The South West Airfields Heritage Trust seeks to preserve the heritage and integrity of the region’s World War II airfields for future generations, while honouring those who served at them.
Sixty-five years on it is hard to imagine the plateau on top of the Blackdown Hills was once without the scars of the three airfields built there during the Second World War.
However, with the passage of time, memories of Culmhead, Upottery and Dunkeswell as they were in their heyday are fading fast, or being lost altogether as many of those once-young men and women based there are no longer with us .
It is for these reasons that the South West Airfields Heritage Trust feels the importance of the role that these airfields played should be acknowledged, and that the memory of those who served on them should be preserved for future generations who will be able to enjoy a freedom that was by no means certain in those dark days of the War.
By today’s standards such destruction of a pleasant landscape seems unthinkable; but, for those around at the time, the speed at which these airfields were built was an amazing feat of man’s endeavor.
This was the direct result of the attack on our Island and the threat of imminent invasion.
The Trust would very much welcome anyone with an active interest in any aspect of military history (or civilian) to join.
7 comments
leslie.snell
February 9, 2013 at 3:54 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
entry.form.for.2013.
john scott
January 17, 2013 at 12:42 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Do records exist which name the Polish and Czech pilots who flew from Exeter during WWII?
Robin
January 22, 2013 at 8:56 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
John as far as I know there is no complete record, but there is a great deal of information on the Polish pilots by following website http://www.polishsquadronsremembered.com this site contains a wealth of information and masses of photographs. Good Luck
Robin Harman
January 15, 2013 at 12:58 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Just wondering why RAF Chivenor does not appear to be included. I was a young boy going to school in Barnstaple with a gas mask slung over my shoulders in the later part of WW2 and remember seeing captured German aircraft displayed on the green in front of what is now Barnstaple’s Museum
Robin
January 15, 2013 at 8:45 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Robin, RAF Chivenor should be included in our remit, but we have no members in North Devon who can cover the history of this airfield for us, the airfields we do include are all member related. Feel like joining us? only £10 per year, thanks for looking in
David Bunney
June 13, 2012 at 10:30 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Hi Jo nice to hear about your event in August will tell our members and hopefully some will come along and support you and the good work with the greyhounds
Regards David.
Joe Gladwin
May 22, 2012 at 5:31 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Good Afternoon,
I am emailing this afternoon, with regards to an event which will be taking place on the 18th of August in Upottery, as a national charity dedicated to finding loving homes for retired greyhounds we are once again bringing the South West Greyhound Gathering back to the local area. The event consists of a family fun dog show, a sponsored greyhound walk, a BBQ and Cream Teas as well a selection of trade stands, it is the second year the event has taken place and we hope you would be interested in coming along to promote your charity as you are based in the local area.
Please do take a look at our event website for more information and I hope you will be interested in attending,
I look forward in hearing from you,
Kind Regards
Joe Gladwin
RGT Hillview (HONITON)