Bylaugh Hall (pronounced bee-la) was HQ to RAF No. 100 (Bomber Support) Group from late 1943 until 1945. The Commanding Officer was Air Chief Marshall Sir Basil Embury.

Built in 1851 under the terms of Sir John Lombe’s will after his death in 1817, it was designed by Sir Charles Barry, and later his son Charles Barry Junior together with Richardson Banks, both from the firm who designed the Houses of Parliament.

Work began on the new airfield in September 1942 when land was cleared in preparation for building work to commence. Hedges were removed, and trees cut down, the stumps being dynamited out.

Taylor Woodrow constructed the airfield to ‘Class A’ standard. It meant that the design needed to be suitable for the take-off and maintenance of heavy bombers.

RAF No. 100 (Bomber Support) Group took over West Raynham Station in December 1943 bringing two Mosquito-equipped Night Fighter Squadrons – Nos. 141 and 239.

Their duties involved flying Ranger Sorties and Serrate Patrols. Serrate was an Allied radar detaction and homing device used in Night Fighters to track German Night Fighters equipped with the early UHF-band BC and C-1 versions of the Lichtenstein radar.

RAF Swannington officially opened on 1 April 1944 as part of RAF 100 Group. It became home to 85 and 157 Squadrons, equipped with Mosquito aircraft.

Their role was largely one of supporting Bomber missions over enemy occupied territory, and Mosquitoes provided 100 Group with long-range capabilities throughout 1943-1945.

In January 1944, 214 Squadron joined 100 Group at Sculthorpe, re-equipping with American Flying Fortress aircraft, engaging in counter-measures until May 1945.

After training, it commenced operations from Sculthorpe until moving to Oulton in May 1944 to fly Fortress Mk II and Mk III and Stirlings, using the jamming system code-named ‘Airborne Cigar’ (ABC) to block German Night Fighter communications.

Oulton was also a base for US 803 Bomb Squadron.

As part of No. 100 (Bomber Support) Group, it RAF Foulsham was home to 192 Squadron (which contained a detachment of four P-38J Lightnings from 13 Squadron 7th Photo Reconnaissance Group USAAF) and No. 462 (Royal Australian Air Force) Squadron.

Wellington and Halifax aircraft were used by the Group at Foulsham.

100 Group’s task at Swanton Morley was to establish its Bomber Support Development Unit on the airfield, equipping with Bristol Beaufighter, Avro Lancaster, Supermarine Spitfire, and de Havilland Mosquito aircraft, carrying out experimental operational flights.

In January 1944, 214 Squadron joined 100 Group at Sculthorpe, re-equipping with American Flying Fortress aircraft, engaging in counter-measures until May 1945.

After training, it commenced operations from Sculthorpe until moving to Oulton in May 1944.

Great Massingham was home to 169 Squadron from late April 1944, flying its first operation on 5th June.

169 Squadron operated mainly on Night Ranger sorties and later Serrate sorties to seek out any night fighters operating against Bomber Command Main Force operations.

A famous night for 169 Squadron at Great Massingham occurred  on 20/21 July with the destruction of ‘100 Group’s 100th Hun’ when a Ju 88 was shot down in the Homburg area.

On 1st May 1944 No. 199 Squadron moved to North Creake, their battle-worn Stirlings left behind at Lakenheath.

At North Creake were brand new Stirlings fitted with special wireless equipment for jamming enemy radar. To operate this equipment there was an extra crew member, the Special Operator.

In addition to the wireless jamming, large amounts of WINDOW (silver paper) could be dropped to assist the jamming. Spoof (Diversion) operations were also flown, sometimes a combination of the two methods together.