A bombing raid in Italy Sept. 17., 1943
 

Hello,

Normally I am mostly in the LW section in here, and don't know much about the allies, sorry.

The matter concerns an allied bombing raid on an airfield near Rome on the above date. Does anyone know what airfield this could be?
It looks like there was a LW Transport unit stationed or lying there at the time of the bombing.
Maybe this is the famous needle in the haystack but thank you in advance.

Regards,

Christian

Re: A bombing raid in Italy Sept. 17., 1943
 

Hello,

From Alun Granfield's, 'Bombers Over Sand and Snow' (p.204):

By the night of 17/18 September (1943), the target was Cerveteri, fifteen miles north-west of Rome, and seventy-three Wellingtons of all four Wings were despatched. Many aircraft had difficulty pinpointing the target due to considerable haze and darkness, and the illumination was scattered. Photographs taken during the raid revealed that Furbara, two miles away, received the brunt of the attack, but despite this many fires were stared at Cerveteri and aircraft on the ground were reported to be burning. Daylight photographs taken on the 19th confirmed the destruction of several buildings, damage to others, and craters on the landing ground. The western hangar had received a direct hit, and four Ju 52s and one other aircraft were burnt out. One of the Wellingtons of 40 Squadron failed to return, and other crews reported seeing an aircraft fall into the sea in flames off the target area. The aircraft was one of the illuminators, and one report suggested that the fire may have started from a hung-up flare.

Nb. the previous night (16/17 September 1943), Cisterna Littoria airfield (south of Rome) was attacked, Photographs sowed that a hangar, runways and aprons were well cratered, eleven aircraft were destroyed on the ground. The rome-Naples railway line adjoining the airfield also received a direct hit.

Col.

Col.

Re: A bombing raid in Italy Sept. 17., 1943
 

Italian airfields Ciampino (near Rome) and Pratica di Mare (25 km South of Rome, near the sea) were both attacked on this date by 12th AF B-17s and B-26s.

Re: A bombing raid in Italy Sept. 17., 1943
 

Thank you very much…..that's highly appreciated!!

Regards,

Christian