Off the Beaten Track in Somerset: RAF Culm Head

Saturday 14 August 2021

RAF Culm Head

The airfield at RAF Culm Head was constructed in 1940-41. It was initially called RAF Church Stanton. It was the first of 3 airfields to be built on the plateau at the top of the Blackdown Hills (the others were RAF Upottery/Smeatharpe and RAF Dunkeswell). It was brought into service in June 1941 to provide shelter from bombing raids for aircraft, which were normally based at RAF Exeter but it was not officially opened until 1st August 1941.

The first fighter squadrons to be based at RAF Church Stanton were with the Polish 2nd Fighter Wing (nos 302, 306 and 312). They flew Mk II Hurricanes and later Spitfires Mk V. They helped to defend the cities of Exeter and Bristol. A Research Flight also conducted barrage balloon cable cutting experiments from Culm Head.

In June 1942 the Poles were replaced by Czechoslovakian Squadrons (nos 312 and 313), who flew Spitfires from here until June 1943. In December 1943 the name of the airfield was changed from RAF Church Stanton to RAF Culm Head, to avoid confusion with other airfields with Church as a prefix e.g. Fenton and Broughton.

The next occupants were the Naval Fighter Wing (Squadrons no 894 and 897) with Seafire IIIs. They pursued enemy shipping in the English Channel and provided fighter cover for RAF Typhoon squadrons.

In March 1944 No 156 Squadron were based at Culm Head for a month with Mark IX Spitfires. They were replaced by 610, 286 and 587 Squadrons with Mark XIV Spitfires.

After D-Day (6th June 1944), in July 1944 126, 131 and 616 Squadrons arrived to act as bomber escorts and to conduct attacks ahead of the arrival of ground troops in parts of France. 616 Squadron were equipped and trained with two Bristol Gloster Meteor fighters. These were the allies first operational jet-propelled aircraft.

RAF Culm Head was placed under care and maintenance by November 1944. It became active again in January 1945 when it was used by Flying Training Command when it was used as a satellite to RAF Exeter and Headquarters for No 3 Glider Training School. They used it until July 1945 when it returned to care and maintenance status. It was closed down in August 1946.