Gatow

Gatow. A locality within the Berlin borough of Spandau, Gatow is historically significant for its former military airfield and its role in post-war Allied-occupied Germany. Situated along the western bank of the Havel river, it is characterized by suburban residential areas and considerable green spaces. The area's development has been profoundly shaped by its Luftwaffe and later Royal Air Force associations, transitioning into a peaceful district with notable educational institutions.

History

The earliest records of the area date to the 13th century, with its name appearing in documents related to the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, it remained a small agricultural village within the Province of Brandenburg. Its modern history was irrevocably altered in the 1930s with the construction of a major airfield, which became a key site for the Luftwaffe during the Second World War. Following the Battle of Berlin and the subsequent division of the city, the airfield was occupied by the British Army of the Rhine and became a crucial hub during the Berlin Blockade and the subsequent Berlin Airlift, operating in tandem with Tempelhof Airport and Tegel Airport. After the Cold War and the departure of British forces following the Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany, the airfield was closed, and the area has since been integrated into a unified Berlin.

Geography

Gatow is located in the far west of Berlin, bordered by the Havel to the east and southeast, which forms part of the Havel–Oder Waterway. To the north, it is adjacent to the Kladow district, and to the west, it shares a border with the state of Brandenburg, specifically the municipality of Groß Glienicke. The landscape is marked by the Gatow Heath and the shores of the Großer Wannsee, providing significant recreational areas. Its topography is relatively flat, typical of the North German Plain, with woodlands and several small lakes contributing to its rural-suburban character within the Berlin city limits.

Military airfield

Originally established as a Luftwaffe airbase and testing ground, the site later known as RAF Gatow became a cornerstone of Western Allied presence in West Berlin. It housed units of the Royal Air Force, including reconnaissance squadrons, and was a primary destination for Berlin Airlift aircraft delivering vital supplies like coal and food. The airfield also hosted the Berlin Air Safety Center, a unique four-power organization involving the United States Air Force, Royal Air Force, French Air Force, and Soviet Air Forces. Post-reunification, the facility was decommissioned; the former runways and buildings now form part of the General Steinhoff Kaserne and the Militärhistorisches Museum der Bundeswehr – Flugplatz Berlin-Gatow.

Education

The district is home to several notable institutions, including the State International School Berlin, which serves a diverse international student body. The Berlin British School also operated in the area for decades, catering primarily to families of the British Armed Forces. Furthermore, the campus of the University of the Bundeswehr Munich maintained a presence here. The former officers' mess of RAF Gatow now houses part of the Wilhelmstadt Schools, a large private school complex. These institutions reflect Gatow's historical international character and its ongoing development as a residential area.

Transport

Gatow is primarily served by road connections, notably the Bundesstraße 2, which links it to central Berlin and Potsdam. Public transport is provided by several Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe bus lines, connecting to the Spandau terminus of the Berlin S-Bahn and Berlin U-Bahn networks. While the former airfield is no longer operational for civilian flights, the nearby Havel is used for recreational boating and forms part of important inland waterways. The district lacks a direct rail link, making bus and private vehicle the main modes of local transit within the broader Berlin transport system.

Category:Localities in Berlin