Airfield at Soldier's Field, 1965-67 (Source: David James) The Grosse Strasse (great road) is almost 1.25 miles long and 44 yards wide. It was originally intended to serve as the central axis of the Reichsparteigelände (Nazi Party Rally Ground) and as a parade road for the Wehrmacht in pre-WWII period. It served as the runway for the US Army airstrip during the 1960s.