former RAF Daws Hill (High Wycombe) | Second World War 1939-1945, RAF - Royal Air Force, closed / former military, United States Navy, former air force base

United Kingdom / England / High Wycombe
 Second World War 1939-1945, RAF - Royal Air Force, closed / former military, historical layer / disappeared object, United States Navy, former air force base
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RAF Daws Hill was a Royal Air Force station on the outskirts of High Wycombe, in Buckinghamshire, England. The base is situated on Daws Hill Lane, the road between Flackwell Heath and Marlow Hill, High Wycombe, off the A404 road and adjacent to the M40 motorway.

An important part of US defence in the United Kingdom in the 1980s, the station was occupied by the United States Navy. It was home to a peace camp in 1982–1984.
Following a review of Ministry of Defence properties in the south-east of England, the station closed in 2007 and the site was sold to a property developer (Taylor Wimpey) in 2011.

In March 2012, the Ministry of Defence sought permission from Wycombe District Council for the demolition of the station's Cold War bunker by the summer. Following demolition, it is planned that the land will be returned to the neighbouring Wycombe Abbey School, from which it was originally requisitioned
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Daws_Hill
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   51°37'5"N   -0°44'46"E

Comments

  • Headquarters of strike command
  • This is not the HQ of Strike Command, that's in Walters Ash about 8 miles from Daws Hill
  • I thought it was still HQ Strike Command. Maybe I am out of date
  • Sorry, I may be wrong about this
  • Strike Command or Air Command as it's now called is in Walters Ash. There is a huge bunker there too, clearly visable on this map. Daws Hill was never Strike Command, it was used by the US since WW2 and through the cold war only being abandoned in the summer of 2007.
  • I was stationed at Daws Hill for 3 years with the USAF 1962-64 with the 7th AD, 485th Comm Sq. I worked in the nuclear bunker the entire time. Does anyone know if the bunker is still acessible or has it been sealed off?
  • Daws Hill was the headquarters for the 7th Air Division USAF in the UK
  • When I was here (as a dependent) in 1967-1970, it was known as High Wycombe Air Station, part of the US 8th Air Force. I went to scout meetings in a building just inside the front gate, and the schools were off Florida Street (K-3) and across the public right of way in Quonset huts in the area of Fifth Street (4-6). Junior high and high school students went to RAF Upper Heyford.
  • Back in 1961-65, I worked in the Weather Central at High Wycombe Air Station. Visited there in 2005 and actually got on the site with my VA id card, but couldn't stay long and of course so much had changed. Back then, lived in a little cottage outside of Marlow up on the Frieth Road, but couldn't find the old place, named Windbourne back then. Would like to connect with any of you folks that might have been there around that time. My email is tstullich@yahoo.com .
  • Cfawcett1. I was, also, a dependent at High Wycombe during the same years you were. I went from grades 3-5 at the school-first the main elementary and then the Quonset huts. I had an older brother but I don't recall him going to Upper Heyford. I thought he was, also, in the Quonset huts. But, yes, I do recall the scout meetings he had. I recall visiting my father in what I thought was the bunker. I have a memory of being underground with very thick walls and doors. He had previously been a KC-135 command pilot (I was born in Plattsburgh) and a Minuteman Missileman in Malmstrom. I never knew what he did at Daws Hill/High Wycombe. We were told "plans". I seem to recall a transfer to South Ruislip. I can be contacted at pamela dot maack at sjcd.edu.
  • i was there from 1962 to 1965 it was a communication base. a great place to spend 3 1/2 years. meet my wife there and had one child.
  • I was stationed there as a SSgt from August 1954 until August 1957. NCOIC Engineering & Maintenace. Played clarinet with two great locals, and a RAF Sgt. Great four years.
  • want to locate 3929th AP's/security police who served between 1962--1965
  • I was there as a child (age 6 to 10 ) between 1966 and 1970! My father was a s/sgt and worked in the buncker . We used to call it the "hole" I went to school there from 1st to 4th grade and was a boyscout! I have very good childhood memories of that air force base ! Would love to get in contact with friends such as alan howell , marc fast , donna mc colough , wendale wright , donna harris , robert benson and so many more !
  • gillm@wanadoo.fr
  • I am looking for anyone that was stationed in USAF High Wycombe back in 1966/7 And remembers BILL KRUGER....BILL AVERY.... Or anyone else lolli8@yahoo.com
  • I was a dependent at USAF High Wycombe from 1960-63 and again from 67-70.My father worked in weather comm. and played lot of fast-pitch softball.I remember he owned a 1967 Mustang fastback 289 4 speed.I went to first grade at the school building and my 4,5 and 6th. were in the long narrow building that ran parallel to each other with a class room on each end.My 7th was in the Quonset huts .Mr.Hummer was one of the teacher.The base was great.Best base we were ever at.Later we returned to England-Crouton and lived on RAF Upper Heyford.I graduated from there in 1975,which was the high school for the older kids when I lived at High Wycombe.That was the last class from there before moving the school to RAF Crouton .
  • I was stationed at High Wycombe, 7th AD, 485th Communications Squadron from Feb 1960 until Feb 1963. I worked as a teletype operator, torn tape relay (P-55) in nthe hole (as we called it). I met my wife in Flackwell Heath and we will celebrate our 50th Wedding Anniversary on 31 Mar 2012. I originally lived in the quansit huts and then to the new barracks until I got married. I was an A1C (E-4) when I left England and got discharged. Rejoined the AF in 1973 and went to OTS, eventually retiring as a Major. I remember Kathy in the BX, some of my friends were Frank Bartlett, Wayne Armond, Rebel Lance Kreklow, and a host of others that I cannot recollect their names now. I really loved my tour with the 485th and wouldn't change a think if I had it to do over. If you were in the 485th during my time I would live to hear from you.
  • P.S. My email address is carlwburton@comcast.net
  • So good to see all the great memories being revisited from times at High Wycombe! I was 7th AD Recreation and Entertainment Director stationed there from late '60 thru '62, having come there from Maron de la Frontera AB, Spain. I coached the High Wycombe basketball team that won the All England runner up spot in '61. It was the best station in my entire career with the Air Force! cairapress@arvig.net
  • I was stationed there from Aug 1967 to Nov 1970 as part of Det 40, 28th Weather Sq. It was one of my more memorable experiences. UK in the late 60s! How great was that? Met one of my best friends there among the many great people encountered during my tour. We were able to visit the base in the summer of 2007 with our spouses just prior to its decommissioning. There had been some changes, the old quonset hut that housed the European Weather Central was gone, but much had stayed the same. It was nice to visit one more time.
  • I was stationed there in the 2180 comm and worked in the weather real building. I loved it. I had alot of great fun with so manny wonderfull people.1966-1968
  • I went to grade school at Dawes Hill base in the late 1960's. My father, Delano Wisland, was a meteorologist there until he was transferred to Upper Heyford around 1970. Sadly, my father died in 1985. I would have loved to go on the base again. From the satellite photos, it looks like very little changed on the base since I was there.
  • Hi all, I currently live on Florida street inside usaf high Wycombe and work for the girls school. we have been handed back the bunker on site here but the rest of the base has ben taken over by a construction company. I would love to hear stories and see any photographs anyone may have of the base from its operational days! My mother, auntie and grandmother all worked in the American express building during the 1980's and 1990's. Anybody that wishes to get in touch with me I would love to hear your stories! Many thanks, Nick Harris, Florida Street. Nicholasharris20@gmail.com
  • Also just to let you all know, the base, although a little bit overgrown now, is exactly as it was the day it was left. It is very eery as if everyone just got up and left over night but a very fascinating place.
  • worked at base comm center, 1966-1968. dick young, call me.
  • 2180 CS 1965-68. Dick Young was my room mate and Gary Wright was a good friend. You guys give me a call if your still alive. 208-336-0972, Boise ID.
  • Did anyone know Jack Mayberry who worked at the bunker in 1960 ?
  • Was there FEB62-OCT64. 485th COMM SQ, HIGH WYCOMBE TCO duty. "Sarge"
  • I was stationed there form 1979-1984, as a Medical Technician. The best assignemnt I ever had. Wish I would have taken more pics now.
  • was there from '61 to '65...ran the base soccer team...Peter Murphy...
  • Was stationed there 67 thru 71 in communications, worked in the bunker. William Gilbreth pepsiman1949@comcast.net
  • I was there 1959-1960. Supported the USAF Comm. Center. Guy Richardson
  • Hello Pete. I played with you on the soccer team. I was there '62-'64....Bob "Red" Muir.
  • I was stationed at HIgh Wycombe from fall19 66 to summer /fall of 1967. Wrked in Telephone Maintenance Installation
  • Carl, I was in 485th Comm from '62-'64 Tech Control in the bunker. you must have seen me through the big window...maybe even talked to you over the intercom. It was indeed the best place to serve! I left the USAF after my first tour and had a 27 year career with what is now Verizon. I still have contact with the girl I should have married in High Wycombe. Bob "Red" Muir
  • Art aka Sarge, I worked in Tech Control 485th Comm Sq '62-'64. Bob "Red" Muir
  • Was there in 1968. Enjoyed the experience and met a lot of nice people...Dean Kinne, Gary Wright, Jim Myers, Joe Latavic
  • My family was stationed at High Wycombe from 1968-1969 before being transferred to Rhein Main. I lived on Dawes Hill Lane and rode the bus to Upper Heyford for my junior year of high school. I'm in England now and hope to visit High Wycombe. It's my first time back to England since we left in '69. Lots of great memories.
  • Carl - I lived on Base from 1958 through 1961 - a dependent. My Dad was MSgt Richard I Tighe. Did you ever meet him? I believe he worked in the bunker, but not sure of that. I remember Sgt Ellis, Sgt Hurt, Gen Blanchard (used to hang around with his son Donny), and some others. I went to Eastcote Elementary School (still have a panoramic photo of the entire student body, and teachers), then to Bushey Hall before we transferred to Vandenberg AFB in CA. Rick at tighert@verizon.net
  • I first worked at the base comm center in 1967, then moved to Automated Weather after six months. I was there through August of 1970 and left right before everyone was moved to RAF Croughton. Preston
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This article was last modified 6 years ago