Royal Norwegian Air Force Returns to Woodhaven: A Lasting WWII Bond Rekindled
Norwegian Officers and Local Community Mark 50 Years Since Memorial Stone Installation
Woodhaven Harbour in Wormit played host this week to a party from the Royal Norwegian Air Force, as members of 333 Squadron retraced the steps of their wartime predecessors during a commemorative visit on Tuesday, 24th June and Wednesday, 25th June 2025.
Staying at Sandford House—once a sanctuary for Norwegian airmen stationed at Woodhaven during World War II— Colonel Hans Martin Steiro, Lt Colonel Bjørn Ola Kveli, Lt Colonel Christian Holland and Command Master Sergeant Odd Harald Stave were welcomed by the members of Wormit Boating Club, local residents, and members of the Scottish Norwegian Association. Their visit marked the 50th anniversary of the memorial stone installed at Woodhaven in 1975, a monument that stands as a testament to a remarkable alliance forged in wartime.
Between 1942 and 1945, Woodhaven served as the base for a flight of Catalina flying boats operated by 333 Squadron—a unit whose crews found moments of respite at Sandford House. This week’s delegation paid tribute to those ties, participating in a rededication ceremony that brought local history alive for a new generation.
In warm sunshine the Norwegian guests and their Scottish hosts gathered at the waterfront stone for a service of rededication led by Rev David Scott, culminating in the playing of national anthems. sharing memories and stories that have weathered the decades. “This stone is not just a memorial, but a symbol of friendship and shared sacrifice,” said Dai John of Wormit Boating Club.
The visit was far from ceremonial alone. Club members, members of the local community and guests from the Scottish Norwegian Association mingled with the Norwegians at the clubhouse, where wartime photographs and historical exhibits were displayed, sparking lively conversation and nostalgia. Visitors pored over images of Catalina crews and the flying boats that were once moored on the Tay—a scene that, for many, bridged the gap between past and present.
Throughout their stay, the Norwegian visitors made clear how much they valued the warmth and hospitality extended by the Wormit community. “It’s a great honour to return and to feel so welcomed,” Colonel Steiro told reporters. “We are reminded here, where our Squadron formed during wartime, of the enduring partnership between our nations.”
For Wormit, the visit was more than a historical footnote. Younger residents and long-time locals alike took pride in the connection, reflecting on how an alliance forged in the hardships of war continues to inspire a spirit of cooperation and remembrance.
As the commemoration drew to a close, both hosts and guests reaffirmed their commitment to keeping alive the strong bonds between 333 Squadron and the local community.
