ALG B-3 – Sainte-Croix-sur-Mer
Battle of Normandy
This page presents the history of ALG (Advanced Landing Groud) B-3, used by the Royal Air Force during the Battle of Normandy.
Location: Sainte-Croix-sur-Mer, Calvados (14)
Code: B-3
Coordinates: 49°18’17”N – 000°33’43”W
Construction: from June 7, 1944 by Royal Engineers 24th Airfield Construction Group
Operational period: from June 10, 1944 to September 9, 1944
Length: 1 650 m
Width: 40 m
Azimuth: 230°
Number of airstrips: 2
Main airstrip: Square-Mesh Track (SMT)
Secondary airstrip: compacted earth
Units:
– 121 Wing (175 squadron) using Typhoon Ib
– 135 Wing (485 squadron – New Zealand) using Spitfire
– 144 Wing (441 squadron, 442 squadron, 443 squadron – Canada) using Spitfire
– 146 Wing (193 squadron, 197 squadron, 257 squadron, 263 squadron, 266 squadron – Rhodesia) using Spitfire
ALG B-3 history:
First, the English build a dirt airstrip to allow pilots to land in case of emergency. In parallel, they build a second airstrip, longer, covered with SMT. It is one of the first operational RAF airfields in Normandy.
Remains:
Commemorative stele on the ALG B-03 site between Sainte-Croix-sur-Mer and Ver-sur-Mer.
