RAF Gambut

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 many RAF squadrons were temporarily based there.

RAF Gambut
Kambut in Libya
Abandoned German aircraft at Gambut after its recapture by the Allies (December 1941)
Site information
Operator	Luftwaffe (1941–1942) Regia Aeronautica (1939-1942) Royal Air Force (1942–1944) United States Army Air Forces
Controlled by	Ninth Air Force (1942–43)
Location
RAF Gambut Location in Libya Show map of Libya RAF Gambut RAF Gambut (Mediterranean) Show map of Mediterranean
Coordinates	31°57′04″N 024°30′14″E
Site history
In use	1941–1944
Battles/wars	World War II Western Desert campaign

History

Gambiut was an airfield of Regia Aeronautica. Axis forces re-captured Gambut on 17 June 1941, after the Battle of Tobruk.^[1] This was a significant blow to the Allies as the airfield had been used to provide air-support to the Allied forces in the Siege of Tobruk. The airfield saw use by the Luftwaffe until its recapture by the New Zealand 4th Infantry Brigade on 25 November.^[2]

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

Airfields at Gambut

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).

Captured 1942 German Luftwaffe map of the airfield complex

RAF Designation	No. Designation	Location
Gambut Main (No.1)	LG-139	31°52′5″N 24°29′5″E
Gambut No. 2	LG-142	31°51′5″N 24°32′5″E
Gambut No. 3	LG-143	31°50′5″N 24°36′5″E
Gambut Comms No. 4	LG-156	31°54′0″N 24°25′5″E
Gambut No. 5	LG-159	31°52′0″N 24°25′5″E
Gambut No. 6	LG-158	31°50′0″N 24°39′0″E

Major units assigned

Commonwealth air forces (RAF except where stated.)^[3]

Gambut Main (No.1)

Units

• Squadrons

6, 11, 14, 33, 38, 45, 46, 47 55, 73, 80, 84 108, 112, 113, 145, 148, 162, 203, 208, 227, 229, 237, 238, 250, 252, 274, 294, 450 (RAAF), 454 (RAAF)

• HQ, 239 Wing (1 Mar – 17 Jun 1942, 14–15 Nov 1942)
• HQ, 243 Wing (May – 20 Jun 1942)
• HQ, 233 Wing (14–18 Nov 1942)
• HO, 223 Wing (SAAF)

Gambut (No.2)

Units

• Squadrons

73, 112, 250, 274, 450 (RAAF)

• HQ, 233 Wing (22 May – 28 Jun 1942)

Gambut (No.3)

Units

• Squadrons

14, 73, 117, 250, 294, 454 (RAAF), 459 (RAAF), 603

• HQ, 235 Wing (3 Dec 1942 – 29 Feb 1944)

Gambut West

Units

• Squadrons

73, 92, 145, 208, 213, 238, 601

• HQ, 285 Wing (14–20 Nov 1942)

United States Army Air Forces^[4]

• 12th Bombardment Group (North American B-25 Mitchell)
  • 434th Bombardment Squadron 17 December 1942 – 16 February 1943
• 93d Bombardment Group 16–25 February 1943 (Consolidated B-24 Liberator)
  • 409th Bombardment Squadron 16 Dec 1942 – 25 February 1943
• 376th Bombardment Group 10–25 February 1943 (B-24 Liberator)
• 57th Fighter Group 13–20 November 1942 (Curtiss P-40 Warhawk)

See also

• List of North African airfields during World War II