Co. Antrim in Northern Ireland was home to several large airfields used by both the British and American military throughout the course of the Second World War.
Co. Antrim
The town of Antrim in Co. Antrim played host to troops from Britain, the United States of America, and Belgium as they trained during the Second World War.
Reminders of life during the Second World War remain in the town of Ballycastle including a tribute to Irish men and women who contributed to the war effort.
Ballymena, Co. Antrim and the surrounding landscapes made for an ideal base and training ground for soldiers of the British Army early in the Second World War.
On 17th September 1941, soldiers from 90th Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery helped with the flax harvest of Mr. W.L. Young at Ballyutoag, Co. Antrim.
During the Second World War, the countryside around Bushmills, Co. Antrim proved a fertile training ground for members of the British and American military.
Carrickfergus town in Co. Antrim is steeped in Second World War history from the activation of the U.S. Rangers to its associations with the Churchill Tank.
During the Second World War, the Royal Air Force and U.S.A.A.F. operated from several airfields around Crumlin and the surrounding area of rural Co. Antrim.
During the Second World War, the Co. Antrim coastal village of Isalandmagee produced many seamen who would go on to serve in the Royal Navy and Merchant Navy.
During the Second World War, the bustling port town of Larne in Co. Antrim was a hive of activity with commercial and military shipping arriving and departing.
Lisburn, Co. Antrim was a hive of activity during the Second World War with military based in barracks in the town and throughout the surrounding areas.
During the Second World War, elements of the U.S.A.A.F. operated from the airfield at Maghaberry, Co. Antrim. There were several aviation incidents in the area.
On 1st August 1941, soldiers of 8th (Nottinghamshire) Battalion, The Sherwood Foresters underwent training in river crossing and more at Muckmore, Co. Antrim.
The countryside around the river crossing at Newferry, Co. Antrim played host to Exercise Judy, where British soldiers rehearsed military tactics for battle.
On 5th December 1941, British officers of 61st Infantry Division underwent instruction in field cooking techniques on a Messing Course at Portrush, Co. Antrim.
British soldiers not only trained in and around Randalstown, Co. Antrim during the Second World War but also cultivated the fields, sowing oats during 1942.
During the Second World War, Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress #41-24451 came down on Slieveanorra Mountain, Co. Antrim killing 8 of the crew members onboard.
During the Second World War, members of 853rd Quarrying Company, Royal Engineers worked around the Stoneyford area in Co. Antrim sourcing building materials.
The rural townland of Toome or Toomebridge saw great change during the Second World War with the development of a military airfield close to Lough Neagh.
In September 1941, a photographer visited Whitehead, Co. Antrim to see troops of South Staffordshire Regiment and a Railway Construction and Operating Company.
