| Largest WW2 airfield, in fact prob the biggest military base in WW2
One of the great things about studying WW2 is that wherever you live your not that far from its history. I live spitting distance from RAF Burtonwood or whats left of it. Burtonwood was the largest airbase in Europe in WW2. IT was never an operational base but a repair and supply station for US forces in the whole of Europe.
Originally a large facility for the repair of US engines in use in Briitsh aircraft, when the US joined the war Burtonwood was given over to the Yanks. Warrington was quite a small town and the huge US base must have had a big effect. The base (as its called round here) was used to supply the active squadrons with spares, replacment aircraft direct from the US or from Liverpool docks. Between 1943 and 1945 the base moved over 11000 aircraft, normal compliment of on base personel was around 18000 men and women.
I'll fill out this thread as I get time. Got some great pics.
Here a pic to get started. Boxes and boxes of Radial Engines, so many they where left outside. |