Fritzlar Air Base

Geschichte

Fritzlar Air Base is a military air field of the German Army Aviation Corps. It is located near the town of Fritzlar in northern Hesse, Germany. The airfield is part of the Georg-Friedrich-Kaserne .Fritzlar is the home of Kampfhubschrauberregiment 36 "Kurhessen", which is flying the MBB Bo 105 in anti-tank and light transport version. Currently the PAH version is going to be replaced by the Eurocopter Tiger. Replacement will be finished in 2012.HistoryConstruction 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.Luftwaffe useKG 54On 14/16 March 1939 the Staff and the first Group of the Kampfgeschwader 54 "Totenkopf" were established at Fritzlar Airfield. 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 useIn 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.