- Source: Amanty Airdrome
Amanty Airdrome was a temporary World War I airfield in France, used briefly by French units, thereafter by squadrons of the Air Service, United States Army. It was located 1 mile (1.6 km) northwest of Amanty, and approximately 20 miles (32 km) south west of Toul, in the Meuse department in the Lorraine region in northeastern France (48.527383,5.598371).
History
The airfield was set up early 1917, with French escadrille C 4 (observation for 2nd Army Corps/French Second Army) arriving on 6 March, and staying until 2 April. The field then fell asleep until escadrille C 43 showed up on 19 Oct, teamed with the 1st Aero Squadron. Later on 14 December, they were joined by the ground personnel of 91st Aero Squadron (their pilots still training in Issoudun – they would arrive in March 1918).
The I Corps Observation Group School was organized early January 1918 on the field, the ground troops of 91st Squadron certainly used for construction works; the airfield was officially transferred to the Air Service, United States Army on February. As with most temporary airfields during World War I, it was set up quickly on existing farmer's fields which was used as an all-way airfield for aircraft takeoffs and landings. Canvas and metal tubing type hangars were erected for aircraft maintenance, and wooden buildings were set up for barracks, operations, maintenance and other station needs. 477th Aero Squadron (Construct.) stayed 12 Jun - 1 August 1918 to improve the camouflage of the installations.
The I Corps Observation Group School trained pilots and observers for aerial observation and photography. 1st Aero Squadron left on 4 April, and 91st Aero Squadron on 24 May. Thereafter, Aero Squadrons trained at the airfield were:
88th Aero Squadron (Observation), 1 February 1918 – 28 May 1918
12th Aero Squadron (Observation), 2 February 1918 – 30 April 1918
90th Aero Squadron (Observation), 19 April 1918 – 13 June 1918
96th Aero Squadron (Observation), 18 May 1918 – 10 September 1918
135th Aero Squadron (Observation), 19 Jul 1918 – 30 Jul 1918
50th Aero Squadron (Observation), 27 July 1918 – 4 September 1918
8th Aero Squadron (Observation), 31 Jul 1918 – 31 Aug 1918
104th Aero Squadron (Observation), 1 August 1918 –– 4 August 1918
9th Aero Squadron (Observation), 28 August 1918 – 6 September 1918
After completion of training, the squadrons then were assigned to one of the American Army Corps Observation Groups, mainly for battlefield reconnaissance and observation duties.
A few Squadrons flew operational missions from the field:
12th Aero Squadron (Observation), 30 April 1918 – 3 May 1918
96th Aero Squadron (Observation), 12 June 1918 – 10 September 1918
9th Aero Squadron (Observation), 6 – 21 September 1918
99th Aero Squadron (Observation), 31 May 1918 – 1 July 1918
Beginning in September 1918, the 1st Day Bombardment Group moved to Amanty and began combat operations during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive.
1st Day Bombardment Group, 10 Sep – 23 Sep 1918
11th Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 6 Sep 1918 – 24 Sep 1918
96th Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 18 May 1918 – 23 September 1918
166th Aero Squadron (Day Bombardment), 21 September 1918 – 25 September 1918
With the advance of Allied forces, the group moved up to Maulan Aerodrome to be closer to the line, and Amanty was no longer occupied flying units. After the Armistice with Germany on 11 November 1918, the First Army Air Service remained in place until it was ordered demobilized in April 1919. Afterwards Amanty Airdrome was dismantled, and the airfield was returned to the local farmers for agricultural use. Today little or no traces of it remain.
See also
List of Air Service American Expeditionary Force aerodromes in France
List of Training Section Air Service airfields
References
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency