Italian Airfield Kalathos

Italian airport Kalathos, officially named Aeroporto di Gadurra, was built during the Second World War.

The staff mainly stayed in tents and there are only a small number of buildings on the former airport, including the control tower that were made out of stone/concrete. Maintenance also took place largely in tents.

The defense of the airfield was provided with underground shelters and bunkers as well as artillery positions. Unfortunately, a road has been built over the northern part of the airfield and all bunkers and defense positions have disappeared. Only on the southern (sea side) there are many fighting positions that are also in good condition. There is even old barbed wire in some places.

This airfield was one of the most important Italian torpedo bomber airfields and from here the Eastern part of the Mediterranean could be covered. The Germans also used this airfield intensively, especially during the battle of Crete.

The British Air Force also bombed the airfield several times, but had no impact on the operations.

In 1942 a commando raid was carried out in which Kalathos and Maritza were attacked simultaneously (operation Anglo).
The 8 British and 4 Greek commandos went by submarine to Rhodes and landed on 31 August. There they split into 2 groups. They would be picked up again by a submarine on the night of September 17/18.
The group commanded by Lieutenant Sutherland arrived near Kalathos on the night of September 11/12 and they attacked on the night of September 12/13 destroying at least 13 aircraft and a petrol depot. Only Sutherland and another commando were able to escape and made it back to the submarine. A film has also been made about this operation with Dirk Bogarde: They Who Dare.

In 1943, another battle between the Italians and Germans took place after the Italians surrendered to the Allies. The Germans took over the airport until the end of the Second World War.

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