ALG A-13 – Tour-en-Bessin
Battle of Normandy
This page presents the history of ALG (Advanced Landing Groud) A-13, used by the 9th United States Air Force during the Battle of Normandy.
9th United States Air Force
Location: Tour-en-Bessin, Calvados (14)
Code: A-13
Coordinates: 49°17’24”N – 01°45’09”W
Operational period: from July 28 to December 2, 1944
Airstrip 1: Pierced Steel Plank (PSP)
Construction: from July 12 to 28, 1944 by the 833rd Engineer Aviation Battalion (EAB)
Length: 1 524 m (5 000 feet)
Width: 36,57 m (120 feet)
Azimuth: 125°
Airstrip 2: Pierced Steel Plank (PSP)
Construction: from July 12 to 28, 1944 by the 833rd Engineer Aviation Battalion (EAB) and from July 26 to 28, 1944 by the 846th Engineer Aviation Battalion (EAB)
Length: 1 524 m (5 000 feet)
Width: 36,57 m (120 feet)
Azimuth: 11°
Units:
– 373rd Fighter Group (410th Fighter Squadron, 411th Fighter Squadron, 412th Fighter Squadron) using P-47 Thunderbolt.
– 406th Fighter Group (512th Fighter Squadron, 513th Fighter Squadron, 514th Fighter Squadron) using P-47 Thunderbolt.
– 394th Bombardment Group (584th Bomber Squadron, 584th Bomber Squadron, 584th Bomber Squadron) using B-26 Marauder.
ALG A-13 history:
It is between the localities of Tour-en-Bessin and Sully, west of Bayeux, that the Allies decide to install ALG A-13. This aerodrome consists of two associated “V” airstrips and covered with PSP: it is built by the 833rd EAB, reinforced by the 846th EAB July 26, 1944. The ALG A-13 is designed to be able to accommodate from August 25 B-26 Marauder light bombers belonging to the 394th Bombardment Group.
