List of Air Service American Expeditionary Force aerodromes in France

Air Service recruiting poster, 1917–1918
see also: Organization of the Air Service of the American Expeditionary Force

When the United States entered World War I on 6 April 1917, the Air Service of the United States Army existed only as a branch of the Signal Corps, and was known by the name of Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps. It consisted of 1,120 personnel, of which 65 were officers. The Army was not ready for the deployment of aviation forces to Europe, and it became necessary to prepare after President Woodrow Wilson's declaration of war.[1]

Overview

Aerial Gunnery and Armament School Newspaper Saint-Jean-de-Monts The Fly Paper - 18 November 1918
Locations of major Air Service, United States Army stations in France, 1918

As part of the buildup of US forces, aviation units were formed into aero squadrons primarily at Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas, with additional units being formed at Rockwell Field, San Diego, California.[1] Once formed, and prior to their deployment to Europe, Camp Taliaferro, north of Fort Worth, Texas, and several airfields near Toronto, Ontario, Canada were used by the British Royal Flying Corps (RFC) to perform flight training for the new aero squadrons. Camp Hancock, near Augusta, Georgia, was used for training service squadrons of aircraft mechanics as well as flight training.[2]

When ordered to deploy, units departed though Garden City, New York, which was the primary port of embankment. Units there were loaded onto transport ships for the trans-Atlantic crossing. Upon arrival in Europe, Liverpool, England, and Brest, France, were the primary ports of disembarkation, although other ports were also used. Some aero squadrons arriving in England received additional training from the Royal Flying Corps, and later the Royal Air Force (RAF) once it was established, and were then attached to British squadrons, deploying with them to France. Others received further training and were sent to Winchester, Hampshire, where they awaited their cross-channel transfer to France, using the port of Southampton.[1]

After deployment to France, St. Maixent Aerodrome was the primary reception center for new aero squadrons assigned to the American Expeditionary Force (AEF). There, units were classified as pursuit, bombardment or as observation units. Once processed, units were sent to the 1st Air Depot at Colombey-les-Belles Airdrome where equipment was issued to the units. If necessary, units were assigned to one of several Air Instructional Centers (AIC) where they received additional combat and gunnery training provided by the French. Once prepared for combat, Gengault Aerodrome (Toul) was used as the assignment center for new squadrons, from which they were transferred to their initial combat station.[1]

8th Aero Squadron (Observation), Saizerais Aerodrome, France, 11 November 1918

After assignment, the Air Service's deployed units operated primarily from French Air Force (French: Armée de l'Air (ALA) grass aerodromes (airfields). The exact location of many of these aerodromes is no longer certain as the facilities were only temporary and after the war much of the land on which they sat was returned to agricultural purposes. Today, many are fields that have been in production continuously since the end of the war, and traces of their wartime use are limited. As a result, the locations of many Air Service stations have only been approximated, using a variety of means including aerial photography, maps and the interpretation of other ancillary information.[2]

After the Armistice came into effect in November 1918, the wartime Air Service was demobilized. This process was completed within a year and the National Defense Act of 1920 then established the United States Army Air Service on a permanent basis, with several new units being formed. Later, some of the temporary wartime units were consolidated to retain the lineage and honors of their wartime service with the AEF.

Stations

Below is a list of the airdromes used by the American Expeditionary Force that were sent to France during World War I.[3]

American sector

Command and control

Organized at: La Ferté-sous-Jouarre, Île-de-France, 10 August 1918
Moved to: Ligny-en-Barrois, Lorraine, 25 August 1918
Moved to: Souilly, Lorraine, 21 September – 11 November 1918
Organized at: Toul, Lorraine, 12 October – 11 November 1918

  • I Corps, Air Service, First Army[1]
Organized at: Neufchâteau, Lorraine, 10 February 1918
Moved to: La Ferté-sous-Jouarre, Île-de-France, 1 July 1918
Moved to: Coincy, Picardy, 10 August 1918
Moved to: Toul, Lorraine, 16 August 1918
Moved to: Saizerais, Lorraine, 2 September 1918
Moved to: Rarécourt, Lorraine, 12 September 1918
Moved to: Chéhéry, Champagne-Ardenne, 2–11 November 1918
  • III Corps, Air Service, First Army[1]
Organized at: Château-Thierry, Picardy, 2 August 1918
Moved to: Goussancourt, Picardy, 1 September 1918
Moved to: Malancourt, Lorraine, 24 October 1918
Moved to: Dun-sur-Meuse, Lorraine, 10–11 November 1918

  • V Corps, Air Service, First Army[1]
Organized at: Luxeuil-les-Bains, Franche-Comté, 7 August 1918
Moved to: Souilly, Lorraine, 7 September 1918
Moved to: Fauconcourt, Lorraine, 20 September 1918
Moved to: Ville-sur-Cousances, Lorraine, 22 September 1918
Moved to: Cheppy, Lorraine, 31 October – 11 November 1918
  • VI Corps, Air Service, First Army[1]
Located at: Saizerais, Lorraine, 23 October – 11 November 1918

Combat airdromes

Located 0.9 miles (1.4 km) NW of Amanty, Lorraine [2]
1st Observation Group School[1]
First Army Air Service bomber airfield [1]
Headquarters, I Corps Observation Group, 2 February-3 May 1918
Headquarters, 1st Day Bombardment Group, 10–25 September 1918
1st Aero Squadron (Observation), 19 October 1917 – 4 April 1918
91st Aero Squadron (Observation), 14 December 1917 – 24 May 1918
88th Aero Squadron (Observation), 1 February – 28 May 1918
12th Aero Squadron (Observation), 2 February – 3 May 1918
90th Aero Squadron (Observation), 19 April – 13 June 1918
99th Aero Squadron (Observation), 31 May – 1 July 1918
135th Aero Squadron (Observation), 19–30 July 1918
8th Aero Squadron (Observation), 31 July – 31 August 1918
50th Aero Squadron (Observation), 27 July – 4 September 1918
9th Aero Squadron (Night Observation) 28 August – 21 September 1918
96th Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 18 May – 23 September 1918
20th Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 7–23 September 1918
11th Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 6–24 September 1918
166th Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 21–25 September 1918
Located 1.9 miles (3.1 km) SSW of Autreville-sur-la-Renne, Champagne-Ardenne[2]
First Army Air Service reconnaissance airfield [1]
186th Aero Squadron (Army Observation), 18 September 1918 – 29 October 1918
354th Aero Squadron (Corps Observation), 30 September 1918 – 25 October 1918
278th Aero Squadron (Corps Observation), 1 October 1918 – 10 November 1918
Located 0.8 miles (1.3 km) S of Belrain, Lorraine[2]
First Army Air Service pursuit/observation airfield[1]
Headquarters, 2d Pursuit Group, 23 September – 11 November 1918
13th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 23 September – 7 November 1918
49th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 23 September – 7 November 1918
139th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 24 September – 11 November 1918
22d Aero Squadron (Observation) 22 September – 7 November 1918
104th Aero Squadron (Observation) 30 November 1918 – 14 January 1919
99th Aero Squadron (Observation) 31 November – 13 December 1918
90th Aero Squadron (Observation) 2 December 1918 – 18 January 1918
First Army Air Service reconnaissance airfield[1]
Located 0.1 miles (0.16 km) WNW of Béthelainville, Lorrain[2]
Headquarters, III Corps Observation Group, 29 October – 11 November 1918
90th Aero Squadron (Observation) 19 October – 2 December 1918
88th Aero Squadron (Observation) 4–29 November 1918
Undetermined location near Bicqueley, Lorraine
First Army Air Service observation airfield[1]
50th Aero Squadron (Observation) 8–24 September 1918
Undetermined location near Fismes, Champagne-Ardenne
First Army Air Service pursuit airfield[1]
103d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 10 April – 2 May 1918
Located 1.0 mile (1.6 km) S of Chailly-en-Brie, Ile-de-France[2]
First Army Air Service observation airfield[1]
Headquarters, I Corps Observation Group, 12–22 August 1918
1st Aero Squadron (Observation) 13–22 August 1918
12th Aero Squadron (Observation) 12–22 August 1918
Located 3.9 miles (6.3 km) ESE of Chaumont, Haute-Marne[2]
Headquarters, I Corps Observation Group, 16 January – 2 February 1918[1]
Headquarters, 1st Pursuit Wing, 20 September – 11 November 1918[1]
First Army Air Service observation airfield[1]
91st Aero Squadron (Observation) 15 November 1917 – 14 December 1917[1]
12th Aero Squadron (Observation) 16 January – 2 February 1918
85th Aero Squadron (Observation), 30 September – 4 November 1918[1]
99th Aero Squadron (Observation) 13 December 1918 – 19 February 1919
Located 0.6 miles (0.97 km) WNW of Coincy, Picardy[2]
First Army Air Service observation airfield[1]
Headquarters, I Corps Observation Group, 10–12 August 1918
1st Aero Squadron (Observation) 10–13 August 1918
12th Aero Squadron (Observation) 10–12 August 1918
Located 0.8 miles (1.3 km) NE of Delouze-Rosières, Lorraine[2]
First Army Air Service bombardment airfield[1]
11th Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 26 August – 6 September 1918
20th Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 26 August – 7 September 1918
100th Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 16 August – 30 October 1918
163d Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 30 September – 1 November 1918
166th Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 26 August – 1 September 1918; 7–12 September 1918
Located 0.9 miles (1.4 km) W of Épiez-sur-Meuse, Lorraine[2]
First Army Air Service pursuit airfield[1]
27th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 24 April – 1 June 1918
94th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 1–7 April 1918
95th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 1 April – 4 May 1918
147th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 22 April – 1 June 1918
104th Aero Squadron (Observation) 4–8 August 1918
Located 4.3 miles (6.9 km) ESE of Château-Thierry, Picardy[2]
First Army Air Service observation airfield[1]
88th Aero Squadron (Observation) 4 August – 4 September 1918; 9–12 September 1918
Undetermined location near Flin, Lorraine
First Army Air Service observation airfield[1]
Headquarters, I Corps Observation Group, 13–29 June 1918[1]
12th Aero Squadron (Observation) 13–29 June 1918
Located 1.0 mile (1.6 km) ESE of Foucaucourt-sur-Thabas, Lorraine[2]
First Army Air Service pursuit/observation airfield[1]
Headquarters, V Corps Observation Group, 20 September – 4 November 1918
Headquarters, 3d Pursuit Group, 6–1 November 1918
28th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 6 November 1918 – 15 February 1919
93d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 6 November – 15 December 1918
103d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 6 November 1918 – 5 January 1918
213th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 6 November – 15 December 1918[1]
99th Aero Squadron (Observation), 20 September – 4 November 1918
104th Aero Squadron (Observation), 20 September – 4 November 1918
Located 1.9 miles (3.1 km) N of Mouroux, Île-de-France[2]
First Army Air Service observation airfield[1]
Headquarters, I Corps Observation Group, 6–30 July 1918
1st Aero Squadron (Observation) 6–22 July 1918
12th Aero Squadron (Observation) 6–22 July 1918
88th Aero Squadron (Observation) 7 July-4 August 1918
Located 1.3 miles (2.1 km) SE of Toul, Lorraine[2]
First Army Air Service pursuit/observation airfield[1]
Headquarters, 1st Pursuit Wing, 29 June – 20 September 1918
Headquarters, 1st Pursuit Group, 5 May – 28 June 1918
Headquarters, 2d Pursuit Group, 29 June – 23 September 1918
Headquarters, 4th Pursuit Group, 26 October – 11 November 1918
Headquarters, I Corps Observation Group, 22 August – 21 September 1918
Headquarters, IV Corps Observation Group, 29 September – 11 November 1918
13th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 28 June – 23 September 1918
17th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 4 November – 12 December 1918
25th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 24 October 1918 – 15 April 1919
27th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 1–28 June 1918
28th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 15–16 July 1918
49th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 2 August – 23 September 1918
94th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 7 April – 30 June 1918
95th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 4 May 1918–28 June 1918
103d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 4 July – 7 August 1918
139th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 30 June – 24 September 1918
141st Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 19 October 1918 – 15 April 1919
147th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 1–28 June 1918
148th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 3 November 1918 – 15 April 1919[1]
1st Aero Squadron (Observation), 22 August – 21 September 1918
8th Aero Squadron (Observation), 29 September – 22 October 1918[1]
12th Aero Squadron (Observation), 22 August – 20 September 1918
22d Aero Squadron (Observation), 16 August – 22 September 1918
85th Aero Squadron (Observation), 4–11 November 1918[1]
135th Aero Squadron (Observation), 30 September 1918 – 10 February 1919
168th Aero Squadron (Observation), 5 October – 11 November 1918[1]
278th Aero Squadron (Observation), 10–11 November 1918[1]
Located 0.7 miles (1.1 km) S of Gondreville, Lorraine[2]
First Army Air Service observation airfield[1]
Headquarters, 1st Army Observation Group, 6–22 September 1918
24th Aero Squadron, (Observation) 22 August – 22 September 1918
91st Aero Squadron (Observation) 24 May – 21 September 1918[1]
Detachment operated from Souilly Aerodrome 9–18 October 1918; 27 October-6 November 1918
Undetermined location near Goussancourt, Picardy
First Army Air Service observation airfield[1]
88th Aero Squadron (Observation) 4–9 September 1918
Undetermined location near Haussimont, Champagne-Ardenne
First Army Air Service observation airfield[1]
99th Aero Squadron (Observation) 11 March – 31 May 1918
Detachment of 95th Aero Squadron, (Pursuit) 11 May – 24 June 1918

Located 0.4 miles (0.64 km) W of Julvécourt, Lorraine
Headquarters, I Corps Observation Group, 5–11 November 1918
166th Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 22 November 1918 – 5 January 1919
1st Aero Squadron (Observation) 5–21 November 1918
12th Aero Squadron (Observation) 3–21 November 1918
Located 1.6 miles (2.6 km) SE of Mourmelon-le-Grand, Champagne-Ardenne
103d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 18 February – 10 April 1918
Located 0.7 miles (1.1 km) WNW of Lay-Saint-Remy, Lorraine
41st Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 15–30 November 1918
138th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 14–30 November 1918
638th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 14–30 November 1918
Located 0.6 miles (0.97 km) WNW of Lemmes, Lorraine
186th Aero Squadron, (Observation) 7–24 November 1918
Located 0.6 miles (0.97 km) ENE of Lisle-en-Barrois, Lorraine
Headquarters, 3d Pursuit Group, 20 September – 6 November 1918
28th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 20 September – 6 November 1918
93d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 24 September – 6 November 1918
103d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 20 September – 6 November 1918
213th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 24 September – 6 November 1918[1]
Located 1.7 miles (2.7 km) SSW of Luxeuil-les-Bains, Franche-Comté
Headquarters, V Corps Observation Group, 7 August – 7 September 1918
99th Aero Squadron (Observation) 1 July – 7 September 1918
Flight operated from Corcieux Airdrome, 19–24 July 1918
Flight operated from Dogenville Airdrome, 24 July – 26 August 1918
104th Aero Squadron (Observation) 8 August – 8 September 1918
Now: Luxeuil Air Base (BA 116)
Located 0.1 miles (0.16 km) SSW of Maulan, Lorraine
Headquarters, 1st Day Bombardment Group, 25 September – 11 November 1918
11th Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 24 September 1918 – 17 January 1919
20th Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 23 September 1918 – 16 January 1919
96th Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 23 September 1918 – 10 January 1919
166th Aero Squadron (Dau Bombardment), 25 September – 22 November 1918
Undetermined location near May-en-Multien, Île-de-France
Headquarters, I Corps Observation Group, 5–10 August 1918
I Corps Observation Group, 5–10 August 1918[1]
12th Aero Squadron (Observation) 3–10 August 1918
Located 0.1 miles (0.16 km) N of Mercy-le-Bas, Lorraine
1st Aero Squadron (Observation) 21 November – 6 December 1918
Located 1.9 miles (3.1 km) E of La Ferté-sous-Jouarre, Île-de-France
1st Aero Squadron (Observation) 22 July – 5 August 1918
12th Aero Squadron (Observation) 22 July – 3 August 1918
Located 0.7 miles (1.1 km) WNW of Ourches-sur-Meuse, Lorraine
Headquarters, I Corps Observation Group, 1 April – 29 June 1918
Headquarters, IV Corps Observation Group, 1 July – 29 September 1918
Headquarters, 2d Day Bombardment Group, 1–11 November 1918
100th Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 30 October – 11 November 1918[1]
163d Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 1–11 November 1918[1]
1st Aero Squadron (Observation) 4 April – 29 June 1918
8th Aero Squadron (Observation), 31 August – 29 September 1918[1]
12th Aero Squadron (Observation) 3 May – 13 June 1918
24th Aero Squadron, (Observation) 6–22 August 1918
90th Aero Squadron (Observation) 13 June – 20 September 1918
135th Aero Squadron (Observation) 30 July – 30 September 1918
Flight "C" 255th Aero Squadron (Service) 27 July – 11 November 1918
Undetermined location near Aubréville, Lorraine
Headquarters, V Corps Observation Group, 4–11 November 1918
99th Aero Squadron (Observation) 4–31 November 1918
104th Aero Squadron (Observation) 4–30 November 1918
Undetermined location near Pretz-en-Argonne, Lorraine
88th Aero Squadron (Observation) 14–20 September 1918
Located 1.6 miles (2.6 km) ENE of Rembercourt-Sommaisne, Lorraine
Headquarters, 1st Pursuit Group, 1 September – 11 November 1918
27th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 3 September – 12 December 1918
94th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 1 September – 20 November 1918
95th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 2 September – 11 December 1918
Flight Operated from: Verdun Airdrome, 7 November 1918 – unknown 1919
147th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 1 September – 12 December 1918
Flight operated from: Verdun Airdrome, 25 September 1918 – unknown 1919
185th Aero Squadron, (Night Pursuit)) 7 October – 11 November 1918
Located 1.2 miles (1.9 km) W of Remicourt, Champagne-Ardenne
Headquarters, I Corps Observation Group, 21 September – 5 November 1918
1st Aero Squadron (Observation) 21 September – 5 November 1918
12th Aero Squadron (Observation) 20 September – 3 November 1918
50th Aero Squadron (Observation) 24 September – 28 October 1918
Located 0.7 miles (1.1 km) N of Saints, Île-de-France
Headquarters, 1st Pursuit Group, 9 July – 1 September 1918
Headquarters, I Corps Observation Group, 29 June – 6 July 1918
27th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 9 July – 3 September 1918
Flight operated from Verdun Aerodrome, 25 September–November 1918
94th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 9 July – 1 September 1918
95th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 9 July – 2 September 1918
147th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 9 July – 1 September 1918
1st Aero Squadron (Observation) 29 June – 6 July 1918
12th Aero Squadron (Observation) 29 June – 6 July 1918
Located 1 mile (1.6 km) WNW of Saizerais, Lorraine
Headquarters, VI Corps Observation Group, 25 October – 11 November 1918
8th Aero Squadron (Observation), 22 October – 11 November 1918
354th Aero Squadron (Observation), 25 October – 11 November 1918
Located 0.5 miles (0.80 km) N of Souilly, Lorraine
Headquarters, V Corps Observation Group, 7–20 September 1918
Headquarters, III Corps Observation Group, 20 September – 29 October 1918
13th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 23 September – 16 December 1918
49th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 7 November 1918 – 7 December 1919
22d Aero Squadron (Observation) 7 November 1918 – 29 January 1919
88th Aero Squadron (Observation) 12–14 September 1918; 20 September – 4 November 1918
99th Aero Squadron (Observation) 7–20 September 1918
104th Aero Squadron (Observation) 8–20 September 1918
Detachment of 24th Aero Squadron (Observation), 9–18 October 1918, 27 October – 6 November 1918
Located 1.2 miles (1.9 km) WSW of Touquin, Île-de-France
Headquarters, 1st Pursuit Group, 28 June – 9 July 1918
27th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 28 June – 9 July 1918
94th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 30 June – 9 July 1918
95th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 28 June – 9 July 1918
147th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 28 June – 9 July 1918
Located 0.6 miles (0.97 km) SSE of Vavincourt, Lorraine
Headquarters, 1st Army Observation Group, 22 September – 11 November 1918
24th Aero Squadron (Observation) 22 September 1918 – 7 May 1919
91st Aero Squadron (Observation) 21 September 1918 – 7 May 1919[1]
9th Aero Squadron (Night Observation) 21 September – 21 November 1918
Detachment operated from Souilly Aerodrome, 9–18 October 1918, 27 October-6 November 1918
Located 2.1 miles (3.4 km) NNW of Vaucouleurs, Lorraine
Headquarters, 3d Pursuit Group, 30 July – 20 September 1918
28th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 16 July –20 September 1918
49th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 28 July – 2 August 1918
93d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 28 July – 24 September 1918
103d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 7 August –20 September 1918
213th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 26 July – 24 September 1918[1]
139th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 28 May – 30 June 1918[1]
Undetermined location near Verdun, Lorraine
Detachment of 27th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 25 September 1918 – unknown 1919
Detachment of 95th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 7 November 1918 – unknown 1919
Located 3.4 miles (5.5 km) NE of Vertus, Champagne-Ardenne
94th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 5 March –1 April 1918
95th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) 18 February – 1 April 1918

Support aerodromes

Headquarters, Commanding General, Services of Supply
1st Air Depot. 48°31′51″N 05°53′02″E / 48.53083°N 5.88389°E / 48.53083; 5.88389 (Colombey-les-Belles Depot)
Airfield: 48°31′28″N 05°54′28″E / 48.52444°N 5.90778°E / 48.52444; 5.90778 (Colombey-les-Belles Airfield)
Initial supply and equipment depot for new units. Army personnel/medical center
Located 0.6 miles (0.97 km) WNW of Colombey-les-Belles, Lorraine[2]
2d Air Depot
Air Service Acceptance Park No. 1
Now: Orly Airport (IATA: ORY, ICAO: LFPO)
6th Air Depot

Air Service Production Center No. 2.
Receiving point for all Liberty DH-4 planes shipped from the United States as well as a salvage area for wrecked airplanes.[2]
Located near Romorantin-Lanthenay, Centre
Air Service Replacement Concentration Center
Primary reception and classification center for new units assigned to AEF.
Located in Saint-Maixent-l'École, Poitou-Charentes
5th Air Depot
Undetermined location near Vinets, Champagne-Ardenne

Training schools

Aviation Instruction Centers

  • 1st Aviation Instructional Center (1st AIC)
Reuilly Barracks, Paris (Headquarters)
Mechanics Training School
Schools located at following factories:
Hispano-Suiza Factory
Renault Factory
Breguet Factory
Brasier Factory
Nieuport Factory
Bleriot Factory
  • 2d Aviation Instructional Center (2d AIC)
Tours Aerodrome
47°25′50″N 00°43′08″E / 47.43056°N 0.71889°E / 47.43056; 0.71889 (2d AIC)
Preliminary observation, radio, photography and gunnery school
Located near: Tours, Centre[1]
Now: Tours Val de Loire Airport
  • 3d Aviation Instruction Center (3d AIC)
Issoudun Aerodrome
46°57′16″N 01°59′18″E / 46.95444°N 1.98833°E / 46.95444; 1.98833 (3d AIC)
Advanced pursuit and observation school
Located near: Issoudun, Centre[2]
  • 4th Aviation Instruction Center (4th AIC)
Avord Aerodrome [2]
47°03′14″N 02°37′59″E / 47.05389°N 2.63306°E / 47.05389; 2.63306 (4th AIC)
Advanced flying school
Location: 1.7 miles (2.7 km) NW of Avord, Centre
Now: Avord Air Base (BA 102)[1]

  • 5th Aviation Instruction Center (5th AIC)
Location Bron (Rhone), France
45°43′46″N 04°56′20″E / 45.72944°N 4.93889°E / 45.72944; 4.93889 (5th AIC)
Mechanics training school (closed late 1917)*
  • 6th Aviation Instruction Center (6th AIC)
Pau (Basses-Pyrenees), France
43°22′19″N 00°25′20″W / 43.37194°N 0.42222°W / 43.37194; -0.42222 (6th AIC)
Advanced flying school[2]
  • 7th Aviation Instruction Center (7th AIC)
Clermont-Ferrand Aerodrome [2]
45°47′08″N 03°09′45″E / 45.78556°N 3.16250°E / 45.78556; 3.16250 (7th AIC)
Bombardment training school
Located near Clermont-Ferrand, Auvergne
Now: Clermont-Ferrand Airport
  • 8th Aviation Instruction Center (8th AIC)
Foggia Aerodrome
41°26′17″N 15°32′38″E / 41.43806°N 15.54389°E / 41.43806; 15.54389 (8th AIC)
Foggia, Italy

* The 5th Aviation Instruction Center at Bron (now Lyon–Bron Airport) was located at the French Air Service Mechanics School. The first Americans were sent to the school in mid-September, 1917. The school was overcrowded and was lacking in proper quarters and mess facilities for the Americans. Also a lack of English-speaking instructors led to the decision to withdraw the Americans from the school. Students were sent to the 3d AIC at Issodun, with the last departing on 4 December 1917.[4]

Artillery Aerial Observation Schools
  • 1st Artillery Aerial Observation School (1st AAOS)
47°56′43″N 002°09′00″W / 47.94528°N 2.15000°W / 47.94528; -2.15000 (1st AAOS)
Ecoles De Saint-Cyr Coetquidan (Camp de Coetquidan), France
  • 2d Artillery Aerial Observation School (2d AAOS)
44°49′42″N 000°42′56″W / 44.82833°N 0.71556°W / 44.82833; -0.71556 (1st AAOS)
Sourge (Camp de Souge), France
Now: Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport
  • 3d Artillery Aerial Observation School (3d AAOS)
48°44′11″N 004°08′55″E / 48.73639°N 4.14861°E / 48.73639; 4.14861 (3d AAOS)
Haussimont (Mailly), France
  • 4th Artillery Aerial Observation School (4th AAOS)
47°45′43″N 02°46′56″W / 47.76194°N 2.78222°W / 47.76194; -2.78222 (4th AAOS)
Locmaria-Grand-Champ (Camp De Meucon), France
  • 5th Artillery Aerial Observation School (5th AAOS)
47°09′21″N 06°17′38″W / 47.15583°N 6.29389°W / 47.15583; -6.29389 (5th AAOS)
Le Valdahon (Camp La Valdehon), France
  • Artillery Officers School (Aviation Detachment)
47°11′27″N 00°03′11″W / 47.19083°N 0.05306°W / 47.19083; -0.05306 (Artillery Officers School)
Saint-Cyr-en-Bourg (Saumur Artillery School Aerodrome), France
Observation School for Artillery Officers

Miscellaneous AEF Schools
  • Cazaux Aviation Instruction Center
Cazaux Aerodrome, France
44°32′01″N 01°07′34″W / 44.53361°N 1.12611°W / 44.53361; -1.12611 (Cazaux Aerodrome)
Now: Cazaux Air Base (BA 120)
  • St. John-de-Monts Aerial Gunnery School
Saint-Jean-de-Monts Aerodrome, France
46°45′53″N 02°02′09″W / 46.76472°N 2.03583°W / 46.76472; -2.03583 (St Jean de Monts Aerodrome)
  • I Corps Aeronautical School**
Gondrecourt-le-Château, France
  • II Corps Aeronautical School
Chatillon-Sur-Seine Aerodrome, France
47°50′54″N 04°34′50″E / 47.84833°N 4.58056°E / 47.84833; 4.58056 (Chatillon-Sur-Seine Aerodrome)

** The I Corps Aeronautical School was a temporary school, located at the French Air Service machine-gun training school at Gondrecourt-le-Château. About 225 men were sent to the school during March and April, 1918.[4]

British sector

Approximate location:0.5 miles (0.80 km) NE of Allonville, Picardy[2]
148th Aero Squadron (Pursuit),11–18 August 1918
Squadron attached to British 4th Army, operated as part of the RFC/RAF [1]
Undetermined location near Auxi-le-Château, Nord-Pas-de-Calais
17th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 19 August – 20 September 1918
Detachment operated from Beugnatre Airdrome, 10–20 September 1918
Attached to several squadrons of the British RFC [1]
Undetermined location near Baizieux, Picardy
148th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 20 September –15 October 1918
Squadron attached to British 4th Army, operated as part of the RFC/RAF [1]
Undetermined location near Bray-Dunes, Nord-Pas-de-Calais
103d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 2–5 May 1918
Undetermined location near Cappelle-la-Grande, Nord-Pas-de-Calais
148th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 30 June – 22 July 1918
Squadron attached to British 3d Army, operated as part of the RFC/RAF [1]
Undetermined location near Petite-Synthe, Nord-Pas-de-Calais
17th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 20 June – 19 August 1918
Attached to several squadrons of the British RFC

Undetermined location near Remaisnil, Picardy
148th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 18 August – 20 September 1918
Squadron attached to British 4th Army, operated as part of the RFC/RAF [1]
Located 0.4 miles (0.64 km) W of Beugnâtre, Nord-Pas-de-Calais[2]
Detachment of 17th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 10–20 September 1918
Undetermined location near Crochte, Nord-Pas-de-Calais
103d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 8 June – 4 July 1918
Undetermined location near Guînes, Nord-Pas-de-Calais
22d Aero Squadron (Observation) 24–26 June 1918
Undetermined location near Saint-Omer, Nord-Pas-de-Calais
28th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 24–27 June 1918
Undetermined location near Leffrinckoucke, Nord-Pas-de-Calais
103d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 5 May – 18 June 1918
Undetermined location near Sonchamp, Île-de-France
17th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 20 September – 4 November 1918

[2] [5] [6]

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 "Gorrell's History of the American Expeditionary Forces Air Service, 1917–1919, National Archives, Washington, D.C.".
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Reference for Geographic coordinates of Aerodromes
  3. "United States Air Service - USAS". usaww1.com.
  4. 1 2 US National Archives, Gorrell's History of the American Expeditionary Forces Air Service, Series J Volume 10 Histories of the 5th (Bron), and 6th (Pau) Aviation Instruction Centers, Cazaux Aviation Instruction Center, St. John-de-Monts Aerial Gunnery School, 1st-5th Aerial Observation Schools, I and II Corps Aeronautical Schools, and Detachments at the Artillery Candidates School, and French, English, and Italian Aviation Scools via http://www.fold3.com
  5. Maurer, Maurer (1978), The US Air Service In World War I, Office of Air Force History, Headquarters USAF
  6. Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556.

External links

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