Royal Air Force Aboukir or more simply RAF Aboukir is a former Royal Air Force base located 6.6 miles (10.6 km) northwest of Kafr El-Dawar and 7.2 miles (11.6 km) east of Alexandria, Egypt. Between 1916 and 1947 a number of units and squadrons were based there, including the central depot for RAF Middle East until 12 November 1939.

RAF Aboukir
Egyptian Arabic: ابو قير Abu Qir
Near Alexandria in Egypt
A Short Sunderland flying over the RAF Aboukir after taking off from Aboukir Bay
RAF Aboukir Shown within Egypt
Coordinates	31°11′22″N 030°02′24″E
Type	Royal Air Force base
Code	LG-34
Site information
Owner	Air Ministry
Operator	Royal Air Force
Site history
Built	1916 (1916)
In use	1916-1947 (1947)
Garrison information
Past commanders	Group Captain Tulloch
Airfield information
Elevation	−5 metres (−16 ft) AMSL
Runways Direction Length and surface 00/00  Concrete

History

The base was used by the following squadrons:

• No. 29 Squadron RAF between 6 August 1936 and 12 September 1936 with Fairey Gordon light bombers.[1]
• No. 56 Squadron RAF reformed here on 1 February 1920 with the Sopwith Snipe with a detachment at San Stephano until August 1923. However 56 Squadron was disbanded on 23 September 1922.[2]
• No. 64 Squadron RAF from 1 August 1936 with the Hawker Demon until 16 August 1936 when the squadron moved to the United Kingdom.[3]
• No. 80 Squadron RAF between 10 June 1919 and 1 February 1920 when the squadron disbanded, the squadron flew the Snipe.[4]
• No. 94 Squadron RAF between August and October 1944 as a detachment with the Supermarine Spitfire VB.[5]
• No. 112 Squadron RAF from 22 April 1941 and 31 May 1941 as a detachment with Hawker Hurricane I.[6]
• No. 123 Squadron RAF between 19 June 1942 and 19 July 1942 with the Spitfire VB.[7]
• No. 142 Squadron RAF from 13 October 1935 and 26 October 1935 with the Hawker Hart.[8]
• No. 145 Squadron RAF was formed here on 15 May 1918 before moving to Abu Sueir on 1 June 1918.[8]
• No. 208 Squadron RAF as a detachment between 18 April 1936 and 28 September 1938 with the Hawker Demon.[9]
• No. 237 Squadron RAF as a detachment between 25 February 1944 and 19 April 1944 with the Spitfire VC & IX.[10]
• No. 252 Squadron RAF between 6 February 1945 and 10 February 1945 with the Bristol Beaufighter X.[11]
• No. 294 Squadron RAF as a detachment between 29 March 1944 and 6 June 1945 with Vickers Wellington IC.[12]
• No. 451 Squadron RAF between 12 May 1941 and 1 July 1941 with the Hurricane I.[13]
• No. 603 Squadron RAF between 21 December 1942 and 25 January 1943 with no aircraft.[14]
• No. 651 Squadron RAF between 9 and 10 November 1945 with the Taylorcraft Auster V .[15]

The base was also used by a number of different units during its lifetime:

• Headquarters 20th (Reserve) Wing between 25 July 1916 and 31 May 1917.[16]
• RAF Depot, Middle East between 7 October and 12 November 1939.[16]
• No. 103 Maintenance Unit RAF between 12 November 1939 and 30 October 1946.[16]

Current use

The site is un-recognizable and is used for farming.

See also

• List of North African airfields during World War II

References

Citations

Bibliography

• Jefford, C G (1988). RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury: Airlife. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.

External links

• Photo of Aboukir base