Villeneuve-Vertus Airfield
Encyclopedia
Villeneuve-Vertus Airfield is an abandoned World War II
military airfield, which is located near the commune
of Vertus
in the Champagne-Ardenne
department of northern France
.
Located just near the commune, it was a United States Army Air Force temporary airfield established during the Northern France Campaign in September 1944. Its primary use was for C-47 Skytrain
transport of Army airborne parachute units, and for resupply of ground forces and casualty evacuation.
"A-63", the airfield consisted of a single 3600' grass runway aligned 07/25. 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 441st Troop Carrier Group
, which based C-47 Skytrain
transports at the field from 8 September until 2 October 1944.
After the Americans moved east with the advancing Allied Armies, the airfield did not have any active unit assigned, but was manned with a minimal support unit for casualty evacuation and supply transports. It was closed on 23 May 1945, and the land was returned to its owners. Today there is little or no physical evidence of its existence or its location.
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 Vertus
Vertus
Vertus is a commune in the Marne department in north-eastern France.-World War II:After the liberation of the area by Allied Forces in September 1944, engineers of the Ninth Air Force IX Engineering Command began construction of a combat Advanced Landing Ground outside of the town...
in the Champagne-Ardenne
Champagne-Ardenne
Champagne-Ardenne is one of the 27 regions of France. It is located in the northeast of the country, bordering Belgium, and consists of four departments: Aube, Ardennes, Haute-Marne, and Marne. The region is famous for its sparkling white wine . Its rivers, most of which flow west, include the...
department 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 near the commune, it was a United States Army Air Force temporary airfield established during the Northern France Campaign in September 1944. Its primary use was for 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...
transport of Army airborne parachute units, and for resupply of ground forces and casualty evacuation.
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-63", the airfield consisted of a single 3600' grass runway aligned 07/25. 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 441st Troop Carrier Group
441st Troop Carrier Group
The 441st Troop Carrier Group is an inactive United States Air Force Reserve organization. Its last assignment was to the 441st Troop Carrier Wing, stationed at Chicago-Orchard Airport, Illinois, on 14 March 1951....
, which based 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 at the field from 8 September until 2 October 1944.
After the Americans moved east with the advancing Allied Armies, the airfield did not have any active unit assigned, but was manned with a minimal support unit for casualty evacuation and supply transports. It was closed on 23 May 1945, and the land was returned to its owners. Today there is little or no physical evidence of its existence or its location.
See also
- Advanced Landing Ground