Aerial attack on Nogent-le-Roi, 7 July 1944

[Jochen Prien]

Gentlemen,

II./JG3 reported at 2 pm on 7 July 1944 that its base - not explicitly named but most likely Nogent-le-Roi / Vacheresse - was out of service with no take-offs or landings possible for the time being. No reason given for this.

Has anybody got information explaning this ? It seems likely that it was the result of fighter-bomber and/or low level attacks, but I have no proof for this assumption. BTW - II./JG 3 reported no losses.

Any help will be gratefully appreciated.

KR

Jochen Prien

[RT]

Some heavy rains ??

Local history speaks of heavy rains also but of bombs on 6.July Dreux Rail station nd aerodrome were the target, but seems the A-20 of the 647 Squ. distributed a bit around also

Rémi

[Laurent Rizzotti]

As Luftwaffe used in summer 1944 mostly grass fields for its fighters units, and given the area that is often waterlogged, heavy rain may explain that the airfield was closed for operations.

[Jochen Prien]

Rémi, Laurent,

many thanks for your comments. Wheather wasn't really good early July 1944, yet from what wheather information I have I would not think that it was rainig hard enough to soften the ground of Nogent-le-Roi airfield to an extent where take-off and landing was impossible. What's more, I haven't found any other airfield in the vicinity that would have had the same problme.

KR

Jochen