Foggia Airfield Complex

Foggia Airfield Complex

  

Map of World War II Airfields within 40 m (25 miles) of Foggia
(Click on map to enlarge)
Type Military airfields
Built 1920s-1944
Location of World War II military airfields in the Province of Foggia

The Foggia Airfield Complex was a series of World War II military airfields located within a 40 km (25 mi) radius of Foggia, in the Province of Foggia, Italy. The airfields were used by the United States Army Air Force Fifteenth Air Force as part of the strategic bombardment campaign against Nazi Germany in 1944 and 1945, as well as by Twelfth Air Force and the Royal Air Force during the Italian Campaign (1943–1945).

History

Before World War II, the Italian Royal Air Force Regia Aeronautica constructed a series of airfields in the Foggia area. They consisted of hard-surfaced runways and taxiways, concrete parking areas and permanent buildings for the support units and barracks.

After the Armistice between Italy and Allied armed forces in September, 1943 these airfields were seized by the German Luftwaffe . While under Axis control, the airfields were heavily bombed by both the United States Army Air Force and British Royal Air Force in 1943 before being sized by the British Eighth Army in October 1943 during the Italian Campaign.

After the area was captured, the former Regia Aeronautica facilities were repaired by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (COE) to make them usable for heavy bomber operations by the new Fifteenth Air Force. The weather in southern Italy was much better than that in England where Eighth Air Force was conducting daylight strategic bombing of Occupied Europe and Nazi Germany. Using the Foggia Airfield Complex for strategic bombing missions would allow USAAF heavy bombers to attack targets in France, Germany, Austria and the Balkans which were inaccessible from England. In addition to the air forces, Foggia was a major Allied command center for ground forces in South Italy and naval forces operating in the Adriatic Sea, with numerous headquarters being assigned.

In addition to the captured airfields, numerous temporary and semi-permanent airfields were constructed for operations by both Twelfth and Fifteenth Air Force units. These airfields, by and large, consisted of grass or Pierced Steel Planking runways and parking and dispersal areas, with support structures were quickly constructed out of wood or tents, along with (if needed) a temporary steel control tower. Six-man tents were used for billeting, lined up in rows with the orderly room and the mess hall at one end. There was one, dimly lit, light bulb at the center of each tent. The tent floor was grass or more commonly, dirt. Eventually plywood was scavenged for flooring; wooden cots were used for beds, and ubiquitous 55-gallon drums were converted into a heater/stove and other uses. As many of these airfields were captured from the Italians and Germans, wrecked enemy aircraft were a common sight, with metal from their fuselages and wings, glass and other useful parts finding their way into the support areas.

By mid-1944, about two dozen airfields were in operation in the Foggia area supporting strategic bombing missions; escort missions; tactical fighter operations, reconnaissance and air defense missions. With the end of the war in May, 1945, most of the airfields were abandoned and the land returned to the owners, or the Italian government.

Today, most of the airfields are long since returned to agriculture, and little or no evidence remains of their use as wartime airfields. A few, however, still exist as commercial airports and one is still used by the Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare). Albert Speer, Hitler's Minister for Armaments, declared:

I could see omens of the war’s end almost every day in the blue southern sky when, flying provocatively low, the bombers of the American Fifteenth Air Force crossed the Alps from their Italian bases to attack German Industrial targets.[1]

Airfields and units

The airfield complex consisted of the following major airfields. In addition, there were numerous axillary landing airstrips not listed

Located approximately 16km northeast of Foggia.
Captured Regia Aeronautica airfield used by Fifteenth Air Force, primarily for heavy bombardment units. Repaired by COE in September 1943 and put into use immediately. Last USAAF unit left in March 1946 and airfield turned over to Allied Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force (Aviazione Cobelligerante Italiana, or ACI). Today Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare) air base. Extensive remains of wartime use visible in aerial photography.
2d Bombardment Group, (B-17 Flying Fortress), 19 November 1945-28 February 1946
57th Fighter Group, (P-47 Thunderbolt), 27 October 1943-1 March 1944
97th Bombardment Group, (B-17 Flying Fortress), 16 January 1944-1 October 1945
321st Bombardment Group, (B-25 Mitchell), 20 November 1943-14 January 1944
Located approximately 7km west of Bari.
Captured Regia Aeronautica airfield used by Fifteenth Air Force as command and control facility, using airfield for reconnaissance and liaison units. Last USAAF unit left in September 1945 and airfield turned over to Allied Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force (Aviazione Cobelligerante Italiana, or ACI). Military airfield until late 1960s when opened for civilian airline use. Today evidence of wartime use still visible in older military airfield area.
HQ Fifteenth Air Force, 1 December 1943-15 September 1945
XII Bomber Command, December 1943-4 January 1944
55th Bombardment Wing, 9 July-9 September 1945
305th Bombardment Wing, March-December 1944
306th Fighter Wing, 15-27 January 1944
307th Bombardment Wing, 15 January-15 June 1944
5th Reconnaissance Group, (F-5 (P-38) Lightning), 11 October 1944-October 1945
Abandoned, was located approximately 15 km south of Foggia,
Semi-permanent heavy bomber airfield used by Fifteenth Air Force. Built by COE in early 1944 with one PSP runway with extensive taxiway and hardstand parking areas. Steel control tower. Opened 15 March 1944. Last combat operations flown in late April 1945. Closed August 1945. Today is agricultural area with no structures or any facilities in existence, faint scarring of land shows remains of main runway, taxiways and hardstands visible in aerial photography.
451st Bombardment Group, (B-24 Liberator), 6 April 1944-June 1945
Abandoned German fighter base, was located approximately 1km west-northwest of Foggia,
Semi-permanent heavy bomber airfield used by Fifteenth Air Force. Built by COE in early 1944 with one 6,000-foot-long PSP runway with extensive taxiway and hardstand parking areas. Steel control tower. Opened 15 February 1944. Last combat operations flown in late April 1945. Closed October 1945. Today is agricultural area with no structures or any facilities in existence, very faint scarring of land shows remains of main runway, taxiways and hardstands visible in aerial photography.
463d Bombardment Group, (B-17 Flying Fortress), 9 March 1944-25 September 1945
Abandoned, was located in the vicinity of Cerignola, (Location unknown)
Captured Regia Aeronautica airfield used by Twelfth and Fifteenth Air Force as both operational airfield for heavy bombers and tactical fighters. Also major command and control headquarters. Opened late 1943 with combat operations commencing as soon as operationally capable. Last combat operations flown in mid 1944, used by 526th Air Service Group until July 1945 as support base. Closed afterwards. No traces of airfield visible today in aerial photography, suspect land redeveloped in Cerignola suburbs leaving no visible evidence of its existence.
304th Bombardment Wing, 29 December 1943-September 1945
97th Bombardment Group, (B-17 Flying Fortress), 20 December 1943-16 January 1944
57th Fighter Group, (P-47 Thunderbolt), March 1944
301st Bombardment Group, (B-17 Flying Fortress), 7 December 1943-1 February 1944
456th Bombardment Group (B-24 Liberator), January 1944
Located approximately 3km southwest of Foggia.
Captured Regia Aeronautica airfield used by Twelfth and Fifteenth Air Force as both operational airfield and as major command and control headquarters. Inactivated February 1946 and turned over to Allied Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force (Aviazione Cobelligerante Italiana, or ACI). Today commercial airport
306th Fighter Wing, 27 January-23 February 1944
5th Bombardment Wing, December 1943-2 November 1945
57th Bombardment Wing, 29 October 1943-4 January 1944
2d Bombardment Group, B-17 Flying Fortress, 19 November 1945-28 February 1946
12th Bombardment Group, (B-25 Mitchell), 2 November 1943-January 1944
57th Fighter Group, (P-47 Thunderbolt), 30 September-27 October 1943
79th Fighter Group, (P-47 Thunderbolt), 9 October-19 November 1943
325th Fighter Group, (P-47 Thunderbolt), 11 December 1943-29 March 1944
340th Bombardment Group, (B-25 Mitchell), 19 November 1943-2 January 1944
Abandoned, was located approximately 6km northeast of Cerignola,
Semi-permanent heavy bomber airfield used by Fifteenth Air Force. Built by COE beginning in late 1943. One PSP runway with extensive taxiway and hardstand parking areas. Steel control tower. Opened January 1944. Supported B-24 Liberator operations, and airfield closed in late July 1945. Today is agricultural area with no structures or any facilities in existence. Almost no evidence of its visibility on aerial photography, however light land scarring of location of main runway is still faintly visible in aerial photography.
459th Bombardment Group, (B-24 Liberator), February 1944-July 1945
Abandoned, was located approximately 22km east-southeast of Campomarino,
Temporary airfield used by Twelfth and Fifteenth Air Force fighter units. Built by COE in early in 1944 with single main PSP runway, with large parking area for aircraft. Possibly steel control tower, and large containment area for personnel. Supported numerous fighter groups during 1944 and 1945, with last combat operations flown in September 1945 and closed and dismantled soon afterwards. Today is in agricultural area with little or no evidence of its existence. Former main runway now used as agricultural road.
306th Fighter Wing, 3 September 1944-5 March 1945
1st Fighter Group, (P-38 Lightning), March-16 October 1945
14th Fighter Group, (P-38 Lightning), September 1945
52d Fighter Group, (P-51 Mustang), 8 July-August 1945
82d Fighter Group, (P-38 Lightning), 30 August-9 September 1945
325th Fighter Group, (P-47 Thunderbolt), later (P-51 Mustang), 29 March 1944-5 March 1945
Abandoned, was located approximately 13km west-northwest of Foggia,
Semi-permanent heavy bomber airfield used by Fifteenth Air Force. Built by COE beginning in late 1943. One PSP runway with extensive taxiway and hardstand parking areas. Steel control tower. Opened early February 1944. Supported B-17 Flying Fortress operations as well as command and control headquarters. Last combat operations flown in late April 1945. Was home of P-51 Mustang equipped 332d Fighter Group "Tuskegee Airmen" while awaiting return to United States after war ended. Closed October 1945. Today is agricultural area with no structures or any facilities in existence, however light evidence of land scarring still is visible in aerial photography.
306th Fighter Wing, 23 February-8 March 1944
301st Bombardment Group, (B-17 Flying Fortress), 1 February 1944-1945
332d Fighter Group, (P-51 Mustang), 18 July-September 1945
Located approximately 3km southeast of Termoli,
Temporary airfield used by Twelfth and Fifteenth Air Force fighter groups beginning in November 1943 until end of war. Built by COE with PSP runway (possibly two) with parking area and possible blister hangars. Closed in May 1945 and dismantled. Today is in use as small private airfield, supporting operations of light general aviation aircraft. Remains of wartime runways visible although not in use.
52d Fighter Group, (P-51 Mustang), 14 May 1944-21 April 1945
79th Fighter Group, (P-47 Thunderbolt), 19 November 1943-January 1944
Abandoned, was located approximately 15km south of Cerignola,
Semi-permanent heavy bomber airfield used by Fifteenth Air Force. Built by COE in early 1944. Single (possibly double) PSP main runway with extensive taxiway and hardstand parking areas. Steel control tower. Opened March 1944. Very large and expansive facility used by two heavy bomb groups, composed of six operational squadrons. Capacity for approximately 150 heavy bombers with large support facilities with blister hangars as well as wooden structures. Airfield remained in operation until end of war, closing in July 1945. Abandoned and land returned to agricultural use. Faint scarring of land still visible from former airfield use visible on aerial photography, however little or no physical evidence on ground of existence.
464th Bombardment Group, (B-24 Liberator), March-21 April 1944; 1 June 1944-May 1945
465th Bombardment Group, (B-24 Liberator), April-June 1945
Abandoned, was located approximately 8km south-southeast of Termoli,
Temporary airfield used by Fifteenth Air Force 332d Fighter Group, "Tuskegee Airmen". PSP runway with parking area. Built by COE in early 1944. Used by 322d FG until end of war, used by 523d Air Service Group and 949th Air Engineering Squadron after May 1945, closing in October 1945 and airfield dismantled. Today some evidence of main runway visible on aerial photography, land completely returned to agricultural use.
332d Fighter Group, (P-47 Thunderbolt), later (P-51 Mustang), 28 May 1944-4 May 1945
Abandoned, was located approximately 17km north of Foggia, (Approximate)
Temporary airfield used by Fifteenth Air Force 1st Fighter Group, operating P-38 Lightnings. PSP runway with parking area. Built by COE in late 1943. Used by 1st FG until March 1945, closing in April 1945 and airfield dismantled. Today no evidence of existence visible on aerial photography, land completely returned to agricultural use.
1st Fighter Group, (P-38 Lightning), 8 January 1944-8 January 1945; 21 February-March 1945
Abandoned, was located approximately 9km west-southwest of Cerignola,
Semi-permanent heavy bomber airfield used by Fifteenth Air Force. Built by COE in late 1943. Single (possibly double) PSP main runway with extensive taxiway and hardstand parking areas. Steel control tower. Opened January 1944. Very large and expansive facility used by two heavy bomb groups, composed of six operational squadrons. Capacity for approximately 150 heavy bombers with large support facilities to east of airfield with blister hangars as well as wooden structures. Airfield remained in operation until end of war, closing in October 1945. Abandoned and land returned to agricultural use. Faint scarring of land still visible from former airfield use visible on aerial photography, however little or no physical evidence on ground of existence.
454th Bombardment Group, (B-24 Liberator), 1 January 1944-July 1945
455th Bombardment Group, (B-24 Liberator), 15 January 1944-9 September 1945
Abandoned, was located approximately 40km north-northwest of Foggia, (Location undetermined)
Temporary airfield used primarily by Twelfth and Fifteenth Air Force reconnaissance units. Built by COE in late September 1943; last combat operations flown in March 1945. Airfield closed in September 1945. Today is agricultural area with little or no evidence of its existence in aerial photography of area.
90th Reconnaissance Wing, 1 December 1943-4 April 1945
3d Reconnaissance Group, (Various recon aircraft), 8 December 1943-4 January 1944
5th Reconnaissance Group, (Various recon aircraft), 8 December 1943-11 October 1944
31st Fighter Group, (P-51 Mustang), 2 April 1944-3 March 1945
Abandoned, was located approximately 13km east-southeast of Spinazzola,
Semi-permanent heavy bomber airfield used by Fifteenth Air Force. Built by COE beginning in September 1943. Single PSP runway with extensive taxiway and hardstand parking areas. Steel control tower. Opened January 1944. Airfield in operation until end of war, closing in August 1945. Abandoned and land returned to agricultural use. Faint scarring of land still visible from former airfield use visible on aerial photography.
55th Bombardment Wing, March-July 1944
305th Bombardment Wing, February-March 1944
460th Bombardment Group, (B-24 Liberator), February 1944-June 1945
Abandoned, was located approximately 14km west of Cerignola,
Semi-permanent heavy bomber airfield used by Fifteenth Air Force. Built by COE beginning in September 1943. Single PSP runway with extensive taxiway and hardstand parking areas. Steel control tower. Opened January 1944. Airfield in operation until end of war, closing in August 1945. Abandoned and land returned to agricultural use. Faint scarring of land still visible from former airfield use visible on aerial photography.
456th Bombardment Group, (B-24 Liberator), January 1944-July 1945
Abandoned, was located approximately 14km southwest of Cerignola,
Semi-permanent heavy bomber airfield used by Fifteenth Air Force. Built by COE beginning in September 1943. Two PSP runways with extensive taxiway and hardstand parking areas. Steel control tower. Opened February 1944. Airfield in operation until end of war, closing in August 1945. Abandoned and land returned to agricultural use, Naples-Canosa Autostrada (A16) bisects former airfield. Moderate scarring of land still visible from former airfield use visible on aerial photography.
461st Bombardment Group, (B-24 Liberator), 20 February 1944-July 1945
484th Bombardment Group, (B-24 Liberator), April 1944-25 May 1945
Abandoned, was located approximately 8km southeast of San Severo, (Approximate)
Captured Regia Aeronautica airfield used by Twelfth Air Force fighter units. Repaired by COE in September 1943 and put into use immediately. In operational use until August 1945 when USAAF turned over the facility to Allied Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force (Aviazione Cobelligerante Italiana, or ACI). Dismantled after the war and today is agricultural/light industrial area with antenna farm erected on former airfield site. Possible some former airfield structures and concreted areas still in use by instrial area. Slight scarring of land under former main runway visible in aerial photography.
14th Fighter Group, (P-38 Lightning), 12 September 1943-9 September 1945
31st Fighter Group, (P-51 Mustang), 15 July-August 1945
Abandoned, was located approximately 6km east-northeast of Venosa,
Semi-permanent heavy bomber airfield used by Fifteenth Air Force. Built by COE beginning in September 1943. One PSP runway with extensive taxiway and hardstand parking areas. Steel control tower. Opened 14 March 1944. Last combat operations flown in late April 1945. Closed on 4 July 1945. Today is agricultural area with no structures or any facilities in existence, however extensive evidence of land scarring still is visible in aerial photography.
485th Bombardment Group, (B-24 Liberator), April 1944-15 May 1945
Abandoned, was located approximately 9km west-southwest of Barletta, (Approximate)
Temporary airfield used by Twelfth and Fifteenth Air Force fighter and light/medium bombardment units. Built by COE in late September 1943; last combat operations flown in February 1945; used by 542d Air Service Group until October 1945 when closed. Today is agricultural area with little or no evidence of its existence.
1st Fighter Group, (P-38 Lightning), 8 January-21 February 1945
47th Bombardment Group, (A-20 Havoc), 15 October 1943-10 January 1944
82d Fighter Group, (P-38 Lightning), 11 January-30 August 1944
321st Bombardment Group, (B-25 Mitchell), 14 January-February 1944
325th Fighter Group, (P-51 Mustang), July-9 October 1945

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.

  1. ^ Inside the Third Reich, Memoirs of Albert Speer
  2. ^ USAFHRA Document Search - Amendola Airfield
  3. ^ USAFHRA Document Search - Bari Airfield
  4. ^ USAFHRA Document Search - Castelltuccio Airfield
  5. ^ USAFHRA Document Search - Celone Airfield
  6. ^ USAFHRA Document Search - Cerignola Airfield
  7. ^ USAFHRA Document Search - Foggia Airfield
  8. ^ USAFHRA Document Search - Giulia Airfield
  9. ^ USAFHRA Document Search - Lesina Airfield
  10. ^ USAFHRA Document Search - Lucera Airfield
  11. ^ USAFHRA Document Search - Madna Airfield
  12. ^ USAFHRA Document Search - Pantanella Airfield
  13. ^ USAFHRA Document Search - Ramitelli Airfield
  14. ^ USAFHRA Document Search - Salsola Airfield
  15. ^ USAFHRA Document Search - San Giovanni Airfield
  16. ^ USAFHRA Document Search - San Severo Airfield
  17. ^ USAFHRA Document Search - Spinazzola Airfield
  18. ^ USAFHRA Document Search - Stornara Airfield
  19. ^ USAFHRA Document Search - Torretto Airfield
  20. ^ USAFHRA Document Search - Triolo Airfield
  21. ^ USAFHRA Document Search - Venosa Airfield
  22. ^ USAFHRA Document Search - Vincenzo Airfield