Sitting on the flatlands just South of Cambridge, Fowlmere airfield has existed in one form or another since early 1918. In the closing year of the Great War No 165 US Aero Squadron was the first resident, they were joined several months later by the newly formed RAF’s 124, 125 and 126 Squadrons with their Airco D.H.4 and D.H.9 bombers. Ultimately this airfield was demolished after the war and no trace of the huge hangars or airfield buildings remain to this day.
In 1940 the Battle of Britain began and a satellite landing ground for RAF Duxford was required, Fowlmere was once again selected and the new airfield was designated ‘Airfield G1’. As the battle grew in intensity Fowlmere received its first residents, the Supermarine Spitfires of 19 Squadron RAF. One pilot of 19 Sqn to fly from Fowlmere was Johnnie Johnson, who become the RAF’s top-scoring ace of the Second World War. In the late summer the Spitfires were joined by Boulton Paul Defiants of 264 Squadron and Hawker Hurricanes of the Czech 310 Squadron. After the Battle, Fowlmere stopped being just an overspill for Duxford and several Squadrons were now directly based at Fowlmere, briefly including the Hawker Hurricanes of 133 (Eagle) Squadron RAF, comprising entirely of US volunteers. Ultimately, over the next few years of the war the airfield grew considerably and 14 RAF and RCAF squadrons would be based at Fowlmere at one time or another.
As the daylight bombing of Europe intensified in early 1944, Fowlmere was turned over to the USAAF as a fighter station for the 339th Fighter Group flying North American P-51 Mustangs who’s primary mission was conducting bomber escort missions over Europe. During their deployment to Fowlmere the 339th destroyed an astounding 653+ aircraft in the air and on the ground.
There are four separate memorials at Fowlmere, which seems appropriate considering the number of squadrons that rotated through the airfield and the heavy toll in lives they paid.
After the Second World War, the USAAF left and Fowlmere was turned back over to the RAF. The airfield was used briefly by No. 11 Group RAF Fighter Command until January 1946 when Fowlmere was formally closed and placed into care and maintenance status. The airfield was left in this disused state until 1957 when the RAF formally relinquished Fowlmere back to local farmers. One of these farmers, Martin Sheldrick, had an avid interest in aviation and was sensitive to the airfield’s history decided to re-establish the airfield with a focus on general aviation. Today, Fowlmere still exists as a general aviation hub with the British Aerobatic Academy and the Modern Air Flying Club based at the airfield. Fowlmere also has a Museum is on-site which opens to the public one Sunday per month.
