Manduria

Airfield
media-24136.jpeg UPL 24136 Manduria Airfield, Italy
Home of the 450th BG - 15th AF

Object Number - UPL 24136 - Manduria Airfield, Italy Home of the 450th BG - 15th AF

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Detailed History

Manduria airfield (Italian: xxx, ICAO: LINM) was an airfield east of Taranto.

It was built in the 1930s for the Regia Aeronautica.

During the early World War II years it was used mainly as a patrol base, it did not take part in the Italian invasion of Albania and Greece.

Just before the base was captured by the Allies in 1943 the Regia Aeronautica had 39 aircraft (fighters, medium bombers and transports) at the base.

It featured an irregular shaped flying field (4650x3900ft), 15 barracks, 3 workshops and a medium sized hangar.

Because the Allies had never bombed it, the airfield only needed an upgrade to accommodate bombers.

The upgrade meant it received a hardened (PSP) runway and dispersals.

After the upgrade it was used by the United States Army Air Force Twelfth Air Force and later Fifteenth Air Force B-24 Liberator heavy bomber airfield.

The airfield then became HQ for the 47th Bombardment Wing (1 October 1943 until 15 May 1945).

It also served as home base for the 68th Reconnaissance Group between November 1943 and their inactivation in April 1944.

This Group conducted visual and photographic reconnaissance and weather reconnaissance missions in Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, and the Balkans.

They also engaged in electronic-countermeasure activities, investigating radar equipment captured from the enemy, flying ferret missions along the coasts of Italy and southern France, and accompanying bomber formations to detect approaching enemy fighters.

The 98th Bombardment Group was stationed at the base for only one month, from 19 January 1943 until 17 January 1944, flying B-24 Liberators.

The 450th Bombardment Group was stationed at the base between 19 January 1943 until 26 April 1945, flying B-24 Liberator.

During their stay at the base they took part in the Regensburg and Ploesti raids, lost 1505 men, and earned two Distinghuished Unit Citation.

The Americans shared the base with the Aeronautica Cobelligerante Italilanas 5° Stormo 'Tuffatori'.

5° Stormo consisted of two Groups (Gruppi): 101 Group (208Sqn and 238Sqn) and 102 Group (209Sqn and 239Sqn), all flying Reggiane Re2002 fighter-bombers.



People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 450th Bomb Group 720th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15054109
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Flight engineer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 450th Bomb Group 722nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-714649
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 450th Bomb Group 721st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14193781 / O-838060
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 450th Bomb Group 720th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33603266
  • Highest Rank: Corporal (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 450th Bomb Group 720th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15134066 / O-823337
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

A pathfinder B-24 Liberator (serial number 41-28774) of the 450th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force in flight.
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Unit: 450th Bomb Group 721st Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Better Late Than Never
  • Unit: 450th Bomb Group 98th Bomb Group 415th Bomb Squadron 721st Bomb Squadron
B-24 Liberators, including (serial number 41-26975), of the 450th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force prepare for a mission.
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Unit: 450th Bomb Group 720th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Leevus Bee
  • Unit: 450th Bomb Group 721st Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Unit: 450th Bomb Group 720th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Manduria: Gallery (2 items)