Harrietsham Aerodrome/Airfield

Hi
I keep finding references to an aerodrome/airfield in Harrietsham Kent during WW1
I live in Harrietsham and have never heard any details of this and am really interested.
I saw your posts regarding the gotha that was brought down.
Does anyone know where in Harrietsham?
Basically any information would be great, we live in a house built in 1720 and have always thought that Harrietsham must have "missed the war" - in some streets, like ours (East Street) it still LOOKS like it is the 1900's!
Many thanks for your help in advance
Samantha

[Patrick]

Hi Samantha, there was indeed a Harrietsham Aerodrome that was part of the London Air Defense Area. But I think that the airfield was located about three miles northeast of Harrietsham, at Frinsted. It was in service from December 1916 through the end of the war and disused thereafter. During the war, it was the HQ of No. 53 Wing which was formed March 11, 1918 and controlled the operations of Nos. 50, 112 and 143 Squadrons.

The Gotha was brought down in a field between Frinsted and Harrietsham, an area that still looks very rural. Here's a picture from Google Earth of the field at Frinsted today.

[charles]

Here is a photo that may help you.



You can read more about this at The Aero Conservancy, The Aero Conservancy