Chateaudun-du-Rhumel

Airfield
media-24471.jpeg UPL 24471 P-38F-15-LO #43-2136
1st FG - 27th FS

Object Number - UPL 24471 - P-38F-15-LO #43-2136 1st FG - 27th FS

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Detailed History

During World War II it was used by the United States Army Air Force Twelfth Air Force during the North African Campaign against the German Afrika Korps. The airfield was built by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, and its primary use was that of a heavy bomber airfield, with concrete runways, hardstands and taxiways. Billeting and support facilities consisted of tents. The 2d Bomb Group and the 97th Bomb Group were the primary tenants at the airfield, both flying B-17 Flying Fortresses missions over targets in Italy; Tunisia; Sicily and Sardinia. The 1st Fighter Group flew escort for the Fortresses, as well as attacking enemy ground targets of opportunity.



Known units assigned to the airfield were:

HQ 5th Bombardment Wing, March– August 1943

HQ 7th Fighter Wing (later 47th Bombardment Wing), 11 January – 1 March 1943

1st Fighter Group, ca. 16 Feb 43 - 29 Jun 43[1] Lockheed P-38 Lightning

27th, 71st, 94th Fighter Squadrons 2d Bombardment Group, 27 April – 7 June 1943,[2] B-17 Flying Fortress

20th, 49th, 96th, 414th Bombardment Squadrons 97th Bombardment Group, 8 February – 1 August 1943,[3] B-17 Flying Fortress

340th, 341st, 342nd, 429th Bombardment Squadrons 37th Service Group, 12 Feb 43 - 12 Aug 43

26th, 49th Service Squadrons, 1033rd Signal Company, 1070th Ordnance Company (Air Base), 1680th Ordnance Medium Maintenance Company

When the Americans moved out in late 1943, the airfield was dismantled and abandoned. Today, there is almost no evidence of its existence, as the land has returned to agricultural use. Faint outlines of dispersal pads, runways and taxiways can be seen in aerial photography, and there may be a number of agricultural buildings on a former concreted aircraft parking/maintenance area to the south of the field.

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 387th Bomb Group 557th Bomb Squadron
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 155th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Photo Reconnaissance Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14042610
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner / Asst. Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 99th Bomb Group 346th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-0397378
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot, instructor
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 1st Fighter Group 94th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-730542
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Red Gremlin, Superman
  • Unit: 340th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
  • Unit: 71st Fighter Wing 1st Fighter Group
  • Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
  • Unit: 1st Fighter Group 94th Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Nutcracker
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added some punctuation in the "Detailed history" to aid readability.

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes

Chateaudun-du-Rhumel: Gallery (12 items)