Luftwaffe use of airfield matting?

[Paidoskixos]

Hi,
did the Luftwaffe use some kind of temporary airfield surface such as the US PSP ( perfurated steel planking ) or the british Sommerfeld Tracking?

[Larry D.]

In an examination of 100,000+ German and Allied documents concerning Luftwaffe-built airfields, the answer is no, at least not that I have seen so far. Temporary operational airfields (Einsatzhafen), landing grounds (Landeplatz), advanced landing grounds (Absprunghafen), field airstrips (Feldflugplatz), dispersal fields (Ausweichflugplatz), transit airfields (Zwischenlandeplatz), etc. (about 10 more different types), were cleared, leveled, rolled and artificially drained. A large number of the permanent all-weather airfields in Norway and Finland used wood planking for part or all of the runway, assembly areas and servicing hardstands. There may also have been limited use of wood planking on a small number of airfields in Denmark and the Leningrad area, but that needs to be confirmed.

L.

[phylo_roadking]

A large number of the permanent all-weather airfields in Norway and Finland used wood planking for part or all of the runway, assembly areas and servicing hardstands.

It's been ages since this was discussed, but IIRC didn't they take prefabricated planking to Norway in April 1940 to help extend Vaernes?

(Am I mistaken in remmebering that in some locations they also used tar-impregnated jute matting?)

On the planking...

[ChristopherPerrien]

I always understood the Germans used alot of corduroy for road and airfield/hardstand construction on the Eastern front, given all the mud in certain seasons, and in low areas.

[Larry D.]

It's been ages since this was discussed, but IIRC didn't they take prefabricated planking to Norway in April 1940 to help extend Vaernes?

(Am I mistaken in remmebering that in some locations they also used tar-impregnated jute matting?)

On the planking...

I know that from June 1940 to June 1941 (at least) prefabricated sections of planking were made elsewhere in Norway and then taken by ship to the more northern airfields at Banak, Bardufoss, etc. to be used there for runway, taxiway, hardstand construction. As for April 1940, I think that's certainly possible but I haven't run into anything on it yet.

The tar-impregnated jute matting is intriguing and it would be interesting to learn more. Do you recall specific airfields where it was employed and the time frame? If confirmed, I'm thinking that it may have been experimental and not widely used. There's no mention of it in any of the countless airfield Lw.-Bauleitung (local construction office) messages and correspondence with the higher level regional Lw.-Bauämter that discuss plans, materials needed and periodic completion reports that I have seen.

L.

[phylo_roadking]

The tar-impregnated jute matting is intriguing and it would be interesting to learn more. Do you recall specific airfields where it was employed and the time frame? If confirmed, I'm thinking that it may have been experimental and not widely used. There's no mention of it in any of the countless airfield Lw.-Bauleitung (local construction office) messages and correspondence with the higher level regional Lw.-Bauämter that discuss plans, materials needed and periodic completion reports that I have seen.

Larry, I wish I could remember It's been several (many?) years since I saw the reference.

[Valtoro]

Luftwaffe "Rasensteine" or "Clausensten" in Denmark: http://www.gyges.dk/fliegerhorst_grove14.htm

[Valtoro]

Prefabricated Runway sections of wood were also used on Kjevik and Mandal airfields.

[Paidoskixos]

Hi Valtoro,

very interesting, indeed! Do you know more about this "Rasenstein/Clausensten"?

[SES]

Hi,
I don't know exactly what you want to know. The stones were used extensively in Germany and Denmark for taxiways and dispersal areas. In my opinion a very ingenious design. As opposed to a solid tile materiel is saved, and the grass quickly take hold through the holes and add to the concealment.
bregds
SES

[kstdk]

Hello

Any German reference (Officiel Luftwaffe) about the use of the Rasensteine / Clausensten?

The holes are a bit conical, do the large diameter lay pointing upwards, or the smaller?



Regards
Kurt
kstdk