Thank you for correcting the text in this article. Your corrections improve Papers Past searches for everyone. See the latest corrections.

This article contains searchable text which was automatically generated and may contain errors. Join the community and correct any errors you spot to help us improve Papers Past.

Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image

“SECRET OF THE ROCK"

GIANT RUNWAY BUILT AT GIBRALTAR GREAT ENGINEERING FEAT One of the greatest engineering feats of the wl. was carried out at the fortress of Gibraltar in the early days of the conflict, and the “secret of The Rock”—bow the Royal Air Force flew from a giant runway built out into the sea—has been released by the Air Force authorities. With Allied communications through the Mediterranean severed on Italy’s entry into the war, it was of paramount importance that an airfield at Gibraltar capable of handling a vast number of aircraft be constructed. But Gibraltar was a precipitous mass of rock, connected with the mainland and Spain by a sandy isthmus, only 1000 yards wide, and mostly “neutral territory.” The question was where and how such an airfield could be constructed.

Engineers got down to the problem and it was decided that a runway would have to be built out into the sea. And so, at the end of 1940, the colossal task began. In the following months, more than 500,000 tons of rock were dynamited out of tunnels or from the face of the Rock and taken down to the •water’s edge in lorries. More than 6000 tons of rock was blasted every day. Special equipment, with specialists to operate it, was sent out from England and the work went on throughout the day and night, Although the work was “top secret” the engineers knew that at the Spanish town of La Linea across the Bay, German agents were watching the runway taking shape. Within a few months, after a tremendous effort on the part of hundreds of men, more than 600 yards of runway jutted out into the sea. Wellingtons and other aircraft began to use the strip, although it was still not suitable for all types. In 1942 the runway was extended to 1150 yards. The "‘air pier” was finished in time for the mounting of “operation Torch," the code name given to the AngloAmerican invasion of North Africa, and aircraft flew off night and day to Satrol the battle area. One night durig the operation, no fewer than 37 C47’s. carrying paratroops, took off within 93 minutes. In addition to providing aerial cover over the North African beaches, Gibraltar’s fighters also played a conspicuous part in protecting the Malta convoys.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19460626.2.29

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24911, 26 June 1946, Page 4

Word count
Tapeke kupu
387

“SECRET OF THE ROCK" Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24911, 26 June 1946, Page 4

“SECRET OF THE ROCK" Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24911, 26 June 1946, Page 4

Help

Log in or create a Papers Past website account

Use your Papers Past website account to correct newspaper text.

By creating and using this account you agree to our terms of use.

Log in with RealMe®

If you’ve used a RealMe login somewhere else, you can use it here too. If you don’t already have a username and password, just click Log in and you can choose to create one.


Log in again to continue your work

Your session has expired.

Log in again with RealMe®


Alert