RAF Airfields in Mainland Europe, 1944-45
Part 1: Normandy
Location of RAF airfields B.1 - B.22
[Martin Waligorski; satellite imagery by NASA]
The first group of approximately 20 RAF airfields represents those that were established in France shortly after D-Day. Experiences from previous landing operations in Italy proved that rapid relocation of fighters ashore was essential, allowing for direct aerial cover to the operations on the ground. Therefore, a large number of airfields was established in the relatively small confines of the Normandy bridgehead. Some of them, such as B.1 Asnelles-sur-Mer or B.11 at Longues-sur-Mer, were located directly behind the Gold beach.
Almost all of these fields were mere makeshift landing grounds. As the offensive into France wound up, they were left behind and eventually converted back to agricultural land.
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B.1 - B.22 Open the entire group in Google Earth |
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| Code | Airfield | Country | Location | Latitude, longitude | Comments |
| B.1 | Asnelles-sur-Mer, Carpiquet | France | View in Google Earth | 49?20'N 00?35'W | |
| B.2 | Bazenville, Cr?on | France | View in Google Earth | 49?18'N 00?34'W | |
| B.3 | St.Croix-sur-Mer, Banville | France | View in Google Earth | 49?19'N 00?31'W | |
| B.4 | B?y-sur-Mer, Douvres | France | View in Google Earth | 49?18'N 00?25'W | |
| B.5 | Le Fresne, Camilly | France | View in Google Earth | 49?16'N 00?29'W | |
| B.6 | Coulombs, St.Croix-Grand-Tonne | France | View in Google Earth | 49?15'N 00?34'W | |
| B.7 | Rucqueville, Martragny | France | View in Google Earth | 49?15'N 00?37'W | |
| B.8 | Sommervieu | France | View in Google Earth | 49?18'N 00?46'W | |
| B.9 | Lantheuil | France | View in Google Earth | 49?15'N 00?31'W | |
| B.10 | Plumetot | France | View in Google Earth | 49?16'N 00?22'W | |
| B.11 | Longues-su-Mer | France | View in Google Earth | 49?20'N 00?42'W | |
| B.12 | Ellon | France | View in Google Earth | 49?13'N 00?41'W | |
| B.13 | Unassigned | ||||
| B.14 | Amblie | France | View in Google Earth | 49?19'N 00?30'W | |
| B.15 | Ryes | France | View in Google Earth | 49?19'N 00?37'W | |
| B.16 | Villons-les-Buissons | France | View in Google Earth | 49?14'N 00?25'W | |
| B.17 | Carpiquet, Caen | France | View in Google Earth | 49?10'N 00?27'W | |
| B.18 | Cristot | France | View in Google Earth | 49?11'N 00?35'W | |
| B.19 | Ling?res | France | View in Google Earth | 49?11'N 00?42'W | |
| B.20 | Demouville | France | Not used | ||
| B.21 | Sainte-Honorine, Caumont | France | View in Google Earth | 49?08'N 00?46'W | Location approximate |
| B.22 | Authie | France | View in Google Earth | 49?12'N 00?26'W | Location approximate |
Traces of Normandy airfields are generally hard to locate today, as all of the ALGs have long been converted to agricultural land. Occasionally, satellite photos would yield a hint here and there. Here, scars after a stick of bombs are still visible on a ploughed field near Longues-sur-Mer.
Google Earth is a virtual Earth browser built on satellite imagery which allows to explore the world from your PC. It can be downloaded free of charge here.