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
Site information
Operator	Luftwaffe (National Socalist)  Royal Air Force  United States Army Air Forces
Controlled by	German Luftwaffe (1941-1942) Royal Air Force (1942-44) Ninth Air Force (1942-43)
Site history
In use	1941-1944
Battles/wars	World 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-southeast of Tobruk. During World War II, the complex was an important facility, used by the Royal Air Force. A large number of RAF squadrons were based there for a time.

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]

Captured 1942 German Luftwaffe map of the airfield complex

RAF Designation	No. Designation	Location
Gambut Main (No.1)	LG-139
Gambut No. 2	LG-142
Gambut No. 3	LG-143
Gambut Comms No. 4	LG-156
Gambut No. 5	LG-159
Gambut No. 6	LG-158

Major units assigned

Royal Air Force

Gambut Main (No.1)

• Known squadrons (dates assigned undetermined)

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, 454, 468

• HQ, No 239 Wing (1 Mar - 17 Jun 1942, 14 - 15 Nov 1942)
• HQ, No 243 Wing (May - 20 Jun 1942)
• HQ, No 233 Wing (14 - 18 Nov 1942)
• HO, No 223 Wing (South African AF)

Gambut (No.2)

• Known squadrons (dates assigned undetermined)

73, 112, 250, 274, 450

• HQ, No 233 Wing (22 May - 28 Jun 1942)

Gambut (No.3)

• Known squadrons (dates assigned undetermined)

14, 73, 117, 250, 294, 454, 459, 603

• HQ, No 235 Wing (3 Dec 1942 – 29 Feb 1944)

Gambut West

• Known squadrons (dates assigned undetermined)

73, 92, 145, 208, 213, 238, 601

• HQ, No 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)

See also

• List of World War II North Africa Airfields

References

Citations

Bibliography

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.

External links

• http://www.rafweb.org/Stations/Stations-G.htm
• German map of Gambut