VISIT TO SMEATHARPE AIRFIELD, UPOTTERY – TUESDAY 23 July 2024 2.00 pm

An opportunity to visit a local airfield
with D Day connections in the anniversary year

Upottery airfield, known locally as Smeatharpe, opened in February 1944 as a bomber airfield for the USAAF with three runways, two T2 hangars and a bomb dump. The first USAAF aircraft arrived 26 April 1944 and were Douglas C-47 transports. The four squadrons made a major contribution to D-Day on 5—6 June 1944 by dropping paratroops of the US 101st Airborne Division and towing gliders with reinforcements the following day.
Upottery remained busy with the ongoing Allied offensive until 8th September. The US Navy occupied the airfield from January and February 1945 carrying out anti-submarine patrols over more southern and western waters until the end of World War Two. When they left Upottery was handed back to the RAF until the until the airfield closed in the autumn of 1948.

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VENUE: The Upottery Airfield Heritage Centre Cherry Hayes Farm, Smeatharpe, Slough Ln, Honiton EX14 9RD

Car numbers are limited as visitors are required to drive in convoy for the outside tour. Please car share if you can.  Arrive in plenty of time for the 2pm start as the tour takes 2 ½ hours.
The airfield charges £10, payable on arrival.

Book with SANHS by 15 July
as the airfield needs numbers a week in advance.

email office@sanhs.org or ring 01823 272429