Former GDR Autobahn A4, today A13, between the exits Ruhland and Ortrand.
During the Cold War
Use
Highway strip. It had the East German Forces airfield ID 2028.
History
1985 At the meeting of the East German National Defense Council on November 11th, 1985, it was noted: The completion of the highway strip was planned for 1981, but was done not until 1983. It is unsuitable for military use, because:
- Missing load-bearing capacity of the safety shoulders and unpaved ramps
- Missing obstacle clearance (deforestation). (Source: National Defense Council / Bundesarchiv)
1988 Observation by the US Military Liaison Mission: "At the Ruhland Highway Strip, the parking areas and taxiways are being widened and improved ... These oibservations suggest the Soviets and East Germans have not abandoned the use of auxiliary airfields, but in fact are making improvements at these strips for safer operations." (Source: USMLM Unit History 1988)
In the 1960s
Overview
Ruhland Highway Strip on a US satellite image from 09 May 1968 - The section is straight and the central reservation is concreted. However, the parking lots and the clearing, which were added later, are still missing.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Enlargement: At the ends as here in the northeast the transition from the normal to the continuous central strip is recognizable.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey
In the 1970s
Situation
Ruhland on a map of the US Department of Defense from 1972
Source: US DoD
Overview
Satellite image from 16 May 1979 - Compared to the picture from 1968 the edges are now cleared. The function of the bright lane in the north is not known.