Talbenny Airfield
Talbenny airfield, one of the most westerly wartime outposts in Britain, was constructed in 1941/42.
In a beautiful but at times extremely bleak location overlooking St Bride's bay, it began its operational life as a Coastal Command station linked with its neighbour, Dale Airfield. The new airfield's radio call sign was well chosen - Blue Sea - and it was to Talbenny in June 1942 that the fighting Czechs of Number 311 Squadron flew in with their Wellington bombers.
Recently transferred to Coastal from Bomber Command, 311's crews were tasked with patrolling over the Western Approaches and into the Bay of Biscay, on convoy protection and anti-submarine patrols. Attacks on German U-boats were made and also on targets on the French coast and the squadron inevitably sustained losses. Number 311's patrols were supported by Beaufighters of two RAF squadrons which were based for short periods at Talbenny.
Aerial view of Talbenny airfield
The Czechs, flying far from their homeland, stayed for a year before moving on, and with them Talbenny's offensive role ended. However, the airfield still had a very useful part to play in the war. It became home to units tasked with ferrying aircraft to otherwar theatres. Hundreds of twin-engined Wellingtons flew out of Talbenny on dangerous flights through the Bay of Biscay, destined for distant stations.
A mixed bag of other types - including Venturas, Warwicks and Spitfires - also used the Pembrokeshire airfield for training purposes. An Armament Practice Camp was an important lodger unit, its role being to support the front line squadrons in honing their air-to-air gunnery skills.
The airfield had the classic wartime three runway layout with a central intersection. There were two T2 hangars and over 30 'frying pan' dispersal points, augmented later by concrete aprons to accommodate the large number of aircraft operating from here.
Soon after the war ended in 1945 Talbenny, like so many other airfields in Britain, became redundant and it was abandoned by the RAF and reverted to agriculture. Its hangars are long gone and in recent years work has been carried out to remove some of the hardcore of the runways and other concrete areas.
However, there are still many reminders of its brief but vital wartime role. One very poignant reminder is to be found in St Mary and Virgin church, located high on the coast. Here is a beautifully crafted Roll of Honour remembers 82 servicemen who died when flying from this RAF station in wartime. This was dedicated in September 1985 and among those attending the special church service were airmen who, over 40 years earlier, had served and flown with 311 Squadron, far from their homeland.
