Fliegerhorst Grove.

 
         
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Part 14.

 
     
 

Splitterboxen.

 
     
 

When FlH Grove was constructed in 1940 the aircraft parking consisted of two aprons and one dispersal area in the NW with simple Splitterboxen.  The aircraft on the aprons were very vulnerable, neatly lined up to be destroyed by one strafing attack or one bomb.  But ground operations and servicing was certainly facilitated with this method of parking.  Consequently in early 1944 a very large dispersal area was built north of the original airfield consisting of a taxiway and clusters of three Splitterboxen spaced with considerable distance.  The ground crew and aircrew on alert were to be accommodated in bunkers (DDCS T-33) close to the Boxen, but the war ended before bunkers were constructed adjacent to all clusters.  A similar area was under construction to the west when the war ended.  Please see sketch below.  A jet capable runway (2000 x 75 m) was also added at this time, but jet aircraft were not based at Grove until the spring of 1945, when a handful of Ar 234 operated from the field.

 
     
   
         
  Fliegerhorst Grove 1945. Please note the area south-west of Kragsø, which consist of a road of Clausensten (please see below) flanked by 13 U-Shaped Splitterschütz, and the open storage area in the south west corner along the western perimeter track.  Please see below.  
         
   
         
  Einsatzhafen Grove 1940 shown for comparison and to illustrate the magnitude of the extension.  
         
     
         
  The NW dispersal area AUG 1940.  Numerous Splitterboxen, two hangars and no bunkers.   The NW dispersal area MAY 1945.  A reduced number of Splitterboxen, five hangars, several bunkers and five Splittersichere Boxen.  
         
     
         
  A cluster of 3 Splitterboxen.  There are aircraft in all Splitterboxen, one is evidently a He 219.   A standard lay-out of a cluster of 3 Splitterboxen with a T-33 crew bunker.  
         
         
     
         
  Splitterbox.   Splitterbox.  
         
     
         
  The taxiway was constructed of perforated concrete stones "Rasensteine", in Denmark know as Clausensten, named after an infamous, very enterprising contractor.   Clausensten, all measurements are multipla of 7 cm.  
         
         
  Constructions found in the two dispersal areas.  
         
     
         
  T-33, Bereitschaftsraum, large version.   This has now been identified as a Splitterschütz for a fuel pump, located close to 3 Splitterboxen.  
         
       
         
  Very odd bunker, function unknown.  Hitherto two have been found both located close to three Splitterboxen.      
         
     
         
  The U-shaped Splitterschütz found in the western area.  The walls are made of turf and about 1.5 m high. I am astounded by the degree of preservation after more than 60 years.  
         
   
         
  The area in 1949.  
         
     
         
  An area assessed to be for open storage. Most of the walls are preserved in 2007.   Sketch of the revetments in the area.