Monument record 2945/0/0 - RAF Cranage Airfield

<1> English Heritage, Various, Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Amendment), 34989 (Scheduling Record). SCH2950.

<2> CBA, 2002, Defence of Britain Project, S0003994 (Digital Archive). SCH4380.

Defences of former World War II airfield RAF Cranage. Airfield lies north of Byley village flanked by Moss Lane on the south, King’s Lane on the north, the B5081 on the west and a bridleway and the M6 motorway on the east. It was built as an aircraft storage facility shortly before the outbreak of World War II. During 1940 No.96 Squadron was formed at Cranage and flew in the air defence of Liverpool. In 1944 squadrons of the USAF were stationed at Cranage. No concrete runways, only grass, wire mesh and steel planking. After war RAF used the base as a storage unit until 1954, when the USAF used the airfield. Base returned to the RAF in 1957 and closed shortly afterwards. Six parts are scheduled monuments: Airfield Defence Head Quarters and Gun pit,(2945/0/1), three complete Pillboxes (2945/0/2,4 & 5) one demolished Pillbox (2945/0/3) and an aircrew Sleeping Shelter (2945/0/6).

<3> Gifford and Partners, 2005, Historical Building Recording at the Cheshire Salt Cavity Gas Storage Project (Client Report). SCH4724.

It was officially opened in 1940 and in December 1944 it was manned by RAF 21 group AFU.

<4> Francis F, Flagg R & Crisp G, 2015, Nine Thousand Miles of Concrete, Appendix (Report). SCH8247.

Used for advanced training, typically Advance Flying Units (Pilot or Observer). These would take newly qualified pilots from the Empire Training Scheme and accustom them to the problems associated with UK flying, e.g. congestion, bad weather and the possibility of enemy interaction. Approximately 5% of the track runways and perimeter track survive, and 5% of the main sites buildings.