Saint-Dizier
AirfieldIWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Connections
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Detailed History
During the Liberation of France, the airfield was sized by Allied Forces during September, 1944 and taken over by the United States Army Air Force. The IX Engineer Command repaired the war-damaged base and it was designated by the Americans as Saint-Dizier Airfield or Advanced Landing Ground A-64. It was turned over to the Ninth Air Force for operational use on 9 October for fighter and reconnaissance units, as well as for command and control. The following known USAAF units operated from the airfield:
HQ, 100th Fighter Wing, 19 September-29 December 1944.
27th Fighter Group, February–March 1945, A-36 Apache (12th AF)
367th Fighter Group, 1 February-14 May 1945, P-47 Thunderbolt
405th Fighter Group, 14 September 1944-9 February 1945, P-47 Thunderbolt
10th Reconnaissance Group, September–November 1944 (Various photo-reconnaissance aircraft)
With the end of the war in Europe in May, 1945 the Americans began to withdraw their aircraft and personnel. Right after the war, some captured Messerschmitt Me 262s landed at the base, on their way to channel ports to be shipped to the United States for evaluation (Operation Lusty). Control of the airfield was turned over to French authorities on 5 July.[7]
In 1950/51 when as a result of the Cold War threat of the Soviet Union, Saint Dizier-Robinson Air Base was proposed by the United States Air Force to become a NATO light bomber air base as part of a NATO commitment to establish a modern Air Force Base at the site. In the ongoing negotiations, the site was ultimately rejected.[8]
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 10th Photographic Reconnaissance Group 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-695145
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 370th Fighter Group 405th Fighter Group 402nd Fighter Squadron 511th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19074204 / O-674032
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 405th Fighter Group 511th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19211206
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 405th Fighter Group 511th Fighter Squadron
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 405th Fighter Group 511th Fighter Squadron
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Unit: 367th Fighter Group 393rd Fighter Squadron