Grosetto
Airfield
media-457064.jpg
FRE 9551
Ground personnel of the 57th Fighter Group, 66th Fighter Squadron, 12th Air Force work on a P-47 Thunderbolt (serial number 42-29264). Handwritten caption on reverse: '51 FG, 316 FS, [illegible].' This photo was taken at Grossetto, Italy in early 1945. It was lost in combat on 20 April 1945 with pilot Lt. Robert B. Orcutt, KIA near Piumazzo, Italy.
P-47D-28-RA #42-29264 #97 Roger Freeman Collection
P-47D-28-RA #42-29264 #97 Roger Freeman Collection
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Detailed History
During World War II the airfield, known as Grosetta Main, was used by the United States Army Air Forces' Twelfth Air Force. The 86th Fighter Group flew P-47 Thunderbolts from the field between 17 September and 6 November 1944. Later, the 57th Fighter Group, used the airfield from 24 September 1944 to 29 April 1945, and later between 7 May and 15 July 1945, also flying combat operations with P-47s
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 57th Fighter Group 66th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12020404
- Highest Rank: Technician Fourth Grade
- Role/Job: Ground Crew Chief
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 47th Bomb Group Headquarters (47th Bomb Group)
- Service Numbers: O-20836
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot - Group Commander
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 47th Bomb Group 97th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-749961
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier / Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 57th Fighter Group 64th Fighter Squadron
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 47th Bomb Group 97th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17027936
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Arm/Gunner
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: A-26 Invader
- Unit: 47th Bomb Group
- Aircraft Type: A-26 Invader
- Unit: 47th Bomb Group 86th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: A-26 Invader
- Unit: 47th Bomb Group
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Nicknames: Schmaltzie
- Unit: 57th Fighter Group 65th Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Nicknames: Miss Francis VI
- Unit: 57th Fighter Group 66th Fighter Squadron