Lourmel Airfield
Encyclopedia
Lourmel Airfield is an abandoned military airfield in Algeria
, located in the El Amria
area.
During World War II
it was a civil airport seized by the United States Army
during the Operation Torch
landings in November 1942. After its capture from the Vichy French, it was used by the United States Army Air Force Twelfth Air Force 61st Troop Carrier Group during the North African Campaign
.
The 61st flew C-47 Skytrain
transports from the airfield from 15 May-21 June 1943
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...
, located in the El Amria
El Amria
El Amria is a town in the Aïn Témouchent province in northwestern Algeria....
area.
During World War II
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...
it was a civil airport seized by the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during the Operation Torch
Operation Torch
Operation Torch was the British-American invasion of French North Africa in World War II during the North African Campaign, started on 8 November 1942....
landings in November 1942. After its capture from the Vichy French, it was used by the United States Army Air Force Twelfth Air Force 61st Troop Carrier Group during 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...
.
The 61st flew 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...
transports from the airfield from 15 May-21 June 1943