RAF Foulsham

RAF Foulsham was a Royal Air Force bomber station in Norfolk, some fifteen miles north-west of Norwich. Built during the early war years, it opened in May 1942 and was declared operational that June. The site was laid out with three concrete runways, numerous hardstandings and a substantial number of hangars, and was later among the relatively few wartime airfields equipped with the FIDO fog-dispersal system.

Its first occupants were medium-bomber squadrons. Nos. 98 and 180 Squadrons flew North American Mitchells from the airfield before moving on, and Avro Lancasters of No. 514 Squadron were also present for a time during the station’s earlier period. From late 1943 Foulsham passed to No. 100 (Bomber Support) Group, the formation devoted to electronic warfare and radio countermeasures against German defences.

In this specialised role the station housed No. 192 Squadron, engaged in signals investigation, alongside the Australian-manned No. 462 Squadron RAAF flying Handley Page Halifaxes, together with associated countermeasures and support units. Wartime operations from Foulsham were costly, with dozens of aircraft lost while based there.

Flying ceased after the war and the airfield was eventually given up, its land returning largely to agriculture, with roads and light industry occupying part of the former site. A memorial to those who served there was later established nearby.