Raf Ridgewell

Royal Air Force Ridgewell or more simply RAF Ridgewell is a former Royal Air Force station located north west of Halstead, Essex, England. During the Second World War, the airfield was used by the Royal Air Force and the United States Army Air Forces Eighth Air Force. HistoryRAF Ridgewell was an early example of stations completed to Class A heavy bomber airfield design for the RAF, and had three intersecting runways of 6, 500 ft each in length, thirty-six hardstands, two T-2 hangars and accommodation for 2, 900 men in temporary buildings. RAF Bomber Command useThe airfield was opened in December 1942 and was first used by No. 90 Squadron of RAF Bomber Command, equipped with Short Stirling Bombers until May 1943, the station being at that time a satellite of RAF Stradishall. USAAF useRAF Ridgewell was the only long-term heavy bomber airfield of the Eighth Air Force in Essex. For United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) use, the number of hardstandings was increased to the fifty required by a US bomb group. The station was part of the 1st Combat Wing establishment of the 1st Division and was the furthest east of its thirteen heavy bomber stations. It was assigned USAAF designation Station 167, station code "RD".

Royal Air Force Ridgewell or more simply RAF Ridgewell is a former Royal Air Force station located north west of Halstead, Essex, England. During the Second World War, the airfield was used by the Royal Air Force and the United States Army Air Forces Eighth Air Force. HistoryRAF Ridgewell was an early example of stations completed to Class A heavy bomber airfield design for the RAF, and had three intersecting runways of 6, 500 ft each in length, thirty-six hardstands, two T-2 hangars and accommodation for 2, 900 men in temporary buildings. RAF Bomber Command useThe airfield was opened in December 1942 and was first used by No. 90 Squadron of RAF Bomber Command, equipped with Short Stirling Bombers until May 1943, the station being at that time a satellite of RAF Stradishall. USAAF useRAF Ridgewell was the only long-term heavy bomber airfield of the Eighth Air Force in Essex. For United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) use, the number of hardstandings was increased to the fifty required by a US bomb group. The station was part of the 1st Combat Wing establishment of the 1st Division and was the furthest east of its thirteen heavy bomber stations. It was assigned USAAF designation Station 167, station code "RD".