Page 23 - Dennis Ovenden

RAF Lindholme started life as an expansion scheme aerodrome built on the wide expanse of
Hatfield moors, some 7 miles east of Doncaster. The site, to the east of the A614 Thorne to
Bawtry road, was a mile south of the small village of Hatfield Woodhouse, the name first selected
for the new station, however, stores and correspondence was getting waylaid between the station
and Hatfield Aerodrome in Hertfordshire, so in August 1940, the name was changed to Lindholme.
Work began in the spring of 1938 taking in approximately 250 acres of pasture for the airfield itself
and a further 150 for the camp and support facilities.

Three Type ʻCʼ hangars fronted the south-west side of the bombing circle, with a fourth and fifth
behind the two outer hangars. The administration, technical and accommodation area lay
alongside the A614. As was common with these expansion scheme airfields, the construction of
buildings took place over several months and the pace was only quickened by the outbreak of war.
Officially opened in June 1940 under No.5 Group, No. 50 Squadron RAF and its Hampdens
arrived the following month.