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First US Airfield Memorial

<< Back to La Londe

Details:

To the right of a farm field entrance between two well-trimmed hedges at the west corner of the D17's intersection with Chasse des Coisnets.

Marker
A simple vertical slab of stone bearing a black inscription commemorating the airfield and those who defended it. La Londe airfield was the first US Army Air Corps airfield in France and was located between Sainte-Mére-Église and Beuzeville-au-Plain.


The airfield, known as Advanced Landing Ground "A-6," was declared operational on 14 June, eight days after D-Day, and served as the first airfield on the beachhead. The fighter planes 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.

After the Americans 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 18 September 1944 and the land returned to agricultural use.

Monument Text:

LA LONDE

 

FIRST US ARMY AIR CORPS AIRFIELD IN FRANCE

12 JUNE TO 25 JULY 1944

PROTECTED BY THE 552ND AAA AW BN (MB)

LT COLONEL BENJAMIN M. WARFIELD COMMANDING

BY COURTESY OF ASSOCIATION MEMBERS

                                                                JUNE 1979

Commemorates:

People:

Benjamin Merritt “Bud” Warfield

Units:

552nd AAA AW Battalion (MB)

United States Air Force

Wars:

WWII