RAF Tura
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Royal Air Force Tura or more simply RAF Tura is a former Royal Air Force station located in Tura, Cairo Governorate, Egypt.
RAF Tura | |
|---|---|
سلاح الجو الملكي في طرة | |
| Tura, Cairo Governorate in Egypt | |
  RAF Tura Shown within Egypt | |
| Coordinates | 29°51′10″N 031°17′10″E |
| Type | Royal Air Force station |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Air Ministry |
| Operator | Royal Air Force |
| Controlled by | RAF Middle East Command |
| Condition | Closed |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1941 |
| In use | 1941 - 1945 |
| Fate | Closed at the end of World War II |
| Battles/wars | Mediterranean and Middle East theatre of World War II |
| Garrison information | |
| Garrison | No. 111 Maintenance Unit RAF |
In 1941, RAF Tura was originally built as a military storage installation used by the British Army. No. 111 Maintenance Unit was formed from a sub-station of the 109 MU in August 1941, and by October 1942, had moved into RAF Tura to repair aircraft engines of the Royal Air Force. The station occupied caves, formed by the ancient Egyptians to quarry out limestone for the casing stones of the pyramids. No. 111 MU established aircraft and engine repair, signals repair, general engineer sections within the caves, which also housed Army elements and a small hospital.[1] Located in the general engineer sections included stripping, cylinder machining and engine assembly. The station also operated engine test benches, which the sound was muffled over the dunes, and engine repairs were also in constant demand.[2]
On 22 August 1942, Winston Churchill inspected No. 111 Maintenance Unit and recorded that "Everything looked very smart and efficient on the spot, and an immense amount of work was being done day and night by masses of skilled men. But I had my tables of facts and figures and remained dissatisfied. The scale was far too small."[3] In November 1942, a boxing ring was constructed and held tournaments by RAF personnel.[4] The station was evidently closed in 1945 at the end of World War II, and in March 1947, No. 111 Maintenance Unit was disbanded.[5]
The following units that were based at RAF Tura:
- No. 111 Maintenance Unit from October 1941 to 1945.
- No. 101 Maintenance Unit between 1937 and 1947.
RAF Station Church (St Micheal’s Church)
Following the visit of a Bishop of Maidstone who preached in a Cathedral in Cairo, funds were collected by the station to build the St Micheal’ Church. In April 1942, construction begun and men from nearby British camps helped with the construction, including the Royal Navy which donated a bell to the church. Due to the war intensifying in North Africa, the construction faced a difficult decision if it should continue or be abandoned. However, on June 6, 1948, an opening service was held under Rev. Canon P. H. Saunders-Davies and was recorded by the British Broadcasting Company (BBC). Today, the church still exists. [7]
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