Dorset, a county now devoid of any active RAF bases, was once a bustling hub of Royal Air Force activity. During World War II, several airfields were crucial to the defence efforts, but as the years passed and the need for these bases diminished, many were abandoned or repurposed. Today, what remains of these once-thriving stations are forgotten sites, hidden beneath modern developments or overgrown with history. Here, we take a look at some of Dorset’s lost and abandoned RAF bases that played key roles in the skies during wartime.
Christchurch Airfield – From Civilian Hub to Wartime Hero
Christchurch Airfield, originally a civilian airfield established in 1926, became an essential site during World War II. Located southeast of the A337/B3059 intersection in Somerford, Christchurch, the airfield saw its most significant use during the war, particularly with the arrival of the RAF Special Duties Flight in 1940. These aircraft were involved in radar experiments, contributing to the development of the technology that would change the course of the war.
In 1943, as part of the preparations for the Normandy invasion, Christchurch was taken over by the United States Ninth Air Force, offering vital tactical air support to Allied forces. The airfield also played a pivotal role in manufacturing Horsa Mk I gliders, AS.10 Oxfords, and de Havilland Mosquitos for the RAF. After the war, the airfield returned to civilian use but was eventually demolished in 1966. Today, the site is home to housing and The Runway Industrial Park, with little trace left of its military past.
RAF Hurn – A Gateway to North Africa and Italy
RAF Hurn, situated around 4 miles northwest of Christchurch, was another vital air base during World War II. Opened in 1941, it was primarily used as a transport and fighter airfield by both the RAF and the United States Army Air Forces.
Hurn served as a critical departure point for aircraft heading to North Africa and Italy, avoiding airspace over France, Spain, and Portugal. On 5 August 1944, the 397th Bombardment Group, equipped with Martin B-26 Marauders, arrived at Hurn before moving on to the Advanced Landing Ground at Gorges, France.
After the RAF closed the airfield in October 1944, Hurn was repurposed for civilian use in 1969 and became Bournemouth Airport. While the name may have changed, the legacy of RAF Hurn’s role in wartime remains an integral part of Dorset’s history.
RAF Warmwell – A Hub of Intruder Missions
Located between Lulworth and Weymouth, RAF Warmwell was a significant RAF station from 1937 to 1946. Initially named RAF Woodsford, it was used for air-to-ground firing and bombing exercises, with targets set up off the south coast at Chesil Bank. The airfield was renamed RAF Warmwell in 1938 to avoid confusion with another airfield in Woodford, Manchester.
Warmwell’s role evolved during World War II, becoming a key base for intruder missions over German-occupied Europe. The base housed several notable RAF aircraft, including the Supermarine Spitfire, Hawker Hurricane, Tempest, and Westland Whirlwind, a pioneering twin-engine heavy fighter.
After the war, RAF Warmwell ceased operations, and much of the site was taken over by a quarry. Today, little remains of the airfield, although the original northern taxiway is still in use as a road through the village of Crossways. The air base’s cinema, now repurposed as Crossways Village Hall, is one of the few physical reminders of the base’s wartime history.
The Legacy of Dorset’s Lost RAF Bases
Although these RAF bases are no longer in use, their legacy endures in the memories of those who served and in the quiet places where the sounds of war once echoed. The sites have been repurposed or forgotten, yet they remain an essential part of Dorset’s history, linking the county to the wider narrative of World War II. Today, they serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made and the significant roles these bases played in shaping the course of the war.
