RAF Idku

RAF Idku
قاعدة إدكو الجوية الملكية
Idku, Beheira Governorate in Egypt
Hawker Hurricane Mark Is of 'B' Flight, No. 30 Squadron RAF, lined up at Idku, while operating in the night fighter role for the air defence of Alexandria.
Site information
Owner	Air Ministry
Operator	Royal Air Force
Controlled by	Near East Air Force
Location
RAF Idku Shown within Egypt
Coordinates	31°17′00″N30°13′59″E / 31.28333°N 30.23306°E / 31.28333; 30.23306
Site history
Built	1941 (1941)
In use	1941 - 1945 (1945)
Battles/wars	Mediterranean and Middle East theatre of World War II

Royal Air Force Idku or more simply RAF Idku (LG-229) is a former Royal Air Force station located in Idku, Egypt.

History

In 1942, RAF Idku is described as having a narrow, sand-packed airstrip lined by tall palm trees. Due to the location of the palm trees, landing and take-off was difficult and problematic. On 10 July, 1942, two aircraft crashed in the dark after take-off, killing both crew. One aircraft failed to clear the palm trees, while the other was found next morning off-shore. ^[1] In September 1944, RAF Idku served as a strategic base of operations for night defense in Alexandria, Suez Canal, Palestinian coast, and Cyprus. It also held raids on the German occupied islands of Crete, Rhodes, Kos, and others in the Aegean Sea. ^[2] After World War II ended, the airfield was evidently abandoned. ^[3]

Units

• No. 162 Squadron RAF, April - September 1945 ^[4]

References

1. "Cruikshank, John Vincent 403504". Aviation Heritage Museum. Air Force Association (Western Australia). Retrieved 18 May 2025.
2. "Warrant Officer Roy Butler". 46 Squadron Royal Air Force. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
3. "Idku Airfield, Egypt" (PDF). CIA FOIA Electronic Reading Room. Central Intelligence Agency. 30 May 1957. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
4. "RAF Squadrons 162 (World War II)". History of War. Retrieved 18 May 2025.