RAF Ash

RAF Ash was a Royal Air Force station located near Sandwich, Kent, England. It operated during the Second World War and its primary function was as a radar station. It was also known as an Advanced Landing Ground (ALG), and was used by fighter squadrons primarily during the Battle of Britain and the subsequent period of offensive sweeps over occupied France.

The station was built in 1940 and consisted of a grass airfield with minimal permanent structures. Accommodation and other facilities were provided in nearby villages. Due to its location close to the English Channel, RAF Ash played a vital role in detecting incoming enemy aircraft, providing early warning to Fighter Command and allowing them to intercept Luftwaffe raids.

Several different RAF squadrons were stationed at RAF Ash during its operational period, including squadrons flying Spitfires and Hurricanes. The airfield was frequently targeted by German aircraft, and sustained damage on several occasions.

Following the end of the Second World War, RAF Ash was decommissioned and the land was returned to agricultural use. Today, little remains of the airfield, but its contribution to the defense of Britain during the war is commemorated by a memorial on the site. The site now largely consists of farmland. Evidence of some former airfield features can still be found through aerial photography and local knowledge.