Open T-hangarette Nordlager II Fliegerhorst Venlo

An odd man out with regard to the hangars of Fliegerhorst Venlo.
The so-called open T-hangarette. A hangar that, in terms of footprint and surface, is almost the same as the T-hangars that are located in the Südlager.
However, instead of side walls, there are columns here that would support the roof construction. The three accompanying rear walls should provide stability and sturdiness.
It is suspected that these types of hangars are the result of material-saving measures. Instead of fully masonry walls, columns were chosen to support the roof. What should be between the columns is unknown. The fact that comparable T-hangarettes in the Nord as well as the Südlager do have a Splittermauer at the rear makes this type of construction even more remarkable. Why install a Splittermauer if the side walls are open anyway?

The various remains of this type of hangar at Fliegerhorst Venlo also show it in various construction stages.
The most incomplete version of this type of hangar is located at this location. Only the foundation blocks are visible and clearly show the T shape. Just under 470 meters south of this location is the most complete version of this type.
The two comparable hangars on the Südlager also show various construction stages. At one there are only the columns and the other only the back walls.
Aerial photos also show that the Germans only started the expansion and construction of this type of hangar in January 1944. The presence of scaffold holes in all hangars of this type indicates that the construction was not yet finished.
The black and white aerial photo of 15-October 1944 (the Germans had already left) shows the location of this hangar on the almost northernmost point of the Nordlager II circled in red.
Today, this location is difficult to pass and difficult to reach due to heavy vegetation.

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Source

• Text: Axel Repping
• Photos: Axel Repping