Cricqueville
Airfield
Advanced Landing Ground
The 354th FG used this field June-August 1944
Object Number - UPL 17028 - A-2 Cricqueville Airfield Advanced Landing Ground The 354th FG used this field June-August 1944
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Detailed History
Cricqueville airfield (also known as Advanced Landing Ground A-2 or Cricqueville-en-Bessin airfield) was an airfield on the Normandy beachhead in France.
The airfield was completed by the 820th Engineer Aviation Battalion, 11 days after the D-Day landings in France. It became home to two fighter groups:
354th Fighter Group, with P-51 Mustangs from 22 June through 13 August 1944.
367th Fighter Group, with P-38 Lightnings from 14 August though 4 September 1944.
Like all fighter units stationed at advanced landing grounds both Fighter Groups were tasked with patroling roads in front of the beachhead and attacking german vehicles, troop concentrations and weapons.
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 354th Fighter Group 356th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 708321
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 354th Fighter Group 355th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-475313
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 367th Fighter Group 392nd Fighter Squadron
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 20th Fighter Group 354th Fighter Group 353rd Fighter Squadron 79th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-730417
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 354th Fighter Group 356th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-886128
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Nicknames: Short-Fuse Sallee, Shanty Irishman
- Unit: 356th Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Nicknames: Arson's Reward
- Unit: 354th Fighter Group 353rd Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Unit: 354th Fighter Group 353rd Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
- Nicknames: Hey Stuff
- Unit: 367th Fighter Group 394th Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
- Nicknames: Little Buckaroo
- Unit: 367th Fighter Group 392nd Fighter Squadron