APPENDIX II

Invasion Beach Airfields (June 6– September 4, 1944)

As the Allies moved off the beaches and into the interior of France, airfields were being constructed as ground was captured. This enabled tactical and reconnaissance aircraft to be moved forward from bases in England, reducing transit time across the English Channel while increasing time over the target.

American Identity Location

A-1Saint-Pierre-du-Mont
A-2Cricqueville
A-3Cardonville
A-4Deux-Jumeaux
A-5Chippelle
A-7Azeville
A-8Picauville
A-9Le Molay
A-10Carentan
A-11Saint-Lambert
A-12Lignerolles
A-13Tour-en-Bessin
A-14Cretteville
A-15Maupertus
A-16Brucheville
A-17Méautis
A-18Saint-Jean-de-Daye
A-19La Vieille
A-20Lessay
A-21CSaint-Laurent-sur-Mer
A-22CColleville
A-23CQuerqueville
A-24CBiniville
A-25CBolleville
A-26Gorges
A-27Rennes
A-28Pontorson
A-29Saint-James
A-30CCourtils
A-31Gaël
A-33NVannes
A-34Gorron
A-35Le Mans
A-36Saint-Léonard
A-39Châteaudun
A-40DChartres
A-41Dreux
A-42DVillacoublay
A-43Saint-Marceau
A-44Peray
A-46Toussus-le-Noble
A-48Brétigny
A-61Beauvais (also known as B-40)

British Identity Location

B-2Bazenville
B-3Sainte-Croix-sur-Mer
B-4Bény-sur-Mer
B-5Camilly
B-6Coulombs
B-7Martragny
B-8Sommervieu
B-9Lantheuil
B-10Plumetot
B-11Longues-sur-Mer
B-12Ellon
B-14Amblie
B-15Ryes
B-16Villons-les-Buissons
B-17Carpiquet
B-18Cristot
B-19Lingèvres
B-21Sainte-Honorine-de-Ducy
B-23La Rue Huguenot
B-24Saint-André-de-l’Eure
B-26Illiers-l’Évêque
B-27Boisney
B-28Évreux
B-29Valailles
B-30Créton
B-33Campneuseville
B-34Avrilly
B-40Beauvais (also known as A-61)
B-48Amiens-Glisy

bck_fig_001

The first aircraft to land on an airstrip on the continent was this C-47, touching down at A-21C Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, which was situated less than 1 mile inland from the water’s edge. Built by the IX Engineer Command’s 834th Engineer Aviation Battalion, this field was open on June 7 and was in use until July 16, 1944. C-47s were able to evacuate wounded soldiers from the area back to hospitals in England for immediate medical attention. USAAF 51670AC