RAF Hurn


 * For the civil use of this facility after 1944, see Bournemouth Airport

RAF Hurn is a former World War II airfield in Dorset, England. The airfield is located approximately 4 mi north east of Christchurch; about 90 mi southwest of London

Opened in 1941, it was used by both the Royal Air Force and United States Army Air Forces. During the war it was used primarily as a transport and fighter airfield.

Since 1969, it has been called Bournemouth Airport, although some still refer to it as Hurn.

USAAF use
Hurn was known as USAAF Station AAF-492 for security reasons by the USAAF during the war, and by which it was referred to instead of location. It's USAAF Station Code was "KU".

422d Night Fighter Squadron
On 28 June 1944, Northrup P-61 Black Widow night fighters of the 422d Night Fighter Squadron arrived from RAF Scorton, where their crews had been tutored in this particular aspect of air combat by the RAF. The detachment commenced operational flying on 3 July only to return to Scorton a week later.

397th Bombardment Group
On 5 August the 397th Bombardment Group arrived from RAF Rivenhall, equipped with Martin B-26 Marauders. The group consisted of the following operational squadrons:


 * 596th Bombardment Squadron (X2)
 * 597th Bombardment Squadron (9F)
 * 598th Bombardment Squadron (U2)
 * 599th Bombardment Squadron (6B)

The group's identification marking was a yellow diagonal band across both sides of the vertical tailplane. It moved the Advanced Landing Ground at Gorges, France, (A-26) on 19 August

The airfield was closed by the RAF in October 1944 and turned over for civil use.