Sidi Haneish Airfield   | |
|---|---|
Haggag el Qasaba Flugplatz | |
| Sidi Haneish in Egypt | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Military airfield complex |
| Operator | Luftwaffe Royal Air Force United States Army Air Forces |
| Location | |
  Sidi Haneish Shown within Egypt Show map of Egypt Sidi Haneish Sidi Haneish (Mediterranean) Show map of Mediterranean | |
| Coordinates | |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1941 |
| In use | 1941–42 |
| Battles/wars | Western Desert Campaign |
Sidi Haneish Airfield is an abandonedWorld War II military airfield complex inEgypt, in the western desert, about 376 km (235 miles) west-northwest ofCairo.
The airfield, known as Haggag el Qasaba by the German Luftwaffe, was the location of one of the most daring raids during World War II by the BritishSpecial Air Service (SAS). On the night of 26 July 1942, SAS Detachment "L", also known as "Stirling's Raiders",attacked the airfield, then under Luftwaffe control. Driving a convoy of eighteenjeeps, each carrying 3 or 4 British or Frenchcommandos, the raiders destroyed or damaged around forty Luftwaffe aircraft. The attack damaged the Luftwaffe's capability during the German invasion of Egypt and also, by the destruction of many transport aircraft, severely diminished its ability to re-supply German land forces in the field.[3]
The airfield was later used by theUnited States Army Air ForcesNinth Air Force during the Eastern Desert Campaign by theBritish Eighth Army, which the57th Fighter Group, flewCurtiss P-40 Warhawks from 8–12 November 1942.
It was apparently abandoned after the western desert campaign moved into Libya and eventually was taken over by the desert. Aerial photos show some evidence of where it existed.
The LG-12 (Landing Ground) North site is given as –31°09′0″N027°32′0″E / 31.15000°N 27.53333°E /31.15000; 27.53333Units:[4]
The LG-13 South is given as –31°07′5″N027°31′0″E / 31.11806°N 27.51667°E /31.11806; 27.51667Units:[4]
The LG-101 is given as –31°06′0″N027°31′0″E / 31.10000°N 27.51667°E /31.10000; 27.51667Units:[5]
The LG-102 is given as –31°06′0″N027°33′5″E / 31.10000°N 27.55139°E /31.10000; 27.55139Units:[5]
This article incorporatespublic domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
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