View source for RAF Kenley

{{Short description|Former Royal Air Force flying base in Surrey, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2013}}
{{more citations needed|date=February 2013}}
{{Infobox military installation
| name = RAF Kenley
| ensign = [[File:Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg|90px]]
| ensign_size = 
| native_name = 
| partof = <!-- for elements within a larger site -->
| location = [[Kenley]], [[Croydon]], [[Greater London]]
| nearest_town = <!-- used in military test site infobox -->
| country = England
| image = Royal Air Force Fighter Command, 1939-1945. CH6345.jpg
| alt = Supermarine Spitfire Mk V of No. 350 (Belgian) Squadron at RAF Kenley during the Second World War.
| caption = [[Supermarine Spitfire (early Merlin-powered variants)|Supermarine Spitfire Mk V]] of [[350th Squadron (Belgium)|No. 350 (Belgian) Squadron]] at RAF Kenley during the [[Second World War]].
| image2 = [[File:Raf kenley badge.png|100px]]
| alt2 = RAF Kenley badge
| caption2 = {{Language with name/for|la|Nisi dominus pro nobis|We depend on the Lord|break=yes}}
| type = Royal Air Force station
| coordinates = {{coord|51|18|13|N|000|05|42|W|region:GB_type:airport|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_map = Greater London#UK
| pushpin_map_caption = Shown within Greater London
| pushpin_label = RAF Kenley
| pushpin_label_position = 
| ownership = [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] (MOD)
| operator = [[Royal Air Force]]
| controlledby = [[No. 22 Group RAF|No. 22 Group]]
| open_to_public = <!-- for out of use sites/sites with museums etc -->
| site_other_label = <!-- for renaming "Other facilities" in infobox -->
| site_other = <!-- for other sorts of facilities – radar types etc -->  
| site_area = 49 hectares<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/33240/DEDP09_annex_a.pdf|title=Defence Estates Development Plan (DEDP) 2009 – Annex A|date=3 July 2009|website=GOV.UK|publisher=Ministry of Defence|page=49|access-date=5 July 2018}}</ref>
| code = KE{{sfn|Falconer|2012|p=120}}
| built = {{Start date|1917}}
| used = 1917 – 1959<br />1959 - 
| builder = Constable, Hart & Co Ltd
| materials = 
| height = <!-- height of tallest part, not above sea level -->
| length = <!-- for border fences or other DMZs -->
| fate = Retained by the MOD and used for gliding, some parts of airfield sold for residential redevelopment.
| condition = Open
| battles = [[European theatre of World War II]]
| events = 
| current_commander = <!-- current commander -->
| past_commanders = <!-- past notable commander(s) -->
| garrison = <!-- such as the 25th Bombardment Group -->
| occupants = [[Volunteer Gliding Squadron|No. 615 Volunteer Gliding Squadron]]
| website = 
| footnotes = <!-- catchall in case it's needed to preserve something in infobox that doesn't work in new code -->
<!-- begin airfield information  -->
| IATA = 
| ICAO = EGKN
| FAA = 
| TC = 
| LID = 
| GPS = 
| WMO = 03781
| elevation = {{Convert|160|m|0}}{{sfn|Falconer|2012|p=120}}
| r1-number = NE/SW
| r1-length = {{Convert|1130|m|0}}
| r1-surface = [[Concrete]]
| r2-number = NW/SE
| r2-length = {{Convert|770|m|0}}
| r2-surface = Concrete
| h1-number = 
| h1-length = <!-- {{Convert| |m|0}} -->
| h1-surface = 
| airfield_other_label = <!-- for renaming "Other facilities" in infobox -->
| airfield_other = <!-- for other sorts of airfield facilities -->
<!--  end airfield information   -->
}}
'''Royal Air Force Kenley''', more commonly known as '''RAF Kenley''', is a former [[List of former Royal Air Force stations|station]] of the [[Royal Flying Corps]] in the [[First World War]] and the [[Royal Air Force|RAF]] in the [[Second World War]]. It played a significant role during the [[Battle of Britain]] as one of the three RAF stations specifically tasked with the defence of London. It is located near [[Kenley]] on the edge of Greater London. The site remains in use with the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]], as '''Kenley Airfield'''.

==History==
{{Infobox UK legislation
| short_title           = Air Ministry (Heston and Kenley Aerodromes Extension) Act 1939
| type                  = Act
| parliament            = Parliament of the United Kingdom
| long_title            = An Act to provide for the acquisition by the Secretary of State for Air of certain land in Middlesex, and for the stopping up of certain highways in Middlesex and Surrey; to confirm an agreement between the Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London and the Secretary of State for Air relating to the extension of the site of Kenley Aerodrome; and for purposes connected with the matters aforesaid.
| year                  = 1939
| citation              = [[2 & 3 Geo. 6]]. c. 59
| introduced_commons    = 
| introduced_lords      = 
| territorial_extent    = 
| royal_assent          = 4 August 1939
| commencement          = 
| expiry_date           = 
| repeal_date           = 
| amends                = 
| replaces              = 
| amendments            = 
| repealing_legislation = 
| related_legislation   = 
| status                = 
| legislation_history   = 
| theyworkforyou        = 
| millbankhansard       = 
| original_text         = 
| revised_text          = 
| use_new_UK-LEG        = 
| UK-LEG_title          = 
| collapsed             = yes
}}
RAF Kenley was a frontline operation military airfield between 1917 and 1959 when [[RAF Fighter Command]] left the aerodrome. Originally built for the [[Royal Flying Corps]] in the [[World War I|First World War]], it was radically rebuilt in August 1939 under authority of the '''{{visible anchor|Air Ministry (Heston and Kenley Aerodromes Extension) Act 1939}}''' ([[2 & 3 Geo. 6]]. c. 59) in preparation for future operation of new aircraft, such as the [[Hawker Hurricane]], [[Supermarine Spitfire]] and [[Bristol Blenheim]]. Unsuitable hangars from the First World War were demolished, and two concrete runways were built, plus perimeter track, [[blast pen]]s, increased storage for fuels and oils, and a dedicated armoury. Construction was largely completed in early 1940.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kenleyrevival.org/content/history/raf-kenley/1917-present/raf-kenley-1917-1938 |title=RAF Kenley 1917-1939 |website=Kenley Revival|access-date=7 December 2020}}</ref>

===Second World War===

RAF Kenley was one of the three main fighter stations (Kenley, [[Croydon Airport|Croydon]] and [[RAF Biggin Hill|Biggin Hill]]) responsible for the air defence of [[London]] during the [[Battle of Britain]] in 1940. 

RAF Kenley suffered its worst damage in an attack on 18 August 1940. While 15&nbsp;September is considered by many to be the climax of the Battle of Britain, 18&nbsp;August is often cited as the costliest or hardest day – the British lost 68&nbsp;aircraft and the Germans lost 69. At Kenley, two of the remaining three hangars (three had been removed in 1939), other buildings and ten aircraft, including six Hurricanes, were destroyed, while six more, including a Spitfire and two Hurricanes, were damaged. The runways were also heavily cratered by the bombing. The Sector Operations Room had to be moved to an emergency location away from the airfield.

[[Hammond Innes]]' book ''[[Attack Alarm]]'', published in 1941, was based on his experiences as a [[Royal Artillery]] anti-aircraft gunner at RAF Kenley during the [[Battle of Britain]]. Innes' novels are marked by attention to accurate detail and the book contains graphic descriptions of the station and attacks on it in 1940.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kenleyrevival.org/content/history/significant-dates/attack-alarm-hammond-inness-portrait-of-kenleys-hardest-day|title=ATTACK ALARM – Hammond Innes's portrait of Kenley's Hardest Day|website=Kenley Revival|access-date=23 September 2020}}</ref>

===Squadrons===
[[File:Spitfire V 485-2.jpg|thumb|right| [[Supermarine Spitfire (early Merlin-powered variants)|Spitfire Mk. Vbs]] of [[No. 485 Squadron RNZAF]] at RAF Kenley in 1941]]
The following units were based at RAF Kenley:
{{columns-list|colwidth=40em|
* [[No. 1 Squadron RAF]] initially between 5 January and 7 April 1941 with the Hurricane I & IIA before returning on 1 June and staying until 14 June 1941.{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=23}}
* [[No. 3 Squadron RAF]] between 10 May 1934 and October 1935 with the Bulldog II/IIA then between 28 August 1936 and 1 May 1939 using both the [[Gloster Gladiator]] I and the Hurricane I. The squadron returned for the last time on 28 January 1940 staying until 10 May 1940 equipped with the Hurricane I.{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=24}}
* [[No. 13 Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=28}}
* [[No. 17 Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=29}}
* [[No. 23 Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=32}}
* [[No. 24 Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=32}}
* [[No. 32 Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=35}}
* [[No. 36 Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=37}}
* [[No. 39 Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=38}}
* [[No. 46 Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=40}}
* [[No. 64 Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=45}}
* [[No. 66 Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=45}}
* [[No. 80 Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=49}}
* [[No. 84 Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=50}}
* [[No. 88 Squadron RAF|No. 88 (Hong Kong) Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=51}}
* [[No. 91 Squadron RAF|No. 91 (Nigeria) Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=52}}
* [[No. 95 Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=53}}
* [[No. 108 Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=55}}
* [[No. 110 Squadron RAF|No. 110 (Hyderabad) Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=55}}
* [[No. 111 Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=56}}
* [[No. 116 Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=57}}
* [[No. 165 Squadron RAF|No. 165 (Ceylon) Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=64}}
* [[No. 207 Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=69}}
* [[No. 229 Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=74}}
* [[No. 253 Squadron RAF|No. 253 (Hyderabad State) Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=78}}
* [[No. 258 Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=79}}
* [[No. 302 Polish Fighter Squadron]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=84}}
* [[No. 312 (Czechoslovak) Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=86}}
* [[350th Squadron (Belgium)|No. 350 (Belgian) Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=88}}
* [[400 Tactical Helicopter Squadron|No. 400 Squadron RCAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=89}}
* [[401 Tactical Fighter Squadron|No. 401 Squadron RCAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=89}}
* [[402 Squadron|No. 402 Squadron RCAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=89}}
* [[403 Helicopter Operational Training Squadron|No. 403 Squadron RCAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=89}}
* [[No. 411 Squadron RCAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=90}}
* [[412 Transport Squadron|No. 412 Squadron RCAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=90}}
* [[416 Tactical Fighter Squadron|No. 416 Squadron RCAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=90}}
* [[No. 421 Squadron RCAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=91}}
* [[No. 452 Squadron RAAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=93}}
* [[No. 485 Squadron RNZAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=94}}
* [[No. 501 Squadron RAF|No. 501 (County of Gloucester) Squadron AAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=94}}
* [[No. 600 Squadron RAF|No. 600 (City of London) Squadron AAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=98}}
* [[No. 602 Squadron RAF|No. 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron AAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=98}}
* [[No. 611 Squadron RAF|No. 611 (West Lancashire) Squadron AAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=100}}
* [[No. 615 Squadron RAF|No. 615 (County of Surrey) Squadron AAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=100}}
* [[No. 616 Squadron RAF|No. 616 (South Yorkshire) Squadron AAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=100}}
* [[No. 661 Squadron AAC|No. 661 Squadron RAF]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=104}}
* [[4th Fighter Squadron]] (1942)
* [[308th Fighter Squadron]] (1942)
}}

;Other units:
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
* No. 1 Communication Squadron RAF<ref name="ABCT">{{cite web|url=https://www.abct.org.uk/airfields/airfield-finder/kenley-whyteleafe/ |title=Kenley (Whyteleafe) |publisher=[[Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust]]|access-date=4 December 2020}}</ref>
* [[No. 1 Group RAF]]
* No. 2 Mechanical Transport Storage Unit
* [[No. 6 Group RAF|No. 6 (Fighter) Group RAF]]
* No. 7 (Kenley) Aircraft Acceptance Park
* [[No. 17 Wing RAF|No. 17 (Fighter) Wing RAF]]
* [[No. 17 Sector RAF|[No. 17 (Fighter) Sector RAF]]
* [[No. 56 Elementary and Reserve Flying Training School RAF]]
* [[No. 61 Group RAF|No. 61 (Eastern) Group RAF]]
* [[No. 61 Group RAF|No. 61 (Eastern Reserve) Group RAF]]
* [[No. 61 Group RAF|No. 61 (Southern Reserve) Group RAF]]
* No. 61 Group Communication Flight RAF
* [[No. 61 Wing RAF|No. 61 Fighter Wing RAF]]
* [[No. 86 Wing RAF|No. 86 (Communications) Wing RAF]]
* [[No. 103 Wing RAF|No. 103 (Air Disarmament) Wing RAF]]
* [[No. 127 Airfield Headquarters RAF]]
* [[No. 143 Gliding School RAF]]
* [[No. 162 Gliding School RAF]]
* No. 409 Repair & Salvage Unit
* No. 419 (RCAF) Repair & Salvage Unit
* [[No. 615 Gliding School RAF]] became [[No. 615 Volunteer Gliding Squadron RAF]]
* [[No. 1335 Wing RAF Regiment]]
* [[No. 1336 Wing RAF Regiment]]
* [[No. 1957 Reserve Air Observation Post Flight RAF]]
* [[No. 1960 Reserve Air Observation Post Flight RAF]]
* [[No. 2704 Squadron RAF Regiment]]
* [[No. 2721 Squadron RAF Regiment]]
* [[No. 2729 Squadron RAF Regiment]]
* [[No. 2732 Squadron RAF Regiment]]
* [[No. 2738 Squadron RAF Regiment]]
* [[No. 2766 Squadron RAF Regiment]]
* [[No. 2820 Squadron RAF Regiment]]
* No. 3201 Servicing Commando
* No. 3207 Servicing Commando
* Fighting Area
* Kenley Aircraft Acceptance Park
* Photographic Experimental Section/Station
* [[Signals Co-operation Flight RAF]]
* Surrey Hills Gliding Club
* [[University of London Air Squadron]]
}}

===Pilots===
[[File:Kenley Sqn photo.jpg|thumb|right|[[Air Officer Commanding|AOC]] [[RAF Fighter Command]], [[Air chief marshal]] [[Hugh Dowding]] visit to [[No. 46 Squadron RAF|No. 46 Squadron]] at RAF Kenley in 1938]]
Many famous pilots served at Kenley, including the famous South African fighter ace [[Sailor Malan|'Sailor' Malan]], Group Captain P. H. 'Dutch' Hugo, [[C. W. A. Scott]] (winner of the [[MacRobertson Air Race]]) who served there with [[No. 32 Squadron RAF]] from 1923 to 1926, and the British ace [[Johnnie Johnson (RAF officer)|JE "Johnnie" Johnson]], later Air Vice-Marshal, who took over the Canadian wing at Kenley in 1943. 
P/O Arthur Gerald Donahue, 64 Squadron, flew out of Kenley. Donahue was from St. Charles, Minnesota, USA, and was one of seven Americans to fly and fight in the Battle of Britain. He was shot down 13 August 1940, and suffered burns but later returned to service. Donahue described his experiences in the book, "Tally Ho! Yankee in a Spitfire" published by Macmillan in 1941.

==Postwar==
[[File:The Battle of Britain HU70268.jpg|thumb|left|RAF aircraftmen guard the remains of a ''[[Luftwaffe]]'' [[Dornier 17]] that was  shot down during a low-level attack on RAF Kenley on 18 August 1940.]]
[[File:Officer's Mess Kenley Aerodrome 1979 - geograph.org.uk - 658040.jpg|thumb|right|Former RAF Officer's Mess at RAF Kenley Aerodrome in 1979]]
Although few of the remaining buildings survive and the [[control tower]] was demolished after a fire in 1978 along with the remaining hangar, Kenley is thought{{who|date=December 2024}} to be the best preserved of all Second World War RAF fighter stations, with the runway still in its original configuration. English Heritage (in 2000) identified Kenley as "The most complete fighter airfield associated with the Battle of Britain to have survived".{{cn|date=December 2024}} The respective councils of [[Croydon]] and [[Tandridge (district)|Tandridge]] have designated the airfield site as a [[conservation area (United Kingdom)|conservation area]] (2006).

The south-west corner, previously occupied by married quarters, has been redeveloped with modern high-density housing directly abutting the airfield (the area was excluded from the Green Belt as part of the Tandridge District Local Plan{{cn|date=December 2024}} and thus not included within the conservation area). In December 2005, the Grade II Listed former officers' mess building and surrounding land was sold to residential building developer, Comer Homes,{{cn|date=December 2024}} and having more recently suffered a fire and vandalism, its future is uncertain as is that of the [[Royal Air Forces Association]] (RAFA) Portcullis Club.

Eleven of the original 12 E-shaped [[blast pen]]s remain in part or whole, as well as the shelters for the servicing personnel. One in particular – forming the background to the RAF memorial – has been fully restored. Since 2004 these structures are protected as [[scheduled monument]]s.

Part of the former air station is preserved as a tribute to the service personnel of the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] and [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] fighter squadrons who shared the honours with the RAF. In a former aircraft parking area in one of the blast pens a memorial was unveiled on 19 August 2000. Dedicated to the Royal Air Force and allied air forces, the inscription reads "RAF Kenley Tribute in Honour of All Personnel Who Served Here 1917–1959".<ref>{{cite web |title=War Memorials Register / RAF Kenley |url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/38916 |website=Imperial War Museum |access-date=5 March 2025}}</ref>

The aerodrome was used as a location in ''[[Angels One Five]]'' (1952) and ''[[Reach for the Sky]]'' (1956),<ref>{{cite web |title=Angels One-Five / Reach for the Sky |url=https://www.reelstreets.com/films/angels-one-five/ |website=ReelStreets.com |access-date=5 March 2025}}</ref> the latter about [[Douglas Bader]] who was posted to RAF Kenley in 1930 [[No. 23 Squadron RAF]] shortly before his accident in 1931.

==Current use==
[[File:RAF Kenley.JPG|thumb|right|Aerial view of RAF Kenley]]
RAF Kenley now hosts 615 [[Volunteer Gliding Squadron]], a Unit within the RAF 2 Flying Training School (2 FTS).  RAF Kenley is classed as a government aerodrome and is regulated by the Military Aviation Authority (MAA); as such, all flying operations are governed by military regulations and safety standards.  An aerodrome operator (AO) is appointed in accordance with MAA regulations, whose role is to actively manage the aerodrome environment to ensure it is safe for the operation of aircraft, and is the focal point for all aerodrome activity. However this function is undertaken remotely by an individual within the HQ of 2 FTS at RAF Syerston.

At the foot of the memorial is inscribed the war-time quote commemorating the [[Battle of Britain]] "Never in the field of human conflict, has so much been owed by so many to so few – Winston Churchill 1942."

The airfield is next to the HQ of 450 Kenley Air Cadets.

The airfield is still in use by the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] and Surrey Hills Gliding Club for [[glider aircraft]]; however, the use of powered aircraft is currently prohibited.

==See also==

* [[List of Battle of Britain airfields]]
* [[List of Royal Air Force stations]]

==References==
===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* Peter Flint (1985), ''R.A.F. Kenley'', Terence Dalton Limited Lavenham Suffolk, {{ISBN|0-86138-036-3}}
*{{cite book |last1=Falconer|first1=Jonathan|title=RAF Airfields of World War 2 |year=2012 |publisher= Ian Allan Publishing|location= UK|isbn=978-1-85780-349-5}}
*{{cite book |last1=Jefford |first1= C.G. |title= RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912 |year=1988 |publisher= Airlife |location= [[Shrewsbury]] |isbn= 1-85310-053-6 }}

==External links==
{{Commons category|RAF Kenley}}
*[http://www.615vgs.com No. 615 Volunteer Gliding Squadron]
*[http://www.kafg.org.uk/ Kenley Airfield Friends Group]
*[https://www.kenleyrevival.org/ Kenley Revival] – heritage project
*[https://www.aidu.mod.uk/aip/pdf/ad/EGKN-Kenley-Textual.pdf UK Military Aeronautical Information Publication – Kenley (EGKN)]

{{Croydon B&S}}
{{LB Croydon}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kenley}}
[[Category:Royal Air Force stations in London]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force stations in Surrey]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force stations of World War II in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in the London Borough of Croydon]]
[[Category:History of the London Borough of Croydon]]
[[Category:Royal Flying Corps airfields]]
[[Category:Battle of Britain]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in the London Borough of Croydon]]
[[Category:Military airbases established in 1917]]