Lessay Airport
Encyclopedia
Lessay Airport is a regional airport in France
. It supports general aviation
with no commercial airline service scheduled.
Advanced Landing Ground
. It was constructed by the IX Engineering Command, 830th Engineer Aviation Battalion. The original construction was of Pierced Steel Planking for two intersecting runways, a main of 6000' x 120' (06/24) and a secondary of 5000' x 120' (12/30). 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.
When completed it was known as ALG "A-20". Built for bomber use with all-weather facilities, it was the home of the 323d Bombardment Group which moved in from RAF Beaulieu
, England
on 26 August, remaining until 21 September 1944. The 323d flew B-26 Marauder
s. The bombers flew support missions during the Allied invasion of Normandy, dropping bombs on German gun emplacements, anti-aircraft artillery and concentrations of troops. They also attacked bridges and German-controlled airfields in occupied areas. After the bombers moved east to Chartres
in Central France, the airfield was closed and turned over to local French authorities.
After the war, it was developed into the current airport. The runways have had their metal runways removed and are now turf. The main is still in use, however the secondary is very evident in aerial photography.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. It supports general aviation
General aviation
General aviation is one of the two categories of civil aviation. It refers to all flights other than military and scheduled airline and regular cargo flights, both private and commercial. General aviation flights range from gliders and powered parachutes to large, non-scheduled cargo jet flights...
with no commercial airline service scheduled.
History
The airport was built in August 1944 as a United States Army Air Force Ninth Air ForceNinth Air Force
The Ninth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command . It is headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina....
Advanced Landing Ground
Advanced Landing Ground
Advanced Landing Ground was the term given to the temporary advance airfields constructed by the Allies during World War II in support of the invasion of Europe...
. It was constructed by the IX Engineering Command, 830th Engineer Aviation Battalion. The original construction was of Pierced Steel Planking for two intersecting runways, a main of 6000' x 120' (06/24) and a secondary of 5000' x 120' (12/30). 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.
When completed it was known as ALG "A-20". Built for bomber use with all-weather facilities, it was the home of the 323d Bombardment Group which moved in from RAF Beaulieu
RAF Beaulieu
RAF Station Beaulieu was a World War II airfield in the New Forest, Hampshire, England. It was also known as Beaulieu airfield, Beaulieu aerodrome and USAAF Station AAF 408...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
on 26 August, remaining until 21 September 1944. The 323d flew B-26 Marauder
B-26 Marauder
The Martin B-26 Marauder was a World War II twin-engine medium bomber built by the Glenn L. Martin Company. First used in the Pacific Theater in early 1942, it was also used in the Mediterranean Theater and in Western Europe....
s. The bombers flew support missions during the Allied invasion of Normandy, dropping bombs on German gun emplacements, anti-aircraft artillery and concentrations of troops. They also attacked bridges and German-controlled airfields in occupied areas. After the bombers moved east to Chartres
Chartres
Chartres is a commune and capital of the Eure-et-Loir department in northern France. It is located southwest of Paris.-Geography:Chartres is built on the left bank of the Eure River, on a hill crowned by its famous cathedral, the spires of which are a landmark in the surrounding country...
in Central France, the airfield was closed and turned over to local French authorities.
After the war, it was developed into the current airport. The runways have had their metal runways removed and are now turf. The main is still in use, however the secondary is very evident in aerial photography.
See also
- Advanced Landing Ground