RAF Upottery
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
RAF Upottery (also known as Smeatharpe) is a former Royal Air Force station in East Devon, England. The airfield is located near the village of Upottery, approximately 6 miles (9.7 km) north-northeast of the town of Honiton.
RAF Upottery USAAF Station AAF-462 | |
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Located Near Honiton, Devon, England | |
Coordinates | 50°53′02″N 003°09′10″W |
Type | Royal Air Force station |
Code | UO |
Site information | |
Owner | Air Ministry |
Controlled by | United States Army Air Forces United States Navy |
Site history | |
Built | 1943 |
In use | 1944-1948 |
Battles/wars | European Theatre of World War II Air Offensive, Europe July 1942 - May 1945 |
Garrison information | |
Garrison | Ninth Air Force Fleet Air Wing 7 |
Occupants | 439th Troop Carrier Group Patrol Bomber Squadrons 107th and 112th |
Opened in 1944, it was used by the Royal Air Force, United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) and United States Navy. During the war it was used primarily as a transport airfield and for antisubmarine patrols. It was closed in 1948 after the end of the war and today the remains of the airfield are located on private property being used as agricultural fields.
Upottery received much attention in 2001 when it appeared in the first episode of the television mini-series Band of Brothers. It was from Upottery that Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division boarded Douglas C-47 transports and made their first combat jump into Normandy on 6 June 1944.