No 6 Group (Bomber Command) - Dishforth Traditional Cache
Dalesman: As this cache has been in need of attention for some time, with no update from the CO, I'm archiving it to keep it from showing up in search lists, and to prevent it from blocking other cache placements.
Please note that if geocaches are archived by a reviewer or Geocaching HQ for lack of maintenance, they are not eligible for unarchival.
No 6 Group (Bomber Command) - Dishforth
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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This is a series of caches based on Second World War airfields around North Yorkshire. They are all accessible by car and it is possible to do them all in one hit but it will involve a drive of some 160 miles.
They are all stand alone caches and can be done in any order. To complete the series you will need the co-ordinates of the final cache, Lest We Forget. These are contained one digit at a time, randomly, in the other caches.
During the Second World War No 6 Group (Royal Canadian Air Force) Bomber Command was based in North Yorkshire. Equipped with the Wellington, Halifax and Lancaster bomber aircraft, the Canadians remained at these bases until after the end of the war. The impact of the RCAF had a lasting effect on the local villages and many have erected memorials which are proudly displayed and carefully maintained. Nearly 25,000 Canadian servicemen and women were based here in North Yorkshire.
Five of the airfields are still operational, one as an international airport and the others, having been returned to the RAF, are used for military purposes. (You will not be required to enter any military premises). The remainder have been left derelict and have either returned to nature or are used for agricultural or light industry. Many reminders of the War, be it old buildings or pieces of runway, still remain to this day at all of them.
Dishforth is now occupied by the Army Air Corps with their Lynx and Gazelle helicopters. It was used by RAF Transport Command after the War and was also the North East District Police Training Centre until the 1980’s. The runways are also used by Tucano aircraft from Linton-on-Ouse.
It was an operational airfield before the War housing RAF bomber squadrons. Later, one of these was involved in the famous raid on the Luftwaffe radar installation at Bruneval near Le Havre. They dropped the paratroopers who attacked the site and captured some German equipment which they brought back to England. King George VI visited the Dishforth and personally congratulated Wing Commander Pickard for the squadrons' actions. Pickard was a well known character during the War having featured in the 1941 film Target For Tonight. He was killed in action later in the War together with his long-time navigator Fl Lt Broadley. They were the lead aircraft on Operation Jericho, an attack on Amiens prison, to free French partisans and political prisoners who were due to be executed the next day. Broadley was a local man, hailing from Richmond, North Yorkshire.
The base was handed over to the RCAF in 1943 and became home to the first French-Canadian unit, 425 (Alouette) Squadron. The Canadians operated several bomber aircraft on missions all over Europe throughout the War.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Bss, zvqqyr be yrt?
Treasures
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