Monument record 8114/1 - Site of Denton WWII Relief Airfield

Denton came into use in the summer of 1940 as a grass Relief Landing Ground for the Royal Air Force Elementary Flying Training School unit of 50 Group which was mainly concerned with elementary flight training, with a secondary night-flying role. Its parent training unit was at Sywell. It was equipped with grass landing surfaces and 10 blister aircraft hangars. There was temporary accomodation for the base personnel. Flying continued from Denton into the spring of 1945 and ceased on July 9th of that year. Since the war the airfield has been used for agricultural purposes.

{1} Denton came into use in the summer of 1940 as a grass Relief Landing Ground mainly concerned with elementary flight training, with a secondary night-flying role. Its parent training unit was at Sywell. Primitively equipped, though the quarters were slowly improved during 1941 and 1942, blister hangers also being erected. "Flying continued from Denton into the spring of 1945 and ceased on July 9th of that year".

{2} Relief landing ground for Sywell, grass surfaced. Elevation - 365ft amsl. Plan of airfield in May 1945 showing location of Blister hangers.

{3} Concrete access road at west side of airfield survives (adjoins road at SP81945706) along with a series of concrete building foundations to the north & south. 2 small rectangular brick & concrete structures present adjacent to the western perimeter (c.SP81985690), of unusual character with concrete frames external to the brickwork walls; presumed contempory with airfield use - sleeping shelters for aircrew similar to those identified at Kings Cliffe airfield.

{4} Brief description of airfield.

{6} Lists types of aircraft that landed here.

{7} Denton airfield, Northamptonshire SP 835 578, opened in 1940 and closed in 1945. A sketch map accompanying the source shows it to have been situated to the south of the A428 between Brafield on the Green and Denton. The airfield was used as a Relief Landing Ground for the Royal Air Force Elementary Flying Training School (50 Group). It was equipped with grass landing surfaces and 10 Blister aircraft hangars. There was temporary accomodation for the base personnel. As of 01-DEC-1944 these mumbered 126 men. Since the war the airfield has been used for agricultural purposes. (1)

<1> Bowyer M.J.F., 1990, Action Stations 6: Military Airfields of The Cotswolds and The Central Midlands, (unchecked) (Book). SNN39505.

<2> Gibson M.L., 1982, Aviation In Northamptonshire: An Illustrated History, p.252-53 (unchecked) (Book). SNN100276.

<3> Cadman G.E., 1997, ORAL REPORT TO SMR, (unchecked) (Oral Report). SNN50286.

<4> Gayton, E.N., 2002, Denton, Relief Landing Field For No. 6 E.F.T.S. Sywell, (checked) (Article). SNN107654.

<5> Pillbox Study Group, Unknown, Pillbox Study Group, e21988 (Website). SNN111964.

<6> Dick Flute, UK Airfields and Airports, Denton (Website). SNN112022.

<7> Willis, S. and Holliss, B., 1987, Military airfields in the British Isles 1939-1945, p. 64 (Book). SNN111556.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 8:17PM