{"id":19,"date":"2026-04-10T19:39:31","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T18:39:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost:8080\/?page_id=19"},"modified":"2026-04-11T12:21:26","modified_gmt":"2026-04-11T11:21:26","slug":"dunkeswell","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/southwestairfields.teknicode.uk\/?page_id=19","title":{"rendered":"Dunkeswell"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Dunkeswell Heritage Centre<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Dunkeswell Airfield , Honiton Devon, EX14 4LG<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

S<\/strong>ee our Unique Photographic Archive of life on the only WW2 US Naval Air Base in Europe.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Including photographs of U boats being attacked and sunk! Plus our Authentic Replica Uniforms, Films, Artefacts, Mission Narratives Models, Dioramas, WW2 Memorabilia and archive film of the Airfield.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How to find us<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sat Nav Post Code:\u00a0EX14 4LG<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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From Honiton<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Proceed to junction of A30\/A35 follow signs to Dunkeswell go through village. Then Turn left on to Airfield. We are about 200 metres down on the right hand side, just past the memorial, which is a large propeller on a stone cairn<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Taunton<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Proceed out of Taunton on the A38 Road to Wellington. At the Chelston road roundabout Nr Wellington take second exit A38, West Buckland. Over next roundabout and follow road for approximately 1 mile. Then turn left into Monument Road which then becomes Wellington Hill go over bridge that goes over M5<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow signs to Hemyock as you get to the centre of Hemyock you will see the Catherine Wheel Pub Turn right in front of the Pub and then follow the road up the hill 4 to 5 miles to Dunkeswell. As you get to the top of the hill you will see the Airfield which is situated on your right . Turn right on to the Airfield at its main entrance .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are situated about 200 metres on the right hand side just past the airfield memorial, which is large propeller on a stone cairn.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Heritage Centre Information\u00a0<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Dunkeswell Airfield was built between 1942 & 1943 by George Wimpey and Co and following its completion it was initially occupied by the USAAF 479th Anti Submarine Squadron and then by the US Navy and was the only US Naval Airbase in Europe. who undertook U boat hunting in the Bay of Biscay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our substantial Photographic Archive provides a unique insight to life on the base. Unlike the British, the Americans had access to film and faced very little restriction on what they photographed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result we have been able to collect over many years, what we think is a fantastic selection of over 400 photographs. Mostly professionally taken, including some taken by the Germans, that provide a story-line and window in time that allows us to see what life was actually like and what took place at the Airfield during the second world war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have now combined this with official film taken at the time, an historical narrative, uniforms and WW2 artefacts that together, tell the story of the Men and Women who served here. Whether you are a military history enthusiast or just curious,? We think you will find our Airfield Heritage centre fascinating and well worth a visit !<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to our photographic collection Come and See :-<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How coastal command went about hunting the U boats down including film taken at Dunkeswell showing the Aircraft and the briefings<\/p>\n\n\n\n