Lignerolles

Airfield
media-46777.jpeg UPL 46777 Captain Roswell D. Roberts
Fighter Pilot
365th FG - 388th FS - 9th AF

365FG FB Page

Object Number - UPL 46777 - Captain Roswell D. Roberts Fighter Pilot 365th FG - 388th FS - 9th AF

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Detailed History

49°10'31.83"N 0°47'26.01"W



Runway: 07/25 1524m X 37m Square-Mesh Track (SMT) and Prefabricated Bituminous Surfacing (PBS)

Lignerolles A12 (Advanced Landing Ground) was a temporary Allied airfield located 240km east of Paris.

The construction of the A12 American Airfield by the 820th Engineer Airfield Battalion began on July 6th 1944. A12 was the fourth aerodrome completed by the 820th Engineer Airfield Battalion since arriving in Normandy.

The work of these units was very risky because of proximity to the front line, which was sometimes even within firing range of enemy artillery and at other times it became the target of aerial bombardments.

In spite of being under fire, A12 'Lignerolles' was finished in 12 days.

The 362nd Fighter Group arrived on July 18, 1944. The squadron equipped with P47 Thunderbolts remained stationed until August 10, when the 365th Fighter Group succeeded him. In early September 1944, it was the 34th Wing of the Royal Air Force that settled on the A12.



Known as Advanced Landing Ground "A-12", the airfield consisted of a single Prefabricated Hessian Surfacing runway. In addition, 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.[2]

The fighter planes from Lignerolles flew support missions during the Allied invasion of Normandy, patrolling roads in front of the beachhead; strafing German military vehicles and dropping bombs on gun emplacements, anti-aircraft artillery and concentrations of German troops in Normandy and Brittany when spotted.

In the beginning of September 1944, 34 Wing (RAF) was moved from RAF Northolt to Lignerolles. The wing operated two photographic reconnaissance squadrons from the airfield in support of the Canadian Army.

After the Americans and British moved east into Central France with the advancing Allied Armies, the airfield was left un-garrisoned and used for resupply and casualty evacuation. It was closed on 4 November 1944 and the land returned to agricultural use.[3]

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 365th Fighter Group 387th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18086673 / O-?
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 365th Fighter Group 386th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35494638
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 365th Fighter Group 388th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-862815
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 365th Fighter Group 388th Fighter Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 365th Fighter Group 387th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39458192

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: Turnip Termite
  • Unit: 365th Fighter Group 387th Fighter Squadron Headquarters (365th Fighter Group)

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