Pantanella

Airfield
media-24353.jpeg UPL 24353 Pantanella Airfield, Italy
Home of the 464th and 465th Bomb Groups
15th AF

Object Number - UPL 24353 - Pantanella Airfield, Italy Home of the 464th and 465th Bomb Groups 15th AF

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Detailed History

41°08'14"N 015°55'12"E



runway: ..L/..R - ...x..m - PSP

runway: ..R/..L - ...x..m - PSP



Pantanella airfield was a semi-permanent airfield located approximately 15km south of the Cerignola, Apulia, Italy.

It was part of the Foggia Airfield Complex, a series of World War II military airfields located within a 25 mile (40 km) radius of Foggia. It had extensive taxiways, hardstand parking areas, a steel control tower and capacity for approximately 150 heavy bombers with large support facilities with blister hangars as well as wooden structures. The airfield was completed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers with two parallel PSP runways in May 1944.

The airfield opened months earlier, in February 1944, and became home to two Heavy Bomber Groups of the 15th Air Force, composed of 6 squadrons in total. Both Bomb Groups (464BG(H) and 465BG(H)) flew the B-24 Liberator and participated in both strategic and tactical bombing missions throughout southern and eastern Europe. Over time both Groups earned two Distinguished Unit Citations whilst at Pantanella.

After V-E Day, both Groups were assigned to 'Green Project', which was the return of troops from Europe to the United States via the South Atlantic Transport Route. For this role B-24s were modified with sealed bomb bays, the removal of all defensive armament, and internal fuselage equipped with seating to carry approximately 30 personnel. The airfield remained in operation until the end of the war and closed in July 1945.

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 737th Bomb Squadron 454th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: 32714996
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 776th Bomb Squadron 464th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: 16082792
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 464th Bomb Group 778th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 446th Bomb Group 465th Bomb Group 783rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 464th Bomb Group 778th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33732962
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Com-Batty
  • Unit: 464th Bomb Group 776th Bomb Squadron
The nose art of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-52532) nicknamed "Virgo ?" of the 486th Bomb Group. The nose art was painted by the artist Phillip S Brinkman.
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Virgo Miss Mynookey
  • Unit: 486th Bomb Group 832nd Bomb Squadron 834th Bomb Squadron 485th Bomb Group 828th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Ruthie the Raider
  • Unit: 464th Bomb Group 778th Bomb Squadron
Yankee Doodle Dandy
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Yankee Doodle Dandy
  • Unit: 828th Bomb Squadron 485th Bomb Group
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Ding Dong Daddy From Dixie Capricorn
  • Unit: Base Air Depot 3 486th Bomb Group 834th Bomb Squadron 835th Bomb Squadron 98th Bomb Group

Revisions

Pantanella: Gallery (12 items)