The Cake - Summer 2022

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FEATURE Researching the Village Airstrip Graham Holmes and Peter Mellor investigate Visitors to the wider estate at Sissinghurst Castle Garden would be unaware that the footpath leading to the Bird Hide and Dig Dog Lane, passes quite close to what was once a World War II airfield. It hardly seems possible, given the restricted nature of the field, enclosed as it is by native hedgerows. For a brief spell in 1943 it was indeed a grass airstrip, in use by No.653 Squadron, Royal Air Force. However, its aircraft were not the iconic fighters of the period but the Taylorcraft Austers of an Air Observation Post squadron. These aircraft were small, rather flimsy looking machines that carried a pilot and two observers whose responsibility it was to note and correct the accuracy of fire from the artillery on the ground. The Army provided the pilots and observers and the RAF, the ground crews. The Auster was the ideal aircraft for the job, having the ability to take off and land in confined areas like the airstrip at Sissinghurst. No.653 had formed at RAF Old Sarum, Wiltshire on the 20 June 1942 and its first deployment was to RAF Penshurst on the 7 September of that year. On the 17 August 1943 the squadron moved to the temporary base at Sissinghurst, coming under the orders of the British Army 12 Corps and participating in Exercise Peacock. It is believed that this exercise aimed at further improving the role of the Air Observation Posts and would ultimately culminate in their use following the Normandy landings in June 1944. The exercise complete, the Squadron returned to Penshurst on the 17 September 1943. The Sissinghurst airstrip was located in a field called “The Large Field” that contained low hedges and a SW to NE orientation – ideal for take offs and landings – the only hazard being an oak tree on the western hedge boundary! Due to its temporary nature, no buildings were erected and personnel would have worked and slept under canvas. Officers may well have been billeted in the area. Today, there is no trace whatsoever to remind us of what had been taking place in 1943. I am indebted to Peter Mellor for his valuable help in producing this article, condensed from his detailed research in 2017 – now in the Castle Archives. The Cake • Summer 2022 27
Page 1 and 2: Tasty local stories, published by C
Page 3 and 4: Published by Cranbrook and Sissingh
Page 5: directory A list of useful contacts
Page 8 and 9: letters www.bussmurton.co.uk | T: 0
Page 10 and 11: SUMMER ADVENTURES FULL STEAM AHEAD
Page 12 and 13: NEWS News Everyone’s Toilets Town
Page 14 and 15: CLUB NEWS Wildcats Landed In Cranbr
Page 16 and 17: EVENT NEWS Queen Elizabeth’s Plat
Page 18 and 19: Do you need help with technology? P
Page 20 and 21: LOCAL COMMENT Hon. Mayor Linda Page
Page 22 and 23: LOCAL HISTORY Model displayed at Si
Page 24 and 25: MARLBOROUGH HOUSE S C H O O L ENJOY
Page 28 and 29: Caring for you at home Well establi
Page 30 and 31: Kids' Corner Colour me in 30 The Ca
Page 32 and 33: HOME & GARDEN IN THE GARDEN “Natu
Page 34 and 35: LETTINGS AND SALES PROPERTY EXPERTS
Page 36 and 37: High Street, Cranbrook, Kent, TN173
Page 38 and 39: From £895 for a fully fitted elect
Page 40 and 41: Whatever you want to store... ...fo
Page 42 and 43: THE CAKE CHATS WITH… Gaynor Hatch
Page 44: Local firm of solicitors for all yo

The Cake - Summer 2022

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