Compared to the numbers of visitors to the memorials and monuments on the landing beach areas, those inland get far fewer visitors. But there are equally poignant memorials to be viewed, including this one to the south of Crepon which pays tribute to Belgian pilots and support staff.
Crepon – a small, beautiful village just a few kilometres inland of the Gold Beach landing areas around Ver-sur-Mer – was earmarked for an Allied aerodrome with the aim to support fighter squadrons by enabling them to land, refuel, and rearm as quickly as possible to support ground troops in Normandy.
The Allies initially planned 40 of these aerodromes – labelled A for American and B for British and Commonwealth sites – but by the end of the war there were hundreds built to support the advance into Germany.
This site was known as B2 and the plan was to construct a 1,200m long, compacted-earth runway here with work beginning on June 6 and the site operational by June 9.
The RAF decided that B2 would be given ‘Advanced Landing Ground’ status and upgraded with a longer runway of 1,650m and surfaced with PSP – pierced steel planks – which would allow larger numbers of aircraft, including bombers to operate from the airfield.
The infrastructure around the site grew quickly too, incorporating technician and maintenance workshops, AA defensive guns, a medical unit, and a radar station along with tented accommodation for those stationed there. At its peak over 1,000 personnel – including 104 pilots – were based at B2.
On July 13, Wing Commander James ‘Johnnie’ Johnson took over operational control of 127th Wing at B2 – he would finish the war as the highest scoring RAF fighter pilot with 38 confirmed victories. Later that month, on July 22 and 23, B2 was visited by Winston Churchill.
Between June 1, 1940, and May 8, 1945, 752 Belgians served as flying personnel in the Royal Air Force, of which more than 620 flew combat missions. No less than 207 of these gallant men were killed in action.
In total, 1900 Belgians served in the RAF during the Second World War, on the ground and in the air, including a few dozen Belgian women, who served in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force.
This monument displays aircraft of the three most renowned Belgian RAF Squadrons, namely 349, 350 and 609 Squadron, the later were based at B2.
The Spitfire of 349 Squadron flies towards Advanced Landing Ground B17 at Carpiquet, the Spitfire of 350 Squadron is getting ready for an attack, and the Typhoon of 609 Squadron breaks away for landing at the Advanced Landing Ground B2 Crepon.
On August 28, 1944, the 127th Wing left B2, and the remaining personnel moved to other aerodromes as the site was wound down.
The Belgian Overlord Wings' monument was inaugurated on Thursday May 23, 2019, for the 75th D-Day anniversary.