RAF Tempsford [entry point]

RAF Tempsford was a Bomber Command station located in Bedfordshire, 3 miles (5 kms) north-east of Sandy.

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The station was still under construction in October 1941 when the runways were started to be used by the Wellingtons of 11 Operational Training Unit, which stayed until February 1942. The station became home to the RAF Special Duty Service as part of 3 Group. 109 Squadron arrived in January 1942 with Wellingtons to trial new radio equipment but quickly left. In March and April 1942 138 Squadron and 161 Squadron both arrived with Whitleys, Halifaxes and Lysanders specialising in the delivery of Special Operations Executive agents either by parachute or by landing at night and dropping supplies to resistance groups. The Whitleys were gradually replaced by other aircraft types including Albermarles, B-24s, Hudsons and Stirlings. 138 Squadron moved out in early 1945, leaving 161 Squadron at the station until after the war.