RAF El Daba

Military Abandonment. The airfield was a temporary 'Landing Ground' (LG) built for the North African Campaign in World War II. As the Allied forces, led by the British Eighth Army, successfully pushed the Axis forces west out of Egypt and into Libya following the Second Battle of El Alamein (October-November 1942), the front line moved away. The airfield's strategic importance diminished, and it was abandoned as air units relocated to newly established forward airfields closer to the ongoing conflict in Tunisia. It was never intended to be a permanent installation.

The site is completely abandoned and derelict. Satellite imagery clearly shows the faint but distinct outlines of its former runways and taxiways etched into the desert landscape. There are no remaining buildings or infrastructure. The site is now located in very close proximity to the massive construction site of Egypt's El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant. Due to the strategic nature and high security surrounding the nuclear facility, the area of the former airfield is within a restricted zone and is not publicly accessible.

RAF El Daba, more accurately known by its designation Landing Ground 105 (LG-105), was a significant forward airfield for the Allied Desert Air Force during a critical phase of World War II. Its key roles included:

- **Post-El Alamein Operations:** It became operational immediately following the Allied victory at the Second Battle of El Alamein. It was one of several airfields in the El Dabaa area used to press the advantage against the retreating German and Italian forces.
- **Fighter and Fighter-Bomber Base:** LG-105 primarily hosted fighter and fighter-bomber squadrons. These units provided crucial air cover for advancing ground troops, conducted strafing and bombing missions against enemy columns, and flew reconnaissance sorties.
- **Notable Units:** It was used by various Royal Air Force (RAF), Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), South African Air Force (SAAF), and United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) squadrons. For example, records show that RAF squadrons flying Supermarine Spitfires (like No. 92 Squadron) and Curtiss Kittyhawks were based here for short periods as they leapfrogged across the desert.
- **Strategic Location:** Its position along the coastal road and railway line made it ideal for supporting the main Allied axis of advance. It was a vital link in the chain of temporary airfields that allowed the Allies to maintain air superiority during the pursuit of Rommel's Afrika Korps.

None. There are no plans or prospects for reopening the airfield. Its complete state of disrepair would require a total reconstruction to be usable for modern aircraft. More importantly, its location immediately adjacent to a nuclear power plant makes any future civilian or military aviation use virtually impossible due to the extreme security requirements and restricted airspace that will be permanently established around the facility.