ALG A-9 D – Le Molay
Battle of Normandy
This page presents the history of ALG (Advanced Landing Groud) A-9 D, used by the 9th United States Air Force during the Battle of Normandy.
9th United States Air Force
Localisation: Le Molay, Calvados (14)
Code: A-9 D (Depot)
Coordinates: 49°15’14 »N – 000°52’08 »W
Construction: from June 20 to 30, 1944 by the 834th Engineer Aviation Battalion (EAB)
Operational period: from June 30 to October 5, 1944
Length: 1 219 m (4 000 feet)
Width: 36,57 m (120 feet)
Azimuth: 42°
Airstrip: Square-Mesh Track (SMT)
Units:
– 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group (30th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron & 33rd Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron using F-5 Lightning, 109th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron using F-6 Mustang)
ALG A-9 D history:
During the development of Operation Overlord, the Allies plan to create ALG A-9 to become an airfield dedicated to transport operations (coded « Cargo ») insofar as it is built on the border between the American and the British front.
But with the evolution of the fighting, supply needs are very pressing: the ALG A-9 is mainly used as a center of exploitation of aerial photographs (with the 17th Signal Operation Battalion) and as a depot for maintenance equipment at benefit of Allied aviation (with the 16th Air Depot Group belonging to the 2nd Advanced Air Depot Area). Instead of carrying the letter « C » of Cargo as expected, the airfield then bears the letter « D » for « Depot ». However, it retains a mission of transport authorities due to its proximity to Montgomery’s headquarters, located east of Blay.
Huge prefabricated Butler-type hangars and semi-Romney-type hangars were set up in the technical area of the aerodrome for the storage of the means of supply and the accommodation of the personnel.
Remains:
– Commemorative stele along the provincial road 5 between Le Molay-Littry and the place called La Poterie.
