Krigsflygfält 16

Birth of a Secret Airfield

Construction of Krigsflygfält 16 began in September 1939, just as World War II erupted with Germany's invasion of Poland. By June 1940, the site on Brattforsheden was complete, intended as a rear base for Swedish air defense. Sweden mobilized rapidly, creating around 40 such hidden airstrips nationwide to protect airspace amid neutrality pressures.The airfield's layout mimicked ordinary farmland to evade detection, with fake ditches, roads, and red farm buildings masking the runway. This camouflage was crucial when Germany's April 1940 invasion of Norway thrust Brattforsheden into the front line—enemy aircraft were just 20 minutes away.

Frontline Role and Camouflage Genius

Snow halted final preparations on invasion day, but crews swiftly disguised the field. Pilots practiced reconnaissance missions here, scanning Norwegian fronts for German movements. The site housed barracks for hundreds, anti-aircraft guns, and command posts, all blending into the wooded landscape.Unique features include original 1940s structures like soldier quarters and ammunition bunkers, preserved without modern alterations. The east-west runway endured post-war civilian use, while four later hangars dot the edges, contrasting wartime austerity.

Preservation as Culture Reserve

Decommissioned in the early 1960s, the airfield avoided demolition unlike its counterparts. In 2003, Länsstyrelsen Värmland designated it a culture reserve—the only such for a WWII airstrip globally. Restoration adheres strictly to 1939-1945 aesthetics, safeguarding an authentic military cultural landscape.Today, it evokes Sweden's beredskap era, when 500,000 mobilized for defense. Barbed wire, foxholes, and weathered concrete whisper of drills under blackout skies, offering tangible connection to a neutral nation's vigilance.

Exploring the Grounds

Wander 100 hectares of forested heath, spotting machine-gun nests and water towers. The camouflage remains striking—runways vanish into plowed fields illusion. Original buildings, though locked, reveal peepholes and blast walls designed against strafing runs.Seasonal operations feature guided walks detailing daily soldier life, from rationed meals to night watches. Flight simulators let you pilot WWII reconnaissance planes, while VR films immerse in 1942 spy missions over Norway.

Modern Legacy and Reflections

Krigsflygfält 16 inspires reflection on past and present security. Annual events like Flygkultur showcase Swedish aviation heritage with vintage aircraft displays and survival courses. Families explore via tracked vehicle tours through woods, uncovering nature intertwined with history.As Värmland's hidden gem, it stands unparalleled, a time capsule where wartime urgency lingers in rusting iron and silent hangars.