Skitten
SKITTEN: Military aerodrome
Note: Until recently (August 2022), this aerodrome was mistakenly listed as SKITTON. That information came, initially, from the highly regarded Military Airfields in the British Isles 1939-1945 book, by Steve Willis and Barry Hollis, of which I have an Omnibus Edition, acquired about twenty years ago. To date, of the 653 aerodromes listed, this is the first to be found incorrectly spelt.
It appears that this aerodrome, opened in December 1940 was initially a satellite for RAF CASTLETOWN, and planned to host just one fighter squadron. Later in 1941 Coastal Command decided they would like to use it as a satellite for RAF WICK, and the three runways were lengthened.
Note: This picture was obtained from Google Earth ©
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
Note: The second item is from Mosquito Fighter Bomber Units of WW2 by Martin Bowman. Published by Osprey - Combat Aircraft No.9
Note: The sixth and seventh items are excerpts from Action Stations 7 - Military Airfields of Scotland by David J Smith. The area view is from my Google Earth © derived database.
Military user: RAF Coastal Command 18 Group
489 (RNZAF) Sqdn (Handley Page Hampdens)
RAF Bomber Command later in 1943
RAF Squadrons based here, usually temporarily
No.44 Sqdn (Avro Lancasters)
No.48 Sqdn (Lockheed Hudsons)
No.86 Sqdn (Bristol Beauforts)
No.172 Sqdn (Vickers Wellingtons)
No.217 Sqdn (Bristol Beaufighters)
No.260 Sqdn (Hawker Hurricanes)
No.404 Sqdn (Bristol Blenheims)
No.519 Sqdn (Handley Page Hampdens, Lockheed Hudsons and Venturas, Supermarine Spitfires)
No.607 Sqdn (Hawker Hurricanes)
No.618 Sqdn (de Havilland Mosquitos)
Other RAF Squadrons known to have been located here: No.144 Sqdn, No.179 Sqdn, No.232 Sqdn, No.407 Sqdn and last but not least No.608 Sqdn and No.612 Sqdn.
Fleet Air Arm
No.804 Sqdn (Grumman Martlets)
Note: It seems to me, considering the distances involved, a really quite inadequate roads, that supplies for such a wide range of aircraft were achieved, let alone all the other supplies needed to keep the base operating. Were many supplies air-lifted in?
Location: E of A9, W of B876, N of Biggins, 4nm NNW of Wick
Period of operation: 1940 to 1945
Runways: 18/36 1454x46 hard 06/24 1024x46 hard
12/30 1234x46 hard
NOTES: Even late in 1944 it is listed that 1350 RAF personnel were stationed here plus 80 WAAFs so this station was still pretty important in the scheme of things.
A SAD TRAGEDY
Operation Freshman was a raid on the Norsk Hydro plant at Telemark, where the Nazi regime were intent on producing 'heavy water' for an atomic weapon became a major target for Allied forces to attack, and it was decided that two gliders complete with highly trained Commando troops could perform the task. Two Halifax tugs lined up to tow the Airspeed Horsa gliders across the North Sea on the 19th November 1942.
A crucial factor in locating the landing ground, at night, for the gliders, was the use of a Rebecca transceiver, and this failed. Without it, relying just on maps was a hopeless task, and the Halifax crews had no option but to cast off the gliders in what they hoped was the area. Probably unknown to the Commando's was a 'Commando Order' issued in October 1942, basically stating that in all theatres of war, no quarter was to be given, and any captured should be executed within twenty four hours.
And indeed, that was the fate that befell those very brave men. Yet another example of the almost total disregard the heads of the Nazi regime had for the Geneva Convention established in 1929, which established international legal standards for humanitarian treatment, including prisoners of war.
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