Longues-sur-Mer in Calvados, Normandy, France — Western Europe
La piste d'aviation B-11
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The B-11 airfield
Photographed by James Hulse, June 4, 2025
1. La piste d'aviation B-11 / The B-11 airfield Marker
Des as de la Royal Air Force
Pendant la Bataille de Normandie, pour continuer d'appuyer les troupes au sol et mener des raids aériens sans avoir à traverser la Manche, les Alliés construisent en des temps records des terrains d'aviation. Ici, entre le 18 et 21 juin 1944, les troupes du génie de la Royal Air Force aménagent les champs et créent la piste avancée d'aviation n° 11, l'Advanced Landing Ground B-11.
En terre roulée et longue de 1 100 mètres, la piste est utilisée du 21 juin au 4 septembre 1944, notamment par plusieurs escadrilles de Spitfires (1).
La batterie sert alors de support logistique. Dans la première casemate, des munitions sont stockées et une DCA est installée à son sommet pour protéger le terrain d'aviation.
Au sein de l'escadron 602 City of Glasgow, de célèbres pilotes des Forces aériennes françaises libres, les as Pierre Clostermann (2), Pierre Aubertin et Jacques Remlinger, servaient à Longues-sur-Mer.
C'est aussi du terrain d'aviation de Longues-sur-Mer qu'a décollé le 17 juillet 1944 le pilote sud-africain aux 23
this page online
Aujourd'hui, quasiment aucun vestige ne rappelle la piste B-11. De même avec le temps s'effacent les traces et la mémoire de la batterie et des acteurs de cette époque. Ce circuit d'interprétation vise à conserver et valoriser cette page d'histoire. C'est aussi un message pour les générations futures (3).
© doc.(1), © doc.(2) et © doc.(3), IWM - © doc. Focus, Conservatoire du Ittoral-CD14
La gestion environnementale du site
Vous pouvez voir une large bande d'herbes hautes devant les casemates. Cette ancienne parcelle agricole prend la forme au printemps d'une belle prairie aux fleurs de couleurs variées, jouant le rôle d'abri pour la petite faune et de garde-manger pour les insectes pollinisateurs. Cet espace profite notamment à l'Alouette des champs que vous pouvez observer en vol haut et stationnaire, ou entendre entre mars et juillet, particulièrement les mâles dont le chant nuptial est musical. Les pratiques d'agriculture intensive menacent la reproduction de cette espèce qui fait son nid au sol dans les prairies et qui peut ainsi trouver ici un havre de paix propice à sa survie.
Légendes
Photographed by James Hulse, June 4, 2025
2. La piste d'aviation B-11 / The B-11 airfield Marker
The view of the marker with the visitor’s center in the background.
(Photo #1) Ravitaillement d'un Spitfire à Longues-sur-Mer. Le soldat Ken Townsend passe un jerrican au soldat Robert Simmonds debout sur l'aile de l'avion.
(Photo #2) A son retour à Longues-sur-Mer, le sous-lieutenant Pierre Clostermann (à gauche) félicite le Flight Lieutenant KL Charney. Ils ont alors chacun abattu un avion allemand. Clostermann remporta 28 victoires et fut Compagnon de la Libération.
(Photo #3) 2 août 1944, photographie aérienne de la batterie de Longues-sur-Mer où l'on aperçoit en haut à droite la piste B-11.
Royal Air Force aces
The Allies built runways and airfields at record speed in order to continue supporting ground troops and carrying out air raids during the Battle of Normandy, without having to cross the English Channel. Here, between 18 and 21 June 1944, the Royal Air Force engineering corps converted the fields to create Advanced Landing Ground B-11.
The runway of compressed earth, 1,100 metres long, was used from 21 June until 4 September 1944, notably by several squadrons of Spitfires (1).
The battery was used for logistical support. Munitions were stored in the first casemate and an anti-aircraft defence was installed at the summit to protect the airfield.
As part of the 602 City of Glasgow squadron, the
Photographed by James Hulse, June 4, 2025
3. La piste d'aviation B-11 / The B-11 airfield Marker
The view of the casement bunkers facing toward the English Channel.
It was also from Longues-sur-Mer that the South African pilot with 23 victories, Jacobus Johannes "Chris" Le Roux, took off on 17 July 1944 as commander of the 602 Squadron: he is believed to have strafed Field Marshal Rommel's car, injuring Rommel's face, temple and skull.
Today there is practically no trace of runway B-11. And over time the traces and memory of the battery and those who played a part in it during that period have faded too. This interpretation trail aims to preserve and enhance this chapter of history. It is also a message for future generations.
© doc.(1), © doc.(2) et © doc.(3), IWM - © doc. Focus, Conservatoire du Ittoral-CD14
Environmental management of the site
You can see a wide strip of long grass in front of the casemates. In the spring, this parcel, formerly agricultural land, becomes a lovely meadow with flowers of different colours, that serves as a shelter for small creatures and as a larder for pollinating insects. This area is of particular benefit to skylarks, which you can observe high in the sky and motionless, or listen to from March to July - especially the males whose mating song is like music. Intensive farming practices pose a threat to the breeding habits of this species, which builds its nest on the ground in meadows and can therefore find a haven of peace here that helps to ensure its survival.
Captions
(Photo #1) Re-fuelling a Spitfire at Longues-sur-Mer. Soldier Ken Townsend passes a jerrycan to soldier Robert Simmonds standing on the wing of the plane.
(Photo #2) On his return to Longues-sur-Mer, sub-lieutenant Pierre Clostermann (left) congratulates Flight Lieutenant KL. Charney. They have each shot down a German plane. Clostermann had 28 victories and was made a 'Compagnon de la Libération'.
(Photo #3) 2 August 1944, aerial photograph of the Longues-sur-Mer battery on which runway B-11 can be seen top right.
Erected by Longues-sur-Mer Battery. (Marker Number 8.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is June 21, 1944.
Location. 49° 20.641′ N, 0° 41.495′ W. Marker is in Longues-sur-Mer, Normandie (Normandy), in Calvados. It is on Rue de la Mer just north of Rue des Batteries. The marker is located on the grounds of the Longues-sur-Mer Battery Historical Monument Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 39 Rue de la Mer, Longues-sur-Mer, Normandie 14400, France. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, a coastal Mediterranean country, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a French colony and also the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Un site d'exception / An exceptional site (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Une batterie allemande de défense côtière / A German coastal defence battery (about 120 meters away); Aérodrome B-11 de Longues-sur-Mer / B-11 airfield at Longues-sur-Mer (about 120 meters away); Canon russe Putilov / Putilov Russian cannon (about 120 meters away); Un site naturel remarquable / A remarkable natural environment (about 210 meters away); La prise de la batterie / Capturing the battery (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Les casemates / The casemates (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Le poste de commandement de tir / The fire command post (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Longues-sur-Mer.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 26, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 69 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 27, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
