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RAF Cottesmore

© Elizabeth Batt

This article is being entered into "The One That Got Away Event" here at Suite101.com. If you read the footnote at the bottom of this article, you'll discover that Rutland county regained Cottesmore and Leicestershire promptly lost it! We let a good piece get away folks!"

Within Leicestershire's borders,(PLease See Footnote) near the small town of Oakham in Rutland, sits a little village called Cottesmore. Tiny in size and population, it is a most unlikely place for a miltary installation, and yet at it's heart sits RAF Cottesmore.

RAF Cottesmore has and always will hold a special place in my memories. It is the place where I met my husband and the place where my brother dwelt for many years. Hence despite it's miltary status, I recall it often with fondness and pleasure. Quite a unique feat for a defence site!!

Today, I decided to put the pleasure aside and portray RAF Cottesmore as it was intended to be portrayed, as a base that defends England's shores amidst changing times.

Cottesmore during my visits, was always home to the Tornado, possibly one of the best flying machines that the British forces have. The Tornado sadly no longer flies the skies of Cottesmore, operations have moved elsewhere and as different accomplishments lie in Cottesmore's future, it's unique history cannot be changed.

Work began on RAF Cottesmore back in 1935. The first aircraft to take up stations there were No.s 35 and 207 Squadrons. These squadrons were replaced in 1939 by No. 185 Squadron and by Hereford & Anson Aircraft.

Naturally Cottesmore saw changes with the coming of World War II. 185 Squadron lost it's squadron status and became No. 14 Operational Training Unit, responsible for training bomber crews. Despite being a training establishment, aircraft from the station took part in special bomber operations, including many of the heavy attacks on Berlin and the famous Thousand Bomber Raids on Cologne, Essen and Bremen.

Then in 1943, Cottesmore was actually handed over to the United States Army Air Force and prepared for the arrival of the 316th Troop Carrier Group, which played a vital role in the initial "D" Day assaults. Ironically, when my brother was stationed at Cottesmore, he and some of his squadron came to the States on a fundraising tour. Purely by coincidence, his travels brought him into contact with one of those American soldiers based at Cottesmore during the war. There was a wealth of nostalgia recalled and a lot of drinks bought!!