Kent Past
The History of Kent
Copyright Kent Past 2010
RAF Hawkinge
Following the outbreak of war in 1914, the War Office surveyed Kent for suitable
sites to place airfields. One such place was just outside the village of Hawkinge.
The land, a field known locally as Megones, was owned by Lord Radnor.
Within months,
temporary buildings and tents started to arrive at what officially called Folkestone
Field. The airfields main purpose was for transporting aircraft across to France.
The airfield continued to be used for this purpose, although in 1917, more permanent
hangers started to arrive, together with a number of administrative buildings. There
was a name change to Hawkinge Aeroplane Dispatch Station, when the remit included
the transportation of supplies to troops in France and Belgium. A role which continued
and included mail to troops stationed on the continent during peacetime after 1918.
Hawkinge was expanded following the re-
Fighter
training continued at Hawkinge into the first months of the Second World War, when
it was decided, it was too close to the French coast and training was moved to a
safer distance. As the airfield was the closest to France it was re-
Due to its proximity to the French coast, Hawkinge became a prized target, and was
to play an important part within the German ‘Operation Sealion’ plan, where paratroopers
would invade and take control of the airfield, to enable the Luftwaffe to make the
short hop across the channel.
Hawkinge played a major part in the Dunkirk evacuation,
with planes providing around the clock air-
As the fear of a German invasion increased following Dunkirk, and the strategic importance
of Hawkinge was realised, it was afforded greater protection, with the installation
of anti-
The first raids were not
made on Hawkinge until 12 Augusat 1940, with major damage being made, although the
grass runways were soon repaired and the Spitfires and Hurricanse which used it as
a forward base, were soon operating again, despite three further raids that month.
On 7 September 1940, a direct hit was scored on the main building, as was an air-
During the ‘Battle of Britain’ Hawkinge
saw a continuous stream of Spitfires and Hurricanes land, refuel, re-
The base was under regular attack from German planes flying in low under the radar
dropping their payload and returning across the channel. The response was to have
six Spitfires based at the airfield with at least three in the air patrolling at
any given time. When the enemy were sited, there was time to get planes in the air.
Despite the Luftwaffe’s best efforts Hawkinge remained operational throughout the
war.
On the lead up to D-
Following the war, the fighter base was officially closed 3 September
1945. It was however used by WAAF technical training unit and later for glider training.
However, in 1964 the Ministry of Defence sold the land, although for a short while
in 1968, memories were invoked, with the making of the film ‘Battle of Britain’.
Today, the land has been used for housing and agriculture, although a small corner
has been portioned off as a Battle of Britain museum, run by enthusiast, and well
worth a visit.
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