On the south of the street. Monument

A black rectangular plaque set on a stone wall. The badges of various squadrons are printed on the top with the plan of the airfield and a compass in between. On the center, is the picture of a P-51 Mustang followed by the dedication message. The monument and another memorial on its right were unveiled on June 6, 2010. 

In the Second World War, some fields near Staplehurst became RAF Staplehurst, a prototype 'Advance Landing Ground'. An advance landing ground was an airfield constructed purely for the Allied invasion of Europe. RAF Staplehurst opened in 1943 and was a base for Canadian airmen. At the time of the Allied invasion of Europe, it was the base for the 363rd Fighter Group of the United States Army 9th Air Force. Prior to D-Day, this Fighter Group targeted German communication and, on D-Day itself, escorted gliders. After July 1944, the airfield was unused. Closed by the military in September 1944, it was dismantled during the winter of 1944-45 and, after its release by the Air Ministry in January 1945, it was quickly returned to its former agricultural use.

Source of information: Imperial War Museum War Memorials Register, www.tripadvisor.com

Source of images: 37months.blogspot.com

STAPLEHURST

ADVANCED LANDING GROUND

(-P-51 Mustang-)

THIS MEMORIAL COMMEMORATES

THE CANADIAN AND AMERICAN PILOTS AND THEIR GROUND CREWS

STATIONED AT CHICKENDEN FARM AND SPILLS HILL FARM,

STAPLEHURST ADVANCED LANDING GROUND

1943-1944

IN PREPARATION FOR

'OPERATION OVERLORD'

THE NORMANDY 'D'-DAY LANDINGS

WE REMEMBER THOSE WHO TOOK PART AND THOSE WHO MADE

THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE.

They shall grow not old as we who are left grow old

Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn,

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.