Allied aerodromes...what were they like?

[Lufbery]

All,

I'd like to know a couple of things about Allied aerodromes in the latter part of the war:

1. On average, how many of each type of building (hangers, mess halls, barracks, etc.) did they have?
2. How many squadrons shared an aerodrome?
3. What was the typical force composition (no. of planes, pilots, staff, ground crew, etc.)?

I'm looking for general, average statistics. just to get an idea of what a typical aerodrome was like. I'd like to use this information in a novel I'm thinking of writing.

Also, please list any sources you think might be helpful in researching this question.

Thanks,

-Drew

Hi Drew,

>1.On average, how many of each type of building >(hangers, mess halls, barracks, etc.) did they >have?

Serny had approximately 25 Hangar sized structures in October 1918. They seem to be matched by about the same number of smaller buildings, so possibly about the same amount of smaller buildings for admin and housing. By contrast at Rafa in Palestine, 1 AFC had two hangars and 92 tents!


>2.How many squadrons shared an aerodrome?

Serny had 80 Wing, so they had 88 RAF (F2b's), 2 AFC (SE5a's), 103 RAF (DH9a's) and 4 AFC (Snipes), each with their own section of the aerodrome, it seems about 5 hangars to a squadron, guess the rest are workshops. That would also make about 100 aircraft on the aerodrome.

>3.What was the typical force composition (no. of >planes, pilots, staff, ground crew, etc.)?

McCloughry wrote for 4 AFC, 3 Flights of 8 machines, Squadron workshops, Motor Transport, Technical Stores, Armoury and Orderly Room Staff.

A Flight consists of about 32 men including pilots and NCO's. So about four ground servicemen to the one aircraft. That doesnt include the admin, medical, etc.

Hope that helps.

cam

[Lufbery]

Hi Cam,

Thanks for the response. That helps immeasurably.

-Drew

Greetings: Most, if not all, of the data you are looking for can be found in Frank Luke: The September Rampage, which you can buy through the Aerodrrome bookstore, Amazon.com, or the Scholar's Bookshelf.com. There are 26 appendixes of information relating to aerodromes, with maps and pictures, plus tables of organization showing the number of officers and men + their equipment and ratings in each squadron. THe book costs $34.95, bought from the above, but Forumites can get a 20% discount by ordering from the Info Devel Press, 32 Reilly Road, Lagrangeville, New York 12540. $28 + $4 S&H = $32 gets you this data. THe Info Devel Press shows writers how to put books together, and get them on the Amazon.com listing; if you need any help call us at 914-223-3269. Kindest regards, Billy H/12/07/99: Remember Pearl Harbor.

[Lufbery]

Thanks, Billy!

Gwilym Lewis writes that, in the winter of 1917-18, 40 squadron shared its airfield with one other squadron. During the German offensive that began at the end of March, as many as five squadrons used the field.