RAF Matlask airfield

First Watch Office at Matlask in 1977 (© Robin Taylor)

Matlask airfield

1. Watch Office for Fighter Satellite Stations 18441/40, this single storey building was later updated by the addition of a second storey control room before being replaced by:
2. Watch Office for All Commands 343/43

Both control towers demolished in 1978

Other Buildings:

Most demolished 1978

10/40 to 03/11/40, Opened as Satellite to Coltishall, 72 Sqn Spitfire Mk1s dispersed here. Airfield bombed by 5 Dornier Do-17s 29/10/40.
11/40 to 05/41, 222 Sqn Spitfires from Coltishall.
07/41 to 08/41, 601 Sqn Hurricanes from Manston, moved to Duxford to fly P-39 Airacobras.
08/41 to 12/41, 19 Sqn Spitfires, moved to Ludham.
10/41 to 08/42, Air Sea Rescue with Lysander and Walrus from Coltishall.
12/41 to 08/42, 137 Sqn Whirlwinds from Charmy Down, moved to Snailwell.
09/42, airfield was allocated to 8th USAAF as a fighter base but was only used 03/43 to 04/43 by P-47 Thunderbolts of the 56th FG from Kings Cliffe.
08/42 to 07/43, 56 Sqn Typhoons from Snailwell, moved to Manston.
195, 245, 266, 609 Sqn Typhoons, 19 Sqn Spitfires and USAAF 56 FG Thunderbolts detached here at various times 08/42 to 08/43.
04/43 to 05/43, 1489 Flight target towing with Henley, Lysander, Martinet and Master, also based at Coltishall and Sutton Bridge.
08/43, Airfield transferred to 8th USAAF control and rebuilt, not actually opened under 8th USAAF control. Reopened 09/44 and used by 3, 19, 56, 65, 122, 229, 451, 453, 486, and 602 Sqns at various times until 10/45.
07/45 to 10/45, 659 (AOP) Squadron Army Co-operation Austers, moved to India.

Matlask / Matlaske airfield

1972 (© John Wilson)

RAF Matlask / Matlaske airfield

Operational fighter

1x - T2, 5x - Blister

5 miles SE of Holt

Second Watch Office 1977 (© Robin Taylor)

Building 1, Guard House, 4377/40

Building 15, Contractors Store

Building 24, Parachute Store, 10825/42

Building 47, Armoury and NFE Store, 14376/40

Building 50, Squadron Offices, 14376/40

RAF Matlask airfield

RAF Matlask / Matlaske airfield
Airfield:		Operational fighter
Opened:		10/40
Closed:		10/45
ID Code:		?
USAAF Station:		178
Runways:		3x - grass
Hangars:		1x - T2, 5x - Blister
County:		Norfolk
Location:		5 miles SE of Holt
OS Ref:		TG145340
Links:
©:		All photographs copyright © as stated
RAF Matlaske airfield

Matlask airfield
Airfield Today:		Agriculture
Tower Type:		1. Watch Office for Fighter Satellite Stations 18441/40, this single storey building was later updated by the addition of a second storey control room before being replaced by: 2. Watch Office for All Commands 343/43
Tower:		Both control towers demolished in 1978
Other Buildings:		Most demolished 1978
History:		10/40 to 03/11/40, Opened as Satellite to Coltishall, 72 Sqn Spitfire Mk1s dispersed here. Airfield bombed by 5 Dornier Do-17s 29/10/40. 11/40 to 05/41, 222 Sqn Spitfires from Coltishall. 07/41 to 08/41, 601 Sqn Hurricanes from Manston, moved to Duxford to fly P-39 Airacobras. 08/41 to 12/41, 19 Sqn Spitfires, moved to Ludham. 10/41 to 08/42, Air Sea Rescue with Lysander and Walrus from Coltishall. 12/41 to 08/42, 137 Sqn Whirlwinds from Charmy Down, moved to Snailwell. 09/42, airfield was allocated to 8th USAAF as a fighter base but was only used 03/43 to 04/43 by P-47 Thunderbolts of the 56th FG from Kings Cliffe. 08/42 to 07/43, 56 Sqn Typhoons from Snailwell, moved to Manston. 195, 245, 266, 609 Sqn Typhoons, 19 Sqn Spitfires and USAAF 56 FG Thunderbolts detached here at various times 08/42 to 08/43. 04/43 to 05/43, 1489 Flight target towing with Henley, Lysander, Martinet and Master, also based at Coltishall and Sutton Bridge. 08/43, Airfield transferred to 8th USAAF control and rebuilt, not actually opened under 8th USAAF control. Reopened 09/44 and used by 3, 19, 56, 65, 122, 229, 451, 453, 486, and 602 Sqns at various times until 10/45. 07/45 to 10/45, 659 (AOP) Squadron Army Co-operation Austers, moved to India.
Matlask / Matlaske airfield