Guercif Airfieldis an abandoned military airfield inMorocco,located about 4 km northeast of Guercif (Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate); 400 km east-northeast ofCasablanca,near theAlgerianborder.
Guercif Airfield | |
|---|---|
| Part ofTwelfth Air Force | |
| Coordinates | 34°15′15.40″N003°19′40.44″W/ 34.2542778°N 3.3279000°W |
| Type | Military airfield |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | United States Army Air Forces |
| Site history | |
| Built | Early 1943 |
| In use | April–June 1943 |
| Battles/wars | North African Campaign |
History
editDuringWorld War IIthe airfield's primary use was for tactical photographic reconnaissance andC-47 Skytraintroop carrier and logistics operations by theTwelfth Air Force.The airfield was constructed as a temporary facility, with a hard earth or pierced steel planking (PSP) runway and parking apron. with few or no permanent structures, Tents were used for ground support operations and personnel billeting.
The first operations from the airfield began at the beginning of April 1943, soon after its construction by Army Engineers when the111th Observation Squadron(Medium) of the68th Observation Groupbegan flyingA-20 Havocreconnaissance and photographic observation missions. The squadron remained at the airfield until it moved toNouvion Airfield,Algeriaat the end of May.
A few days later, elements of the316th Troop Carrier Group,the 36th, and 45th Squadrons began arriving on the airfield at the end of May. Group HQ moved in a few days later fromNouvion,Algeria.The group flew operational missions as part of theNorth African Campaignfrom the airfield until the end of June when the unit moved up toEnfidaville Airfield,Tunisiato better support the advancing Allied forces. After the 316th moved east, the airfield was dismantled and the land returned to civil authorities.
Today the airfield is an open, undeveloped area seen on aerial photography northeast of the town.
References
edit
This article incorporatespublic domain materialfrom theAir Force Historical Research Agency
- Maurer, Maurer.Air Force Combat Units of World War II.Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History, 1983.ISBN0-89201-092-4.
- Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969].Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II(PDF)(reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History.ISBN0-405-12194-6.LCCN70605402.OCLC72556.