RAF Long Kesh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids RAF Long Kesh
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| Maze, Lisburn in Northern Ireland | |||||||||||
 RAF Long Kesh
RAF Long Kesh
Shown within Northern Ireland
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| Coordinates | 54°29′22″N 006°06′16″W / 54.48944°N 6.10444°W | ||||||||||
| Type | Royal Air Force station | ||||||||||
| Site information | |||||||||||
| Owner | Air Ministry Admiralty |
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| Operator | Royal Air Force Royal Navy |
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| Controlled by | RAF Coastal Command Fleet Air Arm |
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| Site history | |||||||||||
| Built | 1940-41 | ||||||||||
| In use | 1941-1947 | ||||||||||
| Battles/wars | European theatre of World War II | ||||||||||
| Airfield information | |||||||||||
| Elevation | 35 metres (115 ft) AMSL | ||||||||||
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RAF Long Kesh was a special air base for the Royal Air Force. It was located in Maze, near Lisburn, in Northern Ireland. This base was very active during the Second World War.
Many different types of airplanes flew from RAF Long Kesh. These included famous planes like the Supermarine Seafire and Spitfire.
Contents
History of RAF Long Kesh Airfield
Why was RAF Long Kesh built?
RAF Long Kesh was built between 1940 and 1941. This was during the Second World War. It was an important place for air defense.
How was RAF Long Kesh a target in World War II?
During the war, RAF Long Kesh was a main target for a German plan called "Operation Green". This plan was part of a bigger idea to take over the British Isles. German paratroopers, called airborne forces, planned to attack and destroy RAF Long Kesh. They also wanted to capture other nearby airfields.
What was built at the airfield?
Large buildings called hangars were put up at the airfield. These were used by a company called Short Brothers. They assembled big Short Stirling bomber planes there. Some parts of the Stirling bombers were also made at Long Kesh. Later, another company, Miles Aircraft, used one of the hangars. They put together and tested the Miles Messenger aircraft. Today, these hangars are home to the Ulster Aviation Society. They have a collection of old airplanes there.
Aircraft Units at RAF Long Kesh
Many different air squadrons and units were based at RAF Long Kesh. They used various types of aircraft for different missions.
Squadrons and their Aircraft
- No. 74 Squadron RAF (1942) – Flew Supermarine Spitfire I.
- No. 88 Squadron RAF Detachment (1941-1942) – Flew Douglas Boston III.
- No. 226 Squadron RAF Detachment (1941) – Flew Bristol Blenheim IV.
- No. 231 Squadron RAF (1941-1942) – Flew Curtiss Tomahawk I & IIB.
- No. 290 Squadron RAF (1943-1944) – Flew Miles Martinet.
- No. 422 Squadron RCAF (1942) – Flew Consolidated Catalina IB.
These squadrons were part of the Royal Navy's air force, the Fleet Air Arm.
- 800 Naval Air Squadron
- 807 Naval Air Squadron
- 809 Naval Air Squadron
- 838 Naval Air Squadron
- 879 Naval Air Squadron
- 881 Naval Air Squadron
- 882 Naval Air Squadron
- 899 Naval Air Squadron
Other Units at the Base
- No. 5 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF (December 1942 – April 1944)
- No. 31 Wing RAF (June – December 1941)
- No. 96 Wireless (Observer) Wing RAF (April – May 1942)
- No. 96 (Wireless) Wing RAF (May 1942 – ?)
- No. 103 Personnel Dispersal Centre
- No. 201 Gliding School RAF (May 1946 – 1947)
- No. 203 Gliding School RAF (July – September 1955)
- No. 671 Volunteer Gliding School RAF (September 1955 – January 1956)
- No. 1494 (Target Towing) Flight RAF (December 1941 – April 1942)
- No. 2774 Squadron RAF Regiment
- RAF Northern Ireland Communication Flight RAF (September – December 1945)
Long Kesh Detention Centre
What was the Long Kesh Detention Centre?
After the air base closed, the land and buildings of RAF Long Kesh were used for something else. From August 1971, during a period known as The Troubles, it became the Long Kesh Detention Centre. This was a place where people suspected of being involved in paramilitary groups were held. The British government kept them there without a trial. This was done under a special law from 1922.
What happened at the Centre?
In May 1974, there were 747 people held at Long Kesh. On October 15, 1974, some of the living areas were burned down. This caused a lot of damage to the camp. From 1976, new buildings were put up to replace the old ones. These new buildings were shaped like the letter "H". Because of these new buildings, the place was renamed HM Prison Maze.
See also
- List of former Royal Air Force stations
