ALERT!! NEED MORE INFO ON EUROPEAN AIRFIELDS

[Jason_Williams]

Guys,

 

We have an official problem that we need help with. The team has been working on the Bodenplatte map feverishly and they have the cities/towns/villages more or less figured out and under control. However, we now need to focus our attention to airfields and we're missing too much info to be able to do them to our satisfaction. 

 

So, we turn to the community for help. The more history minded brains working on this the better. If anyone has information such as maps, books or can lead us to such material to help get a better understanding of runway layouts, taxi ways, runway materials and other useful information please post it here so we can examine or acquire it. Western WWII airfields is an unfamiliar part of the world for the map team and it is proving tougher than originally thought to learn about them.  

 

We want the Bodenplatte airfields to be good, so we need your help. Here is a sample of some info we came across, but is it part of a larger archive or wartime publication?

 

 

Also, any info on the airfields marked on this map is what we are looking for. 

 

 

Please post any useful or potentially useful info here in this thread. We greatly appreciate it.

 

P.S. please don't post about the map in general. Let's focus on the airfields. The map itself is very much a Work in Progress.

 

Thanks,

Jason

 

 

[JtD]

There is what I find a pretty good series on Luftwaffe airfields at least, but it covers Germany only. May only be 10% of what you need to know, still, even out of curiosity worth the read:

 

https://www.amazon.de/s?k=Flugplätze+der+Luftwaffe+1934-45+und+was+davon+übrigblieb&__mk_de_DE=ÅMÅŽÕÑ&ref=nb_sb_noss

[LukeFF]

Airfield B-91Kluis:

 

https://home.kpn.nl/been0319/stories6.html

[unreasonable]

I do not have any original sources, but I do have a suggestion. If you look at google earth, you will find that some of these airfields are still visible, or even if modernized, the runway orientation may not have changed. Maybe your chaps have already done this - but that is certainly where I would start in the absence of a contemporary photo or map.

Edited April 20, 2019 by unreasonable

[LukeFF]

Amsterdam-Schiphol: https://www.8thafhs.org/old/new/maps.php?lat=52.3137&lon=4.76465&target_name=Amsterdam+Netherlands+Airfield+%26nbsp&map_type=target&target_id=5462

 

 

 

Venlo: https://www.8thafhs.org/old/new/maps.php?lat=51.3669&lon=6.21434&target_name=Venlo+Netherlands+Airfield+%26nbsp&map_type=target&target_id=5375

 

https://robdebie.home.xs4all.nl/me163/airfield04.htm

 

Florennes: https://www.8thafhs.org/old/new/maps.php?lat=50.24&lon=4.64986&target_name=FLORENNES+BELGIUM+Airfield++(96+aircraft)&map_type=Target&target_id=5426&target_notes=

 

St. Trond: https://www.8thafhs.org/old/new/maps.php?lat=50.24&lon=4.64986&target_name=FLORENNES+BELGIUM+Airfield++(96+aircraft)&map_type=Target&target_id=5426&target_notes=

 

Achmer: https://www.8thafhs.org/old/new/maps.php?lat=52.3764&lon=7.92664&target_name=Achmer+Germany+Airfield+%26nbsp&map_type=target&target_id=5475

 

https://www.relikte.com/achmer/

 

Bonn-Hangelar: https://www.8thafhs.org/old/new/maps.php?lat=50.769&lon=7.1623&target_name=Bonn+Germany+Airfield+%26nbsp&map_type=target&target_id=5789

 

Gutersloh: https://www.8thafhs.org/old/new/maps.php?lat=51.9225&lon=8.30604&target_name=Gutersloh+Germany+Airfield+%26nbsp&map_type=target&target_id=5295

 

Hopsten: https://www.8thafhs.org/old/new/maps.php?lat=52.3398&lon=7.54086&target_name=Hopsten+Germany+Airfield+%26nbsp&map_type=target&target_id=5477

 

Hesepe: https://www.relikte.com/hesepe/index.htm

 

Lippstadt: https://www.8thafhs.org/old/new/maps.php?lat=51.711&lon=8.3699&target_name=Lippstadt+Germany+Airfield+%26nbsp&map_type=target&target_id=5316

 

Munster-Handorf: https://web.archive.org/web/20170131082040/http://www.fliegerhorste.de/handorf.htm

 

Munster-Loddenheide: https://www.8thafhs.org/old/new/maps.php?lat=51.9342&lon=7.64937&target_name=Munster+Germany+Airfield+%26nbsp&map_type=target&target_id=5435

 

B-86 Helmond (other potentially good info here): https://www.tracesofwar.com/sights/103977/Former-Location-B86-Helmond.htm

 

Rheine: https://www.8thafhs.org/old/new/maps.php?lat=52.292&lon=7.38752&target_name=Rheine+Germany+Airfield+%26nbsp&map_type=target&target_id=5347

 

Werl: https://www.8thafhs.org/old/new/maps.php?lat=51.5671&lon=7.9172&target_name=Werl+Germany+Airfield+%26nbsp&map_type=target&target_id=5382

 

A-84 Chievres: 

[DD_FT-]

Got this book: Vliegvelden in Oorlogstijd - All airfields in the Netherlands during WW2.

 

Lots of texts (all in Dutch). Pictures and maps.

Like for example this one, Teuge, B-95.

 

Yeah, does not look like much, because it wasn't.

Luftwaffe never used it operationally. It was bombed by the Allies only once, but the bombs never hit it.

On 25th dec 1944 an Arado 234B made an emergency landing, just outside the field.

Between May 4th and 16th  1945,  homebase of RAF 657 AOP Squadron, operating Auster MK V's.

This info saves you some work I think, as there's not much to model there ...

 

So, how to unlock all this info, on all the other airfields? What do you need? 

 

(Sorry, but really can't resist making one MAP remark: You've swapped the town names East and West of Teuge : Apeldoorn is to the West of it, Deventer to the east of it. Please fix this, as finally there's a map with my hometown on it, but if it stays like this, I still won't be able to fly over it! :))

[=27=Davesteu]

I sent you a PN, Jason.

Edited April 20, 2019 by =27=Davesteu

[LukeFF]

@Jason_Williams, there is a lot of info on Dutch airfields that can be found here: https://www.defensie.nl/onderwerpen/vliegvelden-tijdens-de-tweede-wereldoorlog

 

In addition, the website Forgotten Airfields has lots of info here. I didn't have time to go through all the links: https://www.defensie.nl/onderwerpen/vliegvelden-tijdens-de-tweede-wereldoorlog

 

St. Niklaas (Sterreken): https://www.forgottenairfields.com/airfield-stniklaas-85.html

 

Sint Denijs-Westrem (B-61): https://www.forgottenairfields.com/airfield-sintdenijs-westrem-b-61-83.html

 

Evere: https://www.forgottenairfields.com/airfield-evere-220.html

 

Grimbergen: https://www.forgottenairfields.com/airfield-grimbergen-b-60-217.html

 

Blakenberg (B-66) (note: this name is currently misspelled on the map): https://www.forgottenairfields.com/airfield-blakenberg-b-66-219.html

 

Le Culot East (Tienen / Goetshoven): https://www.forgottenairfields.com/airfield-goetsenhoven--209.html

 

Ophoven: https://www.forgottenairfields.com/airfield-ophoven-y-32-102.html

 

St. Trond: https://www.forgottenairfields.com/airfield-sttruiden-99.html

 

Asch: https://www.forgottenairfields.com/airfield-asch-y-29-101.html

 

Elsenborn: https://www.forgottenairfields.com/airfield-elsenborn-247.html

 

St. Hubert: https://www.forgottenairfields.com/airfield-sthubert-airport-242.html

 

Nivelles: https://www.forgottenairfields.com/airfield-nivelles-987.html

 

Deelen: https://www.forgottenairfields.com/airfield-deelen-453.html

 

Venlo: https://www.forgottenairfields.com/airfield-venlo-478.html

 

Mill: https://www.forgottenairfields.com/airfield-mill-516.html

 

Schijndel: https://www.forgottenairfields.com/airfield-schijndel-513.html

 

https://www.defensie.nl/onderwerpen/vliegvelden-tijdens-de-tweede-wereldoorlog/vliegveldenoverzicht/schijndel/topografische-kaarten

 

[Dutch2]

Lots of info here from the Netherlands

https://www.defensie.nl/onderwerpen/vliegvelden-tijdens-de-tweede-wereldoorlog/vliegveldenoverzicht?trefwoord=&jaar-van=1940&jaar-tot=1945

https://www.flickr.com/photos/nimhimages/albums/with/72157698932429285

 

Gilze Rijen one of the most important airfields in the Netherlands during WW2! 

https://www.defensie.nl/onderwerpen/vliegvelden-tijdens-de-tweede-wereldoorlog/vliegveldenoverzicht/gilze-rijen/topografische-kaarten  After sepember 1944 is was used by the British and called B.77 and being used by the 84 group. 

 

Here something funny as the Germans use fake horses and cows on the airstrip of Gilze Rijen

https://www.defensie.nl/onderwerpen/vliegvelden-tijdens-de-tweede-wereldoorlog/vliegveldenoverzicht/gilze-rijen/multimedia

And besides the real airfield there was also an fake airfield at Gilze Rijen, think a nice aspect. The name SF 37 Kamerun (SF= Scheinflugplatz)  or in Dutch de Kiek

http://www.oisterwijk-marketgarden.com/fliegerhorst_gilze-rijen_part ii.html

http://www.goolsegeheimen.nl/schijnvliegveld-de-kiek/#iLightbox[359d457c34a863eb8ca]/1

The fake planes could be moved by ropes from a concrete bunker 

 

And if making Gilze Rijen do not forget the Flugzeug Kompass Kompensier Scheibe.  Very important aspect I think. http://www.oisterwijk-marketgarden.com/fliegerhorst_gilze-rijen_part_iii.html

 

If needed more info I can ask the guys at Gilze Rijen, or do a search on the Dutch websites.  

Edited April 21, 2019 by Dutch2
insert photo's

[Juri_JS]

No aerial photos or maps, but information on runway surface, airfield infrastructure, etc. can be found here:

https://www.ww2.dk/lwairfields.html

[Jason_Williams]

Guys,

 

Awesome response as usual, but crap too much info at once. I’m gonna need an ‘airfield information coordinator’. A volunteer (I can provide some small compensation) who wants to help me list, gather and send this stuff to the team in a format that is easy to understand for them. Post here is interested. Must committed to helping. 

 

I know some of you have sent me info in the past, but I’m pulled 20 different directions every day so some of it I may not have forwarded to the team. I will search my emails and messages, but if you’ve sent me something in the past please send again just to be sure. 

 

Jason 

[Gambit21]

I sent you info, layouts/drawings from my contact at the 352nd regarding Y-29 and I think Chievres way back when.

I'll forward again if needed.

[=27=Davesteu]

1 hour ago, Jason_Williams said:

I’m gonna need an ‘airfield information coordinator’.

I might be up for it. See PN again.

Edited April 20, 2019 by =27=Davesteu

[Kurfurst]

10 hours ago, Jason_Williams said:

Guys,

 

Awesome response as usual, but crap too much info at once. I’m gonna need an ‘airfield information coordinator’. A volunteer (I can provide some small compensation) who wants to help me list, gather and send this stuff to the team in a format that is easy to understand for them. Post here is interested. Must committed to helping. 

 

I know some of you have sent me info in the past, but I’m pulled 20 different directions every day so some of it I may not have forwarded to the team. I will search my emails and messages, but if you’ve sent me something in the past please send again just to be sure. 

 

Jason 

 

Jason, 

 

Check out aviation historian Henry deZeng’s list of Luftwaffe airfields, it seems to be exactly what you are looking for (sans pictures).

 

Since most if not all all were used by the LW and the Allies, it should contain info for both sides, and more over the information on the rumways material, size, arrangement, depots etc. is neatly organized.

 

https://www.ww2.dk/lwairfields.html

 

Belgian airfields 

https://www.ww2.dk/Airfields - Belgium and Luxembourg.pdf

 

Netherlands airfields

https://www.ww2.dk/Airfields - Netherlands.pdf

 

as an example from deZengs airfields listings:

 

Gilze-Rijen (NETH) (a.k.a. Looneind, Nerhoven) (51 34 00 N – 04 56 25 E)

General: operational airfield (Einsatzhafen) 10 km W of Tilburg, 10 km ESE of Breda and 2.8 km N of Gilze village in S Holland. Rated for bombers.

History: limited civil and Dutch military use as a landing ground dates from 1909, but it was first developed as an airport named Nerhoven in 1937 with a satellite landing area at Molenheide just 2 km to the NW. Attacked and captured by the Germans 10-12 May 1940. In June the Luftwaffe merged Nerhoven and Molenheide and began constructing a huge air base complex that was largely completed by the end of 1940. During the war, it was one of the most important bomber and night fighter bases in the West.

Dimensions:
Surface and Runways: 3 camouflaged concrete runways set out in the form of a capital letter “A”, each measuring 1,700 x 50 meters. Equipped for night landings with visual Lorenz systems for all 3 runways, blind landing installations, boundary lights, visual beacons and artificial horizons.

Fuel and Ammunition: numerous refueling points stretched along the W boundary. A very large munitions dump complex was sited in a woods off the SW corner that was run by a MASt (Munitionsausgabestelle).

Infrastructure: had some 12 scattered hangars with paved aprons, including 2 that were very large and used for repairs, plus numerous separate workshop buildings and stores sheds, all of these being heavily camouflaged to look like farm buildings or agricultural terrain. Station buildings and barracks totaled over 70 and were located in a woods off the NW corner of the airfield. In 1941 a base residential area for officers with 40 well- appointed homes was built in a wooded area SW of the base on the way to the village of Chaam. A 4-barrack camp was constructed in 1943 for female signals personnel. A branch rail spur off the Breda-Tilburg line served the N and W side of the base.
Dispersal: 4 areas – the East Dispersal had 56 aircraft shelters, the Southwest Dispersal 9, the West Dispersal 44 and the Northwest Dispersal 3 for a total of 112 in late 1943. Nearly all of these were fully enclosed with stone walls, large enough for bombers and camouflaged. An additional c.47 hardstands and parking sites were added in early 1944.

 

Defenses: 3 heavy Flak positions with 4 guns each and 10 light Flak positions, most of which were in Flak towers. There were also 8 searchlights as part of the Flak defenses. Satellites and Decoys:
Gilze/I (51 33 00 N – 04 54 00 E), possible satellite strip and dispersal field 3 km WSW of Gilze-Rijen airfield and immediately N of the village of Driehoek.

 

History: under construction in August 1944. Surface and Dimensions: measured approx. 915 meters (1000 yards) E/W. It was possibly connected to the Southwest dispersal of Gilze-Rijen airfield. Infrastructure: none noted.
Gilze-Rijen – Looneind (51 30 00 N – 04 59 45 E), dummy “clone” 8 km SSE of Gilze- Rijen airfield complete with fake runways, buildings, lighting, flarepath, etc. Set up in 1941-42.

 

Remarks:
1940-44: bombed and strafed several dozen times, but the damage was quickly repaired and the airfield returned to full operations.
11 Jan 42: total station strength 2,840 officers and men.
28/29 Jul 42: bombed – 1 x Do 217 E-4 from I./KG 2 destroyed on the ground.
19 Aug 43: bombed by B-17 Fortresses.
23 Dec 43: 3 squadrons of 8th AAF P-47 fighter-bombers attacked Gilze-Rijen airfield.
23 Jan 44: bombed and strafed by 23 P-47 Thunderbolts from 8th AAF.
25 Jan 44: bombed and strafed by approx. 30 P-47 Thunderbolts from 8th AAF.
31 Jan 44: bombed and strafed by 157 P-47s and 47 P-38 Ligntnings.
10 Feb 44: bombed by 28 planes from 8th AAF.
14 Feb 44: bombed and strafed by 46 P-47s as a secondary target. 22Feb44:bombedby35B-26Maraudersdrom9th AAF–3xDo217sand1xLeO451 from III./KG 2 destroyed or damaged on the ground. runways and landing area rendered mostly unserviceable.
19 Mar 44: dive-bombed by 24 P-47s from 8th AAF.
26 Mar 44: runways and landing area repaired and again serviceable.
31 May 44: bombed by 8th AAF heavies.
12 Jun 44: runways prepared for demolition by mining.
23 Jun 44: bombed – 1 x Ju 188 A-2 from I./KG 2 destroyed or damaged on the ground.
15 Aug 44: bombed – 3 x Do 217s and 1 x Fi 156 from Stab and I./KG 2 destroyed or damaged on the ground.
3 Sep 44: air attack - 4 x Do 217Ks and Ms from I./KG 2 destroyed on the ground.
4 Sep 44: low-level attack – 1 x Do 217 from I./KG 2 destroyed or damaged on the ground. 4-5 Sep 44: vital infrastructure demolished and the base evacuated by the Luftwaffe. Operational Units: Stab, II./KG 26 (Sep 40); I./NJG 2 (Sep 40 – Nov 41); I./KG 30 (Sep 40 – Mar 41); II./KG 30 (Sep 40 – May 41, Sep-Dec 41, Mar-Apr 42); Sonderkdo. Mausi (Sep 40 – Oct 42); III./KG 30 (Aug 41 – Jan 42); Stab/NJG 2 (Nov 41 – Nov 42); III./NJG 2 (Mar-Sep 42, elements Dec 43 – Mar 44); I./KG 2 (Apr 42 – Apr 43, Jun-Aug 44); 2./NJG 2 (Sep-Nov 42); 1./Minensuchgruppe 1 (Oct 42 – Aug 44); II./NJG 2 (Oct-Nov 42); II./KG 40 (Mar-Jun 43); III./KG 2 (Aug 43 – Jan 44, Jun 44); II./KG 51 (Apr-Aug 44); II./KG 76 (Jun 44); 9./KG 3 (Jul-Aug 44).
Reserve Training & Replacement Units: Erg.St./NJG 2 (Aug 41 – Aug 43).
Station Commands: Fl.H.Kdtr. E 29/IV (Jun 40 - ?); Fl.H.Kdtr. E(L) 7/I (1941 – Dec 42); Fl.H.Kdtr. A 201/VI (c. Jan 43 - Mar 44); Fl.H.Kdtr. E(v) 207/XI (Apr-Sep 44).
          - 12 -

Luftwaffe Airfields 1935-45
Station Units (on various dates – not complete): Nachtjagdraumführer 102 (Jul 42 – spring 44); Koflug 6/III (Jun 40 – Aug 44); 1. Flugh.Betr.Kp./KG 2 (Jan-Apr 43); 115. Flugh.Betr.Kp. (Qu) (Dec 43 – Feb 44); 148. Flugh.Betr.Kp. (Qu) (Jun-Aug 44); Werft-Abt. (v) 129/XI (Mar-Sep 44); Werftzug 656 (1943 – Feb 44); Werftzug 657 (1943 – Feb 44); Luftminen-Zug 8 (Sep 43); Luftminen-Zug 13 ( ? - Feb 44); 4.(RAD)/Flak-Abt. 156 (c.Jan- Sep 44); 6.(RAD)/Flak-Abt. 214 (c.Oct 43 – 1944); 3./gem.Flak-Abt. 591 (c.1942-44); le.Flak-Abt. 846 (Feb, Nov 42); 2. and 3./gem.Flak-Abt. 665 (Aug 43); Stab/Ln.-Rgt. 211 (Breda, c.Apr 43 – Aug 44); I.(Ln.Betr.)/Ln.-Rgt. 211 (Tilburg, c.Apr 43 – Aug 44?); Stab II.(Flum.Mess)/Ln.-Rgt. 211 (Breda, c.Apr 43 – Aug 44); 12.(Flugm.Res.)/Luftgau- Nachr.Rgt. Holland (Breda, c.Jul 40 – 1944); Stab/Ln.-Abt. 51 (Breda, c.Oct 41 – Oct 42); Stab/Ln.-Abt. 62 (Tilburg, c.Oct 41 – Oct 42); Stab/Munitionsversorgungsbezirk Süd (Loon op Zand, c.1943-44); Feldluftmunitionslager d.Lw. 8/VI (Loon op Zand, c.1943-44); E- Hafen-Ausrüstungskolonne 8/IV (Aug 43); Trsp.Kol. d.Lw. 41/VI (Tilburg, Sep 43); Trsp.Kol. d.Lw. 145/VI (Tilburg, Sep 43); 3. Ldssch.Kp. d.Lw./3. Jagd-Div. (Dec 43); Ldssch.Zug 117/VI (to Jun 43); Ldssch.Zug d.Lw. 124/VI (Jun, Dec 43); Ldssch.Zug d.Lw. 127/VI (Jun- Nov 43); Ldssch.Zug d.Lw. 152/VI (Jun-Dec 43); Ldssch.Zug d.Lw. 162/VI (Jun-Dec 43); Ldssch.Zug d.Lw. 348/VI ( ? - Aug 43); Ldssch.Zug d.Lw. 12/XI ( ? – Aug 43); Ldssch.Zug d.Lw. 23/XI ( ? – Aug 43); Ldssch.Zug d.Lw. 271/XI ( ? – Aug 43); 6.Kp./Flieger-Rgt. 51 (Aug 43); Prüfstelle auf Höhenwirkung (mot) d.Lw. 12 (Jul 43 - ?); RAD-Abt. 4/156 (c.1943-44); RAD-Abt. 6/214 (c.1943-44).
[References: AFHRA A5262 pp.535-41 (14 Nov 42 updated to 16 Dec 43) and A.I.2.(b)/Air Ministry Amendment dated 2 Aug 44 in BNA(PRO)/AIR 40; Grimm, Peter et al, Vliegvelden in Oorlogstijd, pp.252-63; Hammel, E., Air War Europa; Mattiello, G., Fliegerhorstkommandanturen, etc.; various documents in NARA, BNA and BA-MA; web site ww2f.com/living-history/21323-fliegerhorst-gilze-rijen-archaeology-research.html].

[Talon_]

18 hours ago, Jason_Williams said:

P.S. please don't post about the map in general. Let's focus on the airfields. The map itself is very much a Work in Progress.

 

 

While the map is WIP can I please flag up that this reservoir didn't exist until the 50s. It was already in one of your devblog screenshots.

 

 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olef_Dam

 

 

[MiloMorai]

Many aerial photos of the Netherlands , http://www.wwii-photos-maps.com/aerialnetherlands/

[Dutch2]

1 hour ago, MiloMorai said:

Many aerial photos of the Netherlands , http://www.wwii-photos-maps.com/aerialnetherlands/

 

Thanks, good finding and after some checking I did found:

for Gilze Rijen airfield it is important to put in Tilburg as an important orientation point in the map, as can be found here: http://www.wwii-photos-maps.com/aerialnetherlands/July 1944/index.html  Same for Breda in the Netherlands and Turnhout in Belgium as the other two towns that are also very close to the Gilze Rijen airfield, but can not be found in this website.

 

In the Dorst Vossenberg photos, you see the Gilze Rijen airstrip, notice the big A-shape of the airfield, but at this date, now taken over by the British airforce.

http://www.wwii-photos-maps.com/aerialnetherlands/January 1945/index.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 22, 2019 by Dutch2

[Jason_Williams]

Can anyone help me get these books? Are they in digital form anywhere?

 

https://www.amazon.de/s?k=Flugplätze+der+Luftwaffe+1934-45+und+was+davon+übrigblieb&__mk_de_DE=ÅMÅŽÕÑ&ref=nb_sb_noss

 

Which volume covers western Germany and the airfields important to us? Do these books have diagrams at all of the runways?

 

Jason

[Jason_Williams]

Hey guys,

 

Here's a list of airfields we need some kind of picture of diagram of. Just descriptions is not enough.

 

Bad Lippspringe (northeast of Paderborn)
Coesfeld-Lette
Drope (7 miles northwest of Furstenau) (B-105)
Furstenau
Greven (northeast of the town, near Munster)
Heesch (B-88)
Kirchhellen (Y-82)
Krefeld-Linn
Babenhausen (Y-77)
Eudenbach / Asbach (Y-71)
Gotzenhain
Krefeld (Y-61)
Krefeld-Bockum
Limburg-Linter (Y-83)
Blankerberg (B-66)
Coesfeld
Gross-Reken
Gymnich
Monchen-Gladbach (Y-56
Alkmaar Bergen
Bracht (Rauschenberg)
Dinant
Freux
Hargimont
Jeneffe
Libin
Loge-Wactiaux
Marche
Neufchateau
Nives
ochamps
Wengerohr

 

And does anyone have this book by chance?

https://www.amazon.com/Fliegerhorste-Einsatzhäfen-Luftwaffe-Planskizzen-1935-1945/dp/3613014866/ref=olp_product_details?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid=1555978353&sr=8-1-fkmrnull

 

Jason

[Dutch2]

“Alkmaar mountains” needs to be changed by name to “Alkmaar Bergen”.   

 

 

Edited April 23, 2019 by Dutch2

[Semor76]

Hi Jason

 

Babenhausen (Y-77) is only 5 kilometers away from where I live. I´m at work till noon, after that, I will see what I can do. I´ll keep you in informed.

[Feathered_IV]

I've put together some of the stuff I've collected here

 

http://www.mediafire.com/file/nplg8mtvbnsfrzk/airfields.rar/file

 

Of particular interest is the pdf on German airfields.  It describes their construction, length and orientation, as well as their condition with regards to bombings

[Jason_Williams]

5 hours ago, Feathered_IV said:

I've put together some of the stuff I've collected here

 

http://www.mediafire.com/file/nplg8mtvbnsfrzk/airfields.rar/file

 

Of particular interest is the pdf on German airfields.  It describes their construction, length and orientation, as well as their condition with regards to bombings

 

Thanks Feathered but we have all this stuff including the .pdf. We really need images of the ones on my list above. I've got a couple books on order that should help.

 

Jason

8 hours ago, Semor76 said:

Hi Jason

 

Babenhausen (Y-77) is only 5 kilometers away from where I live. I´m at work till noon, after that, I will see what I can do. I´ll keep you in informed.

 

Thanks! If you can find any info that would be great.

 

Jason

11 hours ago, Dutch2 said:

“Alkmaar mountains” needs to be changed by name to “Alkmaar Bergen”.   

 

 

 

Just a weird typo.

 

Jason

[unlikely_spider]

14 hours ago, Jason_Williams said:

And does anyone have this book by chance?

https://www.amazon.com/Fliegerhorste-Einsatzhäfen-Luftwaffe-Planskizzen-1935-1945/dp/3613014866/ref=olp_product_details?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid=1555978353&sr=8-1-fkmrnull

 

Jason

I see it for quite a bit cheaper on other web sites - do you need help from the community (like me for example  ) to purchase this, if it will help substantially with development?

[Dutch2]

Alkmaar Bergen

map is below in this article:

https://www.forgottenairfields.com/airfield-bergen-742.html

 

Heesch seems to be an simple straightforward airstrip using steel perforated plates:

https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arbeiders-op-vliegveld-B88-Heesch.jpg

https://www.forgottenairfields.com/airfield-heesch-515.html

Some foto’s from Heesch:

http://spitfiresite.com/2011/03/respect-calls-for-thoroughness-digging-into-the-story-of-fltlt-“dick”-audet.html

http://spitfiresite.com/2007/12/spitfires-at-b-88-heesch.html

If needed more info I could ask a guy Harrie van Grinsven as he did give an lecture in 2014:

https://mooibernheze.nl/nieuws/6887/8447/lezing-terugblik-op-airstrip-b88-heesch-70-jaren-later

pm me if I should make contact. 

 

BTW I think it is not Blankerberg but https://www.forgottenairfields.com/airfield-blakenberg-b-66-219.html  

Edited April 26, 2019 by Dutch2

[Veteran66]

some years ago i lend this Book and make some photos, i will upload the photos and send it to you

 

[Geleitzug]

Airfield Frankfurt-Rebstock: https://www.mil-airfields.de/germany/frankfurt-main-rebstock-airport.htm

Airfield Frankfurt Rhein-Main: https://www.mil-airfields.de/germany/frankfurt-rhein-main-airbase.html

Some infos (in German) on the airfield Götzenhain: https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC2WJPK_historycache-feldflugplatz-gotzenhain?guid=8ab94a86-0d1b-403c-94af-218db3833331

Some infos (in German) on the airfiled Frankfurt-Eschborn: http://www.fliegerhorst-eschborn.de/

 

 

 

[ZachariasX]

Not sure if it this is known already, but this site

https://www.ww2aerialreconstudies.com/jets.html

also has some info on the matter.

[Talon_]

On 4/23/2019 at 1:56 AM, Jason_Williams said:

Heesch (B-88)

 

Google translating https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vliegveld_B.88_Heesch gets you some information including runway bearing, width and length.

 

Also some notes here https://www.bhic.nl/ontdekken/verhalen/vliegveld-b-88-heesch

[JV69badatflyski]

On 4/23/2019 at 2:56 AM, Jason_Williams said:

Blankerberg (B-66)

 

Hi, 
BLAKENBERG and not BlaNkenberg.
Otherwise it would be BlankenbergE but that's a city on the coast.
KR

 

[Dutch2]

8 hours ago, JV69badatflyski said:

 

Hi, 
BLAKENBERG and not BlaNkenberg.
Otherwise it would be BlankenbergE but that's a city on the coast.
KR

 

 

You are right on this https://www.forgottenairfields.com/airfield-blakenberg-b-66-219.html

 

[Sharpe43]

On 4/23/2019 at 12:14 AM, Jason_Williams said:

Can anyone help me get these books? Are they in digital form anywhere?

 

https://www.amazon.de/s?k=Flugplätze+der+Luftwaffe+1934-45+und+was+davon+übrigblieb&__mk_de_DE=ÅMÅŽÕÑ&ref=nb_sb_noss

 

Which volume covers western Germany and the airfields important to us? Do these books have diagrams at all of the runways?

 

Jason

https://www.amazon.de/Flugplätze-Luftwaffe-1934-45-übrigblieb-Gesamtverzeichnis/dp/3866190549/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?__mk_de_DE=ÅMÅŽÕÑ&keywords=flugplätze+der+luftwaffe+1934-45+und+was+davon+übrig+blieb&qid=1556306271&s=gateway&sr=8-2-fkmr0

Get this one. I think the others deal with areas that are pretty much outside the game map.

 

Also noteworthy perhaps is that Y29 should be on the Dutch Belgian border. I believe there even is a google maps reference and an earlier work by Ron Putz also mentions this.

Edited April 26, 2019 by Sharpe43

[Redglyph]

No map yet, but several typos:

 

- Niverlles (unreadable, maybe another letter), B-75, is actually "Nivelles"

- Floidchapelle, SW of A-78/Florennes) is actually "Froidchapelle"

- Auwaille (South of A-93/Liège, East of Spa) is actually "Aywaille"

- Chievres (A-84) is actually "Chièvres"

- Bierset-Liege (A-93) is actually "Bierset-Liège" or more commonly "Bierset"

- (to confirm) Le Culot (two places, B-68/Y-10) is actually "Culot", we generally don't put determinative in front of city/town names in Belgium the Beauvechain airfield was indeed called "Le Culot" (from the name of the area)

 

Edited May 4, 2019 by Redglyph

[csThor]

If somebody owning the book "Bodenplatte - The Luftwaffe's last hope" and a scanner could help out here (don't have a scanner).

 

Evere Airfield (B-56):

 

There is an aerial photo of that airfield dated early 1945 in "Bodenplatte - The Luftwaffe's last hope" - page 173.

 

Melsbroek Airfield (B-58):

 

Yet one more Aerial photo of said airfield dated March 26 1945 in "Bodenplatte - The Luftwaffe's last hope" - page  219.

 

Additionally:

 

https://www.andreaszapf.de/blog-fdl-media/Leseprobe-Band-7-Niedersachsen-Bremen.pdf

 

It's a sample from "Flugplätze der Luftwaffe 1934-34 - und was davon übrig blieb" Volume 7 dealing with Lower Saxony and Bremen. It begins with Achmer (including aerial photos and layout drawings) and also contains Quakenbrück (page 22 and following).

 

Two typos/mistakes in Location naming I found on the map so far:

 

1.) It's not Rhaine, it must be Rheine (the AF designation is correct, the town is not).

2.) Until the 1950s it was not Mönchengladbach but Münchengladbach.

 

Edited May 4, 2019 by csThor

[Matt]

I'm willing to order one book and could scan it in, would only need to know if that's still necessary and which book is still missing or which would be the most helpful.

Just talking about the books avaliable in Germany.

[LukeFF]

3 hours ago, csThor said:

Additionally:

 

https://www.andreaszapf.de/blog-fdl-media/Leseprobe-Band-7-Niedersachsen-Bremen.pdf

 

It's a sample from "Flugplätze der Luftwaffe 1934-34 - und was davon übrig blieb" Volume 7 dealing with Lower Saxony and Bremen. It begins with Achmer (including aerial photos and layout drawings) and also contains Quakenbrück (page 22 and following).

 

One of the people helping out with the airfields has a copy of that book, so we're good to go there.

 

On the Belgian side, Runways to Victory has proven to be very helpful.

[csThor]

Thanks, Luke. Good to know.

[Gil57]

As I did the the westfront maps packs for IL2-1946, Il collected documents...

I offered my help many months ago without a single answer.... unfortunately no time currently ! good luck anyway  ?

[LukeFF]

6 minutes ago, 615sqn_Gil said:

As I did the the westfront maps packs for IL2-1946, Il collected documents...

I offered my help many months ago without a single answer.... unfortunately no time currently ! good luck anyway  ?

 

It's not too late if you still want to help.  I'll glady gather up anything you have to offer.

Edited May 5, 2019 by LukeFF

[Redglyph]

There is an aerodrome near Namur that is not on the map, but which was active from 1944 to the end of the war in 1945, as a US military airbase. It was then abandoned and re-opened in 1946 as civil airfield, which is still there today.

 

I'm joining a document in French, including a crude map but if there is an interest I'm willing to translate the relevant parts. Since it's not too far, I can probably check if they have more historical information. From the map, the runway had the same orientation as today (06/24 with current magnetic variation) and is at 502917N 0044608E and elevation 594 ft (all info on today's EBNM airport on the AIP pages here).

 

As a short summary, an US reco Piper Cub landed there in October 1944. It was still a large meadow but they were looking for a spot to build a temporary airfield near Namur, where general Bradley had his HQ. They removed all fences, tree stumps, poles, on a 40-hectare zone (hectare = 10000 square metres) levelled the ground and built a runway a little longer than 1 km. It was operational after the Von Rundsted offensive.

 

The code name was "Gangway advanced", and held a large number of various aircraft. A main role was the evacuation of POW with C-47s, night and day, but damaged fighters used to land there too.

 

EDIT: there's obviously a lot of info to process in the thread and that'll take a while. I can't monitor this every day so just PM me to confirm, if more info is needed.

 

      

temploux.7zip

Edited May 8, 2019 by Redglyph
Added map