Many associations are part of our network, which was created over the course of many years and is constantly expanding. This includes mutual visits, exchange of experiences, cooperation and, of course, helping each other.
The time had come to accept the invitation from the “Verein für die Geschichte des Flugplatzes Schwäbisch Hall 1934 – 1993 e.V.” and drive to Baden-Württemberg. Already very excited about this visit, we arrived after 3 hours of driving punctually on the former airfield site. Dr. Windisch, the chairman, and Michael Koziol, a long-time friend, were waiting for us here. Our associations hold a common history of the Me-262.
Their exhibition documents the 60-year history of the former Schwäbisch Hall air base, from the Weckrieden civil airfield, the takeover by the Süddeutsche Lufthansa AG, the construction and deployment of the Air Force in the 2nd World War, with a special focus on the Me-262 jet fighter and the occupation by the US Army 1945 until its withdrawal in 1993. We learned that the Hessental airfield was founded in 1935 as part of the Schwäbisch Hall-Hessental air base and that the II Group of Kampfgeschwader 53 was stationed here from 1939. In addition, in July 1940, the IV Group of Kampfgeschwader 51 was added.
All objects of the informative and extensive exhibition holdings of the museum come from the former airfield site. Here, in the nearby forest was the so-called “Waldwerk”, for the assembly of the jet fighter Me-262. The airfield was bombed several times and massively by the American Air Force, as a so-called “jet airfield” it was an important target for the Allied Air Force.
With a lot of specialist and extensive knowledge, we were guided through this unique collection and gladly gave information on all our questions in detailed discussions. Even the old gramophone gave its best musically to make it a little easier for us to say goodbye. It was an impressive visit and the committed association and its work is very similar to ours in many respects. We said goodbye with a warm invitation to a return visit to Kahla.
We had been recommended to say goodbye, in any case still to visit the medieval city center and this was really unique and worth the trip. We would like to thank Dr. Windisch and the association again for the very nice welcome and the great hint to the old town visit.
