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Alesani Airfield, Corsica
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B-25J-1-NC #43-27556 Code: 7D
340BG - 487BS - 12th AF
Shown after crash landing at Alesani Airfield after being damaged by flak over Faro, Italy on
10 June 1944
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B-25J-1-NC #43-27531 "Uncle Willie" Code: 7R
340th BG - 487th BS - 12th AF
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B-25J-1-NC #43-27653 "Ruthie" Code: 9C
340th Bomb Group - 489th Bomb Squadron - 12th AF
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B-25J-1-NC #43-27709 "Schnapps Yo Yo" Code: 6M
340th BG - 486th BS - 12th AF
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B-25J-1-NC #43-27752 "Solid, Jackson!" Code: 9Q
340th Bomb Group - 489th Bomb Squadron - 12th AF
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B-25J-1-NC #43-4074 "Oh! Kay" Code: 6C
340th BG - 486th BS - 12th AF
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TSGT Forrest Lynn Westbrook
Aircraft Crew Chief
B-25J-1-NC #43-27659 "Morning Mission" Code: 9W
340th Bomb Group - 489th Bomb Squadron - 12th AF
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B-25J-1-NC #43-27670 "Yankee Doodle Dandy" Code: 6Y
340th Bomb Group - 486th Bomb Squadron - 12th AF
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B-25J-1-NC #43-27505 "After Women Or Liquor" Code: 6W
340th Bomb Group - 486th Bomb Squadron - 12th Air Force
Shot down 13 Feb 1945
Detailed history
Alesani airfield (Advanced Landing Ground Alesanie) was an airfield that formed part of the "USS Corsica" airbase complex on the east coast of Corsica.
The airfield was constructed by the allies very early in 1944 and occupied by the 340th Bombardment Group from mid-April 1944 until late-April 1945. The 340th Bombardment Group consisted of the 486th, 487th, 488th and 489th Bombardment Squadrons. These squadrons had planes with tail fins marked "6", "7", "8" or "9" respectively, followed by a letter identifying the particular aircraft.
The crew chiefs and their ground crews who serviced, repaired, and maintained the aircraft typically adorned their planes with artwork, names, and other personal touches
Like the other airfields, its runway ran north-south. A lighthouse situated approximately 1 mile SW of the airfield provided a good landmark. Also, there were four pierced steel warm-up aprons connected by taxi-track to the prepared strip. East and west of the air strip were 140 hard standings for the aircraft connected by taxi-tracks to either end of the landing strip. The control tower was located on the west side of the center of the prepared strip. Two huts and two portable barracks housed the administration and operations sections. The personnel was living in tents.
There was a First Aid station at the airfield and a hospital at Cervione, 4 miles to the north.
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) | Flight Engineer | 340th Bomb Group
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Military | Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade) | Aerial Gunner | 340th Bomb Group
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Military | Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade) | Aircraft Mechanic | 340th Bomb Group
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Military | First Lieutenant | Pilot | 340th Bomb Group
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Military | Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade) | Radio Operator/Gunner | 340th Bomb Group
The combat missions listed in his bio do not represent all of the combat missions he flew during his combat tour.
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Military | Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade) | Aerial Gunner | 340th Bomb Group
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Military | First Lieutenant | Pilot | 340th Bomb Group
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Military | Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade) | Flight Engineer/Bombardier | 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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