The story
Alt Name: --. Opened: 1914. Status in 1944: WW1 use only.. Current use: n/k. Remarks: Set up to provide floatplane cover for naval bases at Chatham & Sheerness. Westgate seaplane station opened at St. Mildreds Bay on Aug. 1st 1914. Hangar & Slipway was built together with Wireless Station. In early 1915 land on the cliffs to the East of the seaplane base was requisitioned as an aerodrome and huts and hangars were erected to support the land planes. After accidents the site was considered too restrictive for landplane ops and the war-flight was moved to Manston in Jul. 1916. Westgate aerodrome was abandoned. Ops ceased in late summer 1919 & Westgate seaplane stn. closed on Feb 7th 1920.
There's more to discover
You have arrived at just one small part of Back to Normandy — a personal project dedicated to preserving stories, images, music and memories of the Second World War.
Every record is a doorway to a larger story. Explore Back to Normandy to discover more, or visit Fred Vogels' personal website to learn about the person and the projects behind it.