Post strike photo of Carpiquet airfield.

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Carpiquet near Caen was captured from the French airforce in 1940 and used by the Germans during the Battle of Britain. It is seen here after a raid in March 1944, one of 13 strikes directed against this airfield by the Allies from 1941 to 1944. It was one of the few Norman airfields equipped with a paved runway, which was completed by the Germans from plans prepared by the French airforce. This made the airfield very useful to the Germans but also very easy to see from the air, something which aided the Allied bombers sent against it.

The runway is oriented Northwest to Southeast and is still in use today. It was however possible to repair in 24 hours hence most of the bombs being directed against the hangers to the left and right of the runway.

Also various dispersals can be seen extending away from the perimeter, some of these also still exist and are used for various purposes today.

Carpiquet was famously the scene of bitter fighting in June 1944 between Canadian troops and 12. SS-Panzer-Division 'Hitlerjugend'.