Me262s at Eindhoven

[Neil T.]

According to the website www.ww2.dk, Me 262s of Einsatzkommando Schenck were based at Eindhoven for the short period of Aug. 30, 1944 to Sept. 5, 1944. Does anybody have any additional information about this brief stay?

[Jaap Woortman]

There have been no Me 262's at Fliegerhorst Eindhoven in August/September 1944. Holm has made a mistake there.
Kdo Schenck and his Me 262's were in that period at Fliegerhorst Volkel.
They left Volkel at September 4th.

Jaap Woortman

[Neil T.]

Thanks Jaap - that was my impression as well. On a slightly different note, given your knowledge of operations at Eindhoven, could you tell me if you've ever come across any documents/databases/materials which go into detail on the improvements made to Welschap/Eindhoven airfield after the Germans took over its control? I've heard that some Dutch contractors were forced to undertake the improvements and that they sabotaged elements of the construction so drainage was a problem at the website. Is this true? I do know that when the RAF and RCAF operated Typhoons from Eindhoven in late 1944, water on the airfield was a real problem.

[Jaap Woortman]

Neil,

No, the only kind of sabotage I know of and have heard of was in the sub-surface heating channels.
Indeed, water became a problem during the winter of 44/45 because the airfield was so heavily bombed that drainage system did not worked properly anymore.

Jaap

[Neil T.]

Jaap,
Can you tell me more about the sabotage of the sub-surface heating channels?
Neil

[Jaap Woortman]

Sorry Neil, this is it.
I cannot say more.

Jaap