Martyn's article in Journal 59 (March 2016) reminded me of the conversations that I had many years ago with local residents who still remembered the construction of Chipping Ongar airfield at Willingale in the autumn and winter of 1942.
According to my informants – who were local youngsters at the time - it was built by the Americans using convict labour taken from prisons in the US. The deal was that prisoners would gain their freedom if they worked for the duration of the war. I have always wondered if this pledge was honoured, as some of the work force had been facing death sentences. My informants told me that the prisoners were housed in open-ended Nissen huts under armed guard, with only straw for bedding. This was cleared out once a week and burnt, presumably to destroy infestation. Conditions must have been grim as that winter was particularly wet and the main street in Willingale village was reduced to a sea of mud. According to one lady who had worked in the canteen, the airfield, when complete, provided work for local people, as well as more diverse forms of entertainment (both licit and illicit) with grounded aircrews. Nylon stockings and cigarettes were particularly popular with the local youngsters.
The main access to the airfield for vehicles was off the present A414 at Norton Heath along about a mile and a half of very narrow winding lane. This had clearly caused problems as the lane was effectively straightened by concreting across the inner curve of many of the bends, and anyone travelling on that road today will be aware of the joins between the original lane and its concrete extensions. In the 1970s there was still a wooden signpost at the top of the road pointing left to "Willingale Aerodrome".
The first bombing flight out of the airfield in 1943 was a squadron of Marauders, of which only one returned. Some were shot down, but many failed to navigate their way home successfully, as the aircrews were very green. Maintaining morale must have been a considerable challenge, though losses steadily reduced as the crews gained experience.
The site chosen was level and almost free of public roads or buildings. The main loss was the manor house of Newarks Hall, described as 'early 16th century with a cross wing' by the RCHM. However the perimeter roads came very close to Forest Hall which was requisitioned for air force personnel – doubtless contributing to its demolition soon after the end of the war.