RAF Deanland

RAF Deanland was a wartime fighter airfield in East Sussex, laid out as an Advanced Landing Ground and brought into use on 1 April 1944. Built to support the coming invasion of north-west Europe, it operated as part of the Second Tactical Air Force under No. 84 Group, and was equipped with the temporary surfaces and tented accommodation typical of the ALG network rather than permanent runways and hangars.

The station hosted a succession of Spitfire squadrons drawn from across the Allied air forces, including RAF units such as Nos. 64, 91, 234 and 611, the Polish Nos. 302, 308 and 317, the Dutch No. 322, and the Free French No. 345. These squadrons, organised at one point within No. 149 (Long Range Fighter) Wing, flew cover over the Normandy beaches around the D-Day landings of 6 June 1944 and ranged across the Channel on offensive sweeps. Later in 1944 aircraft from Deanland were also active against V-1 flying bombs aimed at southern England.

With the front line moving east, the airfield was closed in January 1945. The site reverted largely to farmland but flying never entirely ceased; it was revived as a private airstrip in the 1960s and continues in light aviation and recreational use today.