Vaucouleurs Aerodrome

Vaucouleurs Aerodrome, was a temporary World War I airfield in France. It was located 2.1 mi West-Northwest of Vaucouleurs, in the Meuse department of France, located approximately 300 km from Paris.

Overview
The airfield was built during the spring of 1918 as a main operating base for the First Army Air Service. The ground support station consisted of various aircraft hangars, support buildings and quarters for personnel. It was initially used by the 139th Aero Squadron, Air Service, United States Army, beginning at the end of May, shortly after finishing its combat training at the 3d Air Instructional Center at Issoudun Aerodrome. At Vaucouleurs, the squadron flew SPAD VIIs and primarily was engaged in training flights and reconnaissance along the lines. A major difficulty was the lack of supplies and equipment necessary to keep the SPAD VIIs operational. On 30 June, the squadron was re-assigned to the 2d Pursuit Group and moved to Gengault Aerodrome, near Toul.

In July five pursuit squadrons were moved to Vaucouleurs, and headquarters of the 3d Pursuit Group was established there on 30 July. To accommodate five squadrons of aircraft, two airfields were established, Vaucouleurs North and Vaucouleurs South. From the aerodrome, the group carried out offensive operations during the St. Mihiel Offensive and also over the Toul Sector. At the end of September, the Group moved to Lisle-en-Barrois Aerodrome, in preparation for the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Afterwards, Vaucouleurs Aerodrome was unused for the remainder of the war.

After the armistice, the airfields was returned to agricultural use. Today Vaucouleurs North airfield is located to the east of the Départmental 964 (D964), north of Vaucouleurs. Vaucouleurs South is located to the northwest of the town, to the north of the D960. Both airfields are now cultivated fields, with no indications of their wartime use.

Known units assigned

 * Headquarters, 3d Pursuit Group, 30 July-20 September 1918


 * 139th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 28 May-30 June 1918
 * 28th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 16 July-20 September 1918
 * 49th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 28 July-2 August 1918
 * 213th Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 26 July-24 September 1918
 * 93d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 28 July-24 September 1918
 * 103d Aero Squadron (Pursuit), 7 August-20 September 1918