Phoney War - AASF - British Airfield

[Jerome Ribeiro]

Hello Everyone,

During the Phoney war till May/June'40, the Advanced Air Striking Force utilized various airfields from the French Air Force but some of them were built during the phoney war for their own use in France such as Faux-Villecerf, Echemines...

Does anyone have a copy of the complete airfield used by the AASF in France during this period?
If not, Is any records in british archive or specific books on this subject?

Thanking you in anticipation

Cheers
Jerome

[Jerome Ribeiro]

All,

Plenty of airfield used by the RAF in France is apparently mentionned in the Jefford's book from Airlife on "RAF Squadrons" which names every airfield and shows maps.

Does anyone have this book and can confirm above mentioned subject?

To start the list, please note that around the 15 may'40, the AASF squadrons started a withdrawal from the airfields located around Reims to the W/NW of Troyes. In this way, the airfields are created and utilized. I don't know whether it is the French or English who build up these airfield.

• Echemines
• Les Grandes Chapelles: 88th Sqdr
• Faux-Villecerf
• Pouan les Vallées
• Saint Lucien Ferme
• Allemanche
• Gaye

If anyone have the hand on mentioned book, maybe you could complete this list by providing more airfield and information on the squadron...

Best regards

Jerome

[Peter Cornwell]

Jerome,

I'm currently researching this period in some depth for After the Battle publications and can assure you there was nothing 'phoney' about it whatsoever.

[Bernard]

Good afternoon Jerome,

I am hard working on A.A.S.F ,Air Component of the B.E.F and B.A.F.F. And as Peter says and as you certainly know there was indeed nothing phoney nor drole in these days.

Here is what you need available at the National archives in Kew.

AIR 35/51 Location of A.A.S.F. (Advanced Air Striking Force) : movement orders

AIR 35/63 Aerodromes on the Continent : instructions for use of code names

AIR 35/64 Aerodromes and landing grounds in Belgium within and adjacent to B.E.F.

AIR 35/65 Emergency landing ground at Abbeville

AIR 35/66 Aerodrome construction in France : requirements and policy

AIR 35/67 New aerodromes in B.E.F. area

AIR 35/68 New aerodromes in the Champagne district South of Reims

AIR 35/69 New aerodromes in Le Mans - Orleans area

AIR 35/70 New aerodromes in Le Mans - Orleans area

AIR 35/71 New aerodromes in Verdun - Metz Area

AIR 35/72 New aerodromes in BEF Rear area

AIR 35/73 Aerodromes for R.A.F. Component of the Field Force

AIR 35/74 Aerodromes in the South of France

AIR 35/75 Sketch plans of aerodromes in B.E.F. area in France

AIR 35/84 Defence of aerodromes by P.A.C. (Parachute and Cable) Scheme

AIR 35/123 Reserve stocks of aviation fuel, bombs and small arms ammunition : policy

Best regards.

Bernard.