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Hergla Airfield
Coordinates
36°08′05.06″N 010°26′14.85″E
Type
Military airfield
Site information
Controlled by
United States Army Air Forces
Site history
Built
1943
In use
1943
Hergla Airfield
Location of Hergla Airfield, Tunisia
Hergla Airfield is an abandoned military airfield in Tunisia, which was located approximately 12 km north-northwest of Harqalah in al Janubiyah Wilayat province, about 90 km south-southwest of Tunis.
During World War II it was used by the United States Army Air Force during the North African Campaign as a bomber base, first for medium, then later for heavy bombers.
12th Bombardment Group, 2 June-2 August 1943, B-25 Mitchell
98th Bombardment Group, 22 September-22 November 1943, B-24 Liberator (15AF/12AF)
340th Bombardment Group, 2 June-2 August 1943, B-25 Mitchell (9AF)
Primary targets from Hergla were in Sicily and mainland Italy. As targets moved out of range, the groups moved to Italy and by November 1943 the airfield was closed. When the Americans moved out, the base was largely abandoned. For many years only faint evidence of the main runway and some taxiways were visible in aerial photos of the area, but the land had returned largely to its natural state. The Enfidha – Hammamet International Airport was built in its place and opened in 2009.
English Heritage's record description
Not yet known
Service
Units
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Group
Activated on 20 August 1942. The 340th Bombardment Group trained with B-25's for duty overseas. They arrived in the Mediterranean theater in March 1943. Assigned first to the Ninth Air Force and later (in August 1943) to the Twelfth. Served in combat...
People
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Military | Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade) | Aircraft Mechanic | 340th Bomb Group
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Military | Major | Pilot/Group Operations Officer/Group Tactical Inspector | 340th Bomb Group
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Military | Brigadier General | Pilot, Commanding Officer | 12th Bomb Group
Edward N. Backus was born in Vernon, Texas, in 1906. He graduated from Vernon High School in 1924 and attended the University of Oklahoma and Washington and Lee University where he received his bachelor of arts degree in 1929.
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Military | Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade) | Aerial Gunner | 340th Bomb Group
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Military | Second Lieutenant | Pilot | 340th Bomb Group
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Military | Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade) | Gunner | 340th Bomb Group
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Military | First Lieutenant | Pilot | 340th Bomb Group
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Military | Captain | Squadron Armament and Chemical Officer | 340th Bomb Group
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Military | Master Sergeant (1st Grade) | Aircraft Crew Chief | 340th Bomb Group
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Military | Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade) | Radio Operator/Gunner | 340th Bomb Group
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