Cheb Dolni Dvori

50°04'49"N 012°24'28"E

Runway: flying field - 1250x550meters/...x..feet - grass

Air field Cheb (Czech: Letiště Cheb, German: Fliegerhorst Eger) was an airfield in Cheb in Austria-Hungary (today: the Czech Republic).
The airfield was built in 1916 in accordance with the requirements of the Austro-Hungarian army. The entire project was entrusted to Cheb counselor, architect and builder Pascher. The Luftflotte stationed the Fliegeretappen Kompanie Nr.16, a training and replacement unit, which began operating from Cheb in 1917. The occasion made Cheb the first and only airport in the former empire of the Czech Crown.

After the end of World War I and the establishment of the independent Czechoslovakian state in 1918 Cheb was the only airfield in the country. In Cheb however the self-governing province of Deutschböhmen (German Bohemia) was proclaimed, necessitating the Rošický expedition in an effort to occupy the airport and set up the countries first military air arm.


Oefflag C.II of the fledgling Czechoslovak air arm in 1918 (valka.cz)

The first take off unfortunately also became the first air tragedy, as the aircraft crashed into Chebs train station. Cheb subsequently concentrated on flight schools, and the Military Aviation School (Czech: Vojenské letecké učiliště) was formed. It operated from the airfield until 1934, and during its existence it trained hundreds of pilots, observers and mechanics.


A line up of trainer aircraft at Cheb in 1926 (valka.cz)


The same line up, notice the different style national insignia: some carry the Czechoslovak flag, others the more modern roundels. (valka.cz)


Cheb from the air in 1926 (fronta.cz)

In 1928 Cheb also became the home to 31 and 32 Squadron and HQ-III Squadron of the I. Aviation Regiment. Eventually the figher units were replaced with No.'s 4 and 6 Observation Squadrons. When the international situation deteriorated the Cheb Gendarmerie also stationed patrol aircraft at the airfield.
After Chamberlains Munich agreement with Hitler, Cheb became a German town called Eger, and the airfield became a German Luftwaffe Fliegerhorst. The Luftwaffe immediately stationed II. Gruppe JG135 at the airfield. They were followed by II. Gruppe JG333 with 4./, 5./, and 6./ Staffel and Stab. By this time Cheb was inspected by Hermann Göring, commander of the Luftwaffe.


Overview of Fliegerhorst Eger in Cheb (letistecheb.cz).


Hermann Göring inspecting his new Fliegerhorst at Cheb (letistecheb.cz).


Early model Bf-109 at Fliegerhorst Eger (letistecheb.cz).


The Barracks at Cheb in 1938 (fronta.cz)

Because of its former role as a training airfield and its associated facilities, the airfield was also used as a training facility by the Luftwaffe. The Reichsschule für Motorflug, FFS A/B 7 and FAR63 all set up at the airfield. On 13 October 1939 Cheb experienced another historic event, for which the city was visited by an incredible 120,000 people. On this day the famous LZ130 'Graf Zeppelin' airship landed at the airfield, accompanied by the famous Condor Legion. Cheb thus became the only place in Czechoslovakia where the giant landed.


Graf Zeppelin at Cheb in October 1939

Flying schools continued to operate at Cheb into 1943, when II.Gruppe Ergänzungs Transportgeschwader was founded. The Geschwader was complemented by German, Italian and French transport aircraft. By 1945 the airfield had become base to 4,000 pilots, mechanics and support staff. On 28 April 1945 the airport was completely destroyed when the US 97th Infantry Division got engaged in a heavy batle with the Second SS PAnzer Division and other units of the Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe.
In 1947 a short lasting attempt was made to rebuild the airfield, but it was abandoned, and the airfield disappeared.  Cheb was to focus on the newer, less damaged airfield built by the Germans. That became the new Cheb airport, inheriting all the traditions and history of the old original airfield.


The original airfield in 2003

(History mainly sourced from fronta.cz)