Second World War military airfield, USAAF Gosfield (EHER 14308)

A World War Two military airfield, opened 1943, closed 1945-1946. The airfield comprised three concrete runways with 50 hard standings and was provided with two aircraft hangars (type T2). Built by an American Engineer unit, it was originally intended for use by the United States Army 8th Air Force, but instead passed to the 9th Air Force as Station 154. It was briefly used by the 365th Fighter Group and the 397th Bomb Group of the 9th United States Army Air Force, but mainly by the 410th Bomb Group. The main targets were in France and Belgium in preparation for and to support the Allied landings. In 1945 the base was used by a succession of RAF Units including involvement in paratroop dropping operations in support of the crossing of the river Rhine (Operation Varsity). In 1985 the site of the former airfield was said to have been used by a consumers association.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Airfield (disused) 778 312 (NAT). <1> WWII airfield. American built wartime airfield opened in the Autumn of 1943, housing both fighters and bombers of the USAAF 9th AF. The RAF moved in and used the airfield in March 1945 for operation Varsity before it closed in later 1945. Gosfield was equipped with 3 runways, perimeter track, 50 loop dispersals and bomb stores. Two T2 hangars were built at opposite sides of the airfield, (TL7762 3035, TL7707 3205) of which no trace remains. Three Nissen huts remain at TL7755 3090. The control tower (type 343/43) stands close by in the centre of the landing zone at TL7776 3099. The main technical site was located on the south side of the perimeter at TL7740 3055 but has been cleared and is now cultivated. Dispersed sites filled the area south to 'Gosfield Lake' but this land is now a golf course. <2> SITE ASSESSMENT: The airfield site has reverted to agriculture but the east-west runway remains to its original extent; elements of the perimeter track remain at reduced width as does part of the bomb stores track with two fusing sheds associated with the bomb stores remain extant, (TL7642 3167), (TL7644 3161). Both hangars have been removed and the main site has been turned to agriculture. The control tower survives situated in the centre of the airfield along with 3 Nissen huts. All evidence of the dispersed sites has been destroyed by a golf course. THREATS: Poor maintenance of buildings; removal of runway for hardcore or agriculture. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Recommend the control tower for listing Grade II SITE MANAGEMENT: A RCHME Level 1 record which should include interior photography should be made of the control tower and associated Nissen huts, and bomb stores huts before development occurs The control tower and any interior features should be retained if possible. <3> During WWII the WWI site was subsumed within RAF Gosfield and the top edge of the landing field was used for bomb storage. <4> Gosfield Airfield, Essex, TL 778 312, opened 1943, closed 1945. The airfield comprised three concrete runways with 50 hard standings and was provided with two aircraft hangars (type T2). Site use in 1985 given as by a "Consumer's Association". <5> Gosfield Airfield was briefly used by the 365th Fighter Group and the 397th Bomb Group of the 9th United States Army Air Force, but mainly by the 410th Bomb Group. The main targets were in France and Belgium in preparation for and to support the Allied landings. In 1945 the base was used by a succession of RAF Units including involvement in paratroop dropping operations in support of the crossing of the river Rhine (Operation Varsity). <6> Gosfield Airfield. According to a local history section of an Essex County Council web site the airfield was built by American engineers (816 Aviation Battalion). It was intended to be used by the 8th United States Army Air Force but was in fact used by the 9th Air Force. The station number was 154. <7> Aerial photographs: <8> - <17>