RAF Greencastle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids RAF GreencastleUSAAF Station 237  |
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| Kilkeel, County Down in Northern Ireland | |
A-20G of the USAAF of the type flown from RAF Greencastle.
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 RAF Greencastle
RAF Greencastle
Shown within Northern Ireland
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| Coordinates | 54°02′01″N 006°03′38″W / 54.03361°N 6.06056°W |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Air Ministry |
| Operator | Royal Air Force United States Army Air Forces |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1941 |
| In use | 1942-1945 |
| Battles/wars | European theatre of World War II |
| Airfield information | |
| Elevation | 50 metres (164 ft) AMSL |
RAF Greencastle was a former Royal Air Force airfield. It was located about 2 miles south of the fishing village of Kilkeel in Northern Ireland. The airfield covered a large part of Cranfield Bay.
It first opened in April 1942 as a training base for RAF bomber crews. However, it was quickly given to the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). They renamed it AAF Station 237.
Contents
History of RAF Greencastle
Building the Airfield
Work on building the airfield started on January 12, 1942. Large areas of good farmland were taken over for the project. Some people felt they did not get enough money for their land.
In some cases, families were asked to leave their homes almost overnight. A few people refused to move. The airfield was literally built around their homes in areas like Derryoge and Cranfield.
Farmers had prepared their fields for planting early potatoes. Their sheds were full of potato seeds ready to go into the ground. Growing early potatoes was very important for the small family farms in this area.
About 450 buildings were put up on the airfield. These buildings were different shapes and sizes. They were placed safely away from the ammunition and bomb storage areas and the runways.
Around 5 miles of water pipes were laid to bring water to the airfield. These pipes came from the Silent Valley reservoir. When the station closed, the local government took over these water pipes.
Airfield Operations During WWII
RAF Greencastle was a "satellite" airfield. This means it helped a bigger, very busy base called RAF Langford Lodge. Greencastle handled extra aircraft and activities that Langford Lodge couldn't manage.
From 1944 until the end of World War II, a lot of work at both bases involved fixing damaged aircraft. They also trained many bomber crews.
At RAF Greencastle, the USAAF trained air gunners. They used planes like the Douglas A-20 Havoc and Vultee Vengeance A-35B. These planes helped train gunners for the Consolidated B-24 Liberator bomber.
The period from May to August 1944 was the busiest time of the war for the airfield. In July alone, Greencastle and Cluntoe trained 330 heavy bomber crews.
Several RAF Regiment squadrons were stationed here at different times:
- No. 2708 Squadron RAF Regiment
- No. 2754 Squadron RAF Regiment
- No. 2755 Squadron RAF Regiment
- No. 2756 Squadron RAF Regiment
- No. 2775 Squadron RAF Regiment
Important Dates for the Airfield
- April 1942: The airfield was built for the RAF but quickly given to the USAAF.
- May 1942: No. 2852 Squadron RAF was formed here.
- July 30, 1942: The airfield officially opened. The USAAF took control on August 3, 1943.
- 1943 to February 1944: The 5th Combat Crew Replacement Centre used the base for gunnery practice for B-24 Liberator bomber crews. This unit later moved to RAF Cheddington.
- July 1944: The 5th Replacement & Training Squadron (Bombardment) was set up at Greencastle.
- During 1944: It served as a satellite air depot for RAF Langford Lodge. It handled Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-24s.
- December 3, 1943, to September 1944: The 4th Gunnery and Tow Target Flight operated here. They used Havocs, Lysanders, and Vengeance A-35Bs for B-24 gunnery training. This unit later moved to RAF Chipping Ongar.
- February 1945 to May 1945: The 5th Airdrome Squadron was in charge of the air depot.
- May 31, 1945: The airfield was returned to RAF control.
General Eisenhower's Visit
On May 17, 1944, General Dwight D. Eisenhower visited the station for an inspection. He was met by General Stafford LeRoy Irwin. General Eisenhower reviewed the 5th Infantry Division and their artillery, which were lined up on the airfield.
What is RAF Greencastle Now?
The airfield was given back to the RAF in 1945. It was closed almost immediately. In the 1960s, the runways were broken up. The concrete was used by landowners to build walls.
Many of the original buildings still exist today. However, they are in a ruined condition. You can still see the basic layout of the old station from above. But the runways themselves are gone.
A caravan site (like a campground for RVs) now covers much of the southern part of the area.
A local group, Cranfield Loyal Orange Lodge 907, recently unveiled a new banner. It includes a memorial to the American Army who were in the Cranfield and Greencastle area.
See also
- List of former Royal Air Force stations
