De Rips Airfield B.84

The closure was primarily due to environmental regulations and local government decisions. The airfield's permit for ultralight aviation was not renewed by the municipality of Gemert-Bakel. A key factor was its proximity to the 'De Peel' region, a designated Natura 2000 protected nature area, which placed strict limitations on activities that could cause noise or environmental disturbance. This led to the definitive cessation of all aviation activities.

The site has been completely demobilized and returned to agricultural use. The grass airstrip is no longer extant, and the land is now primarily composed of farm fields. There is no visible trace of the runway itself. However, the airfield's history is not forgotten. A monument has been erected near the former airfield (at the intersection of Burgemeester Wijtvlietlaan and Middenpeelweg) to commemorate the RAF squadrons that operated from B.84 De Rips during World War II.

De Rips Airfield has a significant two-part history.

1. **WWII Era (as B.84 De Rips):** It was established as an Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) by the British Royal Engineers in late 1944, following the liberation of the area during Operation Market Garden. Designated 'B-84', it was a temporary, forward airfield built on farmland using prefabricated surfacing. Its primary role was to support the Allied ground forces' advance into Germany. From November 1944 to April 1945, it hosted several Royal Air Force (RAF) squadrons of the Second Tactical Air Force, most notably No. 121 Wing, which flew Hawker Typhoon and Supermarine Spitfire fighter-bombers on ground-attack and armed reconnaissance missions. After the war, the military airfield was dismantled and the land was returned to its original agricultural state.

2. **Post-War Civil Era (as NL-0057):** In the latter half of the 20th century, a portion of the historic site was revived as a private grass airstrip for recreational aviation. It was used by a local gliding club and later became a dedicated field for ultralight aircraft. It was during this period that it was assigned the ICAO location indicator NL-0057.

None. There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the airfield. The reasons for its closure, particularly the stringent environmental protections for the adjacent Natura 2000 area, remain in place. The land has been fully integrated back into the local agricultural landscape, making any future redevelopment as an airfield extremely unlikely.