Gioia del Colle

Airfield

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Detailed History

During World War II the air base was captured by the British Eighth Army in October 1943 and used by the United States Army Air Force Twelfth Air Force and Fifteenth Air Forces. It was known as Gioia del Colle Airfield by the Americans. Known combat units operating from the airfield were:

1st Fighter Group, 8 December 1943-8 January 1944, P-38 Lightning

57th Fighter Group, 25–30 September 1943, P-40 Warhawk

451st Bombardment Group, 10 January-5 March 1944 B-24 Liberator



The airfield was also used by troop carrier units working with British paratroopers (8th Troop Carrier Squadron) and also by Air Technical Service Command as a maintenance and supply depot. (41st/38th Air Depot). It was turned over to the Allied Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force (Aviazione Cobelligerante Italiana, or ACI) in September 1945.

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 1st Fighter Group 94th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-760361
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot 1056 twin engine

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: The Ugly Duckling
  • Unit: 464th Bomb Group 778th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Com-Batty
  • Unit: 464th Bomb Group 776th Bomb Squadron
Ground personnel of the 451st Bomb Group, 15th Air Force attend to a crashed B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-7759) nicknamed "Little Butch". First handwritten caption on reverse: '"Somewhere in Italy" Little Butch had seen better days.' Second handwritten caption on reverse: '2700 Gallons of GAS, 10-500 Lb bombs Pilot, Lt Massare March 29-44.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Little Butch
  • Unit: 451st Bomb Group 727th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

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