ODIHAM is gearing up for a historic celebration.

This year will see RAF Odiham celebrate its 80th birthday, and will mark the occasion with a whole host of events throughout the year.

Celebrations kicked off in January with the raising of the large battle ensign at 8am; 80 years to the day that it was raised for the first time.

This was followed by an afternoon tea held in the Officers’ Mess where invited guests filled the room with early stories of RAF Odiham and the tales it had created over nearly a century.

The Odiham base also took the opportunity to unveil the design for the limited edition print which is being commissioned by RAF Odiham to commemorate the last 80 years.

The Operational Record Book, also known as the Station F540, dated January 11, 1937, as the official birthday of the RAF base and records indicates it was the date that saw the arrival of the first permanent staff and establishment of a station headquarters.

The Operations Book, stamped as ’secret’ at the time, summarises the establishment of the village base.

“No. 50 Wing was formed for the purpose of co-ordinating the work of three army co-operation squadrons, which will be located at Odiham for co-operation work with Army Divisions in the Aldershot Command.

“The training and co-operation work of three Squadrons will be carried out with the same Army Divisions in both peace and war, thus facilitating the change over when required from peace organisation to war organisation.

“This is the first time that the term ‘wing’ has been endorsed at home since the post war period of 1922. The commanding officer fills dual role of ‘Wing Commander’ and ‘Station Commander’.”

One of the myths surrounding the official opening of the base was that it was opened on October 18, 1937, by General Erhard Milch from the Luftwaffe, when in fact it was opened on January 11, 80 years ago by Stn Cdr Wg Cdr L O Brown DFC AFC alongside Flight Lieutenant J R Ackers, accountant officer, pilot officer B O Cannon, equipment officer and flying officer L H Cooper (RAFO), Station Adjutant.

It is also believed that General Milch requested RAF Odiham as his HQ following an invasion, however the base was actually designated as a primary target for Luftwaffe attention on ‘Adler Tag’, Eagle Day 13th August 1940 and several other days during the Battle of Britain as the Luftwaffe believed it was a prime candidate to operate RAF fighters from given its location to London.

Historians have said that it was “only by sheer luck that the bombers allocated to its destruction were either intercepted before reaching RAF Odiham or, as happened on a number of occasions, they miss identified another airfield; RAF Andover. The station was still bombed on a number of occasions in the summer of 1941.”

Speaking of the celebratory year ahead, Odiham Parish Council chairman Jon Hale said: “Odiham is tremendously proud to have been home to our RAF station for the last 80 years.  RAF Odiham is very much a part of our community and there is no doubt how much our parish respects and admires what the personnel stationed at RAF Odiham do for us all. 

“This is especially evident on armed forces day, when our residents always turn out en masse to show their support for the serving personnel and their families.  

“It will also be our opportunity to thank all the personnel and particularly the station commander for the tremendous effort that RAF Odiham makes to support and integrate into our community.

“Something that has been consistently and continually valued over the years and helps make Odiham a unique and special place to live.”