Construction of the airfield at Stoney Cross began in 1942, with three concrete runways, four hangars, and other auxiliary buildings discreetly situated within the adjacent woodland. Initially used by Mustang aircraft of 239 and 26 Squadrons and Hurricanes of RAF Army Co-operation Command, the site became fully operational in June 1943, before serving as the base for 296, 297, and 299 squadrons flying Armstrong Whitworth Albemarles used for towing Airspeed Horsa gliders, which were assembled at Christchurch and Brize Norton.
296 and 297 squadrons also participated in supply drops to the French resistance and engaged in paratroop training operations in preparation for D-Day. In April 1944, the 367th Fighter Group USAAF arrived with Lockheed P38 Lightnings, while American CG-4A gliders were delivered by sea in crates and assembled on land southwest of the runways. By July, the airfield housed the 387th Bomb Group with Martin Marauders, whose missions supported advancing Allied forces in Europe until they departed in early September.
It was briefly used for repairing damaged Horsa gliders, then, in September 1944, 46, 232, and 242 squadrons of RAF Transport Command commenced operations transporting troops to India and the Far East using converted Wellingtons and Stirlings. After the war, in September 1945, a passenger and freight terminal, including Customs and Immigration offices, was established to facilitate the return of personnel from the Far East. Then, in November 1945, 156 orphaned Jewish children, survivors of the Holocaust, were flown into Stoney Cross, where they were fed before being transported to Southampton.
The last transport aircraft left in October 1946, and the airfield finally closed in 1948, with the Quonset and Nissen huts being used by New Forest District Council as temporary local authority housing for the next 10 years. The buildings were removed, and the runways were finally broken up in the 1970s, to provide hardcore for the M27 motorway.+
You can find out more information at the Friends of the New Forest Airfields (FONFA). fonfa.co.uk
