Originally posted by Flamingo
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The help Ireland gave to the allies during WWII
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The German pilot had made a completely blind landing on a short grass airstrip, which is what gained British attention. He shouldn't have been able to do it but was able to because the radar was able to show an accurate coastline and he was able to make a safe approach and land. The great British test pilot, Eric "Winkle" Brown, who was already familiar with Ju88s, was well impressed with this feat and said so. He performed a very careful exam of the aircraft and was able to perform an equally daring takeoff, given that the runway was short and wet, having taken the advice of the German pilot. He was always full of praise for the quality of German aircraft and his books on testing enemy aircraft make fascinating reading.
regards
GttC
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Mick,
I am not quite sure by your saying that the Luftwaffe pilot made a completely blind landing. He knew exactly where he was and came straight in off the sea through very low cloud/mist right over the airfield. His Gormo coordinates were all tapped into his onboard computer. He circled twice and came in after ascertaining wind direction and choosing the best run. His main concern on touch down was the wet grass as his Ju88 operated on concrete runways at Grove.
By the same token Capt Eric Brown was surprised at the landing on the small airfield, but after walking the field he just stood on the brakes and let go no problem, of course on a now dry airfield.
In late 1941 a Wellington (larger than a Ju88) took off no problem and in 1945 a four engined Stirling bomber got away under slightly more worrying conditions but nevertheless cleared the railway line , but just about, lucky no trains were passing.
If the Luftwaffe pilot had concerns I wonder why had did not opt for the concrete runways at Collinstown just down the road.Last edited by Tony Kearns; 12 May 2013, 23:11.
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Err, I don't think Collinstown's concrete runways were completed until 1947."We will hold out until our last bullet is spent. Could do with some whiskey"
Radio transmission, siege of Jadotville DR Congo. September 1961.
Illegitimi non carborundum
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Well, if he was so certain of his position, why would he pick the smallest of the three? perhaps he expected to be shot at with something heavy and decided to chance his arm with Gormo. I'm assuming from your accuracy here, Tony, that you spoke or corresponded with him or his crew.
regards
GttC
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I'm assuming that Gormo' was the nearest neutral airfield, being the most easterly of 5 possible landing sites( was tallaght still in existence at that time?)"We will hold out until our last bullet is spent. Could do with some whiskey"
Radio transmission, siege of Jadotville DR Congo. September 1961.
Illegitimi non carborundum
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Originally posted by GoneToTheCanner View PostWell, if he was so certain of his position, why would he pick the smallest of the three? perhaps he expected to be shot at with something heavy and decided to chance his arm with Gormo. I'm assuming from your accuracy here, Tony, that you spoke or corresponded with him or his crew.
regards
GttC
Tallaght was not used as a base by the Air CorpsLast edited by Tony Kearns; 12 May 2013, 23:13.
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I knew tallaght was not an Air Corps base, I was only thinking of it as being a useable landing site, but i would be surprised if Gormo's defences were less then Bal's as it was an active base. My dad told me years ago that Collinstown was " spiked" by horse drawn vehicles when not in use, spiked was the phrase he used by the way.
I would love to hear the whole story....
By the way, Tony, was Gormo extended in anyway since the war?"We will hold out until our last bullet is spent. Could do with some whiskey"
Radio transmission, siege of Jadotville DR Congo. September 1961.
Illegitimi non carborundum
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Out of curiosity, why was the JU88 handed over? I cam guess the realpolitik reasons, but was the pilot interned here, or handed over as well?'He died who loved to live,' they'll say,
'Unselfishly so we might have today!'
Like hell! He fought because he had to fight;
He died that's all. It was his unlucky night.
http://www.salamanderoasis.org/poems...nnis/luck.html
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Originally posted by spider View PostTheres a few left -
Coastal Forces Heritage Trust covers small craft operating under RN command for offensive / defensive purposes from 1919 to the present day.
The British military powerboats of the 1930s and 1940s were the finest in the world. Developed from a series of record breaking speedboats, these rugged, graceful craft were so far ahead of their time that their design has never been surpassed
A marina not far from me used one up until about 10 yrs ago, until it was destroyed in a fire. The keel is all thats left.
Pity no-one thought to preserve any of the Irish MTB's.
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