VU117 + VU174 Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

K.V.Gruppe Gris Nez · AOK 15 Nord Pas de Calais · France

VU117 + VU174 Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Airfield assigned code number 372.
JG26 arrived with Me109s to come closer to England .
3 squadrons of 12 109s, a total of 36 aircraft.
46 Verteitigungsunterkunft (Defence accommodation for fighter).
1 x Small hangar for repairs (removed).
4 x Heavy Flak.
7 x Light Flak.
2 x Vf3 Observation/Machine gun bunkers.
2 x Vf2a group bunkers.
1 x KSS Kabelschalstelle Brunnen (Cable connection bunker).

Galland.
Galland.
Me109's
Me109's
Bf109F.
Bf109F.

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
 

Google

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Plan of the aerodrome showing: - Yellow - the concrete taxiways used by the aircraft to get onto and off the all grass airfield. Red ---- Hangar bases and defence bunkers. Audembert was originally a first world war aerodrome. After the Germans very fast advance into France in WW2, the area was surveyed in July 1940 and it became a Luftwaffe fighter base for the Battle of Britain. Two runways were laid out in grass. It was taken over by JG26 with Me109´s. VU174 Tillburg: 1 x HQ. 1 x Barracks. 3 x Vf2a group shelter. 2 x Vf3 Observation, machine gun emplacement. 1 x Wasser bunker. 5 x Hangars. 1 x KSS (Cable bunker). VU177 Paladin: 7 x Hangars. 1 x Vf2a's group shelter. 1 x Vf3Observation, machine gun emplacement. 1 x Zisterne. 1 x Air-raid shelter. 1 x Large Hangar (removed).

26 March 2017

Single aircraft hangars, also double as bomb proof pens if earth is placed around the outside.
Single aircraft hangars, also double as bomb proof pens if earth is placed around the outside.
Earth protection.
Earth protection.
Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
The entrance into the airfield.

26 March 2017

Plan.
Plan.
The enemy a Spitfire.
The enemy a Spitfire.
The enemy a Hurricane.
The enemy a Hurricane.

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Concrete taxiway.

26 March 2017

Plan.
Plan.
Ground crew.2
Ground crew.2
Pilot and ground crew.
Pilot and ground crew.

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
The layout of the VU177 Paladin side of the aerodrome with seven Verteitigungsunterkunft (Defence accommodation for fighter) pens/hangars.

26 March 2017

Plan.
Plan.
Me Bf109 E engine repairs.
Me Bf109 E engine repairs.
Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
The first hangar.

26 March 2017

Plan.
Plan.
Engine repairs.
Engine repairs.
Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Second Hangar.

26 March 2017

Galland next to his Bf109 F2 with two 20mm MGFF guns in the wings.
Galland next to his Bf109 F2 with two 20mm MGFF guns in the wings.
Plan.
Plan.

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Details of the construction.

26 March 2017

More repairs and servicing.
More repairs and servicing.

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
A rear entrance door.

26 March 2017

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Metal fitting on the wall to hold a timber support for a building above.

26 March 2017

Elevation.
Elevation.

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
This could be a defence embrasure for the hangar.

26 March 2017

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Two more lower down.

26 March 2017

Plan.
Plan.
Elevation.
Elevation.

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Three on the western side.

26 March 2017

Plan.
Plan.
Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

26 March 2017

Plan.
Plan.
Loading ammunition.
Loading ammunition.

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
This one now a farmers shed.

26 March 2017

You can just make out the Wasser bunker. Water tank.
You can just make out the Wasser bunker. Water tank.
Plan.
Plan.

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Camembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, CamembertLuftwaffe Aerodrome, Camembert
This is how they would have looked. Backing into a hangar.

Unknown

Plan.
Plan.
Elevation.
Elevation.
Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Camembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Vf2a group bunker but here I would say used as an air-raid shelter.

26 March 2017

Plan.
Plan.
I think this maybe a Vf2 bunker.
I think this maybe a Vf2 bunker.
Vf2a with a modified entrance layout.
Vf2a with a modified entrance layout.

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Vf2a group bunker.

Plan

Inside a Vf2a.
Inside a Vf2a.

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Vf2a group bunker.

26 March 2017

From the air.
From the air.
Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Vf2a one of the two entrance ways.

26 March 2017

Pilot.
Pilot.
Luftwaffe crew.
Luftwaffe crew.

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Vf2a looking down into the entrance.

26 March 2017

Vf2a plan..
Vf2a plan..

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Vf3 Observation/defence bunker.

26 March 2017

Plan behind the hedge.
Plan behind the hedge.
Vf3 Def/obs bunker.
Vf3 Def/obs bunker.
Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Vf3 Observation/defence bunker.

26 March 2017

Vf3.
Vf3.
Machine gun.
Machine gun.

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Concrete taxiway.

26 March 2017

Plan showing the taxiway.
Plan showing the taxiway.
Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
There was also a hangar of some kind behind the farm now just a concrete pad that the farmer uses.

26 March 2017

Low fly past.
Low fly past.
Pilot and crew.
Pilot and crew.

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Ah! a bunker - but no it turns out its an ancient burial mound.

26 March 2017

??
??

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Not a defence bunker but a KSS Kabelschalt Brunnen (Cable connection bunker).

26 March 2017

Cable connections..
Cable connections..
Plan.
Plan.

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Not a defence bunker but a KSS Kabelschalt Brunnen (Cable connection bunker).

Allied intelligence plan.

Armoured telephone cable..
Armoured telephone cable..
Telephone.
Telephone.
Telephone exchange..
Telephone exchange..

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
KSS Kabelschalt Brunnen

26 March 2017

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
KSS Kabelschalt Brunnen.

26 March 2017

KSS Kabelschalt Brunnen.
KSS Kabelschalt Brunnen.

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
KSS Kabelschalt Brunnen Entrance of some kind.

26 March 2017

Entrance.
Entrance.
This looks like an cable exits.
This looks like an cable exits.
Plan.
Plan.

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
This is in the VU Tillburg side of the farm and looks like a defence position.

26 March 2017

Plan.
Plan.

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
A Google image of entrances into the bunker and does look like another Vf2a.

Google

Plan.
Plan.
Vf2a bunker.
Vf2a bunker.
Plan of the Vf2a here.
Plan of the Vf2a here.

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
The large white house at Le Colombier was used as Galland's HQ for the staff of JG26.

26 March 2017

Werner Mölders and Adolf Galland in the grounds of the house.
Werner Mölders and Adolf Galland in the grounds of the house.
Adolf Galland and his petite chienne mascot of JG26.
Adolf Galland and his petite chienne mascot of JG26.
Galland and Mayer just before take off.
Galland and Mayer just before take off.
Galland and Osterkamp discussing battle tactics in the Officers Mess.
Galland and Osterkamp discussing battle tactics in the Officers Mess.

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Douglas Bader was a pre war RAF pilot. Whilst practicing aerobatics one day in a Bristol Bulldog fighter, it crashed and he lost both his legs. WW2 started and Bader by then medically discharged from the RAF asked to re join as a pilot. By 1941 he was Acting Wing Commander of 12 Group’s “Big Wing” at RAF Tangmere. On 9 August 1941, Bader was shot down while flying his Supermarine Spitfire Mk Va, serial W3185, marked “DB”, along the coast of France. His prosthetic legs caught in the cockpit and made it difficult for him to escape, but he finally broke free and parachuted to safety. Galland finding out that Bader was in the area had him brought to his Officers Mess where he stayed a few days before going to a Prisoner of War Camp. Bader was not a good prisoner and later was sent to the notorious Colditz Castle POW camp for trouble makers.

1940

Bader with members of 242 Squadron, RAF Colitshall..
Bader with members of 242 Squadron, RAF Colitshall..
Bader being presented to Galland and other officers at the house at Le Colombier.
Bader being presented to Galland and other officers at the house at Le Colombier.
Bader walking out into the garden at Le Colombier.
Bader walking out into the garden at Le Colombier.
Bader in the middle at Colditz Castle in captivity..
Bader in the middle at Colditz Castle in captivity..

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Vf3 Observation, defence position.

26 March 2017

Plan.
Plan.
Vf3 Plan.
Vf3 Plan.
Vf3 Elevation.
Vf3 Elevation.

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Vf3 Observation, defence position.

26 March 2017

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Machine gun.
Machine gun.

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Vf3 Observation, defence position. Looking inside.

26 March 2017

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Vf3 Observation, defence position. There is an exit tunnel in the left side.

26 March 2017

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Vf3 Observation, defence position. Entrance trench into the bunker.

26 March 2017

Plan of entrance.
Plan of entrance.

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Aircraft taxiways running off the airfield.

26 March 2017

Plan Middle, Le Breuil.
Plan Middle, Le Breuil.
Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Fighter hangars on the right and at the end of the drive one more turned into a garage for the farm.

26 March 2017

Galland´s plane being re fuelled.
Galland´s plane being re fuelled.

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Fighter aircraft hangar.

26 March 2017

Plan.
Plan.
Hangar plan.
Hangar plan.
Hangar elevation.
Hangar elevation.

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Engine repairs.

26 March 2017

Re arming.
Re arming.
Engine repairs.
Engine repairs.
Fuelling.
Fuelling.

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Fighter aircraft hangar.

26 March 2017

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
How a damaged Me109 was towed away for repair.
How a damaged Me109 was towed away for repair.

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Shooting in Butts. This is where a plane sits on a concrete pad, fires & adjusts its cannon & machine guns. The guns would fire at targets with sand behind and the guns adjusted onto the targets.

1957

Me109 jacked up and ready to fire.
Me109 jacked up and ready to fire.
Me109 guns in the nose section.
Me109 guns in the nose section.
RAF cannon stop butts just like the one here.
RAF cannon stop butts just like the one here.
RAF Hurricane testing its guns.
RAF Hurricane testing its guns.

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Aircraft taxiways.

26 March 2017

Adolf Galland's plane manoeuvring across a taxiway.
Adolf Galland's plane manoeuvring across a taxiway.

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
This aerodrome was used by JG26 and their leader was Adolf Galland. On 6 June 1940, Galland took over the command of III./Jagdgeschwader26"Schlageter" (III./JG 26–3rd group of the 26th Fighter Wing). 7, 8 and 9Staffel with an establishment of 39 Bf 109Es.

05 December 1941

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Galland's Tail plane.
Galland's Tail plane.

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Goering´s visit to JG 26 at Audembert on the Kanalfront, 5 December 1941.

05 December 1941

Arriving in his car.
Arriving in his car.
The building on the right could be their control tower??
The building on the right could be their control tower??
One of Goering´s cars.
One of Goering´s cars.

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Goering´s visit to JG 26 at Audembert on the Kanalfront, 5 December 1941. Galland´s plane and Goering on a podium giving a speech.

05 December 1941

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
Goering´s visit to JG 26 at Audembert on the Kanalfront, 5 December 1941. A candid shot of Goering discussing with Galland and an officer just wondering past the camera. The official photographers all around Goering and his entourage.

05 December 1941.

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert
As the war progressed the Allied fighter and bomber force expanded to greater numbers and with the heavy bombing, the fighter squadrons were called back into the Germany. The aerodromes were not needed any more and their defences were taken over as part of the Atlantikwall, as can be seen on the main map. VU174 Tillburg. 1 x HQ. 1 x Barracks. 3 x Vf2a. 2 x Vf3. 1 x Wasser bunker. 5 x Hangars. 1 x KSS (Cable bunker). VU177 Paladin. 7 x Hangars. 1 x Vf2a's. 1 x Vf3. 1 x Zisterne. 1 x Air-raid shelter. 1 x Large Hangar (removed).

1944

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

Luftwaffe Aerodrome, Audembert

0 5 December 1941.