Cercola Airfield
Cercola Airfield  | |
|---|---|
| Part ofTwelfth Air Force | |
| Coordinates | 40°51′41.75″N014°20′57.82″E/ 40.8615972°N 14.3493944°E(Approximate) |
| Type | Military Airfield |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | United States Army Air Forces |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1943 |
| In use | 1943-1944 |
Cercola Airfieldis an abandonedWorld War IImilitary airfield inItaly,located approximately 2 km north ofCercolain theProvince of Naplesin theItalianregionCampania.
It was an all-weather temporary field built by theUnited States Army Air ForceIX Engineer Command using a graded earth compacted surface, with a prefabricated hessian (burlap) surfacing known as PHS. PHS was made of an asphalt-impregnated jute which was rolled out over the compacted surface over a square mesh track (SMT) grid of wire joined in 3-inch squares.Pierced Steel Plankingwas also used for parking areas, as well as for dispersal sites, when it was available. In addition, tents were used for billeting and also for support facilities; an access road was built to the existing road infrastructure; a dump for supplies, ammunition, and gasoline drums, along with a drinkable water and minimal electrical grid for communications and station lighting.
Once completed it was turned over for use by theNinth Air Force324th Fighter Group,which arrived at the airfield on 25 October 1943 flyingP-40 Warhawks.The 324th was reassigned toXII Air Support Commandon 1 November 1943, and remained at Cercola until 6 May 1944, when it moved to Pignataro Maggiore.
The33d Fighter GroupoperatedP-40 Warhawksfrom the field between 1 January and February 1944, supporting ground forces as they advanced and attacking enemy aircraft on the air and ground. At Cercola, the group was reassigned toTenth Air Forceand moved east toIndia.It was replaced by the57th Fighter Group,also flying P-40s, which operated from the field until the end of March.
After the 324th moved out in May 1944 the airfield was dismantled. Today, there are no remaining traces of the airfield as the area around the town of Cercola has grown substantially since the war and is now part of the Naples urban area. The urban development has obliterated any trace of the airfield. It is unknown precisely where the airfield was actually located due to the changed landscape over the past 60 years.
References[edit]
This article incorporatespublic domain materialfrom theAir Force Historical Research Agency
- Maurer, Maurer.Air Force Combat Units of World War II.Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History, 1983.ISBN0-89201-092-4.
External links[edit]
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