The island of Lucerna , or as it sometimes was spelled – Luzerna  - was incorporated to the town of Västervik in 1906.  

During the thirties, the island of Lucerna was chosen as wartime base for the naval Air Force Wing F 2, which had its main base at Hägernäs near Stockholm . At the outbreak of WWII in 1939, no permanent facilities for the aviation existed on the island. Nevertheless, it was used frequently by the 3^rd Squadron of F 2 as base for duties as neutrality guard and escort of shipping convoys. Hawker Osprey (S 9) aircraft were initially used.  

The harbour at Lucerna had the advantage to have open water in the winter when other bases like Gålö were impossible to use due to the ice situation. A group of the 2^nd Squadron of F 2 was based at Lucerna from time to time. They flew the modern T 2 and were also used as neutrality guard and protection of shipping, mainly convoys of ships laden with iron ore for Germany .  

In 1941, the personnel were accommodated aboard the aircraft depot ship HMS Dristigheten and the steamer S/S Rane. Two years later, a permanent base was built on the island. Jetties for mooring, a slipway and a concrete apron with space for four aircraft were constructed. Barracks to accommodate flying and ground personnel, a store and a workshop were built.  

Other types of aircraft were also based at Lucerna during the war. S5 Hansa, Tp 8 Waco, S 12 He 114 and the most modern of them all; the SAAB S17BS.     

After the war, the facilities at Lucerna were used by a civil aviation company (Ostkustflyg) for some years.   

The island of Lucerna is now famous for housing the biggest gas turbine in the world. The deep-water harbour of Västervik is located at the island.  

The drawing below by Lars E. Lundin shows the base as it appeared in 1943.
 

© Lars Henriksson

Updated 2010-03-16