RAF airfields in Egypt and Lybia

Hi,

Does one of you guys have a map showing where the RAF airfields were in Egypt and Lybia ?

I am trying to locate the bases from where RAAF 459Sqn operated in 1942, namely LG 226, Gianaclis and LG "Z".

Thanks,

Guy

[Alex Smart]

Hello Guy,

LG226 is/was about 20 m south of Alexandria.
LG "Z" or LG208 is/was at Mahsma about 15M NE of Ismailia below the Suez Canal.

For a good map of thisarea and of other sites the book "RAF Squadrons by W/C. C G Jefford is great to have.

Alex

[JeffK]

Gday Guy,

The RAAF history which covers the Meditteranean & European Theatre would clearly show these Airfields.

If you have a problem with the data provded by Alex I can find a scanned copy.

Hi JeffK,

Alex sent me a map showing the location of RAF airfields in and around the Nile Delta. That pretty much answers my point.
But ... your offer makes me raise another question : I am looking for informations about the RAAF 459th Sqn during summer 42. Do you have any details on that ? Could you scan me some pages ?

Guy

[JeffK]

Guy,
This can be arranged, or I can give a run down at the least.

I'll have it over the weekend.

[Alex Smart]

Hi Guy,

Hudson III and IIIa's
squadron code "GK"
From April '42 to Sept'42
Gianaclis;St: Jean; Khormaksar and LG100.

Short note from theCoastal & Support and Special Squadrons by Rawlings

"In June it was ableto set upstanding coastal patrols between Mersa Matruh and Sidi Barrani. That month 52 sorties were flown;
P/O Cowan Hunt was attacked by three Ju88's and managed to shoot one down; he was killed in a fatal accident on July 1st.
In July the Squadron went on the offensive, bombing enemy convoys; one such attack on 10th resulted in three out of the nine aircraft being lost.
In August most operations were against F-Boatsoperating out ofTobruk, the Squadron sinking sixteen and damaging three for the loss of four aircraft. The folowing month No.459 sent detachments west to St:Jean andeast to Aden for convoy escort duties.
P/O Beaton scored a victory on 4th September by bombing a destroyer and setting it on fire and four days later P/O Proctor severely damaged a large motor vessel. Most of the flying, however , was routine escort and patrol work and resulted in no enemy being sighted. Each month for the rest of the year the Squadron was flying well over a hundred sorties a month."

Hope this helps.

Do you need a/c serial numbers and details ?

night

Alex

Hi Alex,

I am looking for missions details, such as mission reports ... for June, July and August 42.
This mission during which P/O Cowan Hunt shot down a Ju88 is interesting. Further details available ?

I am building missions simulate the story of this squadron during summer 42 on CFS2, to keep their memory alive.

Guy

[Alex Smart]

Hi Guy,

Attached here is my list of Hudsons of 459 Sqdn.

I Hope

Alex

[Alex Smart]

Sorry Guy,

Will send to your e-mail; address instead.

Alex