Lehrgeschwader 1 – June 17-18, 1944
 

Hello/Bonjour,

I am looking for the airfields where I. and II. Gruppen LG 1 have landed after their night mission of 17-18 June 1944? I am not sure it was Gilze-Rijen for most of the aircrafts belonging to the second group. I have also heard of two books about this unit: “Die Geschichte des Lehrgeschwaders 1” by Peter Taghon and an excerpt of the “Band 2” regarding these night missions would be very helpful.

Regards,
Frederic

Re: Lehrgeschwader 1 – June 17-18, 1944
 

Frederic, band 2 of the Taghon book shows for the 17/18th June I/LG1 takeoff and landing at Le Culot, and II/LG1 takeoff from Melsbroek landing at St.Avord then on the morning of the 18th flying from St. Avord to Gilze-Rijen,

Regards
Brian Bines

Re: Lehrgeschwader 1 – June 17-18, 1944
 

Merci beaucoup Brian. Any idea about the reason they have landed so far from Gilze-Rijen? Because St. Avord (…perhaps we should say simply Avord?) is located in the opposite direction. I don’t know if there is a start of explanation in Peter Taghon's book and that’s why I wanted to have an excerpt about the target of that night.

Regards,
Frederic

Re: Lehrgeschwader 1 – June 17-18, 1944
 

The Movements of II/LG1 up to the 17/18th June from the Taghon book are :-
12th June Villafranca to Chievers
13/14th mission Chievres to Chievres
14/15th Chievres to Melsbroek where they were loaded with mines for the mission landing at Gilze-Rijen
15/16th mission Gilze-Rijen to Gilze-Rijen
16/17th mission Glize-Rijen to Melsbroek
For the 17/18th the target is shown as mining to the west of Le Harve with no reason for landing at Avord. There was extensive bombing of Luftwaffe airfields by the USAAF following the invasion perhaps limiting facilities resulting in these movements to various airfields,

Regards
Brian Bines

Re: Lehrgeschwader 1 – June 17-18, 1944
 

You are right. Owing to the constant bombings and as Avord A/D was used several times as an "emergency" airfield at that time, I think it is a rather good hypothesis. It is a respite period for this airfield...he had been bombed on June 4 and the forthcoming one is for June 25. Thanks a lot also for these additional details Brian.

Regards,
Frederic