Neha Patil (Editor)

RAF Gambut

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In use
  
1941–1944

RAF Gambut httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu

Operator
  
Luftwaffe  Royal Air Force  United States Army Air Forces

Battles/wars
  
World War II Western Desert Campaign

Controlled by
  
Luftwaffe (1941–1942), Royal Air Force (1942–1944), Ninth Air Force (1942–1943)

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 a large number of RAF squadrons were based there for a time.

Contents

History

Axis forces captured Gambut on 17 June 1941, after the Battle of Tobruk. 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.

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]

Major units assigned

Commonwealth air forces (RAF except where stated.)

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
  • 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)

    • References

    RAF Gambut Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA