Quakenbrück

52°39'50"N 007°55'16"E

Runway: 10/28 - 1200x35meters - grass (current glider field)
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Airfield Quakenbrück (german: Fliegerhorst Quakenbrück, also known as ALG B-109 Quakenbrück) was an airfield on the southern edge of Quakenbrück in Lower Saxony, Germany.
As early as the 1920s Quakenbrück had a diversion field south of the railway station.
In 1926 this was the location of the first aviation day, and the result of this day was that it was expanded into a regular airport with hangars in 1928.
When the National-Socialists came to power in 1933 they forced the reconstruction of aviation.
That same year they stationed the first local flying squadron at the airfield.
In 1935 the construction of facilities to turn the ariport into an Air Base (german: Fliegerhorst) began.
Within the shortest amount of time great progress was made, often by working late and on Sundays.
The first phase ran until middle 1936, during which time the command building, air traffic control, hangars, technical services and the first barracks were built.
During the second phase (until 1937) the remaining barracks, a guard house, a base hospital, a communications building and the officers mess (german: Offizierskasino) were built.
Between the sleeping quarters for the enlisted personnel a large exercise area was created, where the then usual pompous ceremonies were held.
The third phase lasted until 1938, which was to finish the base.
Additionally two more hangars and an ammunition bunker were built at the airfield.

The first flying unit to use the base in 1937 was the Pilot School (german: Flugzeugfüherschule) AB 82.
The eastern side of the field was used for training, the western side for flying.
During the war the airfield held the codename "Quadrat".
In 1940 the Flugzeugfüherschule left for Cottbus, freeing the air base for several Attack Wings flying He111 and Ju88.
During the war fighter and night fighter units to counter Allied bomber fleets also used the field.
Quakenbrück also was home to a major repair and overhaul facility where aircraft from Achmer, Hesepe, Vörden, Plantlunne and Varrelbusch were serviced, until the service was largely moved to southern France.

Obviously the importane of Quakenbrück did not go unnoticed to the Allies.
During the largest attack in 1944 numerous buildings were either damaged or fully destroyed.
Just before the end of the war the Luftwaffe left the airfield and on 11 April 1945 British troops occupied the airfield.
The British called it Advanced Landing Ground B-109 and stationed 4 squadrons at the base: 33, 222, 274 (all with Tempest V) and 616 Squadron (with Gloster Meteor).
The RAF left the airfield by mid-August and left the airfield to the Free Polish troops who remained stationed at the airfield until 1947.
On 1 October 1947 the mililtary government released the airfield, and in 1948 the airfield was demilitarised.
The barracks could be used for housing, and in several of the service buildings companies started, inclusing a bicycle builder (Kynast) and a matrass-repair shop (Schlaraffia).
The military hospital was converted into a civilian facility and expanded.
Only a small portion of the base remained with the Bundeswehr.
At the former air base new homes were built over time, present day Neustadt.
Another part is now home to the local flying club.
Many buildings are still standing and recognisable, and can be viewed at relikte.com.





Fliegerhorst Quakenbrück (red) and the Barracks (blue) in 2009





The former air traffic control tower of Fliegerhorst Quakenbrück in September 2011 (RonaldV)


Special thanks to Stefanie Seabrook at 360Production for pointing out an omission in this chapter!