Type Combat Airfield Built 1918 Battles/wars World War I | Condition Agricultural area In use 1918–1919 | |
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Controlled by Air Service, United States Army | ||
Belrain Aerodrome was a temporary World War I airfield in France. It was located 0.7 miles (1.1 km) South of Belrain, in the Meuse department in the Lorraine region in northeastern France.
Overview
Construction of Belrain Aerodrome was originally started by the French, and was turned over to the Air Service, United States Army in August 1918. When taken over, the French had constructed an airfield with a capacity of 86 aircraft, and eight Bessonnenux aircraft hangars. There was no telephone or electrical system, and the Air Service engineers put up a series of tents for personnel to live, eat and perform their duties.
Once made ready for use, Belrain was assigned to the 2d Pursuit Group in late September 1918. It was used as a pursuit (fighter) field during both the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne Offensives, with four squadrons of aircraft.
Known units assigned to Belrain Airdrome were:
In support of the flying squadrons, the 4th Air Park had a flight of mechanics for repair of both aircraft and vehicles. The Air Service engineers expanded Aerodrome by building a series of support buildings and quarters for personnel, primarily in the woods to the east of the airfield.
After the armistice in November 1918, the V Corps Observation Group moved into Belrain with three squadrons of aircraft assigned to it.
By the end of January 1919, the American squadrons were reassigned and the airfield was abandoned. It was turned over to the 1st Air Depot for de-construction. All hangars and other structures were dismantled and all useful supplies and equipment were removed and sent back to the Depot for storage. Upon completion, the land turned over to the French government.
Eventually the land was returned to agricultural use by the local farmers. Today, what was Belrain Aerodrome is a series of cultivated fields located on the south side of the Départmental 121 (D121), east of Frize-la-Brulee, with no indications of its wartime use. The wooded area to the east of the Airfield remains a forested area.