Introduction

For some years, Emmanuel Charon has been studying Coulommiers-Voisins Airfield, France, 35 NM (nautical miles) east of Paris (he was born nearby). The aerodrome was built in the early 1930s by aviation enthusiasts. As war approached, the french Armée de l'Air took it over and shared it for some time with units of the RAF (Royal Air Force) expeditionary forces in France.

After the defeat of the BEF (British Expediitionary Force) and the fall of France, the Luftwaffe moved in and improved the facilities; they operated the airfield until late September 1944.

After the German withdrawal, it accommodated squadrons of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) and the RAF, being vacated in late September 1945. The aerodrome then languished while its disposition was discussed, though the Air Ministry (France) planned and started to use it as an alternate for the then-busy Le Bourget airport (at that time, the only airport servicing Paris). During this time, NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) upgraded the field it to its standards.

However, by 1960, A.D.P. (Aéroports de Paris) decided to build Orly airport. The die was cast, and the future of Coulommiers-Voisins was again uncertain. From the past there remains a portion of the East-West runway (1,400 x 20 m) that is still in use. Airliners drone overhead en-route to Roissy-Charles de Gaulle International Airport.

Location

Located 35 nautical miles NE of Paris, Coulommiers appears in red on the map directly below.

History

Coulommiers and its environs has early connections with the very history of aviation. The De Montgolfier brothers launched their fourth balloon from Maupethuis (mid-1783), the helicopter "technique" was drafted in Trilport (1863), and Clément Ader flew the very first engine-powered aircraft at Gretz on October 9, 1890.

In 1904 and 1909 aerostation meetings at Coulommiers gathered mobs. In 1912, 25,000 attended a meeting featuring pilots and planes from the "Centre d'aviation de Reims." Funds were raised for this new army. It was a time for numerous flights: the Moumelon-Reims to Paris-Issy raids and races and trials of new dirigibles (ASTRA workshops at Meaux-Beauval from 1905).

World War I's "Battle of the Marne" was fought near Coulommiers. Germans based aircraft at Meaux-Beauval (ex ASTRA), and the French, English, and Americans, at Chailly-en-Bière, Chailly-en Brie, Charmantray, Coulommiers, Giremoutiers (1 kilometer NE of the field at Coulommiers), La Chapelle-la-Reine, La Ferté-Gaucher, Mauperthuis, Moissy-Cramayel, Mondreville, Ormeaux, Rosay, Saints, and Voinsles. Coulommiers experienced its first German air raids during June and July 1918. The next would occur in 1940 (and again in 1944).

In 1934, local interest in aviation soared. Three aviation enthusiasts (Dr. Arbeltier, Mr. Maussion, and Mr. Thévenot) decided to become pilots and bought a Potez-36. A farmer lended a pasture and a barn. Soon the trio moved to Boissy-le-Châtel at La Croix Blanche (5 km East of Coulommiers), where the Allies had operated during WW I.

In 1935, the new airclub "Cercle Aérien de Coulommiers & de la Brie" grew in popularity (12 or more pilots). The Air Ministry granted a hangar and three planes.

In 1936, the new elected Labor government unveiled the "Aviation Populaire" scheme. Its aim was to democratize air sports (Meaux Airfield was home of the french famous Cri-Cri, a popular hand-made plane); later, it's goal was to select and to train young pilots and mechanics for the Armée de l'Air ("Section d'Aviation Populaire" later called "Section d'Aviation Pré-militaire"). There were 30 new pilots and six new planes. Soon the 1930s Crisis prevented the club from growing more.

In 1935, a new airfield was built at Voisins, near Chéru Farm (6 km West of Coulommiers). The French Air Force was reluctant to allow private pilots to use it as it was one of the largest in France (covering an area of 4 km²). On June 17, 1937 the airclub moved in. The drome had a large hangar and one under construction. In 1938 a clubhouse/tower was added. On September 25, 1937 the first two S.A.P. pilots were awarded their first-degree license. On April 17, 1938 Sadi Lecointe inaugurated the airfield and the S.A.P. facilities.

By August 1938, the French Armée de l'Air moved in for air maneuvers (using Dewoittine-500s and -510s). Young pilots began joining the Air Force as it was apparent that war was imminent.

A few years before WW II, the French Armée de l'Air monitored its strengths and assets. From this resulted a pessimistic report. It lacked modern planes, sufficient and well-trained staff, modern strategy, and facilities. Plans were elaborated to solve these weaknesses. However, most of them were not completed by September 1939. Regarding airfields, Plan V ordered the building of sites fit for all-year operations. Dromes were classified under four types, I being all-weather, h-24, multi-purpose; IV, for liaision (there were such fields at La Ferté-sous-Jouarre and at St-Jean-les-deux-Jumeaux, French HQ). Most airfields near Coulommiers were of Type I.

Units Based at Coulommiers-Voisins Airfield

This table chronicles the WW II history of the airfield. Information included (if known): dates of occupancy, squadrons, other information, and aircraft flown.