• Source: RAF Gambut

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 re-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 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.
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)




See also


List of North African airfields during World War II




References


Citations

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



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

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Grahame Clark
• RAF Gambut
• List of former Royal Air Force stations
• List of RAF Regiment units
• No. 148 Squadron RAF
• Axis capture of Tobruk
• South African Air Force
• No. II Squadron RAF Regiment
• No. 601 Squadron RAF
• RAF Greenham Common
• 64th Aggressor Squadron