Airfield falls silent to remember Old Sarum squadrons with key role in WWII
OLD Sarum Airfield fell silent on Tuesday morning (June 10) to commemorate specialist squadrons founded during the Second World War.
Several Air Observation Post (AOP) squadrons were founded at the former RAF airfield in the early 1940s, including Squadron 653, which moved to Normandy in June 1944 and supported the Army in France and the Netherlands.
During the war, AOP squadrons flew unarmed aircraft to spot enemy targets, radioing their locations to direct artillery fire.
Veterans and serving members of the Army Air Corps watch the memorial service (Image: Spencer Mulholland) Later, in 1957, the Army Air Corps (AAC) was created from the foundations of the Glider Pilot Regiment and Air Observation Post Squadrons.
Veterans in the Air Observation Post Association were joined by past and present members of the AAC at the airfield on Tuesday to commemorate the formation of Squadron 653, 83 years on.
The AAC flew an Apache helicopter to the airfield at 10am, and the ceremony began next to a memorial dedicated to AOP squadrons an hour later.
Lieutenant General Sir Gary Coward, president of the Air Observation Post Association, served in the 653 in Germany in the early 1980s.
During the ceremony, he said: 'We are here today to commemorate the formation of 653 Squadron in June 1942; one of 12 British Air OP squadrons created during the Second World War. During that conflict, 117 members of the Air OP made the supreme sacrifice.
'Their courage was recognised by the award of two DSOs (Distinguished Service Order), five MCs (Military Cross), 132 DFCs (Distinguished Flying Cross), a DFM (Distinguished Flying Medal) and a Military Medal.
'Eighty-three years on, we will remember them.
'A number of us here today serve, and have served, in 653 Squadron, continuing the proud traditions first laid down here at Old Sarum in 1942, in Normandy in 1944 and beyond.'
An Apache helicopter landed on the grass airstrip at 10am (Image: Spencer Mulholland) He told the assembled crowd that his father-in-law had also served in the squadron in Normandy as a flight medic.
He said: 'It took a while, and a few whiskeys, to draw these memories out of him in later life.'
The service took place next to Hangar 3, a First World War structure that was badly damaged by a large fire in April.
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Sir Gary said: 'On behalf of the association, can I thank the airfield owner, Mr Grenville Hodge, and his team for allowing us to hold this event today, and for remediating the site after the tragic events of April 17.'
He also thanked the Boscombe Down Aviation Collection for supporting the event and his fellow members of the Air Observation Post Association committee.
Attendees then enjoyed a tour of the aviation collection and a buffet lunch.
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