RAF Hibaldstow | Education Video by World of Military

RAF Hibaldstow was one of the first wartime airfields to be built in the North of Lincolnshire. Originally intended for Bomber Commands use it had the usual three intersecting runways. It would however be used by fighter command, its hard runways making it unique amongst fighter airfields. The airfield was commissioned on 12th May 1941 when No.255 Squadron took up residence with their Defiant night fighters. These planes had been drawn from RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey and made one kill, an He.111 which was shot down near Louth on 5th June 1941.

In June 1941 the Defiant's were replaced by Beaufighter II's and on 23rd September 1941 No.253 (Hyderabad) Squadron from Skeabrea, Orkney, arrived. In addition Havocs from Hunsdon Airfield in Hunsdon, Hertfordshire also came to the base. No.255 Squadron was joined by No.253 Squadron from Orkney in September 1941. By the start of 1943, the low risk of night attacks by the Luftwaffe led to the closure of the airbase on the 23rd January 1943. The airbase re-opened on 9th May 1943 for No.53 OTU and once again closed on 15th May 1945. During 1943 it became a satellite of RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey when that station changed role and bec