Rochester Airport

Rochester City Council compulsory purchased the land for a municipal airport in 1933. Short Brothers leased the land that same year and moved some of its workers from the Seaplane Works on the Medway. Development work lead to the first four engined bomber for the RAF, the Short Stirling. In 1938, No 23 Elementary and Flying Training School RAF came to Rochester followed by No 16 Group Communications Flight, No 24 Flying Training School and No 168 Gliding School. The airport was heavily bombed by Dornier Do 17's on the 15 August 1940.

Do you have more information about this location? Inform us!

Source

• Text: Sharky Ward
• Photos: Christine Matthews (1), Royal Air Force official photographer (2)