No. 1656 CU

Conversion Training - 1656 CU - 3rd April 1943

RAF Lindholme - Yorkshire

Lindholme was built on the Hatfield moors about 5 miles east of Doncaster, about 1 mile south of the small village of Hatfield Woodhouse. Work began on this expansion aerodrome in the Spring 1938 taking in approximately 400 acres of pasture for both airfield, camp and support facilities. Several squadrons took up residence at Lindholme including 50, 408 (a new Canadian squadron) and 304 & 305 (2 Polish Wellington Squadrons).

In 1942 Lindholme's runways were upgraded to concrete and in October of that year No. 1656 Heavy Conversion Unit moved in with a few Lancasters and Manchesters to serve 1 Group's conversion to Lancasters. Other units joined 1656 HCU including 1667 HCU (June 1943) and No. 1 Lancaster Finishing School.

Having flown Wellington Bombers, the crew are now posted to 1656 Heavy Conversion Unit for specific training on Lancasters. Sgt Alfred Hales (Flight Engineer) and Sgt E. Southon (Mid Upper Gunner) now join the original five crew.

I visited the Public Record Office and viewed the original files for this unit.

There seemed to be very little detail about what happened at 1656 CU apart from the following posting information...

Postings Out Aircrew

Also the following were also posted to 12 Squadron during the next couple of weeks