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

#OnThisDay1937

No.3 School of Technical Training visited by Lt Okuda from the Japanese Navy.

No.48 Sqn's Avro Anson K6158 flown by Sgt Plt G.J. Maurice (pilot, aged 23), Flt Lt G.E. Strangman (navigator), Aircraftman Stanley McCabe (radio operator) and F/L Reginald John Cooper (navigator) crashed at Ewell Minnis. They were on a circular training flight at night in a snowstorm. The aircraft was hit by lightning and the pilot lost control. The aircraft crashed in a field, killing two airmen and injuring the other two, F/L Strangman would die later in hospital on the 24th Feb. Strangman and Maurice are buried in Minster Cemetery.

#OnThisDay1941

No.59 Sqn Blenheim IV left Manston with Corporal William Y. Odgers, aged 21. Corporal Odgers was killed in unconfirmed circumstances, but reports suggest a number of No.59 Sqn aircraft crashed at night at St.Eval after a mission to Brest. He is buried in Minster Cemetery.

#OnThisDay1945

No.582 Sqn Lancaster III PB652 60-L crewed by Sgt. J. Buxton RAFVR, Sgt. Charles A.H. Dixon RAFVR, Sgt. G.T. Everett RAFVR, F/O John Gale RAFVR, W/O2 C.M. Hutton RCAF, F/Sgt. A. MacDougal RAFVR and F/Sgt. N.P. Smith RAFVR took off from RAF Little Staughton on 21st Feb (2032hrs) to bomb Duisburg for the last time in the war, amongst 362 Lancasters and 11 Mosquitos. PB652 bombed the target at 17,000ft at 2300hrs. The mission as a whole was described as a success with major damage to the target, but on the return journey, the aircratft was hit by flak, losing one engine and suffering severe damage. After failing to get a response from fighter bases in France, RAF Manston granted permission for an emergency landing. Due to the damage, the undercarriage collapsed on landing. All crew survived with injuries, with Sgt. Dixon suffering severe head injuries and never flew again. Aircraft categorised as Cat E and struck off on 12th March 1945.

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.