• In 1940 the grass ground was requisitioned.
• On 1st March 1941, it was first occupied by the No. 485 Squadron RNZAF with Spitfires but was moved out to Leconfield on 21 April 1941.
• In October 1941, the Air base was opened.
• In 1943, W & C French Ltd built 3 runways, perimeter track, and concrete dispersal pans, extra accommodation and placed 12 Blister Hangers. It was allocated to the Eight Air Force and RAF Wittering utilised it to out-house a couple of Spitfire squadrons.
• In September 1943, the Airbase was transferred to the USAAF (8th USAAF station).
• On 25th April 1945, it was the Groups (312th) last mission.
• On 1st August 1945, the airfield displayed a sufficient number of P-51s and opened it to the public.
• On 1 November 1945, King's Cliffe was turned over to Flying Training Command.
• On 1 February 1946, it was transferred into a Technical Training Command.
• In October 1945, the 20th Group finally vacated the airfield. The B-17E was taken to the Air Depot at Burtonwood and scrapped.
• In 1947, the RAF left the airfield and it was later sold.
• In January 1959, the Airfield was closed and the Air Ministry disposed of the land.

Architecture:

Wimpeys were the main airfield contractor.

The 3 runways that cross to form a triangle (1673m (5490ft), 1189m (3900ft) and 1125m (3690ft)) were constructed out of tarmacadam and consolidated soil.

The Control Tower, southeast to the airfield, is now derelict used to be a Watch Office for Night Fighter stations FCW4514. Further south-east from the Tower was the Callender Hamiliton Hanger.

The twelve Blister hangars were placed around the perimeter of the airfield with the fighter dispersals and extra accommodation sites provided to the northeast, across the other side of the old Roman road (Bedford Purlieus). The quarters were bleak wooden huts and hardly heated and in 1943 there was still insufficient accommodation for the Group's 3 squadrons, so the 55th was out-housed at Wittering whilst 77th, 79th and the Headquarters settled in at King's Cliffe.

Remaining now are a few air raid shelters and fighter dispersals near bridleway at west of airfield, close to Memorial. Alongside the old Roman Road commemorates the American, British, Belgian and Commonwealth airmen who lost their lives whilst flying from Kings Cliffe. This permanent memorial was funded and dedicated by the 20th Fighter Group Association on 25 August 1983, (the 50th anniversary of the fighter group's arrival at the base). The Duke of Gloucester attended the proceedings.

The plaque in between wings of a plane reads; " Kings Cliffe Airfield Station 367 to commemorate the eternal memory of those American, British, Belgian and Commonwealth Airmen who gave their lives in the cause of freedom 1939-1945 Lest we forget".

Social history:

• Airfields normally 'opened' when the first aircraft from the parent station decided to land there. There was hardly any preparation and had no individual staffing. Staffing was by detachment from the parent station.
• The airfield was first known as Wansford Airfield and not Kings Cliffe.
• In the Second World War every type of fighter plane used by the Eight Air Force flew from the airfield. It remained an important operational fighter base right up to the end of the war.
• Whilst with the USAAF it was also known as AAF Station 367.
• The first fighters to use the airfield were Spitfire Vbs of No 266 squadron from nearby Collyweston, only until the end of January, as they had to be re-equipped with Hawker Typhoons. It then became the 3rd squadron of a new Typhoon Wing that was being formed at Duxford. Towards the end of January the squadron moved out, after serving in this corner of the county since May 1940.
• Spitfire Squadron No: 616 from Kirton Lindsey in Lincolnshire, immediately replaced them. Last to be formed in November 1938, this famous Auxiliary squadron was better known as the 'South Yorkshire' and had a white rose badge to show its origins. The squadron's Commander was Squadron Leader Colin F. Gray, DFC Bar, a New Zealand airman who completed the war after winning 27 ½ Victories. Squadron Leader H.L.I Brown, DFC, succeeded him.
• Legendary Flight Lieutenane J.E 'Johnie' Johnson, DFC Bar, claimed 38 victories and became the RAF's top scoring pilot.
• The squadron formed part of the Wittering Wing and used West Malling in Kent as an advance landing ground. Pilots would refuel in the morning, regroup, and fly over enemy territory and then return to Kings Cliffe in the evening.
• On 12th February the Squadrons tried to prevent the 'Channel Dash' from Brest of the German warships Scharnhorst, Gneisenau, and Prinz Eugen to more secure German ports. 'Operation Fuller', a contingency plan, had been devised should the German vessels attempt to break out, and make it through the English Channel.
• 6 of the squadron's Spitfires were despatched to Matlaske in Norfolk to join No 137's Westland Whirlwinds in an attempt to locate the vessels. Unfortunately fighters heavily escorted the German flotilla. Due to poor visibility, most of the aircraft failed to sight the Germans and lack of liaison between the 3 RAF Commands only 17 RAF failed to return. Even Adolf Galland, the Luftwaffe leader commented on the RAF's performance: 'inefficient planning without a clear concept of the attack and without any systematic tactics'; as well as the Time claiming the action 'mortifying'! . All of the 6 spitfires returned back to Kings Cliffe.
• In April 1 of 100 models produced, Spitfire VI landed at Kings Cliffe. The design was improved so the aircraft's high-altitude performance could counter threat of the new high-flying reconnaissance bomber Junkers 86P, which could operate at 40,000 feet.
• The Mark VI was the first British fighter to have a pressurised cockpit secured by clamps, which became unbearably hot. Johnson said it was like flying 'in a Turkish bath'. 1 month later the squadron had 14 Mark VIs.
• On 25th May after pilots had begun flying high-altitude patrols, they claimed 2 Dornier 217s damaged.
• During the early summer the Squadron returned to low-level sweeps due to fewer Junkers 86s and in early June they were engaged over enemy airfields in northern France.
• In the middle of June the Squadron was take off operations so that the pilots could concentrate on training.
• On 3rd July, the Squadron was detached to West Malling for several days and returned on the 7th of the month but only for an overnight stay, leaving next day for Kenley. 2 years later, No 616 became the first squadron to receive the RAF's first jet fighter - Gloster Meteor I.
• The Squadrons immediate replacement was New Zealand's first fighter Squadron, No 485, commanded by Squadron Leader R.J.C 'Reg' Grant, DFM. The pilots had been engaged in operations of the Kenley Wing twice a day. Its arrival marked the return of the Spitfire Vbs. During 1942, pilots continued to fly a mixture of 'Rodoes' (fighter sweeps), 'Ramrods' (escorts for light bombers with the destruction of a specific target as the main object) and 'Rhubarbs' (small scale fighter sweeps on targets of opportunity).
• The Squadron also escorted the early 8th Air Force bombing operations as well as RAF daylight bombing raids from a variety of advance bases.
• During September - October (6 weeks), the airfield had a surfeit of Spitfire Vbs when No 93 Squadron arrived from the Isle of Man pending its move to North Africa in November.
• In October No 485 was detached to Kirkstown in Northern Ireland and did not return until 23rd November.
• In February 1943, the Squadron Commander's younger brother, Flying Officer I.A.C Grant was killed whilst on a fighter sweeper.
• In February 1944, his brother was also killed.
• On 8th December, the Bell P-400 Airacobras of 347th Squadron was 1st American aircraft landed from Snailwell in Cambridgeshire. The radical fighter had been designed around a large T-9 cannon, which fired from the hub and had necessitated its Allison engine being located behind the cockpit.
• These aircrafts were first flown in 1939 and entered the service 2 years later and served successful in North Africa.
• Only 1 RAF Squadron, No 601, was equipped with this American fighter.
• In early January 1943, the American pilots moved and the New Zealand airmen left for Westhampnett in Sussex to join the Tangmere Wing.
• On 13th January, Kings Cliffe had been inundated with American airmen when the 56th Fighter Group arrived form Gourock in Scotland. This group was one of the best and famous fighter groups in the 8th Air Force by achieving the highest number of enemy aircraft destroyed, having the greatest number of fighter aces of any Group as well as the 2 top pilots in the 8th. It was also the only Group to fly P-47's (Thunderbolts) throughout the war. In June 1942, its pilots had been the 1st to train on P-47s in the US.
• The Republic P-47 had numerous names, 'Jug', short for Juggernaut and the 'Flying Milk Bottle'.
• In May 1941, the P-47 first flew and in 1942 it had entered service with the USAAF. The planes were heavy, rugged but caught fly very fast at high altitude. It served the 8th Air Force until the arrival of the P-51s (Mustangs).
• The fighter was, however in short supply and the Group's 1st P-47 did not begin to arrive until the beginning of February. Colonel Hubert Zemke, the Commanding Officer, proved to be one of the finest pilots of the 8th, as well as being a fine tactician and most inspired leader. T
• On 5th April, the Group left for Horsham St Faith in Norfolk and 8 days later its pilots started out on their long and very successful fighter campaign.
• On 9th May No 91 (Nigeria) Squadron, under the command of Squadron Leader Raymond Harries DFC, moved in with its Spitfire XIIs. It had been formed in January 1941 and had spent most of its time engaged on 'Jim Crows' (coastal patrols to intercept enemy aircraft coming in low over the coast) from Hawkinge in Kent. They were developed especially for low-level interceptor duties. They were powered by a Griffon super-charged engine, had clipped wings to improve manoeuvrability and speed at low altitude.
• In August the Squadron moved to Hawkinge, near Folkestone to join No 41 Squadron, the only other unit to be equipped with XIIs.
• In September, it became the top scoring squadron in Fighter Command.
• On 26th August 1943, the American 20th Fighter Group arrived. They were originally scheduled to join the 8th back in January 1942 but its overseas movement delayed it until August.
• In 1937, The revolutionary Lockhead P-38 (Lightning's) were in short supply and took longer than others to build as it was further advanced than its contemporary fighters. It was had a twin engine and large twin boom.
• In 1939, its trials proved such a success that the US Army Air Corps immediately placed an order. It made a huge impact in North Africa and the Pacific but no so successful in Europe as the damp, cold climate proved difficult especially at high altitudes.
• In 1941, the P-38 saw service and it was seen as the solution to the 8th's heavy bomber losses. It was a great fighter plane with its speed of 410 mph at 25,000 feet, extra fuel tanks for 600 miles, 4 x .50 machine guns and 2 x 20mm cannons grouped together in the nose.
• On 28th December the Group's 1st operation left King's Cliffe for a sweep of the Dutch Coast. Lieutenant Colonel Jack S. Jenkins, Deputy Commander of 55th Group, led the 37 pilots.
• On 30th December the Group went out on its 1st escort mission to Ludwigshafen.
• The new P-38Js arrived and they were distinguishable from the older 'H's by a flat panel windscreen and deep radiator intake housings to improve engine cooling. The extra fuel tanks in both wings increased their operational range.
• In the New Year the Group lost 4 pilots on 2 missions to Kiel.
• On 7th January they claimed their victory in Ludwigshafen.
• On 29th January during escort duties to Frankfurt, 12 enemy aircraft were destroyed but 5 pilots lost - 2 in collisions. Captain Lindol F. Graham added 3 more victories to his total and became the Group's 1st 'Ace'. The term dated from the WW1 and had been reintroduced by both the Luftwaffe and the USAAF. Americans only needed 5 positive claims where Germans needed double the amount. Even though the British Air Ministry refused to officially acknowledge aces as they thought it was 'bad for squadron morale', they still publicised the exploits of their fighter pilots without calling them aces. RAF fighter pilots were awarded the DFC after 5 victories and it was thought that over 1,000 RAF pilots during the war could have claimed to be aces. The 8th Air Force had a total of 261 ace fighter pilots by the end of the war, of which only 5 served with the 20th.
• On 11th February the Group had another particularly bad time over Frankfurt, when 8 pilots failed to return. By the end of the month 23 pilots were missing in action and several more aircraft written-off in crashes.
• In March the 8th Air Force first bombed Berlin and the P38-s were the first to fly over the German capital.
• On March 18th, Lieutenant Colonel Mark E. Hubbard was shot down with 3 pilots after only taken over the group on March 2nd. He survived the ordeal but was take prisoner.
• Lieutenane Colonel Harold J. Rau replaced Hubbard. He flew a P-38s and P51, each named Gentle Annie. Rau had started his service as a private with the group before the outbreak of the war.
• On March 5th, Colonel Rau led 50 aircraft to strafe airfields in the Muster and Berlin areas. The mission was abandoned due to heavy cloud. One of the pilots, 1/Lieutenant Jack Yelton in Cactus Jack, was forced to crash-land at a German airfield. He deliberately crashed onto 2 parked Me 109s, but ended up in a prisoner of war camp. 3 days later, Colonel Rau gained permission to mount an independent fighter sweep of airfields in the Salwedel area to the west of Berlin. Over 35 aircraft were claimed (air and ground), 18 locomotives, 50 rail wagons, flak guns, oil ad gas storage tanks. The group lost 4 pilots but was awarded its only Distinguished Unit Citation for this mission. Due to the success of the operation, the group gained the nickname 'Loco Group'.
• On March 10th, the 20th launched its first fighter / bomber operation. Some of the P-38 Groups were modified by having a Plexiglas nose section to provide a cabin for a bombardier and sufficient space for a Norden bombsight. These 'Droop Snoots' would lead the other aircraft into the bombing area.
• During D-Day the P-38 Groups acted as escorts for the armada of Allied shipping crossing the Channel.
• 6th June, 4am, the 1st 18 pilots took off from King's Cliffe for the first patrol over the Channel. Another 8 followed. In the following days the pilots were heavily engaged over the Normandy beachheads; however only 9 pilots were lost in action, several aircraft were written off and not a single combat victory was recorded.
• 24th June, Colonel Rau left the group and he was replace by Lieutenant Colonel Cy Wilson.
• In July P-38s were being replace with P-51s.
• On 7th July, the 'ace' Captain James Morris went missing when 7 victories were won.
• On 21st July pilots of the final mission led the P-38s final mission.
• In 133 missions the Group had destroyed 89 aircraft in the air, 30 on the ground, lost 87 pilots but it still constituted the best record of all the P-38 Groups in the 8th Fighter Command.
• On 29th July, the Group scored their 1st successes (3) with their new aircraft P-51 whilst on duties over Merseberg. The new aircraft had a maximum speed of 440mph at 30,000 feet (faster than the FW190 and Me109G) and 6 x .50inch machine guns. Over the next fortnight, they added to their 'loco busting' record to 200 with another 27 victims and 37 locomotives.
• On 27th August, Commanding Officer Wilson and 3 pilots went missing. Wilson ditched his plane in the sea off the Danish coast and spent the rest of the war as a prisoner.
• Colonel Rau returned to command the Group and would remain at King's Cliffe until almost the end of the year.
• On 11th September, he led over 60 P-51s to Chemnitz as escorts for two B-17 Groups. The pilots then flew eastwards to land at Piryatin, a Russian airfield near Kiev. This was the third of the 'Frantic' shuttle missions to be mounted by the USAAF, mainly at the request of Stalin. The pilots returned back to Kings Cliffe five days later but minus 3 P-51s.
• On 3rd October 1944, Glen Miller and his 40-piece American Band of the AEF visited the base. With a 2,500 audience, the concert lasted 1 hour and was held in one of the hangers. Even the Group's pilots managed to return from an escort mission over northern Germany in time. Glen Miller's final concert was on 12th December, 3 days before Glenn Millers fatal flight to Paris.
• Under the command of Colonel Robert P. Montgomery and over the final months of the war, the Group gained a fine reputation. It managed to consistently get more aircraft into operations, with the lowest rate of aborted sorties due to mechanical failures.
• On 10th April was the day 'The Great Jet Massacre' where the fighter pilots took a heavy toll of the Luftwaffe's Me 262s.
• On 25th April, the Group had their 312th and last mission loosing one pilot.
• In over 310 missions the 20th had accounted for over 212 enemy aircraft destroyed in the air with over 230 on the ground, but in the process 132 aircraft had been lost in action.
• The airfield became a temporary base for the German POWs awaiting repatriation but this unit closed down in July 1947.
• One famous aircraft brought to the airfield was an old B-17E. The 'Butcher Shop' and had left Grafton Underwood back in August 1942 on the 8th's first heavy bombing mission. It became a training aircraft for several groups and then the Group's communications runabout and was renamed 'The Big Tin Bird'.
• In 1943, 29 March, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester visited Kings Cliffe Airfield.