RAF Horsham St Faith

RAF Horsham St Faith was a significant military airfield located in Norfolk, England, with a history spanning from the early years of the Second World War through the Cold War. Initially constructed as a Bomber Command base, it later served as a vital station for Fighter Command and hosted United States Army Air Forces units. Following its military closure, the site was transformed into Norwich International Airport, ensuring its continued importance as a regional transport hub.

History

Construction of the airfield began in 1939 on land near the village of Horsham St Faith, as part of the rapid expansion of the Royal Air Force prior to World War II. It opened for operations in 1940 under the control of No. 2 Group RAF, part of Bomber Command. The station's early years were defined by daylight bombing missions against targets in Occupied Europe, including invasion barges in Channel ports and industrial sites. In 1942, the airfield was transferred to the Eighth Air Force of the United States Army Air Forces, becoming a base for B-24 Liberator heavy bombers of the 2nd Bombardment Wing. This period saw the station's personnel involved in the strategic bombing campaign against Nazi Germany, participating in raids such as those on Schweinfurt and Regensburg. After the USAAF departed in 1945, the station reverted to RAF Fighter Command, hosting squadrons equipped with Gloster Meteor and later Hawker Hunter jet fighters during the Cold War, before final closure in 1963.

Units and operations

Throughout its operational life, the airfield hosted a diverse array of squadrons and aircraft. Early RAF bomber units included No. 105 Squadron RAF and No. 139 Squadron RAF, flying the Bristol Blenheim on hazardous low-level attacks. Under USAAF control, it was primarily home to the 458th Bombardment Group, whose B-24 Liberator crews flew numerous missions from the station. Post-war, the airfield became a key Fighter Command station, with notable residents including No. 257 Squadron RAF and No. 263 Squadron RAF, which operated the Gloster Meteor. Later, No. 64 Squadron RAF flew the Hawker Hunter from the base, performing air defence duties as part of NATO's integrated defence structure. The station also served as a base for Air Training Corps gliding and hosted a Royal Observer Corps post.

Post-war use and civilian conversion

Following its closure as an active RAF station in 1963, the airfield's future was secured through civilian conversion. The site was acquired by the Norwich Corporation and developed for joint civilian and military use. A new terminal building was constructed, and scheduled passenger services began in the late 1960s. The airfield was officially renamed Norwich Airport, with the RAF retaining a presence through a Royal Air Force Gliding & Soaring Association unit. This period of transition saw the gradual phasing out of military flying, though the infrastructure, including the three concrete runways laid down by the USAAF, formed the core of the new civilian facility. The conversion marked a successful example of post-war adaptation of military infrastructure for peacetime economic benefit.

Current use and facilities

Today, the site operates as Norwich International Airport, a thriving regional airport serving East Anglia. It handles scheduled flights to United Kingdom domestic destinations and across Europe, operated by carriers such as KLM and Eastern Airways. The airport features a modern terminal with facilities for passengers and cargo, and serves as an important base for Bristow Helicopters, which supports operations in the North Sea oil and gas industry. While most original World War II structures have been removed or repurposed, some dispersals and technical sites remain in agricultural use. A memorial on the perimeter commemorates the service of the 458th Bombardment Group and the station's wartime history.

In popular culture

The airfield's historical significance and distinctive architecture have led to its occasional appearance in film and television. It featured as a period setting in documentaries about the Eighth Air Force and the air war over Europe. The control tower, a classic World War II design, has been used as a filming location for dramas set during the 1940s. While not as frequently depicted as some other Battle of Britain airfields like RAF Duxford or RAF Biggin Hill, its association with the USAAF's strategic bombing campaign ensures its place in the popular history of the period.

Category:Royal Air Force stations in Norfolk Category:World War II airfields in the United Kingdom Category:United States Army Air Forces airfields in the United Kingdom Category:Airports in England