El Djem Airfield
Encyclopedia
El Djem Airfield is an abandoned World War II
military airfield in Tunisia
, which is located approximately 4 km west-northwest of El Djem
; about 170 km south-southeast of Tunis
. It was a pre-1942 military airfield used by the German Luftwaffe
which was attacked and seized by Allied forces in December 1942. Once in Allied hands, it was repaired and used by the United States Army Air Force during the Tunisian Campaign.
Known USAAF units assigned were:
Today, the airfield runway and dispersal pads are faintly visible on aerial photography.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
military airfield in Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
, which is located approximately 4 km west-northwest of El Djem
El Djem
Drifting sand is preserving the market city of Thysdrus and the refined suburban villas that once surrounded it. The amphiteatre occupies archaeologists' attention: no digging required...
; about 170 km south-southeast of Tunis
Tunis
Tunis is the capital of both the Tunisian Republic and the Tunis Governorate. It is Tunisia's largest city, with a population of 728,453 as of 2004; the greater metropolitan area holds some 2,412,500 inhabitants....
. It was a pre-1942 military airfield used by the German Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
which was attacked and seized by Allied forces in December 1942. Once in Allied hands, it was repaired and used by the United States Army Air Force during the Tunisian Campaign.
Known USAAF units assigned were:
- 57th Fighter Group, 14-21 April 1943, P-40 Warhawk (9th AF)
- 64th Troop Carrier Group, 26 July-29 August 1943, C-47 SkytrainC-47 SkytrainThe Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in operation to this day.-Design and...
, (12th AF) - 60th Troop Carrier Group, 30 June-31 August 1943, C-47 SkytrainC-47 SkytrainThe Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in operation to this day.-Design and...
, (12th AF)
Today, the airfield runway and dispersal pads are faintly visible on aerial photography.