No 1 SPECIALISED LOW ATTACK INSTRUCTORS' SCHOOL 24.12.1942 to 26.1.1944
Commanding Officers
Wing Commander Whitworth - 24.12.1942 to
Wing Commander D.E. Gillam, D.S.O., D.F.C., A.F.C. to 15.6.1943
Wing Commander R.E.P. Booker, D.F.C. and Bar 15.6.1943 to 26.1.1944 (Killed flying a Tempest 16th April 1945. He was wing leader on Continent).

PARTICIPATING SQUADRONS and COMMANDING OFFICER
184 Squadron 3.2.1943 to 22.2.1943 and 19.5.1943 to 9.6.1943 - Squadron Leader J. Rose, D.F.C.
164 Squadron 2.3.1943 to 14.4.1943 and 9.6.1943 to 30.6.1943 - Squadron Leader D.P. McKeown, D.F.C. (Killed attacking lock gates at Zuid Bevelandon 2.9.1943)
3 Squadron 17.9.1943 to 6.10.1943 - Squadron Leader Thomas, D.F.C., A.F.C.

FIGHTER LEADERS’ SCHOOL
31.1.1944 to 27.12.1944
Station Commanders
Group Captain J R Addams, A.F.C. - 31.1.19440to 4.6.1944
Group Captain E W Whitley, D.S.O., A.F.C. - 5.6.1944 to 27.12.1944

No 56 OPERATIONAL TRAINING UNIT
15.12.1944 to 14.2.1946
Station Commanders
Group Captain A.A.M. Bentley, O.B.E., A.F.C.- 15.12.1944 to 23.5.1945
Group Captain P.P. Hanks, D.S.O., D.F.C. - 23.5.1945 to 7.9.1945
Group Captain E. M. Donaldson, D.S.O., D.F.C. - 7.9.1945 to 14.2.1946

183 SQUADRON
16.6.1945 to 17.6.1945
Commanding Officers
Squadron Leader J.R.Cullen, D.F.C.

The airfield at Milfield had its origins in World War 1. In 1917 the site, then known as Woodbridge, was used as a landing ground by a detachment from 77 squadron. However, that is another story and this book will cover the period when the R.A.F. units occupied the sites in World War II and immediately thereafter.

In the autumn of 1941 the Air Ministry requisitioned sites at Milfield and Brunton for the construction of the two airfields and awarded the contract to Messrs H.E. Pitt of Sunderland. Both airfields were in a relatively remote part of Northumberland and this location was to suit the secret nature of the work carried out there in 1943 and 1944, although this was not the original purpose of their requirement.

The airfields were designed to house a complete operational training unit. Milfield was to be the parent station and Brunton the satellite, capable of housing a complete fighter squadron led by experienced squadron and flight commanders.

Before the airfields were completed and handed over, Milfield had a surprise visitor on 1st May 1942 when Harrow K7042 from 271 Squadron made an emergency landing after engine failure. The Harrow was on a flight from R.A.F. Doncaster to R.A.F. Leuchars in the hands of F/O Suryn, and after engine repairs the Harrow left Milfield at 15.15 hours on the 3rd May and returned to Doncaster.

It was not until 21st July that 59 O.T.U., then based in Cumberland at R.A.F. Crosby and at the satellite airfield at R.A.F. Longtown, received a signal, 0/712, from H.Q. Fighter Command ordering the unit to move to R.A.F. Milfield between 5th to 10th August.