Ulster Aviation Society

Coastal Command Northern Ireland 1939-1945

Text by Ernie Cromie

Training & Airfields: Part two

Construction of runways at Nutts Corner was greatly accelerated in order that the airfield would be available to operate the first Liberators to be supplied to RAFCC. Ironically, the longest runway available, at 1600 yards, was very marginal for a fully-laden Liberator which the crew of one aircraft in 1942 tragically discovered. Nevertheless, for 14 months from June 1941, Nutts Corner was home for the first two squadrons in RAFCC to be equipped with very long range aircraft – 120 and 220, the latter being equipped with B-17 Fortresses. When both squadrons were transferred to Ballykelly in mid-1942, Nutts Corner ceased to have a RAFCC role and it was relinquished by 15 Group.

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Ballykelly opened a month after Nutts Corner, also for use by 15 Group, albeit operational squadrons were not based there initially. Instead, the Coastal Command Development Unit arrived in December 1941 with a variety of aircraft that were used in connection with a range of experiments with equipment and trials aimed at improving the efficiency of operational squadrons. The CCDU remained until June 1942 when 220 Squadron arrived, followed by 120 Squadron. Ballykelly was Northern Ireland’s premier and most successful base of operations against U-boats, at least 12 of which were sunk by resident aircraft operated by 220, 120, 86 and 59 Squadrons. An unusual feature of the airfield was that the Belfast-Londonderry railway crossed the main runway which had had to be extended in 1943 to enhance its suitability for heavily-laden Liberator operations.

A few other airfields had significant associations with RAFCC. Long Kesh was taken over by 17 Group in December 1942 until March 1944 for use by 5 OTU.
It used Beauforts, Hampdens and Hudsons to train maritime crews in bombing, navigation and gunnery techniques, making use of targets in Lough Neagh and Strangford Lough. During the summer and autumn of 1943, its satellite airfield at Maghaberry was home to 306 Ferry Training Unit to instruct pilots in the ferrying of Beaufighters and Wellingtons.
In September 1944, Mullaghmore airfield south of Coleraine was taken over by 15 Group for the unusual purpose of accommodating Fleet Air Arm squadrons 825, 850 and 815 on attachment for short periods until March 1945 to carry out anti-U-boat sorties close to the coast because of concerns that some enemy submarines appeared to have shifted their area of operations from deeper waters. In addition, the opportunity was taken to accommodate 281 Squadron, an air-sea rescue unit flying Warwicks.

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No summary of RAFCC support facilities would be complete without reference to the Joint Anti-U-boat School. Based at Maydown airfield from 1943, its object was to ensure that all personnel actively conducting ant-U-boat warfare, whether RAF or RN, on the sea or in the air, shore-based or carrier-borne should be given knowledge of each other’s methods and capabilities. Aircraft used by the School were provided by Ballykelly.

Photographs:

1.Consolidated B-24 Liberator pictured at Ballykelly in 1944 waiting for a train to cross the runway. The runway was extended in 1943 to 7500 feet across the Coleraine -Londonderry railway line in order to accomodate heavy- laden aircraft. A special railway derived mechanical signalling device was installed in the Ballykelly control tower, and co-operation with a signal box at the crossing allowed the regular operation of trains across the runway.

2. Vickers Wellington GR Mk VIII, W5674 pictured at the Vickers factory at Brooklands. This aircraft flew with No 221 Squadron based at Limavady, County Londonderry. It is seen here following its conversion from a Mark IC aircraft by fitting ASV Mark II anti-submarine radar. This aircraft subsequently flew with No. 7 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit, also based at Limavady.

3.Beaufort Mark II, AW245, awaiting the installation of its armament after completion at Bristol Aeroplane Company works. AW245 was one of the first Mark IIs to serve with the RAF, issued to No. 217 Squadron RAF in November 1941. It afterwards served with No. 5 Operational Training Unit until 1945.