Licata Airfield
Encyclopedia
Licata Airfield is an abandoned World War II
military airfield in Italy
, located in the vicinity of Licata
, Sicily
. It was a temporary fighter airfield constructed in the immediate aftermath of Operation Husky by Army Engineers using Pierced Steel Planking for its runway, parking and dispersal areas, not designed for heavy aircraft or for long term use.
The 33d Fighter Group operated P-40 Warhawks from the field between 18 July-13 September 1943, supporting ground forces as they advanced and attacking enemy aircraft on the air and ground.
After the 33d moved out to Paestum
on the Italian mainland, the airfield was used by the 61st Troop Carrier Group, which operated C-47 Skytrain
transports from the field from 1 September-6 October 1943. Afterwards, it was used as a casualty and resupply airfield during the eary days of the Italian Campaign
. After the war, the airfield was dismantled. Today, there are no remaining traces of the airfield as the urban growth of the Licata area has expanded over the area, and obliterated any trace of the airfield. It is unknown precisely where the airfield was actually located due to the changed landscape over the past 60 years.
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 Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, located in the vicinity of Licata
Licata
Licata is a city and comune located on the south coast of Sicily, at the mouth of the Salso River , about midway between Agrigento and Gela...
, Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
. It was a temporary fighter airfield constructed in the immediate aftermath of Operation Husky by Army Engineers using Pierced Steel Planking for its runway, parking and dispersal areas, not designed for heavy aircraft or for long term use.
The 33d Fighter Group operated P-40 Warhawks from the field between 18 July-13 September 1943, supporting ground forces as they advanced and attacking enemy aircraft on the air and ground.
After the 33d moved out to Paestum
Paestum Airfield
Paestum Airfield is an abandoned World War II military airfield in Italy, located approximately 9 km north-northeast of Agropoli, in the province of Salerno, in the Campania region of Italy....
on the Italian mainland, the airfield was used by the 61st Troop Carrier Group, which operated C-47 Skytrain
C-47 Skytrain
The 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...
transports from the field from 1 September-6 October 1943. Afterwards, it was used as a casualty and resupply airfield during the eary days of the Italian Campaign
Italian Campaign (World War II)
The Italian Campaign of World War II was the name of Allied operations in and around Italy, from 1943 to the end of the war in Europe. Joint Allied Forces Headquarters AFHQ was operationally responsible for all Allied land forces in the Mediterranean theatre, and it planned and commanded the...
. After the war, the airfield was dismantled. Today, there are no remaining traces of the airfield as the urban growth of the Licata area has expanded over the area, and obliterated any trace of the airfield. It is unknown precisely where the airfield was actually located due to the changed landscape over the past 60 years.