Although Culmhead opened officially on 1st August 1941, fighters from Exeter had
been sheltering there from as early as June after a series of bombing raids on their
own airfield had resulted in the loss and damage to their aircraft. The first two
squadrons to arrive officially were from No 2 Polish Wing, being No's 316 (Warsaw)
a
nd 302 (Pozan), equipped with Hurricanes.
After a month one of the squadrons, No 302, left, to be replaced later that year by another, No 306 (Torun) equipped with Spitfires.
The primary role of the Wing was to defend Bristol and Exeter; but enemy daytime activity was light, so much of the time was spent on convoy escort duties and escorting bombing raids on the Brest Peninsula.
During February 1942, a research flight arrived from Farnborough to conduct cable-
In April that year, another squadron of Spitfires arrived, but left after a month.
During June, No 313 (Czech) Squadron arrived replacing the Poles, who were not sorry
to leave, having found the work dull. During October a further Czech squadron, N
o
312, arrived, thus forming a Wing. This continued the convoy patrols, which were
enlivened by hostile fighter sweeps over France; but roles were reversed when they
were called upon to patrol and intercept German fighter-
In June 1943, a year after their first squadron arrived, the Czechs left, having
lost several their pilots, some of whom were killed during fighter sweeps over occupied
France. 
They were replaced by No 66 Squadron RAF, which was joined by No 504 (City
of Nottingham) Squadron, both equipped with Spitfire Mk Vs. Not only were these aircraft
used for deck landing practice, but according to veteran pilot Gordon Cheesbrough
of No 504 Squadron, they also took part later in escorting American Marauder bombers
on Operation Nobel. The targets were thought to be VI flying-
December 1943 the airfield officially changed names from RAF Churchstanton to RAF Culmhead and was occupied by No's 165 Squadron (Ceylon) and 131
