It was part of 2 Group, RAF Bomber Command until December 1944 when it was handed over to 100 Group – the RAF unit responsible for countering German defences against the British strategic bombing – as they needed another airfield close to their HQ at Bylaugh Hall.

[1] On 4 July 1942, American and British airmen took off from this station as part of the first combined bombing raid of World War II.

Both Winston Churchill and Dwight D. Eisenhower were at RAF Swanton Morley for this mission, which saw six crews from 15th Bombardment Squadron fly a raid with six crews from the RAF, using Boston light bombers belonging to 226 Squadron.

[2][3] During the Second World War the station was home to the Bomber Support Development Unit (BSDU) of 100 Group.

[9] The Army sometimes uses the Mid-Norfolk Railway to transport equipment, such as armoured vehicles used by 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards, to their training facilities in other parts of the United Kingdom.