{"id":69,"date":"2026-04-11T12:22:58","date_gmt":"2026-04-11T11:22:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost:8080\/?page_id=69"},"modified":"2026-04-11T12:38:53","modified_gmt":"2026-04-11T11:38:53","slug":"upottery","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/southwestairfields.teknicode.uk\/?page_id=69","title":{"rendered":"Upottery"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Upottery\u00a0Heritage Centre<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Slough Lane, Smeatharpe Devon, EX14 9RD<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

See our Unique Original Photographic Archive Documenting the major role this historic airfield played during the night of June 5th and the D-Day operation on June 6th 1944 and the Bravery of the men who flew from here.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All housed within part of the original 439th Troop Carrier Group HQ Officers\u2019 Complex and original Nissen Hut.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Sat Nav Post Code:\u00a0EX14 9RD<\/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 and then follow signs to Smeatharpe , Past Airfield then go through village. Past village hall, after about 200yds turn right down Slough Lane (there will be boards at the end of the road when we are open – 11am – 4pm Thurs to Fri and bank holidays). We are about 500 yards down on the right hand side, past a couple of bungalows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Proceed out of Taunton on the Honiton Road go up Blagdon Hill past Culmhead business park take right fork follow signs Smeatharpe Just past Devon Boundary Sign, road bends to right take immediate left turn down Slough Lane (there will be boards at the end of the road when we are open – 11am – 4pm Thurs to Fri and bank holidays). We are about 500 yards down on the right hand side, past a couple of bungalows.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Heritage Centre Information <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Upottery was the last of three wartime airfields to be built on the Blackdown Hills. On 25th & 26th April 1944, the USAAF 439th Troop Carrier Group arrived by air and road from Balderton airfield, Nottinghamshire bringing four Troop Carrier Squadrons each, with around twenty Douglas C-47 transport planes in preparation for the invasion of Normandy on D Day<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shortly afterwards over 1300 American paratroops from the 1st & 2nd Battalions of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, moved down from Aldbourne, Wiltshire together with over 1000 American glider troops of the 325th and 401st Glider Infantry Regiments, 82nd Airborne Division .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The exhibition in our Heritage Centre features a unique collection of photographs, of Aircraft and Personnel preparing for the invasion. Many are on loan from the family of the late Col Charles H Young, who was the war- time USAAF Commander of the 439th TCG.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Photographs show the training the pilots undertook , the briefings, and also show the troops literally minutes before they flew to Normandy !<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They provide a rare insight into what took place prior to D Day and the missions that took place after the invasion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We think you will not fail to be moved and impressed by the courage and bravery of those who spearheaded the Normandy invasion and who gave us the freedom we enjoy today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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