RAF Wunstorf

RAF Wunstorf. A former Royal Air Force station located near the town of Wunstorf in Lower Saxony, Germany. Initially constructed as a Luftwaffe airbase in the 1930s, it was captured by Allied forces in 1945 and subsequently operated by the RAF for over six decades. The station played a significant role in post-war airlift operations, the Cold War, and later as a major transport hub before its closure and handover to the German Air Force.

History

The airfield's origins date to 1934 with its construction for the emerging Luftwaffe of Nazi Germany. During World War II, it served as a base for various Luftwaffe units, including fighter and bomber wings, and was frequently targeted by Allied bombers. Elements of the British Army, notably the King's Shropshire Light Infantry, secured the area in April 1945 following the Battle of the Rhine. After VE Day, the base was designated RAF Wunstorf and became a vital hub for RAF Transport Command, most famously during the Berlin Blockade where it supported the Berlin Airlift alongside RAF Lübeck and RAF Fassberg. Throughout the Cold War, it was a key NATO installation in West Germany, hosting reconnaissance and transport squadrons. The station was transferred to the German Air Force in 2006 following the Strategic Defence and Security Review.

Facilities and operations

The station featured extensive infrastructure typical of a major RAF transport base, including three hardened runways capable of handling heavy aircraft like the Lockheed C-130 Hercules and Boeing Chinook. Its large hangars and maintenance facilities supported frontline squadrons and visiting units from the United States Air Force and Royal Canadian Air Force. A significant railway spur connected the airfield to the Hanover main line, facilitating the movement of bulk cargo and vehicles. Operations encompassed global air transport, medical evacuations, and logistical support for exercises such as REFORGER. The station also housed a Provost unit and a detachment of the Royal Engineers for airfield damage repair.

Based units

Notable flying units based at RAF Wunstorf included No. 18 Squadron and No. 30 Squadron, both operating the Lockheed Hercules. No. 230 Squadron flew the Puma HC1 helicopter, while No. 1312 Flight RAF operated the Lightning F.6 for target towing. Support units were extensive, featuring the RAF Germany Communications Squadron, the Joint Helicopter Support Unit (Germany), and a major detachment of the Royal Corps of Transport. During the Berlin Airlift, it hosted numerous civilian operators contracted by the RAF, including British European Airways and Skyways Limited.

Accidents and incidents

The airfield witnessed several notable aviation accidents. In 1948, a Douglas Dakota of No. 53 Squadron RAF crashed on approach during Berlin Airlift operations. A Vickers Valetta from RAF Bassingbourn suffered a fatal crash in 1953. In 1971, a Lockheed Hercules from RAF Lyneham experienced a major engine fire shortly after takeoff, resulting in a successful emergency landing. A Westland Puma of No. 33 Squadron RAF crashed during a training exercise in the 1980s. The most significant incident involved a Canadair CL-44 of Tradewinds Airways which crashed near the airfield in 1966, claiming multiple lives.

See also

* List of Royal Air Force stations * British Forces Germany * Berlin Airlift * Luftwaffe * German Air Force * Cold War

Category:Royal Air Force stations in Germany Category:Airports in Lower Saxony Category:Military installations established in 1934