Trier-Euren

49°43'27"N 006°36'11"E

Runway: 05/23 - 1200x40meters - concrete
from 1974: landing direction 05 - 855x40meters - concrete

Airfield Trier-Euren (german: Flugplatz Trier-Euren, ICAO: EDRD) was an airport 5KM southwest of Trier in Germany.
The history of Trier Euren as an airfield began in 1910, when the Berliner Aeroclub held an air race between Trier and Metz. It was the first long distance race and the first aviation undertaking in the southwest of Germany. It then became quiet, until in 1913 the Imperial army held its manouevres accompanied by an airplane.
After the exercise it became an intermediate airfield for airships based in Cologne. To facilitate this a large airship hangar was built at the field. From the outbreak of World War I the airfield was only used by the military, many airships began their mission at Trier-Euren.


Aircraft of the 91 Squadron in the Trier airship hangar right after the armistice in December 1918 (William A. Barnhill)


Grounded German aircraft in the rear of the Trier airship hangar after the armistice in December 1918. Notice the American aircraft in the lower right corner  (William A. Barnhill)


Trier airfield with aircraft tents and the main hangar, photographed after the armistice on 11-12-1918 (William A. Barnhill)


the 91Observation Squadron in front of the main hangar, photographed after the armistice on 11-12-1918 (William A. Barnhill)


Airship hangar at Trier-Euren in 1919 (earlyaeroplanes.com)

After the war the airfield was used by the US military as an airfield for the 91st Observation Squadron and to store captured German aircraft. After the Treaty of Versailles it was occupied by French troops and German aircraft were not allowed to use it until 1927.

American engineers rebuilt the airfield in 1945, making it the first operational US airfield on German soil with a runway of 1,100meters. They transferred the airfield to the french armed forces, who used P-47 Thunderbolts from the airfield until 1949.
In the period 1952-1957 the airfield served as the temporary home of HQ4ATAF. By the mid 1950s the airfield was transferred yet again, this time to the German Heeresflieger who used the base jointly with a french helicopter unit between 1961 and 1965. Around the same time civilian co-use of the airfield began, by permitting gliders back on the airfield.


The outlines of the airship hangar at Trier-Euren were still visible in the grass north of the runway in 1966 (Luftschiffharry.de).

In the early 1970s it became clear the airfield would have to close to allow industrial development. Construction of a replacement airfield at the other side of Trier began, to allow its resident units to move. 
In 1974 the treshold of Runway 05 was moved by 345meters because of a high voltage powerline nearby. Landings in the opposite direction and takeoffs in general were not affected however. 
The airfield closed between 1976 and 1977.

Although the airfield has been closed for 35 years it is still recognisable, both from the air and on the ground. The runway and taxiways are largely intact and have been converted into streets and parkings for large trucks. Two buildings of the airfield remain on the west side of the former airfield. Photos taken on the ground of the former airfield can be viewed on Flickr.


Aerial view of Trier-Euren (Google Earth) showing how much remained of the former airfield in 2005.
1. takeoff position and pre-1974 treshold runway05 - 2. treshold runway05 from 1974 - 3. takeoff position and treshold runway23 - 4. northeast runway exit 5. middle runway exit - 6. southwest runway exit - 7. apron - 8. two remaining airport buildings - 9. service vehicle(?) parking.