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

• #OnThisDay1943
• For No.609 Sqn it was double patrols again, totalling 9, plus an abortive Rhubarb, led by F/O Lallemand, which returns owing to cloud being on the deck in Belgium. At 1940hrs men are released from duty, but at 2200hrs after going to the cinema 2 pilots come to readiness as defensive night fighters.
• No.609 Sqn's S/Ldr Beamont DFC finally takes off at 2300hrs on a 'weather test' after a disagreement with the Group Commander who refused an earlier decision by him to go and get his 20th train. At Phien-les-Guines he claims his 20th, the engine on the 4th attack exploding into a cloud of steam 300ft high. Another train at Montreuil is lost in the haze, with cloud hampering the mission. He returns to Manston at 2340hrs.

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.