RAF Atherstone

The authorisation for a satellite for No. 22 Operational Training Unit RAF (OTU) was given on 18 June 1940 yet it took over a year until 5 July 1941 that the station was finally opened by an advance party from RAF Wellesbourne Mountford with their Vickers Wellingtons. However, on 7 March 1944 the airfield was transferred back to No. 22 OTU Although before long No. 22 OTU had left and the station came under control from the Signals Flying Unit RAF from RAF Honiley but not long after flying ceased at Stratford and the station was placed on a care and maintenance basis. The Ground Controlled Approach Squadron RAF was also here at some point under the control of the Signals Flying Unit. ==Accidents and incidents==

During life as a RAF training airfield accidents were not far away, with a number of airmen killed during training. ==Current use==

Today the airfield is home to a small number of warehouses however the original basic layout can still be made out, including the runways and a large amount of the perimeter track which used to connect the runways with the dispersal hard standings and the technical site. The airfield was also the site of the 2007 Warwickshire warehouse fire in which four firemen died. At its peak there were over 1650 service men and women stationed here as well as civilian workers. At one time this OTU operated 81 Vickers Wellingtons, probably some Avro Ansons and a target towing flight with six Miles Martinets. ==References==