RAF Sutton Bridge | Education Video by World of Military

<p>Station History</p><p>The airfield at Sutton Bridge owes its existence to the air-to-ground weapons ranges sited around The Wash. The site, just south of the village of Sutton Bridge and east of the Nene Outfall Cut, was first used in 1926 when squadrons using the ranges camped out at the rudimentary airfield, usually in the summer months. During the early 1930s the airfield was developed and training at the nearby gunnery ranges continued. Following the outbreak of WWII, the airfield was transferred to 12 Group, on 30th October 1939. On the same day, No.264 Squadron and No.266 Squadron reformed at the airfield although neither unit had received its aircraft at this time. In fact, it was not until they had moved to Martlesham Heath, Suffolk, that No.264 Squadron received its Defiants. Meanwhile, No.266 Squadron fared slightly better, with the arrival of Battles in December 1939 and Spitfires in January 1940. In March, No.266 Squadron also moved to RAF Martlesham Heath. </p><p><br></p><p> With the departure of No.266 Squadron, the airfield became home to No.6 OTU. In November, it was renamed No.56 OTU and remained at the airfield training Hurricane pilots for the next 15 months.