RAF Gambut

RAF Gambut
Near: Kambut, Libya
Abandoned German aircraft at Gambut after its recapture by the Allies (December 1941)
RAF Gambut Location in Libya
Coordinates	31°57′04″N 024°30′14″E / 31.95111°N 24.50389°E / 31.95111; 24.50389Coordinates: 31°57′04″N 024°30′14″E / 31.95111°N 24.50389°E / 31.95111; 24.50389
Site information
Operator	Luftwaffe  Royal Air Force  United States Army Air Forces
Controlled by	German Luftwaffe (1941–1942) Royal Air Force (1942–1944) Ninth Air Force (1942–43)
Site history
In use	1941–1944
Battles/wars	World War II Western Desert Campaign

World War II

RAF Gambut (or RAF Kambut) is a complex of six abandoned military airfields in Libya, located about 5 kilometres (3 mi) north-northeast of the village of Kambut, and 50 kilometres (31 mi) east-south-east of Tobruk. During World War II, the complex was an important facility, used by the Royal Air Force and a large number of RAF squadrons were based there for a time.

Axis forces captured Gambut on 17 June 1941, after the Battle of Tobruk. This was a significant blow to the Allies as the airfield had been used to provide air-support to the Allied forces besieged at Tobruk. The airfield saw use by the German Luftwaffe until its recapture by the New Zealand 4th Infantry Brigade on 25 November.

Today the remains of the airfields – deteriorating under the desert sands – are visible on aerial photographs.

This station consisted of six airfields known as Gambut 1 (LG139), this being the main airfield, Gambut 2 (LG142), Gambut 3 (LG143), Gambut West/Gambut 4 (LG156), Gambut 5 (LG159) and Gambut 6 (LG158). [1]

Gambut Main (No.1)

Gambut (No.2)

Gambut (No.3)

Gambut West

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.