ALG A-17 – Méautis
Battle of Normandy
This page presents the history of ALG (Advanced Landing Groud) A-17, used by the 9th United States Air Force during the Battle of Normandy.
9th United States Air Force
Location: Méautis, Manche (50)
Code: A-17
Coordinates: 49°17’10”N – 01°18’15”W
Construction: from 24 July to 17 August 1944 by the 840th Engineer Aviation Battalion (EAB)
Operational period: from August 17 to September 15, 1944
Airstrip: PBS (Prefabricated Bituminous Surfacing) extended by Square-Mesh Track (SMT)
PBS airstrip:
Length: 1 097,28 m (3 600 feet)
Width: 36,57 m (120 feet)
Azimuth: 103°
SMT airstrip:
Length: 426,72 m (1 400 feet)
Width: 36,57 m (120 feet)
Azimuth: 103°
Units:
– 50th Fighter Group (10th Fighter Squadron, 81st Fighter Squadron, 313rd Figther Squadron) using P-47 Thunderbolt.
ALG A-17 history:
Sappers build a 3,600-foot long PBS runway (Prefabricated Bituminous Surfacing). PBS, also known as “Hessian Mat”, is a solid coating consisting of layers of bitumen and Hessian fabric which is particularly meticulous and requires the use of special machines. It avoids the negative effects of mud and dust.
A total of 426.72 meters (1400 feet) of SMT is added to provide a 1,524-meter (5,000-foot) total runway for heavily loaded ammunition and explosive devices.
Remains:
– Commemorative stele along the departmental road 443 north of Méautis, at a place called La Lande Godard.
