R.A.F. Skitten, Caithness, Scotland and 618 Squadron

I'm trying to do a wee bit of research for an elderly friend who was stationed at Skitten during WW2. I've been scouring the net courtesy of Google (naturally), but I'd be really pleased to be in contact with any folk who had knowledge of it, and/or 618 Squadron. He was not a pilot but remembers Mosqs. and the final trip to Australia.

I'd love to hear from anyone in the know about any of this. Coincidentally, I live close to where the camp was in Caithness.

Thanks,

James.

 

Hi James,
Welcome to the forums. You could also try Secret Scotland - Home Page, there might be someone there with more knowledge than the rest of us.

 

You probably already have this book, Maplemac : 'A Most Secret Squadron - The Story Of No 618 Squadron RAF' by Des Curtis DFC ( Skitten Books, 1995 & 1996 ).

 

Thanks - will try that.

James.

 

Actually no, I haven't but will pass that on to the guy I'm doing this for.

Thanks very much.

James.

 

Sorry James,
I nearly forgot these guys-
The Airfield Information Exchange - Powered by vBulletin

 

Gordon,

Thanks for that - I've been and joined and posted.

Thanks,

James.

 

By a considerable coincidence, I was in London today and noticed in a bookshop that the 618 Squadron history by Des Curtis has within the last month been republished in an unlimited edition by Grub Street Publishing @ £20.00.

You should be able to find it on Amazon.....

 

Thanks. I'll certainly check if he has the book - maybe he has heard of it himself somehow.

Thanks.

James.

 

I found some links on 618 Squadron, but based on the many times I saw queries from you, I expect you already have these!!!

The Royal Air Force - History Section

618 Squadron RAF - based in Australia during WW2

From:
618 Squadron - Google Search

1943 Apr 1943 - In April 1943 Skitten became the base for training with the 'Highball' bomb. Highball was an offshoot of the Grand Slam bomb used against the Ruhr dams by 617 'Dambusters' Squadron. It was designed for use against shipping, primarily the Tirpitz, and although ...In April 1943 Skitten became the base for training with the 'Highball' bomb. Highball was an offshoot of the Grand Slam bomb used against the Ruhr dams by 617 'Dambusters' Squadron. It was designed for use against shipping, primarily the Tirpitz, and although it was never used in anger, specially modified Mosquitoes of 618 Squadron (617's sister squadron) flew from Skitten to lochs on the Scottish west coast specially selected for their resemblance to the Norwegian Fjord ...
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From Caithness CWS - Caithness Field Club - Annual Bulletins - 2002 - World … - Related web pages
www.caithness.org/caithnessfieldclub/bulletins ...

Apr 1, 1943 - To this end 618 Squadron was formed in great secrecy on 1 April 1943, as part of Coastal Command. 618 Squadron's specialist role was to attack German shipping, with priority being accorded to the German battleship Tirpitz.At the same time that Barnes Wallis was designing the famous Upkeep to destroy German dams he also designed a smaller version — Highball — for attacks on enemy shipping. [15] [16] It was decided that the Mosquito was an ideal aircraft to carry two of these Bouncing bomb weapons in modified bomb bays. To this end 618 Squadron was formed in great secrecy on 1 April 1943, as part of Coastal Command. 618 Squadron's specialist role was to attack German shipping, with priority ...
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From de Havilland Mosquito - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - Related web pages
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Havilland_Mosquito

<LI class=g> Apr 11, 1943 - On April 11th 1943, while still under the under the command of Rheinhard Reche, U-255 came under attack from an aircraft of RAF 248+618 Squadron, but was not damaged.
From CortDiv 22 - Related web pages
www.beneficias.net/cortdiv22/U-255.htm
<LI class=g> Nov 7, 1943 - On 7 November 1943, U-123 was attacked by a de Havilland Mosquito aircraft from the Royal Air Force's No. 618 Squadron, suffering one dead and two wounded.
From German submarine U-123 (1940) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - Related web pages
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unterseeboot_123_(1940)
<LI class=g> 1944 Aug 1944 - During this time, as the German Surface Fleet never emerged from its bases in Norway, 618 Squadron did not have the opportunity to use the Highball weapon. In August 1944, the squadron deployed to RAF Beccles in Suffolk, and in September changed aircraft ...During this time, as the German Surface Fleet never emerged from its bases in Norway, 618 Squadron did not have the opportunity to use the Highball weapon. In August 1944, the squadron deployed to RAF Beccles in Suffolk, and in September changed aircraft again to Mosquito XVIs. The squadron deployed to RAF Benson in September, transitioning to Mosquito XVIIIs in October.
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From No. 618 Squadron RAF - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - Related web pages
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._618_Squadron_RAF

 

Michelle, Bless you for all that. I recognise some of the references you show but I'll need to go through all thoroughly rather than miss something.

Frustrating thing for me is I actually live quite close to the location itself, but, there is nothing left - all the information/knowhow has gone, probably to fill library shelves.

Thanks again.

James.