Kent Airfields Heritage: Aviation History Database
Kent's geographical position as England's southeastern frontier has long made it strategically significant for defence, and nowhere is this more evident than in the county's rich aviation heritage. From the pioneering days of early flight to the heroic struggles of the Battle of Britain and through to the Cold War, Kent's airfields have played a pivotal role in British military aviation history. This comprehensive database explores the historical significance, operational history, and modern legacy of Kent's most important airfields.
Often referred to as "Hellfire Corner" during World War II due to its proximity to occupied Europe, Kent became home to numerous airfields that formed Britain's first line of defence against Luftwaffe attacks. The county's aviation heritage represents one of the most important chapters in British military history, with sites like RAF Biggin Hill earning legendary status as the "most famous fighter station" of the Second World War.
Kent: The Front Line in British Air Defence
Kent's strategic location, just 21 miles from continental Europe at its closest point, has long made it the frontline in British defence. During World War II, this proximity to Nazi-occupied Europe meant Kent's airfields became crucial operational bases for Fighter Command. The county's geographical position made it both vulnerable to attack and essential for defensive operations.
The airfields of Kent formed the backbone of Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding's innovative defensive system, which coordinated fighter aircraft, anti-aircraft guns, radar stations, and observer corps posts. This integrated air defence network, with Kent's airfields as its forward operating bases, proved crucial in defeating the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain in 1940.
Battle of Britain: Kent's Crucial Role
During the Battle of Britain (July-October 1940), Kent's airfields were central to Britain's defence strategy. As part of Fighter Command's No. 11 Group, which bore the brunt of the Luftwaffe's attacks, Kent's airfields including Biggin Hill, Hawkinge, and Manston were key operational bases for Spitfire and Hurricane squadrons. These airfields were repeatedly targeted by German bombers in an attempt to destroy Fighter Command's operational capacity.
The courageous defence mounted from Kent's airfields during this period directly contributed to the defeat of the Luftwaffe and the cancellation of Hitler's planned invasion of Britain (Operation Sealion). Churchill's famous tribute to "The Few" referred in large part to the pilots who flew from these Kent airfields during the summer and autumn of 1940.
Major Historic Airfields of Kent
RAF Biggin Hill
RAF Biggin Hill was one of the most famous fighter stations of World War II, playing a central role in the Battle of Britain as part of Fighter Command's No. 11 Group. Originally established in 1917 for wireless communications experiments, the station rose to prominence during WWII when its fighter squadrons formed a crucial part of London's defences.
The airfield earned the nickname "The Strongest Link" due to its strategic importance, and pilots stationed there claimed over 1,400 enemy aircraft during the war. The station was heavily targeted by the Luftwaffe, particularly during August-September 1940, when it suffered severe damage but remained operational throughout.
Today, Biggin Hill is a busy commercial airport, but its heritage is preserved through the Biggin Hill Memorial Museum and St George's RAF Chapel of Remembrance.
RAF Hawkinge
RAF Hawkinge holds the distinction of being Britain's closest airfield to occupied France during World War II, just 7 miles from the French coast. This proximity made it both strategically valuable and highly vulnerable. Established in 1915 as an emergency landing ground, Hawkinge became a forward operating base during the Battle of Britain, serving as a satellite field to the Biggin Hill Sector.
Its vulnerable position meant it was frequently attacked, notably suffering severe damage on 12 August 1940 when German bombers targeted the airfield. Despite this, Hawkinge continued to serve as a vital forward refuelling and rearming point for Spitfire and Hurricane squadrons throughout the Battle of Britain.
The airfield is now the site of the Kent Battle of Britain Museum, housing the world's largest collection of Battle of Britain artefacts.
RAF Manston
RAF Manston's history is unique among Kent's airfields. Initially established in 1916 as a Royal Naval Air Service base, it became famous for its emergency landing role during World War II due to its exceptionally long and wide runway. Located on the eastern tip of Kent, Manston was often the first available landing ground for damaged aircraft returning from operations over Europe.
The airfield gained renown for its Fido (Fog Investigation and Dispersal Operation) systemâlines of petrol burners alongside the runway that could be lit to disperse fog and allow aircraft to land in poor visibility. This innovation saved countless aircraft and crews who might otherwise have been lost.
Manston also played an important role in the development of the Barnes Wallis "bouncing bomb" used in the famous Dambusters raid, with test drops conducted off the Kent coast near Reculver.
Today, the site houses the RAF Manston History Museum and the Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial Museum.
RAF West Malling
Built in 1941, RAF West Malling distinguished itself as a premier night fighter station during World War II. The airfield housed specialized Mosquito and Beaufighter squadrons that were instrumental in defending against Luftwaffe night bombing raids. It gained particular fame as the home of No. 29 Squadron and the legendary Wing Commander Guy Gibson (later of Dambusters fame) who served there in 1941-1942.
West Malling is also notable for being the first airfield in the world to develop and employ the FIDO fog-clearing system, which used burning fuel along the sides of runways to clear fog and improve visibility during takeoffs and landings.
After the war, West Malling continued as an important fighter base during the Cold War, housing Meteor, Vampire, and later Hunter jet fighters. The airfield closed as an RAF station in 1969 and is now a business park and housing development called Kings Hill, though several original buildings survive.
RAF Detling
RAF Detling began life as a Royal Naval Air Service airship station during World War I before becoming an RAF station in 1918. During the early part of World War II, it operated as a bomber airfield until severe Luftwaffe bombing in August 1940 caused significant damage and casualties.
After the Battle of Britain, Detling was transferred to Coastal Command and used for air-sea rescue operations over the Channel and North Sea. The airfield also housed fighter aircraft for shipping protection duties.
One of Detling's more unusual claims to fame is its connection to the Great EscapeâFlight Lieutenant Alan Bryett, a prisoner who assisted with the famous tunnel at Stalag Luft III, had been based at Detling before being shot down.
After closure in 1959, the site became an industrial estate, though some remnants of the airfield's history can still be seen.
RAF Lympne
Established during World War I as a Home Defence station against Zeppelin raids, RAF Lympne's dramatic clifftop position overlooks Romney Marsh and provided excellent views of the English Channel. During the interwar years, Lympne was a civilian airfield and the starting point for several long-distance air races and record attempts.
In the Battle of Britain, Lympne served as a forward operating base for Hurricane fighters. Its exposed position made it a frequent target for German raids, and it was temporarily abandoned after particularly severe bombing in August 1940, though it was soon reoccupied.
After the war, Lympne returned to civilian use, and the site now serves as Lympne Airport. Several original buildings remain, including defensive pillboxes and parts of the operations buildings.
The Evolution of Kent's Airfields: A Historical Timeline
The first airfields in Kent were established during the First World War, initially as Royal Naval Air Service stations to combat the Zeppelin threat to London. Sites like Manston (1916) and Hawkinge (1915) began as simple grass landing grounds with canvas hangars. By 1918, Kent had over a dozen military airfields operating along its coast and inland areas.
Most of Kent's WWI airfields were decommissioned after the war, with only a few like Biggin Hill and Manston maintained as permanent RAF stations. The 1930s saw renewed development as tensions in Europe grew. Existing airfields were modernized with permanent buildings and concrete runways, while new sites were developed as part of Britain's expansion scheme.
Kent's airfields played a crucial role during the Dunkirk evacuation (Operation Dynamo) in May-June 1940, with fighter squadrons providing air cover for the retreating troops. Reconnaissance and light bomber aircraft from Kent airfields also monitored German movements in northern France.
The summer of 1940 saw Kent's airfields become the focus of intense Luftwaffe attacks. August 12th, later known as "Adlertag" (Eagle Day), marked the beginning of systematic attacks on Fighter Command's airfields. Hawkinge, Manston, and Biggin Hill suffered particularly severe bombing. Despite this, all remained operational throughout the battle, sometimes returning to service within hours of an attack.
After the immediate threat of invasion receded, Kent's airfields shifted to supporting offensive operations. They served as departure points for fighter sweeps over occupied Europe and provided bases for bombers targeting German installations in France. Later in the war, many supported the D-Day landings and subsequent campaigns in Northwest Europe.
After World War II, some of Kent's airfields remained active during the Cold War era, particularly those accommodating jet aircraft like West Malling. Others returned to civilian use or were repurposed. The introduction of new radar systems and longer-range aircraft meant some smaller airfields became redundant.
The changing strategic environment and defence cuts led to the gradual closure of most of Kent's historic airfields. Hawkinge closed in 1961, West Malling in 1969, and Manston's RAF operations ceased in 1999. Biggin Hill remained operational as an RAF station until 1992 before becoming a civilian airport.
Recent decades have seen growing efforts to preserve Kent's aviation heritage. Museums have been established at several former airfields, including the Kent Battle of Britain Museum at Hawkinge and the Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial Museum at Manston. Memorial services are regularly held, especially during Battle of Britain commemorations in September.
Heritage Sites and Museums: Preserving Kent's Aviation Legacy
Kent Battle of Britain Museum, Hawkinge
Housing the world's largest collection of Battle of Britain artefacts and memorabilia, this museum is located on the former site of RAF Hawkinge. The collection includes several rescued aircraft, uniforms, personal belongings of pilots, and wreckage recovered from crash sites across Kent. The museum presents a comprehensive picture of the aerial battle fought in the skies over Kent in 1940.
Biggin Hill Memorial Museum and Chapel
Located alongside St George's RAF Chapel of Remembrance, this museum tells the story of Britain's most famous fighter station and the people who served there. The chapel itself, built in 1951, serves as a lasting memorial to the 454 pilots and ground crew from Biggin Hill who lost their lives during World War II. Its stained-glass windows depict scenes from the Battle of Britain.
Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial Museum, Manston
This museum commemorates the airmen who flew these iconic aircraft during World War II. It houses a restored Spitfire Mk XVI and Hurricane Mk II, along with displays of equipment, uniforms, and memorabilia. The museum stands near the former RAF Manston, once a crucial emergency landing airfield for damaged aircraft returning from operations over Europe.
Battle of Britain Memorial, Capel-le-Ferne
While not located on an airfield site, this national memorial near Folkestone honours "The Few" who fought in the Battle of Britain. The centrepiece is a seated figure of a pilot looking out towards France. The Memorial Trust also maintains "The Wing," an education centre featuring interactive displays and a replica Spitfire and Hurricane.
Kent's Airfields in Cultural Memory
Kent's airfields and their role in the Battle of Britain have left an indelible mark on British cultural memory. Films like "The First of the Few" (1942) and "Battle of Britain" (1969) have portrayed the desperate struggle in Kent's skies. Literary works, including Richard Collier's "Eagle Day" and Patrick Bishop's "Fighter Boys," have further documented this crucial chapter in history.
Annual commemorations, particularly during Battle of Britain Week in September, continue to honour the service and sacrifice of those who operated from Kent's airfields. The county's contribution to Britain's aerial defence has become part of the national narrative, with Churchill's words about "The Few" indelibly linked to the pilots who flew from Kent's airfields in the summer of 1940.
Beyond these cultural manifestations, the legacy of Kent's airfields lives on in the landscape itself. Former RAF sites like West Malling may have been redeveloped, but their distinctive layouts remain visible from the air. At Hawkinge and Lympne, sections of runway and perimeter track can still be traced, while pillboxes and defensive structures remain as silent sentinels of a time when Kent's airfields stood as Britain's front line against invasion.
Research Database: Kent Airfield Records
For historians, genealogists, and aviation enthusiasts researching Kent's airfield heritage, numerous archival resources are available. The National Archives at Kew holds operational record books (Form 540) for all RAF stations, including detailed daily accounts of activities at Kent's wartime airfields. The RAF Museum at Hendon maintains extensive collections of photographs, technical drawings, and personal papers related to these sites.
Locally, the Kent History and Library Centre in Maidstone holds valuable collections pertaining to the county's aviation history, including oral history recordings from former personnel. The East Kent Archives Centre in Dover also maintains collections related to airfields in that region, particularly focusing on their impact on local communities.
For those researching family members who served at Kent airfields, squadron association archives often provide valuable information, as do the records of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for those who lost their lives. Local history societies across Kent have also compiled extensive resources on the airfields that once operated in their areas.
Kent History Hub maintains a growing digital archive of materials related to the county's airfields, including contemporary photographs, oral histories, and digitized documents. Researchers are encouraged to contact us for assistance in accessing these resources.
Conclusion: Kent's Enduring Aviation Legacy
Kent's airfields represent a unique chapter in British historyâone where the county's geographical position placed it at the forefront of national defence. From the early days of military aviation to the crucial weeks of the Battle of Britain and beyond, these airfields and the men and women who served at them helped shape the course of British history.
While most of Kent's historic airfields have now closed or been repurposed, their legacy endures through museums, memorials, and the continued interest of historians and enthusiasts. The preservation of this heritage ensures that the contribution of Kent's airfields to Britain's defence will not be forgotten.
As Churchill himself noted in August 1940, when the battle over Kent's skies was at its height: "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few." Those "few" included the pilots and ground crew who operated from the historic airfields of Kentâa debt of gratitude that continues to be acknowledged in the preservation of their story.
Visit Kent's Aviation Heritage Sites
Many of Kent's former airfields have preserved elements that can be visited today. From museums on former airfield sites to memorial chapels and preserved buildings, these locations offer tangible connections to Kent's aviation past. For a comprehensive guide to visiting these sites, including opening times, admission fees, and accessibility information, please see our Things to Do in Kent: Historical Attractions and Heritage Sites page.
For those interested in learning more about specific aspects of Kent's aviation heritage, our Research Resources section provides guidance on accessing archives, local history collections, and specialist publications. Our Maritime & Military History page offers additional context on Kent's broader defence heritage.