Sleap Airfield
A Short History
Sleap Airfield’s wartime story is that of a busy, highly specialised RAF training base that played a quiet but essential role in preparing aircrews for front‑line operations. Opened in April 1943 as a satellite to RAF Tilstock, Sleap sat in rural Shropshire, close enough to major bomber routes for realistic training yet far enough from congested airspace to operate safely. Its primary mission throughout the war was advanced aircrew training — first for Bomber Command, then for Airborne Forces, and finally for Transport Command.
Early Operations: Bomber Command Training (1943)
Sleap’s first major unit was No. 81 Operational Training Unit (OTU), part of No. 93 Group, Bomber Command. The OTU operated Armstrong Whitworth Whitley bombers, using Sleap’s three hard runways, dispersals for 27 aircraft, and extensive technical and instructional facilities. Training included navigation, night flying, bombing practice, and crew coordination — the final step before crews were posted to operational squadrons.
Although primarily a training station, some crews flew leaflet‑dropping sorties over enemy territory, giving Sleap a small but direct operational footprint.
Airborne Forces & Glider Training (1944)
On 1 January 1944, Sleap transferred to No. 38 Group, the RAF formation responsible for airborne assault operations. The Whitleys now served as glider tugs, towing Airspeed Horsa troop‑carrying gliders. These training flights rehearsed the demanding conditions of airborne landings: formation flying at low speed, close‑coupled towing, and coordinated release onto designated landing zones. This work directly supported preparations for D‑Day and later airborne missions such as Operation Market Garden.
Transition to Transport Command (Late 1944–1945)
In November 1944, Sleap replaced its Whitleys with Vickers Wellington T.X aircraft. By January 1945, the airfield operated 51 Wellingtons, shifting focus to Transport Command training as the RAF prepared for post‑invasion logistics and long‑range transport duties.
Sleap briefly returned to OTU duties in early 1945 before winding down operations as the war ended. The station closed in December 1945, though the RAF retained the site until 1964.
Legacy
Sleap never hosted front‑line squadrons, but its contribution was vital: thousands of aircrew passed through its classrooms, hangars, and runways, learning the skills needed for bomber operations, airborne assaults, and transport missions. Today, Sleap remains an active airfield, home to the Shropshire Aero Club, preserving its wartime heritage through museums and memorials.