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Long Marston Road, TRING, HP23 4FE

There are brick structures like these dotted around the airfield site. I believe that they are the entrances to dug-outs which personnel would rush to in the event of a raid. These entrances led to small underground shelters. To see one in more detail see Image To the right of this can be seen the new corrugated iron roof of one of the Nissen Huts which has been refurbished for use as an industrial unit. * Please Note: This former airfield is a private site and permission is required to gain access * General comments common to all photos in this sequence: This old airfield is known by several names, such as RAF Cheddington, RAF Marsworth, Cheddington Airfield etc. I am using Marsworth Airfield as the title throughout this series of photos as that is probably its commonest name nowadays. The airfield opened in March 1942 as RAF Cheddington, a satellite airfield to Wing. Wellington Bombers flew training missions out of here under the auspices of 26 Operational Training Unit. In September 1942 control of the airfield was passed to the US Army Airforce (USAAF). As a result the airfield became home to the B-24 Liberators of three squadrons (66th, 67th & 68th) of the Eighth Airforce 44th Bombardment Group. Quite soon however these squadrons were moved to Norfolk, and the RAFs 26th OTU returned. More training missions were flown from here during early 1943, and then in August of that year the US 8th Airforce returned, becoming Station 113. During 1944 several Bombardment squadrons flew special missions over Europe using mainly B24 Liberators, but also some B17 Flying Fortresses. These specials missions mostly involved leaflet drops, and document drops (such as fake ration books to disrupt the enemy's economy), but also involved early electronic warfare jamming RADAR and creating false signals etc. The airfield passed to the British Army once the War was over, and closed in 1952 since when it has mostly slowly decayed, though some of the buildings are used for small industrial purposes, and the northern end of the airfield nearer Cheddington is home to some newer industrial units.

The blocks seen here, may have been accommodation blocks or were perhaps where the airmen and ground crew ate and mingled. Next image in sequence Image] * Please Note: This former airfield is a private site and permission is required to gain access * General comments common to all photos in this sequence: This old airfield is known by several names, such as RAF Cheddington, RAF Marsworth, Cheddington Airfield etc. I am using Marsworth Airfield as the title throughout this series of photos as that is probably its commonest name nowadays. The airfield opened in March 1942 as RAF Cheddington, a satellite airfield to Wing. Wellington Bombers flew training missions out of here under the auspices of 26 Operational Training Unit. In September 1942 control of the airfield was passed to the US Army Airforce (USAAF). As a result the airfield became home to the B-24 Liberators of three squadrons (66th, 67th & 68th) of the Eighth Airforce 44th Bombardment Group. Quite soon however these squadrons were moved to Norfolk, and the RAFs 26th OTU returned. More training missions were flown from here during early 1943, and then in August of that year the US 8th Airforce returned, becoming Station 113. During 1944 several Bombardment squadrons flew special missions over Europe using mainly B24 Liberators, but also some B17 Flying Fortresses. These specials missions mostly involved leaflet drops, and document drops (such as fake ration books to disrupt the enemy's economy), but also involved early electronic warfare jamming RADAR and creating false signals etc. The airfield passed to the British Army once the War was over, and closed in 1952 since when it has mostly slowly decayed, though some of the buildings are used for small industrial purposes, and the northern end of the airfield nearer Cheddington is home to some newer industrial units.

Like Image] this unit is brick-built and considerably stronger than most of the units on the site. As can be seen it has no windows at all, and I think that it is this building which contains a strong room accessed via a blast-proof door. This may have been used to house explosives, but I am only surmising. I would welcome any information, especially from anyone who actually served on this base in or after the war. Next image in sequence Image] * Please Note: This former airfield is a private site and permission is required to gain access * General comments common to all photos in this sequence: This old airfield is known by several names, such as RAF Cheddington, RAF Marsworth, Cheddington Airfield etc. I am using Marsworth Airfield as the title throughout this series of photos as that is probably its commonest name nowadays. The airfield opened in March 1942 as RAF Cheddington, a satellite airfield to Wing. Wellington Bombers flew training missions out of here under the auspices of 26 Operational Training Unit. In September 1942 control of the airfield was passed to the US Army Airforce (USAAF). As a result the airfield became home to the B-24 Liberators of three squadrons (66th, 67th & 68th) of the Eighth Airforce 44th Bombardment Group. Quite soon however these squadrons were moved to Norfolk, and the RAFs 26th OTU returned. More training missions were flown from here during early 1943, and then in August of that year the US 8th Airforce returned, becoming Station 113. During 1944 several Bombardment squadrons flew special missions over Europe using mainly B24 Liberators, but also some B17 Flying Fortresses. These specials missions mostly involved leaflet drops, and document drops (such as fake ration books to disrupt the enemy's economy), but also involved early electronic warfare jamming RADAR and creating false signals etc. The airfield passed to the British Army once the War was over, and closed in 1952 since when it has mostly slowly decayed, though some of the buildings are used for small industrial purposes, and the northern end of the airfield nearer Cheddington is home to some newer industrial units.

The inside of Nissen Hut A7 seen in Image] & Image As can be seen the roof - made of corrugated iron sheets - is almost missing on the northeastern side. Next image in sequence Image] * Please Note: This former airfield is a private site and permission is required to gain access * General comments common to all photos in this sequence: This old airfield is known by several names, such as RAF Cheddington, RAF Marsworth, Cheddington Airfield etc. I am using Marsworth Airfield as the title throughout this series of photos as that is probably its commonest name nowadays. The airfield opened in March 1942 as RAF Cheddington, a satellite airfield to Wing. Wellington Bombers flew training missions out of here under the auspices of 26 Operational Training Unit. In September 1942 control of the airfield was passed to the US Army Airforce (USAAF). As a result the airfield became home to the B-24 Liberators of three squadrons (66th, 67th & 68th) of the Eighth Airforce 44th Bombardment Group. Quite soon however these squadrons were moved to Norfolk, and the RAFs 26th OTU returned. More training missions were flown from here during early 1943, and then in August of that year the US 8th Airforce returned, becoming Station 113. During 1944 several Bombardment squadrons flew special missions over Europe using mainly B24 Liberators, but also some B17 Flying Fortresses. These specials missions mostly involved leaflet drops, and document drops (such as fake ration books to disrupt the enemy's economy), but also involved early electronic warfare jamming RADAR and creating false signals etc. The airfield passed to the British Army once the War was over, and closed in 1952 since when it has mostly slowly decayed, though some of the buildings are used for small industrial purposes, and the northern end of the airfield nearer Cheddington is home to some newer industrial units.

This is a view through the doorway of the old Nissen Hut seen in Image To see the view inside see Image] * Please Note: This former airfield is a private site and permission is required to gain access * General comments common to all photos in this sequence: This old airfield is known by several names, such as RAF Cheddington, RAF Marsworth, Cheddington Airfield etc. I am using Marsworth Airfield as the title throughout this series of photos as that is probably its commonest name nowadays. The airfield opened in March 1942 as RAF Cheddington, a satellite airfield to Wing. Wellington Bombers flew training missions out of here under the auspices of 26 Operational Training Unit. In September 1942 control of the airfield was passed to the US Army Airforce (USAAF). As a result the airfield became home to the B-24 Liberators of three squadrons (66th, 67th & 68th) of the Eighth Airforce 44th Bombardment Group. Quite soon however these squadrons were moved to Norfolk, and the RAFs 26th OTU returned. More training missions were flown from here during early 1943, and then in August of that year the US 8th Airforce returned, becoming Station 113. During 1944 several Bombardment squadrons flew special missions over Europe using mainly B24 Liberators, but also some B17 Flying Fortresses. These specials missions mostly involved leaflet drops, and document drops (such as fake ration books to disrupt the enemy's economy), but also involved early electronic warfare jamming RADAR and creating false signals etc. The airfield passed to the British Army once the War was over, and closed in 1952 since when it has mostly slowly decayed, though some of the buildings are used for small industrial purposes, and the northern end of the airfield nearer Cheddington is home to some newer industrial units.

This old Nissen Hut has certainly seen better days. Some of these huts have been re-roofed and are used for various purposes, but this one is slowly collapsing through neglect and the ravages of the weather. The next two images in the sequence show this hut in close-up. (see Image] & Image]) * Please Note: This former airfield is a private site and permission is required to gain access * General comments common to all photos in this sequence: This old airfield is known by several names, such as RAF Cheddington, RAF Marsworth, Cheddington Airfield etc. I am using Marsworth Airfield as the title throughout this series of photos as that is probably its commonest name nowadays. The airfield opened in March 1942 as RAF Cheddington, a satellite airfield to Wing. Wellington Bombers flew training missions out of here under the auspices of 26 Operational Training Unit. In September 1942 control of the airfield was passed to the US Army Airforce (USAAF). As a result the airfield became home to the B-24 Liberators of three squadrons (66th, 67th & 68th) of the Eighth Airforce 44th Bombardment Group. Quite soon however these squadrons were moved to Norfolk, and the RAFs 26th OTU returned. More training missions were flown from here during early 1943, and then in August of that year the US 8th Airforce returned, becoming Station 113. During 1944 several Bombardment squadrons flew special missions over Europe using mainly B24 Liberators, but also some B17 Flying Fortresses. These specials missions mostly involved leaflet drops, and document drops (such as fake ration books to disrupt the enemy's economy), but also involved early electronic warfare jamming RADAR and creating false signals etc. The airfield passed to the British Army once the War was over, and closed in 1952 since when it has mostly slowly decayed, though some of the buildings are used for small industrial purposes, and the northern end of the airfield nearer Cheddington is home to some newer industrial units.

One of the numerous huts still standing on this fascinating old site, what its precise original function was I can only guess at, but it looks more like a meeting room or common room, rather than an accommodation unit or mess hall. Next picture in sequence Image] * Please Note: This former airfield is a private site and permission is required to gain access * General comments common to all photos in this sequence: This old airfield is known by several names, such as RAF Cheddington, RAF Marsworth, Cheddington Airfield etc. I am using Marsworth Airfield as the title throughout this series of photos as that is probably its commonest name nowadays. The airfield opened in March 1942 as RAF Cheddington, a satellite airfield to Wing. Wellington Bombers flew training missions out of here under the auspices of 26 Operational Training Unit. In September 1942 control of the airfield was passed to the US Army Airforce (USAAF). As a result the airfield became home to the B-24 Liberators of three squadrons (66th, 67th & 68th) of the Eighth Airforce 44th Bombardment Group. Quite soon however these squadrons were moved to Norfolk, and the RAFs 26th OTU returned. More training missions were flown from here during early 1943, and then in August of that year the US 8th Airforce returned, becoming Station 113. During 1944 several Bombardment squadrons flew special missions over Europe using mainly B24 Liberators, but also some B17 Flying Fortresses. These specials missions mostly involved leaflet drops, and document drops (such as fake ration books to disrupt the enemy's economy), but also involved early electronic warfare jamming RADAR and creating false signals etc. The airfield passed to the British Army once the War was over, and closed in 1952 since when it has mostly slowly decayed, though some of the buildings are used for small industrial purposes, and the northern end of the airfield nearer Cheddington is home to some newer industrial units.

In this view some of the old accommodation blocks can be seen more than 50 years since they ceased their original purpose. Nowadays cows quietly roam and nibble the grass in front of them. The next image in the sequence is Image] * Please Note: This former airfield is a private site and permission is required to gain access * General comments common to all photos in this sequence: This old airfield is known by several names, such as RAF Cheddington, RAF Marsworth, Cheddington Airfield etc. I am using Marsworth Airfield as the title throughout this series of photos as that is probably its commonest name nowadays. The airfield opened in March 1942 as RAF Cheddington, a satellite airfield to Wing. Wellington Bombers flew training missions out of here under the auspices of 26 Operational Training Unit. In September 1942 control of the airfield was passed to the US Army Airforce (USAAF). As a result the airfield became home to the B-24 Liberators of three squadrons (66th, 67th & 68th) of the Eighth Airforce 44th Bombardment Group. Quite soon however these squadrons were moved to Norfolk, and the RAFs 26th OTU returned. More training missions were flown from here during early 1943, and then in August of that year the US 8th Airforce returned, becoming Station 113. During 1944 several Bombardment squadrons flew special missions over Europe using mainly B24 Liberators, but also some B17 Flying Fortresses. These specials missions mostly involved leaflet drops, and document drops (such as fake ration books to disrupt the enemy's economy), but also involved early electronic warfare jamming RADAR and creating false signals etc. The airfield passed to the British Army once the War was over, and closed in 1952 since when it has mostly slowly decayed, though some of the buildings are used for small industrial purposes, and the northern end of the airfield nearer Cheddington is home to some newer industrial units.

Decrepit buildings on the old WWII airfield, seen from Long Marston Road looking North, with Westend Hill in the distance.

The long low brick-built unit seen ahead here is considerably stronger than most of the other units which are dotted about this site. It also has much narrower windows. This perhaps suggests it housed sensitive equipment or munitions, or was perhaps an operations room. A (now defunct) website suggested it may be the armoury. Information about the airfield here http://www.longmarston.org/airfield.htm Next image in sequence Image] * Please Note: This former airfield is a private site and permission is required to gain access * General comments common to all photos in this sequence: This old airfield is known by several names, such as RAF Cheddington, RAF Marsworth, Cheddington Airfield etc. I am using Marsworth Airfield as the title throughout this series of photos as that is probably its commonest name nowadays. The airfield opened in March 1942 as RAF Cheddington, a satellite airfield to Wing. Wellington Bombers flew training missions out of here under the auspices of 26 Operational Training Unit. In September 1942 control of the airfield was passed to the US Army Airforce (USAAF). As a result the airfield became home to the B-24 Liberators of three squadrons (66th, 67th & 68th) of the Eighth Airforce 44th Bombardment Group. Quite soon however these squadrons were moved to Norfolk, and the RAFs 26th OTU returned. More training missions were flown from here during early 1943, and then in August of that year the US 8th Airforce returned, becoming Station 113. During 1944 several Bombardment squadrons flew special missions over Europe using mainly B24 Liberators, but also some B17 Flying Fortresses. These specials missions mostly involved leaflet drops, and document drops (such as fake ration books to disrupt the enemy's economy), but also involved early electronic warfare jamming RADAR and creating false signals etc. The airfield passed to the British Army once the War was over, and closed in 1952 since when it has mostly slowly decayed, though some of the buildings are used for small industrial purposes, and the northern end of the airfield nearer Cheddington is home to some newer industrial units.