San Giovanni

Airfield
media-19993.jpeg UPL 19993 San Giovanni Airfield, Italy
Home of the 454th and 455th Bomb Groups

466th BG Historian

Object Number - UPL 19993 - San Giovanni Airfield, Italy Home of the 454th and 455th Bomb Groups

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Detailed History

San Giovanni airfield was a semi-permanent heavy bomber airfield located approximately 9km (5mi) west-southwest of Cerignola in Apulia, Italy.

Its double PSP runway with extensive taxiway and hardstand parking areas and steel control tower were built by the US Army Corps Of Enigineers in late 1943, as part of the Foggia Airfield Complex, a series of World War II military airfields located within a 25 mile (40 km) radius of Foggia. The air field opened in January 1944.

The only known units to operate from the very large and expansive field are the 454th and 455th Bombardment Group, flying a total of six squadrons of B-24 Liberators, from January 1944 until September 1945. The airfield remained operational until the end of the war and the airfield closed in October 1945.

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 454th Bomb Group 738th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-711317
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 455th Bomb Group 742nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35337852
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 455th Bomb Group 742nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11072135 / O-811526
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 455th Bomb Group 742nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13114586 / O-688903
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 455th Bomb Group 743rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-697389
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Raunchy
  • Unit: 455th Bomb Group 742nd Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Sky Wolf
  • Unit: 455th Bomb Group 740th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Doughty Dragon
  • Unit: 455th Bomb Group
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Unit: 455th Bomb Group 741st Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Unit: 455th Bomb Group 742nd Bomb Squadron

Revisions

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Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

466th BG Historian

San Giovanni: Gallery (10 items)