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Lonray Airfield is an abandoned
During the Second World War, from April 1944, the Germans developed an airfield, located on the town and that of Colombiers, neighboring town. To do this several hundred men had been requisitioned, within the framework of the Compulsory Labor Service. The ground was operational from June 12 to August 9, 1944 (three days before the liberation of the sector by the 2nd French Armor Division of General Leclerc).
Known as Advanced Landing Ground "A-45", the airfield consisted of a single 5000' (1500m) Prefabricated Hessian Surfacing runway aligned 05/23. In addition, tents were used for billeting and also for support facilities; an access road was built to the existing road infrastructure; a dump for supplies, ammunition, and gasoline drums, along with a drinkable water and minimal electrical grid for communications and station lighting.
The
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
military airfield, which is located near the commune of Lonrai in the Orne
Orne (; or ) is a département in the northwest of France, named after the river Orne. It had a population of 279,942 in 2019.region
In geography, regions, otherwise referred to as areas, zones, lands or territories, are portions of the Earth's surface that are broadly divided by physical characteristics (physical geography), human impact characteristics (human geography), and ...
of northern France
France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
.
Located just outside Lonrai, the United States Army Air Force
The United States Army Air Forces (USAAF or AAF) was the major land-based aerial warfare service component of the United States Army and ''de facto'' aerial warfare service branch of the United States during and immediately after World War II ...
established a temporary airfield on 22 August 1944, after the Allied landings in France and the breakout from Normandy, and during the Liberation of Paris
The liberation of Paris () was a battle that took place during World War II from 19 August 1944 until the German garrison surrendered the French capital on 25 August 1944. Paris had been occupied by Nazi Germany since the signing of the Armisti ...
. The airfield was constructed by the IX Engineering Command, 850th Engineer Aviation, Battalion using German facilities.
History
During the Second World War, from April 1944, the Germans developed an airfield, located on the town and that of Colombiers, neighboring town. To do this several hundred men had been requisitioned, within the framework of the Compulsory Labor Service. The ground was operational from June 12 to August 9, 1944 (three days before the liberation of the sector by the 2nd French Armor Division of General Leclerc).
Known as Advanced Landing Ground "A-45", the airfield consisted of a single 5000' (1500m) Prefabricated Hessian Surfacing runway aligned 05/23. In addition, tents were used for billeting and also for support facilities; an access road was built to the existing road infrastructure; a dump for supplies, ammunition, and gasoline drums, along with a drinkable water and minimal electrical grid for communications and station lighting.
The 370th Fighter Group
The 370th Fighter Group was a unit of the Ninth Air Force that was located in the European Theater of Operations during World War II.Maurer, Maurer. ''Air Force Combat Units Of World War II''. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History, 1 ...
, based P-47 Thunderbolt
The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt is a World War II-era fighter aircraft produced by the American company Republic Aviation from 1941 through 1945. It was a successful high-altitude fighter, and it also served as the foremost American fighter-bombe ...
fighters at Saint Marceau from 4 to 8 September 1944. The 370th was replaced by the 439th Troop Carrier Group, which flew C-47 Skytrain
The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota ( RAF designation) is a military transport aircraft developed from the civilian Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II. During the war the C-47 was used for troo ...
s from the airfield from 5 October until 7 November 1944
The fighter planes flew support missions during the Allied invasion of France, patrolling roads, strafing German military vehicles, and dropping bombs on gun emplacements, anti-aircraft artillery and concentrations of German troops when spotted.
After the Americans moved east into Central France with the advancing Allied Armies, the airfield was closed on 20 November 1944. Today the long dismantled airfield is indistinguishable from the agricultural fields in the area.Johnson, David C. (1988), U.S. Army Air Forces Continental Airfields (ETO), D-Day to V-E Day; Research Division, USAF Historical Research Center, Maxwell AFB, Alabama.
See also
* Advanced Landing GroundReferences
External links
{{authority control World War II airfields in France Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces in France Airports established in 1944