Scottish Airfields in the Second World War, Volume 3: The Grampians (British Airfields in the Second World War)

The contribution of Scotland's airfields during the Second World War is sometimes underestimated, or even overlooked completely. Certainly, the aircraft that flew from the thirteen Grampians airfields of Banff, Dallachy, Dyce, East Fingask, Elgin, Fordooun, Forres, Fraserburgh, Kinloss, Lossiemouth, Milltown, Peterhead and Rattray were of crucial importance, keeping the North Sea open to allied ships, and taking the fight to the enemy. Kinloss and Lossiemouth became active in early 1939 and after the outbreak of war Mosquitos and Beaufighters from these airfields roamed the Norwegian coast in the hunt for enemy merchant vessels and airfields. Strike wings operated out of Banff, Callachy and Peterburgh along with Fraserburgh which, along with several other airfields, provided Air-Sea Rescue. During the early months of 1942, several bomber operations were organised in an attempt to sink the German battleship Tirpitz , hiding out in a Norwegian fjord. On 12th November, a force of 30 Lancasters took off from Lossiemouth, each carrying 'Tallboy' bombs. The Tirpitz was hit by at least two bombs on this final attack, one managing to blow up her magazine. All the airfields covered in this volume are either still in use or have substantial remains. Kinloss and Lossiemouth dominate the RAF presence in the area while Dyce has developed into one of Scotland's busiest airports. A Ministry of Defence presence at Milltown and Rattray has ensured a good level of preservation and even those airfields that were abandoned after the war still retain traces of their past. Martyn Chorlton's thoroughly researched and action-packed book describes the history of these airfields, highlights the work carried out from them and describes their overall effect on the war. It will appeal equally to aviation enthusiasts and to readers who recall the era when Scottish skies throbbed with the drone of departing and returning aircraft.