Dno (air base) explained

Dno
Icao:XLOD
Type:Military
Operator:Soviet Air Force
Luftwaffe
Location:Dno, Pskov Oblast, Russia
Elevation-F:253
Elevation-M:77
R1-Length-F:9514
R1-Length-M:2900

Dno (Russian: аэродром Дно), also known as Grivochki (Гривочки), was a military air base in Dnovsky District, Pskov Oblast, Russia. It was located 4km (02miles) south of Dno, approximately 113km (70miles) east of Pskov, and 133km (83miles) of the Estonian border.

Dno air base was established by the Soviet Union prior to World War II, to serve the Red Army Air Force, with the Air Forces of the 7th Army (made up principally of the 54th and 59th Fighter Aviation Brigades) operating from there during the Winter War from 1939 to 1940.

In 1941, Dno was captured by Nazi Germany during Operation Barbarossa and given the German name Flugplatz Griwotschki (Grivochki Airfield). It was renovated and expanded for use by the Luftwaffe. On March 15, 1943, the air base was raided by the Soviet 202nd High-speed Bomber Aviation Regiment, reportedly destroying 20 German planes and permanently crippling German air activity in the area. In 1944, Grivochki was destroyed by retreating Wehrmacht troops and was never rebuilt, and today nothing remains of the complex except a clearing.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ru:Аэродром Дно - Гривочки . http://mefody60.livejournal.com/4127.html . https://archive.today/20131210115232/http://mefody60.livejournal.com/4127.html . dead . 10 December 2013 . 10 December 2013 . Russian .