RAF Castle Archdale facts for kids
Quick facts for kids RAF Castle ArchdaleRAF Lough Erne  |
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| Lisnarrick, County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland | |
Various flying boats are being hauled out of Lough Erne as the water begins to freeze in January 1945
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 RAF Castle Archdale
RAF Castle Archdale
Shown within Northern Ireland
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| Coordinates | 54°28′50″N 7°43′37″W / 54.48056°N 7.72694°W |
| Type | Royal Air Force station |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Air Ministry |
| Operator | Royal Air Force |
| Controlled by | RAF Coastal Command * No. 15 (T) Group RAF |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1940 |
| In use | February 1941 – 1958 |
| Battles/wars | European theatre of World War II |
| Airfield information | |
| Elevation | 42 metres (138 ft) AMSL |
| Other | Used Runways on Lough Erne |
RAF Castle Archdale, also known as RAF Lough Erne, was a special air base in Northern Ireland. It was used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Royal Canadian Air Force. This base was unique because it was home to "flying boats." These are planes that can land on and take off from water, like boats! It was located in County Fermanagh.
Contents
A Look Back: History of the Base
RAF Castle Archdale was built on the eastern shore of Lower Lough Erne. This was near a small village called Lisnarick. The base was very important during the Second World War.
Patrolling the Atlantic
Flying boats from Castle Archdale, like the Catalina and Short Sunderland planes, flew patrols. They searched the North Atlantic Ocean for German U-boats. U-boats were submarines used by Germany. They tried to sink ships carrying supplies.
The Secret Donegal Corridor
To help the planes reach the Atlantic faster, a secret deal was made. The government of Ireland allowed British planes to fly over a small part of their land. This special route was called the Donegal Corridor. It saved a lot of time and fuel for the flying boats.
Finding the Bismarck
In May 1941, a Catalina flying boat from Castle Archdale made a huge discovery. During a regular patrol, it spotted the German warship Bismarck. This was one of the most powerful battleships in the world. Finding it was a very important moment in the war.
Nearby Air Bases
Other air bases were also located near Lough Erne. These included RAF St Angelo and RAF Killadeas. They all worked together to help protect the Atlantic.
Who Used the Base?
Many different air squadrons used RAF Castle Archdale during the war. They flew various types of flying boats. Some of the main planes were the Catalina and Sunderland. These squadrons helped keep the shipping lanes safe from U-boats.
After the War: What Happened Next?
After the Second World War ended, the need for flying boat bases changed. A special ceremony was held in late 1957 to lower the flag. The air base officially closed its doors on January 31, 1958.
The Base Today
Today, the old RAF Castle Archdale base is part of Castle Archdale Country Park. You can still see some parts of the old base. The slipway, where the flying boats entered and left the water, is still there. The concrete areas where the planes were parked are now part of a caravan site. Some old buildings are still in the surrounding forest, but they are overgrown. There is also a museum in the park. It has a special section about the base's role during the Second World War.
See also
- List of former Royal Air Force stations
- Castle Archdale estate history.
