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

• #OnThisDay1940
• No.266 Sqn arrives from Eastchurch after attack there the previous day. Two Spitfires destroyed by straffing attack by eight Messerschmitt Bf 110s.
• Sgt F.B. Hawley of No.266 Sqn in Spitfire N3189 crashed into the sea off Deal at 1715hrs after scrambling from Manston at 1154 hrs, then destroying a Heinkel He115 floatplane off Dunkirk. Pilot reported missing
• #OnThisDay1943
• Flt Lt Baron Jean Michel P.M.G de Selys Longchamps DFC formerly of No.609 Sqn but moved to No.3 Sqn after his raid on the Gestapo headquarters, was killed at Manston when his Typhoon QO-X crashed returning from a sortie over Ostend. It is a possibility that the aircraft was damaged by flak. He is buried in Minster cemetery close to the airfield.
• Aircraft from Manston account for five locomotives, five rail trucks, two barges, a railway bridge and an airfield building.
• #OnThisDay1944
• The remaining Spitfire VII's of No.616 Squadron were finally allotted away. Two patrols were launched from Manston at 0615hrs and four from High Halden, plus two scrambles from there. During the evening, the first fatal accident would occur in a Meteor. F/Sgt D.A. Gregg took off from Manston to fly to High Halden, to take up his readiness duty, but unable to find the landing ground, he attempted to land at Great Chart Airfield and whilst doing so crashed.

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.