Goussancourt Aerodrome

Goussancourt Aerodrome, was a temporary World War I airfield in France. It was located near the commune of Goussancourt, in the Aisne department in Picardy in northern France.

Goussancourt Aerodrome
Part of American Expeditionary Forces (AEF)
Located near: Goussancourt, France
Front line trenches near Goussancourt, France. Taken by the 88th Aero Squadron flying about 200m, September, 1918
Goussancourt Aerodrome
Coordinates	49°09′57″N 03°40′10″E Approximate Location
Type	Combat Airfield
Site information
Controlled by	Air Service, United States Army
Condition	Agricultural area
Site history
Built	1918
In use	1918–1919
Battles/wars	World War I
Garrison information
Garrison	III Corps Observation Group United States First Army Air Service

Overview

This temporary airfield was organized in early September, 1918, while to Allied armies were pushing back the German forces. It was mainly used by "escadrilles" of the French 5th Army Air Service from 11 September until 3 November 1918, but it first served as a forward operating airfield for the 88th Aero Squadron on 4–9 September, used for battlefield observation/aerial reconnaissance flights over the Vesle Sector for the benefit of the American III Corps, First Army. At Goussancourt, which was located about 10 km from the front line trenches, the enemy had superiority of the air. There were very few American pursuit planes operating and the airfield was attacked on several occasions by German aircraft during the day and bombers were heard at night attacking the trench lines. The squadron moved back to the Ferme des Greves Aerodrome.

The airfield likely consisted of a few tents to support squadron personnel and perhaps a few canvas aircraft hangars when the French units arrived. It had been organized on the southwest side of the Goussancourt village, soon turned back to agriculture after the Armistice. No evidence of its existence remains.

Known units assigned

• 88th Aero Squadron (Observation) 4–9 September 1918

See also

• List of Air Service American Expeditionary Force aerodromes in France

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

• Series "D", Volume 2, Squadron histories,. Gorrell's History of the American Expeditionary Forces Air Service, 1917–1919, National Archives, Washington, D.C.