History of Pitomnik

[jnfrombigt]

I've been studying WW2 Eastern Front history for over a decade. One reason I became interested in IL2.  Something that has surprised me is the lack of info about the history of the airfield at Pitomnik.  Yes, I've read the Wikipedia stuff but that doesn't say when or who built it. Pitomnik was a key installation during the battle and I'm surprised there isn't a book about the airfirld and it's operations.  I did read something that following the War the site became a collective farm or orchard.  I suspect our friends in Russia might have more info and I wonder if they can help me out.  Thanks  jn

Edited July 8, 2021 by jnfrombigt

[Juri_JS]

I've tried to find information on Pitomnik when I build my Platzschutzstaffel campaign, but without much success. I couldn't even find an aerial photo.

Pitomnik is mentioned in Henry L. deZeng's compendium of Luftwaffe airfields, but even he hasn't much detailed information.

https://www.ww2.dk/Airfields - Russia and Ukraine.pdf

 

The few pieces of information I have mostly comes from reading memoires of Luftwaffe pilots. Apparently Pitomnik had a natural surface and almost no airfield facilities. Shelters were lacking and aircraft had to stand in the open. Over time all kinds of dugouts and bunkers were build around Pitomnik and it was heavily defended by the 9. Flak-Division. During the airlift electric runway lights were available and made night time operation possible. Moreover a radio beacon and a radio direction finding station were available.

[jnfrombigt]

Thanks.  I find it amazing there isn't more available info.  I think they may have also had a field evac hospital but who knows.  Thanks again.

[Duce_de_Zoop]

On 7/8/2021 at 3:17 PM, jnfrombigt said:

Thanks.  I find it amazing there isn't more available info.  I think they may have also had a field evac hospital but who knows.  Thanks again.

 

Have you read Beevor's Stalingrad? The final chapter goes into pretty considerable detail on the plight of Pitomnik. What I remember most is a disturbing story of an He-111 (or maybe a Ju-88?) overstuffed with wounded; the plane climbed too sharply and the wounded lost their balance and rolled to the back of the plane. This caused a critical weight imbalance, the nose shot up to a 90 degree angle before the plane stalled and fell to the ground.

 

Overall the situation seemed like a total nightmare, and Il-2 doesn't do justice to the overcrowding and chaos that airfield experience in its final weeks.

[Irishratticus72]

3 hours ago, Duce_de_Zoop said:

 

Have you read Beevor's Stalingrad? The final chapter goes into pretty considerable detail on the plight of Pitomnik. What I remember most is a disturbing story of an He-111 (or maybe a Ju-88?) overstuffed with wounded; the plane climbed too sharply and the wounded lost their balance and rolled to the back of the plane. This caused a critical weight imbalance, the nose shot up to a 90 degree angle before the plane stalled and fell to the ground.

 

Overall the situation seemed like a total nightmare, and Il-2 doesn't do justice to the overcrowding and chaos that airfield experience in its final weeks.

Just finishing that book for the umpteenth time.