Can anyone provide info (in particular location) for RAF wartime airfields in Italy?
Specifically, I am looking for BELLARIA, on the Adriatic coast, between RIMINI and RAVENNA. It was occupied by 244 Wing on 5 Dec 1944, from which its sqns provided ground support to the river battles 8th Army was then fighting as they worked their way onto the Po River plain (swamp). See ORB page from one of the wing's sqns att.
There's clearly nothing left of it now, but does anyone have any info, in particular geo-coords of its site in 1944?
Grazie mille,
Paul Johnston, RCAF
Hello,
There is a military airfield,8 miles away called CERVIA AIR FORCE BASE in WW2 it was used by The American 15th Air Force until 112 squadron RAF moved in ,Feb. 1945
It is well shown on Google Earth,
Best wishes.
Asolutemente!
Cervia is a current Italian Air Force Base, and well known to me -- we send dets down to there for live fly exercises. (I am posted to a jammy NATO job at the DACCC, Poggio Renatico).
But I am looking for info on Second World War, DAF "Landing Grounds" in the area. Some of them are still military air bases, some are now civilian airports, and some have disappeared entirely into farmland or strip malls...
I am particularly interested in BELLARIA, and FANO, as DAF sqns (including an RCAF sqn, No. 417) flew from there air support for fighting in the river battles in our area.
Surely someone in this group has or knows about a good list of all those air fields?
Ciao,
PJ
Do get hold of a book titled,THOSE WHO FALL,best flying book I have read,brilliant,set at LUCERA airfield..still identifiable in crop marks,PSP runways removed after WW2 !
Best wishes.
UPDATE: Have been in touch with an Italian local historian in the area, and he reports that the wartime Landing Ground was near what is now Igea-Marina, and that he he knows some local elders he is going to interview for more info.
Will report when I have more.
We use cookies to improve our website and your experience when using it. Cookies used for the essential operation of this site have already been set. By continuing to use this site you are agreeing to this. To find out more about the cookies we use and how to delete them, see our privacy policy.