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Open main menu Last edited 1 month ago by Topbanana Advanced Landing Ground Watch this page Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg Patch9thusaaf.png UK, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Occupied Germany A-41-Dreux-Jul1944.jpg Photo of the runway at Advanced Landing Ground A-43 (St. Marceau, France) being constructed by IX Engineering Command, August 1944 Type Military airfield Site information Controlled by Royal Air Force United States Army Air Forces Site history Built 1944–1945 Battles/wars European Theatre of World War II Garrison information Occupants RAF Second Tactical Air Force Ninth Air Force Twelfth Air Force Map all coordinates from Google Map up to 200 coordinates from Bing Export all coordinates as KML Export all coordinates as GeoRSS Export all coordinates as GPX Map all microformatted coordinates Place data as RDF Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) was the term given to the temporary advance airfields constructed by the Allies during World War II in support of the invasion of Europe. They were built in the UK prior to the invasion and thereafter in North West Europe from 6 June 1944 to V-E Day, 7 May 1945. Unlike the permanent airfields built in the United Kingdom and designed for the strategic bombardment of Germany, the tactical combat airfields on the continent were temporary, often improvised airfields to be used by the tactical air forces to support the advancing ground armies engaged on the battlefield. Once the front line moved out of range for the aircraft, the groups and squadrons moved up to newly built ALGs closer to the ground forces and left the ones in the rear for other support uses, or simply abandoned them. Contents Overview Construction Runway types Airfield types Deployment Summary Airfields United Kingdom (Kent) Normandy Campaign Cotentin Peninsula/Brittany Breakout Northern France Campaign Drive to the Seine River Pursuit to the German Border Southern France Campaign French Noncombat Support ALGs Benelux Liberation Western Allied invasion of Germany Rhineland Campaign Central Europe Campaign Army of Occupation ALGs Royal Air Force ALGs See also References External links OverviewEdit When the Allies invaded Normandy on D-Day, Royal Air Force Airfield Construction Service engineers were among those in the initial assault waves. Their mission was to rapidly construct forward operating airfields, known as Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs), on the European continent. As the Allied armies advanced across France and into Germany, several hundred airfields were built or rehabilitated for use by the allied air forces. For security reasons, the airstrips were referred to by a coded number instead of location. In the United Kingdom, USAAF installations were identified by three digit (AAF) numbers ranging from AAF-101 to AAF-925. After D-Day, continental airfields in the European Theater of Operations (ETO) were also assigned coded numbers. American airfields were given A-, Y-, or R-, prefixes and numbered consecutively from 1 to 99. Both “A” and “Y” designated airfields could be found in France, however many “Y” fields would also be in France, as well as the Netherlands; Belgium and occupied areas of Germany. “R” coded fields were usually located in occupied Germany. British airfields on the continent were also consecutively numbered, but with a B-prefix. The numbering system for airfields was sequentially assigned as airfields were allocated, not by location or by date of operational use. A-1, Saint Pierre du Mont, was declared operational on 13 June 1944; A-3 Cardonville on 14 June. However A-2, Cricqueville-en-Bessin, was declared operational a few days later on 19 June. Also many of these airfields had no combat air group or squadron attached to them. They were designed for casualty evacuation and supply transport and consisted of a quickly built runway manned only by a small complement of station personnel with little or no infrastructure other than tents. As the ground forces moved east, wounded would be sent to the airfield to be picked up by C-47s and taken to hospitals in England or other rear areas. Also supplies would be airlifted to the fields and unloaded, to be quickly transported to the front line units. These were normally known as S&E Fields (Supply and Evacuation). Once completed, airfields were usually utilized by the combat groups or squadrons within a day or so of being declared operational for military use by the IX Engineering command engineers. They would be used for perhaps a few days to a week, to several months, depending on the location, use, and operational requirements. Once the combat units moved up to the next assigned ALG, they could be utilized as S&E Fields, or deconstructed quickly and abandoned, with the land being released back to the landowners or civil authorities in the area. ConstructionEdit A USAAF Engineer clearing out the wreckage of a destroyed Luftwaffe aircraft at an ALG, with a P-38 Lightning flying overhead on landing approach The mission for constructing ALGs was placed in the hands of the Airfield Construction Service of 2TAF, Royal Air Force, whilst theUSAAF’s Ninth Air Force and its specially created engineering arm, the IX Engineer Command, were responsible for ALG’s in the US sector of operations. Each aviation engineer battalion in the command (of a total of sixteen) was composed of sufficient men and equipment to quickly construct an airfield or landing ground for a single tactical fighter or bomb group unit.[1] ALGs were selected in two ways. First, existing enemy military or civilian airfields which were captured as the ground forces advanced were noted by engineers assigned to ground units. Second, engineers noted areas in grid locations where an airfield was desired, that had flat terrain, good land drainage, and where an airfield could be constructed quickly.[1] Captured airfields could be restored for use as advanced landing field in one to three days depending upon the amount of drainage and the number of mines and booby traps encountered.[1] Dry-weather advanced landing fields were constructed by a single battalion at a favorable site in flat terrain in from one to three days, including time for reconnaissance. At less favorable sites, where more clearing and grading were required, or all-weather fields which also needed additional infrastructure, the time varied from three to ten days.[1] ALGs were equipped with an access road that was connected to the existing road infrastructure; a dump for supplies, ammunition, and gasoline drums, along with a drinkable water and a minimal electrical grid for communications and station lighting. Tents were used for billeting and also for support facilities. Time was the all-important factor and ALGs serve its purpose if available for only a few days. As the forward area became the rear area, an advanced landing field could be improved for medium bomber use, but initially they primarily served fighter and transport groups.[1] Based on the experience obtained in the North African and Italian Campaigns, fighter groups required an airfield 120 feet x 3600 feet long, and fighter-bomber groups required fields 120 feet x 5000 feet long. Medium bomb groups required 120 feet x 6000 feet runways.[1] Runway types Instead of using rough, unimproved dirt strips, engineers used surfacing material necessary to strengthen the soil to support the weight of the aircraft and as a measure of insurance against the wet weather. Airfields were initially single runway landing strips which were laid down east–west (09/27) unless local conditions dictated a different runway direction.[1] Sommerfeld Tracking[2] ALGs laid in the UK were of Sommerfeld Tracking a form of stiffened steel wire mesh. Square-Mesh Track (SMT)[2] The surfacing material selected for the building of advanced landing grounds during the first weeks after the Normandy invasion was known as square-mesh track (SMT). SMT, a British development, was material composed of heavy wire joined in three-inch squares. It was chosen over other surfacing materials because it was very lightweight, allowing sufficient quantities to be transported across the English channel on over-tasked landing craft. Easily workable, a SMT landing mat for fighters could be laid like a carpet in about one week. Prefabricated Hessian (PBS)[2] After the initial batch of airfields was completed using SMT, the Army aviation engineers switched almost exclusively to another surfacing material known as prefabricated hessian (burlap) surfacing (PBS). Light and easily transportable, PBS did not create the dust problem encountered with SMT fields. Made of an asphalt-impregnated jute delivered in rolls 300 feet in length and 36 inches or 43 inches in width, PBS was laid in overlapping layers to produce a dust-free fair weather surface. It was also common to build airstrips using both SMT and PBS, laying SMT on top. Pierced Steel Plank (PSP)[2] To provide an all season durable airfield for the RAF’s 2TAF and the USAF Ninth Air Force’s medium and light bombers, a third type of surfacing material known as pierced steel plank (PSP), or Marsden Matting was introduced on the Normandy bridgehead in July 1944. It consisted of 10-foot-long (3.0 m), 15-inch-wide (380 mm) steel planks joined together and laid perpendicular to the line of flight. Long used in other theaters, PSP would have been ideal for all airfields on the continent, but its limited availability and greater weight made this impractical. Moreover, because of supply problems, construction of even a PSP fighter-bomber field could take a month or longer, while similar PBS and SMT fields could be constructed in two weeks and one week, respectively. In addition, Sod and Earth runways were built for Emergency Landing Strips (ELS) and Refueling and Rearming Strips (R&R). Captured airfields contained a wide variety of runways, most commonly Asphalt; Concrete; Macadam or Tar-Penetrated Macadam.[1] Airfield types There were five main types of airfields built by the USAAF combat engineers on the continent. These were: Emergency Landing Strips (ELS)[3] Consisted of a rough, graded runway approximately 2000 feet long to provide a place for emergency belly-landings of damaged aircraft. Supply and Evacuation (S&E)[3] Usually a rough graded runway near the front line or an airfield in the rear that was used by C-47s for transport of casualties to the rear, or delivery of supplies and munitions to the front line. Refueling and Rearming (R&R)[3] Consisted of a runway and an aircraft marshalling area on each end of the runway. It was designed to provide an airfield near the front lines upon which aircraft based in rear areas could land, be refueled and rearmed, and take off again on a mission without having to return to their home field in the rear. Also could be used for dispersal or for when services other than refueling or rearming was required. These airfields could be expanded into advance landing grounds by the addition of dispersal and other station facilities. Generally if an R&R strip was built, it would be sited wherever possible with a view to further expand it later into an ALG. Advanced Landing Grounds (ALG)[3] An advanced landing ground could be constructed as such from the beginning or by development from an R&R Strip by the addition of dispersal facilities, expansion of the road network and other additions to the station and technical area in order for it to be used over an extended period of time. Tactical Air Depots (TAD)[3] A number of ALGs were expanded into tactical air depots by the addition of hangars, shops, more dispersal hardstands, roads, and other facilities. Some were developed from the beginning. DeploymentEdit IX Engineering Command putting down a Pierced Steel Planking (PSP) Runway at an Advanced Landing Ground under construction Four main designations were given to ALGs on the European Continent: “A” ALGs were located in France. They were constructed and used by Ninth Air Force units during the Invasion of Normandy (6 June – Mid July 1944) and during Operation Cobra, the breakout from Normandy, starting on 25 July 1944 until 25 August 1944. Those in Normandy were mostly decommissioned after their combat use, however others in Central France were used in various non-combat roles until the end of the war.[3] “B” ALGs were built by American or British combat engineers for Royal Air Force use. Some of these were also used by USAAF Troop Carrier Groups and Command and Control organizations.[3] “Y” ALGs were initially located in Southeastern France, built by Twelfth Air Force engineers as part of Operation Dragoon, the invasion of Southern France. Initially uncoded, they were given “Y” designations when they came under IX Engineering Command control in late 1944. ALGs were also coded “Y” in Northeastern France, Belgium; The Netherlands and Occupied Germany, after “A” coding reached 99 November 1944.[3] “R” ALGs were located in Occupied Germany. Many more were constructed than are listed here, consisting primarily of Supply and Evacuation airfields either laid down quickly in agricultural areas or on captured Luftwaffe airfields. “R” coding began after Y-coding reached 99 in April 1945.[3] An unforeseen development was the extraordinary demand for transport, supply, and evacuation fields as the Allied armies pushed past Paris toward the German frontier. In late 1944, supplies could not keep pace with U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s forces, and to help lessen the supply shortage airfields for C-47 Skytrain cargo planes became a priority. Bringing in ammunition of all types and especially gasoline on the trip to the ALGs on the continent, the C-47s on the return trip evacuated wounded to the rear.[1] By 15 September 1944, IX Engineer Command had placed over eighty ALG airfields in operation, while British engineers had constructed 76 airfields in their zone. In Southern France, another twenty or so fields had been built by American engineers from Twelfth Air Force from the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO). In October these uncoded airfields were assigned to the ETO and given ALG code numbers.[1] The stabilization of the front lines in the Netherlands, Belgium, and eastern France in mid-September 1944, which would last into the new year, allowed aviation engineers a chance to reorganize and prepare for the upcoming winter season. As expected, they could not build new PHS and SMI airstrips during the fall rain and winter snow seasons because of the moist ground. Besides concrete, the American-made PSP was the only available surfacing material that could be laid down during this inclement weather in Europe.[1] To keep the supply lines open, selected airfields in Belgium and France were therefore “winterized” with PSP. Because of the limited supply of PSP, however, only a limited number of airfields could be winterized, making it necessary to base two group sized units per airfield. But sufficient fighter-bomber and medium bomber airfields were completed that winter to ensure 2TAF and Ninth Air Force aircraft could continue flying combat missions.[1] The major problem affecting airfield construction in early 1945 was not the surprise German Ardennes counteroffensive (which caused the abandonment on only one airfield – Y-39, Haguenau). Rather, an early February thaw threatened to make airfields inoperable due to the mud and water. Using local civilian labor, engineers performed extensive maintenance on the threatened airfields and successfully resolved the crisis[1] The renewed allied offensive in early 1945, following the Battle of the Bulge, was supported in earnest by the building of tactical airfields in occupied Germany. Trier (Y-57), became the first operational tactical American airfield on German soil on 10 March 1945. When a crossing over the Rhine River was spearheaded at Remagen, Germany, a supply and evacuation strip was quickly set up to support the bridgehead. As Allied tank columns struck out rapidly into the heartland of Germany, the airfield “clutches” of the Ninth Air Force’s tactical air commands moved east of the Rhine river within range of virtually any target in Germany.[1] Scores of former Luftwaffe sod and hard surfaced airfields were captured in the lightning advance through Central Germany, virtually undamaged, lessening the requirement for SMT, PHS, and PSP prefabricated surfacing. The relative lack of German military opposition in late March, April and May 1945 lessened the need for close air support and produced a greater demand for supply airstrips to keep the offensive moving. Every opportunity was used to clear captured German airfields for use along the armies’ route, allowing C-47s and other transports to land with food, gas, and ammunition. The supply effort received top airfield priority. By V-E Day, 9 May 1945, 76 of the 126 airfields made operational east of the Rhine river were strictly supply and evacuation fields.[1] SummaryEdit USAAF Engineers constructed or rehabilitated over 280 continental airfields in the ETO from D-Day to V-E Day. In the summer months that followed, a few new airfields were constructed, but the vast majority were abandoned and turned over to local landowners or civil governments. Throughout Western Europe, as well as the airfields built by Twelfth and Fifteenth Air Forces in the MTO, a significant number were developed into permanent, civilian airports or NATO military bases after the war.[1] The airfield coding system remained in effect until after the Japanese surrender in the Pacific, when, on 14 September 1945, the system was officially discontinued. Thereafter, airfields were referenced by their geographic name.[1] AirfieldsEdit Only active combat ALGs are shown. Dedicated S&E, Liaison, Transport, and other non-combat airfields are not listed. Runway types are listed as follows: ASP Asphalt BRK Brick CON Concrete ETH Compressed Earth MAC Macadam PHS Prefabricated Hessian Surfacing SMT Square-Mesh Track SOD Sod PSP Pierced Steel Planking TAR Tar-Penetrated Macadam United Kingdom (Kent) Map this section’s coordinates from Google Map this section’s coordinates from Bing Export this section’s coordinates as KML Export this section’s coordinates as GeoRSS Export this section’s coordinates as GPX Map all microformatted coordinates Place data as RDF Advanced Landing Grounds were built in Kent during 1943 and 1944 for several reasons. The first being a requirement by the allies to station short-range fighters close to the English Channel coast so missions could be undertaken to attack enemy coastal fortifications; road and rail networks and other military targets in Occupied France prior to the invasion of Normandy. Also construction of the ALGs provided necessary engineering and construction training as well as providing practical experience in the development of forward airfields which would be necessary on the Continent after the invasion. The ALG’s laid down in Kent had two runways, while the ones laid down in France after the invasion generally had only one strip laid down east-west for speed of construction Due to their temporary nature, the airfields were torn up and salvageable components were re-used on new ALGs in France after the assigned units were moved forward onto French ALGs after the invasion of Normandy. ALG Location In use RAF Ashford (AAF-417) 51°07′31″N 000°48′58″E August 1943 – September 1944 RAF Brenzett (AAF-438) 51°01′00″N 000°52′18″E September 1943 – December 1944, RAF Headcorn (AAF-412) 51°10′58″N 000°41′16″E August 1943 – August 1944 RAF High Halden (AAF-411) 51°07′17″N 000°42′16″E April–September 1944 RAF Kingsnorth (AAF-418) 51°06′18″N 0°53′20″E August 1943 – September 1944 RAF Lashenden (AAF-410) 51°09′24″N 0°38′33″E August 1943 – September 1944 RAF Staplehurst (AAF-413) 51°09′42″N 000°34′18″E August 1943 – July 1944 RAF Woodchurch (AAF-419) 51°05′34″N 000°46′47″E July–September 1943 Normandy Campaign Map this section’s coordinates from Google Map this section’s coordinates from Bing Export this section’s coordinates as KML Export this section’s coordinates as GeoRSS Export this section’s coordinates as GPX Map all microformatted coordinates Place data as RDF Airfields in France used in support of the invasion and establishment of Allied forces in Normandy, France, during Operation Overlord and the immediate aftermath, 6 June—24 July 1944 ELS-1 Poupeville, France First USAAF Airfield in Liberated France. Located: 49°23′02″N 001°20′00″W Established: 6 June 1944: Closed: (Undetermined) Runway: 2000×100 SOD (05/23) Emergency Landing Strip[1] A-1 Saint-Pierre-du-Mont, France Located: 49°23′27″N 000°56′41″W Opened: 13 June 1944 Closed: 5 September 1944 Runway: 5000×120, SMT, (09/27)[1] Used by:[4] 366th Fighter Group, 17 June – 24 August 1944 (P-47) 401st Fighter Squadron, 24 July-15 August 1944 (P-38) A-2 Cricqueville-en-Bessin (Cricqueville), France Located: 49°21′57″N 001°00′26″W Opened: 16 June 1944 Closed: 15 September 1944 Runway: 5000×120, SMT/ETH, (17/35)[1] Used by:[5] 354th Fighter Group, 22 June – 13 August 1944 (P-51) 367th Fighter Group, 14 August – 4 September 1944 (P-38) A-3 Cardonville, France Located: 49°21′17″N 001°02′37″W Opened: 14 June 1944 Closed: 1 September 1944 Runway: 5000×120, SMT (15/33)[1] Used by:[5] 368th Fighter Group, 20 June – 23 August 1944 (P-47) 370th Fighter Group, 24 July – 15 August 1944 (P-38) A-4 Deux-Jumeaux, France Located: 49°20′40″N 000°58′48″W Opened: 30 June 1944 Closed: 15 September 1944 Runway: 5000×120, SMT (11/29)[1] Used by:[4][5] 48th Fighter Group, 18 June – 29 August 1944 (P-47) 107th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 28 June-5 July 1944 (P-51/F-5) 485th Fighter Squadron, 24 July-15 August 1944 (P-38) A-5 La Chapelle-en-Juger (Chippelle), France Located: 49°14′12″N 000°58′59″W Opened: 5 July 1944 Closed: 9 July 1944 Runway: 5000×120, SMT (06/24)[1] Used by:[5] 404th Fighter Group, 6 July – 29 August 1944 (P-47) A-6 Beuzeville-la-Bastille (Beuzeville), France Located: 49°25′16″N 001°18′16″W Established 7 June 1944. Opened: 12 June 1944 Closed: 18 September 1944 Runway: 5000×120, SMT (05/23)[1] Used by:[5] 371st Fighter Group, – 18 June September 1944 (P-47) 367th Fighter Group, 22 July – 14 August 1944 (P-38) A-9 Le Molay-Littry (Le Molay), France Located: 49°15′42″N 000°53′29″W Opened: 30 June 1944 Closed: 5 October 1944 Runway: 4000×120, SMT (04/22)[1] Used by:[4][5] 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, July–August 1944 (F-4/P-38; F-5/P-51) 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 5 July-11 August 1944 (F-5/P-51) A-11 Saint-Lambert, France Located: 49°17′01″N 001°05′54″W Opened: 5 August 1944 Closed: 11 September 1944 Runway: 5000×120, PHS (05/23)[1] Used by: 474th Fighter Group, 6–29 August 1944 (P-38) A-12 Lignerolles, France Located: 49°10′32″N 000°47′24″W (abandoned) Opened: 18 July 1944 Closed: 4 November 1944[1] Runway: 5000×120, PHS (07/25) Used by:[5] 362d Fighter Group, 2 July – 10 August 1944 (P-47) 365th Fighter Group, 15 August – 3 September 1944 (P-47) A-13 Tour-en-Bessin, France Located: 49°17′27″N 000°44′59″W Opened: 28 July 1944 Closed: 2 December 1944 Runway 1: 5000×120, PSP (12/30)[1] Runway 2: 5000×120, PSP (01/19) Used by:[5] 373d Fighter Group, 19 July – 19 August 1944 (P-47) 406th Fighter Group, 5–17 August 1944 (P-47) 394th Bombardment Group, 25 August – 18 September 1944 (B-26) A-21 Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, France Located: 49°21′49″N 000°52′26″W Opened: 8 June – 25 August 1944 Runway: 3400×120, ETH (11/28)[1] Used as: Casuality evacuation and transport Airfield (IX Service Command)[3] A-21 memorial and information webpage A-22 Colleville-sur-Mer, France Located: 49°21′15″N 000°49′41″W Opened: 13 July-4 November 1944 Runway: 3750×120, PBS (09/27)[1] Used as: Transport Airfield[3] Cotentin Peninsula/Brittany Breakout Map this section’s coordinates from Google Map this section’s coordinates from Bing Export this section’s coordinates as KML Export this section’s coordinates as GeoRSS Export this section’s coordinates as GPX Map all microformatted coordinates Place data as RDF ELS Avranches, France Located: 48°39′50″N 001°24′09″W Established: 8 August 1944: Closed: (Undetermined) Runway: 3600×120 SOD (05/23) Emergency Landing Strip[1] A-7 Azeville, France Located: 49°28′56″N 001°18′27″W Opened: 24 June 1944 Closed: 15 September 1944 Runway: 3600×120, SMT (08/26)[1] Used by:[5] 365th Fighter Group, 28 June – 15 August 1944 (P-47) 363d Fighter Group, August–September 1944 (P-51) A-8 Picauville, France Located: 49°23′34″N 001°25′07″W Opened: 26 June 1944 Closed: 15 September 1944 Runway: 5000×120, PHS (07/25)[1] Used by:[5] 405th Fighter Group, 30 June – 14 September 1944 (P-47) A-10 Carentan, France Located: 49°18′18″N 001°10′46″W Opened: 16 June 1944 Closed: 4 November 1944 Runway: 5000×120, PHS (08/26)[1] Used by:[4][5] 50th Fighter Group, 25 June – 16 August 1944 (P-47) 392d Fighter Squadron, 22 July-14 August 1944 (P-38) A-14 Cretteville, France Located: 49°20′17″N 001°22′39″W Opened: 4 July 1944 Closed: 5 September 1944 Runway: 5000×120, (3600 PHS/1400 ETH) (04/22)[1] Used by:[5] 358th Fighter Group, 3 July – 14 August 1944 (P-47) 406th Fighter Group, 17 August – 4 September 1944 (P-47) A-15 Maupertus-sur-Mer (Maupertus), France Located: 49°39′03″N 001°28′31″W Now: Cherbourg – Maupertus Airport or Aéroport de Cherbourg – Maupertus (IATA: CER, ICAO: LFRC) Opened: 4 July 1944 Closed: 22 December 1944 Runway 1: 6000×120, PSP (11/29)[1] Runway 2: 5000×120, PSP (17/35) Used by:[4][5] 363d Fighter Group, 9 July – August 1944 (P-38) 387th Bombardment Group, 22 August – 18 September 1944 (B-26) 422d Night Fighter Squadron, 25 July – 28 August 1944 (P-61) A-16 Brucheville, France Located: 49°22′05″N 001°13′18″W Opened: 2 August 1944 Closed: 5 September 1944 Runway: 5000×120, (3600 PHS/1400 ETH) (07/25)[1] Used by:[5] 36th Fighter Group, 4 July – 25 August 1944 (P-47) A-17 Méautis, France Located: 49°16′55″N 001°17′50″W Opened: 17 August 1944 Closed: 7 September 1944 Runway: 5000×120, (3600 PHS/1400 ETH) (10/28)[1] Used by:[5] 50th Fighter Group, 16 August – 4 September 1944 (P-47) A-18 Saint-Jean-de-Daye, France Located: 49°13′04″N 001°09′11″W Opened: 29 August 1944 Closed: 9 September 1944 Runway: 5000×120, (3600 PHS/1400 ETH) (06/24)[1] Emergency Landing/Refueling Field[3] A-19 Saint-Georges d’ Elle (50) (La Vieille), France Located: 49°09′36″N 00°58′36″W Opened: 14 August 1944 Closed: 7 September 1944 Runway: 5000×120, (3600 PHS/1400 ETH) (01/19)[1] Used by:[5] 370th Fighter Group, 15 August – 6 September 1944 (P-38) A-20 Lessay, France Located: 49°12′08″N 001°30′29″W Now: Lessay Airport (IATA: XDR, ICAO: LFOM) Opened: 25 August 1944 Closed: 28 September 1944 Runway 1: 6000×120, PSP (06/24)[1] Runway 2: 5000×120, PSP (12/30) Used by:[5] 323d Bombardment Group, 26 August – 21 September 1944 (B-26) A-23 Querqueville, France Located: 49°39′51″N 001°41′38″W Opened: 6 July-8 August 1945 Runway: 4600×120, PSP (10/28)[1] Used by: Detachment, 27th Air Transport Group (ATC)[3] A-24 Biniville, France Located: 49°25′42″N 001°28′33″W Opened: 17 July-21 August 1944 Runway: 3600×120, ETH (04/22)[1] Used by: Detachment, 125th Liaison Squadron[3] A-25 Bolleville, France Located: 49°18′06″N 001°34′28″W Opened: 7 August 1944 – 3 March 1945 Runway: 3932×120, SMT & PBS (11/29)[1] Used as: Transport Airfield[3] A-26 Gorges, France Located: 49°14′34″N 001°23′44″W Opened: 16 August 1944 Closed: 28 September 1944 Runway: 6000×120, PSP (07/25) Used by: 397th Bombardment Group, – 11 August September 1944 (B-26) A-27 Rennes/St-Jacques, France Located: 48°04′19″N 001°43′56″W Now: Rennes – Saint-Jacques Airport (IATA: RNS, ICAO: LFRN) Captured 7 August 1944 Opened: 10 August 1944 Closed: 30 November 1944 Runway 1: 5593×260, CON (10/28) Runway 2: 4676×260, CON (14/32) Used by: 362d Fighter Group, 10 August – 19 September 1944 (P-47) 10th Reconnaissance Group, 11 August – September 1944 (P-38/F-5; P-51/F-6) A-29 Saint-James, France Located: 48°31′25″N 001°19′24″W Opened: 14 August 1944 Closed: 28 September 1944 Runway: 5000×120, PHS (13/31) Used by: 373d Fighter Group, 19 August – 19 September 1944 (P-47) A-30 Courtils, France Located: 48°37′42″N 001°24′27″W (approximately) Opened: 13 August-5 September 1944 Runway: 3600×120, ETH (10/28)[1] Used as: Transport Airfield[3] A-31 Gaël, France Located: 48°04′52″N 002°11′46″W Captured: 10 August 1944 Opened: 11 August 1944 Closed: 28 September 1944 Runway: 4500×120, SOD/ETH (08/26) Used by: 354th Fighter Group, 13 August – 17 September 1944 (P-51) A-32 Nantes/Chateau-Bougcn, France Construction Cancelled[3] A-33 Vannes, France Located: 47°43′10″N 002°43′25″W Now: Meucon Airport (IATA: VNE, ICAO: LFRV) Captured 10 August 1944 Opened: 29 August 1944 Closed: 20 June 1945 Runway 1: 6000X200, CON/TAR (13/31) Runway 2: 4400×200, CON/TAR (04/22) Used by: 425th Night Fighter Squadron, 18 August – 11 September 1944 (P-61) A-51 Morlaix, France Located: 48°36′03″N 003°49′00″E Opened: 1 September-8 November 1944 Runway: 40500×120 CON (05/23)[1] Use: Transport Airfield[3] Northern France Campaign The US marks the “Northern France Campaign” from the breakout following the invasion of Normandy to September 1944. Drive to the Seine River Map this section’s coordinates from Google Map this section’s coordinates from Bing Export this section’s coordinates as KML Export this section’s coordinates as GeoRSS Export this section’s coordinates as GPX Map all microformatted coordinates Place data as RDF A-28 Pontorson, France Located: 48°32′42″N 001°29′49″W Opened: 10 August 1944 Closed: 28 September 1944 Runway: 5000×120, (3600 PHS/1400 ETH) (08/26) Used by: 358th Fighter Group, 14 August – 14 September 1944 (P-47) A-35 Le Mans, France Located: 48°00′27″N 000°11′54″E Captured: 12 August 1944 Opened: 3 September 1944 Closed: 20 November 1944 Runway: 5000×120, PHS (14/32)[1] Used by:[5] 36th Fighter Group, 25 August – September 1944 (P-47) 440th Troop Carrier Group, 30 September – 2 November 1944 (C-47) A-34 Gorron, France Located: 48°24′45″N 000°48′41″W (approximately) Opened: 27 August-4 November 1944 Runway: 3600×120, ETH (08/26)[1] Used as: Emergency Landing/Refueling Airfield[3] A-37 Lombron, France Located: 49°04′45″N 000°25′00″E (approximately) Opened: 3–28 September 1944 Runway: 5000×120, PBS (08/26)[1] Used as: Emergency Landing/Refueling Airfield[3] A-38 Montreuil, France Located: 48°05′29″N 000°11′16″E Opened: 4 September 1944 Closed: 5 October 1944 Runway: 5000×120, (3600 PHS/1400 ETH) (01/19)[1] Used by:[5] 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group, – 4 September October 1944 A-39 Châteaudun, France Located: 48°03′28″N 001°22′44″E Now: Châteaudun Airport (IATA: XSU, ICAO: LFOC) Also French-roundel.svg Châteaudun Air Base (BA 279) Captured 20 August 1944 Opened: 26 August 1944 Closed: 8 August 1945 Runway 1: 7250×262, CON (10/28) Runway 2: 5600×262, CON (05/23)[1] Used by:[4][5] 10th Reconnaissance Group, November 1944 (P-38/F-5; P-51/F-6) 422d Night Fighter Squadron, 28 August – 16 September 1944 (P-61) 387th Bombardment Group, 18 September – 30 October 1944 (B-26) 439th Troop Carrier Group, 4 November 1944 – 7 September 1945 (C-47) A-40 Chartres, France Located: 48°27′24″N 001°31′10″E Now: Chartres-Champhol Airport (IATA: QTJ, ICAO: LFOR) Captured 21 August 1944 Opened: 26 August 1944 Closed: Undetermined Runway: 5500×260, CON/PSP (08/26)[1] Used by:[5] 368th Fighter Group, 23 August – 11 September 1944 (P-47) 323d Bombardment Group, 21 September – 13 October 1944 (B-26) A-41 Dreux/Vernouillet, France Located: 48°42′22″N 001°21′42″E Now: Vernouillet Airport (IATA: XDR, ICAO: LFON) Captured 21 August 1944 Opened: 26 August 1944 Closed: Undetermined Runway 1: 5500×200, CON/PSP (02/20) Runway 2: 4400×200, CON (12/30)[1] Used by:[5] 366th Fighter Group, 24 August – 8 September 1944 397th Bombardment Group, 11 September – 6 October 1944 441st Troop Carrier Group, 3 November 1944 – 12 August 1945 A-42 Vélizy-Villacoublay (Villacoublay), France Also known as AAF-180 Located: 48°46′23″N 002°11′59″E Now: French-roundel.svg Vélizy – Villacoublay Air Base (IATA: LFPV) (BA 107) Captured 27 August 1944 Opened: 30 August 1944 Closed: August 1946 Runway : 4000×200, CON/TAR (13/31)[1] Used by:[5] 48th Fighter Group, 29 August – 15 September 1944 A-43 Saint-Marceau, France Located: 48°10′42″N 000°09′31″E Opened: 31 August 1944 Closed: 20 November 1944 Runway : 5000×120, PHS (08/26)[1] Used by:[5] 474th Fighter Group, 29 August – 6 September 1944 441st Troop Carrier Group, 2 October – 3 November 1944 A-44 Peray, France Located: 48°13′56″N 000°22′46″E Opened: 2 September 1944 Closed: 20 November 1944 Runway : 5000×120, PHS (10/28)[1] Used by:[5] 367th Fighter Group, 4–8 September 1944 442d Troop Carrier Group, 5 October – 7 November 1944 A-45 Lonrai (Lonray), France Located: 48°27′36″N 000°02′22″E Opened: 3 September 1944 Closed: 20 November 1944 Runway : 5000×120, PHS (05/23)[1] Used by:[5] 370th Fighter Group, 6–11 September 1944 439th Troop Carrier Group, 28 September – 4 November 1944 A-46 Toussus-le-Noble, France Also known as: AAF-384 Located: 48°45′05″N 002°06′22″E Now: Toussus-le-Noble Airport (IATA: TNF, ICAO: LFPN) Captured: 26 August 1944 Opened: 28 August 1944 Closed: 8 August 1945 Runway : 4070×106, SMT (07/25)[1] Used by:[5] 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, August–September 1944 A-47 Orly, France Located: 48°43′24″N 002°22′46″E Now: Paris-Orly Airport (IATA: ORY, ICAO: LFPO) Captured 27 August 1944 Opened: 28 August 1944 Closed: Undetermined Runway 1: 6137×197, CON (02/20) Runway 2: 5170×197, CON (08/26)[1] Used by:[5] 50th Fighter Group, 4–15 September 1944 A-48 Brétigny, France Located: 48°35′48″N 002°19′59″E Now: French-roundel.svg Brétigny-sur-Orge Air Base (BA 217) Captured 27 August 1944 Opened: 29 August 1944 Closed: 8 August 1945 Runway 1: 5100×197, CON/PSP (04/22) Runway 2: 4880×197, CON/PSP (11/29)[1] Used by:[5] 404th Fighter Group, 29 August – 13 September 1944 365th Fighter Group, 3–15 September 1944 409th Bombardment Group, September 1944 – February 1945 435th Troop Carrier Group, 13 February – 25 June 1945 A-49 Beille, France Located: 48°04′58″N 000°30′49″E Opened: 15 August-25 September 1944 Runway: 3600×150, SOD (07/25)[1] Use: Transport Airfield[3] A-50 Orleans/Bricy, France Located: 47°59′15″N 001°45′38″E Now: French-roundel.svg Orléans – Bricy Air Base (BA 123) (IATA: XCR, ICAO: LFOK) Captured 22 August 1944 Opened: 24 August 1944 Closed: Undetermined Runway : 7788×263, CON (07/25)[1] Used by:[5] 394th Bombardment Group, 18 September – 8 October 1944 440th Troop Carrier Group, 2 November 1944 – 18 October 1945 A-53 Issy les Moulineaux, France Located: 48°49′26″N 002°16′12″E Opened: 29 August-5 December 1944 Runway: 2100×120 SOD (05/23)[1] Use: Liaison Airfield[3] A-57 Laval, France Located: 48°04′24″N 000°46′08″W Opened: 21 August-5 December 1944 Runway 1: 3450×120 SOD (13/31) Runway 2: 2400×120 SOD (04/22)[1] Use: Liaison Airfield[3] Pursuit to the German Border Map this section’s coordinates from Google Map this section’s coordinates from Bing Export this section’s coordinates as KML Export this section’s coordinates as GeoRSS Export this section’s coordinates as GPX Map all microformatted coordinates Place data as RDF A-36 Saint-Léonard, France Located: 47°56′33″N 000°03′18″E Opened: 4 September 1944 Closed: 28 September 1944 Runway: 5000×120, (3600 PHS/1400 ETH) (00/18)[1] Used by:[5] 406th Fighter Group, 4–22 September 1944 (P-47) A-52 Etampes/Mondesir, France Located: 48°02′06″N 003°25′12″E Opened: 30 August-25 September 1944 Runway: 4500×120 SOD (06/24)[1] Use: Transport Airfield[3] A-54 Le Bourget, France Located: 48°58′10″N 002°28′29″E Now: Le Bourget Airport (ICAO: LFPB) Opened: 29 August 1944 – 1 May 1946 Runway 1: 4730×201 CON (08/26) Runway 2: 4700×120 SOD (01/19)[1] Use: 27th Air Transport Group (ATC)[3] A-55 Melun/Villaroche, France Located: 48°36′19″N 002°40′11″E Now: Melun-Villaroche Airport (ICAO: LFPM) Captured: 1 September 1944 Opened: 15 September 1944 Closed: 8 August 1945 Runway 1: 5336×200, CON (01/19) Runway 2: 5376×200, ASP (10/29)[1] Used by:[5] 416th Bombardment Group, September 1944 – February 1945 (A-20) 436th Troop Carrier Group, 21 February – 15 July 1945 (C-47) A-56 Le Hamil, France Located: 49°53′00″N 002°34′00″E Opened: 27 August-15 September 1944 Runway: 3000×120 ETH (04/22)[1] Use: Liaison Airfield[3] A-58 Coulommiers/Voisins, France Located: 48°50′16″N 003°00′10″E Now: Coulommiers-Voisins Airport (ICAO: LFPK) Captured: 1 September 1944 Opened: 8 September 1944 Closed: 8 August 1945 Runway 1: 6565×264, CON (09/28) Runway 2: 6000×264, ASP (04/22)[1] Used by:[4][5] 425th Night Fighter Squadron, 11 September – 13 October 1944 (P-61) 410th Bombardment Group, September 1944 – February 1945 (A-20) 437th Troop Carrier Group, 24 February – 28 July 1945 (C-47) A-59 Cormeilles-En-Vexin, France Located: 49°05′47″N 002°02′26″E Now: Pontoise – Cormeilles-en-Vexin Airport (IATA: POX, ICAO: LFPT) Captured: 6 September 1944 Opened: 15 September 1944 Closed: 8 August 1945 Runway : 6413×165, CON (12/30)[1] Used by:[5] 344th Bombardment Group, 30 September 1944 – 5 April 1945 (B-26/A-26) A-60 Beaumont-sur-Oise, France Located: 49°10′02″N 002°19′13″E Now: Persan-Beaumont Airport (ICAO: LFPA) Captured: 3 September 1944 Opened: 26 September 1944 Closed: 17 July 1945 Runway : 5250×164, CON (05/23)[1] Used by:[5] 386th Bombardment Group, 2 October 1944 – 9 April 1945 (B-26) 410th Bombardment Group, May–June 1945 (A-26) A-61 Beauvais/Tille, France Also known as: B-42 (Royal Air Force) Located: 49°27′16″N 002°06′46″E Now: Paris Beauvais Tillé Airport (IATA: BVA, ICAO: LFOB) Captured: 6 September 1944 Opened: 10 September 1944 Closed: 17 August 1945 Runway 1: 6023×164, CON (12/30) Runway 2: 5510×164, CON (04/22)[1] Used by:[5] 322d Bombardment Group, September 1944 – March 1945 (B-26) A-62 Reims/Champagn, France Located: 49°18′37″N 004°03′03″E Now: French-roundel.svg Reims – Champagne Air Base (IATA: RHE, ICAO: LFSR) (BA 112) Opened: 3 September 1944 Closed: Undetermined Runway 1: 5000×100, PSP (05/23) Runway 2: 5000×120, SOD (06/24)[1] Used by:[5] 440th Troop Carrier Group, 11–30 September 1944 (C-47) 373d Fighter Group, 19 September – 22 October 1944 (P-47) A-63 Villeneuve/Vertus, France Located: 48°54′19″N 004°00′07″E Opened: 5 September 1944 Closed: 23 May 1945 Runway : 3600×150, SOD (07/25)[1] Used by:[5] 441st Troop Carrier Group, 8 September – 2 October 1944 A-64 Saint-Dizier/Robinson, France Located: 48°38′09.54″N 004°53′58.72″E Now: French-roundel.svg Saint-Dizier – Robinson Air Base (BA 113) Captured: 7 September 1944 Opened: 10 September 1944 Closed: 7 May 1945 Runway 1: 5500×262, CON/PSP (12L/30R) Runway 2: 4678×198, CON (12R/30L)[1] Used by:[4][5] 10th Reconnaissance Group, September–November 1944 (P-38/F-5; P-51/F-6) 405th Fighter Group, 14 September – February 1945 (P-47) 367th Fighter Group, 1 February – 14 March 1945 (P-38) 27th Fighter Bomber Group, 22 February – 19 March 1945 (A-36) (12th AF) 415th Night Fighter Squadron, 18 March – 17 April 1945 (P-61) 417th Night Fighter Squadron, 5–24 April 1945 (P-61) A-65 Perthes, France Located: 48°39′25″N 004°49′21″E Opened: 9 September 1944 Closed: 5 October 1944 Runway : 5000×120, SOD (10/28)[1] Used by:[5] 371st Fighter Group, 18 September – 1 October 1944 (P-47) A-66 Orconte, France Located: 48°40′14″N 004°44′10″E Opened: 15 September 1944 Closed: 1 December 1944 Runway : 5000×120, PHS (11/29)[1] Used by:[5] 354th Fighter Group, 17 September – 1 December 1944 (P-47) A-67 Vitry-En-Artois (Vitry), France Located: 50°20′15″N 002°59′30″E Captured: 9 September 1944 Now: Vitry-En-Artois Airport (IATA: LFQS) Opened: 15 September 1944 Closed: 18 December 1945 Runway : 5000×120, PHS (09/27)[1] Used by:[5] 358th Fighter Group, 14 September – 16 October 1944 (P-47) A-68 Juvincourt-et-Damary (Juvincourt), France Located: 49°25′53″N 003°53′07″E (abandoned) Captured: 5 September 1944 Opened: 7 September 1944 Closed: 2 July 1945 Runway 1: 5500×160, CON (09/27) Runway 2: 5420×160, CON (17/35)[1] Used by:[5] 439th Troop Carrier Group, 8–28 September 1944 (C-47) 404th Fighter Group, 13 September – 4 October 1944 (P-47) 365th Fighter Group, 15 September – 4 October 1944 (P-47) 36th Fighter Group, 1–27 October 1944 (P-47) 367th Fighter Group, 28 October 1944 – 1 February 1945 (P-38) 368th Fighter Group, 27 December 1944 – 5 January 1945 (P-47) 410th Bombardment Group, February–May 1945 (A-20) A-69 Laon/Athies, France Located: 49°35′47″N 003°42′31″E Waa: Laon-Athies Air Base (abandoned) Captured 7 September 1944 Opened: 10 September 1944 Closed: 23 May 1945 Runway : 5386×163, CON (08/26)[1] Used by:[5] 368th Fighter Group, 11 September – 2 October 1944 (P-47) 323d Bombardment Group, 13 October 1944 – February 1945 (B-26) 416th Bombardment Group, February–May 1945 (A-20) A-70 Laon/Couvron, France Located: 49°39′0″N 3°33′0″E Now: Flag of France.svg Quartier Mangin sur l’ancienne base de Couvron (Armée de Terre) Captured 7 September 1944 Opened: 9 September 1944 Closed: 23 May 1945 Runway 1: 5450×167, CON (02/20) Runway 2: 5350×167, CON (10/28)[1] Used by:[5] 50th Fighter Group, 15–28 September 1944 (P-47) 409th Bombardment Group, February–June 1945 A-71 Clastres, France Located: 49°45′25.61″N 003°12′43.71″E Now: Saint-Simon – Clastres Air Base abandoned) Captured: 7 September Opened: 9 September 1944 Closed: Unknown Runway 1: 5730×164, CON (05/23) Runway 2: 5963×164, CON (10/29)[1] Used by:[5] 367th Fighter Group, 8 September – 28 October 1944 (P-38) 387th Bombardment Group, 30 October 1944 – 29 April 1945 (B-26) A-72 Peronne/St Quentin, France Located: 49°52′11″N 003°01′43″E Now: Peronne-St Quentin Airport (ICAO: LFAG) Captured: 5 September Opened: 6 September 1944 Closed: Unknown Runway 1: 5250×164, CON (04/22) Runway 2: 5400×164, CON (09/27)[1] Used by:[5] 474th Fighter Group, 6 September – 1 October 1944 (P-38) 397th Bombardment Group, 6 October 1944 – 25 April 1945 (B-26) A-73 Roye/Amy, France Located: 49°39′32″N 002°49′16″E (abandoned) Captured: 6 September Opened: 8 September 1944 Closed: 8 August 1945 Runway 1: 5600×164, CON (05/23) Runway 2: 5965×164, CON (10/28)[1] Used by:[5] 370th Fighter Group, 11–26 September 1944 (P-47) 391st Bombardment Group, 19 September 1944 – 16 April 1945 (B-26) 349th Troop Carrier Group, – 13 April July 1945 (C-47) A-74 Cambrai/Niergnies, France Located: 50°08′08″N 003°15′53″E Now: Cambrai-Niergnies Airport (ICAO: LFYG) Captured: 10 September Opened: 12 September 1944 Closed: Unknown Runway 1: 5330×164, CON/PSP (15/33) Runway 2: 5068×164, CON/TAR (09/27)[1] Used by:[5] 48th Fighter Group, 15–30 September 1944 (P-47) 394th Bombardment Group, 6 October 1944 – 2 May 1945 (B-26) A-75 Cambrai/Epinoy, France Also known as B-72 (Royal Air Force) Located: 50°13′50″N 003°09′48″E Opened: 12–16 September 1944 Runway 1: 5300×165 CON (05/23) Runway 2: 5425×165 CON/PSP (17/35)[1] Operated as: Emergency Landing/Refueling Airfield[3] A-76 Athis, France Located: 49°00′28″N 004°06′50″E (abandoned) Captured: Opened: 4 September 1944 Closed: 4 October 1945 Runway : 5600×120, SMT (09/27)[1] Used by:[5] 36th Fighter Group, – 1 September October 1944 (P-47) A-77 Sainte-Livière, France Located: 48°35′30″N 004°52′01″E Opened: 11 September-10 May 1944 Runway: 3600×120 SOD (13/31)[1] Operated as: Transport Airfield[3] A-79 Prosnes, France Located: 49°10′34″N 004°16′20″E (abandoned) Opened: 21 September 1944 Closed: 4 July 1945 Runway : 6000×120, PSP (08/26)[1] Used by:[4][5] 362d Fighter Group, 19 September – 5 November 1944 (P-47) 425th Night Fighter Squadron, 13 October – 9 November 1944 (P-61) 438th Troop Carrier Group, February–May 1945 (C-47) A-80 Mourmelon-le-Grand, France Located: 49°06′45″N 004°22′20″E (abandoned) Opened: 20 September 1944 Closed: 2 July 1945 Runway : 6000×120, PSP (08/26)[1] Used by:[5] 406th Fighter Group, 22 September 1944 – 2 February 1945 (P-47) 358th Fighter Group, 16 October – 9 November 1944 (P-47) 434th Troop Carrier Group, – 24 March July 1945 (C-47) A-81 Creil. France Located: 49°15′13″N 002°31′10″E Now: French-roundel.svg BA 110 Creil Air Base Opened: 23 September 1944 – 8 May 1945 Runway 1: 5646×164 CON (07/25) Runway 2: 5382×164 CON (14/32)[1] Use: 1st Transport Group (Provisional) (ATC)[3] A-82 Verdun/Etain, France Located: 49°13′36″N 005°40′20″E Later: Étain-Rouvres Air Base Opened: 19 September 1944 Closed: 22 May 1945 Runway: 5000×120, PSP, (08/26)[1] Used by:[5] 362d Fighter Group, 5 November 1944 – 8 April 1945 (P-47) 425th Night Fighter Squadron, 9 November 1944 – 12 April 1945 (P-61) A-83 Denain/Prouvy, France Also known as: B-74 (Royal Air Force) Located: 50°19′33″N 003°27′38″E Now: Valenciennes-Denain Airport (ICAO: LFAV) Captured: 12 September Opened: 14 September 1944 Closed: 25 June 1945 Runway: 5500×164, CON/PSP, (06/24)[1] Used by:[5] 323d Bombardment Group, – 15 February May 1945 (B-26) A-88 Maubeuge, France Located: 50°16′33″N 003°58′24″E Opened: 9 November 1944 – 13 February 1945 Runway: 3600×150 SOD (05/23)[1] Use: Transport Airfield[3] A-90 Toul-Croix De Metz Airfield, France Located: 48°41′53.25″N 005°55′02.23″E Now: Non-Aviation use (Industrial Estate) Captured: 14 September 1944 Opened: 14 September 1944 Closed: 22 May 1945 Runway: 5000×120, PSP, (10/28)[1] Used by:[5] 358th Fighter Group, 9 November 1944 – 2 April 1945 (P-47) A-91 Sedan, France Located: 49°42′10″N 004°56′32″E Opened: 14 September 1944 – 17 May 1945 Runway 1: 3600×120 SOD (07/25) Runway 2: 3600×120 SOD (08/26)[1] Use: Transport Airfield[3] A-94 Conflans-en-Jarnisy (Conflans), France Located: 49°09′07″N 005°55′55″E Now: Doncourt-lès-Conflans Airport (ICAO: LFGR) Opened: 20 November 1944 Closed: 22 May 1945 Runway: 5000×120, PSP, (08/26)[1] Used by:[5] 10th Reconnaissance Group, November 1944 – March 1945 (P-38/F-4; P-51/F-5) 367th Fighter Group, 14 March – 20 April 1945 (P-38) A-95 Nancy/Azelot, France Located: 48°35′30″N 006°14′22″E Opened: 31 October 1944 – 5 November 1945 Runway: 5000×120 PSP (01/19)[1] Use:[3][4][5] XIX TAC Provisional Reconnaissance Group (November 1944=-April 1945) 162d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron 111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron 69th Tactical Reconnaissance Group (March–April 1945) A-96 Toul/Ochey, France Located: 48°34′59.75″N 005°57′15.67″E Now: French-roundel.svg Nancy – Ochey Air Base (BA 133) Opened: 9 October 1944 Closed: 11 May 1945 Runway: 5000×120, PSP, (07/25)[1] Used by:[4][5] 50th Fighter Group, 3 November 1944 – 20 April 1945 (P-47) 415th Night Fighter Squadron, 30 November 1944 – 18 March 1945 (P-61) 27th Fighter Bomber Group, 19 March – April 1945 (P-47) (12th AF) A-98 Rosieres En Haye, France Located: 48°46′48″N 005°58′48″E Now: French-roundel.svg Toul-Rosières Air Base (BA 136) Opened: 21 November 1944 Closed: 22 May 1945 Runway: 5000×120, PSP, (03/21)[1] Used by:[5] 354th Fighter Group, 1 December 1944 – 8 April 1945 A-99 Mars-la-Tour, France Located: 49°05′54″N 005°53′09″E Opened: 28 September 1944 – 2 January 1945 Runway: 3600×120 SOD (04/22)[1] Use: Transport Airfield[3] Y-1 Tantonville, France Located: 48°27′30.48″N 006°09′05.70″E Opened: 25 December 1944 Closed: 29 May 1945 Runway: 5000/120, PSP, (02/20)[1] Used by:[5] 371st Fighter Group, 20 December 1944 – 15 February 1945 (P-47) 86th Fighter Group, 20 February – 17 April 1945 (P-47) (12th AF) Y-2 Luneville, France Located: 48°35′35.79″N 006°32′36.44″E Now: Lunéville-Croismare Airport (ICAO: LFQC) Opened: January 1945 Closed: 29 May 1945 Runway: 5000/120, PSP, (09/27)[1] Used by:[5] 324th Fighter Group, 4 January – 8 May 1945 (P-47) (12th AF) Y-3 Avril, France Construction cancelled Y-4 Buc, France Located: 48°46′24″N 002°11′57″E Opened: 28 August 19444-5 December 1945[3] Runway 1: 3300×120 SOD (07/25) Runway 2: 3300×120 SOD (13/31)[1] Use:[4] 109th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, August–September 1944 47th Liaison Squadron, September 1944 112th Liaison Squadron, September 1944 – June 1945 Y-28 Verdun/Charny, France Located: 49°09′43″N 005°23′08″E (approximately) Opened: 11 September 1944 – 25 June 1945 Runway: 3000/80 SMT (01/19)[1] Use: Liaison Airfield[3] Y-31 Bulgnéville, France Located: 48°12′30″N 005°50′06″E (approximately) Opened: 4 November 1944 – 6 January 1945 Runway 1: 4500×125 SOD (09/27) Runway 2: 4100×120 PSP (06/24)[1] Use: Liaison Airfield[3] Y-33 Thionville, France Located: 49°21′37″N 006°10′22″E (approximately) Opened: 29 November 1944 – 16 June 1945 Runway: 3600×120 PSP (02/20)[1] Use: Transport Airfield/Tactical Air Depot[3] Y-34 Metz, France Located: 49°04′18″N 006°07′57″E Now: French-roundel.svg Metz-Frescaty Air Base (BA 128) Opened: 25 December 1944 Closed: 29 May 1945 Runway: 5000×120, PSP, (02/20)[1] Used by:[5] 365th Fighter Group, 27 December 1944 – 30 January 1945 (P-47) 368th Fighter Group, 5 January – 15 April 1945 (P-47) 406th Fighter Group, 2–8 February 1945 (P-47) 371st Fighter Group, 15 February – 7 April 1945 (P-47) Y-35 Compiegne/Margny, France Now: Compiègne – Margny Airport (IATA: XCP, ICAO: LFAD) Located: 49°26′00″N 002°48′16″E Opened: 15 December 1944 – 30 May 1945 Runway 1: 3000×120 SMT (05/23) Runway 2: 3300×120 SMT (12/30) Runway 3: 3500×100 PSP (14/32)[1] Use: Transport Airfield[3] Y-39 Haguenau, France Located: 48°47′41″N 007°48′55″E Now: Haguenau Airport (ICAO: LFSH) Opened: 20 December 1944 Closed: 17 July 1945 Runway 1: 3400×160, CON, (07/25) Runway 2: 3200×180, CON, (03/21)[1] Used by:[5] 69th Reconnaissance Group, 2 April – 30 June 1945 (P-38/F-4; P-51/F-5) Y-42 Nancy/Essey, France Now: Nancy-Essey Airport (IATA: ENC, ICAO: LFSN) Located: 48°41′28″N 006°13′40″E Opened: 15 October 1944 – 30 September 1945 Runway 1: 3000/100 SOD (15/33) Runway 2: 3600/100 PSP (08/26)[1] Use:[3] 14th Liaison Squadron, October–December 1944 Headquarters: 71st Fighter Wing, 16 July – 25 September 1945 Southern France Campaign Map this section’s coordinates from Google Map this section’s coordinates from Bing Export this section’s coordinates as KML Export this section’s coordinates as GeoRSS Export this section’s coordinates as GPX Map all microformatted coordinates Place data as RDF Y-5 Ambérieu-en-Bugey (Ambérieu), France Located: 45°59′14.41″N 005°19′42.40″E Now: French-roundel.svg Ambérieu-en-Bugey Air Base (BA 278) Opened: September 1944 Closed: 29 May 1945 Constructed by MTO (12AF) Engineers[1] Runway: 6000/100, ETH, (01/19) Used by:[5] 324th Fighter Group, 6–20 September 1944 (P-47) (12th AF) Y-6 Lyon/Bron, France Located: 45°43′46″N 004°56′20″E Now: Lyon-Bron Airport (IATA: LYN, ICAO: LFLY) Captured: September 1944 Opened: September 1944 Closed: 20 June 1945 Repaired by MTO (12AF) Engineers[1] Runway: 6000/130, CON/PSP, (17/35) Used by: 79th Fighter Group, September–November 1944 (P-47) (12th AF) Y-7 Dôle/Tavaux, France Located: 47°02′20.45″N 005°25′38.10″E Now: Dôle-Tavaux Airport (IATA: DLE, ICAO: LFGJ) Captured: September 1944 Opened: September 1944 Closed: 17 July 1945 Repaired by MTO (12AF) Engineers Runway: 5500/272, CON/PSP, (05/23)[1] Used by:[5] 324th Fighter Group, 20 September 1944 – 4 January 1945 (P-47) (12th AF) 371st Fighter Group, 1 October – 20 December 1944 (P-47) 320th Bombardment Group, 1 April – 18 June 1945 (B-26) Y-8 Luxeuil, France Now: French-roundel.svg Luxeuil Air Base (BA 116) Located: 47°46′59″N 006°21′51″E Opened: 22 September 1944 – 6 January 1945 Runway: 5000×120 PSP (04/22)[1] Use: Supply and Evacuation Airfield[3] Y-9 Dijon/Longvic, France Located: 47°15′57″N 005°05′42″E Now: French-roundel.svg Dijon Air Base (BA 102) (IATA: DLE, ICAO: LFGJ) Captured September 1944 Opened: September 1944 Closed: 1 July 1945 Repaired by MTO (12AF) Engineers Runway: 6000/120, CON/PSP, (01/19)[1] Used by:[4][5] 415th Night Fighter Squadron, 25 September – 30 November 1944 (P-61) 320th Bombardment Group, 11 November 1944 – 1 April 1945 (B-26) 17th Bombardment Group, 20 November 1944 – June 1945 (B-26) (12th AF) Y-11 Cannes/Mandelieu, France Located: 43°32′47″N 006°57′15″E Opened: 2 October-23 November 1944 Constructed by MTO (12AF) Engineers Runway: 3000×150 ETH[1] Use: Transport Airfield[3] Y-12 St. Raphael/Frejus, France Located: 43°25′02″N 006°44′08″E Now: Frejus Airport (IATA: FRJ) (Closed) Opened: 26 August 1944 Closed: 20 November 1944 Runway: 6000×150, SOD/ETH, (08/26)[1] Constructed by MTO (12AF) Engineers Used by:[5] 79th Fighter Group, 25 August – October 1944 (P-47) (12th AF) Y-13 Cuers/Pierrefeu, France Now: Cuers Pierrefeu Airport (IATA: TLN, ICAO: LFTH) Located: 43°14′49″N 006°07′30″E Opened: 24 August-20 November 1944 Constructed by MTO (12AF) Engineers Runway: 5000×150 ETH (10/28)[1] Use: Emergency landing/refueling airfield[3] Y-14 Marseilles/Marignane, France Now: Marseille Provence Airport (IATA: MRS, ICAO: LFML) Located: 43°26′12″N 005°12′54″E Opened: 12 September 1944 – October 1945 Repaired by MTO (12AF) Engineers Runway: 4850×150 SOD (15/33)[1] Use: Transport Airfield[3] 1411th Army Air Force Base Unit, October 1944 – October 1945 Y-15 Aix/Les Milles, France Now: Aix-en-Provence Aerodrome (IATA: QXB, ICAO: LFMA) Located: 43°30′19″N 005°22′02″E Opened: 28 August-20 November 1944 Repaired by MTO (12AF) Engineers Runway: 4200×150 ETH[1] Use: Resupply/Casualty evacuation airfield[3] Y-16 Salon, France Located: 43°36′23″N 005°06′33″E Now: French-roundel.svg Salon-de-Provence Air Base (BA 701) Opened: 28 August 1944 Closed: 20 November 1944 Runway: 6000×150, SOD/ETH, (04/22)[1] Repaired by MTO (12AF) Engineers Used by:[5] 27th Fighter Bomber Group, 30 April – 11 September 1944 (P-47) (12th AF) 47th Bombardment Group, 7–18 September 1944 (A-20) (12th AF) Y-17 Istres/Le Tube, France Also known as: AAF-196 Located: 43°31′28″N 4°56′30″E Now: French-roundel.svg Istres-Le Tubé Air Base (BA 125) Opened: 27 August 1944 Closed: Undetermined Repaired by MTO (12AF) Engineers Runway 1: 5800×197, ASP, (15/33) Runway 2: 6000×150, ETH, (15/33) Runway 3: 6000×200, ASP, (10/28)[1] Used by:[5] 324th Fighter Group, 2–6 September 1944 (P-47) (12th AF) Y-18 Le Vallon, France Located: 45°38′57.08″N 004°04′34.56″E (abandoned) Opened: 30 August 1944 Closed: 20 November 1944 Constructed by MTO (12AF) Engineers Runway: 7800×300, SOD, (13/31)[1] Used by:[4] 415th Night Fighter Squadron, 1–25 September 1944 (P-61) 417th Night Fighter Squadron, 12 September – 5 April 1945 (Bristol Beaufighters) (12th AF) Y-19 La Jasse, France Located: 44°21′58″N 003°24′34″E Opened: 30 August-20 November 1944 Runway: 6000×150 SOD (12/30)[1] Use: Emergency landing/refueling airfield[3] Y-20 Sisteron, France Located: 44°11′28″N 005°56′50″E Opened: 28 August-20 November 1944 Constructed by MTO (12AF) Engineers Runway: 5000×150 SOD (17/35)[1] Use: Emergency Landing/Refueling Airfield[3] Y-21 Montelimar/Ancone, France Now: Montélimar Ancone Airport (IATA: XMK, ICAO: LFLQ) Located: 44°34′47″N 004°44′18″E Opened: 3 September-20 November 1944 Constructed by MTO (12AF) Engineers Runway: 6000×150 SOD (17/35)[1] Use: Emergency landing/refueling airfield[3] Y-22 Crest, France Located: 44°43′45″N 005°01′22″E Opened: 29 August-20 November 1944 Constructed by MTO (12AF) Engineers Runway: 5000×150 SOD (01/19)[1] Use: Supply and Evacuation Airfield[3] Y-23 Valence, France Located: 44°55′18″N 004°58′11″E Now: Valence-Chabeuil Airport (IATA: VAF, ICAO: LFLU) Opened: 2 September 1944 Closed: 20 November 1944 Constructed by MTO (12AF) Engineers Runway: 5500×150, SOD, (01/19)[1] Used by:[5] 79th Fighter Group, September 1944 (P-47) (12th AF) Y-24 Satolas, France Now: Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (IATA: LYS, ICAO: LFLL) Located: 45°43′32″N 005°04′52″E Opened: 7 September-20 November 1944 Runway: 4000×150 SOD (17/35)[1] Use:[3] 111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, September 1944 Y-25 Lyon/Loyettes, France Located: 45°47′16″N 005°12′49″E Opened: Closed: 20 November 1944 Constructed by MTO (12AF) Engineers Runway: 6000×150, SOD, (02/20)[1] Used by:[5] 27th Fighter Bomber Group, 11 September – October 1944 (P-47) (12th AF) Y-26 Lons-le-Saunier, France Now: Lons-le-Saunier Airport Located: 46°40′30″N 005°28′07″E Opened: 12 September-20 November 1944 Runway: 3000/150 SOD (08/26)[1] Use: 72d Liaison Squadron, September 1944[3] Y-27 Besancon/Thise, France Now: Besancon-Thiese Airport Located: 47°16′29″N 006°05′00″E Opened: 13 September-20 November 1944 Runway: 3500/150 SOD (06/27)[1] Use: Supply and Evacuation Airfield[3] French Noncombat Support ALGs Map this section’s coordinates from Google Map this section’s coordinates from Bing Export this section’s coordinates as KML Export this section’s coordinates as GeoRSS Export this section’s coordinates as GPX Map all microformatted coordinates Place data as RDF Y-30 Le Havre/Octeville, France Now: Le Havre – Octeville Airport (IATA: LEH, ICAO: LFSH) Located: 49°32′02″N 000°05′17″E Opened: 2 November 1944 – 15 December 1945 Runway 1: 3500×125 PSP (05/23) Runway 2: 3300×120 PSP (10/28)[1] Use: Used by United States Navy (Transport Airfield)[3] Y-36 Cognac, France Now: French-roundel.svg BA 709 Cognac – Châteaubernard Air Base Located: 45°39′30″N 000°18′48″W Opened: 6 December 1944 – 11 July 1945 Runway 1: 5200×260 CON (09/27) Runway 2: 4200×260 CON (05/23)[1] Use: Emergency Refueling/Landing Airfield[3] Y-37 Bordeaux/Mérignac, France Now: French-roundel.svg BA 106 Bordeaux-Mérignac Air Base Located: 44°49′42″N 000°42′56″W Opened: 6 December 1944 – 11 July 1945 Runway 1: 6560×180 CON (04/22) Runway 2: 5412×180 CON (10/28)[1] Use: Transport Airfield/Tactical Air Depot[3] Y-38 Toulouse/Blagnac, France Now: Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (IATA: TLS, ICAO: LFBO) Located: 43°38′06″N 001°22′04″E Opened: 6 December 1944 – 11 July 1945 Runway: 6000×125 CON (14/32)[1] Use: Transport Airfield/Tactical Air Depot[3] Y-40 Strasbourg/Entzheim, France Now: Strasbourg Airport (IATA: SXB, ICAO: LFST) Located: 48°32′31″N 007°38′04″E Opened: 6 April-11 November 1945 Runway: 5000×120 PSP (07/25)[1] Use: Emergency Landing/Refueling Field[3] Y-45 Condé-sur-Marne, France Located: 49°02′42″N 004°10′41″E (approximately) Opened: 24 January-5 November 1945 Runway 1: 4000×120 SOD (06/24) Runway 2: 4000×120 SOD (10/28)[1] Use: Transport Airfield[3] Y-48 Auxerre, France Located: 47°48′00″N 003°34′06″E (approximately) Opened: 3 February-18 April 1945 Runway: 3300/120 SOD[1] Use: Transport Airfield[3] Y-49 Bourges, France Now: Bourges Airport (IATA: BOU, ICAO: LFLD) Located: 47°03′39″N 002°22′12″E (approximately) Opened: 3 February-18 April 1945 Runway: 3800/193 CON (06/24)[1] Use: Transport Airfield[3] Y-50 Avord, France Now: French-roundel.svg BA 702 Avord Air Base Located: 47°03′12″N 002°37′57″E Opened: 3 February-29 May 1945 Runway 1: 5240×262 CON Runway 2: 5270×262 CON[1] Use: Transport Airfield[3] Y-52 Nice, France Located: 43°39′56″N 007°12′53″E Opened: 17 February-30 May 1945 Runway: 4500×150 ETH (05/23)[1] Use: Fighter/Bomber Emergency Landing Airfield[3] Now: Aéroport de Nice-Côte d’Azur Y-53 Colmar, France Now: Colmar Airport (IATA: CMR, ICAO: LFGA) Located: 48°06′37″N 007°21′33″E Opened: 26 March-11 November 1945 Runway: 5000×120 PSP (01/19)[1] Use: Fighter/Bomber Emergency Landing Airfield[3] R-51 Cazaux/Bordeaux, France Now: French-roundel.svg BA 120 Cazaux Air Base Located: 44°32′01″N 001°07′32″W Opened: 21 April-1 August 1945 Runway: Use: Transport Airfield[3] Benelux Liberation Map this section’s coordinates from Google Map this section’s coordinates from Bing Export this section’s coordinates as KML Export this section’s coordinates as GeoRSS Export this section’s coordinates as GPX Map all microformatted coordinates Place data as RDF A-78 Florennes/Juzaine, Belgium Located: 50°14′37″N 004°38′55″E Now: Roundel of the Belgian Air Force.svg Florennes Air Base Captured: 11 September Opened: 11 September 1944 Closed: Unknown Runway 1: 4343×164, CON (16/34) Runway 2: 5509×164, CON/PSP (17/35)[1] Used by:[4][5] 422d Night Fighter Squadron, 18 September 1944 – 6 April 1945 (P-61) 370th Fighter Group, 26 September 1944 – 27 January 1945 (P-38) 474th Fighter Group, 1 October 1944 – 22 March 1945 (P-38) 344th Bombardment Group, 5 April – 15 September 1945 (B-26) A-84 Chievres, Belgium (AAF-181) Located: 50°34′33″N 3°49′51″E Now: Roundel of the Belgian Air Force.svg Chièvres Air Base Captured: 13 September Opened: 16 September 1944 Closed: 15 May 1945 Runway 1: 5516×165, CON, (02/20) Runway 2: 5902×165, CON, (09/27)[1] Used by:[5] 368th Fighter Group, 2 October – 27 December 1944 (P-47) 365th Fighter Group, 4 October – 27 December 1944 (P-47) 352d Fighter Group, 27 January – 14 April 1945 (P-51) (8th AF) 361st Fighter Group, 1 February – April 1945 (P-47) (8th AF) A-85 Senzeilles, Belgium Located: 50°10′38″N 004°27′51″E Opened: 9 September 1944 – 13 February 1945 Runway: 3600×150 SOD (12/30)[1] Use: Transport Airfield[3] A-86 Vitrival, Belgium Located: 50°24′00″N 004°39′00″E Opened: 11 September 1944 – 13 February 1945 Runway: 3600×150 SOD (04/22)[1] Use: Transport Airfield[3] A-87 Charleroi, Belgium (AAF-184) Located: 50°27′36″N 004°27′10″E Now: Brussels South Charleroi Airport (IATA: CRL, ICAO: EBCI) Opened: 14 September 1944 Closed: 10 August 1945 Runway: 3600×100, PSP, (06/24)[1] Used by:[5] 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, September 1944 – March 1945 (P-38/F-4; P-51/F-5) A-89 Le Culot, Belgium Also known as: B-68 (Royal Air Force) Located: 50°45′20″N 004°46′04″E Now: Roundel of the Belgian Air Force.svg Beauvechain Air Base (ICAO: EBBE) Captured: Opened: 28 October 1944 Closed: Undetermined Runway 1: 5793×165, TAR/PSP, (04/22) Runway 2: 4955×165, TAR, (12/30)[3] Used by:[5] 373d Fighter Group, 22 October 1944 – 11 March 1945 (P-47) 36th Fighter Group, 27 October 1944 – 26 March 1945 (P-47) 322d Bombardment Group, March–June 1946 (B-26) A-92 Sint-Truiden (Saint Trond), Belgium Also known as: B-62 (Royal Air Force) Located: 50°47′23″N 005°11′48″E Now: Roundel of the Belgian Air Force.svg Sint-Truiden Air Base Captured 16 September 1944 Opened: 18 September 1944 Closed: Undetermined Runway 1: 5250×165, CON (14/32) Runway 2: 4740×165, CON (09/27) Runway 3: 5070×165, CON (06/24)[1] Used by:[5] 48th Fighter Group, 30 September 1944 – 26 March 1945 (A-20) 404th Fighter Group, 4 October 1944 – 30 March 1945 (P-37) 386th Bombardment Group, 9 April – 27 July 1945 (B-26) A-93 Liege/Bierset, Belgium Located: 50°38′18″N 005°26′18″E Opened: 17 November 1944 – 8 August 1945 Runway: 4000×120 PSP (08/26)[1] Use: Detachment, 153d Liaison Squadron[3] A-97 Sandweiler, Luxembourg Located: 49°37′24″N 006°12′16″E Now: Luxembourg – Findel Airport (IATA: LUX, ICAO: ELLX) Opened: 18 September 1944 Closed: 15 August 1945 Runway: 3400×132, SOD, (06/24)[1] Used by:[5] 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group, 4–29 October 1944 (P-38/F-4; P-51/F-5) Y-10 Le Culot/East, Belgium Located: 50°46′54″N 004°57′28″E Now: Roundel of the Belgian Air Force.svg Goetsenhoven Military Airfield (ICAO: EBTN) Captured: September 1944 Opened: September 1944 Closed: 25 June 1945 Runway: 3600/120, PSP, (04/22)[1] Used by:[5] 371st Fighter Group, 1 October – 20 December 1944 Y-29 Asch, Belgium Located: 50°59′10″N 005°36′53″E Now: Roundel of the Belgian Air Force.svg Zutendaal Air Base Opened: 20 November 1944 Closed: 20 June 1945 Runway: 5000×150, SOD, (06/24)[1] Used by:[5] 366th Fighter Group, 19 November 1944 – 11 April 1945 (P-47) 406th Fighter Group, 8 February – 15 April 1945 (P-47) 391st Bombardment Group, 16 April – 27 May 1945 (B-26) Y-32 Ophoven,

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Open main menu Last edited 1 month ago by Topbanana Advanced Landing Ground Watch this page Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg Patch9thusaaf.png UK, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Occupied Germany A-41-Dreux-Jul1944.jpg Photo of the runway at Advanced Landing Ground A-43 (St. Marceau, France) being constructed by IX Engineering Command, August 1944 Type Military airfield Site information Controlled by Royal Air Force United States Army Air Forces Site history Built 1944–1945 Battles/wars European Theatre of World War II Garrison information Occupants RAF Second Tactical Air Force Ninth Air Force Twelfth Air Force Map all coordinates from Google Map up to 200 coordinates from Bing Export all coordinates as KML Export all coordinates as GeoRSS Export all coordinates as GPX Map all microformatted coordinates Place data as RDF Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) was the term given to the temporary advance airfields constructed by the Allies during World War II in support of the invasion of Europe. They were built in the UK prior to the invasion and thereafter in North West Europe from 6 June 1944 to V-E Day, 7 May 1945. Unlike the permanent airfields built in the United Kingdom and designed for the strategic bombardment of Germany, the tactical combat airfields on the continent were temporary, often improvised airfields to be used by the tactical air forces to support the advancing ground armies engaged on the battlefield. Once the front line moved out of range for the aircraft, the groups and squadrons moved up to newly built ALGs closer to the ground forces and left the ones in the rear for other support uses, or simply abandoned them. Contents Overview Construction Runway types Airfield types Deployment Summary Airfields United Kingdom (Kent) Normandy Campaign Cotentin Peninsula/Brittany Breakout Northern France Campaign Drive to the Seine River Pursuit to the German Border Southern France Campaign French Noncombat Support ALGs Benelux Liberation Western Allied invasion of Germany Rhineland Campaign Central Europe Campaign Army of Occupation ALGs Royal Air Force ALGs See also References External links OverviewEdit When the Allies invaded Normandy on D-Day, Royal Air Force Airfield Construction Service engineers were among those in the initial assault waves. Their mission was to rapidly construct forward operating airfields, known as Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs), on the European continent. As the Allied armies advanced across France and into Germany, several hundred airfields were built or rehabilitated for use by the allied air forces. For security reasons, the airstrips were referred to by a coded number instead of location. In the United Kingdom, USAAF installations were identified by three digit (AAF) numbers ranging from AAF-101 to AAF-925. After D-Day, continental airfields in the European Theater of Operations (ETO) were also assigned coded numbers. American airfields were given A-, Y-, or R-, prefixes and numbered consecutively from 1 to 99. Both “A” and “Y” designated airfields could be found in France, however many “Y” fields would also be in France, as well as the Netherlands; Belgium and occupied areas of Germany. “R” coded fields were usually located in occupied Germany. British airfields on the continent were also consecutively numbered, but with a B-prefix. The numbering system for airfields was sequentially assigned as airfields were allocated, not by location or by date of operational use. A-1, Saint Pierre du Mont, was declared operational on 13 June 1944; A-3 Cardonville on 14 June. However A-2, Cricqueville-en-Bessin, was declared operational a few days later on 19 June. Also many of these airfields had no combat air group or squadron attached to them. They were designed for casualty evacuation and supply transport and consisted of a quickly built runway manned only by a small complement of station personnel with little or no infrastructure other than tents. As the ground forces moved east, wounded would be sent to the airfield to be picked up by C-47s and taken to hospitals in England or other rear areas. Also supplies would be airlifted to the fields and unloaded, to be quickly transported to the front line units. These were normally known as S&E Fields (Supply and Evacuation). Once completed, airfields were usually utilized by the combat groups or squadrons within a day or so of being declared operational for military use by the IX Engineering command engineers. They would be used for perhaps a few days to a week, to several months, depending on the location, use, and operational requirements. Once the combat units moved up to the next assigned ALG, they could be utilized as S&E Fields, or deconstructed quickly and abandoned, with the land being released back to the landowners or civil authorities in the area. ConstructionEdit A USAAF Engineer clearing out the wreckage of a destroyed Luftwaffe aircraft at an ALG, with a P-38 Lightning flying overhead on landing approach The mission for constructing ALGs was placed in the hands of the Airfield Construction Service of 2TAF, Royal Air Force, whilst theUSAAF’s Ninth Air Force and its specially created engineering arm, the IX Engineer Command, were responsible for ALG’s in the US sector of operations. Each aviation engineer battalion in the command (of a total of sixteen) was composed of sufficient men and equipment to quickly construct an airfield or landing ground for a single tactical fighter or bomb group unit.[1] ALGs were selected in two ways. First, existing enemy military or civilian airfields which were captured as the ground forces advanced were noted by engineers assigned to ground units. Second, engineers noted areas in grid locations where an airfield was desired, that had flat terrain, good land drainage, and where an airfield could be constructed quickly.[1] Captured airfields could be restored for use as advanced landing field in one to three days depending upon the amount of drainage and the number of mines and booby traps encountered.[1] Dry-weather advanced landing fields were constructed by a single battalion at a favorable site in flat terrain in from one to three days, including time for reconnaissance. At less favorable sites, where more clearing and grading were required, or all-weather fields which also needed additional infrastructure, the time varied from three to ten days.[1] ALGs were equipped with an access road that was connected to the existing road infrastructure; a dump for supplies, ammunition, and gasoline drums, along with a drinkable water and a minimal electrical grid for communications and station lighting. Tents were used for billeting and also for support facilities. Time was the all-important factor and ALGs serve its purpose if available for only a few days. As the forward area became the rear area, an advanced landing field could be improved for medium bomber use, but initially they primarily served fighter and transport groups.[1] Based on the experience obtained in the North African and Italian Campaigns, fighter groups required an airfield 120 feet x 3600 feet long, and fighter-bomber groups required fields 120 feet x 5000 feet long. Medium bomb groups required 120 feet x 6000 feet runways.[1] Runway types Instead of using rough, unimproved dirt strips, engineers used surfacing material necessary to strengthen the soil to support the weight of the aircraft and as a measure of insurance against the wet weather. Airfields were initially single runway landing strips which were laid down east–west (09/27) unless local conditions dictated a different runway direction.[1] Sommerfeld Tracking[2] ALGs laid in the UK were of Sommerfeld Tracking a form of stiffened steel wire mesh. Square-Mesh Track (SMT)[2] The surfacing material selected for the building of advanced landing grounds during the first weeks after the Normandy invasion was known as square-mesh track (SMT). SMT, a British development, was material composed of heavy wire joined in three-inch squares. It was chosen over other surfacing materials because it was very lightweight, allowing sufficient quantities to be transported across the English channel on over-tasked landing craft. Easily workable, a SMT landing mat for fighters could be laid like a carpet in about one week. Prefabricated Hessian (PBS)[2] After the initial batch of airfields was completed using SMT, the Army aviation engineers switched almost exclusively to another surfacing material known as prefabricated hessian (burlap) surfacing (PBS). Light and easily transportable, PBS did not create the dust problem encountered with SMT fields. Made of an asphalt-impregnated jute delivered in rolls 300 feet in length and 36 inches or 43 inches in width, PBS was laid in overlapping layers to produce a dust-free fair weather surface. It was also common to build airstrips using both SMT and PBS, laying SMT on top. Pierced Steel Plank (PSP)[2] To provide an all season durable airfield for the RAF’s 2TAF and the USAF Ninth Air Force’s medium and light bombers, a third type of surfacing material known as pierced steel plank (PSP), or Marsden Matting was introduced on the Normandy bridgehead in July 1944. It consisted of 10-foot-long (3.0 m), 15-inch-wide (380 mm) steel planks joined together and laid perpendicular to the line of flight. Long used in other theaters, PSP would have been ideal for all airfields on the continent, but its limited availability and greater weight made this impractical. Moreover, because of supply problems, construction of even a PSP fighter-bomber field could take a month or longer, while similar PBS and SMT fields could be constructed in two weeks and one week, respectively. In addition, Sod and Earth runways were built for Emergency Landing Strips (ELS) and Refueling and Rearming Strips (R&R). Captured airfields contained a wide variety of runways, most commonly Asphalt; Concrete; Macadam or Tar-Penetrated Macadam.[1] Airfield types There were five main types of airfields built by the USAAF combat engineers on the continent. These were: Emergency Landing Strips (ELS)[3] Consisted of a rough, graded runway approximately 2000 feet long to provide a place for emergency belly-landings of damaged aircraft. Supply and Evacuation (S&E)[3] Usually a rough graded runway near the front line or an airfield in the rear that was used by C-47s for transport of casualties to the rear, or delivery of supplies and munitions to the front line. Refueling and Rearming (R&R)[3] Consisted of a runway and an aircraft marshalling area on each end of the runway. It was designed to provide an airfield near the front lines upon which aircraft based in rear areas could land, be refueled and rearmed, and take off again on a mission without having to return to their home field in the rear. Also could be used for dispersal or for when services other than refueling or rearming was required. These airfields could be expanded into advance landing grounds by the addition of dispersal and other station facilities. Generally if an R&R strip was built, it would be sited wherever possible with a view to further expand it later into an ALG. Advanced Landing Grounds (ALG)[3] An advanced landing ground could be constructed as such from the beginning or by development from an R&R Strip by the addition of dispersal facilities, expansion of the road network and other additions to the station and technical area in order for it to be used over an extended period of time. Tactical Air Depots (TAD)[3] A number of ALGs were expanded into tactical air depots by the addition of hangars, shops, more dispersal hardstands, roads, and other facilities. Some were developed from the beginning. DeploymentEdit IX Engineering Command putting down a Pierced Steel Planking (PSP) Runway at an Advanced Landing Ground under construction Four main designations were given to ALGs on the European Continent: “A” ALGs were located in France. They were constructed and used by Ninth Air Force units during the Invasion of Normandy (6 June – Mid July 1944) and during Operation Cobra, the breakout from Normandy, starting on 25 July 1944 until 25 August 1944. Those in Normandy were mostly decommissioned after their combat use, however others in Central France were used in various non-combat roles until the end of the war.[3] “B” ALGs were built by American or British combat engineers for Royal Air Force use. Some of these were also used by USAAF Troop Carrier Groups and Command and Control organizations.[3] “Y” ALGs were initially located in Southeastern France, built by Twelfth Air Force engineers as part of Operation Dragoon, the invasion of Southern France. Initially uncoded, they were given “Y” designations when they came under IX Engineering Command control in late 1944. ALGs were also coded “Y” in Northeastern France, Belgium; The Netherlands and Occupied Germany, after “A” coding reached 99 November 1944.[3] “R” ALGs were located in Occupied Germany. Many more were constructed than are listed here, consisting primarily of Supply and Evacuation airfields either laid down quickly in agricultural areas or on captured Luftwaffe airfields. “R” coding began after Y-coding reached 99 in April 1945.[3] An unforeseen development was the extraordinary demand for transport, supply, and evacuation fields as the Allied armies pushed past Paris toward the German frontier. In late 1944, supplies could not keep pace with U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s forces, and to help lessen the supply shortage airfields for C-47 Skytrain cargo planes became a priority. Bringing in ammunition of all types and especially gasoline on the trip to the ALGs on the continent, the C-47s on the return trip evacuated wounded to the rear.[1] By 15 September 1944, IX Engineer Command had placed over eighty ALG airfields in operation, while British engineers had constructed 76 airfields in their zone. In Southern France, another twenty or so fields had been built by American engineers from Twelfth Air Force from the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO). In October these uncoded airfields were assigned to the ETO and given ALG code numbers.[1] The stabilization of the front lines in the Netherlands, Belgium, and eastern France in mid-September 1944, which would last into the new year, allowed aviation engineers a chance to reorganize and prepare for the upcoming winter season. As expected, they could not build new PHS and SMI airstrips during the fall rain and winter snow seasons because of the moist ground. Besides concrete, the American-made PSP was the only available surfacing material that could be laid down during this inclement weather in Europe.[1] To keep the supply lines open, selected airfields in Belgium and France were therefore “winterized” with PSP. Because of the limited supply of PSP, however, only a limited number of airfields could be winterized, making it necessary to base two group sized units per airfield. But sufficient fighter-bomber and medium bomber airfields were completed that winter to ensure 2TAF and Ninth Air Force aircraft could continue flying combat missions.[1] The major problem affecting airfield construction in early 1945 was not the surprise German Ardennes counteroffensive (which caused the abandonment on only one airfield – Y-39, Haguenau). Rather, an early February thaw threatened to make airfields inoperable due to the mud and water. Using local civilian labor, engineers performed extensive maintenance on the threatened airfields and successfully resolved the crisis[1] The renewed allied offensive in early 1945, following the Battle of the Bulge, was supported in earnest by the building of tactical airfields in occupied Germany. Trier (Y-57), became the first operational tactical American airfield on German soil on 10 March 1945. When a crossing over the Rhine River was spearheaded at Remagen, Germany, a supply and evacuation strip was quickly set up to support the bridgehead. As Allied tank columns struck out rapidly into the heartland of Germany, the airfield “clutches” of the Ninth Air Force’s tactical air commands moved east of the Rhine river within range of virtually any target in Germany.[1] Scores of former Luftwaffe sod and hard surfaced airfields were captured in the lightning advance through Central Germany, virtually undamaged, lessening the requirement for SMT, PHS, and PSP prefabricated surfacing. The relative lack of German military opposition in late March, April and May 1945 lessened the need for close air support and produced a greater demand for supply airstrips to keep the offensive moving. Every opportunity was used to clear captured German airfields for use along the armies’ route, allowing C-47s and other transports to land with food, gas, and ammunition. The supply effort received top airfield priority. By V-E Day, 9 May 1945, 76 of the 126 airfields made operational east of the Rhine river were strictly supply and evacuation fields.[1] SummaryEdit USAAF Engineers constructed or rehabilitated over 280 continental airfields in the ETO from D-Day to V-E Day. In the summer months that followed, a few new airfields were constructed, but the vast majority were abandoned and turned over to local landowners or civil governments. Throughout Western Europe, as well as the airfields built by Twelfth and Fifteenth Air Forces in the MTO, a significant number were developed into permanent, civilian airports or NATO military bases after the war.[1] The airfield coding system remained in effect until after the Japanese surrender in the Pacific, when, on 14 September 1945, the system was officially discontinued. Thereafter, airfields were referenced by their geographic name.[1] AirfieldsEdit Only active combat ALGs are shown. Dedicated S&E, Liaison, Transport, and other non-combat airfields are not listed. Runway types are listed as follows: ASP Asphalt BRK Brick CON Concrete ETH Compressed Earth MAC Macadam PHS Prefabricated Hessian Surfacing SMT Square-Mesh Track SOD Sod PSP Pierced Steel Planking TAR Tar-Penetrated Macadam United Kingdom (Kent) Map this section’s coordinates from Google Map this section’s coordinates from Bing Export this section’s coordinates as KML Export this section’s coordinates as GeoRSS Export this section’s coordinates as GPX Map all microformatted coordinates Place data as RDF Advanced Landing Grounds were built in Kent during 1943 and 1944 for several reasons. The first being a requirement by the allies to station short-range fighters close to the English Channel coast so missions could be undertaken to attack enemy coastal fortifications; road and rail networks and other military targets in Occupied France prior to the invasion of Normandy. Also construction of the ALGs provided necessary engineering and construction training as well as providing practical experience in the development of forward airfields which would be necessary on the Continent after the invasion. The ALG’s laid down in Kent had two runways, while the ones laid down in France after the invasion generally had only one strip laid down east-west for speed of construction Due to their temporary nature, the airfields were torn up and salvageable components were re-used on new ALGs in France after the assigned units were moved forward onto French ALGs after the invasion of Normandy. ALG Location In use RAF Ashford (AAF-417) 51°07′31″N 000°48′58″E August 1943 – September 1944 RAF Brenzett (AAF-438) 51°01′00″N 000°52′18″E September 1943 – December 1944, RAF Headcorn (AAF-412) 51°10′58″N 000°41′16″E August 1943 – August 1944 RAF High Halden (AAF-411) 51°07′17″N 000°42′16″E April–September 1944 RAF Kingsnorth (AAF-418) 51°06′18″N 0°53′20″E August 1943 – September 1944 RAF Lashenden (AAF-410) 51°09′24″N 0°38′33″E August 1943 – September 1944 RAF Staplehurst (AAF-413) 51°09′42″N 000°34′18″E August 1943 – July 1944 RAF Woodchurch (AAF-419) 51°05′34″N 000°46′47″E July–September 1943 Normandy Campaign Map this section’s coordinates from Google Map this section’s coordinates from Bing Export this section’s coordinates as KML Export this section’s coordinates as GeoRSS Export this section’s coordinates as GPX Map all microformatted coordinates Place data as RDF Airfields in France used in support of the invasion and establishment of Allied forces in Normandy, France, during Operation Overlord and the immediate aftermath, 6 June—24 July 1944 ELS-1 Poupeville, France First USAAF Airfield in Liberated France. Located: 49°23′02″N 001°20′00″W Established: 6 June 1944: Closed: (Undetermined) Runway: 2000×100 SOD (05/23) Emergency Landing Strip[1] A-1 Saint-Pierre-du-Mont, France Located: 49°23′27″N 000°56′41″W Opened: 13 June 1944 Closed: 5 September 1944 Runway: 5000×120, SMT, (09/27)[1] Used by:[4] 366th Fighter Group, 17 June – 24 August 1944 (P-47) 401st Fighter Squadron, 24 July-15 August 1944 (P-38) A-2 Cricqueville-en-Bessin (Cricqueville), France Located: 49°21′57″N 001°00′26″W Opened: 16 June 1944 Closed: 15 September 1944 Runway: 5000×120, SMT/ETH, (17/35)[1] Used by:[5] 354th Fighter Group, 22 June – 13 August 1944 (P-51) 367th Fighter Group, 14 August – 4 September 1944 (P-38) A-3 Cardonville, France Located: 49°21′17″N 001°02′37″W Opened: 14 June 1944 Closed: 1 September 1944 Runway: 5000×120, SMT (15/33)[1] Used by:[5] 368th Fighter Group, 20 June – 23 August 1944 (P-47) 370th Fighter Group, 24 July – 15 August 1944 (P-38) A-4 Deux-Jumeaux, France Located: 49°20′40″N 000°58′48″W Opened: 30 June 1944 Closed: 15 September 1944 Runway: 5000×120, SMT (11/29)[1] Used by:[4][5] 48th Fighter Group, 18 June – 29 August 1944 (P-47) 107th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 28 June-5 July 1944 (P-51/F-5) 485th Fighter Squadron, 24 July-15 August 1944 (P-38) A-5 La Chapelle-en-Juger (Chippelle), France Located: 49°14′12″N 000°58′59″W Opened: 5 July 1944 Closed: 9 July 1944 Runway: 5000×120, SMT (06/24)[1] Used by:[5] 404th Fighter Group, 6 July – 29 August 1944 (P-47) A-6 Beuzeville-la-Bastille (Beuzeville), France Located: 49°25′16″N 001°18′16″W Established 7 June 1944. Opened: 12 June 1944 Closed: 18 September 1944 Runway: 5000×120, SMT (05/23)[1] Used by:[5] 371st Fighter Group, – 18 June September 1944 (P-47) 367th Fighter Group, 22 July – 14 August 1944 (P-38) A-9 Le Molay-Littry (Le Molay), France Located: 49°15′42″N 000°53′29″W Opened: 30 June 1944 Closed: 5 October 1944 Runway: 4000×120, SMT (04/22)[1] Used by:[4][5] 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, July–August 1944 (F-4/P-38; F-5/P-51) 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 5 July-11 August 1944 (F-5/P-51) A-11 Saint-Lambert, France Located: 49°17′01″N 001°05′54″W Opened: 5 August 1944 Closed: 11 September 1944 Runway: 5000×120, PHS (05/23)[1] Used by: 474th Fighter Group, 6–29 August 1944 (P-38) A-12 Lignerolles, France Located: 49°10′32″N 000°47′24″W (abandoned) Opened: 18 July 1944 Closed: 4 November 1944[1] Runway: 5000×120, PHS (07/25) Used by:[5] 362d Fighter Group, 2 July – 10 August 1944 (P-47) 365th Fighter Group, 15 August – 3 September 1944 (P-47) A-13 Tour-en-Bessin, France Located: 49°17′27″N 000°44′59″W Opened: 28 July 1944 Closed: 2 December 1944 Runway 1: 5000×120, PSP (12/30)[1] Runway 2: 5000×120, PSP (01/19) Used by:[5] 373d Fighter Group, 19 July – 19 August 1944 (P-47) 406th Fighter Group, 5–17 August 1944 (P-47) 394th Bombardment Group, 25 August – 18 September 1944 (B-26) A-21 Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, France Located: 49°21′49″N 000°52′26″W Opened: 8 June – 25 August 1944 Runway: 3400×120, ETH (11/28)[1] Used as: Casuality evacuation and transport Airfield (IX Service Command)[3] A-21 memorial and information webpage A-22 Colleville-sur-Mer, France Located: 49°21′15″N 000°49′41″W Opened: 13 July-4 November 1944 Runway: 3750×120, PBS (09/27)[1] Used as: Transport Airfield[3] Cotentin Peninsula/Brittany Breakout Map this section’s coordinates from Google Map this section’s coordinates from Bing Export this section’s coordinates as KML Export this section’s coordinates as GeoRSS Export this section’s coordinates as GPX Map all microformatted coordinates Place data as RDF ELS Avranches, France Located: 48°39′50″N 001°24′09″W Established: 8 August 1944: Closed: (Undetermined) Runway: 3600×120 SOD (05/23) Emergency Landing Strip[1] A-7 Azeville, France Located: 49°28′56″N 001°18′27″W Opened: 24 June 1944 Closed: 15 September 1944 Runway: 3600×120, SMT (08/26)[1] Used by:[5] 365th Fighter Group, 28 June – 15 August 1944 (P-47) 363d Fighter Group, August–September 1944 (P-51) A-8 Picauville, France Located: 49°23′34″N 001°25′07″W Opened: 26 June 1944 Closed: 15 September 1944 Runway: 5000×120, PHS (07/25)[1] Used by:[5] 405th Fighter Group, 30 June – 14 September 1944 (P-47) A-10 Carentan, France Located: 49°18′18″N 001°10′46″W Opened: 16 June 1944 Closed: 4 November 1944 Runway: 5000×120, PHS (08/26)[1] Used by:[4][5] 50th Fighter Group, 25 June – 16 August 1944 (P-47) 392d Fighter Squadron, 22 July-14 August 1944 (P-38) A-14 Cretteville, France Located: 49°20′17″N 001°22′39″W Opened: 4 July 1944 Closed: 5 September 1944 Runway: 5000×120, (3600 PHS/1400 ETH) (04/22)[1] Used by:[5] 358th Fighter Group, 3 July – 14 August 1944 (P-47) 406th Fighter Group, 17 August – 4 September 1944 (P-47) A-15 Maupertus-sur-Mer (Maupertus), France Located: 49°39′03″N 001°28′31″W Now: Cherbourg – Maupertus Airport or Aéroport de Cherbourg – Maupertus (IATA: CER, ICAO: LFRC) Opened: 4 July 1944 Closed: 22 December 1944 Runway 1: 6000×120, PSP (11/29)[1] Runway 2: 5000×120, PSP (17/35) Used by:[4][5] 363d Fighter Group, 9 July – August 1944 (P-38) 387th Bombardment Group, 22 August – 18 September 1944 (B-26) 422d Night Fighter Squadron, 25 July – 28 August 1944 (P-61) A-16 Brucheville, France Located: 49°22′05″N 001°13′18″W Opened: 2 August 1944 Closed: 5 September 1944 Runway: 5000×120, (3600 PHS/1400 ETH) (07/25)[1] Used by:[5] 36th Fighter Group, 4 July – 25 August 1944 (P-47) A-17 Méautis, France Located: 49°16′55″N 001°17′50″W Opened: 17 August 1944 Closed: 7 September 1944 Runway: 5000×120, (3600 PHS/1400 ETH) (10/28)[1] Used by:[5] 50th Fighter Group, 16 August – 4 September 1944 (P-47) A-18 Saint-Jean-de-Daye, France Located: 49°13′04″N 001°09′11″W Opened: 29 August 1944 Closed: 9 September 1944 Runway: 5000×120, (3600 PHS/1400 ETH) (06/24)[1] Emergency Landing/Refueling Field[3] A-19 Saint-Georges d’ Elle (50) (La Vieille), France Located: 49°09′36″N 00°58′36″W Opened: 14 August 1944 Closed: 7 September 1944 Runway: 5000×120, (3600 PHS/1400 ETH) (01/19)[1] Used by:[5] 370th Fighter Group, 15 August – 6 September 1944 (P-38) A-20 Lessay, France Located: 49°12′08″N 001°30′29″W Now: Lessay Airport (IATA: XDR, ICAO: LFOM) Opened: 25 August 1944 Closed: 28 September 1944 Runway 1: 6000×120, PSP (06/24)[1] Runway 2: 5000×120, PSP (12/30) Used by:[5] 323d Bombardment Group, 26 August – 21 September 1944 (B-26) A-23 Querqueville, France Located: 49°39′51″N 001°41′38″W Opened: 6 July-8 August 1945 Runway: 4600×120, PSP (10/28)[1] Used by: Detachment, 27th Air Transport Group (ATC)[3] A-24 Biniville, France Located: 49°25′42″N 001°28′33″W Opened: 17 July-21 August 1944 Runway: 3600×120, ETH (04/22)[1] Used by: Detachment, 125th Liaison Squadron[3] A-25 Bolleville, France Located: 49°18′06″N 001°34′28″W Opened: 7 August 1944 – 3 March 1945 Runway: 3932×120, SMT & PBS (11/29)[1] Used as: Transport Airfield[3] A-26 Gorges, France Located: 49°14′34″N 001°23′44″W Opened: 16 August 1944 Closed: 28 September 1944 Runway: 6000×120, PSP (07/25) Used by: 397th Bombardment Group, – 11 August September 1944 (B-26) A-27 Rennes/St-Jacques, France Located: 48°04′19″N 001°43′56″W Now: Rennes – Saint-Jacques Airport (IATA: RNS, ICAO: LFRN) Captured 7 August 1944 Opened: 10 August 1944 Closed: 30 November 1944 Runway 1: 5593×260, CON (10/28) Runway 2: 4676×260, CON (14/32) Used by: 362d Fighter Group, 10 August – 19 September 1944 (P-47) 10th Reconnaissance Group, 11 August – September 1944 (P-38/F-5; P-51/F-6) A-29 Saint-James, France Located: 48°31′25″N 001°19′24″W Opened: 14 August 1944 Closed: 28 September 1944 Runway: 5000×120, PHS (13/31) Used by: 373d Fighter Group, 19 August – 19 September 1944 (P-47) A-30 Courtils, France Located: 48°37′42″N 001°24′27″W (approximately) Opened: 13 August-5 September 1944 Runway: 3600×120, ETH (10/28)[1] Used as: Transport Airfield[3] A-31 Gaël, France Located: 48°04′52″N 002°11′46″W Captured: 10 August 1944 Opened: 11 August 1944 Closed: 28 September 1944 Runway: 4500×120, SOD/ETH (08/26) Used by: 354th Fighter Group, 13 August – 17 September 1944 (P-51) A-32 Nantes/Chateau-Bougcn, France Construction Cancelled[3] A-33 Vannes, France Located: 47°43′10″N 002°43′25″W Now: Meucon Airport (IATA: VNE, ICAO: LFRV) Captured 10 August 1944 Opened: 29 August 1944 Closed: 20 June 1945 Runway 1: 6000X200, CON/TAR (13/31) Runway 2: 4400×200, CON/TAR (04/22) Used by: 425th Night Fighter Squadron, 18 August – 11 September 1944 (P-61) A-51 Morlaix, France Located: 48°36′03″N 003°49′00″E Opened: 1 September-8 November 1944 Runway: 40500×120 CON (05/23)[1] Use: Transport Airfield[3] Northern France Campaign The US marks the “Northern France Campaign” from the breakout following the invasion of Normandy to September 1944. Drive to the Seine River Map this section’s coordinates from Google Map this section’s coordinates from Bing Export this section’s coordinates as KML Export this section’s coordinates as GeoRSS Export this section’s coordinates as GPX Map all microformatted coordinates Place data as RDF A-28 Pontorson, France Located: 48°32′42″N 001°29′49″W Opened: 10 August 1944 Closed: 28 September 1944 Runway: 5000×120, (3600 PHS/1400 ETH) (08/26) Used by: 358th Fighter Group, 14 August – 14 September 1944 (P-47) A-35 Le Mans, France Located: 48°00′27″N 000°11′54″E Captured: 12 August 1944 Opened: 3 September 1944 Closed: 20 November 1944 Runway: 5000×120, PHS (14/32)[1] Used by:[5] 36th Fighter Group, 25 August – September 1944 (P-47) 440th Troop Carrier Group, 30 September – 2 November 1944 (C-47) A-34 Gorron, France Located: 48°24′45″N 000°48′41″W (approximately) Opened: 27 August-4 November 1944 Runway: 3600×120, ETH (08/26)[1] Used as: Emergency Landing/Refueling Airfield[3] A-37 Lombron, France Located: 49°04′45″N 000°25′00″E (approximately) Opened: 3–28 September 1944 Runway: 5000×120, PBS (08/26)[1] Used as: Emergency Landing/Refueling Airfield[3] A-38 Montreuil, France Located: 48°05′29″N 000°11′16″E Opened: 4 September 1944 Closed: 5 October 1944 Runway: 5000×120, (3600 PHS/1400 ETH) (01/19)[1] Used by:[5] 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group, – 4 September October 1944 A-39 Châteaudun, France Located: 48°03′28″N 001°22′44″E Now: Châteaudun Airport (IATA: XSU, ICAO: LFOC) Also French-roundel.svg Châteaudun Air Base (BA 279) Captured 20 August 1944 Opened: 26 August 1944 Closed: 8 August 1945 Runway 1: 7250×262, CON (10/28) Runway 2: 5600×262, CON (05/23)[1] Used by:[4][5] 10th Reconnaissance Group, November 1944 (P-38/F-5; P-51/F-6) 422d Night Fighter Squadron, 28 August – 16 September 1944 (P-61) 387th Bombardment Group, 18 September – 30 October 1944 (B-26) 439th Troop Carrier Group, 4 November 1944 – 7 September 1945 (C-47) A-40 Chartres, France Located: 48°27′24″N 001°31′10″E Now: Chartres-Champhol Airport (IATA: QTJ, ICAO: LFOR) Captured 21 August 1944 Opened: 26 August 1944 Closed: Undetermined Runway: 5500×260, CON/PSP (08/26)[1] Used by:[5] 368th Fighter Group, 23 August – 11 September 1944 (P-47) 323d Bombardment Group, 21 September – 13 October 1944 (B-26) A-41 Dreux/Vernouillet, France Located: 48°42′22″N 001°21′42″E Now: Vernouillet Airport (IATA: XDR, ICAO: LFON) Captured 21 August 1944 Opened: 26 August 1944 Closed: Undetermined Runway 1: 5500×200, CON/PSP (02/20) Runway 2: 4400×200, CON (12/30)[1] Used by:[5] 366th Fighter Group, 24 August – 8 September 1944 397th Bombardment Group, 11 September – 6 October 1944 441st Troop Carrier Group, 3 November 1944 – 12 August 1945 A-42 Vélizy-Villacoublay (Villacoublay), France Also known as AAF-180 Located: 48°46′23″N 002°11′59″E Now: French-roundel.svg Vélizy – Villacoublay Air Base (IATA: LFPV) (BA 107) Captured 27 August 1944 Opened: 30 August 1944 Closed: August 1946 Runway : 4000×200, CON/TAR (13/31)[1] Used by:[5] 48th Fighter Group, 29 August – 15 September 1944 A-43 Saint-Marceau, France Located: 48°10′42″N 000°09′31″E Opened: 31 August 1944 Closed: 20 November 1944 Runway : 5000×120, PHS (08/26)[1] Used by:[5] 474th Fighter Group, 29 August – 6 September 1944 441st Troop Carrier Group, 2 October – 3 November 1944 A-44 Peray, France Located: 48°13′56″N 000°22′46″E Opened: 2 September 1944 Closed: 20 November 1944 Runway : 5000×120, PHS (10/28)[1] Used by:[5] 367th Fighter Group, 4–8 September 1944 442d Troop Carrier Group, 5 October – 7 November 1944 A-45 Lonrai (Lonray), France Located: 48°27′36″N 000°02′22″E Opened: 3 September 1944 Closed: 20 November 1944 Runway : 5000×120, PHS (05/23)[1] Used by:[5] 370th Fighter Group, 6–11 September 1944 439th Troop Carrier Group, 28 September – 4 November 1944 A-46 Toussus-le-Noble, France Also known as: AAF-384 Located: 48°45′05″N 002°06′22″E Now: Toussus-le-Noble Airport (IATA: TNF, ICAO: LFPN) Captured: 26 August 1944 Opened: 28 August 1944 Closed: 8 August 1945 Runway : 4070×106, SMT (07/25)[1] Used by:[5] 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, August–September 1944 A-47 Orly, France Located: 48°43′24″N 002°22′46″E Now: Paris-Orly Airport (IATA: ORY, ICAO: LFPO) Captured 27 August 1944 Opened: 28 August 1944 Closed: Undetermined Runway 1: 6137×197, CON (02/20) Runway 2: 5170×197, CON (08/26)[1] Used by:[5] 50th Fighter Group, 4–15 September 1944 A-48 Brétigny, France Located: 48°35′48″N 002°19′59″E Now: French-roundel.svg Brétigny-sur-Orge Air Base (BA 217) Captured 27 August 1944 Opened: 29 August 1944 Closed: 8 August 1945 Runway 1: 5100×197, CON/PSP (04/22) Runway 2: 4880×197, CON/PSP (11/29)[1] Used by:[5] 404th Fighter Group, 29 August – 13 September 1944 365th Fighter Group, 3–15 September 1944 409th Bombardment Group, September 1944 – February 1945 435th Troop Carrier Group, 13 February – 25 June 1945 A-49 Beille, France Located: 48°04′58″N 000°30′49″E Opened: 15 August-25 September 1944 Runway: 3600×150, SOD (07/25)[1] Use: Transport Airfield[3] A-50 Orleans/Bricy, France Located: 47°59′15″N 001°45′38″E Now: French-roundel.svg Orléans – Bricy Air Base (BA 123) (IATA: XCR, ICAO: LFOK) Captured 22 August 1944 Opened: 24 August 1944 Closed: Undetermined Runway : 7788×263, CON (07/25)[1] Used by:[5] 394th Bombardment Group, 18 September – 8 October 1944 440th Troop Carrier Group, 2 November 1944 – 18 October 1945 A-53 Issy les Moulineaux, France Located: 48°49′26″N 002°16′12″E Opened: 29 August-5 December 1944 Runway: 2100×120 SOD (05/23)[1] Use: Liaison Airfield[3] A-57 Laval, France Located: 48°04′24″N 000°46′08″W Opened: 21 August-5 December 1944 Runway 1: 3450×120 SOD (13/31) Runway 2: 2400×120 SOD (04/22)[1] Use: Liaison Airfield[3] Pursuit to the German Border Map this section’s coordinates from Google Map this section’s coordinates from Bing Export this section’s coordinates as KML Export this section’s coordinates as GeoRSS Export this section’s coordinates as GPX Map all microformatted coordinates Place data as RDF A-36 Saint-Léonard, France Located: 47°56′33″N 000°03′18″E Opened: 4 September 1944 Closed: 28 September 1944 Runway: 5000×120, (3600 PHS/1400 ETH) (00/18)[1] Used by:[5] 406th Fighter Group, 4–22 September 1944 (P-47) A-52 Etampes/Mondesir, France Located: 48°02′06″N 003°25′12″E Opened: 30 August-25 September 1944 Runway: 4500×120 SOD (06/24)[1] Use: Transport Airfield[3] A-54 Le Bourget, France Located: 48°58′10″N 002°28′29″E Now: Le Bourget Airport (ICAO: LFPB) Opened: 29 August 1944 – 1 May 1946 Runway 1: 4730×201 CON (08/26) Runway 2: 4700×120 SOD (01/19)[1] Use: 27th Air Transport Group (ATC)[3] A-55 Melun/Villaroche, France Located: 48°36′19″N 002°40′11″E Now: Melun-Villaroche Airport (ICAO: LFPM) Captured: 1 September 1944 Opened: 15 September 1944 Closed: 8 August 1945 Runway 1: 5336×200, CON (01/19) Runway 2: 5376×200, ASP (10/29)[1] Used by:[5] 416th Bombardment Group, September 1944 – February 1945 (A-20) 436th Troop Carrier Group, 21 February – 15 July 1945 (C-47) A-56 Le Hamil, France Located: 49°53′00″N 002°34′00″E Opened: 27 August-15 September 1944 Runway: 3000×120 ETH (04/22)[1] Use: Liaison Airfield[3] A-58 Coulommiers/Voisins, France Located: 48°50′16″N 003°00′10″E Now: Coulommiers-Voisins Airport (ICAO: LFPK) Captured: 1 September 1944 Opened: 8 September 1944 Closed: 8 August 1945 Runway 1: 6565×264, CON (09/28) Runway 2: 6000×264, ASP (04/22)[1] Used by:[4][5] 425th Night Fighter Squadron, 11 September – 13 October 1944 (P-61) 410th Bombardment Group, September 1944 – February 1945 (A-20) 437th Troop Carrier Group, 24 February – 28 July 1945 (C-47) A-59 Cormeilles-En-Vexin, France Located: 49°05′47″N 002°02′26″E Now: Pontoise – Cormeilles-en-Vexin Airport (IATA: POX, ICAO: LFPT) Captured: 6 September 1944 Opened: 15 September 1944 Closed: 8 August 1945 Runway : 6413×165, CON (12/30)[1] Used by:[5] 344th Bombardment Group, 30 September 1944 – 5 April 1945 (B-26/A-26) A-60 Beaumont-sur-Oise, France Located: 49°10′02″N 002°19′13″E Now: Persan-Beaumont Airport (ICAO: LFPA) Captured: 3 September 1944 Opened: 26 September 1944 Closed: 17 July 1945 Runway : 5250×164, CON (05/23)[1] Used by:[5] 386th Bombardment Group, 2 October 1944 – 9 April 1945 (B-26) 410th Bombardment Group, May–June 1945 (A-26) A-61 Beauvais/Tille, France Also known as: B-42 (Royal Air Force) Located: 49°27′16″N 002°06′46″E Now: Paris Beauvais Tillé Airport (IATA: BVA, ICAO: LFOB) Captured: 6 September 1944 Opened: 10 September 1944 Closed: 17 August 1945 Runway 1: 6023×164, CON (12/30) Runway 2: 5510×164, CON (04/22)[1] Used by:[5] 322d Bombardment Group, September 1944 – March 1945 (B-26) A-62 Reims/Champagn, France Located: 49°18′37″N 004°03′03″E Now: French-roundel.svg Reims – Champagne Air Base (IATA: RHE, ICAO: LFSR) (BA 112) Opened: 3 September 1944 Closed: Undetermined Runway 1: 5000×100, PSP (05/23) Runway 2: 5000×120, SOD (06/24)[1] Used by:[5] 440th Troop Carrier Group, 11–30 September 1944 (C-47) 373d Fighter Group, 19 September – 22 October 1944 (P-47) A-63 Villeneuve/Vertus, France Located: 48°54′19″N 004°00′07″E Opened: 5 September 1944 Closed: 23 May 1945 Runway : 3600×150, SOD (07/25)[1] Used by:[5] 441st Troop Carrier Group, 8 September – 2 October 1944 A-64 Saint-Dizier/Robinson, France Located: 48°38′09.54″N 004°53′58.72″E Now: French-roundel.svg Saint-Dizier – Robinson Air Base (BA 113) Captured: 7 September 1944 Opened: 10 September 1944 Closed: 7 May 1945 Runway 1: 5500×262, CON/PSP (12L/30R) Runway 2: 4678×198, CON (12R/30L)[1] Used by:[4][5] 10th Reconnaissance Group, September–November 1944 (P-38/F-5; P-51/F-6) 405th Fighter Group, 14 September – February 1945 (P-47) 367th Fighter Group, 1 February – 14 March 1945 (P-38) 27th Fighter Bomber Group, 22 February – 19 March 1945 (A-36) (12th AF) 415th Night Fighter Squadron, 18 March – 17 April 1945 (P-61) 417th Night Fighter Squadron, 5–24 April 1945 (P-61) A-65 Perthes, France Located: 48°39′25″N 004°49′21″E Opened: 9 September 1944 Closed: 5 October 1944 Runway : 5000×120, SOD (10/28)[1] Used by:[5] 371st Fighter Group, 18 September – 1 October 1944 (P-47) A-66 Orconte, France Located: 48°40′14″N 004°44′10″E Opened: 15 September 1944 Closed: 1 December 1944 Runway : 5000×120, PHS (11/29)[1] Used by:[5] 354th Fighter Group, 17 September – 1 December 1944 (P-47) A-67 Vitry-En-Artois (Vitry), France Located: 50°20′15″N 002°59′30″E Captured: 9 September 1944 Now: Vitry-En-Artois Airport (IATA: LFQS) Opened: 15 September 1944 Closed: 18 December 1945 Runway : 5000×120, PHS (09/27)[1] Used by:[5] 358th Fighter Group, 14 September – 16 October 1944 (P-47) A-68 Juvincourt-et-Damary (Juvincourt), France Located: 49°25′53″N 003°53′07″E (abandoned) Captured: 5 September 1944 Opened: 7 September 1944 Closed: 2 July 1945 Runway 1: 5500×160, CON (09/27) Runway 2: 5420×160, CON (17/35)[1] Used by:[5] 439th Troop Carrier Group, 8–28 September 1944 (C-47) 404th Fighter Group, 13 September – 4 October 1944 (P-47) 365th Fighter Group, 15 September – 4 October 1944 (P-47) 36th Fighter Group, 1–27 October 1944 (P-47) 367th Fighter Group, 28 October 1944 – 1 February 1945 (P-38) 368th Fighter Group, 27 December 1944 – 5 January 1945 (P-47) 410th Bombardment Group, February–May 1945 (A-20) A-69 Laon/Athies, France Located: 49°35′47″N 003°42′31″E Waa: Laon-Athies Air Base (abandoned) Captured 7 September 1944 Opened: 10 September 1944 Closed: 23 May 1945 Runway : 5386×163, CON (08/26)[1] Used by:[5] 368th Fighter Group, 11 September – 2 October 1944 (P-47) 323d Bombardment Group, 13 October 1944 – February 1945 (B-26) 416th Bombardment Group, February–May 1945 (A-20) A-70 Laon/Couvron, France Located: 49°39′0″N 3°33′0″E Now: Flag of France.svg Quartier Mangin sur l’ancienne base de Couvron (Armée de Terre) Captured 7 September 1944 Opened: 9 September 1944 Closed: 23 May 1945 Runway 1: 5450×167, CON (02/20) Runway 2: 5350×167, CON (10/28)[1] Used by:[5] 50th Fighter Group, 15–28 September 1944 (P-47) 409th Bombardment Group, February–June 1945 A-71 Clastres, France Located: 49°45′25.61″N 003°12′43.71″E Now: Saint-Simon – Clastres Air Base abandoned) Captured: 7 September Opened: 9 September 1944 Closed: Unknown Runway 1: 5730×164, CON (05/23) Runway 2: 5963×164, CON (10/29)[1] Used by:[5] 367th Fighter Group, 8 September – 28 October 1944 (P-38) 387th Bombardment Group, 30 October 1944 – 29 April 1945 (B-26) A-72 Peronne/St Quentin, France Located: 49°52′11″N 003°01′43″E Now: Peronne-St Quentin Airport (ICAO: LFAG) Captured: 5 September Opened: 6 September 1944 Closed: Unknown Runway 1: 5250×164, CON (04/22) Runway 2: 5400×164, CON (09/27)[1] Used by:[5] 474th Fighter Group, 6 September – 1 October 1944 (P-38) 397th Bombardment Group, 6 October 1944 – 25 April 1945 (B-26) A-73 Roye/Amy, France Located: 49°39′32″N 002°49′16″E (abandoned) Captured: 6 September Opened: 8 September 1944 Closed: 8 August 1945 Runway 1: 5600×164, CON (05/23) Runway 2: 5965×164, CON (10/28)[1] Used by:[5] 370th Fighter Group, 11–26 September 1944 (P-47) 391st Bombardment Group, 19 September 1944 – 16 April 1945 (B-26) 349th Troop Carrier Group, – 13 April July 1945 (C-47) A-74 Cambrai/Niergnies, France Located: 50°08′08″N 003°15′53″E Now: Cambrai-Niergnies Airport (ICAO: LFYG) Captured: 10 September Opened: 12 September 1944 Closed: Unknown Runway 1: 5330×164, CON/PSP (15/33) Runway 2: 5068×164, CON/TAR (09/27)[1] Used by:[5] 48th Fighter Group, 15–30 September 1944 (P-47) 394th Bombardment Group, 6 October 1944 – 2 May 1945 (B-26) A-75 Cambrai/Epinoy, France Also known as B-72 (Royal Air Force) Located: 50°13′50″N 003°09′48″E Opened: 12–16 September 1944 Runway 1: 5300×165 CON (05/23) Runway 2: 5425×165 CON/PSP (17/35)[1] Operated as: Emergency Landing/Refueling Airfield[3] A-76 Athis, France Located: 49°00′28″N 004°06′50″E (abandoned) Captured: Opened: 4 September 1944 Closed: 4 October 1945 Runway : 5600×120, SMT (09/27)[1] Used by:[5] 36th Fighter Group, – 1 September October 1944 (P-47) A-77 Sainte-Livière, France Located: 48°35′30″N 004°52′01″E Opened: 11 September-10 May 1944 Runway: 3600×120 SOD (13/31)[1] Operated as: Transport Airfield[3] A-79 Prosnes, France Located: 49°10′34″N 004°16′20″E (abandoned) Opened: 21 September 1944 Closed: 4 July 1945 Runway : 6000×120, PSP (08/26)[1] Used by:[4][5] 362d Fighter Group, 19 September – 5 November 1944 (P-47) 425th Night Fighter Squadron, 13 October – 9 November 1944 (P-61) 438th Troop Carrier Group, February–May 1945 (C-47) A-80 Mourmelon-le-Grand, France Located: 49°06′45″N 004°22′20″E (abandoned) Opened: 20 September 1944 Closed: 2 July 1945 Runway : 6000×120, PSP (08/26)[1] Used by:[5] 406th Fighter Group, 22 September 1944 – 2 February 1945 (P-47) 358th Fighter Group, 16 October – 9 November 1944 (P-47) 434th Troop Carrier Group, – 24 March July 1945 (C-47) A-81 Creil. France Located: 49°15′13″N 002°31′10″E Now: French-roundel.svg BA 110 Creil Air Base Opened: 23 September 1944 – 8 May 1945 Runway 1: 5646×164 CON (07/25) Runway 2: 5382×164 CON (14/32)[1] Use: 1st Transport Group (Provisional) (ATC)[3] A-82 Verdun/Etain, France Located: 49°13′36″N 005°40′20″E Later: Étain-Rouvres Air Base Opened: 19 September 1944 Closed: 22 May 1945 Runway: 5000×120, PSP, (08/26)[1] Used by:[5] 362d Fighter Group, 5 November 1944 – 8 April 1945 (P-47) 425th Night Fighter Squadron, 9 November 1944 – 12 April 1945 (P-61) A-83 Denain/Prouvy, France Also known as: B-74 (Royal Air Force) Located: 50°19′33″N 003°27′38″E Now: Valenciennes-Denain Airport (ICAO: LFAV) Captured: 12 September Opened: 14 September 1944 Closed: 25 June 1945 Runway: 5500×164, CON/PSP, (06/24)[1] Used by:[5] 323d Bombardment Group, – 15 February May 1945 (B-26) A-88 Maubeuge, France Located: 50°16′33″N 003°58′24″E Opened: 9 November 1944 – 13 February 1945 Runway: 3600×150 SOD (05/23)[1] Use: Transport Airfield[3] A-90 Toul-Croix De Metz Airfield, France Located: 48°41′53.25″N 005°55′02.23″E Now: Non-Aviation use (Industrial Estate) Captured: 14 September 1944 Opened: 14 September 1944 Closed: 22 May 1945 Runway: 5000×120, PSP, (10/28)[1] Used by:[5] 358th Fighter Group, 9 November 1944 – 2 April 1945 (P-47) A-91 Sedan, France Located: 49°42′10″N 004°56′32″E Opened: 14 September 1944 – 17 May 1945 Runway 1: 3600×120 SOD (07/25) Runway 2: 3600×120 SOD (08/26)[1] Use: Transport Airfield[3] A-94 Conflans-en-Jarnisy (Conflans), France Located: 49°09′07″N 005°55′55″E Now: Doncourt-lès-Conflans Airport (ICAO: LFGR) Opened: 20 November 1944 Closed: 22 May 1945 Runway: 5000×120, PSP, (08/26)[1] Used by:[5] 10th Reconnaissance Group, November 1944 – March 1945 (P-38/F-4; P-51/F-5) 367th Fighter Group, 14 March – 20 April 1945 (P-38) A-95 Nancy/Azelot, France Located: 48°35′30″N 006°14′22″E Opened: 31 October 1944 – 5 November 1945 Runway: 5000×120 PSP (01/19)[1] Use:[3][4][5] XIX TAC Provisional Reconnaissance Group (November 1944=-April 1945) 162d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron 111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron 69th Tactical Reconnaissance Group (March–April 1945) A-96 Toul/Ochey, France Located: 48°34′59.75″N 005°57′15.67″E Now: French-roundel.svg Nancy – Ochey Air Base (BA 133) Opened: 9 October 1944 Closed: 11 May 1945 Runway: 5000×120, PSP, (07/25)[1] Used by:[4][5] 50th Fighter Group, 3 November 1944 – 20 April 1945 (P-47) 415th Night Fighter Squadron, 30 November 1944 – 18 March 1945 (P-61) 27th Fighter Bomber Group, 19 March – April 1945 (P-47) (12th AF) A-98 Rosieres En Haye, France Located: 48°46′48″N 005°58′48″E Now: French-roundel.svg Toul-Rosières Air Base (BA 136) Opened: 21 November 1944 Closed: 22 May 1945 Runway: 5000×120, PSP, (03/21)[1] Used by:[5] 354th Fighter Group, 1 December 1944 – 8 April 1945 A-99 Mars-la-Tour, France Located: 49°05′54″N 005°53′09″E Opened: 28 September 1944 – 2 January 1945 Runway: 3600×120 SOD (04/22)[1] Use: Transport Airfield[3] Y-1 Tantonville, France Located: 48°27′30.48″N 006°09′05.70″E Opened: 25 December 1944 Closed: 29 May 1945 Runway: 5000/120, PSP, (02/20)[1] Used by:[5] 371st Fighter Group, 20 December 1944 – 15 February 1945 (P-47) 86th Fighter Group, 20 February – 17 April 1945 (P-47) (12th AF) Y-2 Luneville, France Located: 48°35′35.79″N 006°32′36.44″E Now: Lunéville-Croismare Airport (ICAO: LFQC) Opened: January 1945 Closed: 29 May 1945 Runway: 5000/120, PSP, (09/27)[1] Used by:[5] 324th Fighter Group, 4 January – 8 May 1945 (P-47) (12th AF) Y-3 Avril, France Construction cancelled Y-4 Buc, France Located: 48°46′24″N 002°11′57″E Opened: 28 August 19444-5 December 1945[3] Runway 1: 3300×120 SOD (07/25) Runway 2: 3300×120 SOD (13/31)[1] Use:[4] 109th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, August–September 1944 47th Liaison Squadron, September 1944 112th Liaison Squadron, September 1944 – June 1945 Y-28 Verdun/Charny, France Located: 49°09′43″N 005°23′08″E (approximately) Opened: 11 September 1944 – 25 June 1945 Runway: 3000/80 SMT (01/19)[1] Use: Liaison Airfield[3] Y-31 Bulgnéville, France Located: 48°12′30″N 005°50′06″E (approximately) Opened: 4 November 1944 – 6 January 1945 Runway 1: 4500×125 SOD (09/27) Runway 2: 4100×120 PSP (06/24)[1] Use: Liaison Airfield[3] Y-33 Thionville, France Located: 49°21′37″N 006°10′22″E (approximately) Opened: 29 November 1944 – 16 June 1945 Runway: 3600×120 PSP (02/20)[1] Use: Transport Airfield/Tactical Air Depot[3] Y-34 Metz, France Located: 49°04′18″N 006°07′57″E Now: French-roundel.svg Metz-Frescaty Air Base (BA 128) Opened: 25 December 1944 Closed: 29 May 1945 Runway: 5000×120, PSP, (02/20)[1] Used by:[5] 365th Fighter Group, 27 December 1944 – 30 January 1945 (P-47) 368th Fighter Group, 5 January – 15 April 1945 (P-47) 406th Fighter Group, 2–8 February 1945 (P-47) 371st Fighter Group, 15 February – 7 April 1945 (P-47) Y-35 Compiegne/Margny, France Now: Compiègne – Margny Airport (IATA: XCP, ICAO: LFAD) Located: 49°26′00″N 002°48′16″E Opened: 15 December 1944 – 30 May 1945 Runway 1: 3000×120 SMT (05/23) Runway 2: 3300×120 SMT (12/30) Runway 3: 3500×100 PSP (14/32)[1] Use: Transport Airfield[3] Y-39 Haguenau, France Located: 48°47′41″N 007°48′55″E Now: Haguenau Airport (ICAO: LFSH) Opened: 20 December 1944 Closed: 17 July 1945 Runway 1: 3400×160, CON, (07/25) Runway 2: 3200×180, CON, (03/21)[1] Used by:[5] 69th Reconnaissance Group, 2 April – 30 June 1945 (P-38/F-4; P-51/F-5) Y-42 Nancy/Essey, France Now: Nancy-Essey Airport (IATA: ENC, ICAO: LFSN) Located: 48°41′28″N 006°13′40″E Opened: 15 October 1944 – 30 September 1945 Runway 1: 3000/100 SOD (15/33) Runway 2: 3600/100 PSP (08/26)[1] Use:[3] 14th Liaison Squadron, October–December 1944 Headquarters: 71st Fighter Wing, 16 July – 25 September 1945 Southern France Campaign Map this section’s coordinates from Google Map this section’s coordinates from Bing Export this section’s coordinates as KML Export this section’s coordinates as GeoRSS Export this section’s coordinates as GPX Map all microformatted coordinates Place data as RDF Y-5 Ambérieu-en-Bugey (Ambérieu), France Located: 45°59′14.41″N 005°19′42.40″E Now: French-roundel.svg Ambérieu-en-Bugey Air Base (BA 278) Opened: September 1944 Closed: 29 May 1945 Constructed by MTO (12AF) Engineers[1] Runway: 6000/100, ETH, (01/19) Used by:[5] 324th Fighter Group, 6–20 September 1944 (P-47) (12th AF) Y-6 Lyon/Bron, France Located: 45°43′46″N 004°56′20″E Now: Lyon-Bron Airport (IATA: LYN, ICAO: LFLY) Captured: September 1944 Opened: September 1944 Closed: 20 June 1945 Repaired by MTO (12AF) Engineers[1] Runway: 6000/130, CON/PSP, (17/35) Used by: 79th Fighter Group, September–November 1944 (P-47) (12th AF) Y-7 Dôle/Tavaux, France Located: 47°02′20.45″N 005°25′38.10″E Now: Dôle-Tavaux Airport (IATA: DLE, ICAO: LFGJ) Captured: September 1944 Opened: September 1944 Closed: 17 July 1945 Repaired by MTO (12AF) Engineers Runway: 5500/272, CON/PSP, (05/23)[1] Used by:[5] 324th Fighter Group, 20 September 1944 – 4 January 1945 (P-47) (12th AF) 371st Fighter Group, 1 October – 20 December 1944 (P-47) 320th Bombardment Group, 1 April – 18 June 1945 (B-26) Y-8 Luxeuil, France Now: French-roundel.svg Luxeuil Air Base (BA 116) Located: 47°46′59″N 006°21′51″E Opened: 22 September 1944 – 6 January 1945 Runway: 5000×120 PSP (04/22)[1] Use: Supply and Evacuation Airfield[3] Y-9 Dijon/Longvic, France Located: 47°15′57″N 005°05′42″E Now: French-roundel.svg Dijon Air Base (BA 102) (IATA: DLE, ICAO: LFGJ) Captured September 1944 Opened: September 1944 Closed: 1 July 1945 Repaired by MTO (12AF) Engineers Runway: 6000/120, CON/PSP, (01/19)[1] Used by:[4][5] 415th Night Fighter Squadron, 25 September – 30 November 1944 (P-61) 320th Bombardment Group, 11 November 1944 – 1 April 1945 (B-26) 17th Bombardment Group, 20 November 1944 – June 1945 (B-26) (12th AF) Y-11 Cannes/Mandelieu, France Located: 43°32′47″N 006°57′15″E Opened: 2 October-23 November 1944 Constructed by MTO (12AF) Engineers Runway: 3000×150 ETH[1] Use: Transport Airfield[3] Y-12 St. Raphael/Frejus, France Located: 43°25′02″N 006°44′08″E Now: Frejus Airport (IATA: FRJ) (Closed) Opened: 26 August 1944 Closed: 20 November 1944 Runway: 6000×150, SOD/ETH, (08/26)[1] Constructed by MTO (12AF) Engineers Used by:[5] 79th Fighter Group, 25 August – October 1944 (P-47) (12th AF) Y-13 Cuers/Pierrefeu, France Now: Cuers Pierrefeu Airport (IATA: TLN, ICAO: LFTH) Located: 43°14′49″N 006°07′30″E Opened: 24 August-20 November 1944 Constructed by MTO (12AF) Engineers Runway: 5000×150 ETH (10/28)[1] Use: Emergency landing/refueling airfield[3] Y-14 Marseilles/Marignane, France Now: Marseille Provence Airport (IATA: MRS, ICAO: LFML) Located: 43°26′12″N 005°12′54″E Opened: 12 September 1944 – October 1945 Repaired by MTO (12AF) Engineers Runway: 4850×150 SOD (15/33)[1] Use: Transport Airfield[3] 1411th Army Air Force Base Unit, October 1944 – October 1945 Y-15 Aix/Les Milles, France Now: Aix-en-Provence Aerodrome (IATA: QXB, ICAO: LFMA) Located: 43°30′19″N 005°22′02″E Opened: 28 August-20 November 1944 Repaired by MTO (12AF) Engineers Runway: 4200×150 ETH[1] Use: Resupply/Casualty evacuation airfield[3] Y-16 Salon, France Located: 43°36′23″N 005°06′33″E Now: French-roundel.svg Salon-de-Provence Air Base (BA 701) Opened: 28 August 1944 Closed: 20 November 1944 Runway: 6000×150, SOD/ETH, (04/22)[1] Repaired by MTO (12AF) Engineers Used by:[5] 27th Fighter Bomber Group, 30 April – 11 September 1944 (P-47) (12th AF) 47th Bombardment Group, 7–18 September 1944 (A-20) (12th AF) Y-17 Istres/Le Tube, France Also known as: AAF-196 Located: 43°31′28″N 4°56′30″E Now: French-roundel.svg Istres-Le Tubé Air Base (BA 125) Opened: 27 August 1944 Closed: Undetermined Repaired by MTO (12AF) Engineers Runway 1: 5800×197, ASP, (15/33) Runway 2: 6000×150, ETH, (15/33) Runway 3: 6000×200, ASP, (10/28)[1] Used by:[5] 324th Fighter Group, 2–6 September 1944 (P-47) (12th AF) Y-18 Le Vallon, France Located: 45°38′57.08″N 004°04′34.56″E (abandoned) Opened: 30 August 1944 Closed: 20 November 1944 Constructed by MTO (12AF) Engineers Runway: 7800×300, SOD, (13/31)[1] Used by:[4] 415th Night Fighter Squadron, 1–25 September 1944 (P-61) 417th Night Fighter Squadron, 12 September – 5 April 1945 (Bristol Beaufighters) (12th AF) Y-19 La Jasse, France Located: 44°21′58″N 003°24′34″E Opened: 30 August-20 November 1944 Runway: 6000×150 SOD (12/30)[1] Use: Emergency landing/refueling airfield[3] Y-20 Sisteron, France Located: 44°11′28″N 005°56′50″E Opened: 28 August-20 November 1944 Constructed by MTO (12AF) Engineers Runway: 5000×150 SOD (17/35)[1] Use: Emergency Landing/Refueling Airfield[3] Y-21 Montelimar/Ancone, France Now: Montélimar Ancone Airport (IATA: XMK, ICAO: LFLQ) Located: 44°34′47″N 004°44′18″E Opened: 3 September-20 November 1944 Constructed by MTO (12AF) Engineers Runway: 6000×150 SOD (17/35)[1] Use: Emergency landing/refueling airfield[3] Y-22 Crest, France Located: 44°43′45″N 005°01′22″E Opened: 29 August-20 November 1944 Constructed by MTO (12AF) Engineers Runway: 5000×150 SOD (01/19)[1] Use: Supply and Evacuation Airfield[3] Y-23 Valence, France Located: 44°55′18″N 004°58′11″E Now: Valence-Chabeuil Airport (IATA: VAF, ICAO: LFLU) Opened: 2 September 1944 Closed: 20 November 1944 Constructed by MTO (12AF) Engineers Runway: 5500×150, SOD, (01/19)[1] Used by:[5] 79th Fighter Group, September 1944 (P-47) (12th AF) Y-24 Satolas, France Now: Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (IATA: LYS, ICAO: LFLL) Located: 45°43′32″N 005°04′52″E Opened: 7 September-20 November 1944 Runway: 4000×150 SOD (17/35)[1] Use:[3] 111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, September 1944 Y-25 Lyon/Loyettes, France Located: 45°47′16″N 005°12′49″E Opened: Closed: 20 November 1944 Constructed by MTO (12AF) Engineers Runway: 6000×150, SOD, (02/20)[1] Used by:[5] 27th Fighter Bomber Group, 11 September – October 1944 (P-47) (12th AF) Y-26 Lons-le-Saunier, France Now: Lons-le-Saunier Airport Located: 46°40′30″N 005°28′07″E Opened: 12 September-20 November 1944 Runway: 3000/150 SOD (08/26)[1] Use: 72d Liaison Squadron, September 1944[3] Y-27 Besancon/Thise, France Now: Besancon-Thiese Airport Located: 47°16′29″N 006°05′00″E Opened: 13 September-20 November 1944 Runway: 3500/150 SOD (06/27)[1] Use: Supply and Evacuation Airfield[3] French Noncombat Support ALGs Map this section’s coordinates from Google Map this section’s coordinates from Bing Export this section’s coordinates as KML Export this section’s coordinates as GeoRSS Export this section’s coordinates as GPX Map all microformatted coordinates Place data as RDF Y-30 Le Havre/Octeville, France Now: Le Havre – Octeville Airport (IATA: LEH, ICAO: LFSH) Located: 49°32′02″N 000°05′17″E Opened: 2 November 1944 – 15 December 1945 Runway 1: 3500×125 PSP (05/23) Runway 2: 3300×120 PSP (10/28)[1] Use: Used by United States Navy (Transport Airfield)[3] Y-36 Cognac, France Now: French-roundel.svg BA 709 Cognac – Châteaubernard Air Base Located: 45°39′30″N 000°18′48″W Opened: 6 December 1944 – 11 July 1945 Runway 1: 5200×260 CON (09/27) Runway 2: 4200×260 CON (05/23)[1] Use: Emergency Refueling/Landing Airfield[3] Y-37 Bordeaux/Mérignac, France Now: French-roundel.svg BA 106 Bordeaux-Mérignac Air Base Located: 44°49′42″N 000°42′56″W Opened: 6 December 1944 – 11 July 1945 Runway 1: 6560×180 CON (04/22) Runway 2: 5412×180 CON (10/28)[1] Use: Transport Airfield/Tactical Air Depot[3] Y-38 Toulouse/Blagnac, France Now: Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (IATA: TLS, ICAO: LFBO) Located: 43°38′06″N 001°22′04″E Opened: 6 December 1944 – 11 July 1945 Runway: 6000×125 CON (14/32)[1] Use: Transport Airfield/Tactical Air Depot[3] Y-40 Strasbourg/Entzheim, France Now: Strasbourg Airport (IATA: SXB, ICAO: LFST) Located: 48°32′31″N 007°38′04″E Opened: 6 April-11 November 1945 Runway: 5000×120 PSP (07/25)[1] Use: Emergency Landing/Refueling Field[3] Y-45 Condé-sur-Marne, France Located: 49°02′42″N 004°10′41″E (approximately) Opened: 24 January-5 November 1945 Runway 1: 4000×120 SOD (06/24) Runway 2: 4000×120 SOD (10/28)[1] Use: Transport Airfield[3] Y-48 Auxerre, France Located: 47°48′00″N 003°34′06″E (approximately) Opened: 3 February-18 April 1945 Runway: 3300/120 SOD[1] Use: Transport Airfield[3] Y-49 Bourges, France Now: Bourges Airport (IATA: BOU, ICAO: LFLD) Located: 47°03′39″N 002°22′12″E (approximately) Opened: 3 February-18 April 1945 Runway: 3800/193 CON (06/24)[1] Use: Transport Airfield[3] Y-50 Avord, France Now: French-roundel.svg BA 702 Avord Air Base Located: 47°03′12″N 002°37′57″E Opened: 3 February-29 May 1945 Runway 1: 5240×262 CON Runway 2: 5270×262 CON[1] Use: Transport Airfield[3] Y-52 Nice, France Located: 43°39′56″N 007°12′53″E Opened: 17 February-30 May 1945 Runway: 4500×150 ETH (05/23)[1] Use: Fighter/Bomber Emergency Landing Airfield[3] Now: Aéroport de Nice-Côte d’Azur Y-53 Colmar, France Now: Colmar Airport (IATA: CMR, ICAO: LFGA) Located: 48°06′37″N 007°21′33″E Opened: 26 March-11 November 1945 Runway: 5000×120 PSP (01/19)[1] Use: Fighter/Bomber Emergency Landing Airfield[3] R-51 Cazaux/Bordeaux, France Now: French-roundel.svg BA 120 Cazaux Air Base Located: 44°32′01″N 001°07′32″W Opened: 21 April-1 August 1945 Runway: Use: Transport Airfield[3] Benelux Liberation Map this section’s coordinates from Google Map this section’s coordinates from Bing Export this section’s coordinates as KML Export this section’s coordinates as GeoRSS Export this section’s coordinates as GPX Map all microformatted coordinates Place data as RDF A-78 Florennes/Juzaine, Belgium Located: 50°14′37″N 004°38′55″E Now: Roundel of the Belgian Air Force.svg Florennes Air Base Captured: 11 September Opened: 11 September 1944 Closed: Unknown Runway 1: 4343×164, CON (16/34) Runway 2: 5509×164, CON/PSP (17/35)[1] Used by:[4][5] 422d Night Fighter Squadron, 18 September 1944 – 6 April 1945 (P-61) 370th Fighter Group, 26 September 1944 – 27 January 1945 (P-38) 474th Fighter Group, 1 October 1944 – 22 March 1945 (P-38) 344th Bombardment Group, 5 April – 15 September 1945 (B-26) A-84 Chievres, Belgium (AAF-181) Located: 50°34′33″N 3°49′51″E Now: Roundel of the Belgian Air Force.svg Chièvres Air Base Captured: 13 September Opened: 16 September 1944 Closed: 15 May 1945 Runway 1: 5516×165, CON, (02/20) Runway 2: 5902×165, CON, (09/27)[1] Used by:[5] 368th Fighter Group, 2 October – 27 December 1944 (P-47) 365th Fighter Group, 4 October – 27 December 1944 (P-47) 352d Fighter Group, 27 January – 14 April 1945 (P-51) (8th AF) 361st Fighter Group, 1 February – April 1945 (P-47) (8th AF) A-85 Senzeilles, Belgium Located: 50°10′38″N 004°27′51″E Opened: 9 September 1944 – 13 February 1945 Runway: 3600×150 SOD (12/30)[1] Use: Transport Airfield[3] A-86 Vitrival, Belgium Located: 50°24′00″N 004°39′00″E Opened: 11 September 1944 – 13 February 1945 Runway: 3600×150 SOD (04/22)[1] Use: Transport Airfield[3] A-87 Charleroi, Belgium (AAF-184) Located: 50°27′36″N 004°27′10″E Now: Brussels South Charleroi Airport (IATA: CRL, ICAO: EBCI) Opened: 14 September 1944 Closed: 10 August 1945 Runway: 3600×100, PSP, (06/24)[1] Used by:[5] 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, September 1944 – March 1945 (P-38/F-4; P-51/F-5) A-89 Le Culot, Belgium Also known as: B-68 (Royal Air Force) Located: 50°45′20″N 004°46′04″E Now: Roundel of the Belgian Air Force.svg Beauvechain Air Base (ICAO: EBBE) Captured: Opened: 28 October 1944 Closed: Undetermined Runway 1: 5793×165, TAR/PSP, (04/22) Runway 2: 4955×165, TAR, (12/30)[3] Used by:[5] 373d Fighter Group, 22 October 1944 – 11 March 1945 (P-47) 36th Fighter Group, 27 October 1944 – 26 March 1945 (P-47) 322d Bombardment Group, March–June 1946 (B-26) A-92 Sint-Truiden (Saint Trond), Belgium Also known as: B-62 (Royal Air Force) Located: 50°47′23″N 005°11′48″E Now: Roundel of the Belgian Air Force.svg Sint-Truiden Air Base Captured 16 September 1944 Opened: 18 September 1944 Closed: Undetermined Runway 1: 5250×165, CON (14/32) Runway 2: 4740×165, CON (09/27) Runway 3: 5070×165, CON (06/24)[1] Used by:[5] 48th Fighter Group, 30 September 1944 – 26 March 1945 (A-20) 404th Fighter Group, 4 October 1944 – 30 March 1945 (P-37) 386th Bombardment Group, 9 April – 27 July 1945 (B-26) A-93 Liege/Bierset, Belgium Located: 50°38′18″N 005°26′18″E Opened: 17 November 1944 – 8 August 1945 Runway: 4000×120 PSP (08/26)[1] Use: Detachment, 153d Liaison Squadron[3] A-97 Sandweiler, Luxembourg Located: 49°37′24″N 006°12′16″E Now: Luxembourg – Findel Airport (IATA: LUX, ICAO: ELLX) Opened: 18 September 1944 Closed: 15 August 1945 Runway: 3400×132, SOD, (06/24)[1] Used by:[5] 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group, 4–29 October 1944 (P-38/F-4; P-51/F-5) Y-10 Le Culot/East, Belgium Located: 50°46′54″N 004°57′28″E Now: Roundel of the Belgian Air Force.svg Goetsenhoven Military Airfield (ICAO: EBTN) Captured: September 1944 Opened: September 1944 Closed: 25 June 1945 Runway: 3600/120, PSP, (04/22)[1] Used by:[5] 371st Fighter Group, 1 October – 20 December 1944 Y-29 Asch, Belgium Located: 50°59′10″N 005°36′53″E Now: Roundel of the Belgian Air Force.svg Zutendaal Air Base Opened: 20 November 1944 Closed: 20 June 1945 Runway: 5000×150, SOD, (06/24)[1] Used by:[5] 366th Fighter Group, 19 November 1944 – 11 April 1945 (P-47) 406th Fighter Group, 8 February – 15 April 1945 (P-47) 391st Bombardment Group, 16 April – 27 May 1945 (B-26) Y-32 Ophoven,

Pierre Lagacé says:

7 March 2015 at 8:11 am

Taken at B-3

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RCAF No. 443 Squadron

In homage to Arthur James Horrell, Paul Émile Piché, Leslie Birket Foster, and all the pilots and ground crews

Small but beautiful

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