RAF and FAA in the Caribbean

[Leendert]

Is it correct that the RAF and FAA had only a small presence in the Caribbean during WW II?

So far I've only found 53 Squadron with Hudsons for the RAF during a few months in 1942. Plus four FAA squadrons in the training/utility role (749, 750, 752, 793) with types like Goose, Albacore, Proctor and Martinet.
These all on Trinidad.

If there were more squadrons in the West Indies, then happy to hear so.

Regards,

Leendert

[Larry]

The Trinidad bases were Edinburgh Field and Waller Field; both used by 53 Sqn from 5th August 1942 till 23rd November 1942.

So I'm told the USA demanded the bases in the Caribbean were transferred to them (along with nearly all of Britain's gold) as a condition of getting further Lease Lend assistance!

[Bruce Dennis]

Very droll Larry. In fact, as I am sure you know, it was because Britain defaulted on the repayments to the US of the huge WW1 loans. The isolationists lobbied heavily on this point. Next time the UK wanted money and war material, congress said 'not again, sell us something' and FDR did well to get them to agree to even that. Churchill was happy to have the US take on the bases because it obligated them to take a more active responsibility for those waters, which was supposed to make it more difficult for the U boats.

I will be interested in where the thread goes with bases in this part of the world, it is often overlooked.

Bruce

[Leendert]

Thanks so far. Indeed, an overlooked area.

It is my understanding too the Caribbean was mainly covered by USAAF and USN units. The defense of the oil transports from Venezuela were of a great concern and U-boats caused quite some losses, mostly in 1942-43.
In Suriname it was the bauxite fields that held Allied attention.

Behind the scenes I'm looking for the US presence and doings on/in the (then) Dutch possessions Aruba, Curacao and Suriname, but was interested to see if the British had a (combat) presence re their own colonies there.

Regards,

Leendert

[Bruce Dennis]

Hi Leendert,
The need of an RAF/FAA presence was reduced by the agreement for US forces to take the strain. If I recall correctly, the arrangements and some of the background 'wheelings and dealings' are covered in 'The RAF and Maritime War', file number AIR41/47 at the UK National Archives.

HTH,
Bruce