Gablingen

Airfield
media-21651.jpeg UPL 21651 P-51D 44-11200 seen in post war markings at Gablingen, Germany.

Object Number - UPL 21651 - P-51D 44-11200 seen in post war markings at Gablingen, Germany.

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Detailed History

Part of Gablingen Kaserne was constructed prior to World War I for use by the Royal Bavarian Air Force. The airfield was closed in 1918 and flight activities were prohibited in 1919 as a result of the Treaty of Versailles.[1]



Reopened in 1936 as a Luftwaffe airfield, Gablingen was home to three Luftwaffe flying schools: Flugzeugführerschule A5, Nachtjadgschule 1, and Flugzeugführerschule C7. In addition, the entire facility was enlarged as one of the two German Air Bases in the Augsburg area, the other one being Lechfeld Airbase.[2]



One of the most interesting aspects of the history of Gablingen is the complex tunnel system beneath the old airdrome, which may have been used to conceal the existence of a Messerschmitt test facility located there prior to, and during, the Second World War. The Messerschmitt plant used laborers from the Dachau concentration camp. Messerschmitt's rocket-powered Messerschmitt Me 163 were tested at this facility as early as 1941.[1]



American forces seized the base almost unopposed on 1 May 1945 and the facility was quickly secured. IX Engineer Command engineers from the 833rd Aviation Engineer Battalion moved into the facility and designated the base as Advanced Landing Ground "R-77", although no combat unit moved to the airfield until 15 May, after the German Capitulation to perform occupation duty.[3] Renamed as Army Airfield Station Gablingen, several USAAF groups were assigned to the airfield until 1 July 1946, when the facility was turned over to the United States Army.[4]



Gablingen was primarily used by the Army as regular troop barracks, housing various elements of the different divisions stationed in the Augsburg area. Around 1970, the 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division moved to Goeppingen

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 355th Fighter Group 361st Fighter Group 358th Fighter Squadron 375th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: T-065327
  • Highest Rank: Flight Officer
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 355th Fighter Group 361st Fighter Group 357th Fighter Squadron 375th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: T-65338
  • Highest Rank: Flight Officer
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 355th Fighter Group 479th Fighter Group 357th Fighter Squadron 435th Fighter Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Assistant Crew Chief

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Nicknames: Clarine
  • Unit: 355th Fighter Group 4th Fighter Group 336th Fighter Squadron 357th Fighter Squadron 358th Fighter Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

wikipedia

Gablingen: Gallery (3 items)