RAF Gambut
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RAF Gambut (or RAF Kambut) is a complex of six abandoned military airfields in Libya, located about Script error: No such module "convert". north-northeast of the village of Kambut, and Script error: No such module "convert". 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.[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.
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]
| RAF Designation | No. Designation | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Gambut Main (No.1) | LG-139 | Script error: No such module "Coordinates". |
| Gambut No. 2 | LG-142 | Script error: No such module "Coordinates". |
| Gambut No. 3 | LG-143 | Script error: No such module "Coordinates". |
| Gambut Comms No. 4 | LG-156 | Script error: No such module "Coordinates". |
| Gambut No. 5 | LG-159 | Script error: No such module "Coordinates". |
| Gambut No. 6 | LG-158 | Script error: No such module "Coordinates". |
Major units assigned
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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[4]
- 12th Bombardment Group (North American B-25 Mitchell)
- 434th Bombardment Squadron 17 December 1942 – 16 February 1943
- 93d Bombardment Group 16–25 February 1943 (Consolidated 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 (Curtiss P-40 Warhawk)
See also
References
- Citations
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- Bibliography
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External links
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- Pages with script errors
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- Lists of coordinates
- Wikipedia articles incorporating text from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
- 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
- Airfield complexes