The former RAF base just over the Cambridgeshire border hosted an American musician’s final concert, before being returned to agricultural use
The East of England is dotted with former RAF bases, many of which no longer serve their original purpose. Instead, they have been repurposed for agricultural use or development.
One such base is RAF Kings Cliffe, located just a few miles beyond the Cambridgeshire border on Wansford Road. Construction of the airfield began in 1940, and by October 1941, it was operational as a satellite to RAF Wittering, situated roughly five miles away.
In the early stages of the war, the base was primarily used by the RAF, hosting squadrons from Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and New Zealand. It later became a USAAF base, housing bomber units transferred there in December 1942.
Airmen stationed at the base were accommodated in the nearby Bedford Purlieus wood, making them less of a target. The remnants of some of these buildings can still be seen in the woodland, which is now a popular spot for walks.
Bomber squadrons based at Kings Cliffe targeted key locations across the continent, including airfields, railway lines, bridges, barracks, and radio stations. One fighter squadron, the 20th, earned the nickname ‘Loco Group’ due to their proficiency in striking locomotives.
The airbase also holds historical significance as the venue for the final concert performed by renowned American musician and USAAF officer Glenn Miller on 3 October 1944. Miller and two others perished at sea when their plane crashed into the English Channel en route to France on 15 December that same year.
Following an official investigation, their plane was declared lost and the three men were pronounced dead. A memorial in honour of Miller was subsequently erected near the Kings Cliffe base.
Post-war, the airfield resumed its role under RAF control for armament storage. It was eventually sold and repurposed for agriculture in January 1959.
However, a memorial commemorating the base still stands on Wansford Road to this day.
