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RAF Wickenby
Airfield Code: EGNW Google Earth Co-ordinates: 53° 18'51.8"N 0° 20'57.2"W Wartime Runways: 04/22 & 16/34 = 4200ft x 150ft 09/27 = 6000ft x 150ft Current Runways: 03/21 = 1739ft x 59 ft 16/34 = 1631ft x 59 ft Ten miles north-east of Lincoln, between the village of Wickenby and the north-west side of the B1399, this Class A bomber airfield was begun by McAlpine in late 1941. The site took in land in the parishes of Snelland and Holton necessitating the closure of the road between these two villages. Thirty-six pan types hardstandings were provided with one neutralised by a T2 hangar adjacent to the technical site on the north-east side and a lone B1 at the opposite extremity of the flying field near the end of south-western runway. Domestic sites, mostly Nissen huts, were dispersed in fields on the eastern side of the B1399. Available accommodation was put at 1788 male and 287 female. Additional construction work on the airfield was carried out by Laing's in early 1943. On completion of the main facilities, No.1 Group, Bomber Command moved in. No.12 Squadron with its Wellingtons was the first to arrive from RAF Binbrook in September 1942 and stayed for three years. Conversion to Lancaster's took place in November-December and a year later in November 1943, C Flight was taken out to form No.626 Squadron, also flying the Lancaster. However, unlike most newly-formed squadrons, No.626 was not moved to another base, spending its whole existence at Wickenby. During hostilities, 1080 Wickenby-based airmen died during the war when over 300 operations were flown from the airfield with 166 bombers missing, all but six being Lancaster's. Another 30 aircraft were lost in operational crashes. The Wickenby Squadrons played a large part in the bomber offensive, were also involved in mine-laying, Operation MANNA and Operation EXODUS. Wickenby also played a large part in the bomber offensive, taking part in many of the major raids including, Berlin, Munich, Nuremberg, Essen, Mailly-le-Camp, and Caen. After VE-Day, No.12 Squadron moved to Binbrook in September 1945 and No.626 disbanded at Wickenby in October. No.109 Squadron's Mosquito's were there for a few weeks following the departure of the Lancaster's but they too were gone in late November when flying ceased. The next occupant, No.93 Maintenance Unit, collected ordnance from other disused stations and stored it on the runways to await disposal. They remained in residence until 1952 when No.92 MU took over, staying until 1956. During 1964-66, the airfield was cleared and the land returned, where possible, to the former civilian owners or sold. At the same time the road from Snelland to Holton-cum-Beckering, closed to construct the airfield, was reinstated. From the mid-1960s private flying took place on the northern part of the airfield at what is now Wickenby Airport. Several wartime buildings survive in good condition including a T2 hangar. The north part of the former airfield is now known as Wickenby Aerodrome, which is a grass and concrete airfield. A road from Holton cum Beckering to Snelland runs right over the former airfield. RAF Wickenby is now commemorated in memorial stone of Icarus at the entrance to the airfield, now a flying club. The memorial was placed there by members of the Wickenby Register, an association of former No.12 and No.626 Squadron personnel and associate relatives. There is also a museum at Wickenby which was set up in the late 1990’s. The museum is situated upstairs in the old control tower, and houses memorabilia relating to WWII Wickenby and is also the home of the Wickenby Register Archive. Aircraft & Squadrons
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