The original Shepherds Grove is a Small area
of woodland to the south of Stanton village. This page however
covers the wartime airfield under three different
headings:
1. Shepherds Grove Park, a
retirement park with some 200 park homes.
2. Shepherds Grove industrial Estate, comprising much of the old
airfield.
3. The airfield and its history.
1.Shepherds Grove Park Homes
Park
Is a quiet Retirement Park is
situated in a superb woodland setting one mile from the
village of Stanton. There are good shopping facilities in the
village, together with sports and social clubs. A regular bus
service goes from the Park to the surrounding villages and
towns. Milk and newspapers are delivered to the Park and the
Mobile Library and Hairdresser call regularly. Shepherds Grove Park
has recently received its 7th David Bellamy Conservation Scheme
Gold Award. All the new homes sited are fully furnished and have
tiled roofs, mains gas central heating and double
glazing.
Berkeley
Shepherds Grove Park
2.Shepherds Grove
Industrial Estate
The Shepherds Grove Industrial Estate is situated midway between
Bury St Edmunds and Diss off the A143 road. It is based on an old
wartime airfield and still has a large area suitable for general
employment awaiting development. The total area of the site is some
90 hectares.
General information on the Industrial
estate
3. Shepherds Grove Airfield.
Shepherds Grove Airfield –
a brief history.
During the war, Shepherds Grove was a base for
Stirling bombers. It was, in fact, built for the USAAF in 1943, but
it was assigned to the RAF's 3 Group as a satellite of Stradishall
in April 1944.
At the end of 1944 Shepherds Grove was
transferred to 38 Group.
In January 1945 numbers 196 and 299 Stirling
transport squadrons moved in. These squadrons were involved in
supply drops for Special operations and towed gliders from
Shepherds Grove as part of the Rhine crossing. Stirlings continued
to deliver mail and stores overseas until March 1946.
In May 1946 the station was taken over by 60
Group as a satellite of RAF Watton Radio Warfare Establishment and
some Avro Ansons and Lancasters were positioned here.
In 1950 the station was put on 'Care and
Maintenance'.
In 1951 it was loaned to the USAF and in August the 116th squadron
of the 81st Fighter Interceptor Wing brought in F86A Sabres, the
first in this country. The 92nd squadron joined them soon
after.
In 1952 the 116th became the 78th Fighter
Squadron, and in 1954 received F84F Thunderstreaks. The 78th moved
to Woodbridge in December 1958.
In 1959 Shepherds Grove became a Thor Missile
Base and a flight of 82 Squadron operated them until their removal
in 1963.
The site then changed to agriculture with an
industrial estate.
This item is copied from the St
Edmundsbury Borough Council Web Site where further information on
the history of the USAF in Europe can be found.
USAF
Grovers
Shepherds Grove Airfield
Shepherds
Grove Remnants
Derelicte
Shepherds Grove
More on Thor missiles