99 Squadron, Royal Air Force

1939 to 1945

From their main base in Mildenhall, 99 Squadron was mainly occupied in early 1939 with conversion training on the new Wellington aircraft - they were the first unit to receive the Vickers Wellington, at that time classified as a heavy bomber. By the middle of the year, training was complete and the Squadron had acquired nineteen of the Mark I Wellingtons.

As a consequence of the invasion of Poland in early September, the Squadron had been instructed to put the "SCATTER" scheme into operation, and thus they moved to Newmarket Heath. It was not the first occasion that the racecourse on Newmarket Heath had been used as an airfield. Before the outbreak of hostilities, the RAF had earmarked a large part of the Rowley Mile to be used as an airfield in the event of hostilities. Unfortunately there appears to have been little consultation with the racecourse authorities, resulting in strong protests from the Clerk of the Course and his officials - but to no avail.

There was little preparation at Newmarket for the arrival of a bomber Squadron. Accommodation was ad-hoc, some sleeping in the Grandstand, others under staircases and in whatever shelter was available. All this notwithstanding, the Squadron's move was completed by 2nd September.

Sgt (later Group Captain) J R "Benny" Goodman flew with 99 in the Newmarket years, and he's written an account of his times there - click here.

The next article is drawn from John Hamlin's book "The Royal Air Force at Newmarket 1939-1947" - click here.

For Newmarket photos and serial numbers, click below.