RAF Gambut

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RAF Gambut
Near: Kambut, Libya
Wrecked Me 110s at Gambut 1941.jpg
Abandoned German aircraft at Gambut after its recapture by the Allies (December 1941)
RAF Gambut is located in Libya
RAF Gambut
RAF Gambut
Location in Libya
Coordinates31°57′04″N 024°30′14″E / 31.95111°N 24.50389°E / 31.95111; 24.50389Coordinates: 31°57′04″N 024°30′14″E / 31.95111°N 24.50389°E / 31.95111; 24.50389
Site information
OperatorRegulation WW II Upperwing Balkenkreuz.png Luftwaffe
RAF roundel.svg Royal Air Force
US Army Air Corps Hap Arnold Wings.svg United States Army Air Forces
Controlled byRegia Aeronautica (1939-1942)
German Luftwaffe (1941–1942)
Royal Air Force (1942–1944)
Ninth Air Force (1942–43)
Site history
In use1941–1944
Battles/warsWorld War II
  • Western Desert Campaign

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]

Captured 1942 German Luftwaffe map of the airfield complex
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 / 31.86806; 24.48472
Gambut No. 2 LG-142 31°51′5″N 24°32′5″E / 31.85139°N 24.53472°E / 31.85139; 24.53472
Gambut No. 3 LG-143 31°50′5″N 24°36′5″E / 31.83472°N 24.60139°E / 31.83472; 24.60139
Gambut Comms No. 4 LG-156 31°54′0″N 24°25′5″E / 31.90000°N 24.41806°E / 31.90000; 24.41806
Gambut No. 5 LG-159 31°52′0″N 24°25′5″E / 31.86667°N 24.41806°E / 31.86667; 24.41806
Gambut No. 6 LG-158 31°50′0″N 24°39′0″E / 31.83333°N 24.65000°E / 31.83333; 24.65000

Major units assigned[]

Map all coordinates using: OpenStreetMap 
Download coordinates as: KML
Commonwealth air forces (RAF except where stated.) [3]

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[]

  • List of World War II North Africa Airfields

References[]

Citations
  1. ^ Mitcham, Samuel W. (2007). Rommel's Desert War: The Life and Death of the Afrika Korps. Stackpole Books. p. 81. ISBN 978-0811734134.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "RAF Gambut". Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  4. ^ 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

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.

External links[]


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