RAF Rivenhall History

16/05/2026

CHALK NUMBER 141

As in all Airborne Operations (including today), all transport aircraft and gliders were allocated a Chalk Number (CN). Literally a number written on its side, in chalk. Any vehicle or mobile gun then allocated to that aircraft/glider had the same number written on them. This ensured that the right troops and equipment ended up on the right aircraft and subsequently at the right location.

On Operation VARSITY, RAF Rivenhall was allocated CN’s 121-152 and 315-342. Inside these gliders were a blend of different units as per the tactical loading plan for the 6th Airborne Division. CN’s 140 and 141 each carried a jeep and 6 pounder anti tank gun plus 3 crew from Support Company 12 DEVON.

Throughout my research on RAF Rivenhall, CN 141 has appeared constantly in images and video, it’s uncanny. There aren’t many gliders and loads from WW2 that can be followed visually from loading at their station of departure to their end destination.

The museum at Rivenhall is still on schedule for opening next year. I’m hoping that my model of CN 141 will be there to help visitors visualise the gliders and the sacrifices made by those who flew from the base.

14/05/2026

Not seen this footage before! Every day is a school day ☺️

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CnbUwqUfp/?mibextid=wwXIfr

03/05/2026

I still find it amazing that, even after 80 years have passed, I’m discovering new images of the airfield at Rivenhall and the units there. Thanks so much to Ken for allowing me to post these images that add so much life to the history.

The following pics are of the 397th Bombardment Group, USAAF, who were at Rivenhall ftom April until August 1944.

The airfield picture is taken looking from North to South. At the top of the picture you can see Hangar Number 2 and to the left of that the area where the Squadron Hut and Woodhouse Farm still stand.

The picture with the boats beneath the aircraft is probably D Day, June 6th 1944, with the aircraft returning back to Rivenhall.

The sketch (one of many) is from one artist who spent time at the airfield. Here he depicts the rear guns of a B26 Marauder being test fired into the butts at Rivenhall.

14/04/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FQtZcHwfF/?mibextid=wwXIfr

He was only about six weeks from the end of the war. The U.S. 17th Airborne Division suffered around 1,300 casualties. A U.S. paratrooper hangs motionless where he landed — caught in a tree near Wesel, Germany.

For airborne troops, the descent was often the most dangerous moment. Exposed in the sky, they were easy targets before they ever reached the ground.

Operation Varsity would become one of the largest airborne assaults of the war.

The cost was heavy. The U.S. 17th Airborne Division suffered around 1,300 casualties, including 430 killed. The British 6th Airborne Division lost roughly 1,400 men.

29/03/2026

I was honoured to find out yesterday that the Operation VARSITY memorial at RAF Rivenhall, unveiled last year by the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, is registered on the Imperial War Museum pages.

Thank you so much to Harriet for getting this done. She assures me photos have also been loaded onto the page but aren’t yet appearing.

https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/111931

Harriet continues to help unpacking the history of the airfield that has such a rich history.

Here’s her story: https://theheritagebuddy.blogspot.com/2025/08/raf-rivenhall-research.html

Memorial type: Roll of honour or book of remembrance

24/03/2026

23/03/2026

Tomorrow is the 81st Anniversary of Operation VARSITY, the largest single airborne operation ever to take place.

Here’s a reminder of what it was all about:

Original footage of the planning and delivery of Operation Varsity, launched from Marks Hall Estate on 24 March 1945. Operation Varsity was the Allied airbor...