FuMG-65 Würzburg-Riese 1 radar base (Lahnburg)

On the southern edge of Łask, near allotment gardens and the boundary of the military airfield, lies a concrete foundation of a German radar station from World War II. It is one of the few visible traces of the air defence that Germany built around the local airfield.

What was Würzburg-Riese

Würzburg-Riese, marked in documents as FuMG 65, was an enlarged, stationary version of the German Würzburg radar. The dish-shaped antenna had a diameter of approximately 7.5 metres, and the device's range reached 70 kilometres. Such stations guided anti-aircraft artillery and searchlights, indicating the direction of approaching aircraft.

Lahnburg station

The installation in Łask bore the code name "Lahnburg" and was manned by a radio-location unit part of Luftnachrichten-Regiment 229. The preserved foundation is marked "Würzburg-Riese 1" – the number suggests that more than one such station operated in the area, jointly protecting the airfield from bombing raids.

Current condition

The concrete base has survived to this day, but without any plaque or marking to explain to a passer-by what they are looking at. The surrounding area is neglected and littered. Since the area borders an active military airfield, the foundation should be viewed from a safe distance, not venturing onto private or military land. The broader wartime history of the city is told by the Łask History Museum.

Other traces of Łask's aviation history

The military presence in Łask extends far beyond wartime – the proximity of the airfield is recalled today by the Łask Airmen's Park. The city also has an aircraft monument, another accent relating to military aviation.

Practical information

• Address: near allotment gardens on the southern edge of Łask, close to the military airfield
• Access: most conveniently by car or bicycle from the city side; no marked walking route
• What to expect: bare concrete foundation with no tourist infrastructure and no information board; the area is neglected – it is worth taking care not to approach private or military fences