RAF Holmsley South

The airfield was closed due to the post-World War II military drawdown. As a temporary wartime airfield, it was deemed surplus to requirements following the end of hostilities in Europe and the subsequent reduction in the size of both the Royal Air Force and the United States Army Air Forces.

The site has been largely returned to its pre-war state of heathland and forest, managed by Forestry England as part of the New Forest National Park. However, significant remnants of the airfield are still visible. A long section of the main runway was incorporated into the realigned A35 road. Other parts of the runways and perimeter track are now used as public car parks (such as Holmsley Inclosure), walking trails, and cycle paths. The former technical site is now home to the 'Holmsley' Camping and Caravanning Club Site, which utilizes some of the original concrete bases. A memorial stone dedicated to the RAF and USAAF personnel who served at the airfield is located at the site.

RAF Holmsley South was a significant Class A bomber airfield during World War II. It opened in September 1942 and initially served as a base for RAF Coastal Command. Squadrons, including No. 58 and No. 502, flew Handley Page Halifax and Vickers Wellington bombers on anti-submarine patrols over the Bay of Biscay. In early 1944, the airfield was transferred to the USAAF Ninth Air Force in preparation for the D-Day landings. It became the home of the 394th Bombardment Group (Medium), famously known as the 'Bridge Busters', who flew Martin B-26 Marauder medium bombers. From Holmsley South, they conducted numerous tactical bombing missions against bridges, coastal defenses, V-1 flying bomb sites, and other strategic targets in occupied France before and after the Normandy invasion. After the 394th moved to France in August 1944, the airfield returned to RAF control, being used by Transport Command for training with Douglas Dakotas until its closure.

There are no plans or prospects for reopening RAF Holmsley South as an aviation facility. The site is located within the highly protected New Forest National Park, and most of the essential airfield infrastructure, including the majority of the runways, has been removed or has deteriorated. Its current use for public recreation, conservation, and as part of a major public road makes any future aviation use virtually impossible.