If you want to get a sense of what a First World War aerodrome looks like, then a visit to Stow Maries is a must. Proudly claiming to be ‘Europe’s largest surviving World War I aerodrome’, the museum welcomes visitors to an impressive, hundred-acre site.
In September 1916, ‘B’ Flight of 37 (Home Defence) Squadron, RFC/RAF, arrived at its new home with its BE2s. Its mission was to defend London against Zeppelin and Gotha attacks.
‘B’ Flight would be joined by ‘A’ Flight in the summer of 1917, followed by HQ Flight in 1918, although it was not until after the war, with the arrival of ‘C’ Flight, that the squadron was stationed entirely at Stow Maries. At this time, the squadron’s complement was recorded as being some 300 personnel and 24 aircraft.
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