R-9 Erfurt/Bindersleben
 

Gents
Is there anything known about operations from R-9 Erfurt/Bindersleben airfield? 15th TRS operated from there between 14 April 1945 and 30 April 1945 but the airfield remained under US control until withdrawal in June 1945, so I guess it remained operational either for Army Aviation units subordinated to 80th ID or by transport units supplying the area or evacuating people and goods, even of there was no parent unit as such.
TIA
Franek

Re: R-9 Erfurt/Bindersleben
 

Hi Franek. Kenn Rust's "Ninth Air Force Story" says R-9 was abandoned by VE Day presumaby after the 15TRS left for Furth on 24 April. Don't know more details though but the airfield must have been pretty unuseable by then.
From "media.defence.gov" all offensive operations ceased from R-9 a few days before VE. (p.46).

Regards
Nick
ADDITION... As per official "dafhistory.af.mil" the initial operational date for Erfurt was 14 April--15TRS, full complement by 16th. ("usafunithistory.com"). Date of release (abandoned or released from USAAF control) 30 April. By 9 May 76 of the 126 airfields made operational east of the Rhine were only for supply or evacuation.

Re: R-9 Erfurt/Bindersleben
 

Nick
That is the point. When 15th TRS left Erfurt, R-9 doubtless ceased to fuction as permanent base, but it does not mean it became defunct. 80th ID remained in the area for a month, so were multitude of DPs, so obviously there must have been some traffic.
The question is, who and how managed the airfield and flights.
Franek