RAF Upwood was one of the most important airfields in the area during the Second World War, with a 2,500-strong workforce at its wartime peak. Such was Upwood’s operational importance during the early 1940s, three new concrete runways were built in 1943 to allow the first of the Pathfinder Squadrons to operate from the base. In February 1941, Josef Jakobs, a German spy, was parachuted into a field adjacent to the base and was captured by local farmers. Jakobs was discovered to have maps of the RAF Upwood area, a code device and almost £500 cash on his person. In August 1941, Jakobs was executed by firing squad at the Tower of London having been found guilty of treachery. In the years after the war, Upwood performed various RAF roles until 1981, before being taken over by the United States Air Force. As of 2026, the majority of the base has been demolished ahead of redevelopment, with around a dozen buildings remainingplaceholder image
RAF Upwood was one of the most important airfields in the area during the Second World War, with a 2,500-strong workforce at its wartime peak. Such was Upwood’s operational importance during the early 1940s, three new concrete runways were built in 1943 to allow the first of the Pathfinder Squadrons to operate from the base. In February 1941, Josef Jakobs, a German spy, was parachuted into a field adjacent to the base and was captured by local farmers. Jakobs was discovered to have maps of the RAF Upwood area, a code device and almost £500 cash on his person. In August 1941, Jakobs was executed by firing squad at the Tower of London having been found guilty of treachery. In the years after the war, Upwood performed various RAF roles until 1981, before being taken over by the United States Air Force. As of 2026, the majority of the base has been demolished ahead of redevelopment, with around a dozen buildings remaining

5 abandoned and lost RAF bases near Peterborough that played a key role in the Second World War

By Daniel DeFalco
Published 12th Jun 2026, 12:32 GMT

Many local airfields have disappeared over the past 80 years

In the early stages of the Second World War, parts of the countryside surrounding Peterborough were transformed into RAF airfields as the government quickly drew up plans to combat the Axis powers.

Given its close proximity to Lincolnshire, which earned the nickname ‘Bomber County’ during the Second World War because it hosted the highest concentration of operational airfields of any county in the UK, the Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire countryside was earmarked for several new RAF airfields.

During the six-year conflict, these bases would prove pivotal during campaigns such as the Battle of Britain.

Between 1939 and 1945, they served vital roles in bombing campaigns, fighter operations, and flight training.

In the post-war era, however, with their primary functions made redundant, many local airfields either fell into disrepair or were returned to civilian use.

More than eight decades may have passed since the end of the Second World War, but the legacy of these once-vital airfields lives on.

We’ve taken a look at five former RAF airfields near Peterborough:

Located eight miles west of Huntingdon, RAF Kimbolton opened in November 1941. Kimbolton is best known as the base of the 379th Bombardment Group, which flew 330 combat missions in B-17 Flying Fortresses. The base closed in 1946, but was maintained with a "standby" status until the early 1960s. Today, part of the site is used by the Hunts Kart Racing Club.

5. RAF Kimbolton

Located eight miles west of Huntingdon, RAF Kimbolton opened in November 1941. Kimbolton is best known as the base of the 379th Bombardment Group, which flew 330 combat missions in B-17 Flying Fortresses. The base closed in 1946, but was maintained with a "standby" status until the early 1960s. Today, part of the site is used by the Hunts Kart Racing Club. Photo: Evolt

Photo Sales
Previous
2 / 2
Next Page
Related topics:RAFLincolnshirePeterboroughNorthamptonshireCambridgeshire
News you can trust since 1948
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice