Prosnes Airfield
Encyclopedia
Prosnes Airfield is an abandoned World War II
military airfield which is located approximately 12 miles (19.3 km) east-southeast of Reims
; 90 miles (144.8 km) northeast of Paris
.
The airfield was a semi-permanent facility built by the USAAF in the Champagne region west of Monte Carnillet which was a fiercely contested region of the World War I
Western Front
. The 6000' Pierced Steel Planking runway of the airfield supported Fighters and transports from September 1944 though the end of the war in Europe.
"A-79", the airfield consisted of a single 6000' PSP runway aligned 08/25. In addition, with 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.
Combat units stationed at the airfield were:
The fighter planes flew support missions, patrolling roads in front of the beachhead; stafing German military vehicles and dropping bombs on gun emplacements, anti-aircraft artillery and concentrations of German troops when spotted.
After the war ended the facility was dismantled, and the land turned over to local French authorities. Today there is little or no physical evidence of its existence or its location other than some isolated concrete areas, which were likely part of the air base. In the woods to the southeast of the base appears to be some World War I relics of trenches, still visible nearly a century after World War I ended.
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 approximately 12 miles (19.3 km) east-southeast of Reims
Reims
Reims , a city in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France, lies east-northeast of Paris. Founded by the Gauls, it became a major city during the period of the Roman Empire....
; 90 miles (144.8 km) northeast of Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
.
The airfield was a semi-permanent facility built by the USAAF in the Champagne region west of Monte Carnillet which was a fiercely contested region of the World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
Western Front
Western Front (World War I)
Following the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the German Army opened the Western Front by first invading Luxembourg and Belgium, then gaining military control of important industrial regions in France. The tide of the advance was dramatically turned with the Battle of the Marne...
. The 6000' Pierced Steel Planking runway of the airfield supported Fighters and transports from September 1944 though the end of the war in Europe.
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-79", the airfield consisted of a single 6000' PSP runway aligned 08/25. In addition, with 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.
Combat units stationed at the airfield were:
- 362d Fighter Group362d Fighter GroupThe 362d Fighter Group is an inactive United States Army Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Tactical Air Command, stationed at Biggs Field, Texas. It was inactivated on 3 August 1946....
, 19 September-5 November 1944 (P-47) - 425th Night Fighter Squadron, 13 October-9 November 1944 (P-61)
- 438th Troop Carrier Group, February-May 1945 (C-47)
The fighter planes flew support missions, patrolling roads in front of the beachhead; stafing German military vehicles and dropping bombs on gun emplacements, anti-aircraft artillery and concentrations of German troops when spotted.
After the war ended the facility was dismantled, and the land turned over to local French authorities. Today there is little or no physical evidence of its existence or its location other than some isolated concrete areas, which were likely part of the air base. In the woods to the southeast of the base appears to be some World War I relics of trenches, still visible nearly a century after World War I ended.
See also
- Advanced Landing Ground