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RAF Wattisham is a Royal Air Force airbase in Suffolk, England.Wattisham opened on 5 April 1939 as a medium bomber station, the squadrons there being equipped with Bristol Blenheim bombers. On September 4 1939, just 29 hours after the declaration of war, bombers from Wattisham took off on the first attack of the war, against enemy shipping in Wilhelmshaven harbour.
In 1942 the Blenheims left to be replaced with Bristol Beaufighters, but some time after October 1942 the base was handed over to the United States Army Air Force as a central supply base. The base was, by 1944, responsible for the maintenance of all American fighters in the UK. In May 1944 USAAF fighters in the form of P-38 Lightning and later P-51 Mustangs arrived.
In 1946 the base was returned to RAF hands. In 1949 new runways were laid, By 1950 Gloster MeteorThe Gloster Meteor was the RAF's first jet fighter aircraft, introduced into service only weeks after the Messerschmitt Me 262 in August 1944. Versions of the Meteor remained in front-line service for many years, and as a night fighter even longer. Develo fighters arrived, replaced in the mid-fifties by Hawker HunterThe Hawker Hunter was a British jet fighter aircraft of the 1950s. Considered by many to be the finest transonic fighter, the Hunter served for many years with the Royal Air Force, and was widely exported, serving with 19 air forces. A total of 1,927 wass. In 1958Events January January 1 Treaty of Rome founding the EU is implemented January 4 Sputnik 1 falls to Earth from its orbit (launched on October 4 1957) January 8 14 year old Bobby Fischer wins the United States Chess Championship January 18 Armed Lumbee Nat, following another renovation, the Black ArrowsThe Black Arrows forerunners of the Red Arrows, were an aerobatic demonstration team formed in 1917. One of the most memorable feats accomplished by the Black Arrows was the execution of a 22-plane formation loop in 1958, a photo of which can be seen on t display team was added to Wattisham's roster. In 1960Events January-February January 1 Independence of Cameroon January 9 Aswan High Dam construction begins in Egypt January 11 Chad declares its independence. January 14 Ralph Chubb, the gay poet and printer, dies at Fair Oak Cottage in Hampshire. January 23 the English Electric LightningThe English Electric Lightning is a supersonic British fighter aircraft of the Cold War era, particularly remembered for its natural metal exterior that was used throughout much of its service life with the Royal Air Force and the Royal Saudi Air Force. arrived, and in 19741974 is a common year starting on Tuesday (click on link for calendar). Events January-February January 5 Dungeons & Dragons officially released. February 4 Patricia Hearst, the 19 year old granddaughter of publisher William Randolph Hearst, is kidnapped McDonnell Douglas Phantoms, which served through to 1992, when Wattisham stood down as a fighter base.
Today Wattisham is used by the Army Air Corps, flying Westland Lynx and Aerospatiale Gazelle helicopters. An RAF search and resuce flight also operates from there.
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