Moray plane from RAF Lossiemouth marks important Second World War anniversary
A plane from RAF Lossiemouth flew to Northern Ireland to play the lead role in the 80th anniversary of Coastal Command’s last sortie of the Second World War.
Although the conflict in Europe ended on May 8, 1945, it was still necessary after the fighting stopped for Coastal Command to escort surrendering U-boats.
As a result, the last operational patrol didn’t take place until nearly a month later.
Indeed, it was on June 3, 1945 that a Shorts Sunderland GR Mark V aircraft flew the final mission.
The pilot that day was Wing Commander J Barrett, the commanding officer of No. 201 Squadron.
Today, 201 Squadron operates the P-8A Poseidon MRA1 aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth.
A Poseidon from the Moray air base was therefore viewed as an appropriate plane to conduct a flypast to mark the 80th anniversary at Castle Archdale in County Fermanagh.
Meanwhile a detachment including Wing Commander Robert McCartney, the squadron’s current commanding officer, were present on the ground to witness proceedings.
Wg Cdr McCartney said: “We’re very proud to continue the maritime heritage of our forebears on the squadron, and we’re delighted to mark the 80th anniversary.
“Coastal Command’s campaign spanned the whole war from 1939 to 1945 and took place over hundreds of thousands of square miles.
“By the end of the conflict it had flown over 1 million hours and sunk 212 enemy U-boats.”
Castle Archdale became a base during 1941 for RAF Coastal Command whose flying boats were fighting in the Battle of the Atlantic – the struggle to protect vital sea lanes.
Prior to the flypast, the team from RAF Lossiemouth visited a nearby graveyard which was the last resting place for the 82 airmen buried there.
However that number represents only a fraction of the total who were lost. Several crews simply failed to return while others fell prey to the gun crews of the U-boats they attacked.
Wg Cdr McCartney added: “We want to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, but we also want to celebrate the men and women of Coastal Command for their bravery, tenacity, commitment and fighting spirit.
“We in the Royal Air Force, but specifically the Poseidon Force, really do stand on the shoulders of giants.”
