RAF Clyffe Pypard, Wiltshire

RAF Clyffe Pypard was one of the early WW2 airfields. Designed and built purely for training purposes. The ground was picked, and then the planners laid out the flying field, the hangar area with the communal area. Then the barracks followed on behind.

• Hangars: Four Bellman steel hangars in a group and fifteen Blister hangars, placed around the perimeter.

In 1941, there was still the chance of an invasion, so a comprehensive defence system was added, with a Battle HQ, pillboxes, and light anti-aircraft guns spaced out around the flying field.

• Accommodation: Wooden huts
• Communal and Technical Huts: Temporary Brick (TB)

• Initial Aircraft: DH Tiger Moths
• Later Monoplanes: Magisters
• Post-War: Austers

A new pilot would turn up at the main gate after arriving from Wootton Basset railway station, book in, and be sent to his accommodation. From there to the training huts and then an air experience flight with an instructor. Gradually, he (and they were usually all men then) would learn the art of flying, navigation, weather, etc., to be classed as either a fighter, bomber, or transport pilot.

• Opened: August 1941 as No. 29 EFTS (Elementary Flying Training School)
• Airfield Type: Grass
• Closed: 1947

But the accommodation was used until the 1960s by RAF Lyneham as a transit camp, and the Army also used it for battle practice.

Photo taken in 1946.

History & Purpose

RAF Clyffe Pypard was used throughout the war for pilot training with DH Tiger Moths. Its main role in World War Two was as a training airfield for Number 29 ETFS.

• Opened: 1941
• Operating Company: Messrs. Marshall's of Cambridge

Airfield Characteristics & Operations

Although the airfield had only grass landing surfaces, there was a concrete perimeter track. In 1942, the airfield was expanded in size by 30%. Despite this, the training program was so busy that other airfields, such as RAF Alton Barnes & Manningford RLG, had to be used for courses.

Staffing

Being run by Marshall's of Cambridge, this meant a lot of the staff were civilian instructors with the RAF running the camp and administration.

• 8 - Workshops - TB - 9031/40 & 9037/40.
• 13 - AMWD Works. - TB - .
• 20 - Link Trainer Building 2 Units - TB - 7790/40.
• 21 - Link Trainer Building 1 Unit - TB - 7790/40.
• 24 - Gas Chamber - TB - 9032/40.
• 30 - Station Office - TB - 9032/40.
• 31 - Guard House - TB - 9032/40.
• 32 - Fire Tender Garage - TB - 9032/40.
• 34 - Air Raid Shelter for 30 - PB - Local design.
• 35 - Air Raid Shelter for 30 - PB - Local design.
• 36 - Cycle Shelter.
• 37 - Grocery and Local Produce Store - TB - 9032/40.
• 40 - Institute & Sergeants' Mess & NAAFI Qtrs. - TB - 9024/40 & CP115.
• 108 - Air Raid Shelter for 30 - PB - Local design.

TB - Temporary Brick construction. PB - Permanent Brick.

• 30 - Station Office - TB - 9032/40
• 31 - Guard House - TB - 9032/40

Looking back at the entrance. The guard room on the left and the station office on the right.

Between the guard room and the last remaining Bellman hangar was another Bellman, the Armoury, Works Dept. store, several air raid shelters, boiler house, dope shop, etc.

There were four runways marked out in the grass. One nearest to the watch office had electric lights; others used gooseneck flares. As it was getting dark, these would be laid out on both sides of the runway in use and filled with paraffin; the wick would then be lit. A horrible job for an Erck to do; he would stink of paraffin afterwards. Also, if there was an air raid, all the lights had to be extinguished. That meant going around and replacing the small cap over each hot wick.

• 14: Temporary Airmen's Married Qtrs 2No. - 9033/40.
• 27: M.T. Petrol Installation 5,000gal. - 4619/40.
• 36: Cycle Shelter.
• 38: Barbers', Tailors' & Shoemakers' Shop - 9032/40.
• 39: Dining Room Civilian & RAF for 552 - 9024/40+FTCW272/41.
• 94: Sub-Station-Metal - Brick blast wall (better known as an M&E Plinth).

To the right side:

• 8: Workshops - TB - 9030/40+FTCW277/43.
• 9: Main Store - TB - 13043/40.
• 11: Parachute Store - TB - 17865/39.
• 17: Link Trainer Building - 2 units - TB - 7790/40.
• 18: Gas Clothing & Respirator Store - TB - 9032/40.
• 22: Bulk Petrol Installation 20,000gal (SD type) - PB - 10946/40.
• 23: Bulk Petrol Installation 25,000gal - Puddled clay - 11270/40.
• 25: M.T. Sheds 15bay - TB - 9026/40.
• 26: M.T. Offices - TB - 9026/40.
• 27: M.T. Petrol Installation - 5,000gal. - P. Clay - 4619/40.
• 28: Technical Latrine Female - TB - 9032/40.
• 105: Air Raid Shelter for 50 - PB - Local.
• 106: Library for Hunt Trainer Building reused - N - 7202/43.
• 107: Boiler House for Dope Shop in Workshops - TB - FTCW/277/43.
• 108: Air Raid Shelter for 50 - PB - Local.

• PB: Permanent Brick.
• TB: Temporary Brick.
• St: Steel.
• N: Nissen.

The air photo is not very clear. Sport and fitness were taken seriously. One hangar was a gymnasium, and a football field was also added.

In 1942, army glider pilots were trained for future use in the up and coming invasions of Africa & Europe using Tiger Moths. By 1943, Manningford RLG was also used as an Emergency Landing Ground (ELG). Around this date, Tiger Moths were increased to 108, and the Magisteres were withdrawn. In 1944, the Royal Navy used Clyffe Pypard with No. 1 Naval Grading Course.

• 9 - Main Store - TB - 13043/40.
• The centre section from the front.
• The main office.

9 - Main Store - TB - 13043/40.

East side, passage with stores & offices either side.

• 25: M.T. Sheds 15bay - TB - 9026/40.
• 26: M.T. Offices - TB - 9026/40.
• 27: M.T. Petrol Installation - 5,000gal. - P. Clay - 4619/40.

There was another M.T. shed opposite that mirrored this one but had an office in one end.

• 25: M.T. Sheds 15-bay – TB – 9026/40
• 26: M.T. Offices – TB – 9026/40
• 27: M.T. Petrol Installation – 5,000 gal. – P. Clay – 4619/40

Individual parking bays had earth floors and concrete lanes for the tyres. Each bay was numbered (inset).

• 25: M.T. Sheds 15-bay - TB - 9026/40
• 26: M.T. Offices - TB - 9026/40
• 27: M.T. Petrol Installation - 5,000 gal. - P. Clay - 4619/40

Individual parking bay with earth floors and concrete lanes for the tyres.

Original Installations

• 25 - M.T. Sheds 15bay - TB - 9026/40.
• 26 - M.T. Offices - TB - 9026/40.
• 27 - M.T. Petrol Installation - 5,000gal. - P. Clay - 4619/40.

Current Status

A new barn has been placed over where the other MT shed & office stood.

Glossary

• P. Clay: Puddled clay. Set in clay.

• Number: 96
• Type: MG Range
• Distance: 25yds
• Reference: PB
• Document References: 2904/36 & 3292/39

Purpose and Historical Context

Why a rifle range? Back in 1912, at the start of the Royal Flying Corps, all men were soldiers and had to fire a rifle. By the outbreak of WW1, all airmen were armed, and some had to sleep under the aircraft to guard them with their rifles. By WW2, with the formation of the RAF, aircraft and airfields had to be defended. Although the Battle of Britain was won, there was still the threat of invasion, and by 1941, defences were starting to be built on most airfields. Consequently, the airmen needed to be able to handle a rifle and defend their airfield.

Other uses for the range were to fire the machine guns to ensure they were operational and also to give airmen machine gun experience.

• 96
• M.G. Range 25yds
• PB
• 2904/36&3292/39

There were so many aircraft on these ETFSs that they needed three hangars; the fourth they used as a gymnasium. There were also fifteen Blister hangars where aircraft could be lightly serviced and stored for the night. If hangarage was not available, aircraft were picketed out by either tying them to a screw picket or a concrete weight.

• 1: Hangar Bellman (St - 8349/37&CP128).
• 2: Hangar Bellman (St - 8349/37&CP128).
• 3: Hangar Bellman (St - 8349/37&CP128).
• 4: Hangar Used as Gymnasium Bellman (St - 8349/37&CP128).
• (3): Flight Office (TB - 9031/40). (seems an error in the plan.)
• 5: Flight Office & C.F.I. Clerical Staff (TB - 9031/40).
• 6: Locker Room & Battery charging room (9031/40&3037/40). (again an error, I think 6 are the three sheds by hangar 4).
• 7: Temporary Airmen's Married Qtrs 2of. (TB - 9031/40&3037/40).
• 16: Fire Tender Shed (TB - 9032/40).
• 15: Watch Office (TB - 9036/40&CP111).
• 98: 2 pdr. AA Ammunition Store 5,000 rounds (Concrete - 9895/39).
• ST: Steel construction.

• 1 - Hangar Bellman - St - 8349/37&CP128.
• 2 - Hangar Bellman - St - 8349/37&CP128.
• 3 - Hangar Bellman - St - 8349/37&CP128.

The area of three of the hangars.

Living site.

Building Details

• Building Numbers: 39
  • Description: Dining Room, Civilian & RAF for 552
  • Construction Type: TB
  • References: 9024/40 & FTCW272/41
• Building Numbers: 40
  • Description: Institute, Sergeants' Mess & NAAFI Quarters
  • Construction Type: TB
  • References: 9025/40 & CP115
• Building Numbers: 41
  • Description: Ration Store & Cooling Room
  • Construction Type: TB
  • References: 9024/40 & CP117g
• Building Numbers: 42 to 46
  • Description: Barrack Block for 1 NCO & 47 Airmen (90' x 18'). These are all two huts added together to make one large hut.
  • References: 9023/40
• Building Numbers: 47
  • Description: Officers' Dining Hall (converted airmen's Barracks)
  • Structure Type: 2 x Huts
  • References: 9023/40
• Building Numbers: 48 to 53
  • Description: Temporary Married Airmen's Quarters
  • References: 9023/40
• Building Numbers: 54
  • Description: Airmen's Ablutions & Latrine Block
  • Construction Type: TB
  • References: 9023/40 & FTCW194
• Building Numbers: 56
  • Description: Showers & Drying Room, Sergeants' & Airmen's (18 showers)
  • Construction Type: TB
  • References: 9023/40
• Building Numbers: 57
  • Description: Sergeants' Quarters for 19 (60' x 18')
  • Construction Type: Laing
  • References: 12292/40
• Building Numbers: 58
  • Description: Cycle Shelter
  • Construction Type: None
  • References: None
• Building Numbers: 59, 91, 92, 109, 110, 111, 115, 116, 117, 118
  • Description: Air Raid Shelters
  • Construction Type: PB
  • References: Local
• Building Numbers: 60 to 65
  • Description: Civilian & Airmen's Barrack Huts
  • Construction Type: "Y"Hut
  • References: 9023/40
• Building Numbers: 66
  • Description: Ablutions
  • Construction Type: TB
  • References: 9023/40
• Building Numbers: 67
  • Description: Male Civilians' Bath House & Ablutions
  • Construction Type: TB
  • References: 9023/40
• Building Numbers: 68
  • Description: Civilian Institute for 267
  • Construction Type: "Y"Hut
  • References: 9022/40
• Building Numbers: 69 to 72
  • Description: Civilian & Sergeants' Quarters (60' x 18')
  • Construction Type: "Y"Hut
  • References: 12292/40
• Building Numbers: 73
  • Description: Female Civilian Ablutions
  • Construction Type: TB
  • References: 9023/40
• Building Numbers: 75 & 76
  • Description: Male Civilian Quarters (60' x 18')
  • Construction Type: Laing
  • References: 12292/40
• Building Numbers: 77
  • Description: Sick Quarters for 5 ORs & 1 Officer (5+1 beds)
  • Construction Type: TB
  • References: 9027/40 & CP99
• Building Numbers: 78
  • Description: Ambulance Garage & Mortuary
  • Construction Type: TB
  • References: 9027/40
• Building Numbers: 79
  • Description: Gas Decontamination Centre
  • Construction Type: TB
  • References: 10397/40 & 14016/40
• Building Numbers: 83
  • Description: Officers' Mess for 31
  • Construction Type: TB
  • References: 9020/40
• Building Numbers: 84 to 88
  • Description: Officers' Quarters for 8 (70' x 18')
  • Construction Type: "Y"Hut
  • References: 9021/40
• Building Numbers: 89
  • Description: Officers' Bath House & Servants' Ablutions, Latrines
  • Construction Type: TB
  • References: 9021/40
• Building Numbers: 90
  • Description: Servants' Dormitory & Workroom
  • Construction Type: TB
  • References: 9021/40
• Building Numbers: 99
  • Description: Old Water Res. Farm
• Building Numbers: 100
  • Description: High Level Water Tank (60,000 gal)
  • Construction Type: St
  • References: 17233/39
• Building Numbers: 101 to 104
  • Description: Static Water Tanks (20,000 gal)
  • Construction Type: PB
  • References: 4100/40

Construction Type Definitions

• PB: Permanent Brick.
• TB: Temporary Brick.
• St: Steel.
• "Y" Hut: A wooden type hut.
• Laing: A type of plaster board & tarred paper hut.

The round plate looks like part of a scaffolding-type handrail, the only one of which used here would be in the 79 - Gas Decontamination Centre - TB - 10392/40+14016/40.

The British were geared up pre-war for a gas attack. All civilians were issued gas masks, as were even working horses. The military had specialist buildings to deal with casualties.

On larger airfields, a four-entrance type would be used; a three-entrance type on smaller ones, and even a two-entrance type on the smallest.

• 79 - Gas Decontamination Centre - TB - 10392/40+14016/40.
• 100 - High Level Water Tank 60,000gal - St - 17233/39.

Water Supply

I remember seeing a high-level Braithwaite water tower many years ago as a kid when I passed by it. I also remember the black wooden huts.

• ID: 133
  • Name: Battle Headquarters
  • Material: Brick & concrete
  • Reference: 11008/41
• ID: 134
  • Name: Mushroom Pillbox MkII Oakington
  • Material: Brick & concrete
  • Reference: 9882/41

133 - Battle Headquarters. - Brick & concrete - 11008/41.
134 - Mushroom Pillbox MkII Oakington - Brick & concrete - 9882/41.

133 - Battle Headquarters. - Brick & concrete - 11008/41.

Entrance steps down to the BHQ. Battle Headquarters, made of brick construction, with a large concrete cupola on top. A 360° viewing slit allowed full coverage of the airfield surface.

By 1940, with an invasion imminent, the ground defence of an airfield was imperative. The Germans, in France, Belgium, and later in Crete, had landed paratroopers onto airfields to capture them. So the Air Ministry decided that a full defence scheme must be in place.

The BHQ was the centre of any defence. It was manned by the Officer Commanding the camp and a picked crew consisting of a Warrant Officer, a signals man & several runners. The BHQ would be wired into the camp electrics and the phone system PBX (Private Branch Exchange).

Manned on a call from RAF HQ, all staff would rush out to the BHQ, with airmen and any defence troops heading to pillboxes. There would also be a plan in place for what to do with aircraft. If and when paratroopers were seen, the commander would order attacks via the PBX phone system; if that did not work, runners would be sent out. They would probably use bicycles to get around. All RAF staff would be armed, and civilian staff would probably have a plan and would congregate in a safe area. First, there would have been a glider/parachute assault, and then follow-up troops in transport aircraft would land and discharge their troops and cargo.

This was still happening around D-Day 1944, as a preemptive attack by paratroops was thought possible.

Plan - Battle Headquarters - Brick & concrete - 11008/41

• Designation: 133
• Type: Battle Headquarters
• Construction: Brick & concrete
• Reference: 11008/41

Inside corridor with the toilet at the far end.

• Item: 133
• Type: Battle Headquarters
• Material: Brick & concrete
• Reference: 11008/41
• Location Detail: Under the cupola

• Identifier: 133
• Name: Battle Headquarters
• Construction: Brick & concrete
• Reference: 11008/41

Escape from the BHQ.

• Reference Number: 134
• Type: Mushroom Pillbox MkII
• Location: Oakington
• Materials: Brick & concrete
• Plan/Reference: 9882/41

• 134
• Mushroom Pillbox MkII Oakington
• Brick & concrete
• 9882/41

Entrance into the pillbox.

• Block ID: 154
• Type & Location: Mushroom Pillbox MkII Oakington
• Construction: Brick & concrete
• Reference: 9882/41

Another Oakington pillbox in the far hedge. I think there are about three left here. The area around the pillboxes would have been cleared to allow a 360° view of the area.

War Artist Eric Ravilious (1903 - 1942)

He served as a war artist, and was the first British war artist to die on active service in World War II when the aircraft he was in was lost off Iceland.

Aircraft and Location

DH.82A Tiger Moth Z-4749 over Wiltshire. These pictures could have been painted at RAF Yatesbury.

RAF Training Program and Facilities

The RAF training program was structured thus:

• Initial Training School (ITS): three months
• Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS): two months
• Service Flying Training School (SFTS): four months
• Operational Training Unit (OTU): two months

Each flight would have around 18 aircraft. There were five small flight huts dotted around the perimeter and two larger ones by the hangars to accommodate the Chief Flying Instructors (CFI) and his staff.

Aircraft History: De Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth T6638

• MSN: 84952
• Taken on charge as T6638 at 51 MU RAF Lichfield, Staffordshire 02.09.41.
• To 29 EFTS RAF Clyffe Pypard, Wooton Bassett, Wiltshire 11.09.41.
• Written off when collided with Tiger Moth T7459 and crashed at Clyffe Pypard, Wiltshire 13.10.41.
• Crew:
  • Sergeant H T Weller-Poley (Instructor) (survived but injured)
  • Leading Aircraftsman A T Batman (Pilot Under Training) (survived but injured)
• Struck off charge 21.10.41 as FACE (Flying Accident Cat. E).
• Source: Aviation Safety Network

War Artist Eric Ravilious 1903 - 1942.

He served as a war artist, and was the first British war artist to die on active service in World War II when the aircraft he was in was lost off Iceland.

DH.82A Tiger Moth Z-4749 over Wiltshire. These pictures could have been painted at RAF Yatesbury.

The RAF training program was structured thus:

• Initial Training School (ITS): three months
• Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS): two months
• Service Flying Training School (SFTS): four months
• Operational Training Unit (OTU): two months

Each flight would have around 18 aircraft. There were five small flight huts dotted around the perimeter and two larger ones by the hangars to accommodate the Chief Flying Instructor (CFI) and his staff.

History: De Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth

• MSN: 84952
• Taken on charge: as T6638 at 51 MU RAF Lichfield, Staffordshire 02.09.41
• To: 29 EFTS RAF Clyffe Pypard, Wooton Bassett, Wiltshire 11.09.41
• Written off: when collided with Tiger Moth T7459 and crashed at Clyffe Pypard, Wiltshire 13.10.41
• Crew: Sergeant H T Weller-Poley (Instructor) and Leading Aircraftsman A T Batman (Pilot Under Training) survived but were injured
• Struck off charge: 21.10.41 as FACE (Flying Accident Cat. E)
• Source: Aviation Safety Network