RAF Friston Aerodrome
Southdowns National Park, East Sussex
TV 5350 9810
Southdowns National Park, East Sussex
TV 5350 9810
"The Ghosts Of Friston Aerodrome". June 2016
To the west of East Dean and Friston, between Crowlink and the Cuckmere Valley lies Gayles Farm, partly situated on a high plateau between the A259 and the Seven Sisters. This plateau is one of the few areas of relatively level land on top of the South Downs next to the sea and as such it was requisitioned during the Second World War as an RAF emergency landing ground (ELG). Although the closest settlements were the hamlets of Crowlink and Exceat, the airfield was named after the nearest village of reasonable size and so became RAF Friston.
The Friston ELG was created from a pre war private civilian runway at Gayles Farm by No.1 Works Area (Field) who were engaged in aerodrome construction for the RAF. The farmhouse, known simply as “Gayles”, became the station headquarters (SHQ). Friston was equipped with two over-blister type aircraft hangers with a number of tents and marquees for base personnel, together with storage for 11,000 gallons of fuel and was defended by several AA gun emplacements.
Two grass runways and a perimeter track were laid out by contracted Irish labourers who were attracted by the high wages that often exceeded, causing much criticism; the wages of the pilots that flew into combat from the completed runways!
The NE/SW (130° – 238°) runway was 1,750 yds long x 150 yds wide while the N/S (045° – 206°) was 1000 yds long x 200 yds wide.
The Friston ELG was created from a pre war private civilian runway at Gayles Farm by No.1 Works Area (Field) who were engaged in aerodrome construction for the RAF. The farmhouse, known simply as “Gayles”, became the station headquarters (SHQ). Friston was equipped with two over-blister type aircraft hangers with a number of tents and marquees for base personnel, together with storage for 11,000 gallons of fuel and was defended by several AA gun emplacements.
Two grass runways and a perimeter track were laid out by contracted Irish labourers who were attracted by the high wages that often exceeded, causing much criticism; the wages of the pilots that flew into combat from the completed runways!
The NE/SW (130° – 238°) runway was 1,750 yds long x 150 yds wide while the N/S (045° – 206°) was 1000 yds long x 200 yds wide.
The northern end of Friston Aerodrome as of 29th July 1940. Then only used for civilian light aircraft.
This old map extract shows the area of land that was to become the RAF Aerodrome in 1941.
Initially the airfield was used for pilot training with Hawker Audax biplanes and from 1940 for emergency landings. Its use declined during the Battle of Britain as it was too close to the coast and hence vulnerable to surprise attack.
With the threat of airfield attack diminishing, it was upgraded to a forward satellite airfield in May 1941 but that year its use was confined to Westland Lysander reconnaissance aircraft and fighters in trouble.
Facilities were later upgraded with operations due to recommence during May 1942. At that time a new operations record book was started and it is this type written logbook, usually completed by the station adjutant (Admin Officer) that provides us with a detailed account of the daily activities of the aerodrome.
Between 15th May and 31st May 1942 the airfield was deemed to be in active use though little happened during those first weeks except for the delivery and implantation of a number of dummy Spitfires perhaps with the intention of testing the regular German patrol responses, but to no avail.
By the middle of June 1942 the airfield got its first real aircraft, the Hurricanes of 32 Squadron which were received as both a blessing and a trial as accommodation had to be found for the influx of large numbers of personnel. This was partly alleviated by the transfer of the Officers mess to Friston Place, a large country house about a mile off base and offering greater comfort for the pilots.
32 Squadron were not to stay long and were transferred back to their respective bases by the beginning of July leaving the airfield again, quiet and empty.
With the threat of airfield attack diminishing, it was upgraded to a forward satellite airfield in May 1941 but that year its use was confined to Westland Lysander reconnaissance aircraft and fighters in trouble.
Facilities were later upgraded with operations due to recommence during May 1942. At that time a new operations record book was started and it is this type written logbook, usually completed by the station adjutant (Admin Officer) that provides us with a detailed account of the daily activities of the aerodrome.
Between 15th May and 31st May 1942 the airfield was deemed to be in active use though little happened during those first weeks except for the delivery and implantation of a number of dummy Spitfires perhaps with the intention of testing the regular German patrol responses, but to no avail.
By the middle of June 1942 the airfield got its first real aircraft, the Hurricanes of 32 Squadron which were received as both a blessing and a trial as accommodation had to be found for the influx of large numbers of personnel. This was partly alleviated by the transfer of the Officers mess to Friston Place, a large country house about a mile off base and offering greater comfort for the pilots.
32 Squadron were not to stay long and were transferred back to their respective bases by the beginning of July leaving the airfield again, quiet and empty.
RAF Friston Aerodrome on 29th May 1944 showing signs of very active use. D-Day is just a week away.
However this was not to be for long as on 22nd July 1942, Canadian 402 Squadron equipped with Spitfires was sent to Friston for patrol duties over the Channel and along with this the arrival of personnel again filled the base particularly when 32 Squadron with 14 Hurricanes arrived again in mid August. It was not known at the time but the arrival of the fighters was all part of a bigger build up of military activity on the south coast in readiness for “Operation Jubilee”, the ill fated Dieppe Commando Raid which was to depart from Newhaven during the night of 18/19th August 1942.
In all the 19th August had been the busiest day yet for the airfield with 37 visiting aircraft consuming nearly 5,000 gallons of petrol and both 402 and 32 Squadron aircraft blasting off some 12,858 rounds of 20mm cannon and 31,454 rounds of 0.303in MG ammunition at German targets in Dieppe. One wonders what the total expenditure of consumables was for this raid on top of the 3,623 men who were killed, wounded or captured in just six hours on German held soil?
After the dust had settle and lessons learned Friston was again placed on a low priority footing and little else happen throughout the autumn of 1942, in fact even today the area is partial to low dense fogs rising off the sea and the ops diary records that the remainder of the year was largely non operational due to poor visibility. The weather was to control events well into 1943.
In all the 19th August had been the busiest day yet for the airfield with 37 visiting aircraft consuming nearly 5,000 gallons of petrol and both 402 and 32 Squadron aircraft blasting off some 12,858 rounds of 20mm cannon and 31,454 rounds of 0.303in MG ammunition at German targets in Dieppe. One wonders what the total expenditure of consumables was for this raid on top of the 3,623 men who were killed, wounded or captured in just six hours on German held soil?
After the dust had settle and lessons learned Friston was again placed on a low priority footing and little else happen throughout the autumn of 1942, in fact even today the area is partial to low dense fogs rising off the sea and the ops diary records that the remainder of the year was largely non operational due to poor visibility. The weather was to control events well into 1943.
A circa 1938 plan of RAF Friston lying just inland of the seven sisters.
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The aerodrome around 1943 with the perimeter track showing up very clearly together with the two hangers.
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On the arrival of spring 1943 it seemed the airfield was finally to come into its own and as if to confirm this it received its first attack from enemy aircraft in the early morning of 14th March when a large number of flares and two HE bombs were dropped over the aerodrome. Though this was the period of the Luftwaffe’s Baedeker offensive on British Cities, it is likely that this was just a photo - reconnaissance mission probably taking high altitude photographs of any new defensive sites on the south coast and the only damage sustained was from the burning flares setting alight vegetation near the runways. Both bombs exploded well outside the airfield area causing no damage.
By the end of April the airfield was to become the home of 411 Squadron equipped with Spitfires and 4206 Anti Aircraft Flight adding greatly to the personnel numbers already billeted around the airfield. A solution was found by the further requisitioning of property around the Old Willingdon Road together with houses in Friston village; the officer’s mess remained in the splendid setting of Friston Place.
The activity at the airfield continued unabated with the arrival of a further AA Flight 40001, to bolster up defences, and then a steady ebb and flow of fighter squadrons throughout the remainder of 1943. These included short stays by; 41 squadron from Biggin Hill, 2851 squadron from Ludham, 306 (Polish) squadron together with 3106 servicing Echelon from Gravesend, 349 (Belgium) squadron from Acklington and finally 350 (Belgium) squadron just before Christmas.
The aerodrome was equipped with two runways and so far only the shorter “fighter” one (045-206) was seeing extensive use by the resident squadrons. In January and February 1944 despite a period of rain, mist and low cloud RAF Friston, having now become an official RAF station, received 305 landings the majority being emergency runway landings including 9 English bombers, 178 English fighters, 29 American bombers and 4 American fighters including 2 Mustangs which had hit trees on low flying strafing missions in France and limped home badly damaged; such was the daily wastage tolerated by those in command as operations took on a more offensive role.
By the end of April the airfield was to become the home of 411 Squadron equipped with Spitfires and 4206 Anti Aircraft Flight adding greatly to the personnel numbers already billeted around the airfield. A solution was found by the further requisitioning of property around the Old Willingdon Road together with houses in Friston village; the officer’s mess remained in the splendid setting of Friston Place.
The activity at the airfield continued unabated with the arrival of a further AA Flight 40001, to bolster up defences, and then a steady ebb and flow of fighter squadrons throughout the remainder of 1943. These included short stays by; 41 squadron from Biggin Hill, 2851 squadron from Ludham, 306 (Polish) squadron together with 3106 servicing Echelon from Gravesend, 349 (Belgium) squadron from Acklington and finally 350 (Belgium) squadron just before Christmas.
The aerodrome was equipped with two runways and so far only the shorter “fighter” one (045-206) was seeing extensive use by the resident squadrons. In January and February 1944 despite a period of rain, mist and low cloud RAF Friston, having now become an official RAF station, received 305 landings the majority being emergency runway landings including 9 English bombers, 178 English fighters, 29 American bombers and 4 American fighters including 2 Mustangs which had hit trees on low flying strafing missions in France and limped home badly damaged; such was the daily wastage tolerated by those in command as operations took on a more offensive role.
After falling in flames from 26,000 ft this is all that remains of the Dornier Do217 that crashed, killing all four crew near the Cuckmere Valley on the night of 14th March 1944.
The crash site today situated over looking the Cuckmere River Valley with Newhaven beyond. We have indicated the position of the AA Gun Battery that shot the German bomber down.
After a two week break the Luftwaffe re instigating their “Steinbock Offensive” returned on the night of Tuesday 14th March to bomb London. Of the 187 aircraft dispatched 140 reached their target but failed to cause significant damage. One of these aircraft was a Dornier Do 217 from 7/KG2 and while flying at 26,000 ft (5 miles high!) over the Sussex coast was hit by shells fired from the 3.7 in AA battery on Peacehaven Heights west of Newhaven, after expending just 26 rounds. The aircraft crashed at 10: 25pm very close to RAF Friston and attracted much attention from the base personnel who recovering the four bodies of the crew interred them in St. Mary’s churchyard, Friston for the duration of the war. (Later moved to Cannock Chase)
As 1944 progressed the build up of forces along the south coast became more apparent leading up to D-Day. Friston became home to 501 squadron moved from Hawkinge and 350 (Belgium) squadron moved from Peterhead and with these arrivals came a steady build up of stores destined for the Normandy beaches in June. Station personnel expanded to its largest yet with a total of 1,248 airmen and 152 WAAF’s, all living largely under canvas!
As 1944 progressed the build up of forces along the south coast became more apparent leading up to D-Day. Friston became home to 501 squadron moved from Hawkinge and 350 (Belgium) squadron moved from Peterhead and with these arrivals came a steady build up of stores destined for the Normandy beaches in June. Station personnel expanded to its largest yet with a total of 1,248 airmen and 152 WAAF’s, all living largely under canvas!
St, Mary's Church, Friston.
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Detail of the scroll that can be seen on the bottom right of the commemoration panel below.
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This commemoration panel dedicated to all the men and squadrons that served at RAF Friston can be seen in St. Mary's Church at Friston Village.
Vergeltungswaffe Eins – V1 Flying Bomb
The very first V-1 flying bombs landed in Britain in the early dawn of 13th June 1944 in what turned out to be a premature opening assault by the Germans. The main attack was yet to come and although little damage was done all this would change in a matter of days when the German launching crews got their act together. RAF Friston was perfectly placed to play an important defensive role.
During the remainder of June a massive re-organisation of both the fighter groups and Anti Aircraft command resulted in the instigation of a protective curtain extending from St. Margaret’s Bay near Dover to the Cuckmere Valley in East Sussex. At it’s height of efficiency AA command had established the “Diver” gun belt extending 10,000 yds out to sea and 5000 yds inland while fighter command had full use of the airspace over Kent and Sussex up to the barrage balloon belt encircling London.
In the month of August 1944 Friston was home to no less than nine AA squadrons and 316 (Polish) fighter squadron who were themselves credited with 75 V-1 kills while operating from the aerodrome.
During the period from 13th June to 1st Sept of the 5,232 V-1’s that made it to Britain 1,564 were brought down by AA fire and 1,902 by fighters. We should not forget that 2,340 still made it to London causing great loss of life and property.
By September the threat from Flying bombs was on the wane as their launching sites were being captured in Northern France. With forward airfields now firmly established in Europe Friston aerodrome was now being solely used as an emergency landing field. Bombers returning from raids deep into Germany found Friston perfect for refuelling stops or for setting down a badly damaged aircraft that barely made it across the channel. The USAAF ’s mobile repair squadron did excellent work in repairing planes on site and then flying them back out again to their respective bases for further operations.
By October 1944 the war had moved across the channel and despite an initial busy period where Friston had over 100 aircraft sitting on the airfield waiting to be flown over to France it was the beginning of the end. The station was put into care and maintenance on 22nd May 1945 and finally de-requisitioned in early 1946. Eastbourne Council was offered the aerodrome for civilian uses but they declined and the land reverted back to being Gayles Farm.
The very first V-1 flying bombs landed in Britain in the early dawn of 13th June 1944 in what turned out to be a premature opening assault by the Germans. The main attack was yet to come and although little damage was done all this would change in a matter of days when the German launching crews got their act together. RAF Friston was perfectly placed to play an important defensive role.
During the remainder of June a massive re-organisation of both the fighter groups and Anti Aircraft command resulted in the instigation of a protective curtain extending from St. Margaret’s Bay near Dover to the Cuckmere Valley in East Sussex. At it’s height of efficiency AA command had established the “Diver” gun belt extending 10,000 yds out to sea and 5000 yds inland while fighter command had full use of the airspace over Kent and Sussex up to the barrage balloon belt encircling London.
In the month of August 1944 Friston was home to no less than nine AA squadrons and 316 (Polish) fighter squadron who were themselves credited with 75 V-1 kills while operating from the aerodrome.
During the period from 13th June to 1st Sept of the 5,232 V-1’s that made it to Britain 1,564 were brought down by AA fire and 1,902 by fighters. We should not forget that 2,340 still made it to London causing great loss of life and property.
By September the threat from Flying bombs was on the wane as their launching sites were being captured in Northern France. With forward airfields now firmly established in Europe Friston aerodrome was now being solely used as an emergency landing field. Bombers returning from raids deep into Germany found Friston perfect for refuelling stops or for setting down a badly damaged aircraft that barely made it across the channel. The USAAF ’s mobile repair squadron did excellent work in repairing planes on site and then flying them back out again to their respective bases for further operations.
By October 1944 the war had moved across the channel and despite an initial busy period where Friston had over 100 aircraft sitting on the airfield waiting to be flown over to France it was the beginning of the end. The station was put into care and maintenance on 22nd May 1945 and finally de-requisitioned in early 1946. Eastbourne Council was offered the aerodrome for civilian uses but they declined and the land reverted back to being Gayles Farm.
RAF Friston as of 26th April 1946. The crosses indicate that the runways are closed but all of the buildings still remain.
A recollection of a moment of excitement from the 9th July 1942.
At 06.05 hours two ME.109 E's appeared without prior warning and
dropped two 500lb bombs on the aerodrome which they then proceeded
to strafe with cannon and machine-gun fire. The bombs fell on the edge of
the North-South 'runway' and did superficial damage to the aerodrome
surface but the blast caused damage to the buildings of S.H.Q. and one
Nissen Hut used as barrack stores. Cannon fire damaged the blister
hangar and one lucky shot entered the port main plane of the HURRICANE
belonging to 253 Squadron, which was damaged on the 6th July and which had been
left behind for repair when the Squadron departed. Several of the personnel
had narrow escapes but fortunately no casualties were sustained. The
ground defences had little opportunity of retaliating against such a sudden,
low-flying attack and both aircraft got away safely under cover of the
low cloud which was present at the time.
At 06.05 hours two ME.109 E's appeared without prior warning and
dropped two 500lb bombs on the aerodrome which they then proceeded
to strafe with cannon and machine-gun fire. The bombs fell on the edge of
the North-South 'runway' and did superficial damage to the aerodrome
surface but the blast caused damage to the buildings of S.H.Q. and one
Nissen Hut used as barrack stores. Cannon fire damaged the blister
hangar and one lucky shot entered the port main plane of the HURRICANE
belonging to 253 Squadron, which was damaged on the 6th July and which had been
left behind for repair when the Squadron departed. Several of the personnel
had narrow escapes but fortunately no casualties were sustained. The
ground defences had little opportunity of retaliating against such a sudden,
low-flying attack and both aircraft got away safely under cover of the
low cloud which was present at the time.
RAF Friston Today
Immediately after the war the airfield was allowed to retain some association with flying as it became the home of the Friston Gliding Club from 1946 to 1955 this only being terminated when the land was resold. Surprisingly most of the original RAF buildings remained well into the 1980’s and again this lead to a partial resurrection albeit fictitiously, of the aerodromes former use.
In 1988 London Weekend Television screened a six part series depicting the life of an RAF fighter squadron from Britain’s entry into WW2 through to the Battle of Britain. Called “A Piece of Cake”, the airfield was “RAF Bodkin Hazel” but the location was Friston aerodrome. The site was chosen because of its rural character at a time when more famous former aerodromes were being expunged from history by land developers.
The last two episodes of the series feature a recreation of the aerodrome complete with tented and hutted accommodation and this is very convincingly done with both dummy and real Spitfires added into the mix. There are some excellent flying scenes with the programmes characters involved in dog fights and chases with ME109's along the Seven Sisters coast, all filmed with real aircraft and stunt pilots specially for the series.
The aerodrome was perhaps finally closed when in April 2001 a memorial was unveiled at St. Mary’s Church, Friston dedicated to all the squadrons who served there. Attended by some of the former servicemen who are sadly no longer with us the event was seen by many as the final chapter; after which the land, perhaps more fittingly as memorials go, has been incorporated into the newly sanctioned “South Downs National Park” under the care of the National Trust.
On September 5th 2015 a new memorial stone was unveiled at the northern end of the main runway with access available to the general public by footpath from the A259. The monument is perfectly placed overlooking the Station HQ at Gayles Farm and the north / south fighter runway. It is well worth a visit, for here on a summers afternoon with the Skylarks singing it's a worthy place to sit and remember the men and women who once fought an air war here.
Immediately after the war the airfield was allowed to retain some association with flying as it became the home of the Friston Gliding Club from 1946 to 1955 this only being terminated when the land was resold. Surprisingly most of the original RAF buildings remained well into the 1980’s and again this lead to a partial resurrection albeit fictitiously, of the aerodromes former use.
In 1988 London Weekend Television screened a six part series depicting the life of an RAF fighter squadron from Britain’s entry into WW2 through to the Battle of Britain. Called “A Piece of Cake”, the airfield was “RAF Bodkin Hazel” but the location was Friston aerodrome. The site was chosen because of its rural character at a time when more famous former aerodromes were being expunged from history by land developers.
The last two episodes of the series feature a recreation of the aerodrome complete with tented and hutted accommodation and this is very convincingly done with both dummy and real Spitfires added into the mix. There are some excellent flying scenes with the programmes characters involved in dog fights and chases with ME109's along the Seven Sisters coast, all filmed with real aircraft and stunt pilots specially for the series.
The aerodrome was perhaps finally closed when in April 2001 a memorial was unveiled at St. Mary’s Church, Friston dedicated to all the squadrons who served there. Attended by some of the former servicemen who are sadly no longer with us the event was seen by many as the final chapter; after which the land, perhaps more fittingly as memorials go, has been incorporated into the newly sanctioned “South Downs National Park” under the care of the National Trust.
On September 5th 2015 a new memorial stone was unveiled at the northern end of the main runway with access available to the general public by footpath from the A259. The monument is perfectly placed overlooking the Station HQ at Gayles Farm and the north / south fighter runway. It is well worth a visit, for here on a summers afternoon with the Skylarks singing it's a worthy place to sit and remember the men and women who once fought an air war here.
The Aerodrome as it is today with the two main runways still discernible. We have marked the position of the new monument which can be visited after a 20 minute walk following the footpath from the A259.
The monuments GPS Position is TV 53465 98159 and it sits roughly in the centre of the main runway.
(Picture Google Earth)
The monuments GPS Position is TV 53465 98159 and it sits roughly in the centre of the main runway.
(Picture Google Earth)
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This metal fragment of a cast iron roof support was found near the site of the large blister hanger; a remnant from the past.
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RAF Verticle Photo's: English Heritage Aerial Library. With thanks to East Dean Historical Society and Seaford Musuem.
Copyright Steve Sullivan, November 2020
