News

Ex-US Navy's WW2 Base On The Market For £250,000

Picture: SWNS.

A ten-acre site at Dunkeswell airfield in Devon, which was the only US Navy's base in Europe during the Second World War, is on the market for £250,000.

The site had a significant role in the Battle of the Atlantic in the 1940s, with its Operations Block serving as the nerve centre for US Navy operations in the Bay of Biscay area.

The Battle of the Atlantic was a term coined by Sir Winston Churchill, which related to the struggle of merchant ships when transporting vital supplies to the UK.

To tackle the threat of German U-boats and warships, merchant ships were grouped into convoys and escorted by warships and aircraft.

The Devonshire site served as a US Naval base until May 1945, by which time almost 6,500 anti-submarine missions were flown from it (Picture: SWNS).

After the war, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) sold the airfield, which now includes two Grade II listed buildings.

The site is currently being sold through Savills for "in excess of £250,000".

Chris Clifford, an associate director at Savills Exeter, said: "It is a very unusual opportunity and we think it is something that would appeal to an enthusiast - whether they are a historian or someone with a light aircraft who wants to use the adjoining airfield.

"It offers space and privacy in pleasant rural surroundings and we have already got a number of viewings booked."

The Operations Block, adjoining the Administration Block, is the largest of the buildings.

Dunkeswell Airport CREDIT SWNS.jpg — The site has planning permission for turning the two blocks into a 4,800sq/ft family home comprising a hallway, kitchen/dining room, six reception rooms, five bedrooms, an office, two service rooms and three outside stores (Picture: SWNS).

The Crew Briefing Room, which is around 2,300 sq/ft, also has planning permission to be converted into a large garage with parking for approximately 12 cars.

In addition, the site has two bunkers.