Vitry-en-Artois Airfield

Vitry-En-Artois Airfield

Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) B-50
Summary
LocationVitry-En-Artois, France
Elevation AMSL174 ft / 53 m
Coordinates50°20′15″N 002°59′30″E / 50.33750°N 2.99167°E / 50.33750; 2.99167
Map
Vitry-En-Artois Airfield
Location of Vitry-En-Artois Airfield
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
11/29 5,400 1,646 CON
05/23 5,250 1,600 TAR

Vitry-en-Artois Airfield was originally a grass airfield dating back prior to 1914, located 1 mile (1.6 km) northeast of Vitry-en-Artois; 105 miles (169 km) north-northeast of Paris. During World War I it was used by the Imperial German Air Service. With the outbreak of World War II it served as a temporary landing ground for several RAF squadrons attached to the BEF. In June 1940 during the Battle of France it was seized by the Germans, who developed it as a Luftwaffe fighter and bomber base during the occupation. Recaptured by the Allies in late 1944, it was used as an Allied military airfield until the end of the war.