British Air Services Memorial

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Aerodrome de St Omer

11 September 2004

It is perhaps a touch ironical that the area around St Omer is better known to the British for the missile launch sites of the German Blitz in World War II, than for the fact that this small aerodrome within sight of the enormous dome of La Coupole at Wizernes played a significant part in the birth of British military air power.

Following the initial deployments and then retreat at the commencement of the war in 1914, St Omer became a major airfield and fighting complex, employing over 4000 technical staff, supplying aircraft and components for the entire Western Front.

Throughout its existence St Omer remained an important headquarters including that of Major General Hugh Trenchard of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC).

Trenchard is considered to be the founding figure of the infant Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918

The Air Services Memorial at St Omer Aerodrome

Exhibition in the Town Hall at St Omer

The Maire of St Omer has kindly donated space in the foyer of his splendid building for a temporary exhibition outlining the importance of the Aerodrome during both world wars.

Displays in both French and English outline the roles played by many of the squadrons formed at St Omer as well highlighting a number of the famous airmen who served there.

It is hoped that the exhibition will eventually find a permanent home at La Coupole the V2 Launch Site in the nearby village of Wizernes.

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The display at the Marie in St Omer The display at the Marie in St Omer The display at the Marie in St Omer The Marie (Town Hall) at St Omer Tornado GR4s of No 9 Squadron fly past on 10 September
Click on the thumbnails for a larger picture An ideal place to find a cafe
 

First World War Aviation Historical Society

The memorial has been erected by the Society as a permanent monument to those many thousands of personnel from the RFC, RNAS, RAF and Australian Flying Corps who served on the Western Front.

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The evening before at the aerodrome Guests and the RAF College Band The memorial is unveiled A fly past by a Spitfire The wreath laying
Click on the thumbnails for a larger picture Squadron Colours The memorial The rear panel
IX Squadron pillar First World War Aviation Veteran, Henry Allingham pays his respects Henry Allingham meeting young airmen and women of the RAF 41 Squadron pillar

Henry Allingham, is Britain's oldest surviving war veteran having been born in 1896. He served with the Royal Navy Air Services at the Somme in 1916, the Battle of Jutland and the third battle of Ypres. As a mechanic he had originally wanted to be a dispatch rider with the Royal Engineers, but the competition for places was fierce and on seeing an aircraft one day, decided to join the Royal Naval Air Services. By chance at the commencement of 3rd Ypres his unit was fighting alongside 9 Squadron RFC, the first Squadron to have actually been formed here at St Omer.

 

The Great War Air Display Team

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The Great War Display Team replica aircraft at the aerodrome A Nieuport 17 Inquisitive French Officers with the Nieuport 17 What's he doing here? A Junkers CL1 of the German Airforce An RAF SE5a
Click on the thumbnails for a larger picture The RFC emblem on the propeller shaft Inside the cockpit Doug Gregory talks about his SE5a
 

On the following pages I have added a little bit of information about the RFC. Whilst by no means in depth I hope it gives an indication about the war in the air.

Page 1: The RFC Page 1: The RFC

If you are visiting the Aerodrome and the memorial, please don't forget that you are only a few minutes away from the CWGC Cemetery at Longuenesse. Return to the main road at the Prison and turn left. The cemetery is only about half a kilometre further down the road

Longuenesse Cemetery Longuenesse Cemetery