Library Reference Number: 245
Britain’s First Operational Military Airfield
In adding to this website library we’ve attempted to provide actual eye-witness accounts as far as possible to describe events within the realm of military aviation. However, in some cases the subject of the narrative had passed away before the full account could be published.
Such was the case with two of our previous entries. In Index No.103 Vic Campden described his father-in-laws’ experience in “Not So Quiet on the Western Front” where Captain James Craig DFC flew as an R.F.C. pilot in R.E.8 aircraft. Dr Bob Whitelaw also contributed an R.F.C. account (Index No.116) relating how his father had explained to him that both Allied and German early reconnaissance planes passed each other going about their respective business in opposite directions. Initially there were no obvious signs of any aggressive action. This situation ceased abruptly, however, when one unidentified member of aircrew fired a revolver shot bringing to an end all further peaceful passing encounters.
From early records of land warfare it could be noted that even if the main body in opposing forces did not occupy high ground, it was found to be a distinct advantage if accurate knowledge or information on the enemy’s position could be acquired from a high vantage point before deciding on the appropriate form of attack. Also in the case of proposed artillery fire, it was helpful to have details of a precise range or direction of fire.
A recent visit to Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre confirmed the view that even before the two R.F.C. experiences described above took place, aerial activity had been firmly in the hands of the Army at Montrose.
The Royal Flying Corps was established in 1912 as a unit of the British Army set up to investigate the possible use of manned aircraft in the capacity of communication, scouting and reconnaissance activities, with the crews continuing to hold appropriate Army ranks.
Having noted the successful use of aircraft to gain advantages in reconnaissance, military authorities were quick to realize that air power could be applied for a much wider use. For example, a major concern had been the protection of shipping movements between the Royal Naval Dockyard at Rosyth and Scapa Flow in Orkney.
It was decided that a permanent military airfield situated between those two points would have to be found on the Scottish East Coast with suitable access by road and rail. Having selected a site at Upper Dysart Farm, Britain’s first operational military airfield came into being. The commanding officer of No.2 Squadron, Major Charles Burke, soon observed the advantages of flat land at Broomfield, and established an airfield and aircraft sheds there to be known in future years as RFC/RAF Montrose. The Broomfield site was nearer the town, in line with the prevailing wind and, importantly, right on the railway line.
On 26th February 1913 the aircraft of No.2 Squadron arrived at Montrose one by one. It had taken them over a week to fly from Farnborough. It must have been an incredible sight for the population of Angus for it was only in December 1903 that the Wright Brothers had become the first of the early pioneers to achieve powered and controlled sustained flight. Among the numerous personal accounts contained in the Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre, it is recorded that ten-year-old Betsy West, a pupil at Ferryden School and her classmates were given a holiday to witness the arrival of the aircraft on this extraordinary occasion.
There is little doubt that Major Burke’s diary and official reports provide a very clear picture of events when Montrose was the cradle of military aviation in Britain. In August 1914, No.2 Squadron led the RFC to war and Lt Harvey-Kelly became the first man to land on French soil. The general view in 1914 was that the war would be over by Christmas. In which case, the men of No.2 Squadron left their kit at Montrose ready for their return at the end of hostilities - they never came back.
By 1915, Montrose still being the only air station in Scotland was reactivated and No.6 Reserve Squadron, CO Major A.C. McLean, was established at Montrose to train pilots for existing squadrons and to form the nucleus of new operational squadrons.
Montrose trained skilled ground-crew as well as pilots and had facilities for the repair and rebuilding of aircraft. The airfield facilities were extended in 1917 with the building of three “Belfast” hangars to accommodate the larger aircraft coming into service. American Pursuit (Fighter) squadrons came to Montrose in 1918 to learn to maintain aircraft like the Sopwith Camel.
Throughout the period of World War One Montrose paid host to servicemen from a number of different countries and may well be able to claim credit for the origins of the Canadian Air Force. In January 1917, No.82 and No.85 (Canadian) Reserve Squadrons were formed at Montrose.
When the Great War ended in 1918 Montrose continued as a training air station until it was closed down in 1920. The equipment and stores were moved to Fife to help start up RAF Leuchars.
As hosts to flying training facilities in their local area, the people of Montrose did not accept this role lightly. The toll of flying training was heavy, for as one American serviceman stated in 1918 “There is a crash every day and a funeral every week.” The RFC suffered horrendous losses in World War One, but lost more men in training than it did from enemy action. The Centenary of Montrose Air Station has not passed unnoticed and details are available on website www.rafmontrose.org.uk which describes present and future educational resources and visitors’ information. Personal accounts also breathe life into the book “Learning to Fly at Montrose.”
Taking all those human factors into account, the Montrose Air Station facility differs with other air museums in several ways, in that it places more emphasis on personal accounts and the appalling human cost of war.
The Royal Air Force was formed on the 1st April 1918 by amalgamating the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service, becoming the first independent air arm in the world. The flying training system was reorganized in 1918. By the mid 1930’s the rise of Nazi Germany prompted fears of another war. Once again there was a need to train pilots and RAF Montrose was reopened in January 1936 as No.8 Flying Training School. This was a school for advanced flying training using military aircraft. There were normally two intakes at Montrose at any one time to provide for both intermediate and advanced sections.
In addition to providing flying training facilities during world war two, the following operational squadrons were based at RAF Montrose between 1939-1945:- No.269 (GR) Squadron; Fighter Squadrons Nos.603; 248; 141; 145; 111; 232; 310; 132; & 17. Also No.2 Flying Instructor School & No.11 Air Sea Rescue Marine Craft Unit.
Many things have changed since Montrose opened its doors to the mighty world of aviation only ten years after the world’s first powered flight by the Wright Brothers. However, for those interested in military aviation it is worth remembering that Montrose was the location of Britain’s First Operational Military Airfield, with No.2 Squadron RFC being the first operational Squadron to be based there in 1913.
One hundred years later in 2013, No.2 Squadron RAF returned to Montrose to help celebrate the Centenary. When the First World War began, No.2 Squadron left Montrose and led the RFC to war flying BE-2 aircraft. One hundred years later the present-day No.2 Squadron flying Tornado GR4 aircraft saw action over Libya in 2011 during ‘Operation Ellamy’ (see previous article bearing that title, Index No.244).
To commemorate that Centenary the Heritage Centre is planning to build a replica of the BE-2 aircraft flown by Lieutenant Harvey-Kelly which was the first British aircraft to land in France.
The present-day No.2 (AC) Squadron of the Royal Air Force is the only squadron operating the Tornado GR4 and GR4A aircraft in a reconnaissance role. No.2 Squadron’s traditional Army Co-Operation role is reflected in the “AC” of its title (Army Co-Operation), its motto ‘Hereward’ (Guardian of the Army).
It seems remarkable that the present No.2 Squadron has retained the same close association with the Army which was so evident when its members first arrived in Montrose one hundred years ago.
Footnote: The above article is based on information contained in “Learning to Fly at Montrose” (The Ian McIntosh Memorial Trust), and also from discussion with Dr. Daniel Paton, Curator, Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre.