Exeter Aerodrome was established in 1937 to link Exeter to Commercial Airline networks but with the outbreak of WWII, Exeter was commandeered as a class 1 Fighter Command Station as RAF Exeter Clyst Honiton. Today, there is little to see to remind us of the importance Exeter played in the war effort which this month’s speaker, Chris Wiseman, kept the memory alive for Teignmouth Probus Club members with an illustrated talk covering the War years and particularly the 1941 to 1943 activities of the Polish 307 Squadron called ‘Eagle Owls’ as it was a night fighter squadron named after the Polish city of Lwow (now part of Ukraine as Lviv).  The Polish 307 Squadron helped to defend Exeter during the Baedeker Raids of 3rd & 4th May 1941 when 30 enemy bombers attacked the City causing 265 deaths and 587 injuries.

The wartime effort started with research for for Royal Aircraft Establishment Farnborough working with Exeter University and the Gunnery Research Unit. It soon became a full Fighter Command Station  

serving many wartime service units, Fleet Air Arm, Coastal Command, Polish Airforce, Czechoslovak Air Force, and later in 1944, for D Day by USAAF and Royal Canadian Air Forces. The airfield returned to civilian use in 1947 becoming Exeter Airport again. To read more about the history visit https://rafexeter.co.uk/a-history

The favourite wartime pub was the George & Dragon at Clyst St George where there is a small memorial plaque dedicated to the war effort of RAF Exeter. The City of Exeter also celebrates the memory of the 307 Squadron Polish Air Force on the 15th November each year with a flag-raising service at Exeter Guild Hall.

An enthusiastic Vote of Thanks was given by member Group Captain Gordon Evans DL, a former RAF pilot.

To complete our 2024 programme, members partners and friends celebrated the Christmas spirit with a luncheon hosted by Trade Winds Teignmouth.

 

Posted by Press Officer Rick Purnell