Ragusa attack

[Modly]

Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia. 26 August 1944. A rocket-carrying Bristol Beaufighter aircraft of the Balkan Air Force is going in at roof top level to add further damage to this smoking building, a ...

Any more comment?

[mayfair35]

Modly. I have a question. Where was the Balkan Air Force. I was stationed at Lake Lesina (35 miles north of Foggia) and never heard of such an organization. Since this is a British aircraft, were there some English units that were given this title? My Order of Battle for this part of Italy also fails to show such an organization.
Cordially, Art Fiedler

[Andy Fletcher]

Hi Art,

HQ Balkan Air Force was formed 07Jun44 (from AHQ "G" Force) at Bari. It controlled 232 Wg and 334 Wg. It was a RAF command, but as was typical of the RAF contained many CW/Allied formations. I believe Italian Co-Belligerent units were also sub-ordinate to the BAF later on, though not 100% sure.

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher

[mapalm]

Originally Posted by Andy Fletcher

...
I believe Italian Co-Belligerent units were also sub-ordinate to the BAF later on, though not 100% sure.
...
Best Regards

Andy Fletcher

That’s true. At the end of 1944 ICAF (Italian Co-Belligerant Air Force) units sub-ordinate to the BAF were:

- 356ª - 360ª Squadriglia CT (since march 1945 also 84ª - 90ª Sq.) (fighters) sub to 281° Wg BAF;

- 1° Stormo Baltimore (light bombers) sub to 254° Wg BAF;

- 2° Stormo T Notturno (transports) sub to 234° Wg BAF;

- Raggruppamento Idro (seaplanes) sub to 242° Wg BAF.


(source: A. Lodi, L’Aeronautica Italiana nella Guerra di Liberazione, ROMA 1961)



The fighters were stationed at the Campomarino - Canne airstrip, few km north of Lago di Lesina.

The bombers were at Campomarino - Campo Biferno. Same place but different airstrip.

The seaplanes were at Taranto and S. Nicola Varano. In detail at S. Nicola, few km south of Lago di Lesina, was stationed a rescue unit.



Hope that helps.

ciao