Library Reference Number: 220
Wartime Airfields In Fife
RAF Leuchars: Leuchars air base began circa 1911 when a balloon squadron of the Royal Engineers set up a training camp in nearby Tentsmuir Forest then later joined by aircraft of the Royal Flying Corps using the beach at St Andrews as a runway. During the First World War, in 1916, much of the old Reres farmland was levelled to create a proper runway and where the intent was to create a military aviation training base. The building work was still taking place when the war came to an end in 1918. Given the uncertain outcome at the Battle of Jutland and where a spotter seaplane had been launched for the first time in battle from HMS Engadine, there was a great desire to 'do better next time' and Leuchars coastal location seemed the ideal place to engender and train for such. It was thus designated a Naval Fleet Flying School at an early stage.
The air base was formally named 'Royal Air Force Leuchars' in March 1920, but retained strong ties with the Navy through much of its career. The British invention and addition of aircraft carriers expanded the training role and many flights allegedly 'dedicated' to Leuchars were detached to the new ships for months at a time.
In 1935, Leuchars became Number 1 Flying Training School (No 1 FTS) and bombing ranges were established in neighbouring Tentsmuir Forest but as the liklihood of new conflict grew closer, the training roles were moved to Netheravon and the base came under the control of Coastal Command. In August 1938, 224 and 233 Squadrons arrived at Leuchars for the first time.
On September 4th 1939, a Lockheed Hudson of 224 Squadron attacked a German Dornier Do 18 over the North Sea and became the first British aircraft to engage the enemy in the Second World War! The aerial battle was short-lived and inconclusive.
For much of the war, Leuchars conducted maritime patrols and where some flights were used to keep a watch on the German battleship 'Tirpritz' laying at anchor in a Norweigian fjord for much of the war period. It was a duty shared by neighbouring HMS Jackdaw at Crail (see later in this text).
In February 1940, another Lockheed Hudson of 224 Squadron located the German Prison and Supply Ship 'Altmark' while it was making its way back to Germany. It was an important discovery since the 'Altmark' had been the supply vessel for the 'pocket battleship' Graf Spee with the latter dedicated to attacking British merchant shipping in the South Atlantic. In September, 1939, three ships of the Royal Navy found her with HMS Exeter receiving the brunt of the new radar guided firing system fitted to Graf Spee. Exeter withdrew while HMS Ajax and Achilles (New Zealand Division) managed to inflict serious damage to the fuel pumps of the German warship and forced the 'Graf Spee' to retire to the neutral port of Montevideo and where under great pressure from the British and given little realistic support from Hitler, Captain Langsdorf scuttled the ship rather than surrender it to the British. In the wake of this event, the 'Altmark' had turned northwards and had hoped to reach Germany with about 200 British merchant seamen aboard. In the event and after being spotted, the 'Altmark' was intercepted by HMS Cossack and the prisoners were released.
On 2nd December 1943, a pigeon called Winkie became one of the first birds or animals to be awarded the Dickin Medal for helping in the rescue of a ditched bomber from the station. In the latter partof the conflict, Leuchars concentrated upon on anti-submarine and anti-shipping strikes.
In the immediate post-war years and where the British Government was compelled to accept econimic stringencies, the duries formerly undertaken by nearby HMS Jackdaw and RAF Dunino were undertaken by Leuchars as each of the former bases closed.
In May 1950, Leuchars was reassigned from Coastal Command to RAF Fighter Command with 222 Squadron flying Gloster Meteor aircraft. In 1954, Bristol Sycamore helicopters arrived at the base and intended for Search and Rescue duties on both land sea. In addition, rescue launches were based at nearby Tayport. Later, the air base was equipped with Hawker Hunter and Gloster Javelin jets and the helicopters by Westland Whirlwinds.
During the Cold War of the 1960s, Soviet incursion into British aerospace was countered by use of the by the 'Lightning' jet fighter designed by English Electric (later integrated in to the British Aircraft Corporation or BAC) and which remains the only all-British Mach 2 fighter aircraft ever designed, built and deployed. Pilots of that time remarked that it was like being strapped to a rocket but when applied at full speed, it's fuel range was limited.
From 1969, the defence role at Leuchars was undertaken by new McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantoms manufactured in the United States and by later variants. Even in modern times and when challenged by newer and allegedly better aircraft during war games, the Phantom has proved to be remarkably agile and capable.Germany, in particular, kept their Phantoms flying for many years after most other nations had switched to alternatives.
In the 1970s, and upon the decommisioning of the old 'Ark Royal' from the Navy, the maritime variant of the Phantoms of 892 Naval Air Squadron was transferred to Leuchars.
The Phantoms of 43 and 111 Squadrons were replaced by Pan-Avia Tornado F3s during 1989-1990s. April 2003 saw the Tornado F3 Operational Conversion Unit (OCU), 56 (Reserve) Squadron move to RAF Leuchars. In April 2008, 56(R) Squadron amalgamated with 43 Squadron, retaining the identity of the latter until it was fully disbanded in July 2009.
In September, 2010, No. 6 Squadron RAF became the first squadron at RAF Leuchars to be reformed and operating the new Eurofighter Typhoon.
RAF Leuchars is home to one of the biggest airshow displays available to the public on Earth!
Originally deemed as the 'Battle Of Britain' Airshow; the title has become redundant with many displays of International aircraft from NATO allied countries and that of former enemies within the Warsaw Pact and former Soviet Union. It normally tkes place close to the anniversary of the Battle Of Britian in early September. Typically, it attracts about 45,000 people and displays include that by the 'Red Arrows' and the 'Battle of Britain' memorial flight.It's an event often proving that even the most bitter of enemies can be friends in the future. In recent years, the event has even included aircraft from Sukoi.
Sadly, we may never see the like again!
On 18 July 2011, Defence Secretary Liam Fox announced that RAF Leuchars would close, whilst RAF Lossiemouth in Moray would be spared as part of the recent missnamed and much criticised Strategic Defence and Security Review; the same review that saw HMS Ark Royal as being immediately decommisioned from the Royal Navy and where the Harrier VTOL aircraft would also be headed for the scrap heap. The recently formed Typhoon force, which was stood up in March 2011, will now be moved to RAF Lossiemouth in 2013 with the Army expected to take up residence of the base from 2015 onwards.
In closing, and after talking unofficially to a few RAF officers, this author can better understand why the former decisions indicating closure of Lossiemouth was revised and on a more pragmatic basis than may people might suppose.
At first glance, and throughout much of its history, Leuchars has been ideally situated to provide a launch pad for interceptor operations whenever an aircraft flew close to British aerospace. One has only to drive North and close to Fraserburgh to see the weird domes and antennae monitoring the skies beyond our coastlines. As part of the NATO Alliance though, there are times when we need to see and observe regions limited by the curvature of the Earth, and patrol the vast distances between Iceland and Southern Greenland. As such, Lossiemouth is far better placed and able to conduct reconnaissance these flight missions. Nobody can argue with that! In addition though, and due to the high number of closures in Northern England, Lossiemouth may also have to cover well south into England and all of Scotland. By any standard, that's a big area to cover!
HMS Jackdaw: Use of this site, located eastward of the Crail village, began during World War One when it served as a training facility for the Royal Flying Corps during 1918 and 1919. It remained in this state during the intervening years between the wars and where the local farmer at Kirkmay, the late Jimmy Logan, would sometimes rise to see a Fairy Swordfish biplane crashed and nose down into his crops! During the Second World War, the base was ideally suited to provide aerial cover for ships headed for and out from the docks of Leith and Methil under the designation of a Royal Navy Air Station from 1939 to 1947.
From 1947 to 1949, the base was re-designated as HMS Bruce, becoming a training establishment for boys from the age of 15, and gaining a reputation for having a harsh discipline. From 1952 to 1956, the accommodation was also used on an intermittent basis by the Black Watch.
From 1956 to 1960, it served as JSSL Crail, the Joint Services School for Linguists, a Russian language school which operated as part of the county's response to the Cold War. By then, very few aircraft were using it and most aerial duties had been transferred to nearby Leuchars. On balance, this was a wise decision since HMS Jackdaw was apt to suffer from unpredictable updraughts of wind from the sea and when meeting the cliffs on land. Accidents during take-off and landing were higher than average. Consequently, aerial duties were largely switched to the nearby base at Leuchars shortly after hostilities had concluded in 1945.
In current times, the runways and most major buildings have survived and where the site has been given Scheduled Status by Historic Scotland, granted in 2006. The hangers have been adopted by several local farmers for storage and part of the main runway is often used for motor sports as Crail Raceway, for microlight aviation, and for car boot sales during the summer months.
Dunino: Dunino airfield was a World War II airfield sited about five miles north west of Crail, Fife. Opened in 1941, the airfield only operated grass runways.
The airfield was initially used by the RAF for a support squadron, but was soon turned over to the Royal Navy and became a satellite of HMS Jackdaw described above and intended for use when the larger HMS Jackdaw airfield became overcrowded. Dunino was renamed HMS Jackdaw II.
It was occupied from April 1941 to November 1941 by 309 and 614 Squadrons RAF flying Lysanders in cooperation with the army. Their principle role was to support the 1st Polish Company, and which was tasked with defending the east coast of Scotland in case of invasion. They carried out reconnaissance and artillery spotting flights, coastal patrols which included the Firth of Clyde, Firth Of Forth, and took part in mock gas raids on east coast towns. 614 Squadron was involved in army training. 309 Squadron was raised at Abbotsinch in 1940 and was the only Polish Squadron to be formed in Scotland.
After 1944, the airfield was no longer used for active service and became a storage site, used to store naval aircraft until the end of the war and until they were decommissioned and destroyed. This lasted until 1946, and when the airfield was closed, although it was retained by the Royal Navy until 1957, and when it was finally sold off.
At this time of writing in 2011, reports indicate that airfield had five blister hangers to the south west, four to the north, three to the north west, and a further two in between, with all but one being reported have had blast walls. Five pillboxes are described, of which four are believed to have survived. The two storey control tower, technical area, and accommodation camp also remain on the site.
In 2007, the site was recorded as part of an aerial survey by RCAHMS. This showed a cross shaped dispersal area, the site of a number of hangers, the control tower, and a number of buildings belonging to the accommodation camp. Some of the surviving buildings have been reused for agricultural purposes. In recent times, this author has visited this site and where small planes were being used to exit skydivers and parachutists often supporting charities.
Legacy: One doesn't need to look far to observe the wartime past in Fife and most notably within the East Neuk part of the region. Driving eastwards from Colinsburgh, any driver is confronted by a sharp turn to right towards Pittenweem if the desire is to follow the main road or select the side road to head inland on the B9171. Even here, if you're sharp eyed to spot it, there's an Anderson shelter built into the side of the hill. At the next junction, select right and past Kellie Castle then further until the B9171 takes a sharp left bend south of Balmonth Farm. In the corner of the field on the left is where a Beaufighter crashed and sadly without survivors.
About a mile further on, the driver reaches a crossroads with the B9131; the main road between Anstruther and St Andrews. For the purposes of this journey, turn left and head towards Dunino.
Before reaching Dunino, and about a mile from the turn, the driver comes to another crossroads locally known as Drumrack, and where red brick buildings of the old airfield can be seen on the right. Stick to the main road then keep an eagle eye out for a back road leading to Kingsbarns.
Take a right once you spot it then head down the narrow road. It's on this lonely road where you can still see gates on the right side far wider than those needed to admit passage of a combine harvester and initially built to accommodate wings of military aircraft.
From Kingsbarns, head south on the A917 while seeking the far end of the B9171 on the right and heading inland once more. Having found it and after a short drive, the driver comes to another crossroads intersecting with the B940 leading from Crail to Drumrack.
Turning right onto the B940 means visiting the underground 'Secret Bunker' built during the Cold War and designed to be the seat of local Scottish Government in the aftermath of a nuclear exchange. Venturing further brings the driver back to the red brick buildings at Drumrack.
Going back to this option of turning right, the driver might select to continue with the B9171 and where he/she and passengers will see many large Nissan Huts being used for agricultural purposes before reaching the crossroads encountered earlier with the main Anstruther-St. Andrews road and where the journey home from there is assumed.
I mention this because, during World War Two, a major part of the area inside the circle described above was used to build up a massive reserve of aircraft intended for use on D-Day and n conjunction with further reserves based at Balado air field near Kinross and perhaps better known today for the 'Tee-In-The-Park” music festival.
Whilst in the area, you might also want to see Dunino airfield and the largely intact hangers at HMS Jackdaw located eastwards of Crail.