Souk-el-Arba

Airfield
media-47510.jpeg UPL 47510 Command Staff of the 47th Bomb Group at Souk-el-Arba, Tunisia
Top Row L to R: William J. Hanna (Group Ops Officer), Robert V. DeShazo (Group Exec Officer), Malcom Green (future Group C.O.), Frederick Terrell (Group Commander(
Bottom Row L to R: Reginald Clizbe (85th BS C.O.), Richard Horner (86th BS C.O.), Marion Akers (97th BS C.O.)

Object Number - UPL 47510 - Command Staff of the 47th Bomb Group at Souk-el-Arba, Tunisia Top Row L to R: William J. Hanna (Group Ops Officer), Robert V. DeShazo (Group Exec...

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Detailed History

The second airfield was constructed later by US military engineers, located about 4 km to the South-West of the town [3] and used primarily by American bombers.

Souk-el-Arba II was a temporary airfield constructed by Army Engineers using compacted earth for its runway, parking and dispersal areas, not designed for heavy aircraft or for long-term use.

Also known as Engle Field, it was used by the United States Army Air Force Twelfth Air Force during the North African campaign. Known units assigned to the airfield were:

HQ, 47th Bombardment Wing, 8 June-7 August 1943

47th Bombardment Group, 13 April-1 July 1943, A-20 Havoc

321st Bombardment Group, 1 June-8 August 1943, B-25 Mitchell

82d Fighter Group, 13 June-3 August 1943, P-38 Lightning

After the Americans moved east to Sicily in August, the airfield was closed and dismantled. Today, the former main runway is visible in aerial photography and, other than two hangars south of the runway, no buildings or physical features remain.

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 47th Bomb Group 86th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13037350
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Communications Chief
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 47th Bomb Group 85th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11052515
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Aerial Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 47th Bomb Group 84th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19002256
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Top Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Unit: 47th Bomb Group 86th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15066083
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Aerial Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 47th Bomb Group 84th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: A-20 Havoc
  • Unit: 47th Bomb Group
  • Aircraft Type: A-20 Havoc
  • Nicknames: Nancy Lee
  • Unit: 47th Bomb Group 84th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: A-20 Havoc
  • Nicknames: Lady Jean
  • Unit: 47th Bomb Group 86th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: A-20 Havoc
  • Unit: 47th Bomb Group 84th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: A-20 Havoc
  • Unit: 47th Bomb Group 85th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
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Changes
Sources

https://www.google.com/maps/place/36°29'00.0%22N+8°48'00.0%22E/@36.5002779,8.7717212,8432m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d36.483333!4d8.8?hl=en
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Souk-el-Arba_Airfield

Souk-el-Arba: Gallery (1 items)