U.S. A-36 Airfield Memorial
Details:
At the road intersection.
Marker
A tall thin black and white vertical sign with text commemorating the Allied airfield and units that were operational here in WWII.
The airport was first established during World War II as a United States Army Air Forces Ninth Air Force Advanced Landing Ground in August 1944 to support the Northern France Campaign by Allied ground forces. Known as "St. Leonard Airfield" or simply "A-36", it was constructed by the IX Engineer Command, 846th Engineer Aviation Battalion.
The original construction was of Prefabricated Hessian Surfacing for a single runway of 5000' x 120' oriented north–south 00/18. 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 drinkable water and minimal electrical grid for communications and station lighting.
The airfield was opened on 4 September 1944 and used by the 406th Fighter Group, which flew P-47 Thunderbolts from the field between 4 September and 4 October 1944.
The Americans moved east along with the advancing Allied forces in early October, turning the airfield over to French authorities. It was returned to agricultural use and nothing remains of the former airfield.
Source of information: en.wikipedia.org
Source of photos: Van Der Wende / www.aerosteles.net
Monument Text:
Terrains d'aviation
US en Sarthe
1944
Sitôt la Libération de la Sarthe effectuée (7-12 août 1944) par la XVth US Army Corps dont la 2ème DB, le déplacement du front vers la région parisienne et l'est de la France oblige les américains à avancer le stationnement de leurs bases aériennes au plus près des zones de combat et en terrain libéré et sécurisé. Sept terrains d'aviation temporaires sont construits au sein d'une grande moitié nord du département à partir du 12 août 1944 autour d'une organisation commune (1 524 m de long, 36,60 m de large, à l'exception du terrain de Beillé). Ils seront opérationnels jusqu'à la fin de l'année 1944. Ils sont implantés sur les communes du Mans (actuel aerodrome Le Mans/Arnage), de Louplande, de la Chapelle-Saint-Rémy, de Neuville-sur-Sarthe, de Saint-Jean-d'Assé, de Saint-Aignan/Courcival et de Beillé.
English translation:
As soon as the XVth US Army Corps, including the 2nd DB, had liberated the Sarthe (August 7-12, 1944), the shift of the front to the Paris region and eastern France forced the Americans to move their airbases closer to the combat zones, on liberated and secure ground. From August 12, 1944, seven temporary airfields were built across a large northern half of the department, based on a common layout (1,524 m long, 36.60 m wide, with the exception of the Beillé airfield). They were operational until the end of 1944. They were located in the communes of Le Mans (now the Le Mans/Arnage airfield), Louplande, La Chapelle-Saint-Rémy, Neuville-sur-Sarthe, Saint-Jean-d'Assé, Saint-Aignan/Courcival and Beillé.
GB Following Sarthe liberation (from 7th to 12th August 1944), 7 American air fields were built north of Le Mans to be used as back base for liberation operations of the Paris region and the east of France.
DE Nach der Befreiung des Department La Sarthe (vom 7. bis zum 12. August 1944) wurden 7 amerikanische Flugplaetze noerdlich von Le Mans errichtet, die ais Stuetzpunkte fuer Kampfhandlungen zur Befreiung der Pariser Umgebung und Osten Frankreichs dienten.
ES Despues de la liberaciòn durante la segunda querra mundial del departamento de la Sarthe (desde el 7 hasta el 12 de agosto de 1944), 7 pistas de aviaciòn americanas fueron construidas al Norte de la ciudad de Le Mans para servir de retaguardia para las operaciones militares de liberaciòn de la region parisina y del este de Francia.
★ Terrain de Louplande dit « Saint-Léonard » - A-36
Il a été construit par le 818th Engineer Aviation Battalion et terminé par le 846th E.A.B. Les travaux débutent le 16 août 1944. Le terrain est opérationnel dès le 4 septembre 1944 et en service jusqu'au 24 septembre 1944.
Piste : surface bitumée préfabriquée et grilles à chaque extrémité.
Unités aériennes présentes et dates:
406th Fighter Group avec 3 escadrilles, équipées de chasseurs P-47 Thunderbolt
4 septembre au 20 septembre, 512th Fighter Squadron, code L3
4 septembre au 22 septembre, 5l3th Fighter Squadron, code 4P
28 août au 24 septembre, 514th Fighter Squadron, code 07
English translation:
★ Terrain in Louplande known as "Saint-Léonard" - A-36
It was built by the 818th Engineer Aviation Battalion and completed by the 846th E.A.B. Work began on August 16, 1944. The airfield was operational from September 4, 1944, and remained in service until September 24, 1944.
Runway: prefabricated asphalt surface with gratings at each end.
Air units present and dates:
406th Fighter Group with 3 squadrons, equipped with P-47 Thunderbolt fighters
September 4 to September 20, 512th Fighter Squadron, code L3
September 4 to September 22, 5l3th Fighter Squadron, code 4P
August 28 to September 24, 514th Fighter Squadron, code 07
GB «Saint Léonard » A 36 Air field (Village of Louplande)
This airfield was built by the 818th Engineer Aviation Battalion and finished by the 846th E.A.B on 16th August. Operational on 4th September, it was in service until 24th September.
DE Flugplatz « Saint Leonard » A36 (Gemeinde von Louplande)
Dieser Flugplatz wurde vom 818th Engineer Aviation Battalion gebaut und vom 846th E.A.B fertiggestellt. Gebaut am 16. August und einsatzfaehig am 4. September, er war im Einsatz bis zum 24. September
ES La pista de aterrizaje « Saint Leonard » A 36 en el sector comunal de « Louplande »
Esta pista de aterrizaje ha sido construida por el 818th Engineer Aviation Battalion, fue acabada por el 846th E.A.B. el 16 de agosto y operacional el 4 de septiembre. Funcionó hasta el 24 de septiembre.
Commemorates:
Units:
406th Fighter Group
512th Fighter Squadron, 406th Fighter Group
513th Fighter Squadron, 406th Fighter Group
514th Fighter Squadron, 406th Fighter Group
818th Air Engineer Battalion
846th Air Engineer Battalion
9th Air Force
US Army Air Corps
Wars:
WWII
Other images :
