Plivot or Epernay-Plivot – Marne - France.
Épernay-Plivot (49 00 25 N – 04 05 10 E) ) General: landing ground in NE France 28 km S of Reims, 10.5 km ESE of Épernay and 1.2 km SE of the village of Plivot.
139 Squadron Blenheim at Plivot 1940. IWM copyright C1348
I do actually know this airfield having visited it many years ago. I know little history however but it seems likely it was used as a landing ground by the French Air Force pre war and possibly also used for local civil flying. Following the outbreak of WW2 there were basic facilities on site but no hard runways.
103 Squadron were transferred their from Challerange on the 28th November 1939. It was noted that as being nearer to larger towns like Epernay and Chalons and also Rheims which was welcome.
Much work had to be undertaken by the Royal Engineers to make the billets habitable for the winter. In addition it was noted that there was difficulty finding a suitable room for the Officers Mess which was at first on one room over the cafe in the village with kitchen facilities shared with the lady of the house and her family which was not ideal.
On the 9th December 1939 King George V made an inspection visit to the airfield and presented medals to airmen from 88 and 150 Squadrons who were stationed nearby.
Harold Balfour the Secretary of State for Air visited Plivot on 2nd January 1940 to be followed 5 days later by Winston Churchill, the then First Lord of the Admiralty, and Prof Fred Lindemann.
At the end of the month yet another notable visited the airfield in the shape of Air Marshall Arthur “Ugly” Barratt AOC AASF.
This proved a very bad winter and little flying was possible whilst 103 Squadron were based at Plivot.
On the 15th March 1940 103 Squadron moved to the airfield at Betheniville and 139 Squadron with their Bristol Blenheims moved from Betheniville to Plivot. I believe this was because it was considered that Plivot was considered more suitable for the heavier Blenheims.
At the start of the Battle of France 139 Squadron flew a number of operations and sustained heavy losses. Within a week 139 were decimated and withdrawn and the German advance overran the airfield shortly after.
…..................................................
According to Luftwaffe Airfields 1935-45 – France (with Corsica and Channel Islands)
By Henry L. de Zeng IV
Plivot was believed to have been used by Luftwaffe Bf 109s and by a short-range tactical reconnaissance unit during the advance through France in June 1940. No subsequent development by the Germans was undertaken until after the Armistice until spring 1944. Surface and Dimensions - grass surface measuring 1000 x 800 yards. No runways. The site had had underground fuel tanks on the north and south west sides of the landing area and no ammunition storage. There were no hangers, workshops or other buildings of any sort - May 1943.
The nearest rail connection was in the village of Oiry 2 miles north west of the airfield. No organised dispersal areas and the landing area was surrounded by open cultivated fields. - 12th May 1944).
Remarks:
3 Oct 43: Allied reconnaissance reported Epernay-Plivot to be permanently obstructed by trenches and in addition to being trenched, the landing area was further obstructed by rough ploughing.
19 Apr 44 - Allied reconnaissance and agents reported Epernay-Plivot had filled in the trenches and levelling work was underway to add a 350 yard extension off the south west corner to give the landing area a NE/SW take-off and landing run of 1650 yards. Due to the construction the landing ground is currently unserviceable.
12 May 44 - Allied reconnaissance reported continuing work on the extension and the installation of perimeter lighting. Landing ground now serviceable.
Operational Units - Stab/JG 53 in June 1940 and II./JG 3 from 10th to the 22nd August 1944.
…........................................................................................
Post war Plivot was developed as a small civil airfield and used for private flying and instruction including helicopters, parachuting and gliding and is clearly a thriving little facility.
Item written by David Fell with thanks to Henry de Zeng. Blenheim photo courtesy of the IWM and modern photo from the Epernay - Plivot aero club website.
|
