Steeple Morden Airfield

• We cover the story of Steeple Morden Airfield during the war years from construction in 1939 to the end of the war in 1945.
• The RAF moved to Steeple Morden Airfield during 1940 when constuction had finished using it as a saterllite station to Bassingbourn, operating an Operational Training Unit (11OTU) flying Wellington bombers. These aircraft took part in the 1000 bomber night raid on Cologne, Germany. In late September 1942, 11OTU departed

• October 1942 saw the American 12th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, and the 15th Photographic Mapping Squadron of the 3rd Photographic Group arrived under the command of Col.Elliott C. Roosevelt, the American President's son, flying P-38 Lightnings. In November 1942 the 5th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron also arrived with nine P-38s. These squadrons were to stay very briefly until November 3Oth 1942.

• January 1943, the airfield was taken over by the RAF again, Operational Training Unit (17.OTU) flying Blenheim Bombers. In April 1943, 17. OTU departed.

• July 1943 the Americans were back, the 355th Fighter Group moved to the Airfield and renamed it Station F -122, flying P-47 Thunderbolts and later P-51 Mustangs until the end of the war. During their stay the 355th received a unit citation for their extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance. They were also the highest Group for destroying aircraft on the ground, earning them the name the' Steeple Morden Strafers.
• This section of the documentary contains unique and unseen colour footage.