Cricqueville

Airfield
media-17028.jpeg UPL 17028 A-2 Cricqueville Airfield
Advanced Landing Ground
The 354th FG used this field June-August 1944

Object Number - UPL 17028 - A-2 Cricqueville Airfield Advanced Landing Ground The 354th FG used this field June-August 1944

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Detailed History

Cricqueville airfield (also known as Advanced Landing Ground A-2 or Cricqueville-en-Bessin airfield) was an airfield on the Normandy beachhead in France.

The airfield was completed by the 820th Engineer Aviation Battalion, 11 days after the D-Day landings in France. It became home to two fighter groups:

354th Fighter Group, with P-51 Mustangs from 22 June through 13 August 1944.

367th Fighter Group, with P-38 Lightnings from 14 August though 4 September 1944.

Like all fighter units stationed at advanced landing grounds both Fighter Groups were tasked with patroling roads in front of the beachhead and attacking german vehicles, troop concentrations and weapons.

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 354th Fighter Group 355th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-744674
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 354th Fighter Group 353rd Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-730341
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Fighter pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 354th Fighter Group 353rd Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-744680
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 354th Fighter Group 356th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-745279
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 354th Fighter Group 356th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-710653
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
  • Nicknames: Big Jim
  • Unit: 367th Fighter Group 393rd Fighter Squadron
Ground crew fit 75 gallon drop tanks to P-51 Mustang, GQ-I, serial number 43-12451, of the 355th Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, January 1944. The aircraft carries the marking "Peggy" on its right hand side. Printed caption on reverse: 'A. 43180 The American Super-Fighter. The American Mustang fighter the P-51B which has maintained a 6 to 1 superiority over all fighter[s] the Luftwaffe has thrown against them during recent attacks on enemy territory it is equipped with a 1,500 h.p. Packard manufact
  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Nicknames: Peggy (starboard, Gil Talbot's GQ-I), Live Bait (port side, Gross)
  • Unit: 354th Fighter Group 479th Fighter Group 496th Fighter Training Group 355th Fighter Squadron 436th Fighter Squadron 554th Fighter Training Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Nicknames: Sonava Buggar El-Lobo
  • Unit: 354th Fighter Group 359th Fighter Group 356th Fighter Squadron 368th Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Nicknames: Short-Snorter - The Stars Look Down
  • Unit: 354th Fighter Group 355th Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Unit: 354th Fighter Group 355th Fighter Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

466th BG Historian

Cricqueville: Gallery (2 items)