Saint Lambert

Airfield
media-17441.jpeg UPL 17441 Remains of ALG A-11, Saint Lambert, France. Photo taken in 1947.

Updated photo information

Object Number - UPL 17441 - Remains of ALG A-11, Saint Lambert, France. Photo taken in 1947.

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Detailed History

Saint Lambert airfield (also known as Advanced Landing Ground A-11 "Saint Lambert") was an airfield on the Normandy beachhead in France.

The airfield was completed by the 832nd Engineer Aviation Battalion, nearly two months after the D-Day landings in France. It was one of the last airfields to be completed in the Normandy area. It became home to 474 Fighter Group, flying the P-38J and P-38L Lightning. 474FG was one of the last units to still operate from British soil. The group began arriving on 1 August and was declared operational on 5 August 1944. As fighter-bombers the P-38s earned quite a reputation, with the Germans referring to them as "fork-tailed devil" ("der Teufel Gabelschwanz"). Like all fighter units stationed at advanced landing grounds, both Fighter Groups were tasked with patrolling roads in front of the beachhead and attacking German vehicles, troop concentrations and weapons.



Life at the airfield had its problems, mainly caused by dust during summer. The dust was everywhere, in tents, clothes, equipment and laundry. After the advancing Allied Armies moved east into Central France, the airfield was closed on 5 September 1944.

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 474th Fighter Group 430th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-755870
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot 1056 twin engine
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 474th Fighter Group 428th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-758008
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: P-38 Fighter Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Civilian
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 474th Fighter Group 428th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-766666
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
  • Unit: 20th Fighter Group 474th Fighter Group 428th Fighter Squadron 79th Fighter Squadron
French countryside, photographed through the nose of a P-38 Lightning of the 367th Fighter Group on landing. Image stamped on reverse: 'Not to be published 30 Aug 1944.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 31 May 1945.' [stamp] and '354528 .' [censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'P-38s over the Seine. No.1 of a series of pix taken through the nose of the P-38 as it comes in to land. Scherschel LIFE.'
  • Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
  • Unit: Base Air Depot 3 370th Fighter Group 402nd Fighter Squadron

Revisions

Saint Lambert: Gallery (10 items)