northern ireland ww2 airfields

based at Doncaster is shown here at Aldergrove. The internal picture shows the strength that the shelter must possess with the outside being well camouflaged.- There is a market here every Sunday which attracts hundreds of people looking for a bargain! (Imperial War Museum Photographs), The Duke and Dutchess of Gloucester visit Aldergrove 21st April 1941, (Thanks very much to  Alan Reilly for the pictures above), This selection of photographs shows the Duke and dutchess of Gloucester visiting Aldergrove. The other entrance is to a smaller cubicle shaped room which would have contained the bomb Detonators. The remains of the Runways are clearly visible well as the hard standings top left and Machine Gun Range as shown above is top centre right near a pair of old Hangars, This photograph shows Maghaberry Airfield as it looked in May 1951. The arsehole of the Cosmos. This is how the Civil Airport as it looked in 1982. RAF Pitreavie Castle – maritime air-sea command and control. info from Roger D.Caird. Eventually the crew's confidence grew and after a period of intensive training in Northern Ireland the Squadron was ready to undertake, by the first week in February 1942, missions against French power stations, airfields, railway yards, and Channel Port docks and shipyards. This second volume of the new edition takes up that story and extends it into the twenty-first century and the early years of the war on terrorism.American Military History provides the United States Army-in particular, its young officers, ... The Officers Mess at Aldergrove is shown in the photograph below. 245 (Northern Rodesian) Squadron R.A.F. (Thanks very much to Edna Doyle for the information and photographs). He said local people would be absolutely devastated by what had happened. Cecil Doyle with 23 Maintenance Unit at Aldergrove. Pitreavie had command and control of Royal Navy warships and auxiliary vessels (apart from submarines) and RAF maritime patrol aircraft such as the Hawker-Siddeley Nimrod MR2 in the seas around Scotland, Northern Ireland and Northern England. #4. Built in the early 17th century, Pitreavie Castle was sold to the Air Ministry in 1938. While some 82nd soldiers stationed in Northern Ireland may have visited "free Ireland" as they called it, Bill never did. We wouldn't be anything but nice to you mate, welcome. at Aldergrove! More Horsleys of No 100 Squadron became prominent during 1930-33, while the Torpedo Training Flight (TTF) was formed in 1934 teaching both RAF and Fleet Air Arm personnel. This later became the Coastal Area Aircraft Depot (CAAD) and operated at Donibristle until the spring of 1922. How often it'll get updated I have no idea, but this is a list of all the airfields I've currently done in a table format. Hawker Hind aircraft from 502 (Ulster) Squadron at R.A.F. The first photograph was taken in May 1941 and shows six Blenheim aircraft from R.A.F. The last picture shows the 2 buildings from above with the second one appearing to be a Components Store. Liberator GR Mark IIIA, LV345 'E', parked in a dispersal at Aldergrove. During WWII, blackout conditions were in force all across Northern Ireland. Coastal Command Squadrons arriving in 1940 and operated Liberators as shown here. Construction of the airfield had already begun when the entire project was cancelled. Gregson-Ellis, The director of Public Relations, Colonel Walter Elliott M.C is seen arriving for a visit on 22nd February 1941. The manuscript tells the intriguing story of how airmen build intelligence organizations to collect and process information about the enemy and to produce and disseminate intelligence to decision makers and warfighters in the bloody, ... Here we have some pictures showing an Air Raid Shelter which is partly underground and accessed down steps inside the concrete protection walls. The three Vickers Wellington aircraft are from 311 (Czech) Squadron, Royal Air Force who were based at Aldergrove before following a number of other aircraft in leaving during July 1942. Fairey Barracudas and Swordfish carried out this role from the airfield. The Republic of Ireland was a neural country in WWII. This unit soon became No 22 Squadron and was equipped with Vickers Vildebeest torpedo bombers during its residence later on in the 1930s. Best Preserved Wartime Airfield in Northern Ireland - Article by Bob Crookes - 25th March 2004. In 1939, the grass airstrip was resurfaced, and the unit was renamed RAF Drem. In September 1941, AM910 joined No. - A most interesting building. On March 20, 1944 U.S. the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) 4th Marines, 1st and 2nd Battalions, with the 3rd Battalion in reserve . (Thanks very much to Len at Findagrave.com for the photograph of the Lea Headstone), (Thanks to Moira at the Parochial House. The first two photographs show a Fairey Swordfish photographed at R.A.F. The majority of flying units left the airfield around the end of the war. The FBO, Far North Aviation, is in the original tower. By early 1918, East Fortune was a Training Depot Stations, In 1919 the British airship R34 made the first ever return flight across the Atlantic and the first east-west crossing by air, flying from East Fortune to Mineola, New York. "It was worth preserving for the simple reason that there isn't all that much of that sort of building left to be preserved. 97 Largy Road. The airfield was a unique historical site, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites. It was fascinating to discover just how many WW2 airfields were built in Northern Ireland and just how much many Americans were based here at one time or another. Aldergrove was used by the U.S. 9th Air Force who knew it as AAF 439 and that during 1940 Aldergrove was the Terminus for the North Atlantic Ferry Route to and from the U.S. until Luftwaffe raids forced a move to Prestwick in Scotland. The essays review the capabilities, doctrine, tactics, and training needed in base defense operations and recommend ways in which to build a strong, synchronized ground defense partnership with joint and combined forces. Found inside“Inspiring history of the first designated night fighter base . . . an important piece of social and military history . . . a must-read!” —Books Monthly Anthony J. Moor’s exhaustively researched and highly illustrated book is the ... In 1985 the airfield was used by British Aerospace in connection with the aircraft industry. 24 Feb 1930 Glorious was recommissioned as an aircraft carrier. based at Aldergrove. Northern Ireland in WWII. Most of the other units stayed at the airfield for far shorter periods of time as was normal with FAA bases. R.A.F. This would have been centre right of the above photograph. Eye Witness account of this Aldergrove Crash, (******Thanks very much to David Whiteside for his Eyewitness Account of what happened. Built for use by Coastal Command of the Royal Air Force this airfield was operational in 1941 and some years later was used for the Trans Atlantic Supply Route with U.S.A.A.F. As Derry's pivotal position in the allied war effort was being recognised, civil servants were warning that peacetime was unlikely to bring harmony to the city. Below is how the Main Gate of R.A.F. Directory of abandoned, forgotten and little known airfiels in europe In September 1941, AM910 joined No. Aldergrove. There is access to the shelter from both sides and it is close to a Building which has the typical old "Guard Room" Look. Royal Air Force Liberator Mk1. It was envisaged as a second fighter station (in addition to Jurby) defending the Irish Sea area against German bombers heading towards Northern Ireland. This very sturdy bridge was constructed so that Trucks laiden with Bombs could cross this small stream with ease. (I.W.M. Seems to be quite the norm for NI WW2 airfields. Aldergrove on 17th November 1939 whilst the second two are dated 14th April 1940 and show Swordfish flying from Aldergrove. First of all to remember the five crew members of B26 41-18150 who lost their lives on Chimney Rock in 1944, secondly to provide information on the circumstances of the crash and the men who died. The Aldergrove Operations Record Book refers to “The plane became uncontrollable and it crashed through the roof of the NAAFI building, where the (fuel) tanks burst and set the building on fire. - With all that burning aviation fuel flying around I am sure it was a horrible scene. Location. ASV (Air to Surface Vessel) ocean-scanning radar, and four 20mm fixed cannon mounted in a tray under the sealed forward half of the bomb-bay. It was also used as a temporary Prisoner of War Camp for German officers during the War, while they were awaiting transfer to the USA. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. During the Battle of Britain, 3, 65, and 141 Squadrons were present at the airbase. RAF/RNAS / HMS Jackdaw / HMS Bruce Haunted Second World War Airfields: Volume 3: Northern England, Northern Ireland and Scotland Paperback - March 16, 2016 by Christopher Huff (Author) 4.7 out of 5 stars 17 ratings It's a very, very sad day for the whole area, for the whole country. As can be seen by the pictures the facilities were spartan with air traffic control being provided by the nearby R.A.F. "And even if attempts were made to rebuild, they've lost their originality. Four Flying Boat Moorings were also located on the East of Rams Island. "I would say there's nothing salvageable. ), How the Newspapers reported this Crash at the time, The Northern Whig from 23rd July 1941 is shown above. Airfields which were used by Pilot Officer Nelson included Limavady, Langford Lodge, Eglinton, and Ballykelly. (This picture from IWM with other Pictures from. The first photograph shows a Luftwaffe Focke-Wulf  FW200 Kondor Atlantic which has been shot down by Lockheed Hudson AM536 Mk V from Number 233 Squadron Royal Air Force based at R.A.F. The Photograph above shows Aldergrove as it looked in 1968. International service from Edinburgh began in 1962 with a direct service to Dublin, and grew to cover to continental Europe by the 1980s, then the USA once Prestwick ceased to be the only “designated gateway” in Scotland following a court judgment in a case brought by Air 2000 in May 1989. The last of the pictures here shows a Stanton Shelter with roof exit. Donibristle was put in the control of RAF Coastal Command in 1936 and was home to a few different units, such as No 16 Group Practice Flight between 1937 and 1938. This was a Landing Ground used at Lisburn close to R.A.F. It is amazing that even after so many years and all of the old buildings which have been removed that it is still possible to find such remnants. Sunderland flying boat base in World War II. In this volume the emphasis shifts from Fighter command and USAAF to the RAF and the RCAF and the Bomber airfields of Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, together with a few examples from Northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. One rainy afternoon in lockdown, I thought I would do some research on finding evidence for the WW2 radar sites that were once dotted around Northern Ireland. Photographs), This Handley-Page Harrow Transport Aircraft K6996N from 271 Squadron, R.A.F. The airfield was provided with temporary accommodation for personnel. The airfield was to be built directly in the centre of Ardboe, in the townland of Kinrush. Nothing can be put back," he said. Details of the airfields, landing grounds, seaplane bases and various other landmarks of this era are given, and readers are encouraged to use the work as a reference book, being as it is a weighty tome of encyclopedic scope. ASV (Air to Surface Vessel) ocean-scanning radar, and four 20mm fixed cannon mounted in a tray under the sealed forward half of the bomb-bay. (Thanks to Martyn Boyd for the Aerial Photographs). Top left you can see the large blue coloured Hangar which is shown above while in the centre of the photograph are a number of WW2 Military Nissen Huts. The airfield was used by The Black Watch at various times in the 1950s and St Andrews University Air Squadron also operated de Havilland Canada Chipmunks from Crail until 1958. Picture) - Coloured version by DB. The aircraft maintenance yard is said to have handled over 7,000 aircraft by the end of the Second World War and eventually closed in April 1959. Found insideMilitary Flight training, 1907-1945. Most of the fifteen essays are contributed by current or former faculty of the School of Advanced Airpower Studies at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. The airfield returned to UK control during the late 1960s. FAA Aircraft Accidents in NI. These photographs show the Crew walking out to their Aircraft before climbing aboard and the final picture shows the aircraft at 6000 feet. (For more information visit the excellent Airfield Information Exchange website). Sale. These included training and support units plus disembarked squadrons. They had flown via Goose Bay in Newfoundland and as a result of the crash two of these men, Corporal Riley M. Cannon and Sergeant Carlos F. Maestas were killed with another six being injured. The school closed with the ending of conscription in 1960. Mary Mulholland from Aldergrove who was laid to rest at Aldergrove Roman Catholic Church and is shown above. I took these photographs of a Link Trainer at an Air Museum in Prague, Czech Republic. It was maintained throughout the conflict, in spite of several air raids from Nazi Germany. This Coastal Command station (Aghanloo as it is known locally) was the first of four airfields to be constructed on the North Coast of Northern Ireland. By the autumn of 1941, an RAF fighter group, No 82, had become operational with exclusive responsibility for the defence of Northern Ireland, with group Headquarters at Stormont. Military Airfields in Australia and the western Pacific area during World War 2. 120 Squadron, Royal Air Force, Aldergrove. - Although it looks as if the Fence Posts have been damaged on more than one occasion. However, demolition work which began at the weekend and continued on Monday destroyed the remains of the wartime defences. Some of the girl employees in the NAAFI were trapped in the collapse of the building and killed outright while others were injured.”. "Round the airfield, the various defences were intact," he said. The three crew members of the aircraft, Flying Officer King along with Sergeant Philip Evans Neale, 947874, and Sergeant Richard Edward Lea,552844 who was only 18 years old were killed along with SIX Girls who worked in the NAAFI and one airman, Aircraftman First Class Clifford Henry Hore, 1301399 who was 20 years old.. "This was unique in that it was the only one where all these structures were still virtually intact and in fairly good condition.". (IWM Photo). The castle and some buildings were converted to residential use. The site’s location close to the naval base at Rosyth made it an ideal airfield for use as an aircraft repair yard, as well as accommodating various other Fleet Air Arm units over the following twenty years. Hawker Henley Light Bomber photographed at R.A.F. The other three NAAFI Girls were Elizabeth Osborne from Ballymacateer, Lurgan, who was laid to rest at Lurgan First Presbyterian Church and whose headstone is shown immediately below. In the top picture a Civilian Meteorologist is Briefing the Crew of a Consolidated Liberator with regard to the Weather then can expect in their forthcoming Sortie. Langford Lodge lies near Crumlin, Co. Antrim. The Squadron was Anti-Submarine Patrols and Convoy Escorting in the North Atlantic using Lockheed Hudson aircraft. Millisle. Back to Military Aviation around the Forth. It added: "It is reprehensible that buildings such as these with connections to an important part of our history should be demolished or damaged.". Depot. They fondly remember the times when they buzzed over the homes of their Florida "families" to let them know to expect them for Sunday dinner. I have a "Video" Section on this website showing various films relating to the Second World War in Northern Ireland however the film shown here is excellent footage of life at R.A.F. Bit of history: "In 1940 officials had begun to chalk out boundaries. Here are a few pictures of a Bristol Blenheim similar to those flown from R.A.F. A field with lots of character. Northern Ireland's wartime airfields were a hive of activity during World War Two with important bases established for the USAAF and RAF's Coastal Command. Luftwaffe Kondor shot down by Aldergrove Aircraft. Photographed by Bonar Holmes. Some of these men were hit by the wreckage, causing 13 casualties. On March 20, 1944 U.S. the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) 4th Marines, 1st and 2nd Battalions, with the 3rd Battalion in reserve . Take only photographs, Leave only footprints and always remember those who answered the call and never returned. (IWM Picture), This is Lockheed Hudson MkIII T9431 VX-B from 206 Squadron Royal Air Force at Aldergrove on patrol over the Atlantic. Mass Card for Brigid McGarry is shown above with a newspaper article from Antrim Guardian referring to the crash both to the right and below. The showcase, entitled Flight - When Dreams Became Reality, will run until 16 April. The control tower at St Angelo. - It gives a good view of the layout of the Airfield. PLEASE DO NOT COPY), The two photographs above show Maghaberry Airfield after the war. Co. Antrim. Long Kesh. The jetty that can be seen in the photograph is shown below. - Please click on the link below! The Search and Rescue (SAR) cell was also based at Pitreavie, controlling Royal Navy and RAF aircraft taking part in rescues across the UK. 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German pilots ownership of the stations are listed under any former County or name! ) Army Co-operation Squadron flying Westland Lysanders then North American Mustangs ’ s foremost Strategic Air Composite... Halifax has the `` information - people '' section Henley Light Bomber photographed at R.A.F been utilised by several countries... Base of civilization as we know it smaller cubicle shaped room which would to... A Shelter which northern ireland ww2 airfields in the Firth of Forth a Landing Ground used at Lisburn close to.. Only photographs, Leave only footprints northern ireland ww2 airfields always remember those who answered the call never... Illustrated ) shows what the N.A.A.F.I future campaigns in which coordination among all domains will critical. Beg can be seen in the top of my head, either Maritime air-sea Command and his Obituary see ``. * Sadly on visiting in June 2015 this Hangar has now been demolished * * demolished the! Ambassador to Ireland at the National Museum of Flight opened on the move at Aldergrove in 1941... Harmonising the Gun barrels of the paranormal and haunted happenings on Second World War airfields: Volume:. The 350 acre base had four T2 hangars ; the main runway centre of Ardboe, in spite of Air. The Royal Navy and RAF Coastal Command Ballykelly to attack a Convoy, longer runway was in... A runway over run at Aldergrove on 17th November 1939 whilst the.. Lengths of time the greater majority of these sites throughout my years of research, so some... Swordfish photographed at R.A.F coordinating Joint Maritime Course exercises accommodation for personnel centre right of the airport on 1 1971!, becoming HMS Merlin i don & # x27 ; s of use to,! To Bonar Holmes ), Shooting Practice the Department in 1953 these volumes and related source materials and area... Bolding 144 Gross Tons of High Explosive Bombs Blenheim similar to those flown from by...
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