RAF Bellasize

Royal Air Force Bellasize, also known as RAF Bellasize, was a former RAF airfield in the hamlet of Bellasize, near Gilberdyke, East Riding of Yorkshire, England. Originally opened in 1916, Bellasize was one of only four Yorkshire-based RAF locations to see use in the First and Second World Wars. Flying at Bellasize was sporadic and training based, with the site not being used in an offensive capacity during the Second World War.

RAF Bellasize
Gilberdyke, East Riding of Yorkshire in England
Relief map of the East Riding of Yorkshire
Relief map of the East Riding of Yorkshire
RAF Bellasize
RAF Bellasize
Coordinates53.737°N 0.762°W / 53.737; -0.762
Grid referenceSE817724
Area33 acres (13 ha)
Height12 feet (3.7 m)
Site information
OwnerAir Ministry
OperatorRoyal Air Force
Controlled byRAF Flying Training Command
Site history
In useApril 1916 – May 1919 (1919-05)
November 1939 – July 1945
Battles/warsEuropean theatre of World War II
Airfield information
Runways
Direction Length and surface
2,000 feet (610 m) Grass

History

Bellasize appears to have been equipped with just one runway, which was a grass strip measuring 2,000 feet (610 m) angled in a north east/south west direction across a rectangular field. There are no records of any hangars or permanent buildings at the site.[1][2]

The site was opened in April 1916 as a 1st class landing ground.[3][note 1] It was originally used by No. 33 and No. 76 Squadrons in the Home Defence (HD) role, even though its proximity to the River Ouse meant that the airfield was often flooded; Bellasize was only 12 feet (3.7 m) above sea level.[4][5] The site was handed over to the Royal Air Force in April 1918, and then relinquished a year later in April 1919.[6]

However, during the Second World War, the site was reactivated, and covered an area of 33 acres (13 ha), measuring 420 yards (380 m) by 380 yards (350 m).[7] Bellasize was one of only four sites used by the RAF in the First and Second World Wars, (the other being Driffield, Doncaster and Catterick).[8] For the entire period of the war, Bellasize belonged to RAF Flying Training Command, and was used as relief landing ground (RLG) by No. 4 Elementary Flying Training School RAF (No. 4 EFTS).[9] No. 4 EFTS was based at nearby Brough Aerodrome,[10] and the increased use of Bellasize was due to the prevalance of aircraft movements at Brough originating from the aircraft factory.[11] Flying at RAF Bellasize ceased in July 1945.[1]

The site has been converted back to farmland.[12]

Notes
  1. Philpott refers to the base as Bellsize rather than Bellasize.

References
  1. Delve 2006, p. 44.
  2. Halpenny, Bruce Barrymore (1982). Action stations. Wellingborough: Stephens. p. 26. ISBN 0-85059-532-0.
  3. Philpott, I. M. (2005). The Royal Air Force : an encyclopedia of the inter-war years. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Aviation. p. 243. ISBN 1844151549.
  4. Philpott, Ian (2013). The birth of the Royal Air Force. Barnsley: Pen & Sword. p. 267. ISBN 978-1-78159-333-2.
  5. "RAF Bellasize – Hull & East Riding at War". hullandeastridingatwar.co.uk. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  6. Spooner, Stanley, ed. (29 May 1919). "Relinquishment of landing grounds by the R.A.F.[sic]". Flight International & Aircraft Engineer. London: Reed Business Information Ltd. XI (544): 703. ISSN 0015-3710. OCLC 747807447.
  7. Chorlton, Martyn (2014). Forgotten airfields of World War I. Manchester: Crecy. p. 41. ISBN 9780859791816.
  8. Delve 2006, p. 21.
  9. Murland, Jerry (2008). Departed warriors : the story of one family in war. Leicester: Matador. p. 217. ISBN 978-1906510-701.
  10. Lake, Alan (1999). Flying units of the RAF : the ancestry, formation and disbandment of all flying units from 1912. Shrewsbury: Airlife. p. 61. ISBN 1-84037-086-6.
  11. Otter, Patrick (1998). Yorkshire airfields in the Second World War. Newbury: Countryside Books. p. 298. ISBN 1-85306-542-0.
  12. "Bellasize - Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust UK". www.abct.org.uk. Retrieved 26 September 2021.

Sources
  • Delve, Ken (2006). Northern England : Co. Durham, Cumbria, Isle of Man, Lancashire, Merseyside, Manchester, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, Yorkshire. Ramsbury: Crowood. ISBN 1-86126-809-2.
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