Deaux Jumeaux

Airfield
P-47 Thunderbolts of the 48th Fighter Group line up for take off in Normandy. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 19 Jun 1944.' [stamp] an d'330049.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'P-47S GO INTO ACTION IN NORMANDY. Associated Press Photo shows: From one of the newest airstrips built in France to accomodate the heavy American Thunderbolts. P-47s Fighter Bombser refuelled and re-armed taxi to the starting line in clouds of dust for another trip in their media-457097.jpg FRE 9585 P-47 Thunderbolts of the 48th Fighter Group line up for take off in Normandy. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 19 Jun 1944.' [stamp] an d'330049.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'P-47S GO INTO ACTION IN NORMANDY. Associated Press Photo shows: From one of the newest airstrips built in France to accomodate the heavy American Thunderbolts. P-47s Fighter Bombser refuelled and re-armed taxi to the starting line in clouds of dust for another trip in their hunt for Germans to be straffed.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 9585 - P-47 Thunderbolts of the 48th Fighter Group line up for take off in Normandy. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for...

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Detailed History

Deux Jumeaux air field (also known as Advanced Landing Ground A-4 "Deux Jumeaux") was an airfield on the Normandy beachhead in France.

The airfield was built by elements of the 816th Engineer Aviation Battalion, who were at the same time still finishing ALG A-3. Construction of the airfield began on the morning of 14 June 1944 under the protection of 22 .50-calibre guns. The airfield was limited operational on 20 June, and was completed on the 30th.

The first P-47s of the 48th Fighter Group arrived at A-4 on 27 June. The group consisted of the 492FS (coded F4), 493FS (coded I7) and 494FS (coded 6M). The Thunderbolts were joined by a single P-38 squadron, 485 FS (coded 7F). Their parent unit, 370 Fighter Group, had been sent to Normandy, but because there were not sufficient airfields available it was spead over 3 ALGs. The 485 FS sister units were located at the nearby ALG A-1 (401 FS) and A-3 (402 FS).

With the airfields located extremely close to each other, it was believed cohesion between the Fighter Group would remain. Although the two Fighter Groups were not part of the same Fighter Wing, they were part of the same Command. The squadrons shared the airfield until 15 August 1944.

The airfield was abandoned on 15 September 1944.



People

Homer Leroy Young

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 48th Fighter Group 493rd Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-676705
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Revisions

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466th BG Historian

Deaux Jumeaux: Gallery (1 items)

P-47 Thunderbolts of the 48th Fighter Group line up for take off in Normandy. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 19 Jun 1944.' [stamp] an d'330049.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'P-47S GO INTO ACTION IN NORMANDY. Associated Press Photo shows: From one of the newest airstrips built in France to accomodate the heavy American Thunderbolts. P-47s Fighter Bombser refuelled and re-armed taxi to the starting line in clouds of dust for another trip in their

Object number: FRE 9585 - P-47 Thunderbolts of the 48th Fighter Group line...