Monument record MDO47637 - RAF Hamworthy

RAF Hamworthy was a water based airfield which was established in 1942 in Poole Harbour. The RAF marked out four water runways with buoys and rubber tyres. Before its opening the British Overseas Air Corporation (BOAC) was formed from British Airways and Imperial Airways in 1940 and took over Atlantic services and flights to Africa. For periods during the war eastbound flights were escorted across the channel by Blenheim fighter planes. It was decided that Poole Harbour was to be used by the RAF after the heavy engagement of the Coastal Command in the summer of 1942. An operating base was established at the northern end of the Wareham Channel. A slipway was started in 1942 but there was hardly any room for hangars or other buildings. RAF Hamworthy opened on the 1st August 1942.Hamworthy’s limitations as an operational base resulted in its occupying units moving out which re-established Calshot as a main diversion base. RAF Hamworthy was closed on the 1st May 1944. Weeks later BOAC has to temporarily move its operations to Pembroke Dock to make room for the hundreds of landing craft that was brought to Poole for the invasion of Europe. For the ensuing four years BOAC used the site for its post-war flying routes and the airline finally left on the 31st March 1948, having transferred its operation to Southampton.

RAF Hamworthy was a water based airfield which was established in 1942 in Poole Harbour. The RAF marked out four water runways with buoys and rubber tyres. Before its opening the British Overseas Air Corporation (BOAC) was formed from British Airways and Imperial Airways in 1940 and took over Atlantic services and flights to Africa. For periods during the war eastbound flights were escorted across the channel by Blenheim fighter planes. It was decided that Poole Harbour was to be used by the RAF after the heavy engagement of the Coastal Command in the summer of 1942. An operating base was established at the northern end of the Wareham Channel. A slipway was started in 1942 but there was hardly any room for hangars or other buildings. RAF Hamworthy opened on the 1st August 1942. Hamworthy’s limitations as an operational base resulted in its occupying units moving out which re-established Calshot as a main diversion base. RAF Hamworthy was closed on the 1st May 1944. Weeks later BOAC has to temporarily move its operations to Pembroke Dock to make room for the hundreds of landing craft that was brought to Poole for the invasion of Europe. For the ensuing four years BOAC used the site for its post-war flying routes and the airline finally left on the 31st March 1948, having transferred its operation to Southampton. (1) The National Grid Reference for the area is: SZ035 900. The National Grid Reference for the technical base is: SY986 903). (2)

Record last edited

Dec 30 2023 8:04AM