Guercif Airfield
Encyclopedia
Guercif Airfield is an abandoned military airfield in Morocco
, located about 4 km northeast of Guercif (Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate); 400 km east-northeast of Casablanca
, near the Algeria
n border.
the airfield's primary use was for tactical photographic reconnaissance and C-47 Skytrain
troop carrier and logistics operations by the Twelfth Air Force. The airfield was constructed as a temporary facility, with a hard earth or pierced steel planking (PSP) runway and parking apron. with few or no permanent structures, Tents were used for ground support operations and personnel billeting.
The first operations from the airfield began at the beginning of April 1943, soon after its construction by Army Engineers when the 111th Observation Squadron (Medium) of the 68th Observation Group began flying A-20 Havoc reconnaissance and photographic observation missions. The squadron remained at the airfield until it moved to Nouvion Airfield
, Algeria
at the end of May.
A few days later, elements of the 316th Troop Carrier Group, the 36th, and 45th Squadrons began arriving on the airfield at the end of May. Group HQ moved in a few days later from Nouvion
, Algeria
. The group flew operational missions as part of the North African Campaign
from the airfield until the end of June when the unit moved up to Enfidaville Airfield
, Tunisia
to better support the advancing Allied forces. After the 316th moved east, the airfield was dismantled and the land returned to civil authorities.
Today the airfield is an open, undeveloped area seen on aerial photography northeast of the town.
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
, located about 4 km northeast of Guercif (Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate); 400 km east-northeast of Casablanca
Casablanca
Casablanca is a city in western Morocco, located on the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Grand Casablanca region.Casablanca is Morocco's largest city as well as its chief port. It is also the biggest city in the Maghreb. The 2004 census recorded a population of 2,949,805 in the prefecture...
, near the Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
n border.
History
During World War IIWorld 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...
the airfield's primary use was for tactical photographic reconnaissance and C-47 Skytrain
C-47 Skytrain
The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in operation to this day.-Design and...
troop carrier and logistics operations by the Twelfth Air Force. The airfield was constructed as a temporary facility, with a hard earth or pierced steel planking (PSP) runway and parking apron. with few or no permanent structures, Tents were used for ground support operations and personnel billeting.
The first operations from the airfield began at the beginning of April 1943, soon after its construction by Army Engineers when the 111th Observation Squadron (Medium) of the 68th Observation Group began flying A-20 Havoc reconnaissance and photographic observation missions. The squadron remained at the airfield until it moved to Nouvion Airfield
Nouvion Airfield
Nouvion Airfield was a pre-war airport and World War II military airfield in Algeria, located about 5 km west of Camp Militaire d' El Ghomri in Mascara province; about 76 km east of Oran.-History:...
, Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
at the end of May.
A few days later, elements of the 316th Troop Carrier Group, the 36th, and 45th Squadrons began arriving on the airfield at the end of May. Group HQ moved in a few days later from Nouvion
Nouvion Airfield
Nouvion Airfield was a pre-war airport and World War II military airfield in Algeria, located about 5 km west of Camp Militaire d' El Ghomri in Mascara province; about 76 km east of Oran.-History:...
, Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
. The group flew operational missions as part of the North African Campaign
North African campaign
During the Second World War, the North African Campaign took place in North Africa from 10 June 1940 to 13 May 1943. It included campaigns fought in the Libyan and Egyptian deserts and in Morocco and Algeria and Tunisia .The campaign was fought between the Allies and Axis powers, many of whom had...
from the airfield until the end of June when the unit moved up to Enfidaville Airfield
Enfidaville Airfield
Enfidaville Airfield is an abandoned World War II military airfield in Tunisia, located approximately 13 km north-northwest of Harqalah; approximately 90 km southwest of Tunis. It was used by the United States Army Air Force Twelfth Air Force during the North African Campaign as a B-17...
, Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
to better support the advancing Allied forces. After the 316th moved east, the airfield was dismantled and the land returned to civil authorities.
Today the airfield is an open, undeveloped area seen on aerial photography northeast of the town.