G3UZI’s efforts with the Rockall Expedition of 1965
The first attempt: RAFARS Project
1965/67
Some hitherto unpublished documents............
09.10.11
In a Committee
meeting on 26 February 1965 “…after considerable discussion it was
considered that the only satisfactory way to overcome the problems associated
with Rockall was to have a joint expedition with the Royal Navy. Decision: Flt
Lt Hern to contact RAF Signals Officer at Londonderry to explore possibilities
of an expedition to Rockall in conjunction with a JASS Exercise and to see if
negotiations at higher level would be favourably received.“ As for
Albania, Hern should “…report … more precisely where in Albania he
required to operate … before any Embassy approach could be made.“
A whole year passed before, on 8 February 1966, a request for air
reconnaissance was forwarded to the Joint Air Reconaissance Intelligence Board.
The proposed sorties (42/1821 and 58/2725) were delayed („enlarged“) to May –
another setback since “the proposed expedition date was for May/June
1966“, as stated in the minutes of a Committe meeting on 29 March.
Meanwhile a short note in the LIDXA Bulletin attracted wide interest. Ian D. Wollen, 4S7IW, now also G3UZI,
offered his „…help in any way if civilians are allowed. … I can also
offer my Parent‘s boat, a six-ton sloop with diesel auxiliary.“
Another “particularly interested“ amateur was Lt Col J.M. Drudge-Coates, G2DC, who suggested to invite legendary DXers Lloyd and Iris Colvin, W6KG and W6QEP, to participate – upon which Hern replied, on 19 April:“Unfortunately we will be travelling in HM ships and it is very difficult to obtain permission. I can obtain it for Lloyd but NOT for Iris.“ - The matter sorted itself out when Lloyd wrote, from Dakar, Senegal, on 6 April: “The possibility of operating from a new country is extremely inviting. On the other hand we do not want to attempt something that may be nearly a physical impossibility. Perhaps it is best that we give up our desire to operate from Rockall.“
A severe setback followed on 3 June, when Squadron Leader P.J. Armstrong told Hern, “…that there is no hope of being able to carry out your requirements by using one oft the Royal Navy escorts.“ He, however, added a handwritten note: “As a long shot HMS Hecla,a RN Survey ship is currently working around the Hebrides and is equipped with a helo…“ The HMS Hecla was indeed due in Londonderry, and Hern who could not go himself, clutching at a last straw, made final arrangements. He invited Sgt Bob Lane, of USAF at RAF Mildenhal,l to take part in the expedition:“The plans are now nearing completition, and I hope that we will be able to depart from Londonderry in a Royal Navy Ship on the 27th July 1966. The RAF officer going is Fg Off R. Handley, RAF, and I would be very pleased if you find time to go with him. It is hoped to offload you at Rockall by helicopter, and to disembark you at Stornoway on completion.“ This letter, of 10 June 1966, ist he last one in our files. Unfortunately we do not know when and why the expedition was finally called off.
(To Be Continued)
Another “particularly interested“ amateur was Lt Col J.M. Drudge-Coates, G2DC, who suggested to invite legendary DXers Lloyd and Iris Colvin, W6KG and W6QEP, to participate – upon which Hern replied, on 19 April:“Unfortunately we will be travelling in HM ships and it is very difficult to obtain permission. I can obtain it for Lloyd but NOT for Iris.“ - The matter sorted itself out when Lloyd wrote, from Dakar, Senegal, on 6 April: “The possibility of operating from a new country is extremely inviting. On the other hand we do not want to attempt something that may be nearly a physical impossibility. Perhaps it is best that we give up our desire to operate from Rockall.“
A severe setback followed on 3 June, when Squadron Leader P.J. Armstrong told Hern, “…that there is no hope of being able to carry out your requirements by using one oft the Royal Navy escorts.“ He, however, added a handwritten note: “As a long shot HMS Hecla,a RN Survey ship is currently working around the Hebrides and is equipped with a helo…“ The HMS Hecla was indeed due in Londonderry, and Hern who could not go himself, clutching at a last straw, made final arrangements. He invited Sgt Bob Lane, of USAF at RAF Mildenhal,l to take part in the expedition:“The plans are now nearing completition, and I hope that we will be able to depart from Londonderry in a Royal Navy Ship on the 27th July 1966. The RAF officer going is Fg Off R. Handley, RAF, and I would be very pleased if you find time to go with him. It is hoped to offload you at Rockall by helicopter, and to disembark you at Stornoway on completion.“ This letter, of 10 June 1966, ist he last one in our files. Unfortunately we do not know when and why the expedition was finally called off.
(To Be Continued)
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