RAF Newchurch

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RAF Newchurch was a temporary airfield in Newchurch, Kent, England, built in 1943 during World War II. It opened as an Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) for the Royal Air Force and played a key role in protecting Allied forces over France and later defending southeast England.

History in brief
- 1943: Newchurch hosted three Spitfire squadrons and one Hawker Hurricane squadron. In October 1943 the squadrons moved to RAF Detling while the airfield was improved.
- 1944: It became the base for No. 150 Wing, made up of Hawker Tempest squadrons, under Wing Commander Roland Beamont. The Tempest Wing provided air cover for the Normandy landings and then defended southeast England against V-1 flying bombs.
- V-1 defense: The Wing destroyed 638 V-1 bombs before leaving Newchurch to support the advance into Belgium and the Netherlands.
- Closure: By December 1944 the airfield was no longer needed and it was returned to farmland.

Royal Air Force units and aircraft (highlights)
- No. 3 Squadron RAF — Apr 28, 1944 to Sep 21, 1944 — Hawker Tempest (Variant V)
- No. 19 Squadron RAF — Jul 2, 1943 to Aug 18, 1943 — Spitfire VB/VC
- No. 56 Squadron RAF — Apr 28, 1944 to Sep 23, 1944 — Hawker Tempest (V)
- No. 132 Squadron RAF — Jul 3, 1943 to Oct 12, 1943 — Spitfire VB/IXB
- No. 184 Squadron RAF — Sep 17, 1943 to Oct 12, 1943 — Hurricane IV
- No. 486 Squadron RNZAF — Apr 29, 1944 to Sep 19, 1944 — Tempest V
- No. 602 Squadron RAuxAF — Aug 13, 1943 to Oct 12, 1943 — Spitfire VB

Other units were stationed there briefly, including No. 125 Airfield Headquarters RAF (Aug–Oct 1943) and No. 150 Airfield Headquarters RAF (Apr–May 1944), along with RAF Regiment squadrons.

Location and features
- Location: Newchurch, Kent, England (coordinates around 51.0511°N, 0.92028°E)
- Elevation: 0 metres
- Runways: Temporary Sommerfeld Tracking surface

RAF Newchurch was part of the Allied air effort in 1943–1944, contributing to the D-Day campaign and defense of southern England before being returned to farmland later in 1944.