RAF Gambut
| RAF Gambut | |
|---|---|
| Near: Kambut, Libya | |
 Abandoned German aircraft at Gambut after its recapture by the Allies (December 1941) | |
  RAF Gambut Location in Libya | |
| Coordinates | 31°57′04″N 024°30′14″E / 31.95111°N 24.50389°E |
| Site information | |
| Operator |  Luftwaffe Royal Air Force United States Army Air Forces |
| Controlled by | Regia Aeronautica (1939-1942) German Luftwaffe (1941–1942) Royal Air Force (1942–1944) Ninth Air Force (1942–43) |
| Site history | |
| In use | 1941–1944 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
RAF Gambut (or RAF Kambut) is a complex of six abandoned military airfields in Libya, located about 5 kilometres (3 mi) north-northeast of the village of Kambut, and 50 kilometres (31 mi) east-south-east of Tobruk. During World War II, the complex was an important facility, used by the Royal Air Force and many RAF squadrons were temporarily based there.
History
Gambiut was an airfield of Regia Aeronautica. Axis forces captured Gambut on 17 June 1941, after the Battle of Tobruk.[1] This was a significant blow to the Allies as the airfield had been used to provide air-support to the Allied forces besieged at Tobruk. The airfield saw use by the German Luftwaffe until its recapture by the New Zealand 4th Infantry Brigade on 25 November.[2]
Today the remains of the airfields – deteriorating under the desert sands – are visible on aerial photographs.
Airfields at Gambut
This station consisted of six airfields known as Gambut 1 (LG139), this being the main airfield, Gambut 2 (LG142), Gambut 3 (LG143), Gambut West/Gambut 4 (LG156), Gambut 5 (LG159) and Gambut 6 (LG158). [1]
| RAF Designation | No. Designation | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Gambut Main (No.1) | LG-139 | 31°52′5″N 24°29′5″E / 31.86806°N 24.48472°E |
| Gambut No. 2 | LG-142 | 31°51′5″N 24°32′5″E / 31.85139°N 24.53472°E |
| Gambut No. 3 | LG-143 | 31°50′5″N 24°36′5″E / 31.83472°N 24.60139°E |
| Gambut Comms No. 4 | LG-156 | 31°54′0″N 24°25′5″E / 31.90000°N 24.41806°E |
| Gambut No. 5 | LG-159 | 31°52′0″N 24°25′5″E / 31.86667°N 24.41806°E |
| Gambut No. 6 | LG-158 | 31°50′0″N 24°39′0″E / 31.83333°N 24.65000°E |
Major units assigned
Gambut Main (No.1)
- Units
- Squadrons
- 6, 11, 14, 33, 38, 45, 46, 47 55, 73, 80, 84 108, 112, 113, 145, 148, 162, 203, 208, 227, 229, 237, 238, 250, 252, 274, 294, 450 (RAAF), 454 (RAAF)
- HQ, 239 Wing (1 Mar – 17 Jun 1942, 14–15 Nov 1942)
- HQ, 243 Wing (May – 20 Jun 1942)
- HQ, 233 Wing (14–18 Nov 1942)
- HO, 223 Wing (SAAF)
Gambut (No.2)
- Units
- Squadrons
- 73, 112, 250, 274, 450 (RAAF)
- HQ, 233 Wing (22 May – 28 Jun 1942)
Gambut (No.3)
- Units
- Squadrons
- 14, 73, 117, 250, 294, 454 (RAAF), 459 (RAAF), 603
- HQ, 235 Wing (3 Dec 1942 – 29 Feb 1944)
Gambut West
- Units
- Squadrons
- 73, 92, 145, 208, 213, 238, 601
- HQ, 285 Wing (14–20 Nov 1942)
- United States Army Air Forces [4]
- 12th Bombardment Group (B-25 Mitchell)
- 434th Bombardment Squadron 17 December 1942 – 16 February 1943
- 93d Bombardment Group 16–25 February 1943 (B-24 Liberator)
- 409th Bombardment Squadron 16 Dec 1942 – 25 February 1943
- 376th Bombardment Group 10–25 February 1943 (B-24 Liberator)
- 57th Fighter Group 13–20 November 1942 (P-40 Warhawk)
See also
References
- Citations
- ^ Mitcham, Samuel W. (2007). Rommel's Desert War: The Life and Death of the Afrika Korps. Stackpole Books. p. 81. ISBN 978-0811734134.
- ^ Mitcham, Samuel W. (2007). Rommel's Desert Commanders: The Men Who Served the Desert Fox, North Africa, 1941–1942. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 101. ISBN 978-0275994365.
- ^ "RAF Gambut". Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
- ^ Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (repr. ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. pp. 160–162. ISBN 0-912799-02-1. LCCN 61060979.
- Bibliography
- Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (repr. ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-02-1. LCCN 61060979.
- Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (repr. ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556.
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
External links
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