DADION (AMFIKLEIA) Greece - The ''lost airfield''

[CHARLEMAGNE 4]

At central Greece,at Amfikleia (Dadion) town,was one of the airfields,used by German Luftwaffe,during the operation Merkur.
It was an auxiliary airport integrated into a network of 25 auxiliary airfields,build (by Greek Royal Airforce) a little before the end of the interwar period.
This airport,had the advantage of proximity to the railway network and train station (only 200 metres away).
After German invasion in Greece,the Luftwaffe used it as an airfield for Ju-52's during operation ''Merkur''.

Today nothing left from this airfield and its a rural area.Thats why named,''the lost airfield''.

Map showing the location of the airfield


Photo from the area TODAY.
The airfield was at the midle-left side of the photo (the brown fields)
The area with the trees and buldings,its the railway station (at the same spot during war era).
Inside / around the trees are STILL defence fortification remains (concrete shelters....AA concrete positions..etc) not visible at the photo


More photos

[CHARLEMAGNE 4]

Between the railway station and the fields / old airport,there is little (unfortunately abandoned) monumen,made in memory of local villagers,executed by the Germans,in retaliation for sabotage railway station).
Inside to the fence of the monument,there's an abandoned turret chariot.
Its from a Pz 38 (t)

[CHARLEMAGNE 4]

The ''dadion'' airfield mentioned at books,internet sites.Here some :

1) ''THE LOSS OF MALEME AIRFIELD'',at page 228 :
<<The concentration of the attackin troops round the airfields at Corinth, Megara, Tanagra, Topolia, Dadion,Eleusis and Phaleron in southern Greece was completed by 14th May....>>.

2) ''Geography and the History of Warfare BATTLE GROUNDS'',at page 81 :
<<They would fly from airfields at Tanagra,Topolis,Dadion,Megara,Corinth,Plaleron and Elevsis.....>>

3) ''Silent Skies - Gliders at War 1939 - 1945'',at page 40 :
<<Operation Merkur beganat 06:15hrs on 20 Maywith an hour-long attackby bmbers and fighters from Corinth,Dadion,Eleusis,Phaleron,Tanagra and Topolis....>>

4) Article at HISTORYNET.com "Battle of Crete: It Began with Germany's Airborne Invasion -- Operation Mercury''.
<<Transport groups at Dadion, Megara, Corinth and Tanagra were forced to use fields made of shifting, unstable sand....>>

[CHARLEMAGNE 4]

Photos from Greek Dimitris Skartsilakis archive.
The date of the photos is between 20 - 22 May 1941).

May 1941.
Air photo from Dadion airfield area.German military / Luftwaffe ''camp'' its vissible at the ground


The same area from another angle.
At the left of the photo its Dadion town.
at the midle right end of the photo its the airfield (the railway station its vissible)


Luftwaffe camp at the airfield


Aw i mentioned,the airfield was SO CLOSE to the railway

[CHARLEMAGNE 4]

Dadion airfield...Behind the Ju 52 9centre) the Dadin town its vissible.
May 1941.

[CHARLEMAGNE 4]

[Heraklis]

All the Luftwaffe Airfields 1935-45 Greece, Crete and the Dodecanese can be found in this link:

https://www.ww2.dk/Airfields%20-%20Gree ... canese.pdf