Belrain Aerodrome

Belrain Aerodrome
Part of American Expeditionary Forces (AEF)
Located near: Belrain, France

SPAD S.XIII aircraft of the 2d Pursuit Group (13th and 22d Aero Squadrons) at Belrain Aerodrome, September, 1918
Belrain Aerodrome
Coordinates 48°51′10″N 005°18′16″E / 48.85278°N 5.30444°E
Type Combat Airfield
Site information
Controlled by   Air Service, United States Army
Condition Agricultural area
Site history
Built 1918
In use 1918–1919
Battles/wars
World War I
Garrison information
Garrison 2d Pursuit Group
III Corps Observation Group
United States First Army Air Service

Belrain Aerodrome was a temporary World War I airfield in France. It was located 0.7 miles (1.1 km) South of Belrain, in the Meuse department in the Lorraine region in northeastern France.

Overview

Construction of Belrain Aerodrome was originally started by the French, and was turned over to the Air Service, United States Army in August 1918. When taken over, the French had constructed an airfield with a capacity of 86 aircraft, and eight Bessonnenux aircraft hangars. There was no telephone or electrical system, and the Air Service engineers put up a series of tents for personnel to live, eat and perform their duties.[1]

Once made ready for use, Belrain was assigned to the 2d Pursuit Group in late September 1918. It was used as a pursuit (fighter) field during both the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne Offensives, with four squadrons of aircraft.[2]

Known units assigned to Belrain Airdrome were:[2]

13th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 23 September – 7 November 1918
49th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 23 September – 7 November 1918
139th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 24 September – 11 November 1918
22d Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 22 September – 7 November 1918

In support of the flying squadrons, the 4th Air Park had a flight of mechanics for repair of both aircraft and vehicles. The Air Service engineers expanded Aerodrome by building a series of support buildings and quarters for personnel, primarily in the woods to the east of the airfield.[1]

After the armistice in November 1918, the V Corps Observation Group moved into Belrain with three squadrons of aircraft assigned to it.[2]

104th Aero Squadron (Observation) 30 November 1918 – 14 January 1919
99th Aero Squadron (Observation) 31 November – 13 December 1918
90th Aero Squadron (Observation) 2 December 1918 – 18 January 1918

By the end of January 1919, the American squadrons were re-assigned and the airfield was abandoned. It was turned over to the 1st Air Depot for de-construction. All hangars and other structures were dismantled and all useful supplies and equipment were removed and sent back to the Depot for storage. Upon completion, the land turned over to the French government.[3]

Eventually the land was returned to agricultural use by the local farmers. Today, what was Belrain Aerodrome is a series of cultivated fields located on the south side of the Départmental 121 (D121), east of Frize-la-Brulee, with no indications of its wartime use. The wooded area to the east of the Airfield remains a forested area.

See also

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Series L, Miscellaneous Sections of the Air Service, Volume 11, History of the Design and Projects Section of the Construction Division, Gorrell's History of the American Expeditionary Forces Air Service, 1917–1919, National Archives, Washington, D.C.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Series "D", Volume 2, Squadron histories,. Gorrell's History of the American Expeditionary Forces Air Service, 1917–1919, National Archives, Washington, D.C.
  3. ↑ Series 1, Paris Headquarters and Supply Section, Volume 30 History of the 1st Air Depot at Colombey-led-Belles, Gorrell's History of the American Expeditionary Forces Air Service, 1917–1919, National Archives, Washington, D.C.

External links