HMS Grebe
Encyclopedia
HMS Grebe was the Royal Navy
designation for the prewar Alexandria
airport, known as Dekheila, during its use in World War II
as a shore base for aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm
. Coordinates are given as 31°08′0"N 29°48′0"E also known as LG-34, and renumbered as LG-235.
), the airfield was taken over by the Royal Egyptian Air Force on the outbreak of World War II
, but remained in use by the FAA. The field was subsequently loaned as a Naval Air Station on 16 September 1940, and commissioned as HMS Grebe, attached to HMS Nile, with a capacity of 72 aircraft. The field became self accounting on 1 April 1941, and acted as a base for all FAA units in Egypt and the Western Desert
, as well as a fleet requirements unit. HMS Nile resumed control on 1 April 1943, retaining the HMS Grebe title. The field was reduced to a care and maintenance basis on 31 January 1946, before being returned to the control of Egypt on 18 March 1946.
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
designation for the prewar Alexandria
Alexandria
Alexandria is the second-largest city of Egypt, with a population of 4.1 million, extending about along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country; it is also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. It is Egypt's largest seaport, serving...
airport, known as Dekheila, during its use in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
as a shore base for aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm
Fleet Air Arm
The Fleet Air Arm is the branch of the British Royal Navy responsible for the operation of naval aircraft. The Fleet Air Arm currently operates the AgustaWestland Merlin, Westland Sea King and Westland Lynx helicopters...
. Coordinates are given as 31°08′0"N 29°48′0"E also known as LG-34, and renumbered as LG-235.
History
Originally used as a shore base for aircraft flown ashore from carriers by the FAA (as HMS Nile II, under the control of HMS NileHMS Nile
Three ships of the Royal Navy have borne the name HMS Nile, after the Battle of the Nile in 1798: was a 12-gun cutter purchased in 1806. She was sold in 1810, but was rejected by the purchaser and subsequently broken up in 1811. was a 92-gun second rate ship of the line launched in 1839...
), the airfield was taken over by the Royal Egyptian Air Force on the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, but remained in use by the FAA. The field was subsequently loaned as a Naval Air Station on 16 September 1940, and commissioned as HMS Grebe, attached to HMS Nile, with a capacity of 72 aircraft. The field became self accounting on 1 April 1941, and acted as a base for all FAA units in Egypt and the Western Desert
Libyan Desert
The Libyan Desert covers an area of approximately 1,100,000 km2, it extends approximately 1100 km from east to west, and 1,000 km from north to south, in about the shape of a rectangle...
, as well as a fleet requirements unit. HMS Nile resumed control on 1 April 1943, retaining the HMS Grebe title. The field was reduced to a care and maintenance basis on 31 January 1946, before being returned to the control of Egypt on 18 March 1946.