Prüfstelle auf Höhenwirkung

[Richard T Eger]

From 12 O'Clock High!:

Marcel Hogenhuis
Prüfstelle auf Höhenwirkung
Mon Dec 31 12:00:02 2026


Hello my friends,

Has somebody ever heard about a so called 'Prüfstelle auf Höhenwirkung' ? There must have been several small (and partially mobile) units that had to test the reflexes and endurance of Luftwaffe pilots for high(er) altitude operations.

My question: who has info on this subject ? what sort of equipment did they have, a truck with a decompression chamber ? Where were these units stationed or to which larger (Luftwaffe ?) organisation were they detached ?

Many thanks in advance and a Happy New Year !
Marcel Hogenhuis
Study Group Venlo Airfield in WW-2

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Larry deZeng
Re: Prüfstelle auf Höhenwirkung
Mon Dec 31 17:30:31 2026


Marcel -

These "Test Stations for High Altitude Effect" familiarized and trained air crew personnel on the effects of oxygen deprevation at high altitudes up to 7,500 meters. They normally consisted of one Sanitäts-Offizier and 4 technicians. Those with Luftgau numbering were stationary and did not have a vehicle while those with Arabic numbering were motorized and operated out of a truck. The stationary ones in the Reich were very numerous. For example, in 1944 there were 14 of them just in Luftgau VII (numbered 1/VII to 14/VII). Nearly all of the larger Horst had them. A list found in BA-MA RL 4 II/283 dated 5 October 1944 reported that 12 of the motorized one were still in existence as well as 25 of the stationary ones. They were all being disbanded at this point in time, so perhaps there had been a lot more of them during 1942 and 1943. Prüfstelle auf Höhenwirkung d.Lw. 12 (mot), for example, was transferred from Venlo to Gilze-Rijen on 14 Jul 43.
You can find more information on them in:
Fischer, Hubert, "Der deutsche Sanitätsdienst 1921-1945", 5 Bde., Osnabrück: Biblio Verlag, 1982-88 (the Luftwaffe is covered in Bde. 3 and 5);
Dierich, Wolfgang, "Die Verbände der Luftwaffe", Zweibrücken: Verlag Heinz Nickel, 1993 (see s.298 ff).
HTH,
(Larry)

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Marcel Hogenhuis
Prüfstelle auf Höhenwirkung 12 (mot)
Wed Jan 2 09:36:37 2026


Hello Larry,

Thank you very much for your kind and extensive answer ! I do have Dierich's book too but it is stored away, due to the renovation of our new (but old) house.
As a member of a group of Dutch air war historians, who are about to finish a large volume history of all Dutch airfields during war time (it will be published by the Royal Dutch Airforce in 2026), every piece of info about those specialised but rather unknown small Luftwaffe units is very welcome for our understanding.
Again, thank you for sharing this info with us.

Marcel Hogenhuis
Study Group Venlo Airfield in WW 2

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Larry deZeng
Re: Prüfstelle auf Höhenwirkung 12 (mot)
Wed Jan 2 13:41:08 2026


Thank you for your kind words, Marcel!
I hope you will let all of us know in 2026 when your volume on the Dutch airfields is published and available for purchase. It sounds like it will be an outstanding addition to quality research works on the wartime history of the Luftwaffe.
Good luck!
(Larry)