RAF Elvington - World War 2 between 1939 and 1942 and between 1952 and 1958 by the American Air Force as a Strategic | Education Video by World of Military

Today world of military takes a look at RAF Elvington

Located in Yorkshire, RAF Elvington was a bomber base and was part of 4 Group Bomber Command. Originally a grass airfield, Elvington was rebuilt with three hardened runways which were completed ready for operations in October 1942.

The airfield was one of three within the area, the others being RAF Melbourne the airfield of RAF Melbourne is now closed as of 1945 and today is used for agriculture and RAF Pocklington the station is now forms an industrial estate and a restricted use airfield for a gliding club.

RAF Elvington HP Halifax III of 77 Squadron taking off the RAF Elvington.

The first operational aircraft were Handley Page Halifax bombers which were flown by 77 Squadron. The unit arrived at Elvington to begin conversion from the Whitleys that they had previously flown.

​Conditions at Elvington were rudimentary as they were at many wartime RAF airfields. However, training began at once on the Halifax to enable the crews to take part in the on-going night offensive over Germany.

Once operations commenced, 77 began losing aircraft at quite a high rate, this was a bad time for Bomber Com