85 Years ago from the Archives - August 1941

On the 15th August 1941 R.A.F. Station Harrowbeer officially opened at 1430 hours.

Personnel on the Station included twelve Officers. 

Flight Lieutenant C. V. Jolleff was in command of the Station for the month of August and signed the R.A.F. Station Harrowbeer Operation Record Book  ( O.R.B. ).

The R.A.F. Station Harrowbeer Medical Officer was Squadron Leader G. D. Elphick.                      

Visitors to R.A.F. Harrowbeer included :-   

          Air Vice Marshal Orlebar  AFC     

          Squadron Leader H. S. Bell  

          Major P. B. Frazer  -  Headquarters No.10 Group

          Wing Commander C. Walters  MBE

          Major General Morgan  -  Division Command

                                                From  the  Station  O.R.B.  

26th  August     At 1730 hours there was a Defence Conference held at Headquarters with representatives of the Infantry Defence Company and Home Guard. 

31st  August      Station Exercise was held commencing at 0830 hours.

                           At 1003 hours the first aircraft landed on the Airfield piloted by Wing Commander C. Walter  MBE.

                                    Station  information  from  other  sources

                                              Archivist  -  Michael  Hayes

18th August     R.A.F. Harrowbeer had it's baptism of enemy fire today.  At 2255 hours a JU88A - 5,  7T + BL of 3 / KG 606 which was attacked by a local Anti-Aircraft Gun emplacement, bringing down the aircraft which was seen to crash at Gawton Wood, Bere Alston.  The entire crew were killed.

                              At the end of August 1941 ( date not recorded ) there was an official visit by the Inspector General for Aerodromes .  R.A.F. Station Harrowbeer was given the " All Clear " and able to receive it's first Squadrons.

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     Copies of the Station and Squadron Operation Record Books are kept at the 

                " R.A.F. Harrowbeer Archives, Educational and Heritage Centre "  

                            and are available for viewing by appointment.

        Telephone :- 01822 853679     or      Email :- knightstonetea@yahoo.co.uk

                                              Michael  Hayes  -  Archivist team is dedicated to preserving the unique character of these homes while making them comfortable and functional for modern living.