Location of RAF airfields B.1 – B.22
[Martin Waligorski; satellite imagery by NASA]
[Martin Waligorski; satellite imagery by NASA]
Normandy
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.
| 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 | 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 | Beny-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.
Thanks for this info about airfield construction. My grandfather, who died in 1945, was in France and Belgium from 1944-45 and this website has greatly helped research into his story.
THE SITE AT B8 FAILED TO OPEN FOR US TO VIEW WHICH IS ANNOYING AS ITS WHERE MY DAD WAS IN WW11 WITH THE CONSTRUCTION TEAM OF THE RAF IN WW11.
Any chance someone can help with more pictures please or better still more info .
Many thanks Keith D.
B8 = https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=49%C2%B018%E2%80%B2N+00%C2%B046%E2%80%B2W&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=49.299326,-0.760653&spn=0.005982,0.016512&t=h&z=17
does anyone know of one French Canadian Air Pilot Albert Wesley Ross who was killed with his mate whilst on leave cycling from Rissington to Windrush….and was knocked off their push bikes and killed by an American truck in August 1945……Any imformation of my fathers death would be much appreciated….send to my email address please.
kizzy112526@btinternet.com.
Thank you.
Barbara