Hi all,
As promised here a topic dedicated to my research, findings and collector items of the german
Fliegerhorst Gilze-Rijen, and after that
B77 in English use. I have searcht here in the environment about 3 years now with my metaldetector and did some nice finds. In the beginning the findigs were not so special and poor but in time more and more stuff has come to the surface. About some ammonition finds I have done here in the region, they were all reported to the police and right people!!! Note: I have little collector items regarding the airbase, mosty documents. But more and more is coming, but as you know. It's hardly to find.
I am personally moving from Tilburg (City east of Gilze and Rijen) to Gilze in a new house, after the movement is done I'm planning to make a site dedicated to the airbase of Gilze-Rijen.
Here some little information regarding the beginning of the airbase, so you know the history and some events of it.
The airbase Molenheide was made in 1909 near Molenschot. Between Gilze and Rijen. On the August 18th 1910 it was official ready to be used. In 1913 the airbase Molenheide was to be take over by the
LVA (Luchtvaartafdeling). Serveral pilots got their first brevet in the early years on this airbase.
In time there was a need for an civilian airbase as wel. So just before the second world war started the ground west of the airbase Molenheide was suitable to make a second airbase, called Nerhoven.
When the Germans invade in 1940 this airbase was still under construction.
On the 10th of May 1940 the Germans invade the Netherlands, one of their main goals was to take out the Dutch airforce.
On Molenheide and Nerhoven the 4th recconsquad of the LVA was located, with some FK51 and C-V airplanes positioned in the bushes around the landingfields. For the protection of the airfields the 2nd and 5th compagnies of the armedforces were at hand.
At 04.00 am in the morning the first German aircraft was spotted above the airbase of Molenheide and Nerhoven! Serveral minutes later 16 German bombers were to take the airfield under hands. And 15 minutes later 15 more had to come. The attack ended around 06.45 am destroyng 2 C-V's and 1 FK51. And cousing a lot of damage to the landingfields.
One hour later the commander of the 4th recconsquad was to get a order to move his planes and troops to the airfield of Hamstede.
After the Germans take hold of the airfield on 13th of May they immediately began to repear the airbase for their use. Of the 2 airfields Molenheide and Nerhoven they were going the make one airbase with 3 ladingstrips of 1000 meters in length, and later in 1941 they added 600 meters on one of the landingstrips.
Also a big planehanger was made, the well known "Junkerhalle", were several airplanes could be repeared at the same time. It was about 90 x 90 meters.
About 95 wooden hangers were build south of Hulten and south and west of the landingstrips, and in January 1944 75 more were to come near the "Prinsenhoef". Several earth walls and shelters were made for ammunition, benzine, and army personel. Even a railroad was made towards the airfield.
In the woods near Rijen was a big ammunition complex, but even a small one regarding the
MASt (Munitions Ausgabe Stelle) that was located near Kaatsheuvel. Here the Germans had their own swimmingpool, soccerfield and shelters. Also huge barracks for airforce personel were located in
Prinsenbosch (near Chaam) where they build shelters, with showers, kitchens and even a bowling-alley.
And offcourse many Flak positions were located near the airbase, in particular 8,8 and 3,7 cm calibers, but after own research/findings also the French
M36 7,5 cm, that were captured in the battle for France and used further by the German troops.
In the beginning of September 1940 the airfield.... well now Fliegerhorst was ready for use! The first Heinkels were to land at the Fliegerhorst and soon it will form a force of approximately 40 bomberplanes.
Quiet times were over for the people of Gilze and Rijen...
After time and the Battle for Brittain was lost the based turned over for Nightfighterplanes... And the Heinkels disappeared...
Here a map made by the resistance. Not in my possession. But to give you a look of the status back then in 1942.
I'll soon post more, findings, things to see, some collector items... etc.
This topic will often be updated!!!
Grtz,
Nick