 The base became an operational field in September 1939, shortly after World War II broke out.Kampfgeschwader 54 (KG 54) arrived in September with Heinkel He 111P medium bombers; and three Messerschmitt Bf 109E fighter units, Jagdgeschwader 3 (JG 3); Jagdgeschwader 51 (JG 51) and Jagdgeschwader 21 (JG 21) arrived during the Phony War period with France and Great Britain.In addition, Jagdgeschwader 27 (JG 27) and Kampfgeschwader 1 (KG 1) were formed at Münster-Handorf with Bf 109Es and He 111H's 

After the Battle of France and the war moved west into France and England, Münster-Handorf became an airfield for R&R and re-equipping combat units.