Unit History: RAF Celle
Originally built in 1934, under the guise of a Training Establishment for Deutscher Luftsportverband (D.L.V.). Because of the rapid expansion of the "Training Programme" and increase in the size of the aircraft, external landing strips were built at Hustedt and Scheuen, with "Blind Flying" training transferrd to Wesendorf. More details here
The RAF when they were in Celle were based at Wietzenbruch air base, which is on the outskirts of Celle.
An extremely busy airfield during the Berlin Airlift. RAF Vampires flew here in the 1950s.
A reference gives the name as possibly being Immelmann Kaserne before it was taken over by the British in 1945. It originally only played a secondary role as an airbase until the onset of the Berlin Airlift, when it was taken over by the American Forces, being handed back in 1949.
From 1950 onwards, the RAF staioned various squadrons at RAF Celle, details of which to follow. The base was handed back to the German Army Aviators Corp in 1957
The RAF when they were in Celle were based at Wietzenbruch air base, which is on the outskirts of Celle.
An extremely busy airfield during the Berlin Airlift. RAF Vampires flew here in the 1950s.
A reference gives the name as possibly being Immelmann Kaserne before it was taken over by the British in 1945. It originally only played a secondary role as an airbase until the onset of the Berlin Airlift, when it was taken over by the American Forces, being handed back in 1949.
From 1950 onwards, the RAF staioned various squadrons at RAF Celle, details of which to follow. The base was handed back to the German Army Aviators Corp in 1957
Memories of RAF Celle
(Memories written by members of Forces Reunited)
RAF CELLE(DRIVING SCHOOL) BAOR in 1951
Written by John Jewell
THOSE WERE GOOD DAYS,TRAINING OFFICERS AND MEN FOR MANOEUVRES TO HOLLAND ETC.DO THE MPs REMEMBER BLACKIE MY DOG,ONE THEY COULD NOT TRAIN,ANYBODY OUT THERE STILL BREATHING,IE PETER PARTINGTON,OR ANY OF THE LADS,PLEASE GET IN TOUCH.WINTERBURG CGGC 1949-51 BEST POSTING IN GERMANY LIVED IN A HOTEL(LEISSA)leave centre just up the road,anybody remember?they were good times as well
RAF Celle Driving School in 1951
Written by John Jewell
Training Officers and other Ranks to drive vehicles in fifteen hours for convoy work into Holland etc.Would like any of the school lads to get in touch with me,I now live in the Celle area with my sweethart of those good years gone by,perhaps one of you could tell me what happened to my dog Blackie.
RAF Celle in 1953
Written by Keith Brennan.
I arrived at RAF.Celle 1953 my first posting from RAF Police school Netheravon.onto 106 RAF Police Flt.A rookie in at the deep end,I learned very quickly, enjoyed every minute.The town patrols in Celle Maintaining law & order was at times hair raising but exciting for an 18 yr.old,all in all an excellent learning curve.My 23yrs.service then got better & better,If I could do it all again I certainly would. Celle. changed me from lad to man.RAF Celle, st athan. bicester. in 1954
Written by brian hall
out on the beer in celle town, weeknights in the naafi, or malcolm club. mullers bar, kronprinz, the zillertal, corner house, sportsfreunde, dolly ludekus, betty kampf, where are you?on the beer in llantwit major, various skiffle groups in the globe. alec beatty and country, rock n roll, n pop. and i have a tape of it, now transferred to cd. alec, where are you?
painted a hunter that was going on display around the country. a few months after demob i saw it set up in st. james palace yard.
RAF Celle, in 1954
Written by John Gane
Squadron party. Good night had by all.