Before the construction of this airport, Rennes had a small hippodrome which was used as a landing strip in Gayeulles, to the northeast of the city. On 28 July , the new airport was officially opened by Pierre Cot. Seized by the Germans in June during the Battle of France , Rennes airport was used as a Luftwaffe military airfield during the occupation.
Known units assigned all from Luftflotte 3, Fliegerkorps IV : [ 4 ] [ 5 ]. Rennes was attacked by Eighth Air Force B Flying Fortress bombers on 9 January Mission , and was overflown on several night leaflet drops during the spring of The attack was timed to have the maximum effect possible to keep the Luftwaffe interceptors pinned down on the ground and be unable to attack the heavy bombers.
Also, the P Thunderbolts of Ninth Air Force would be dispatched to perform fighter sweeps over Rennes after the Marauder raids, then meet up with the heavy bombers and provide fighter escort back to England.
As the P Mustang groups of Eighth Air Force began accompanying the heavy bombers all the way to their German targets by mid, it was routine for them to also attack Rennes on their return to England with a fighter sweep and attack any target of opportunity to be found at the airfield. In addition, the 10th Reconnaissance Group operated various photo-reconnaissance aircraft during August and September, and it became the headquarters of IX Air Defense Command on 25 August.
The combat units moved out by the end of September, and Rennes Airport was used as a supply and maintenance depot for American aircraft for several months, before being returned to French civil control on 30 November Completely reconstructed after the war, the airport returned to its normal civil use. The main runway can be used by aircraft with up to around passengers, and it is best fitted for middle-range flights.
