Good Evening

Good Evening to all -

Thank you for allowing me to join...

All my life I have been interested in WW2. As a former Cavalry Officer, I am primarily interested in armoured vehicles and those who fought them. In recent years, however, I have had a driving desire to research the wartime history of Falmouth and St Mawes. It was this research that brought me to this site...I was attempting to understand 204, 209 & 240 Flying Boat Sqns using the Carrick Roads, Falmouth.

Thank you again

Roddy1011

Welcome to the forum Roddy!

Welcome.
From my research on Falmouth in WW2 I know that RAF Coastal Command asked to be able to use the Carrick Roads as an emergency landing area for flying boats in a letter dated 28 April 1941. Balloon Command replied on the 30th that while with 24 hours notice they could move the waterborne balloons, this was would leave the V.P. (ie the Docks & Naval Base) vulnerable to air attack by the easiest route (flying straight down the Carrick Roads) and open to enemy mine laying. It pointed out that neither of these would please the Naval authorities at Falmouth. I am not aware of any further correspondence on the matter so assume the idea was dropped - especially as Coastal Command would struggle to give 24 hours notice of emergency landings!!
I do know Sunderlands used Flushing pre-war and there is the classic photo of a Sunderland on the rocks in 1938.
I have copies of the letters & the photo if you require further information.

Roddy1011 wrote:

Good Evening to all -

Thank you for allowing me to join...

All my life I have been interested in WW2. As a former Cavalry Officer, I am primarily interested in armoured vehicles and those who fought them. In recent years, however, I have had a driving desire to research the wartime history of Falmouth and St Mawes. It was this research that brought me to this site...I was attempting to understand 204, 209 & 240 Flying Boat Sqns using the Carrick Roads, Falmouth.

Thank you again

Roddy1011

Welcome Roddy,

Falmouth and much of the inland area was used also by the US Army importing and storing equipment and munitions to support the D-Day invasion and there is a lot of discussion in the forum threads.

Hi all,

I'm new to the group and currently researching St Mawes during World War 2. I know there was a balloon positioned down by the castle and I was wondering if anyone has any information or photos on this or other balloons in the area please?

Would it be possible to have a copy of the letters between the RAF and Balloon Command about the movement of balloons please Phil?

Thank you for your time and help.

Ryan