Serny – Pas de Calais – France.
88 Squadron Bristol F2 pictured at Serny 1918
Situated approx equidistant between Boulogne and Rubaix Serny is a hamlet and was the home to a small airfield during WW1 which was situated about a mile to the north. In records of the time it is spelt as Cerny and even Cerney. Whatever the spelling I have used the modern version of Serny.
The land in this area is mostly flat rolling farmland and quite suitable for aerodromes.
I know nothing of its history pre 1918 but 103 Squadron were based there in May 1918 and on the 1st July of that year it was the home of 80 Wing under the command of the redoubtable Lieutenant Colonel Louis Strange.
80 Wing consisted of 2 Squadron and 4 Squadron Australian Air Force and 88 Squadron and 103 Squadron of the RAF. 46 Squadron 54 Squadron and 92 Squadron RAF were also part of 80 Wing and seem to have spent some time at Serny.
80 Wing played an active roll and worked hard and successfully for several months mounting many large scale raids on German airfields and communications.
A nice aerial pic of Serny aerodrome. 88 Squadron hangers are middle left. Top left is 2 Squadron AFC then 103 Squadron RAF and then 4 Squadron AFC
On the 21st October 1918 103 Squadron moved to Floringhem, also in the Pas de Calais. I believe Serny airfield was still operational after 103 Squadron left but know nothing of its subsequent history.
The site has now reverted to farmland with no obvious evidence of the airfield left to be seen.
Serny aerodrome was situated east of the E2 road and south of the intersecting D130.
Photo taken at the north west corner of the old aerodrome looking south east
Item written by David Fell with photos from my archive and Google/Bing maps.
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