RAF Podington

Royal Air Force Station Podington or more simply RAF Podington is a former Royal Air Force station located 6 miles (9.7 km) south-east of Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, England

History

Podington airfield was originally built between 1940 and 1941 to accommodate two Royal Air Force (RAF) bomber squadrons.

USAAF use

On 18 April 1942 it was made available to the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) 8th Air Force.

Podington was assigned USAAF Station Number 109.

28th Troop Carrier Squadron

The first USAAF unit to use Podington was the 28th Troop Carrier Squadron in June 1942, arriving from Westover Army Air Field, Massachusetts. The 20th was part of the 60th Troop Carrier Group, based at RAF Chelveston.

The 28th TCS flew Douglas C-47s from the base until rejoining the 60th at RAF Aldermaston in August.

15th Bombardment Squadron (Light)

The 15th Bombardment Squadron, arrived on 15 September 1942 from RAF Molesworth, flying the British Boston III light bomber. The 15th was originally part of the 27th Bombardment Group (Light), based in the Philippine Islands, however the group's planes (A-24's), did not arrive by 7 December 1941. Due to the deteriorating situation in the Philippines after the Japanese attack, they were diverted to Australia where they reformed into a combat unit and fought in the Dutch East Indies and New Guinea Campaigns.

Podington

Coordinates: 52°15′14″N 0°37′23″W / 52.254°N 0.623°W / 52.254; -0.623

Podington is a village and civil parish in Bedfordshire, England, United Kingdom. The village is within the electoral ward of Harrold in the Borough of Bedford. Podington lies around 16 km (9.9 mi) northwest of Bedford and is about 2 km (1.2 mi) east of the county border with Northamptonshire. Podington is a small picturesque rural village; many of its buildings are stone cottages dating from the 18th century, and some even earlier. Nearby there is paintballing and Podington Garden Centre can be found in the High Street. Podington was included in the Domesday Book 1086; and has been recorded as "Podintone" and "Potintone" from the 13th century and later as "Puddington". Today it is sometimes spelt (or misspelt) "Poddington". Located around 3 km (1.9 mi) southeast of the village are RAF Podington and Santa Pod Raceway. Hinwick House is found at a crossroads under 1 km (0.62 mi) south of the village.

Civil parish