Hergla
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Hergla Airfield
Coordinates
36°08′05.06″N 010°26′14.85″E
Type
Military airfield
Site information
Controlled by
United States Army Air Forces
Site history
Built
1943
In use
1943
Hergla Airfield
Location of Hergla Airfield, Tunisia
Hergla Airfield is an abandoned military airfield in Tunisia, which was located approximately 12 km north-northwest of Harqalah in al Janubiyah Wilayat province, about 90 km south-southwest of Tunis.
During World War II it was used by the United States Army Air Force during the North African Campaign as a bomber base, first for medium, then later for heavy bombers.
12th Bombardment Group, 2 June-2 August 1943, B-25 Mitchell
98th Bombardment Group, 22 September-22 November 1943, B-24 Liberator (15AF/12AF)
340th Bombardment Group, 2 June-2 August 1943, B-25 Mitchell (9AF)
Primary targets from Hergla were in Sicily and mainland Italy. As targets moved out of range, the groups moved to Italy and by November 1943 the airfield was closed. When the Americans moved out, the base was largely abandoned. For many years only faint evidence of the main runway and some taxiways were visible in aerial photos of the area, but the land had returned largely to its natural state. The Enfidha – Hammamet International Airport was built in its place and opened in 2009.
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 340th Bomb Group 489th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12047214
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
- Role/Job: Aircraft Mechanic
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 340th Bomb Group Headquarters (340th Bomb Group)
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Pilot/Group Operations Officer/Group Tactical Inspector
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 97th Combat Bomb Wing Headquarters (97th Combat Bomb Wing) 12th Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: O-29600
- Highest Rank: Brigadier General
- Role/Job: Pilot, Commanding Officer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 340th Bomb Group 489th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15103005
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
- Role/Job: Aerial Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 340th Bomb Group 487th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-1703981
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-25 Mitchell
- Nicknames: The Falcon
- Unit: 340th Bomb Group 488th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-25 Mitchell
- Nicknames: Jo Jo
- Unit: 340th Bomb Group 488th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-25 Mitchell
- Nicknames: Little Bea Hind
- Unit: 340th Bomb Group 486th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-25 Mitchell
- Nicknames: Bottoms Up
- Unit: 340th Bomb Group 488th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-25 Mitchell
- Unit: 340th Bomb Group 489th Bomb Squadron