shaped mounds are still in evidence. These blastpens protected dispersed fighters and could also be defended by gunfire when necessary. Each mound contained an air-raid shelter sufficiently large for the personnel likely to be at that dispersal point and defensive positions for two rifle platoons.
Hurricane fighter dispersed at RAF Wellingore
As satellite ‘L2’ of RAF Digby, Wellingore was most active whenever Digby was thought to be under threat from German bombers. In these circumstances planes that had been scrambled from Digby might well land at either Wellingore or Coleby Grange. Sometimes the Luftwaffe would throw a spanner in the works. A lone Junkers 88 would, according to Guy Gibson, often loiter above the flare-path waiting to intercept unwary British fighters. Gibson took charge of A Flight 29 Squadron late in 1940 and he and his new wife Eve spent their honeymoon at the Lion and Royal in the nearby village of Navenby. They received a wedding gift of smoked salmon; imagine their dismay when the landlady brought this delicacy to their table fried in batter! Other buildings frequented by the military were Coleby Hall (WAAF accommodation), Hill House on Barnes Lane, Wellingore (paratroops and searchlight operators), Heath Farm (airmens’ cookhouse) and The Grange on Hall Street, Wellingore. The Grange pleasantly set in its own grounds, functioned as the officers’ mess. The corporal in charge was an ex-London chef and the food was exceptionally good. Food, bedding and other basic provisions would be delivered daily in lorries from Digby.
The men of 29 Squadron saw no action during 1940 and were therefore dispirited despite their Squadron motto “Energetic and Keen”. The French Canadians of 402 Squadron were similarly eager to fight but saw little action until they left Lincolnshire in 1941 for Rochford (now Southend Airport). From this ‘Battle of Britain’ station they helped to demonstrate the power of the Hawker Hurricane as a bomber. During the same year Hurricanes were being operated from Vaenga in Russia by 81 Squadron. This was one of two RAF Squadrons to have escorted Russian bombers and during its deployment 81 Squadron destroyed 13 German planes in combat. 81 Squadron incorporates a red star in its badge and flew spitfires from Wellingore late in 1942. Another Spitfire Squadron, 154 Squadron, departed Wellingore in November 1942
Key dates ¤¤ World War I – Naval landing ground ¤¤ World War II – 29 Sqn; 402 Sqn; 81 Sqn and 154 Sqn
Airfield Trail North Kesteven
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