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Airport Rangsdorf

Rangsdorf in the German state of Brandenburg is home to a former airport built between 1935 and 1936, on the occasion of the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. It was put into use as Reichssportflughafen and was initially intended for civil aviation. Sport pilots could use it to fly their aircraft and flying lessons were given. During the Olympic Games, a large air show took place there.

From 1939 until the end of the war it was used by the Luftwaffe. In addition, a factory of Bücker Flugzeugbau produced aircraft parts for the air force. It was from this airport where Claus von Stauffenberg with his adjutant Werner von Haeften took off in a He 111 and flew to the Führer headquarters the Wolfschanze to carry out the assassination attempt on Hitler. He also returned here the same day. A memorial stone on the site commemorates this event.

After the war, the airfield was occupied by the Soviet Union Air Force during the period 1945-1994. The factory inventory and three dismantled hangars were transferred to the Soviet Union. At the time of the Soviet occupation, units of the 16th Air Army were stationed at the airfield. In addition, helicopters were serviced and a repair shop for aircraft engines and jet engines was located here.

Today, part of the former, badly neglected airfield has listed monument status. There are plans to build a new residential area here.

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