Giulia

Airfield
media-22982.jpeg UPL 22982 "Dogpatch Express" B-24L-10-FO Liberator 44-49750 756th Bomb Squadron, 459th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force. Bombing near Padua,Italy. 4 May 1945.

Object Number - UPL 22982 - "Dogpatch Express" B-24L-10-FO Liberator 44-49750 756th Bomb Squadron, 459th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force. Bombing near Padua,Italy. 4 May 1945.

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Detailed History

41°18'01"N 015°50'57"E



Runway: ../.. - ...meters/7000x100feet (+2x500feet overrun) - PSP



Air field Giulia (also known as Cerignola satellite #1)was a semi-permanent air base located approximately 6km northwest of Cerignola, Apulia, Italy.

The airfield was built from late 1943 by the United States Army Corps of Engineers on what had been a rough German airfield. It was constructed with one PSP runway, as part of the Foggia Airfield Complex, a series of World War II military airfields located within a 25 mile (40 km) radius of Foggia.

Giulia airfield was situated on what was the Pavoncelli Estate, of olive and fig groves and vineyards. Thje estate was commonly known as Torre Giulia, which exists to this day. The ancient winery was commandeered as group headquarters and the base commander used the adjoining residence for housing. Other buildings were used as seemed fit.

Giulia had 67 all-weather hardstands and 11 dry-weather hardstands, extensive taxiways and a wooden control tower (named 'the coffee tower', after it's callsign 'Coffee Tower'). For a long time the airfield was made of dirt and rocks, but this was eventually changed into gravel and oil and occasionally PSP.

The airfield opened in January 1944, and became home to the 459st Bombardment Group (Heavy) of the US 15th Air Force, flying B-24 Liberators. The 459th BG (Heavy) engaged in very long range strategic bombing missions to enemy military, industrial and transportation targets in Italy, France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, and Greece. The unit flew support and interdiction missions, participated in the invasion of Southern France and struck communications lines and other targets during March and April 1945 to support the advance of British Eighth Army and American Fifth Army in northern Italy.



Today the location is an agricultural area with only the farm of Torre Giulia remaining. There is next to no evidence of its presence in aerial photography. Many photos of the past as well as today can be found at 459BG.com however

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 459th Bomb Group 758th Bomb Squadron 304th Bombardment Wing
  • Service Numbers: 14116544
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Aerial gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 459th Bomb Group 758th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36813997
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Aerial gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 737th Bomb Squadron 454th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: 13112904
  • Highest Rank: Master Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 737th Bomb Squadron 454th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: 16080847
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 737th Bomb Squadron 454th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: 16111446
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Aircraft

Star Dust
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Bubble Trouble, Star Dust, Star Dust II
  • Unit: 454th Bomb Group 737th Bomb Squadron
Hot Rocks / Moo Juice
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Hot Rocks / Moo Juice
  • Unit: 454th Bomb Group 737th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Unit: 758th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Sub-Depot Suzy
  • Unit: 459th Bomb Group
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Dogpatch Express
  • Unit: 459th Bomb Group 756th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Giulia: Gallery (4 items)