Hopsten airfield played only a secondary role as an operational base for the Luftwaffe in the opening stages of World War II.

As part of the "Defense of the Reich Campaign" begun in 1944 as Allied air attacks became more intense against Nazi Germany, Hopsten airfield became a hub for a multitude of Luftwaffe activity.

But due to the extremely heavy air defence - with up to 500 AAA guns based in the vicinity of the airfield- and the fast repairs done to the runways, it remained relatively intact.

The Royal Air Force established a temporary presence at the airfield and it was designated as Advanced Landing Ground B-112 Hopsten on 6 April 1945.

Ramp space, airfield infrastructure and roads, as well as a housing and administration complex in the city of Rheine eight kilometers away, were completed to new NATO standards for Western Europe.