|
|
|
|
|
|
The hangars and terminal building/hotel were all painted up in camouflage colours during the war.
The photograph opposite is a rare picture of the Croydon Control Tower with camouflage netting on it.
Extensions, such as a small ground floor on the air-side of the terminal building were added during this period, which can also be seen in lighter colours in the picture.
The rubble, scaffolding and building
materials, at the bottom of the picture suggest either the addition of the ground floor
extension, or repairs being carried out after a raid.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A brief history of wartime movements at Croydon.
There was little doubt that Hitler was building his air power undercover, by using civil aviation. Towards the end of the 1930s the mechanical and administrative staffs of Lufthansa quadrupled, Airport staff noticed that flights by Lufthansa, the German civil airline, were being used as training missions, and many passengers on Lufthansa flights were Luftwaffe pilots out of uniform. At night the Germans, along with extra crews, would take off in total darkness, taking the chance to practice night flying. Also whenever bad weather conditions gave them the chance, Lufthansa pilots flew reconnaissance missions over RAF airfields at Biggin Hill and Kenley after leaving Croydon.
During the Munich crisis of 1938 the sole defence of Croydon consisted of one gunner subaltern, one gun and six men. Also for some unknown reason some trenches were dug between the terminal building and the hotel. All of these defences could of course be reported on by the German employees as they were implemented.
After the Munich crisis the Lufthansa staff could continue as they had done previously.
When the outbreak of war became imminent, Croydon's runways hummed with the tyres of planes ferrying English people home from the Continent. Tickets to Croydon at one time reached £20 in France, five times the usual fare. The atmosphere between the Germans and other nationalities at Croydon was friendly right up to the departure of the last Lufthansa flight, a Ju 52 on 31st August 1939. The Imperial Airways fleet of aircraft was dispersed to Whitchurch and Exeter just before war was declared.
All the civilian aircraft flew out of Croydon on Friday 1st September.
The first weekend of September 1939, saw the biggest changes the airport ever saw, its transformation into a military aerodrome within 48 hours. Military aircraft from the RAF were parked in hangars used by Air France, KLM and Sabena only days before.
On the morning of Saturday 2nd September, Gloster Gladiators of No. 615 (County of Surrey) Auxiliary Squadron arrived. Shortly afterwards they were joined by Hurricanes of No. 3 Sqd from Biggin Hill who took over the two southern hangars previously used by Sabena, Air France and KLM. Further Hurricanes from No. 17 Sqd arrived before the day was ended.
No. 3 Sqd flew its first operational scramble of the war the day after war was declared.
Before the end of the month No. 17 Squadron moved to Debden, and on 10th October, No. 145 re-formed at Croydon as a day and night fighter squadron, equipped with Bristol Blenheims.
The next aircraft to arrive were Gladiators from No. 607 (County of Durham) Sqd. Two days later they departed with No. 615 for Merville, France as part of the air component of the British Expeditionary Force.
No. 3 Squadron moved to Hawkinge the following month and its replacement was the newly formed 92 Sqd from Tangmere, and their Blemheims which were replaced with Spitfire Mk. Is the following March.
Also in March, No. 145 Sqd began to convert to Hurricane Mk. Is, and on becoming operational with them moved to Filton, Bristol in May 1940. The same month No. 92 Sqd (which had provided a detachment at Gatwick during its period at Croydon) moved to Northolt. No. 501 Sqd re-assembled at Croydon on 21st May, after its withdrawal from France on the 18th.
On the 22nd, 607 Sqd arrived after its evacuation from France, unfortunately the unit had lost most of its aircraft, and a few days later moved on to Usworth. In July, after re-equipping this squadron moved to Middle Wallop.
In June and July No. 1 Royal Canadian Air Force Squadron began to arrive and were given a hangar for their Hurricanes. The same month No. 111 Sqd from North Weald arrived to recover its strength, after being heavily engaged in patrols over France.
|
|
|
|
|
