Navarin

Airfield

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Detailed History

Navarin Airfield is a World War II military airfield in Algeria, located approximately 10 km est of El Eulma in Sétif Province. It was used by the United States Army Air Force Twelfth Air Force during the North African Campaign for heavy B-17 Flying Fortress bombers against the German Afrika Korps. B-17s known as the 'Diamondbacks' would fly from here to Rome in Operation Husky in July 1943. Known units assigned were:

2d Bombardment Group, 22–27 April 1943, B-17 Flying Fortress

99th Bombardment Group, 22 February-25 March 1943, B-17 Flying Fortress



When the Americans moved east into Tunisia, the airfield was dismantled and abandoned. Traces of its runway may be visible on satellite imagery, however a lack of detailed aerial photography of the area limits determining a precise location and current condition of the airfield.

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 99th Bomb Group 346th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14165927
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
Jack L. Bentley
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 429th Bomb Squadron 2nd Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: O-23880
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 99th Bomb Group 348th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38465104
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 429th Bomb Squadron 2nd Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: 37191057
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 348th Bomb Squadron 99th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: 12095123
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Flight Engineer

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: El Diablo
  • Unit: 99th Bomb Group 346th Bomb Squadron
42-29526 Bugs
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Bugs
  • Unit: 2nd Bomb Group 429th Bomb Squadron 483rd Bomb Group 99th Bomb Group 346th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Fort Alamo II
  • Unit: 416th Bomb Squadron 99th Bomb Group 840th Bomb Squadron 483rd Bomb Group
A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-29790) parked by the control tower of the 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group's airbase in Corsica. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'B-17.' Printed caption on reverse: '75657 AC - Control tower of the 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group in Corsica. U.S. Air Force Photo.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Queenie
  • Unit: 99th Bomb Group 348th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 99th Bomb Group 416th Bomb Squadron

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