RAF Aboukir

Former Royal Air Force station near Alexandria, Egypt

31°11′22″N 030°02′24″E / 31.18944°N 30.04000°E / 31.18944; 30.04000TypeRoyal Air Force baseCodeLG-34Site informationOwnerAir MinistryOperatorRoyal Air ForceSite historyBuilt1916 (1916)In use1916-1947 (1947)Garrison informationPast
commandersGroup Captain TullochAirfield informationElevation−5 metres (−16 ft) AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
00/00  Concrete

Royal Air Force Aboukir or more simply RAF Aboukir is a former Royal Air Force base located 6.6 miles (10.6 km) northwest of Kafr El-Dawar and 7.2 miles (11.6 km) east of Alexandria, Egypt. Between 1916 and 1947 a number of units and squadrons were based there, including the central depot for RAF Middle East until 12 November 1939.

History

The base was used by the following squadrons:

  • No. 29 Squadron RAF between 6 August 1936 and 12 September 1936 with Fairey Gordon light bombers.[1]
  • No. 56 Squadron RAF reformed here on 1 February 1920 with the Sopwith Snipe with a detachment at San Stephano until August 1923. However 56 Squadron was disbanded on 23 September 1922.[2]
  • No. 64 Squadron RAF from 1 August 1936 with the Hawker Demon until 16 August 1936 when the squadron moved to the United Kingdom.[3]
  • No. 80 Squadron RAF between 10 June 1919 and 1 February 1920 when the squadron disbanded, the squadron flew the Snipe.[4]
  • No. 94 Squadron RAF between August and October 1944 as a detachment with the Supermarine Spitfire VB.[5]
  • No. 112 Squadron RAF from 22 April 1941 and 31 May 1941 as a detachment with Hawker Hurricane I.[6]
  • No. 123 Squadron RAF between 19 June 1942 and 19 July 1942 with the Spitfire VB.[7]
  • No. 142 Squadron RAF from 13 October 1935 and 26 October 1935 with the Hawker Hart.[8]
  • No. 145 Squadron RAF was formed here on 15 May 1918 before moving to Abu Sueir on 1 June 1918.[8]
  • No. 208 Squadron RAF as a detachment between 18 April 1936 and 28 September 1938 with the Hawker Demon.[9]
  • No. 237 Squadron RAF as a detachment between 25 February 1944 and 19 April 1944 with the Spitfire VC & IX.[10]
  • No. 252 Squadron RAF between 6 February 1945 and 10 February 1945 with the Bristol Beaufighter X.[11]
  • No. 294 Squadron RAF as a detachment between 29 March 1944 and 6 June 1945 with Vickers Wellington IC.[12]
  • No. 451 Squadron RAF between 12 May 1941 and 1 July 1941 with the Hurricane I.[13]
  • No. 603 Squadron RAF between 21 December 1942 and 25 January 1943 with no aircraft.[14]
  • No. 651 Squadron RAF between 9 and 10 November 1945 with the Taylorcraft Auster V .[15]

The base was also used by a number of different units during its lifetime:

  • Headquarters 20th (Reserve) Wing between 25 July 1916 and 31 May 1917.[16]
  • RAF Depot, Middle East between 7 October and 12 November 1939.[16]
  • No. 103 Maintenance Unit RAF between 12 November 1939 and 30 October 1946.[16]

Current use

The site is un-recognizable and is used for farming.

See also

References

Citations

  1. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 34.
  2. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 43.
  3. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 45.
  4. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 49.
  5. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 52.
  6. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 56.
  7. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 58.
  8. ^ a b Jefford 1988, p. 61.
  9. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 69.
  10. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 75.
  11. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 78.
  12. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 84.
  13. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 92.
  14. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 98.
  15. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 102.
  16. ^ a b c "Stations - A". Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 12 May 2013.

Bibliography

  • Jefford, C G (1988). RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury: Airlife. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
  • Photo of Aboukir base
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