Moray HER - NJ26NW0045 - RAF LOSSIEMOUTH

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Main Details

Primary ReferenceNJ26NW0045
NameRAF LOSSIEMOUTH
NRHE Card No.NJ26NW50
NRHE Numlink 81610
HES SM No. NULL
HES LB No. NULL
Site Form Standing Structure
Site Condition Complete 2
Details Airfield, created in World War II, and still in use by the Royal Air Force. Many structures from the war period still exist including air-raid shelters, hangers and auxiliary buildings. At the south-east side of the field one hanger still retains shell holes when it was strafed by enemy fire. In the northwest section a hanger has gun sighting marks from the war painted on the hanger door. RAF Lossiemouth was built between 1938 and 1939 and opened on 1 May 1939, with the major unit being No. 15 Flying Training School. The station was handed over to Bomber Command in April 1940. On 26th October 1940, three Heinkel 111 (German) aircraft made a surprise dusk attack on the airfield. One of the Heinkels crashed, brought down either by the explosion of its own bombs or the station Hispano gun. The four-man German aircrew were killed, and are buried in Lossiemouth churchyard. The airfield was defended with 8 pillboxes, at least six of them Type 27 pillboxes, one rectangular and the other Type 22 or 24. A number of aircraft dispersal areas still survive in the surrounds of the airfield, some of which are no longer in use. After the war, the station became a satellite of RAF Milltown in Coastal Command. It then became Royal Navy Air Station HMS Fulmar whose primary task was Fleet Air Arm operations. The officers Mess complex included officers accommodation including the Captain's House, the Commanding Officers residence, a small brick building vacated in 1954 (the new Captain's House was the former manse, see NJ26NW0089). It was later used as RAF Police Flight. The RAF returned on 28 September 1972 with a variety of aircraft types being stationed there. These have included Whirlwind, Jaguar, Shackleton, Sea King, Hunter, Buccaneer and Tornado, employed in various roles including airborne early warning, operational conversion unit, tactical weapons unit and maritime strike/attack and search and rescue. There are also several ground-based units, include the air and ground defence, airfield damage repair and airfield support roles. At present RAF Lossiemouth operates Tornado GR4 and an Operation Conversion Unit. The Search and Rescue unit operates a Sea King HAR 3A Helicopter. A battle HQ for the airfield, now removed, stood near the junction of the B9135 and B9040 (NJ27SW0226).
Last Update11/05/2023
Updated Bycpalmer
CompilerJG
Date of Compilation 

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National Grid Reference: NJ 2078 6944



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Artefact and Ecofact

Ecofact

Samples
Palynology
Ecofact Notes

Monument Types

Monument Type 1Monument Type 2Monument Type 3OrderProbability
PILL-BOXESWORLD WAR II B100
HEADQUARTERSBATTLESITE OFC100
AIRFIELDSWORLD WAR II A100