RAF Gambut | |
---|---|
Near: Kambut, 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.
Gambiut was an airfield of Regia Aeronautica. Axis forces re-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 in the Siege of Tobruk. The airfield saw use by the 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.
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 |
Gambut Main (No.1)
Gambut (No.2)
Gambut (No.3)
Gambut West
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency