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'''Pompeii Airfield''' is an abandoned [[World War II]] military airfield in [[Italy]], located approximately 1 km south of Terzigno; about 20km east-southeast of [[Naples, Italy|Naples]]. It was a temporary airfield constructed by the US Army |
'''Pompeii Airfield''' is an abandoned [[World War II]] military airfield in [[Italy]], located approximately 1 km south of Terzigno; about 20km east-southeast of [[Naples, Italy|Naples]]. It was a temporary airfield constructed by the US Army |
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It was the home of the [[340th Bombardment Group]] from 2 Jan to 23 March 1944, which flew [[B-25 Mitchell]]s. When [[Mount Vesuvius]] erupted in March 1944, the airfield was just a few kilometers east of the mountain. The eruption destroyed the base, |
It was the home of the [[340th Bombardment Group]] from 2 Jan to 23 March 1944, which flew [[B-25 Mitchell]]s. When [[Mount Vesuvius]] erupted in March 1944, the airfield was just a few kilometers east of the mountain. The eruption destroyed the base, of - the and ash. |
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No lives were lost at Pompeii Airfield and the only casualties in the 340th were a sprained wrist and a few cuts, but the effects of the volcano on the aircraft proved insurmountable despite a major effort by the 12th Air Force to repair and salvage the damaged planes. |
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The 340th and it's personnel were relocated to Corsica and re-equipped. The airfield was dismantled and abandoned. It's main runway can be seen in aerial photos today overgrown with vegetation. |
The 340th and it's personnel were relocated to Corsica and re-equipped. The airfield was dismantled and abandoned. It's main runway can be seen in aerial photos today overgrown with vegetation. |
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Revision as of 20:44, 18 August 2009
Pompeii Airfield.png) | |
|---|---|
| Part of Twelfth Air Force | |
| Coordinates | 40°47′28.71″N 014°29′02.38″E / 40.7913083°N 14.4839944°E (Approximate) |
| Type | Military Airfield |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | United States Army Air Forces |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1943 |
| In use | 1943-1944 |
Pompeii Airfield is an abandoned World War II military airfield in Italy, located approximately 1 km south of Terzigno; about 20km east-southeast of Naples. It was a temporary airfield constructed by the US Army
It was the home of the 340th Bombardment Group from 2 Jan to 23 March 1944, which flew B-25 Mitchells. When Mount Vesuvius erupted in March 1944, the airfield was just a few kilometers east of the mountain. The eruption destroyed the base, with nearly all of the 340th's B-25 Mitchell medium bombers were covered with hot ash that burned the fabric control surfaces, glazed, melted, or cracked the plexiglass, and even tipped some B-25s onto their tails from the weight of the ash and tephra.
No lives were lost at Pompeii Airfield and the only casualties in the 340th were a sprained wrist and a few cuts, but the effects of the volcano on the aircraft proved insurmountable despite a major effort by the 12th Air Force to repair and salvage the damaged planes.
The 340th and it's personnel were relocated to Corsica and re-equipped. The airfield was dismantled and abandoned. It's main runway can be seen in aerial photos today overgrown with vegetation.
References
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
- Maurer, Maurer. Air Force Combat Units of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History, 1983. ISBN 0-89201-092-4.
