgt. D.W. Wyatt took off from Manston at 1115hrs on an anti-shipping operation. It was shot down off Cape Gris-Nez. Sqn Ldr Graham-Hogg and Sgt Marsden POW, Flt Sgt Wyatt killed/missing.

The History of Manston Airfield site is dedicated to the history of Manston Airfield, in Kent from its first official usage back in 1916.

It is intended to bring together the various sources of information at events, squadrons, aircraft and personnel that have been involved in the site.

The site and social media pages are currently all non-profit making. Obviously we do incur costs so any contributions via donations or online sales are appreciated to ensure this project continues.

We are not directly connected with either of the two museums currently at Manston, but may work alongside them.

Due to the amount of history, it is likely that this site will be continually updated and extended and is not intended to be a complete historical record for some time to come.