RAF Penrhos
Encyclopedia
RAF Penrhos was a World War II
Royal Air Force
airfield at Penrhos
, on the Llŷn Peninsula
near Pwllheli
, Gwynedd
. It was operational from 1 February 1937 to 21 October 1946 for armarment training, air observer, bombing and gunnery schools.
In 1936 a decision was taken to establish an RAF bombing school at Penyberth, including the area of the low plateau in the bend of the river where the Afon Penrhos joins the Afon Geirch. Opposition was strongly felt, particularly as it was perceived that the sixteenth century house, Penyberth was, in Saunders Lewis’ words, ‘one of the essential homes of Welsh culture, idiom and literature’. As work proceeded, an arson attack was initiated. Nevertheless, the base came into operation in February 1937. Any knowledge of the attack was successfully kept hidden from the general public during WW2.
In December 1940 a detachment from No. 312 (Czechoslovak) Squadron was moved to protect Penrhos from German attack. The association which led in later years to the Polish Resettlement Corps using the site to house Polish soldiers, sailors and airmen who chose not to return to communist Poland. To this day, part of RAF Penrhos is in use as an old people's home for elderly Poles.
RAF Hell's Mouth
5 miles to the south west was commissioned in February 1937 as a Relief Landing Ground, later an Emergency landing Ground for RAF Penrhos.
Part of the site is now Pen-y-berth caravan park
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...
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
airfield at Penrhos
Penrhos, Gwynedd
Penrhos is a village and former civil parish in the Welsh county of Gwynedd. The parish was abolished in 1934, and incorporated into Llannor.It was the home of former MP Goronwy Roberts. Penyberth lies within its confines....
, on the Llŷn Peninsula
Llŷn Peninsula
The Llŷn Peninsula extends into the Irish Sea from north west Wales, south west of the Isle of Anglesey. It is part of the modern county and historic region of Gwynedd. The name is thought to be of Irish origin, and to have the same root Laigin in Irish as the word Leinster...
near Pwllheli
Pwllheli
Pwllheli is a community and the main market town of the Llŷn Peninsula in Gwynedd, north-western Wales. It has a population of 3,861, of which a large proportion, 81 per cent, are Welsh speaking. Pwllheli is the place where Plaid Cymru was founded. It is the birthplace of Albert Evans-Jones -...
, Gwynedd
Gwynedd
Gwynedd is a county in north-west Wales, named after the old Kingdom of Gwynedd. Although the second biggest in terms of geographical area, it is also one of the most sparsely populated...
. It was operational from 1 February 1937 to 21 October 1946 for armarment training, air observer, bombing and gunnery schools.
In 1936 a decision was taken to establish an RAF bombing school at Penyberth, including the area of the low plateau in the bend of the river where the Afon Penrhos joins the Afon Geirch. Opposition was strongly felt, particularly as it was perceived that the sixteenth century house, Penyberth was, in Saunders Lewis’ words, ‘one of the essential homes of Welsh culture, idiom and literature’. As work proceeded, an arson attack was initiated. Nevertheless, the base came into operation in February 1937. Any knowledge of the attack was successfully kept hidden from the general public during WW2.
In December 1940 a detachment from No. 312 (Czechoslovak) Squadron was moved to protect Penrhos from German attack. The association which led in later years to the Polish Resettlement Corps using the site to house Polish soldiers, sailors and airmen who chose not to return to communist Poland. To this day, part of RAF Penrhos is in use as an old people's home for elderly Poles.
RAF Hell's Mouth
RAF Hell's Mouth
RAF Hell's Mouth was a World War II Royal Air Force grass airfield at Hell's Mouth, on the Llŷn Peninsula near Abersoch, Gwynedd....
5 miles to the south west was commissioned in February 1937 as a Relief Landing Ground, later an Emergency landing Ground for RAF Penrhos.
Part of the site is now Pen-y-berth caravan park