RAF Sawbridgeworth

The airfield was closed as part of the massive post-World War II reduction of the Royal Air Force. With the end of hostilities, many temporary and satellite airfields like Sawbridgeworth were deemed surplus to military requirements and were subsequently decommissioned.

The site of the former airfield has been almost completely returned to civilian use and bears little resemblance to its wartime state. The majority of the land is now used for agriculture and extensive gravel and sand extraction (quarrying), which has obliterated large sections of the original runways and taxiways. A light industrial estate has been developed on part of the site. While some fragmented sections of the perimeter track and building foundations may exist, they are not easily identifiable. A memorial to the personnel who served at RAF Sawbridgeworth stands at the nearby Allens Green crossroads to commemorate the airfield's history.

RAF Sawbridgeworth was a significant Royal Air Force station during World War II. Opened in 1941, it initially served as a satellite airfield for the nearby RAF North Weald. It played a crucial role in the air defence of Great Britain and supported offensive operations over occupied Europe.

Key Operations and Units:
- **Fighter Command:** It was home to numerous RAF fighter squadrons flying aircraft such as the Spitfire, Hurricane, and later the Mustang. These squadrons conducted defensive patrols, bomber escort missions, and offensive fighter sweeps ('rhubarbs') over the continent.
- **Special Operations Executive (SOE):** The airfield gained particular distinction as a base for No. 161 (Special Duties) Squadron. This squadron flew clandestine missions, using aircraft like the Westland Lysander and Lockheed Hudson to drop off and pick up agents, supplies, and saboteurs in Nazi-occupied territories, primarily France. These were high-risk night operations vital to the resistance movements.
- **USAAF Involvement:** From 1943, it was also used by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) as a fighter base for units of the Eighth and Ninth Air Forces, flying P-47 Thunderbolts and P-51 Mustangs. These units provided escort for heavy bombers and conducted ground-attack missions in the lead-up to and during the D-Day landings.

In summary, it was a vital front-line base for fighter defence, bomber escort, and highly secretive special operations throughout the most intense periods of the air war in Europe.

There are no plans or prospects for reopening the site as an airfield. The land has been fundamentally altered by decades of quarrying, industrial development, and agriculture, making any return to aviation use logistically and financially unfeasible. The site is considered a historical location, not a dormant airfield.