Carrier Group (TCG) with 79th, 80th,
81st & 82nd Troop Carrier Squadrons
(TCS).
Extra hangars were constructed in
the build-up to Operation Overlord
(D-Day), and store Horsa gliders and
others. The base also hosted the ‘Gee’
School, which trained C-47 navigators
to operate this navigation aid.
In March 1943 the 436th TCG
moved south and was replaced by the
440th Troop Carrier Group (TCG) with
95th, 96th, 97th & 98th Troop Carrier
Squadrons (TCS), which trained with
the 82nd Airborne troops that were
deployed in Leicestershire. During April
the 440th TCG also moved south with
the remainder of the 50th Troop Carrier
Wing (TCW).
Bottesford once again retuned to
RAF use when 1668 Heavy Conversion
Unit (HCU) arrived in July 1944.
Training mainly with Lancasters, 1668
HCU adopted a bomber defence
training role with the addition of a flight
of Spitfires and Hurricanes.
A crew prepares to board their Lancaster
at RAF Bottesford.
,
Air and ground crew pictured
at RAF Bottesford.
Refurbished wartime buildings still
being used at Bottesford.
The nine wartime T2 aircraft
hangars and original buildings
have been modified by current
owners the Roseland Group as
modern warehouses, offices,
workshops and storage. The
original Watch Office is offices
retaining many original features.
Roseland’s new head office
facility – attached to part of the
original Squadron Headquarters
- was inspired by a World War
II control tower in Archerfield,
Australia, as a fitting reflection of
wartime Australian connections.
RAF Bottesford was also known
as RAF Normanton and RAF Long
Bennington – reflecting an RAF
affection for the nearest town or
village with the best public house.
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