Fliegerhorst Deelen
The Deelen Air Base Museum offers a compelling insight into one of the Netherlands’ most historically significant military airfields. Located near Arnhem, Deelen Air Base was constructed before the First World War, it was completed in 1913. During the Second World War, it was thoroughly renovated, upgraded, and expanded by the German occupiers and converted into a Fliegerhorst. Fliegerhorst Deelen became the largest one of the largest and most advanced air bases in occupied Europe. Although in decommissioned mode, the Fliegerhorst was active during Operation Market Garden.
During the war, this was the headquarters of Jagdgeschwader 1 and, from May 1942, of Jagdgeschwader 3 “Udet”. Messerschmitt Bf 109 and Focke-Wulf Fw 190 fighters flew from Fliegerhorst Deelen, along with Messerschmitt Bf 110 and Junker Ju 88 heavy fighters. Other Jagdgeschwaders, Nachtjagdgeschwaders and aircraft flew from this airfield throughout the war. In later years, V-1 flying bombs were also stored there. Remains of the Messerschmitt Me 262 have been found at the airfield, making it highly likely that this jet aircraft also operated from this airfield or had to make an emergency landing during a flight.
During the construction of the Fliegerhorst, the Germans built a railway line from the nearby town of Wolfheze. Besides building the base, this line was also used for the construction of the huge Diogenes bunker, the Luftwaffe command center in this region. The Luftwaffe base was also supplied with ammunition, fuel, food, and clothing via this railway line.
Deelen Air Base Museum
The museum is located in the former Flakscheinwerfergebaude – the German Anti-aircraft Searchlight Building and a visit to the museum reveals how Deelen was carefully disguised during the war. Hangars were camouflaged as farm buildings, complete with painted windows and false roofs, even the runways were painted to conceal the base from Allied reconnaissance aircraft. Through photographs, models, and original artefacts, visitors can clearly see how effective and elaborate these deception techniques were. The museum also explains daily life on the base, from aircraft maintenance to the routines of pilots, ground crew, and support staff.
After the war, Deelen Air Base played an important role in the Royal Netherlands Air Force during the early Cold War period. The museum highlights this transition, showing how the base evolved from a German military installation into a Dutch air force facility. Exhibits include uniforms, equipment, and documents that illustrate the changing political and military landscape of Europe in the mid-twentieth century.
Today, the museum preserves this unique heritage and tells the story of the base, its people, and its role in aviation and military history.
Visit
A visit to the museum will take you from 2 to 3 hours. Don’t forget to check out the surroundings of the museum, this is the region of Operation Market Garden and there are lots of sites to see. Musea, memorials, cemeteries and if you are lucky you can see the Diogenes Luftwaffe headquarters nearby (this huge bunker is sporadically open to the public so keep an eye open for opening times and combine a trip to both sites in one day). Check out the website for opening times before your visit.
