RAF Marham

Ref: 4320

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{detailed description}Marham, opened as a Home Defence base during the First World War, has for much of its history been the RAF's primary operational station. Although its aircraft saw little success against the Zeppelin and Gotha raiders, the station was a vital link in the defensive chain. Re-born as one of the 1930s Expansion Period airfields, the Norfolk base played an active role as a Bomber Command station from 1939 to 1944, its Wellington and Mosquito units taking part in a number of daring raids over Europe.
In the 1950s the base was home to the RAF's B29 Washington bomber Wing, before re-equipping with the Vickers Valiant. Its three squadrons served in the 1956 Suez War. With the demise of the Valiant bomber force, a number of aircraft were converted to the air-to-air refuelling role, a technique in which 214 Squadron undertook much pioneering work. Marham remained at the forefront of AAR with the introduction of Victor tankers. These played a prominent role during the 1982 Falklands conflict.
The introduction of the Panavia Tornado saw Marham become the RAF's first composite base, with two squadrons of the strike/attack Tornado, and a single Victor unit. Both 617 and 27 squadrons, assisted by the Victors, scored major success in bombing
competitions in the USA. In the 1990 Gulf War, Marham was once more in the front-line, with all three units deployed to the Middle East. The Victors provided essential AAR, and the Tornadoes undertook a wide range of attack missions.
The Tornadoes of II(AC) Squadron then arrived from Germany as the first element of the planned Reconnaissance Wing, and the two strike/attack Tornado squadrons were replaced by two Tornado reconnaissance squadrons and the Canberras of 39 (PR) Squadron, making Marham the RAF's premier reconnaissance base. All three units are heavily involved with the United Nations operations in Iraq and Bosnia.{Author / Publisher / Date}by Ken Delve
Published by PSL 1995 1st edn. 192pp profusely illustrated, index, appendices. 19x25
{condition}near mint, including d/j.
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