Castelluccio

Airfield
media-24151.jpeg UPL 24151 Castelluccio Airfield, Italy
Home of the 451st BG - 15th AF

Object Number - UPL 24151 - Castelluccio Airfield, Italy Home of the 451st BG - 15th AF

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Detailed History

Castelluccio Airfield was a semi-permanent airfield located approximately 15km south of Foggia, Apulia, Italy

The airfield was built in early 1944 by the United States Army Corps of Engineers with one PSP runway. It was part of the Foggia Airfield Complex, a series of World War II military airfields located within a 25 mile (40 km) radius of Foggia. It had extensive taxiways and hardstand parking areas and a steel control tower.

Castelluccio opened on 15 March 1944 and became home to the 451st Bombardment Group (Heavy) of the US 15th Air Force, flying B-24 Liberators. The 451th BG (Heavy) engaged in very long range strategic bombing missions to enemy military, industrial and transportation targets in Italy, France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, and Greece. The unit received three Distinguished Unit Citations, flew interdiction missions, participated in the invasion of Southern France and transported supplies to troops in Italy. They also supported the final advances in Northern Italy in April 1945.

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 451st Bomb Group 725th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-796759
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 451st Bomb Group 725th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-2057731
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 451st Bomb Group 725th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-814849
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 451st Bomb Group 725th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39325950
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Nose Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 451st Bomb Group 725th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-819424
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

A B-24 Liberator (serial number 41-28861) nicknamed "Burma Bound" of the 451st Bomb Group, 15th Air Force, with a smoking engine as a result of a direct flak hit during a mission over Munich, 1944. Printed caption on reverse: '62011 AC- The number four engine (far left) of BURMA BOUND, a Consolidated B-24 Liberator of the 15th Air Force, was hit by flak as the plane returned from blasting a target at Munich, Germany. It limped homeward on three engines. December 1944. US Air Force Photo.' Handwritten capt
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Burma Bound
  • Unit: 451st Bomb Group 725th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Pistol Packin Mama
  • Unit: 451st Bomb Group 724th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Unit: 451st Bomb Group 725th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Unit: 451st Bomb Group 727th Bomb Squadron
A B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-51564) nicknamed "Fickle Finger", and a Pathfinder B-24, of the 451st Bomb Group, 15th Air Force in flight.
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Fickle Finger
  • Unit: 451st Bomb Group 725th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Castelluccio: Gallery (11 items)