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RAF Gambut (or RAF Kambut) is a complex of six abandoned military airfields in
German map
of Gambut Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces in Libya Royal Air Force stations of World War II in Africa Defunct airports World War II airfields in Libya {{RAF-stub
Libya
Libya (; ar, ليبيا, Lībiyā), officially the State of Libya ( ar, دولة ليبيا, Dawlat Lībiyā), is a country in the Maghreb region in North Africa. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to Egypt–Libya bo ...
, located about north-northeast of the village of Kambut
Kambut, sometimes is known as Gambut, is a village in eastern Libya, some east of Tobruk. It is a site of an old military airfield in World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a worl ...
, and east-south-east of Tobruk
Tobruk or Tobruck (; grc, Ἀντίπυργος, ''Antipyrgos''; la, Antipyrgus; it, Tobruch; ar, طبرق, Tubruq ''Ṭubruq''; also transliterated as ''Tobruch'' and ''Tubruk'') is a port city on Libya's eastern Mediterranean coast, near th ...
. During World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
, the complex was an important facility, used by the Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and ...
and many RAF squadrons were temporarily based there.
History
Gambiut was an airfield ofRegia Aeronautica
The Italian Royal Air Force (''Regia Aeronautica Italiana'') was the name of the air force of the Kingdom of Italy. It was established as a service independent of the Royal Italian Army from 1923 until 1946. In 1946, the monarchy was abolis ...
.
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)
Major units assigned
; Commonwealth air forces (RAF
The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and ...
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
"Through Adversity to the Stars"
, colours =
, colours_label =
, march =
, mascot =
, anniversaries = RAAF Anniversary Commemoration ...
), 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 012 may refer to:
* Tyrrell 012, a Formula One racing car
* The dialing code for Pretoria, South Africa
See also
* 12 (disambiguation)
Twelve or 12 may refer to:
* 12 (number)
* December, the twelfth and final month of the year
Years
* 12 BC
* ...
(B-25 Mitchell)
: 434th Bombardment Squadron
The 434th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 12th Bombardment Group, stationed at Fort Lawton, Washington. It was inactivated on 22 January 1946.
History
The 434th was established as a ...
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
This is a partial list of British Landing Grounds (LG) In North Africa, used during World War II. There are over 250 known. Some coordinates may be incorrect. Not all of these were active airfields; some were depots, some were repair stations, and ...
References
;Citations ;Bibliography * *External links
* http://www.rafweb.org/Stations/Stations-G.htmGerman map
of Gambut Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces in Libya Royal Air Force stations of World War II in Africa Defunct airports World War II airfields in Libya {{RAF-stub