Madna
Airfield52nd Fighter Group - 2nd Fighter Squadron - 15th AF
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Detailed History
41°55'11"N 015°04'46"E
runway: 06/24 - 1500x..m/4954x..ft - PSP (estim. length)
Madna air field was a temporary airfield south of Termoli, just north of Apulia, Italy.
The airfield was built in October-November 1943 as one of 5 (Biferno, Canne, Madna, Ramitelli and Nuova) built in the Campomarino area by the United States Army Corps of Engineers with PSP, as part of the Foggia Airfield Complex, a series of World War II military airfields located within a 25 mile (40 km) radius of Foggia. The airfields were used by the United States Army Air Force Fifteenth Air Force as part of the strategic bombardment campaign against Nazi Germany in 1944 and 1945, as well as by Twelfth Air Force and the Royal Air Force during the Italian Campaign (1943-1945).
The name Madna, originally Madana, is a corruption of the area name, called Madonna Grande. The airfield consisted of one runway and a parking area to its southeast and was used by the 79th Fighter Group from 19 November 1943 until January 1944, flying P-47 Thunderbolts. From 14 May 1944 until 21 April 1945 the air field was used by 52nd Fighter Group flying P-51 Mustangs, the longest time the 52nd stayed anywhere during the war. From here they flew return missions to Berlin and Russia, and scored the first aerial victory over a jet fighter over Italy. The airfield closed in May 1945 and was dismantled.
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 52nd Fighter Group 2nd Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-725780
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot/Squadron Commander
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 52nd Fighter Group 2nd Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-798378
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Unit: 52nd Fighter Group 5th Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Nicknames: Dody
- Unit: 52nd Fighter Group 2nd Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Nicknames: Marie
- Unit: 52nd Fighter Group 2nd Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Unit: 52nd Fighter Group 5th Fighter Squadron