Fritzlar

Airfield
media-16341.jpeg UPL 16341 P-47D-30-RA #44-33579 Code: 4K-O (foreground)
P-47D-27-RE #42-27257 Code: 4K-U (background)

506th FS, Fritzlar T W James collection

Object Number - UPL 16341 - P-47D-30-RA #44-33579 Code: 4K-O (foreground) P-47D-27-RE #42-27257 Code: 4K-U (background) 506th FS, Fritzlar

Connections

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Detailed History

Construction of the airfield began in September 1935, although the Treaty of Versailles prohibited Germany to have an air force. The roofing ceremony was held on 17 September 1937.[1]



Luftwaffe use[edit]



KG 54[edit]



On 14/16 March 1939 the Staff and the first Group of the Kampfgeschwader 54 "Totenkopf" were established at Fritzlar Airfield.[1] It was equipped with Heinkel He 111 P. With the start of World War II the KG 54 left Fritzlar in September 1939. It never returned to its home base.



Junkers use[edit]



In August 1941 the hangars of the airfield were used by Junkers as maintenance and production site. They constructed barracks between the airfield and the town to house the forced laborers. In November 1943 the Junkers Ju 352 plane was designed and produced in the hangars. In 1944, after completing 44 planes, production was discontinued because of lack of material. Junkers left the airfield in October 1944.[1]



Effects of Eder Dam bombing[edit]











Destroyed Eder Dam

The bombing of the Eder Dam on 17 May 1943 had no significant effect on the production lines. Only light buildings like barracks were damaged, and a few weeks later the production lines were working like before.[1]



NJG 1 and NJG 101[edit]











A Junkers Ju 88

Between September 1944 and March 1945 the III. Group of Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 (III./NJG 1) were based at Fritzlar airfield. The group was equipped with Messerschmitt Me 110 G and Junkers Ju 88 G.[1]



In March 1945 a training squadron of Nachtjagdgeschwader 101 (Night Fighter Aviation School) was based in Fritzlar. The lack of fuel made the school unable to train new pilots, and so the aviation trainers were assigned for combat duty.[1]



USAAF use[edit]



The barely damaged Luftwaffe airfield were captured by parts of the 9th Infantry Division on 30 March 1945. A few grounded planes were captured undamaged.[1]



On 12/13 April 1945 parts of the 404th Fighter Group and 365th Fighter Group Hellcats moved to Fritzlar and supported ground troops with their P-47 Thunderbolts, until they reached the Elbe river.[1]



After V-E Day, both groups became part of the IX Air Defense Command.



In the postwar years, the following known USAAF units were assigned to Army Air Force Station Fritzlar:[4]

HQ, IX Fighter Command, July–September 1945

HQ, IX Tactical Air Command, 26 June – September 1945

27th Fighter Group, 20 August 1946 – 25 June 1947, P-47 Thunderbolt

332d Bombardment Group, June–September 1945, B-26 Marauder

365th Fighter Group, 13 April – 29 July 1945, P-47 Thunderbolt

366th Fighter Group, 14 September 1945 – 20 August 1946, P-47 Thunderbolt

370th Fighter Group, 6 August – September 1945, P-47 Thunderbolt

404th Fighter Group, 12 April – 23 June 1945, P-47 Thunderbolt



Air force operations were phased out on 14 September 1947, and the air base was turned over to the United States Army.



US Army use[edit]



In 1946 parts of the 14th Armored Cavalry Regiment (USCON) were based at Fritzlar Kaserne.[5]



The 14th ACR (USCON):[1]

Headquarters, Fritzlar

Headquarters Troops, Fritzlar

1st Battalion, Fritzlar

2nd Battalion, Schweinfurt

3rd Battalion, Coburg

24th Constabulary Squad, Hersfeld



The 1st Battalion left Fritzlar in 1951 and moved to Bad Hersfeld. In 1952 the HQ of the 14th ACR moved to Fulda, and the presence of US Forces at Fritzlar Kaserne came to an end.[1]

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 404th Fighter Group 508th Fighter Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 365th Fighter Group 386th Fighter Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 365th Fighter Group 386th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35494638
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 365th Fighter Group 388th Fighter Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 365th Fighter Group 386th Fighter Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: Turnip Termite
  • Unit: 365th Fighter Group 387th Fighter Squadron Headquarters (365th Fighter Group)
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 404th Fighter Group 506th Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: Fran
  • Unit: 365th Fighter Group 386th Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: Sally Flat Foot 4th
  • Unit: 365th Fighter Group 386th Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 404th Fighter Group 506th Fighter Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

Battle Colors Volume III - Robert A. Watkins
Wikipedia.com

Fritzlar: Gallery (5 items)