RNAS Capel
RNAS Capel RAF Folkestone | |
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Located Near First World War | |
Garrison information | |
Occupants | Royal Naval Air Service Royal Air Force |
RNAS Capel (later RAF Folkestone) was a
History
When Germany declared in February 1915 that it would commence unrestricted submarine warfare, the Royal Navy responded with the building of airship stations around the coast.
Airship production
Following the successful repair to SS-10 at Capel production of the airships moved from Kingsnorth to Capel, although by 1916 production had moved again to Vickers at Barrow and RNAS Wormwood Scrubs.
Operations
The airships carried out patrols along the English coast, and escorted shipping across the channel as a lookout for submarines.[1] In April 1918, the Royal Air Force was formed and Capel became RAF Folkestone. By then it had three large airship sheds and a grass landing area.[1] On 16 September 1918, while under the command of a United States Navy officer, SSZ.1 depth-charged and sank submarine UB-103.[1]
Two sub-stations were used: at Godmersham Park north of Wye, and Wittersham south of Tenterden. The sites were used as mooring-out bases where airships could be secured in a sheltered area.[1]
Closure
Following the end of the First World War, the station closed during the summer of 1919. In the
See also
- Battle of Britain Memorial, Capel-le-Ferne, on the other side of the village, is a memorial to the RAF aircrew of the Battle of Britain.[1]
References
Citations
Bibliography
- Lee, David W. (2010). Action Stations Revisited, Volume 3 South East England. Crecy Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-0-85979-110-6.