Lucera

Airfield
media-24099.jpeg UPL 24099 Lucera Airfield, Italy
part of the Foggia complex of airfields for the 15th AF
Home of the 301st BG

Object Number - UPL 24099 - Lucera Airfield, Italy part of the Foggia complex of airfields for the 15th AF Home of the 301st BG

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Detailed History

Lucera Airfield a temporary wartime facility, built by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Construction was initiated shortly after Allied forces seized control of the Tavoliere plain around Foggia, Apulia, Italy.[1]



The major tenant of the airfield was the 301st Bombardment Group, which arrived from either Torretta, San Giovanni, Giulia or Stornara Airfield in the Cerignola area of Italy on 1 February 1944. It was equipped with Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bombers.[2]



The 301st Bomb Group consisted of four squadrons:[3]

32d Bombardment Squadron

352d Bombardment Squadron

353d Bombardment Squadron

419th Bombardment Squadron



The airfield had parallel, 6,000' x 100' asphalt runways laid over Pierced Steel Planking, oriented 13/31. There were two perimeter tracks, one on each side of the runways.[1] There may have been some temporary hangars and buildings, however it appears that personnel were quartered primarily in tents, and most aircraft maintenance took place in the open on hardstands. It also had a steel control tower.[1]



With the end of the war in 1945, the 301st returned to the United States at the end of July, heading to Sioux Falls Army Air Field, South Dakota to become part of the new Strategic Air Command.[2] They were replaced by the Twelfth Air Force 100th and 301st Fighter Squadrons, part of the Tuskegee Airmen 332d Fighter Group moved to Lucera in July from their wartime base at Ramitelli Airfield, while awaiting demobilization orders. The Tuskegee Airmen remained at Lucera until the end of September when they departed for the United States and subsequent demobilization.[3]



Sometime after that departure, the engineers moved in and dismantled the facility. Today Lucera airfield has been returned to agriculture, however extensive scarring of the landscape remains, showing various dispersal pads and taxiways and other features.

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 301st Bomb Group 352nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 301st Bomb Group 352nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-1283471
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 301st Bomb Group 32nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 31083538
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 301st Bomb Group 32nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17114791 / O-819051
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 301st Bomb Group 32nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15316801
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: All American
  • Unit: 301st Bomb Group 92nd Bomb Group 97th Bomb Group 353rd Bomb Squadron 414th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Dickie Doodle II

Revisions

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Connected aircraft records that have 'Lucera' in their biography fields.

Lucera: Gallery (2 items)