These items were discovered at a disused bunker close to Dunsfold Airfield in Surrey, a site with deep connections to the Second World War. The finds include a pair of Royal Air Force brass buttons and a Dutch 5 Ore coin. While the RAF buttons are common discoveries for detectorists, the Dutch coin adds a striking human story to the location.
Dunsfold Aerodrome served as the headquarters for the Medium Bomber No. 139 Wing, RAF, which comprised 98, 180, and 320 (Netherlands) Squadrons, part of the Second Tactical Air Force. From here, missions were flown against occupied Europe, and the airfield was home to both British and Dutch crews preparing for dangerous operations over enemy territory. For more information, see RAF Netherlands No 139 Wing.
The presence of this coin at this site raises the evocative possibility that it once belonged to one of the Dutch pilots or crew members stationed here. Perhaps it was dropped while seeking shelter in the bunker, a small trace left behind by someone facing the uncertainty of combat. Though modest in appearance, these finds create a direct and tangible link to the daily lives of airmen at Dunsfold and to the shared struggle against Nazi Germany.
0 Comments