Telerghma

Airfield
Personnel of the 385th Bomb Group meet North African civilians in front of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-5913) nicknamed "Shack Bunny". Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for publication 6 Sep 1943.' [stamp] and '282422.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '#63 Sideview of Fortress with crew and natives.' media-380100.jpg FRE 1345 Airmen of the 385th Bomb Group meet civilians in front of B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-5913) nicknamed "Shack Bunny". Crews from the 385th Bomb Group landed at Telerghma airfield, Algeria, after the Regensburg mission on 17 August 1943.

Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for publication 6 Sep 1943.' [stamp] and '282422.' [Censor no.]
Printed caption on reverse: '#63 Sideview of Fortress with crew and natives.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 1345 - Airmen of the 385th Bomb Group meet civilians in front of B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-5913) nicknamed "Shack Bunny". Crews from the 385th...

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Detailed History

Built by the French Colonial government prior to World War II, the small airport was seized by American Forces in the initial aftermath of the Operation Torch landings on 2 December 1942. By 13 December, French troops and United States Army Engineers had improved the runway sufficiently for 17th Bombardment Group B-26 Marauder medium bombers to begin using the facility, now known as "Telerghma Airfield."



Major Twelfth Air Force units assigned to the airfield during the North African Campaign were:

17th Bombardment Group, 13 December 1942 – 10 May 1943, B-26 Marauder

310th Bombardment Group, 21 December 1942 – 1 January 1943, B-25 Mitchell

319th Bombardment Group, 12 December 1942 – 3 March 1943, B-26 Marauder

14th Fighter Group, 5 May-13 June 1943, P-38 Lightning

33d Fighter Group, 24 December 1942 – 7 January 1943; 20 February-2 March 1943, P-40 Warhawk

52d Fighter Group, 17 January-9 March 1943, Spitfire

82d Fighter Group, January-28 March 1943, P-38 Lightning





After the Battle of North Africa ended, Telerghma Airfield was converted into a Bombardment Training Center, used to instruct French Air Force ground and bomber crews in safe and effective tactical operation and maintenance of American fighter and bomber aircraft. The training center closed at the end of October 1944, and the airfield was returned to civil authorities.



On 17 August 1943, aircraft from the 385th Bomb Group landed at Telerghma after bombing targets at Regensburg. According to their Bomb Group history 'conditions and support facilities in North Africa left much to be desired. Shuttle logistics were a nightmare. Not enough material or correct personnel were available to properly service the aircraft. Shuttle missions were never repeated.'



There were photographers with the 385th Bomb Group airmen while they were at Telerghma and their photos capture not only the Americans' first experiences of North Africa but also some aspects of daily life - from dress to culture - of the people who lived there, and their reactions to the arrival of American men and machines. See: https://www.americanairmuseum.com/media?search=385th+%23+&type=&collect…

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 17th Bomb Group 95th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32196663
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Air Crew Member / Airplane Mechanic
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 52nd Fighter Group 4th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-427736
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 352nd Fighter Group 479th Fighter Group 82nd Fighter Group 436th Fighter Squadron 487th Fighter Squadron 96th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-733904
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 479th Fighter Group 82nd Fighter Group 434th Fighter Squadron 96th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-730534
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 52nd Fighter Group 2nd Fighter Squadron 325th Fighter Group 318th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-430835
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot/Squadron Commander

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Sessanta Nova?
  • Unit: 17th Bomb Group 95th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Lulu Belle
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Shack Bunny
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
  • Nicknames: Kay
  • Unit: 14th Fighter Group 37th Fighter Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributorcurreri
Changes
Sources

Daddy of Them All: Story of the 17th Bomb Group in WWII Paperback – 1 Jan. 1990
Paperback : 78 pages
ISBN-10 : 096059003X
ISBN-13 : 978-0960590032
Publisher : Boomerang Publishers (1 Jan. 1990)
Language: : English

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes

Telerghma: Gallery (26 items)