RAF Donna Nook
and North Coates
Words and Images - Richard Hall
Located in a very exposed position 10ft (3m) above sea level on the Lincolnshire coast, RAF Donna Nook was a relief landing ground (RLG), closely associated with the wartime Coastal Command airfield at North Coates. With nothing to stop the effects of the North Sea weather from doing its worst, the RLG must have been a cold and austere site, not only to fly from but also for those who dwelled there. The construction of the buildings and facilities offered by the thinly walled concrete structures would not have kept the easterly winds at bay, especially if only a pot-bellied stove was provided to give a modicum of heat, that’s, if there was any fuel with which to stoke it.
North Coates was situated five miles south-east of Grimsby and was established during the First World War in 1916 as a Night Landing Ground for use by Home Defence aircraft. Later in the war, with its status upgraded, the airfield was involved in the campaign against German U-Boats, a significant threat to Allied shipping. It was out of use by 1920 but reinstated in 1927 for armament practice camps, where the nearby ranges situated at Donna Nook were utilised. Bomber Command later used the facilities here, and, in 1940, the site was passed to 1 Group for use by their Wellingtons and in later years Lancasters.
Located in a very exposed position 10ft (3m) above sea level on the Lincolnshire coast, RAF Donna Nook was a relief landing ground (RLG), closely associated with the wartime Coastal Command airfield at North Coates. With nothing to stop the effects of the North Sea weather from doing its worst, the RLG must have been a cold and austere site, not only to fly from but also for those who dwelled there. The construction of the buildings and facilities offered by the thinly walled concrete structures would not have kept the easterly winds at bay, especially if only a pot-bellied stove was provided to give a modicum of heat, that’s, if there was any fuel with which to stoke it.
North Coates was situated five miles south-east of Grimsby and was established during the First World War in 1916 as a Night Landing Ground for use by Home Defence aircraft. Later in the war, with its status upgraded, the airfield was involved in the campaign against German U-Boats, a significant threat to Allied shipping. It was out of use by 1920 but reinstated in 1927 for armament practice camps, where the nearby ranges situated at Donna Nook were utilised. Bomber Command later used the facilities here, and, in 1940, the site was passed to 1 Group for use by their Wellingtons and in later years Lancasters.
Hawker Demon I K8203 - seen here in pre-war colour scheme
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In 1936, a RLG was set up at Donna Nook to act as a standby landing area when flooding was experienced at North Coates.
During December 1939, a flight of Hawker Demons of 1 Air Armaments School were detached to the site when their home airfield at RAF Manby was experiencing flooding problems similar to those experienced at North Coates. The unit stayed until the spring of 1940, and no doubt made use of the nearby range at Donna Nook. |
Coastal Command came into existence in 1936 and struggled to get the resources it required to fulfil its intended roles. These were:
- Reconnaissance in home waters
- Co-operation with the Royal Navy in convoy protection
- Counter offensive action in defence of seaborne trade
In February 1940, North Coates was allocated to Coastal Command and began undertaking offensive patrols over the North Sea, utilising its three Bristol Blenheim squadrons (Marks in brackets), 235 (IV), 236 (I and IVF) and 248 (IVF). These aircraft had departed by April 1940 and were replaced by Bristol Beaufort Is of 22 Squadron.
Westland Lysander TT.IIIA V9312 - similar to those used by 6 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
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During May 1941, Blenheim IVs of 86 Squadron moved in to re-equip with Beaufort Is, joining them were the Westland Lysanders of 6 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit (6 AACU). No 22 Squadron left for St Eval Cornwall in January 1942, 6 AACU in February of the same year.
Moving in to take their place were the Lockheed Hudsons of 53 (III/V) and 59 (IIIA) Squadron, their role was to undertake anti-shipping strikes until departing to St Eval in May and Thorney Island in August 1942, respectively. |
As the threat of Luftwaffe attack on RAF airfields increased in the early years of the war, there was an urgent requirement to divert their attention away from more valuable assets located nearby. To this end, a number of decoy airfields, or ‘K/Q Sites’ as they were known, were constructed. One of these was at Donna Nook, built in 1940 to try and lure the Luftwaffe away from attacking North Coates. The site became home temporarily to dummy Bristol Blenheims. It consisted of a fake flarepath that would have been lit and machine-gun posts manned upon receipt of enemy aircraft being in the vicinity. The site must have been effective as there are reports that it was bombed on at least one occasion. It was also the location of a Chain Home radar station, which would give coverage out over the North Sea to detect incoming enemy aircraft.
Lockheed Hudson IIIA A16-199
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Upgrading works at North Coates took place in 1942, and during this time, operations were undertaken from the RLG, entailing that the decoy provisions were removed. Several squadrons were active from North Coates at the time, 42, 86 (Bristol Beaufort I), and 407 RCAF (Lockheed Hudson V), so it’s safe to assume these units would have relocated to Donna Nook as work was underway at their parent airfield. During this phase of operations, aircraft flying from here would have been involved in Rover patrols, offensive anti-shipping sweeps near Belgium and Dutch coasts.
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On 22 January 1942, a serious accident occurred at Donna Nook, resulting in 18 RAF personnel being lost. Lockheed Hudson V AM602 RR-M of 407 Squadron RCAF was tasked to carry out a Rover patrol searching for enemy shipping. No vessels were sighted, and the Hudson returned to Donna Nook with a full bomb load, but on attempting to land, it crashed. The subsequent explosion cost the lives of the aircraft’s crew and 13 members of ground personnel, 2 of whom were soldiers from the local defence force.
Supermarine Walrus I L2301
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In the years that followed, North Coates hosted a number of Coastal Command squadrons, which would have used the RLG at Donna Nook, although the airfield had no units based there. With the departure of 86 and 407 Squadrons in January and February 1942, respectively, 59 moved in, followed by 206 and 224 Squadrons, equipped with Hudsons. All three units had left by September 1942. Also, around this time at North Coates, 278 Squadron were in residence at the airfield, with Avro Anson, Supermarine Walrus and Westland Lysanders. Their role was air-sea rescue.
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To give an idea of the type of operations 278 were undertaking from North Coates, an extract from the Squadron Operations Record Book is detailed below, relating to 13 August 1942. On this day, Fg Off Chase and Sgt Bartlett were tasked to fly Lysander V9297 to investigate a report from the previous evening.
Take off at 08:10, vectored out to position to investigate lights and a ‘ball of fire’ seen the previous night, with escort of two Whirlwinds (137 Squadron). A thorough search of the area was made but nothing was seen, returned to base due to shortage of petrol, landing at 11:05.
A trial using Handley Page Hampdens of 415 RCAF Squadron in a torpedo dropping role was undertaken between June and August 1942. However, Coastal Command was looking for something more potent to take the offensive to enemy shipping and so entered the Bristol Beaufighter.
Take off at 08:10, vectored out to position to investigate lights and a ‘ball of fire’ seen the previous night, with escort of two Whirlwinds (137 Squadron). A thorough search of the area was made but nothing was seen, returned to base due to shortage of petrol, landing at 11:05.
A trial using Handley Page Hampdens of 415 RCAF Squadron in a torpedo dropping role was undertaken between June and August 1942. However, Coastal Command was looking for something more potent to take the offensive to enemy shipping and so entered the Bristol Beaufighter.
Bristol Beaufighter TT.10 RD253
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In November 1942, three squadrons of Beaufighters, 143, 236 and 254, were active from North Coates and formed the airfield’s, Strike Wing. The aircraft were heavily armed with 20mm cannons, .303 machine guns and could be configured to carry rockets, bombs and torpedoes.
Other Strike Wings were formed at Wick, Davidstow Moor, Strubby and Banff. Their exploits took Coastal Command from being known as the Cinderella Service to one that could wreak havoc to enemy surface units and U-Boats. |
Towards the end of the war the airfield was used as a POW camp and housed Poles and Ukrainians captured during the invasion of France. Many stayed in Britain after the cessation of hostilities, as having fought for the Germans, they would not be safe to return to their home countries, the camp closed in 1948.
The Strike Wing at North Coates ended the war with two squadrons, 236 and 254, undertaking their final operations in early May 1945, which effectively ended military flying at the airfield. As a result, Donna Nook RLG closed to flying in 1945, and its 335 acres reverted to agriculture.
The Strike Wing at North Coates ended the war with two squadrons, 236 and 254, undertaking their final operations in early May 1945, which effectively ended military flying at the airfield. As a result, Donna Nook RLG closed to flying in 1945, and its 335 acres reverted to agriculture.
Today North Coates airfield remains open for private flying, while at the RLG, evidence can be found of the site’s previous use, with some of the surviving structures now serving as dwellings and others as farm buildings. Today’s modern military uses an area near the former RLG as a bombing/gunnery range, and many NATO aircraft can be found using the facilities. However, the range’s use is curtailed during November and December each year when grey seals gather in the sand dunes to give birth to their pups, a spectacle that’s well worth observing.
Present day remains at RAF Donna Nook (November 2019)
Standby Set House
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Part of the dispersed site
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Operations Block
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Guard House
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Perimeter Track
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Picket Post
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Sources
- Wrecks & Relics 26th Edition - Ken Ellis - Crécy
- British Military Aircraft Serials 1912 - 1969 - Bruce Robinson - Ian Allan
- Lincolnshire Airfields In The Second World War - Patrick Otter - Countryside Books
- Coastal Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and Their Aircraft - John D R Rawlings - Janes
- Flying Training and Support Units since 1912 - Ray Sturtivant - Air Britain
- Stations of Coastal Command Then and Now - David Smith - After The Battle
- The Airfields of Lincolnshire since 1912 - Ron Blake - Mike Hodson - Bill Taylor - Midland Counties