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RAF Ingham (RAF Cammeringham)
Airfield Code: ? Google Earth Co-ordinates: 53°20'26.98"N 0°33'17.42"W Runways: N/S = 4800ft E/W = 3600ft NE/SW = 4800ft The site of this airfield was apparently considered for an expansion scheme airfield in 1937, but was passed over for more favorable grounds. Nevertheless, with the proposed growth of Bomber Command, Ingham was resurrected early in 1940 and developed as a satellite for RAF Hemswell. Sandwiched between the A15 and B1398, east of Ingham village, gradients restricted the size of the flying field making it unsuitable for the hard three-runway configuration then seen as the necessary standard for a bomber airfield. A total of 24 pan-type aircraft standings were put down and in the spring of 1942 a complete perimeter track with 12 extra dispersals. Plans also called for the extension of the grass runway across the road on the southern boundary but this work does not appear to have been carried out. The technical site with a T2 hangar bordered the B1398. A second T2 was erected near the eastern boundary alongside the A15. Apart from the occasional dispersal of aircraft from RAF Hemswell, Ingham was little used until May 1942 when the Wellingtons of No.300 Squadron arrived. The squadron operated from Ingham until January when No. 1 Group, Bomber Command, decided to concentrate Polish bomber squadrons at RAF Hemswell. The Wellingtons of No.199 Squadron arrived soon after the Poles left, only to be transferred, south to No.3 Group in June 1943. In the same month, the Poles of No.300 Squadron returned, plus No.305 Squadron, to avoid the runway laying at RAF Hemswell. Extra buildings were put up in early 1943, presumably to accommodate two squadrons. The Poles continued operating with Wellingtons until September when No. 305 Squadron was transferred to the Second Tactical Air Force to become a Mitchell-equipped bomber unit. No.300 Squadron soldiered on alone until March 1944 when it was scheduled to be re-equipped with Lancaster's and moved to RAF Faldingworth. The Polish departed for RAF Hemswell to convert to the Lancaster but the association did not end here as the station was used for the resettlement of Polish aircrews after the end of the war. A total of 35 Wellingtons had been lost in the course of operations flown from Ingham. Ingham had remained a sod-surface airfield, unsuitable for the operation by four-engine heavy bombers due to the limitations of the grass runways, and for the rest of 1944 the station was home to bomber defence training units, Nos.1481 and 1687 Flights, charged with target-towing and bomber interception practice using mainly Martinets and Hurricanes. On November 24th, 1944, notice was given that the name of the station had been changed to RAF Cammeringham. This was to avoid confusion with villages of the same name in Suffolk and Norfolk although why it took four years for officialdom to decide this was necessary is puzzling. In any case, by January 1945 the surface of the airfield had deteriorated to a point where it was no longer considered suitable for flying and was put in the hands of a holding party until closure shortly before the end of hostilities. Today it is difficult to realise there was ever an airfield at Ingham. But there are still several buildings left standing amongst the trees and over growth. There is also currently a project underway to turn the former Sgt's Mess in to a Heritage Centre. Work on this project is hoped to be completed in 2013. Aircraft & Squadrons
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