RAF Lympne

Coordinates: 51°05′N 001°01′E / 51.083°N 1.017°E / 51.083; 1.017
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

RAF Lympne
  • RNAS Lympne (HMS Buzzard)
  • RNATE Lympne (HMS Daedalus II)
AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
02/20 1,372 metres (4,501 ft) Grass
07/25  Grass

Royal Air Force Lympne or more simply RAF Lympne /ˈlɪm/ is a former Royal Air Force satellite station in Kent used during the First and Second World Wars. It was opened in 1916 by the Royal Flying Corps as an acceptance point for aircraft being delivered to, and returned from, France. It was later designated as a "First Class Landing Ground". In 1919, the airfield was turned over to civil use as Lympne Airport, serving until 1939 when it was requisitioned by the Fleet Air Arm as HMS Buzzard, later being renamed HMS Daedalus II.

In 1940, it was taken over by the Royal Air Force, becoming RAF Lympne once again. Lympne was heavily bombed during the Battle of Britain, putting the base out of action for a number of weeks. It was to have been the landing point for a German aircraft in a plot to kidnap Adolf Hitler involving the defection of pilot Hans Baur. Preparations were made by the Royal Air Force for his arrival. Later in the war, Lympne was used as an Emergency Landing Ground for bombers returning from raids in Europe. In 1946, RAF Lympne closed, returning to use as a civil airport which continued until 1984.

History

First World War

Work began on creating a landing ground at Folks Wood, Lympne in the autumn of 1915. This site soon proved unsuitable and another site was sought.[2] Lympne was established in March 1916 as an Emergency Landing Ground for the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) home defence fighters defending London against Zeppelins and Gotha bombers. By October 1916 Bessonneau hangars and other technical buildings had been erected and Lympne Castle was being used as an officers mess[3] and No. 1 Advanced School of Air Gunnery operated from Lympne during January and February 1917.[4] In January 1917 it was designated as No. 8 Aircraft Acceptance Park for delivery of aircraft to, and reception from, France.[5] A spur to Westenhanger railway station allowed delivery of aircraft for final assembly at Lympne[6] and three pairs of permanent hangars were erected to enable aircraft assembly.[7] A variety of aircraft were passed through Lympne including Handley Page O/100 and Handley Page O/400 bombers.[2]

On 25 May 1917 Lympne was bombed by Gotha G.IV bombers of Kagohl 3 who dropped 19 bombs on the airfield.[2][8] In August 1917 questions were asked in Parliament by Peter Kerr-Smiley about the lack of leave for RFC Lympne pilots who had not had any in over a year. Under-Secretary of State for War Ian Macpherson stated that the pilots would be allowed leave when conditions allowed.[9] No. 69 Squadron RAF arrived on 24 August equipped with the Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8 and departed on 9 September.[4]

In 1918 Lympne was a First Class Landing Ground and used by Sopwith Camels of No. 50 Squadron RFC (Home Defence Squadron) and in January 1918 No. 120 Squadron RFC (Bomber Squadron) was formed at Lympne.[6] On 1 March No. 98 Squadron RFC arrived equipped with Airco DH.9 bomber aircraft, departing on 1 April.[4] The Day and Night Bombing Observation School was formed here in May.[6]

On 16 February 1919 a

air mail services between Lympne and Cologne, Germany, during July and August 1919 using DH.9 aircraft fitted with B.H.P. (Beardmore Halford Pullinger) engines.[10][11] This service ended on 1 September 1919 when 120 squadron moved to Hawkinge.[6] Hawkinge and Lympne lay within a few miles of each other and the Air Ministry could not justify keeping the two bases open following the end of the war; Hawkinge was the one retained.[12] In August 1919, the Royal Air Force (RAF) – as the RFC had by then become, moved out of Lympne, and it was turned over to civilian use,[6] although 120 Squadron did not depart until 21 October.[4]

Between the wars

Main article: Lympne Airport

Between the wars, the airport was used for annual camps by squadrons of the Auxiliary Air Force. On 1 August 1931, No. 601 (County of London) Squadron AuxAF began its annual camp at Lympne.[13] In August 1933, No. 601 (County of London) Squadron again held its annual camp at Lympne. They were visited by the Marquess of Londonderry, who was the Secretary of State for Air.[14] The squadron was equipped with Hawker Harts.[15] From 13 to 27 July 1934, 606 (City of Glasgow) Squadron AuxAF held its annual camp at Lympne, followed by 601 (County of London) Squadron AuxAF from 29 July to 12 August.[16] In August 1935, 601 (County of London) Squadron AuxAF held its annual camp at Lympne. The squadron having converted from a bomber squadron to a fighter squadron earlier in the year.[17] From 2 to 16 August 1936, 601 Squadron held their annual camp at Lympne.[18]

In November, it was reported that

Fighter Command. It was used by the Fleet Air Arm as an outstation for the Air Mechanics School based at HMS Daedalus near Portsmouth. [4] On 1 July 1939, Lympne was taken over by the Fleet Air Arm, becoming HMS Buzzard.[21] The airbase was known as Royal Naval Air Station Lympne (or RNAS Lympne), its function was the support of disembarked Fleet Air Arm squadrons.[22] Aircraft at Buzzard included Blackburn Sharks and Gloster Gladiators.[23]

Second World War

Supermarine Spitfire F Mk XIV RM619

In September 1939, the base was renamed HMS Daedalus II,

French Air Force squadron with its Bloch and Potez fighters was based at Lympne.[27]

On 3 June, 16 Squadron left Lympne, followed by 2 and 26 Squadrons on 8 June, at which date Lympne ceased to be the HQ of 51 Wing.[4] During the Battle of Britain Lympne was a satellite airfield for the stations of 11 Group, being used as a forward stage for flights and not the base for any squadron.[28] On 15 August 1940 during the Battle of Britain, Lympne was bombed by Stuka dive-bombers of II Gruppe, StG1. All the hangars were hit and those aircraft belonging to Cinque Ports Flying Club that had not been evacuated to Sywell were destroyed in the fire.[29] Lympne was evacuated and only available as an Emergency Landing Ground until mid-September, when a flight of Spitfires from 91 Squadron arrived.[26]

In 1941, Lympne was to be the destination for the landing of an aircraft carrying

Focke-Wulf Fw 200, with him on board. The RAF made plans to receive the aircraft at Lympne and 25 March was the date that the defection was expected to occur. Baur did not defect, spending the war as Hitler's personal pilot.[note 1][30] Also in March 1941, 91 Squadron moved in, equipped with Spitfires.[4] Additional dispersals and fighter pens were built and three new blister hangars were built during 1941.[24]

Typhoons from 1 Squadron were based at Lympne from March 1942 to February 1944 to counter the thread posed by the Luftwaffe's newly introduced Focke-Wulf Fw 190s.[31] A runway was extended across Otterpool Lane to accommodate the Typhoons.[32]

In May 1942, Whirlwinds of 137 Squadron were detached from RAF Manston.[33] On 30 June 1942, 72 Squadron and 133 Squadron moved in, equipped with Spitfires. Both squadrons departed on 12 July, but 133 Squadron returned on 17 August for five days. On 14 August, Spitfire-equipped 401 Squadron RCAF moved in,[4] both in preparation for the Dieppe Raid. On 2 October, 65 Squadron moved in, equipped with Spitfires. The squadron left Lympne on 11 October.[26]

On 15 March 1943,

Pas de Calais.[34] The squadron included the only German to fly for the RAF, Ken Adam. In December 1943, rocket armed Hawker Hurricanes of 137 Squadron were at Lympne for anti-shipping duties.[33]

Belgian ground crew refuelling Supermarine Spitfire Mark XIVE, RM764 'MN-M', of No. 350 (Belgian) Squadron RAF at Lympne, Kent

In January 1944, 609 squadron was re-equipped with Typhoons.

313 Squadron on 4 July. These squadrons were all equipped with Spitfires. Also on 4 July 127 Squadron departed. On 11 July 310, 313 and 313 Squadrons departed. They were replaced by 1 Squadron, which was now equipped with Spitfires, 41 Squadron, 130 Squadron, and 504 Squadron, also equipped with Spitfires. On 12 July 504 Squadron departed, being replaced by 165 Squadron. On 10 August, 1 Squadron and 165 Squadron departed. The next day, 130 Squadron returned.[4] On 8 September, 403 Squadron RCAF equipped with Spitfire IXs arrived in support of D-Day.[35] On 27 August, Lympne ceased to be the HQ of 134 (Czech) Wing. On 29 September,[4] 350 (Belgian) Squadron arrived, equipped with Spitfire XIVs.[36] They were followed on 12 September by 610 Squadron and 350 (Belgian) Squadron on 29 September. The next day, 130 Squadron departed. In November, a detachment from 567 Squadron arrived. On 3 December 350 Squadron departed, followed by 610 Squadron the next day and 41 Squadron the day after that.[4] Lympne was then downgraded to Emergency Landing Ground status. Consideration was given to building four runways at Lympne, with the longest being 6,000 ft (1,800 m) long, but it was noted that serious demolition work would be required and a number of roads would need to be closed.[37]

In March 1945, a detachment from

Ministry of Civil Aviation and became a civil airport once more,[38]
serving until closure in 1984.

Accidents and incidents

telegraph pole
over France

Squadrons and units using Lympne

The following units were here at some point:[43]

  • 98 Squadron RFC
  • 120 Squadron RFC
  • 1 Squadron RAF
  • 2 Squadron RAF
  • 16 Squadron RAF
  • 18 Squadron RAF
  • 21 Squadron RAF
  • 26 Squadron RAF
  • 33 Squadron RAF
  • 34 Squadron RAF
  • 41 Squadron RAF
  • 53 Squadron RAF
  • 59 Squadron RAF
  • 65 Squadron RAF
  • 72 Squadron RAF
  • 74 Squadron RAF
  • 83 Squadron RAF
  • 91 Squadron RAF
  • 102 Squadron RAF
  • 108 Squadron RAF
  • 127 Squadron RAF
  • 130 Squadron RAF
  • 133 Squadron RAF
  • 137 Squadron RAF
  • 165 Squadron RAF
  • 186 Squadron RAF
  • 245 Squadron RAF
  • 310 Squadron RAF
  • 312 Squadron RAF
  • 313 Squadron RAF
  • 401 Squadron RAF
  • 403 Squadron RCAF
  • 504 Squadron RAF
  • 567 Squadron RAF
  • 598 Squadron RAF
  • 607 Squadron RAF
  • 609 Squadron RAF
  • 610 Squadron RAF
  • 659 Squadron RAF
  • No. 51 (Army Co-operation) Wing RAF
  • No. 134 (Czech) (Fighter) Wing RAF
  • 800 Naval Air Squadron
  • 803 Naval Air Squadron
  • No. 1334 Wing RAF Regiment
  • No. 2707 Squadron RAF Regiment
  • No. 2742 Squadron RAF Regiment
  • No. 2763 Squadron RAF Regiment
  • No. 2806 Squadron RAF Regiment
  • No. 2813 Squadron RAF Regiment
  • No. 2827 Squadron RAF Regiment
  • No. 2847 Squadron RAF Regiment
  • No. 3203 Servicing Commando
  • No. 3208 Servicing Commando
  • No. 3210 Servicing Commando
  • No. 4006 Anti-Aircraft Flight RAF Regiment
  • No. 4016 Anti-Aircraft Flight RAF Regiment

See also

References

Notes
  1. ^ A few weeks later, Rudolf Hess (Hitler's deputy) flew himself to Scotland in an abortive attempt to make peace.

Citations

  1. ^ a b Falconer 2012, p. 134.
  2. ^ a b c Delve 2005, p. 168.
  3. ^ Lee 2010, p. 199.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Delve 2005, p. 171.
  5. ^ Collyer 1992, p. 7.
  6. ^ a b c d e Collyer 1992, p. 9.
  7. ^ Collyer 1992, p. 12.
  8. ^ Brooker, Janice. "The Great Folkestone Air Raid". Rootsweb. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
  9. ^ "Aviation in Parliament". Flight (16 August 1917): 847.
  10. ^ "The Folkestone-Cologne Mail Service". Flight (4 September 1919): 1178.
  11. ^ Gunston 1976, p. 56.
  12. ^ Delve 2005, pp. 168–69.
  13. ^ "No. 601 (County of London) (Bomber) Squadron". Flight (7 August 1931): 787.
  14. ^ "Lord Londonderry's Visits to Lympne and Thornaby". Flight (10 August 1933): 811.
  15. ^ "Cinque Ports Flying Club (Lympne)". Flight (10 August 1933): 797.
  16. ^ "Air Force Camps. "Bombing Raids" On London". The Times. No. 46723. London. 9 April 1934. col A, p. 9.
  17. ^ "London Airmen in Camp. New Fighter Unit". The Times. No. 47133. London. 3 August 1935. col B, p. 15.
  18. ^ "Cadre and R.A.F. Squadrons". Flight (18 June 1936): 650.
  19. ^ "Damage at Abbotsinch". Flight (5 November 1936): 471.
  20. ^ Delve 2005, p. 69.
  21. ^ "LEE-on-the SOLENT". Flight (6 July 1939): 3.
  22. ^ a b "R.N.A.S. Lympne H.M.S. Buzzard/H.M.S. Daedalus II". Fleet Air Arm Bases 1939 - present day. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  23. ^ Collyer 1992, pp. 102–03.
  24. ^ a b c Delve 2005, p. 169.
  25. ^ Warlow 2000, p. 44.
  26. ^ a b c Collyer 1992, p. 101.
  27. ^ "They Also Served..." Flight (29 July 1955): 171.
  28. ^ "11 Group Stations of the the [sic] Battle of Britain". The Battle of Britain History Site. Royal Air Force. 16 February 2005. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  29. ^ Collyer 1992, pp. 104–05.
  30. ^ "Plot to capture Adolf Hitler at Lympne aerodrome". BBC News. 17 January 2011. Retrieved 18 January 2011.
  31. ^ Collyer 1992, p. 107.
  32. ^ Collyer 1992, pp. 108–09.
  33. ^ a b c d Collyer 1992, pp. 106, 113.
  34. ^ "History of No. 609 Squadron". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 5 February 2011.
  35. ^ Collyer 1992, pp. 110–11.
  36. ^ "CL 1353 (photograph)". Imperial War Museum. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  37. ^ Delve 2005, p. 170.
  38. ^ "Lympne Aerodrome". The Times. No. 50404. London. 19 March 1946. col D, p. 2.
  39. ^ a b "Ensign Class". Flight (15 February 1957): 203–07. (p203, p204, p205, p206)
  40. ^ Hooks, Mike. "Civvies at War". Aeroplane (October 2011). Cudham: Kelsey Publishing Group: 42–48.
  41. ^ "Mission Number: 98 for the 44th flown on 2/25/1944". Rootsweb. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  42. ^ Collyer 1992, p. 112.
  43. ^ "Lympne (Ashford)". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 15 June 2020.

Bibliography

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