Work started on the construction of Tempsford Airfield in late 1940. It was built by John Laing and Son and Balfour Beatty. In late summer 1941 the airfield opened under 3 Group who were responsible for Special Operations Executive (SOE) activities until 1945. In March 1942 the airfields first permanent squadron appeared, No. 138 Special Duties.

Much of the work of the squadrons based at Tempsford (including 138 and 161 Squadrons) involved low level arms and ammunition drops to Resistance forces by moonlight. Prior to D-Day Tempsford squadrons supplied war material to Resistance forces throughout Europe. During its time at Tempsford 138 Squadron delivered 995 agents, 29,000 containers, 10,000 packages in the course of 2,494 sorties with the loss of 70 aircraft.

Yolande Beekman

Violette Szabo

TEMPSFORD

pdeaks©2009