Post by larryc1 on Dec 19, 2016 22:22:20 GMT
This airfield has a long and interesting history spanning all of WW2. It was built by the Nederlanders in 1939 and bombed by the Luftwaffe on May 10, 1940. The field was active during the Battle of Britain, at one point housing III/JG 54's Bf109-E's.
It was, in turn, bombed by Bostons/A20 Havocs on July 4, 1942, as part of the first operation of the 8th Airforce against the Luftwaffe. The raids were light and losses were heavy. Three of the 12 attacking aircraft hit Bergen, two of these were lost.
During WW2 this base was active in the Luftwaffe attempts to stem the bombing campaign against Germany.
Later in the war a V-1 launching site was situated in the forest north of the field.
Finally in May 1945 as part of Operation Mannah, Bergen was used by B-17's as an area to drop food to the starving Hollanders.
Today only a large number and variety of bunkers remain. Just why a simple airfield required so much concrete is a mystery to me! I see no evidence of radar installations. Fortunately there are many photos of the structures, often with captions.
(It should be noted that this field came to my attention via a drone video by Bunkerfotos. Many thanks).
www.bunkerpictures.nl/datasheets/holland/datasheet-bergen.html
www.forgottenairfields.com/netherlands/noord-holland/bergen-s742.html
www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/1241
Fleigerhorst Bergen..kmz (2.66 KB)
It was, in turn, bombed by Bostons/A20 Havocs on July 4, 1942, as part of the first operation of the 8th Airforce against the Luftwaffe. The raids were light and losses were heavy. Three of the 12 attacking aircraft hit Bergen, two of these were lost.
During WW2 this base was active in the Luftwaffe attempts to stem the bombing campaign against Germany.
Later in the war a V-1 launching site was situated in the forest north of the field.
Finally in May 1945 as part of Operation Mannah, Bergen was used by B-17's as an area to drop food to the starving Hollanders.
Today only a large number and variety of bunkers remain. Just why a simple airfield required so much concrete is a mystery to me! I see no evidence of radar installations. Fortunately there are many photos of the structures, often with captions.
(It should be noted that this field came to my attention via a drone video by Bunkerfotos. Many thanks).
www.bunkerpictures.nl/datasheets/holland/datasheet-bergen.html
www.forgottenairfields.com/netherlands/noord-holland/bergen-s742.html
www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/1241
Fleigerhorst Bergen..kmz (2.66 KB)