Gorges Airfield
Encyclopedia
Gorges Airfield is an abandoned World War II
military airfield, which is located near the commune
of Gorges
in the Picardie
region
of northern France
.
Located just outside of Gorges (likely to the east or southeast), the United States Army Air Force established a temporary airfield on 2 August 1944, shortly after the Allied landings in France The airfield was constructed by the IX Engineering Command, 826th Engineer Aviation Battalion.
"A-26", the airfield consisted of a single 6000' (1300m) Pierced Steel Planking runway aligned 07/25. 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 397th Bombardment Group, moved its B-26 Marauder
bombers from RAF Hurn
England
to Gorges on 16 August, remaining until 11 September 1944. The bombers attacked railroad bridges, gun emplacements and fuel dumps, along with railroad marshalling yards and German troop concentrations in the occupied areas of France.
After the Americans moved east into Central France with the advancing Allied Armies, the airfield was closed on 28 September 1944. Today the long dismantled airfield is indistinguishable from the agricultural fields in the area.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
military airfield, which is located near the commune
Communes of France
The commune is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. French communes are roughly equivalent to incorporated municipalities or villages in the United States or Gemeinden in Germany...
of Gorges
Gorges, Somme
Gorges is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France.-Geography:Gorges is situated on the D933 road, some east of Abbeville.-Population:-World War II:...
in the Picardie
Picardie
Picardy is one of the 27 regions of France. It is located in the northern part of France.-History:The historical province of Picardy stretched from north of Noyon to Calais, via the whole of the Somme department and the north of the Aisne department...
region
Régions of France
France is divided into 27 administrative regions , 22 of which are in Metropolitan France, and five of which are overseas. Corsica is a territorial collectivity , but is considered a region in mainstream usage, and is even shown as such on the INSEE website...
of northern France
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...
.
Located just outside of Gorges (likely to the east or southeast), the United States Army Air Force established a temporary airfield on 2 August 1944, shortly after the Allied landings in France The airfield was constructed by the IX Engineering Command, 826th Engineer Aviation Battalion.
History
Known as Advanced Landing GroundAdvanced 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...
"A-26", the airfield consisted of a single 6000' (1300m) Pierced Steel Planking runway aligned 07/25. 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 397th Bombardment Group, moved its 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....
bombers from RAF Hurn
RAF Hurn
RAF Station Hurn is a former World War II airfield in Dorset, England. The airfield is located approximately north east of Christchurch; about southwest of LondonOpened in 1941, it was used by both the Royal Air Force and United States Army Air Force...
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...
to Gorges on 16 August, remaining until 11 September 1944. The bombers attacked railroad bridges, gun emplacements and fuel dumps, along with railroad marshalling yards and German troop concentrations in the occupied areas of France.
After the Americans moved east into Central France with the advancing Allied Armies, the airfield was closed on 28 September 1944. Today the long dismantled airfield is indistinguishable from the agricultural fields in the area.
See also
- Advanced Landing Ground