RAF Theddlethorpe

Reference Name MLI43390

Name:
RAF Theddlethorpe

Summary:
RAF Theddlethorpe was a bombing and gunnery range with a nearby emergency landing ground.

Location:
THEDDLETHORPE ALL SAINTS, EAST LINDSEY, LINCOLNSHIRE
THEDDLETHORPE ST HELEN, EAST LINDSEY, LINCOLNSHIRE

Description:
RAF Theddlethorpe was a bombing and gunnery range with a nearby landing ground. It opened in 1935 and closed in December 1973. {1}

The landing ground at Theddlethorpe was for use in emergencies and as such it was probably set up as in 1935, when the range was opened. It is unclear when it stopped being used as a landing ground but, given the small size of the area, it is unlikely to have been of use for jet aircraft and so probably went out of use soon after the Second World War. It may perhaps have remained as part of RAF Theddlethorpe, however, until the base closed in the 1973. {2}{3}{4}

Photographs of the ranges and surviving base structures were taken in June 2012, during site visits conducted for the Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey. The bombing range, on the beach to the east of the base, is thought to have actually been in use from at least 1927, and continued until c.1940, when the turret firing range was opened. Structures at the base included the headquarters building (see PRN 49495), a nearby guard house and water tower (no longer extant), the turret maintenance building (see PRN 49496) and associated firing range. {5}

Sources:
1 Bibliographic Reference: T.N. Hancock. 1978. Bomber County. p.128
2 Verbal Communication: Bennet, Mark. 2009. Verbal Communication from Mark Bennet of the Lincolnshire HER. -
3 Verbal Communication: Bennet, Mark. 2010. Verbal Communication from Mark Bennet of the Lincolnshire HER. -
4 Digital Archive: Council for British Archaeology. 2006. Defence of Britain Archive. 16232
5 Intervention Report: Humber Field Archaeology. 2013. Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire: Phase 3, Field Survey and Historical Assessment. TS9, TS27

Links:
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The following reports are available from the ADS digital library.
4 Digital Archive: Council for British Archaeology. 2006. Defence of Britain Archive. 16232