Considering the wealth of knowledge held by the members of this forum I’m going to pose a question in the hope that someone can help.
On thie island of Rhodes there is a disused runway orientated roughly East-West about half way between Kolymbia and Lindos. I think it is of German WWII origin.
Does anyone know anything of its history and what types operated from it? Anything you can tell me would be appreciated.
Cheers
Mike
By: Merlin3945 - 10th May 2011 at 12:47
I know this is an old post and please retitle the thread again moderators. But……
I have been on this airfield and it is quite something else.
I was also almost arrested until the locals found out I was scottish and was allowed to leave with my cameras and film intact.
Basically this is very near the small village of Haraki. Which has a fort that looks over the village and harbour which looks disused but believe me it is or at least was patrolled by Greek soldiers. There is also a small military compound which is no more than a dusty yard and a couple of wooden huts. After this you start to get onto the airfield and its dusty tracks. There are many bunkers along the track and indeed unexploded ordanance. I also found many ammo tins. You can walk along to where a ship sits beached which I belive is used by Greek military to practice ship exercises such as taking over an enemy held ship. Once here you can find the Control Tower. It is a 3 level building consisting of a ground level an upper level which is basically a box but with a very fine brass compass point laid into the roof. I believe it is Italian. I used to have video footage of all of this but several moves and an ex wife later I no longer have the footage. And the third level is a basement or bunker complete with machine gun slits.
Dont be fooled by its derelict state it is an active training ground.
I was lucky that day but I fully believe any misunderstanding would have been resolved soon after talking to an english speaking police man. However this did not happen.
Moral of the story is dont go near this place unless you have a local guide or permission to be there.
I would like to go back with someone who knows this place well and would be able to point out things I didnt see.
The control tower is very nice and I hope it is still there.
The Italians did build this airfield and the the Germans took over the airfield afterwards to continue operations from it.
There are the usual stories of aircraft in the sea just off the beach but not being a diver I cant give that story any substance.
If you search this forum for Rhodes you may find my other comments on this airfield. Dont know how much info I got to be honest.
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September 4, 2009 at 8:57 am