Berteaux Airfield: Difference between revisions
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|caption=Location of Berteaux Airfield, Algeria}} |
|caption=Location of Berteaux Airfield, Algeria}} |
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'''Berteaux Airfield''' |
'''Berteaux Airfield''' is an abandoned [[World War II]] [[United States Army Air Forces]] military airfield in [[Algeria]], which was located approximately 9km east of Telerghma, and 17km south-southwest of Aïn Smara. |
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==History== |
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During [[World War II]] it was used by the [[United States Army Air Force]] [[Twelfth Air Force]] during the [[North African Campaign]] against the German [[Afrika Korps]]. |
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The airfield was constructed as a semi-permanent facility in late 1942 and early 1943, with a hard asphalt runway and concrete taxiways. Numerous hardstands were built, as well as a pierced steel planking parking apron and a steel control tower. There were probably a few structrures erected with at least one blister-type hangar. A mixture of medium bomber and fighter groups and squadrons from [[Twelfth Air Force]] used the airfield during the North African Campaign. |
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The first operational unit to use Berteaux was the [[310th Bombardment Group ]]and its 379th, 380th, 381st and 428th Squadrons, flying B-25 [[Mitchells]]. Elements of the group arrived in late December 1942 from [[Telergma Airfield]], with Group HQ arriving on 1 Jan 1943. The group engaged primarily in support and interdictory operations against German forces in Algeria and Tunisia. Almost simultaneously, the [[14th Fighter Group]] with its P-38 Lightning equipped 48th, 49th and 50th Squadrons on 9 January. The 14th flew escort for the B-25s as well as engaging in strafing and reconnasissance missions until the beginning of March when it moved east to [[Mediouna Airfield]]. |
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The 14th was replaced by the P-40 Warhawk equipped 33d Fighter Group in early March, and the P-38 Lighting equipped 82d Fighter Group at the end of March. The 58th, 59th and 60th squadrons of the 33d, as well as the 95th, 96th and 97th squadrons of the 82d meant the airfield was home to over 100 fighter and bomber aircraft. Also the support facilities were hard pressed to handle the large numbers of ground support personnel, all billeted in tents. |
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The 33d Fighter Group moved out to [[Ebba Ksour Airfield]], [[Tunisia]], in the middle of April, reducing the crowded conditions somewhat, with the 82d and 310th Bomb Groups moving east in June as the battle of North Africa moved into Tunisia. |
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Berteaux Airfield was used as a support base for transient aircraft for a few months until the 68th Reconnaissance Group moved it's P-38 and P-51 reconnasisssance aircraft to the airfield in early September. The group flew combat reconnaissance missions over Tunisia and Sicily until Oct 1943 when it also moved east to Massicault Airfield Tunsia, the North African Campaign ended and the combat moving to Italy. Along with the Recon squadrons, the 1st, 2d, and 3d Fighter Training Squadron provided P-40 Warhawk and P-38 Lightning training to French pilots and the the 122d Liason Squadron flew courier and observation operations. |
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Other units assigned to Berteaux were the [[Air Technical Service Command]] 318th and 359th Service Squadrons which supported and maintained the aircraft assigned to the field. |
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After the 68th moved out in October, Berteaux stayed in service as an Air Technical Service Command supply and maintence support airfield until the end of March, 1944. Afterwards, what what could be dismantled from the airfield was moved east and the airfield was turned over to local authorities. |
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Today the area where Berteaux Airfield was constructed is now an agricultural area, although the ground still shows evidence of its existence in aerial images. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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* Maurer, Maurer. ''Air Force Combat Units of World War II''. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History, 1983. ISBN 0-89201-092-4. |
* Maurer, Maurer. ''Air Force Combat Units of World War II''. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History, 1983. ISBN 0-89201-092-4. |
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* Mauer, Mauer (1969), Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II, Air Force Historical Studies Office, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. ISBN 0892010975 |
* Mauer, Mauer (1969), Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II, Air Force Historical Studies Office, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. ISBN 0892010975 |
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* [http://airforcehistoryindex.org/search.php?q= |
* [http://airforcehistoryindex.org/search.php?q=BERTEAUX&c=u&h=25&F=1940&L=1950 USAFHRA records search for Berteaux Airfield] |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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Revision as of 01:00, 25 July 2009
Berteaux Airfield.png) | |
|---|---|
| Part of Twelfth Air Force | |
| Coordinates | 36°06′57″N 006°27′42″E / 36.11583°N 6.46167°E |
| Type | Military Airfield |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | United States Army Air Forces |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1942 |
| In use | Dec 1942-Mar 1944 |
Berteaux Airfield is an abandoned World War II United States Army Air Forces military airfield in Algeria, which was located approximately 9km east of Telerghma, and 17km south-southwest of Aïn Smara.
History
The airfield was constructed as a semi-permanent facility in late 1942 and early 1943, with a hard asphalt runway and concrete taxiways. Numerous hardstands were built, as well as a pierced steel planking parking apron and a steel control tower. There were probably a few structrures erected with at least one blister-type hangar. A mixture of medium bomber and fighter groups and squadrons from Twelfth Air Force used the airfield during the North African Campaign.
The first operational unit to use Berteaux was the 310th Bombardment Group and its 379th, 380th, 381st and 428th Squadrons, flying B-25 Mitchells. Elements of the group arrived in late December 1942 from Telergma Airfield, with Group HQ arriving on 1 Jan 1943. The group engaged primarily in support and interdictory operations against German forces in Algeria and Tunisia. Almost simultaneously, the 14th Fighter Group with its P-38 Lightning equipped 48th, 49th and 50th Squadrons on 9 January. The 14th flew escort for the B-25s as well as engaging in strafing and reconnasissance missions until the beginning of March when it moved east to Mediouna Airfield.
The 14th was replaced by the P-40 Warhawk equipped 33d Fighter Group in early March, and the P-38 Lighting equipped 82d Fighter Group at the end of March. The 58th, 59th and 60th squadrons of the 33d, as well as the 95th, 96th and 97th squadrons of the 82d meant the airfield was home to over 100 fighter and bomber aircraft. Also the support facilities were hard pressed to handle the large numbers of ground support personnel, all billeted in tents.
The 33d Fighter Group moved out to Ebba Ksour Airfield, Tunisia, in the middle of April, reducing the crowded conditions somewhat, with the 82d and 310th Bomb Groups moving east in June as the battle of North Africa moved into Tunisia.
Berteaux Airfield was used as a support base for transient aircraft for a few months until the 68th Reconnaissance Group moved it's P-38 and P-51 reconnasisssance aircraft to the airfield in early September. The group flew combat reconnaissance missions over Tunisia and Sicily until Oct 1943 when it also moved east to Massicault Airfield Tunsia, the North African Campaign ended and the combat moving to Italy. Along with the Recon squadrons, the 1st, 2d, and 3d Fighter Training Squadron provided P-40 Warhawk and P-38 Lightning training to French pilots and the the 122d Liason Squadron flew courier and observation operations.
Other units assigned to Berteaux were the Air Technical Service Command 318th and 359th Service Squadrons which supported and maintained the aircraft assigned to the field.
After the 68th moved out in October, Berteaux stayed in service as an Air Technical Service Command supply and maintence support airfield until the end of March, 1944. Afterwards, what what could be dismantled from the airfield was moved east and the airfield was turned over to local authorities.
Today the area where Berteaux Airfield was constructed is now an agricultural area, although the ground still shows evidence of its existence in aerial images.
References
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
- Maurer, Maurer. Air Force Combat Units of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History, 1983. ISBN 0-89201-092-4.
- Mauer, Mauer (1969), Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II, Air Force Historical Studies Office, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. ISBN 0892010975
- USAFHRA records search for Berteaux Airfield
