Engineering:Colonial aviation in Northern Africa
Template:Colonial aviation in Africa
Colonial aviation in Northern Africa dates back to the 1910s, when France recognised the strategic importance of using aircraft to travel between remote outposts. Shortly thereafter, a number of landing grounds were established along already existing routes and near forts, which grew in number by the 1930s.
History
Beginning in the 1910s, French aviation grew in popularity as it allows remote outposts and forts to be connected far more quickly than overland tracks. Subsequently, the colonial administration began aerial reconnaissance missions, followed by the establishment of landing grounds to support postal and aviation routes across the desert. Lieutenant Grandperrin of the Algerian Topographic Service was responsible for the reconnaissance and marking of sites for future landing grounds, while Lieutenant Fenouil and Warrant Officer Poivre prepared fuel supplies and spare parts for automobiles and aircraft at planned posts.[1] By the late 1910s and early 1920s, it became necessary to construct routes along where airfields were to be established.[2]
In the 1930s, a wave of long-distance pioneer flights driven the further establishment of emergency landing grounds across the Sahara, mainly along already existing overland tracks. These landing grounds were equipped with a fuel distributor, aviation oil at some sites, windsocks, and some even had hangars and weather posts. Navigational aids were typical, usually consisting of a stone circle measuring 20 to 50 meters in diameter and the name of a nearby landmark stencilled into the middle of the circle. Stone corners and side fringes were used to mark the boundary of the landing grounds. These structures were usually painted white to provide better visibility for pilots.[3]
Post-use
Many of the landing grounds established by the colonial administration were abandoned by the 1950s as aviation needs shifted, particularly those that were remote. However, some were maintained by locals, which involved the repositioning of displaced stones.[4] Today, many of the landing circles still remain in good condition, and can be seen from satellite imagery. These structures, specifically the one at Adrar Madet, have also been mistaken as pre-Islamic tombs by an Italian archeological magazine.[5]
Airfields
This is a partial list of French Landing Grounds established durng French West Africa (1895 — 1958).
Algeria
| Name | Type | Markings | Coordinates | Fate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abalemma | Emergency landing ground | ||||
| Adrar | Emergency landing ground | Stone circle and boundary markers; stencilled "ADRAR"
No longer visible in satellite imagery |
[ ⚑ ] 27°52′47″N 0°16′53″W / 27.87972°N 0.28139°W | Adrar Aerodrome | [6] |
| Ain-Sefra | Emergency landing ground | Stone circle and boundary markers; stencilled "AÏN SEFRA"
No longer visible in satellite imagery |
[ ⚑ ] 32°46′10″N 0°33′10″W / 32.76944°N 0.55278°W | Redeveloped | [7] |
| Amguid | Emergency landing ground | Stone circle and boundary markers; stencilled "AMGUID"
No longer visible in satellite imagery dated 2012 |
[ ⚑ ] 26°22′53″N 5°19′24″E / 26.38139°N 5.32333°E | Amguid Regional Airport | [8] |
| Aoulef | Landing ground | ||||
| Arak | Emergency landing ground | Stone circle and boundary markers; stencilled name absent
No longer visible in satellite imagery dated 2023 |
[ ⚑ ] 25°16′09″N 3°43′28″E / 25.26917°N 3.72444°E | [9] | |
| Béni-Abbes | Emergency landing ground | Stone circle and boundary markers; stencilled "BÉNI ABBES"
No longer visible in satellite imagery dated 2024 |
[ ⚑ ] 30°07′36″N 2°08′34″W / 30.12667°N 2.14278°W | Béni Abbès Airport | [10] |
| Bidon-5 | Emergency landing ground | No identifiable markers; intercepted by Gao—Reggan track | [ ⚑ ] 21°45′57″N 0°59′06″E / 21.76583°N 0.985°E | [11] | |
| Biskra | Emergency landing ground | Stone circle and boundary markers; stencilled "BISKRA"
No longer visible in satellite imagery |
[ ⚑ ] 34°48′09″N 5°44′01″E / 34.8025°N 5.73361°E | Biskra Airport | [12] |
| Colomb-Béchar | Air Force Aerodrome | Stone circle and boundary markers; stencilled name absent
No longer visible in satellite imagery |
[ ⚑ ] 31°35′43″N 2°14′27″W / 31.59528°N 2.24083°W | Redeveloped | [13] |
| Djanet | Emergency landing ground | Stone circle and boundary markers; stencilled name absent
No longer visible in satellite imagery dated 2024 |
[ ⚑ ] 24°26′36″N 9°30′38″E / 24.44333°N 9.51056°E | Djanet Aerodrome | [14] |
| El-Ouig | Emergency landing ground | ||||
| El-Goléa | Emergency landing ground | [ ⚑ ] 30°34′15″N 2°52′05″E / 30.57083°N 2.86806°E | El Golea Airport | [15] | |
| Fada | Intermediate landing ground | ||||
| Faya | Intermediate landing ground | ||||
| Flatters | Emergency landing ground | Stone circle and boundary markers; stencilled name absent
Two corner fringes and a portion of the circle are visible in satellite imagery dated 2023 |
[ ⚑ ] 28°07′53″N 6°49′57″E / 28.13139°N 6.8325°E | Fort Flatters Aerodrome | [16] |
| Hassi-Bourahla | Emergency landing ground | ||||
| In-Guezzam | Emergency landing ground | Stone circle and boundary markers; stencilled name absent | [ ⚑ ] 19°33′44″N 5°45′14″E / 19.56222°N 5.75389°E | In Guezzam Airport | [17] |
| In-Salah | Emergency landing ground | Stone circle and boundary markers; stencilled "INSALAH" | [ ⚑ ] 27°11′46″N 2°28′43″E / 27.19611°N 2.47861°E | Redeveloped | [18] |
| Laghouat | Emergency landing ground | Stone circle; stencilled name absent | [ ⚑ ] 33°48′26″N 2°50′55″E / 33.80722°N 2.84861°E | Redeveloped | [19] |
| Ouargla | Emergency landing ground | Stone circle and boundary markers; stencilled "OUARGLA 120"
No longer visible in earliest satellite imagery dated 2001 |
[ ⚑ ] 31°57′59″N 5°17′58″E / 31.96639°N 5.29944°E | Redeveloped | [20] |
| Reggan (Civilian) | Emergency landing ground | Stone circle and boundary markers
No longer visible in earliest satellite imagery dated 2004 |
[ ⚑ ] 25°43′20″N 0°10′34″E / 25.72222°N 0.17611°E | Redeveloped | [21] |
| Reggan (Military) | Emergency landing ground | Stone circle and boundary markers; stencilled name absent
This landing ground housed the Compagnie du Génie de l’Air. No longer visible in earliest satellite imagery dated 2004 |
[ ⚑ ] 26°42′44″N 0°10′32″E / 26.71222°N 0.17556°E | Reggane Aerodrome; later replaced and closed | [21] |
| Tabankort | Emergency landing ground | ||||
| Tamanrasset | Emergency landing ground | Stone circle and only corner markers; stencilled name absent | [ ⚑ ] 22°48′27″N 5°30′52″E / 22.8075°N 5.51444°E | Redeveloped | [22] |
| Tarhit | Emergency landing ground | ||||
| Timgad | Emergency landing ground | WWI airfield used to carry out operations against rebel groups in the mountains
No longer visible in satellite imagery; exact location unclear |
[ ⚑ ] 35°29′38″N 5°28′07″E / 35.49389°N 5.46861°E | [1] | |
| Timimoun | Emergency landing ground | Stone circle and boundary markers markers; stencilled "TIMIMOUN"
No longer visible in satellite imagery |
[ ⚑ ] 29°14′43″N 0°15′21″E / 29.24528°N 0.25583°E | Timimoun Airport | [23] |
| Timimoun East | Emergency landing ground | ||||
| Touggourt | Emergency landing ground | Stone circle and boundary markers; stencilled "TOUGGOURT"
No longer visible in satellite imagery |
[ ⚑ ] 33°05′52″N 6°02′41″E / 33.09778°N 6.04472°E | Redeveloped | [24] |
| Zazir | Emergency landing ground |
Mali
| Name | Type | Markings | Coordinates | Fate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timétrine | Emergency landing ground | Stone circle and corner markers; stencilled name absent
Visible in satellite imagery dated 2010 |
[ ⚑ ] 19°27′17″N 0°25′19″W / 19.45472°N 0.42194°W | Abandoned |
Mauritania
| Name | Type | Markings | Coordinates | Fate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ain Ben Tili | Emergency landing ground | [25] | |||
| Akjoujt | Intermediate landing ground | [25] | |||
| Atar | Landing ground | [ ⚑ ] 20°30′09″N 13°02′50″W / 20.5025°N 13.04722°W | Atar International Airport | [25] | |
| Bir Moghrein | Intermediate landing ground | [25] | |||
| Bou Izakarn | Emergency landing ground | [25] | |||
| Bou Zib | Emergency landing ground | Stone circle; stencilled "BOUZIB"
Visible in satellite imagery dated 2024 |
[ ⚑ ] 18°21′10″N 8°08′39″W / 18.35278°N 8.14417°W | Abandoned since 1950s | [26] |
| Boutilimit | Emergency landing ground | [25] | |||
| Idjil (Fort Gouraud) | Intermediate landing ground | Stone circle and boundary markers; stencilled "IDJIL" | [ ⚑ ] 22°40′27″N 12°43′39″W / 22.67417°N 12.7275°W | [25] | |
| Foum el Hassne | Emergency landing ground | [25] | |||
| Méderdra | Emergency landing ground | [25] | |||
| Nouakchott | Emergency landing ground | [25] | |||
| Oujaf | Emergency landing ground | Stone circle and boundary markers; stencilled "OUJAF"
Visible in satellite imagery dated 2025 |
[ ⚑ ] 17°49′27″N 7°54′10″W / 17.82417°N 7.90278°W | Abandoned | |
| Port Etienne | Landing ground | [25] | |||
| Rosso | Emergency landing ground | [25] | |||
| Tagouraret | Emergency landing ground | Stone circle and boundary markers; stencilled "TAGOURARET" | [ ⚑ ] 17°39′10″N 7°31′06″W / 17.65278°N 7.51833°W | Abandoned | |
| Tindouf | Intermediate landing ground | [25] | |||
| Tiznit | Emergency landing ground | [25] |
Niger
| Name | Type | Markings | Coordinates | Fate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abécher | Intermediate landing ground | ||||
| Adrar Madet | Emergency landing ground | Stone circle and boundary markers; stencilled name absent
Visible in satellite imagery dated 2024 |
[ ⚑ ] 18°44′31″N 10°21′51″E / 18.74194°N 10.36417°E | Abandoned | |
| Agadem | Emergency landing ground | Stone circle; stencilled "AGADEM"
Visible in satellite imagery |
[ ⚑ ] 16°49′26″N 13°17′29″E / 16.82389°N 13.29139°E | Abandoned | |
| Agadès | Emergency landing ground | ||||
| Aney | Emergency landing ground | Stone circle and boundary markers; stencilled name is unintelligible
Visible in satellite imagery dated 2024 |
[ ⚑ ] 19°23′45″N 12°51′01″E / 19.39583°N 12.85028°E | ||
| Chirfa | Emergency landing ground | Stone circle and boundary markers; stencilled "CHIRFA"
Visible in satellite imagery dated 2024 |
[ ⚑ ] 20°56′49″N 12°19′00″E / 20.94694°N 12.3166667°E | Abandoned | |
| Dirkou | Emergency landing ground | Stone circle and boundary markers; stencilled "DIRKOU"
Visible in satellite imagery dated 2025 |
[ ⚑ ] 18°59′25″N 12°52′13″E / 18.99028°N 12.87028°E | Abandoned | |
| Fachi | Emergency landing ground | Stone circle and boundary markers; stencilled "FACHI"
Visible in satellite imagery dated 2022 in good condition |
[ ⚑ ] 18°06′00″N 11°34′11″E / 18.1°N 11.56972°E | Abandoned | |
| Zinder | Emergency landing ground |
See also
- List of North African airfields during World War II
References
Citations
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "La guerre de 1914-1918 en Afrique du Nord : développement automobile et aérien" (in fr). CDHA. https://www.cdha.fr/la-guerre-de-1914-1918-en-afrique-du-nord-developpement-automobile-et-aerien-0.
- ↑ Jarrige 2014.
- ↑ (in fr) Guide du tourisme automobile et aérien au Sahara… : saison 1934-1935. Alger: Société Anonyme Française des Pétroles Shell. 1934. pp. 135. https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k57844720. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
- ↑ "Le Cercle de pierre de l'Adrar Madet". saharayro.free.fr. http://saharayro.free.fr/fcercle.htm.
- ↑ "Photographer George Steinmetz captures aerial views of Earth's most remote areas from a paraglider". Telegraph Media Group. 12 July 2010. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/earthpicturegalleries/7888185/Photographer-George-Steinmetz-captures-aerial-views-of-Earths-most-remote-areas-from-a-paraglider.html.
- ↑ Société Shell d'Algérie 1934, p. 31.
- ↑ Société Shell d'Algérie 1936, p. 21.
- ↑ Société Shell d'Algérie 1934, p. 107.
- ↑ Société Shell d'Algérie 1934, p. 67.
- ↑ Société Shell d'Algérie 1934, p. 23.
- ↑ Société Shell d'Algérie 1934, p. 41.
- ↑ Société Shell d'Algérie 1934, p. 85.
- ↑ Société Shell d'Algérie 1934, p. 19.
- ↑ Société Shell d'Algérie 1934, p. 113.
- ↑ Société Shell d'Algérie 1934, p. 55.
- ↑ Société Shell d'Algérie 1934, p. 101.
- ↑ Société Shell d'Algérie 1934, p. 79.
- ↑ Société Shell d'Algérie 1934, p. 61.
- ↑ Société Shell d'Algérie 1934, p. 48.
- ↑ Société Shell d'Algérie 1934, p. 95.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 Société Shell d'Algérie 1934, p. 37.
- ↑ Société Shell d'Algérie 1934, p. 73.
- ↑ Société Shell d'Algérie 1934, p. 29.
- ↑ Société Shell d'Algérie 1934, p. 89.
- ↑ 25.00 25.01 25.02 25.03 25.04 25.05 25.06 25.07 25.08 25.09 25.10 25.11 25.12 25.13 Piste Impériale Mauritanienne (Map). 1:9,000,000. Carte Michelin (in français). Services de Tourisme Michelin. 1948.
- ↑ Moorhouse 2008, p. 123.
Bibliography
- Jarrige, Pierre (2014) (in fr). L’Aviation militaire en Algérie (1912–1918). Pierre Jarrige / Aviation-Algerie.com. ISBN 2-9506620-5-6. https://www.traditions-air.fr/texte/documents_pdf/aviation_militaire_1912-1918.pdf. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
- Société Shell d'Algérie (1934) (in fr). Guide du tourisme automobile et aérien au Sahara, 1934–1935. Alger: Société Anonyme Française des Pétroles Shell. https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k57844720. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
- Moorhouse, Geoffrey (2008). The Fearful Void. Faber & Faber. ISBN 9780571243570.
- Société Shell d'Algérie (1936) (in fr). Guide du tourisme automobile et aérien au Sahara, 1936. Alger: Société Anonyme Française des Pétroles Shell.
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