Historischer Rundweg - Royal Air Force Laarbruch (EN)

Royal Air Force Laarbruch

A British NATO-Airbase was located on the Heeser Heath between 1954 and 1999.   

The British NATO-Airbase Laarbruch was opened on October 15th, 1954 after only a year of construction. Royal Air Force Laarbruch was the fourth British station located directly on the Dutch border after RAF Geilenkirchen, RAF Bruggen und RAF Wildenrath.

Within a year 60 aeroplanes were relocated to Laarbruch and accommodation for 2,800 airmen, 219 buildings such as churches, shops, a hospital, heat and power stations and a school, as well as 392 apartments were constructed along with runways and other flying operations facilities.

Flying operations and aeroplanes

The first operational aeroplanes at Laarbruch were the Gloster Meteor, which landed here on October 28th, 1954. Another Dutch reconnaissance squadron was stationed here for four years. Canberras were a common site in the skies of the Lower Rhine Region for many years, initially as reconnaissance planes and from 1958 until the mid-1972 as bombers.  From 1960 on two bombers loaded with atomic bombs were stationed in the QRA (quick reaction area) ready to respond to attacks from the Warsaw Pact countries. In the early sixties the optically impressive delta winged Gloster Javelin also flew from Laarbruch.

In the 1970’s Buccaneers, Phantoms and Jaguars were used at Laarbruch, before the Tornado came into operation in various designs in 1984.

All four flying squadrons were involved in the first Gulf War in 1991 with the different types of the Tornado during the first Gulf War in 1991. Three officers were killed when their planes were shot down.

The politics of détente led to all the Tornado squadrons being withdrawn from Laarbruch in 1992. Two vertical take-off Harrier attack squadrons, which up until then were located in Gutersloh, were relocated to Laarbruch along with a helicopter squadron with Chinooks and Pumas. These three squadrons were often used during their stay at Laarbruch for UN missions, such as in Yugoslavia and North-Iraq.

It was known as early as in 1994 that the Royal Air Force was going to close its “Laarbruch” station in 1999. In May 1999 the last Harrier took off for Great Britain and at the end of November of the same year the base was handed back broom-clean to the German authorities.  

Good relationships with local towns

The relationship between the British military bases and local towns changed over the years. The start initially had an occupational status before it changed to one of allies. Friendly relationships developed. The squadrons entered into partnerships with local towns and municipalities. RAF Laarbruch was twice awarded the „The Sword of Peace“ for its efforts. The Municipality of Weeze allowed the Britons to parade through the streets of the town with “flying colours and ringing notes and fixed bayonets“ by bestowing the “Freedom of the Town” rights upon the station in 1974.

Royal visits

Members of the British Royal Family visited the station on a number of occasions. Prince Philip, the Queen’s husband, visited Laarbruch three times, Prince Charles once. The absolute highlight, however, was when Queen Elisabeth II came to visit Laarbruch in November 1990.

RAF Museum Laarbruch

Mid-2007 historically interested citizens founded the Royal Air Force Museum Laabruch – Weeze Association and opened the museum of the same name. Since then a lot of work has been invested in documenting and collecting items for it. Many of the exhibits, among which is a Canberra reconnaissance plane, document the 45-year history of the British in Weeze under the motto “For Peace and Friendship”.

Imprint

Content:  Municipality of Weeze, Heinz-Willi Knechten (Royal Air Force Museum Laarbruch-Weeze e.V.), 2016.

Photographs: Municipality of Weeze, Heinz-Willi Knechten (Royal Air Force Museum Laarbruch-Weeze e.V.).