RAF Upottery



RAF Upottery (also known as Smeatharpe) is a former World War II airfield in East Devon, England. The airfield is located approximately 6 mi north-northeast of Honiton; about 140 mi southwest of London

Opened in 1944, it was used by the Royal Air Force, United States Army Air Forces and United States Navy. During the war it was used primarily as a transport airfield and for antisubmarine patrols. After the war it was closed in 1948.

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 few episodes of the television mini-series Band of Brothers. It was from Upottery that Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, U.S. 101st Airborne Division boarded Douglas C-47 transports and made their first combat jump into Normandy on 6 June 1944.

USAAF use
Officially opened on 17 February 1944, it was known as USAAF Station AAF-462 for security reasons during the war, and by which it was referred to instead of location. It's ID code was "UO".

439th Troop Carrier Group
A few weeks later on 25 April 1944, the 439th Troop Carrier Group arrived from RAF Balderton with some 70 Douglas C-47 and C-53 Skytrain transports. The group's squadrons and fuselage codes were:


 * 91st Troop Carrier Squadron (L4)
 * 92d Troop Carrier Squadron (J8)
 * 93d Troop Carrier Squadron (3B)
 * 94th Troop Carrier Squadron (D8)

The 439th was a group of Ninth Air Force's 50th Troop Carrier Wing, IX Troop Carrier Command. On 8 September 1944, it moved to Juvincourt, France (ALG A-68).

Civil use
Upon its release from military use, the airfield was largely returned to agriculture. All three runways remain with most of the concreted areas still intact. Large numbers of loop hardstands still exist, although the perimeter track has been largely reduced to a single lane agricultural road. A few dilapidated buildings can also be seen. Part of the airfield is used by a small flying club and another section is occasionally used for stock car racing on a purpose built concrete oval, parts of it are also used for rallying, drag racing and drifting (motorsport).