History of Old Sarum

Thursday, 09 April 2009 13:14

Old Sarum Airfield is the 2nd oldest active airfield in the UK dating back to 1917

Back in 1917 farmland close to the village of Ford was requisitioned by the War Office for use by the Royal Flying Corps as a training base for basic flying and fighter training. The Flying Corps were part of the British Army who were at the time fighting in the First World War. Initially the airfield was named 'Ford' Airfield after the village of Ford just to the South. During 1917 four large hangars were quickly constructed using the cheap and easy to assemble Belfast type of roof truss, of which few examples remain in the UK.

The first air units to arrive came during August 1917, with 98 and 99 Day Bomber squadrons followed soon after in September of the same year with 103 Squadron. In 1918 the Royal Air Force was formed and the Airfield was renamed Old Sarum after the ruins close to the western end of the Airfield.

In 1920 the School of Army Co-operation opened and became the place were most Army and Air Force pilots first learned to fly. These pilots were to become the first members of the Army Air Corps.

In 1939 as the Second World War loomed No2 School of Army Co-operation was formed at Old Sarum. In those times the Taylorcraft and Auster were used for training. Later on during the war in 1940 the first of the AOP (Air Observation Post) units was set up using the Auster and Vigilant. Within 3 years 9 AOP units were formed and trained at Old Sarum and these aircraft were later to play a vital role in spotting targets for the artillery and navel guns in later years, especially during the D-Day landings.

Old Sarum was attacked by the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain but did not suffer significant damage.

The following squadrons were commissioned at Old Sarum during the Second World War.

651 Squadron	Motto: Dirige "to direct, guide"	Forming on 1 August 1941 at Old Sarum, the squadron went into action in November 1942 attached the First Army during the Torch landings in North Africa. It later served in Sicily, Italy and from November 1945, Egypt were it remained until 1 November 1955.
652 Squadron	Motto: Sive Aere Sive Campo "In the air and in the field"	Forming on 1 May 1942 at Old Sarum, the squadron went into action in June 1942 attached the Second Army during the Overlord landings in Normandy. It moved with the Second Army through France, Holland and into Germany, where it remained as part of the British Air Forces of Occupation and later 2nd Tactical Air Force until it was transferred to the Army Air Corps on 1 September 1957
653 Squadron	Motto: Ubique Speculabundus (The eyes of the guns are everywhere)	Formed on 20 June 1942 at Old Sarum, the squadron moved to Normandy in June 1944 and supported the Army through France and Holland, disbanding at Hoya in Germany on 15 September 1945.
654 Squadron	Motto: Progressive	Forming on 15 July 1942 at Old Sarum, the squadron went into action in December 1942 following the Torch landings in North Africa. From July 1943 it served in Sicily with the 8th Army and later Italy, where it remained until disbanding at Campoformido on 24 June 1947.
655 Squadron	NO BADGE AUTHORISED	Forming on 8 December 1942 at Old Sarum, the squadron went into action in August 1943 in North Africa. From December 1943 it served in Italy, where it remained until disbanding at Ronchi on 31 August 1945
658 Squadron	Motto: Videmus Delemus	Formed on 30 April 1943 at Old Sarum, the squadron moved to Normandy in June 1944 and supported the Army through France and Holland, until October 1945, when having previously returned to Britain, it was sent to India. It remained in India until disbanding at Hakimpet on 1 April 1947. No Badge Authorised (unofficial badge shown)
660 Squadron	NO BADGE AUTHORISED	Formed on 31 July 1943 at Old Sarum, the squadron moved to France in July 1944 and supported the 21st Army Group through France and Holland until disbanding at Keil/Holtenau in Germany on 31 May 1946
661 Squadron	Motto: Designo Oculis Ad Caedem "Designate Eye To Slaughter"	Formed on 31 August 1943 at Old Sarum, the squadron moved to France in August 1944 and supported the First Canadian Army until disbanding at Ghent in Belgium on 31 October 1945. Post-war it reformed as part of the RAuxAF on 1 May 1949 at Kenley but was disbanded on 10 March 1957 along with all RAuxAF flying squadrons. It was composed of a number of detached flights, 1957 and 1960 at Kenley, 1958 at Hendon, 1959 and 1961 at Henlow.
662 Squadron	Motto: Olethrion Omma	Formed on 30 September 1943 at Old Sarum, the squadron moved to France in June 1944 and supported the 21st Army Group until disbanding at Melsbroek in Belgium on 15 December 1945. Post-war it reformed as part of the RAuxAF on 1 February 1949 at Colerne but was disbanded on 10 March 1957 along with all RAuxAF flying squadrons. It was composed of a number of detached flights, 1956 at Colerne, 1962 at Middle Wallop and 1963 at Colerne

After the War

A number of aircraft were based at Old Sarum including Avro Ansons, de Havilland Dominies and DH Chipmunks. The 622 Air Cadet's Gliding Squadron was also based here.

In 1956 the City of Salisbury gave the honour of Freedom of the City to Old Sarum. Later in 1962 the City conferred yet another honour on the airfield and allowed the incorporation of part of the City's Coat of Arms into the station badge.

Many types of aircraft have operated from Old Sarum. Some very surprising examples are the C130 Hurcules and even the Harrier.

In 1971 the RAF ceased operations at Old Sarum but Army and Civilian aviation continued until 1979 when the Army moved away, bringing to an end the long military role of the airfield.

The MOD finally decided to sell the airfield to a private owner in 1982 on a 999 year lease and, following a now established tradition, the Edgley Aircraft company began its development and test flying of the Optica light observation aircraft destined for the police air observation market. After financial problems and a change or two of owners Blanefield Investments (the current owners) took over. The Optica is now being developed in Australia.

Today

There are many aviation related businesses runing from Old Sarum. The infrastructure, ATS (air traffic service), fire rescue and restaurant are managed by the owners. The tradition of flying and flying training continues to this day and there are even a number of aircraft, which were built locally back in the Second World War, still flying from Old Sarum. Memorials have been erected and dedicated to the people who were based, trained and fought in the great and subsequent wars.

In 2007 Salisbury Council designated the airfield a conservation area. Many of the old buildings and the very early hangars remain and are still in use. The feeling when you arrive on the airfield makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up as you step back in time to a era long past.

Last Updated (Tuesday, 08 December 2009 14:08)

Today:	54
Yesterday:	85
This Week:	337
Last Week:	1034
This Month:	1371
Last Month:	2904
Total:	22402

Visitors

History of Old Sarum

Newsletter