Wunstorf Air Base

Geschichte

Wunstorf Air Base is a German Air Force military airfield (air base), located 6 km south-southwest of Neustadt am Rübenberge or 4 km north-northwest of Wunstorf in Lower Saxony, Germany. Wunstorf Air Base is the home to Air Transport Wing 62 (Lufttransportgeschwader 62), the unit to operate all German Airbus A400M Atlas.HistoryThe airfield was originally opened in 1936 for the National Socialist Luftwaffe. During the Second World War, it was seized by the British Army on 7 April 1945, in a fierce battle by elements of the 5th Parachute Brigade, 6th Airborne Division. During the battle, in which the 13th Battalion was also engaged, the 7th (Light Infantry) Parachute Battalion lost 6 killed, and 21 wounded, most from the initial ambush of the four leading trucks of B Company. The airfield was captured with 19 Me 109s, 4 Fw 190s, 2 Ju 88s, 2 Ju 52s and much other valuable equipment.After the battle, the base was taken over by the Royal Air Force, including Canadian (R.C.A.F.) Wing 126 of the British 2nd Tactical Air Force, and designated as Advanced Landing Ground B-116 Wunstorf.