From reserve airfield to recreational airfield.

From September 4, 1939, Belgian soldiers started the construction of a reserve airfield on the territory of Grimbergen. Fifty-eight hectares of fertile farmland, located between the Oyenbrugstraat and Lintkasteelstraat were drained, leveled and covered with grass.

In thedays of May 1940, a few Belgian squadrons used the airfield. Their Fairey Fox and Fiat CR.42 turned out to be no match for the German Luftwaffe. The field was already occupied on May 18. Two months later, the German "Bauleitung" started with the expansion of the airport. The "civil engineer Hunzinger" signed the plans for the "Fliegerhorst Grimbergen" in his office at the Grimbergen tram station. More and more areas were confiscated and farmers were requisitioned for the groundworks. New roads and land were constructed or improved (Oyenbrugstraat, Gasthuispachthofstraat, ...), the field was adapted to receive the well-equipped Luftwaffe. A Belgian contractor was even obligated to build and to install a modern water supply network at the airfield.

Grimbergen would especially be known for being the homebase to the "Wekusta 26" and the "Jagdgeschwader 26". The first unit took photos and observations of the weather above Britain. This data was then forwarded to the Luftwaffe headquarters in the Brussels Palace Hotel. JG26 was an elite unit, equipped with Focke Wulf Fw190.

On April 10, 1944, a number of houses near the airfield were damaged by incendiary bombs, there were three deaths.

On June 6, 1944, the Allies landed in Normandy, on September 3 1944, Grimbergen was liberated. Three days later, an advance guard of the 122 Wing arrived at Grimbergen (RAF airfield code B-60). Three squadrons of the 122 Wing were tasked to fly to make supplying and the retreating of the German troops more difficult. The operations in Arnhem were also supported from Grimbergen, dozens of C-47s were stationed there. On September 28 1944, three Tempest squadrons (New Zealanders) took the place of the Mustangs. The 132 "Norwegian" Wing was also Grimbergen from October 6 to December 22, this time with Spitfires. Many pilots were received by local families. After fifty years, these pilots still talk about the hospitality of the local residents. They could enjoy warm living rooms as their clammy tents were rarely used here.

On January 1 1945, the airfield was attacked by German fighter planes. Multiple fighters were shot down by anti-aircraft guns, one Focke Wulf Fw 190 hit a house in the Schapenbaan. The 131 "Polish" Wing was based at Grimbergen from January 1945 to April 1945. The Polish could also count on the sympathy of the local residents. The airfield was used by the americans starting from May 1945. They stored army equipment there (including Sherman tanks) to get sold or sent back to the United States.

Starting from May 1946, the military started to return parts of the airfield to civil authorities. They quickly decided make Grimbergen an important tourist airfield. Sport and Tourism planes would then need to make less use of the Melsbroek International Airport. As early as 1946, the first gliders and tourism planes were able to fly and land at Grimbergen. In November 1947, the two unique round sheds became officially inaugurated by Minister of Transport Achille Van Acker. The round, concrete structures are still unique in Belgian architecture. On the occasion of Open Monuments Day on September 12 1999 and September 8 2002, they were opened to the general public.

As part of the state reform, the airport was transferred from the "Regie der Luchtwegen" to the Flemish Community on January 17 1989 . The non-profit organization Recreational Airport Grimbergen, thanks to a lot of volunteer work, is currently the financially profitable exploitation of the airport.

Frans Van Humbeek

Photos and testimonials about Grimbergen airfield and about the history of the National Airport (Haren/Evere-Melsbroek-Zaventem) are credited to Frans VAN HUMBEEK, Kruipstraat 36, 1850 Grimbergen (Tel : 02/269 96 65) or via email to frans.van.humbeek@pandora.be