TF9941 : Memorial at RAF Langham
taken 10 years ago, near to Langham, Norfolk, England
Langham Airfield opened during 1940 as a satellite airfield for Bircham Newton. The airfield has a complex and somewhat confused history, as aircraft from RAF Bircham Newton initially dispersed at Langham, while the No. 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit was also based on the field until towards the end of 1942, providing target-towing facilities for the Army firing camps at Stiffkey. In July 1942 became an independent RAF station but was put into Care & Maintenance in November, when it received three concrete runways and a number of other facilities.
When the airfield reopened in February 1944, the 455th and 489th squadrons formed a strike wing to mount anti-shipping operations over the North Sea, flying Bristol Beaufighters. 524th and 612th squadrons were also based on the field, flying Vickers Wellingtons.
The airfield closed in May 1946 but continued to be used by a Technical Training School for the Royal Netherlands Air Force, before being put into Care & Maintenance again in September 1947. From March 1953 until November 1958 the airfield was used by the No. 2 Civilian Anti-Aircraft Cooperation Unit, assisting Army firing camps by towing drogues for gunners to aim at.
In October 1961, after serving as a very basic Emergency Landing Ground for Sculthorpe, the airfield was eventually sold. It was Bernard Matthews Farms Ltd for use as a turkey farm.
See also: Link