LOST AIRFIELDS | EPISODE 3 • RAF HARROWBEER 'THE GUARDIAN OF THE SOUTH WEST' • DARTMOOR

RAF HARROWBEER, the guardian of the south west and the RAF Station of Dartmoor. The Ted Coningsby Squadron bring back to life the RAF Station of Dartmoor which was built in the village of Yelverton.
The Air Ministry did not think that Plymouth would ever encounter a threat to bombing but this wasn’t true. This is why most defences and airfields can be found to the east of England, the closer you are, the closer you are to your enemy. The problem was, as Germany were conquering land through Europe and advancing, the western parts of England got closer and closer. The Plymouth Blitz began on the 6th July 1940, so the construction of the new base on Dartmoor was given the go ahead.
The Air Ministry had decreed in 1940, that all new airfields would be equipped with tarmac runways, (because of the difficulties experienced by squadrons on all grass airfields) and RAF Harrowbeer was built with three tarmac runways using the very rubble from the blitz of Plymouth.
RAF Harrowbeer had a few challenges, even down to the naming of it. You see RAF Harrowbeer was built within the infrastructure of the village of Yelverton. This was a problem calling it RAF Yelverton as it sounds very similar to Yeovilton. So a decision was made to name it to the nearby village of Harrowbeer instead of Yelverton. The other problem was the height of the surrounding buildings are all buildings could not be more than two stories high, which you can see today in the town of Yelverton, especially the shops.
RAF Harrowbeer was operational in 1941 and the airfield was under the control of No. 10 Group which was never assigned a station badge. From the very first squadron to operate, 500 squadron with their Bristol Blenheims, to Spitfires, Whirlwind Fighter-bombers to the Hawker Typhoons of 193 Squadron.
The role of the base was to escort shipping in the English Channel, offer protection against German U-boats, escorting bombers to France and back and to protects the south coast between Lands End and Dorset.
Many countries were based at Harrowbeer such as 302 Squadron (Polish), 312 Squadron (Czechoslovakia) and American, French and Canadian Squadrons too. It was also home to 276 Squadron Air Sea Rescue (ASR). October 10th 1942 saw the arrival of No.175 Squadron with their Hurricane / bomber aircraft which were to carry out low level shipping strikes.
Formed at RAF Harrowbeer on the 18th December 1942, 193 Squadron which took delivery of four new Hawker Hurricanes and were originally designated as a fighter/ground attack unit, they became operational with the Hawker Typhoon in April 1943. The squadron carried out many ground attacks and the Typhoons were modified to carry bombs.
The Typhoon was considered to be a little unreliable with difficulties starting it up, but it was to play an effective part in the battle of Normandy in 1944 and was used in a ground attack role.
In 1943 Whirlwind fighter bomber which was used effectively on strikes on enemy ships. In 1944 RAF Harrowbeer was involved in Operation Overlord and played a key role in the forthcoming invasion of occupied Europe. It was after this operation that RAF Harrowbeer was to see its end of days. August 1944, the station became a satellite of Exeter and the 329 Squadron (France) was the last operational unit to use the field, flying Spitfire Mk. IX fighters until June 1945
After the end of the war in Europe, RAF Harrowbeer had fulfilled its role, playing its invaluable role but sadly was no longer required. RAF Harrowbeer was nearly kept alive by becoming a local airport but this was declined. What remains are the runways, hanger bases and blast pens. This is a former base that is very accessible even by car as a reminder that freedom was a victory but we must never forget those that gave their lives for this very freedom.
Useful links
RAF HARROWBEER
www.rafharrowb...
Knightstone
rafharrowbeer-...
Hawker Typhoon
en.wikipedia.o...
Special thanks to Airframe media for the drone footage
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Official Ted Coningsby Merchandise
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[@margobaxter8344]

Our history and heritage are that which defines us today. Thank you Ted for bringing these videos to not just TCS but the World. They are marvellous, fascinating & informative ❤

[@TedConingsby]

Thank you so much Margo The TCS stream the present and remember our past LEST WE FORGET

[@ellesee7079]

Another great episode of lost airfields. Some great footage. So important that not only the places aren't forgotten, but all those people who were prepared to pay the ultimate sacrifice are remembered. Lest we forget

[@TedConingsby]

Thanks Ellesee LEST WE FORGET

[@roypowell3450]

Love our lost airfields coming to light. Thanks very much for taking the time Nikos & Ted...👍

[@TedConingsby]

Thanks Roy

[@IanWright72]

Just love these lost airfields, there are so many..thanks again Nikos and Ted Coningsby Another amazing story

[@IanWright72]

I'm visiting former RAF Coltishall at the end of march Tour and talk..been on base before but never seen the spitfire pens and blast wall's for the jaguar, can't wait

[@TedConingsby]

Thanks Ian

[@margobaxter8344]

Tremendous Ted Coningsby. Thank you ❤

[@TedConingsby]

Oiii oiii Margo thank you so much for the super thanks ❤️

[@eeeandeee]

As a little seven year old kiddie I loved playing around here and climbing 'the rock'. I think it helped spur my interest in WWII history. Thank you for the video.

[@TedConingsby]

[@davidgill2592]

That seemed to be almost compulsory when I was a kid. Oh and I noticed our typical Westcountry weather for the first half of the video.😆

[@kosmokatinperson8835]

Brilliant! Very much enjoying these “heritage” eps. Well done, fantastic content!

[@TedConingsby]

Thank you LEST WE FORGET

[@Bex22]

Wonderfully presented Nikos. You have a way of capturing the important historical fact and presenting it in an educational, respectful, interesting way. It is important for the history to never be lost and you are bringing the base back to life with your video. Thank you so much. Lest we forget. 🫡

[@TedConingsby]

Thank you so much Bex. We stream the present and remember our past Lest we forget

[@SusanR-x5y]

Very intresting thank-you 👍

[@GingerBailey-is1jx]

Another thought provoking video thanks Nikos……. And a Spit doing manoeuvres……lovely….

[@TedConingsby]

Thanks so much Julian

[@debbiebrooks2716]

I just love watching the Lost Airfields RAF Harrowbeer is no exception, so lost and yet so far away. It is amazing to hear its history from Nikos growing up in the 1960's as I did we missed so much now in the 2024 we begin to understand under the guidance of people like Nikos and Ted what happened to our RAF Stations after World War II it is such a shame. thank you Nikos and Ted for today's episode so lovely to learn more about missing history.

[@TedConingsby]

Oii oiii Debbie thank you so much. For some of our former airfields, it really is a race against time as they are being turned to dust sadly. But you know me and Nikos will do our best to never forget them. Thanks again Debbie

[@vickywassell4312]

Thanks for another great episode...this Lost Airfields series is fantastic, always enjoy watching them.

[@TedConingsby]

Thanks Vicky

[@arthurcharles936]

Just beautiful!!

[@TedConingsby]

Thank you

[@phb7]

Thanks guys. Very informative

[@TedConingsby]

Thank you

[@mwoldringh]

Nice to see that it still is very accessible and a landmark for our freedom. Freedom comes with costs and it is good that Ted and Nikos point that out.

[@TedConingsby]

Thanks Michael

[@DrSodaStream]

Another stunning episode. I look forward to these so much and I look forward to more in the future. Keep up the amazing work!

[@TedConingsby]

Thanks man

[@chrisbailey9331]

Very nicely presented, thank you for posting this! RAF Harrowbeer is just up the road from me! The dispersal pen you were in with the metal gates on the doorways was where 276 Squadron operated from. RAF Harrowbeer was one of three RAF bases used to develop the techniques employed in Air-Sea Rescue operations and their operations room was in the downstairs room of Knightstone adjacent to this dispersal bay and is now a museum about the history of the airfield. The shops at Yelverton were originally a three storey Victorian terrace and had the top two floors actually removed in order to give clearance for aircraft flying from Harrowbeer. The present road layout including Yelverton roundabout was constructed by the Air Ministry in order to accommodate the existence of the RAF Harrowbeer airfield, because the main Plymouth to Tavistock road originally crossed the airfield site at Leg O Mutton, and needed to be diverted around the airfield. There are so many stories and occurrences relating to the short life of this RAF station, where it was once said that ‘nothing very much ever happened here!’ How wrong they were! Indeed, Harrowbeer saw its most distinguished visitor arrive on 2 August 1945, when US President Harry Truman, returning home from the Potsdam Conference, was unable to route via St Mawgan in Cornwall due to it being closed due to fog, and his aircraft landed instead at Harrowbeer. Reception formalities were somewhat limited and, after dining with King George VI onboard HMS Renown in Plymouth, Truman sailed for his Atlantic crossing onboard USS Augusta.

[@TedConingsby]

Thank you very much. Indeed there are so many stories to tell with each former airfield

[@andrewcarson3455]

Ted, Nikos, and squad, what a brilliant piece of history brought alive with professional commentary editing and hard work ❤

[@TedConingsby]

Thanks Andrew

[@alexspinks833]

These are just getting better man. Can’t wait for episode 4

[@TedConingsby]

Thanks Alex

[@colinpattison220]

Wow, another wonderful episode of "Lost Airfields" Well done Ted & Nikos, for taking the time, very informative and another one that I hadn't heard of or knew anything about. Such lovely presentation & delivery

[@TedConingsby]

Thanks so much Colin.

[@captaina8697]

What a great video, love these old historical airfield films

[@TedConingsby]

Thanks Rich

[@timgooch4933]

Absolutely brilliant yet again!!! Weldone Nikos and Ted. ❤

[@TedConingsby]

Thanks Tim

[@OneFlyingLap]

I am absolutely loving these uploads, fantastic. Keep up the hood work, all the best 👍💪

[@TedConingsby]

Thank you very much

[@janeknight8245]

Love the history, we will remember them

[@TedConingsby]

LEST WE FORGET

[@MrFfsteve]

Thanks for a great show, the whole series is excellent.

[@TedConingsby]

Thank you so much

[@PerezMapManBush]

Love this, another great video looking back at our aviation heritage

[@TedConingsby]

Thank you Perry _ted2:

[@alangates5634]

Watched this at lunch time at work couldnt wait to watch this.... even though i am re watching it as ever very informative thanks

[@TedConingsby]

Thank you so much

[@EdwardCoates-zk2ug]

This is a great history lesson of RAF Harrowbeer in South West England with taxiways and parking stands still visible thanks very much for your explanation.Nikos.

[@TedConingsby]

Thanks Edward

[@BabsR]

wow very interesting and super informative, thank you so much

[@TedConingsby]

Thanks Babs

[@HughesA14]

Excellent video again Ted. Love these!

[@TedConingsby]

Thank you

[@Speedmaster1200-d8u]

What a great idea, well done

[@TedConingsby]

Thank you

[@garrydealey1968]

Thank you for that it was very interesting 😊

[@TedConingsby]

Thanks Garry

[@sljallen]

Love these episodes! My father was stationed at the Bassingbourne airfield.

[@TedConingsby]

Thank you so much. Oh, will look up and research where your father was stationed

[@paulmhennings6158]

Episode 3 so interesting and informative Ted and Nikos ,another great history film 🎥 keep up the outstanding content

[@TedConingsby]

Thank you Paul

[@sallycullum6034]

❤beautiful work ted on Dartmoor was near to where my uncle and auntie used to live 🌈🌈thank you

[@TedConingsby]

Thank you Sally

[@bueshirt]

A very, vert interesting video. Thank you Nikos,

[@TedConingsby]

You’re most welcome

[@vicsaul5459]

Brilliant, hi from somerset, 🇬🇧

[@TedConingsby]

Oiii oiii thank you very much

[@ssimonoxenham5066]

every year they have a enactment weekend and with the BBMF fly by and a spitfire flys in and lands all weekend. great film as always and even i learnt something

[@TedConingsby]

Thank you

[@DanielWalker67]

By making these video you inturn remember the very people who served here. So much left intact. Within the village is possibly why. Information to be proud of. A wonderful reminder why we are the nation we are today. Strength in adversities. Such brave men and women. We will remember them. Courtesy of your video Ted No:- 967 / 1070

[@DrSodaStream]

Well said Daniel!

[@TedConingsby]

Thank you very much Dan

[@kernowboy137]

Go West young man ! RAF St Eval.

[@scotm2250]

Well Done, Mate.

[@TedConingsby]

Thank you

[@angelsone-five7912]

As with a lot of airfields the runways have been dug up and probably used in road construction to say nothing of "the rock".

[@simonrichardson5077]

nice work,keep em coming

[@TedConingsby]

Thanks Simon

[@theprogamergt9584]

Thanks for the information on theses airfileds have you done RAF Strubby yet.

[@TedConingsby]

Thank you. No we haven’t yet

[@GingerBailey-is1jx]

Thanks

[@TedConingsby]

Oii Oii Julian thank you so much for the super thanks

[@stumartin2644]

Great video, but I always thought that Harrowbeer was what a Japanese sailor said when walking into a pub for a cheeky pint of asahi 😂

[@ryanlotgd]

went here for an event a few years ago my dad got to sit in a mock up spitfire with a mirlin engine that was started up

[@Alfie-b9o]

Yes good

[@TedConingsby]

[@simonbird1973]

Everyone in Plymouth knows this as ‘The Rock’. People go there for a ice cream & climb on the rock.

[@dartmoordave]

I live nearby, always wondered why the name. Thanks.

[@TedConingsby]

You’re most welcome

[@RLVIDEOS2024]

😮

[@TedConingsby]

[@doblackford]

Thats where I am. I could have met Ted.... Anyone spot the real Spitfire wing in the video?

[@TedConingsby]

[@barrywood5357]

oy oy savaloy

[@TedConingsby]

[@ColinBooth-z6i]

Brilliant

[@TedConingsby]

Thank you very much