Airfields Used By NZ Squadrons During WW 2, RAF Matlaske

RAF Matlaske

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Matlaske was originally a small airfield that was ‘Acquired’ by the Air Ministry in August 1939.

This is another Station that creates comments regarding its name.

Technically, the Village is Matlaske, and the Civil Parish is Matlask.

The RAF tended to use Matlask in their records, but Matlaske is the more commonly accepted name, and the village sign prominently displays a Spitfire at the top

Construction work commenced in the Summer of 1940, and the Station was opened in October 1940.

The airfield was 2 grass runways, one of 1,600 yards [1,463 m] and the cross runway was 1,300 yards [1,188 m]

Originally intended as a satellite airfield to RAF Coltishall, which was 10.3 miles South East.

The first occupants were No 72 Squadron, flying Spitfires, that were stationed at Coltishall.

On the 27th October 1940 the Luftwaffe attacked RAF Coltishall, requiring the re-location of No 72 Squadron’s Spitfires to Matlaske.

On 29th October 1940 5 Luftwaffe Dornier 17’s attacked the airfield, causing some damage to parked aircraft and inflicting several injuries to personnel.

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Dornier Do 17

On 12th May 1941, they attacked again, this time with incendiary bombs, doing very little damage and no casualties.

From October 1941 to April 1942, the Station was host to No 278 Squadron, while it was carrying out Air Sea Rescue missions.

From November 1941 to August 1942, the Station was also host to No 137 Squadron, one of two Squadrons to fly the Westland Whirlwind, twin engined fighter, while it was carrying out East Coast convoy patrols.

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Westland Whirlwind

This Squadron suffered heavy losses during the “Channel Dash” by the German Battleships, Scharnhorst, Gneisenau, and Prinz Eugen.

In September 1942, the Station was allocated to the USAAF’s 8th Air Force, and renamed as Station No 178, for use as by P 47 Thunderbolts on the 56th Fighter Group from RAF Kings Cliffe, but nothing seems to be recorded of them using the Station.

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Republic P 47 Thunderbolt

In August 1943, the Station was transferred to care and maintenance and the facilities were improved.

Reopened in September 1944, the Station was home to a variety of Squadrons including No 486 [NZ] Squadron, flying Hawker Tempests V’s, in September 1944

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486 [NZ] Squadron Tempest Vs

The last of the operational Squadrons was No 453, from October 1944 to April 1945.

After this the airfield slowly withered away, and was on caretaker status by October 1945.

The Station was closed in May 1946

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