RAF Dallachy explained

RAF Dallachy
Location:Elgin, Moray
Country:Scotland
Map Type:Scotland Moray#UK
Type:Satellite station
Coordinates:57.654°N -3.068°W
Pushpin Label:RAF Dallachy
Used:1943-
Ownership:Air Ministry
Controlledby:Royal Air Force
Operator:RAF Coastal Command
Battles:European theatre of World War II
Elevation:76m (249feet)
R1-Number:00/00
R1-Surface:Concrete
R2-Number:00/00
R2-Surface:Concrete

Royal Air Force Dallachy or more simply RAF Dallachy, is a former Royal Air Force station situated east of Elgin, Moray, Scotland.

During the Second World War it was a fighter station, used by 18 Group RAF Coastal Command.[1]

History

Opened in March 1943, it was originally used as a training station by No. 14 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit RAF, using Airspeed Oxfords.[2] In September 1943, it was reorganised for operational use by several squadrons, including No. 144 Squadron RAF, No. 404 Squadron RCAF and No. 455 Squadron RAAF.[2] [3] Towards the end of 1944, it was reorganised again with No. 489 Squadron RNZAF, flying Bristol Beaufighters on shipping strikes, and No. 524 Squadron RAF with radar-equipped Vickers Wellingtons.

The airfield was closed in June 1945, becoming a Territorial Army training centre until 1958.[2]

Units

Unit Aircraft Variant From To To Notes
X 23 October 1944 25 May 1945 Disbanded
I 27 February 1944 7 February 1945 As a detachment.
X
VI
22 October 1944 3 April 1945
Bristol Beaufighter X 20 October 1944 25 May 1945 Disbanded
Bristol Beaufighter X 24 October 1944 16 June 1945 RAF Banff
de Havilland Mosquito IV September 1944 September 1944 Australia
No. 14 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit Airspeed Oxford May 1943 September 1944 n/a As Relief Landing Ground
No. 21 Air Crew Holding Unit N/A [4]
Airspeed Oxford July 1943 August 1944 Disbanded

A memorial now stands in the nearby village of Bogmoor to remember the air crews and soldiers who lost their lives in the Second World War.

Current use

The site is largely intact. However, most of the former airfield is now used by a waste recycling company. The control tower is in a ruinous state and no other buildings exist. Dallachy Aeromodellers, an active radio control model flying club, use a section.

References

Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Wartime Memories Project. 17 April 2009.
  2. Web site: Dallachy. Control Towers. 17 April 2009.
  3. Web site: Memories of RAF Dallachy. 17 April 2009.
  4. Web site: Dallachy . Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. 13 June 2013.