The RNAS Naval Air Station Prawle Point was a British First World War airfield outside the village of East Prawle in Devon, England and 2.6 miles (4.2 km) south east of Salcombe, Devon.
The airfield was opened in 1917 to provide a base for de Havilland DH.6 and de Havilland DH.9s of the Royal Naval Air Service to carry out anti-submarine patrols.
History
With the formation of the Royal Air Force in April 1918 the airfield became RAF Prawle Point and aircraft flights became 254 Squadron.[2] The squadron was divided into flights with 492 (Light Bomber) Flight operating the DH.9s and 515 and 516 (Special Duties) Flights the DH.6s.[3] The squadron disbanded on 22 February 1919 and flying at Prawle Point ended.
Current use
The airfield is now used for farming.
Military users: RNAS/RAF
RNAS Marine Operations Station (1917)
492 (Light Bomber) Flight (DH.9s)
517 & 518 (Special Duties) Flights (DH.6s)
RAF 254 Sqdn (DH.6s)
Location: About 2.5nm SE of Salcombe. When flying over this area in 2008 (see picture) there is a distinctly curious line of a long semi-circular hedge to be seen. Possibly the southern edge of the WW1 airfield?
Period of operation: 1917 to 1920 (Closed in the 1917/18 winter)
Opened again for RNAS later RAF use from February 1918 to February 1919
Site area: 50 acres 640 x 366
NOTES: It appears that a dozen Sopwith ‘One and half Strutters’ were based here initially, allocated to the Admiralty for inshore patrol duties, before being withdrawn to bolster the Western Front.
In 1918 No.492 (Light Bomber) Flight was formed in May. They flew DH.9 bombers on ‘scarecrow’ patrols in advance of convoys, forcing the U-boats to stay submerged during daylight hours. No. 517 and 518 (Special Duties) Flights arrived soon after with DH.6s. All these flights performed highly dangerous missions flying over the sea using land-planes.
PRAWLE POINT was then home to RAF 254 Squadron undertaking coastal reconnaissance and anti-submarine duties using Airco DH.6 types. It appears the Sopwith ‘One and half Strutters’ were used in Artillery Co-Operation duties until 1920.
If anybody can confirm that the airfield site is in my picture, I’d be delighted to say the least. If not, it certainly isn't far off, but needless to say the picture then becomes redundant.