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Corsica Airfield Complex (also known as USS Corsica) is a complex of 18 airfields, built during World War II on the French island of Corsica.
History
After France collapsed to the German Wehrmacht in 1940, Corsica came under rule of the Vichy France regime. In November 1942, the island was occupied by Italian and German forces because of the Anglo-American landings in North Africa. In September 1943 after the Italian armistice, Italian and Free French Forces pushed the Germans out of the island, making Corsica the first Department to be freed. Subsequently, the US military established 17 - 18 airfields nicknamed “USS Corsica” to be served as bases for tactile bomber groups attacking on German-occupied targets. USS Corsica sheltered around 50,000 US soldiers and airmen, and operated as a strategic base towards the end of World War II.
Airfields originally constructed in Corsica were Ajaccio Campu del Oru, Borgo, Corte, Casabianda, Calvi, and Ghisonaccia-Gare.
Airfields built by the US military on the east coast were Bevinco, Poretta (Bastia), Serragia, Alto, Alesani, Aghione, and Solenzara.
Airfields built by the US military on the west coast were Calvi Sainte Catherine, Calenzana, and Fiume Secco. The only airfield built midland was Ponte Leccia.
Many of these airfields were abandoned, while some are still active today.
French Airfields
Originally built by France were:
Ajaccio Campu del Oru
Location: 41°55′28″N 8°47′44″E / 41.92444°N 8.79556°E / 41.92444; 8.79556
Ajaccio Campu’del Oru (also known as Ajaccio) was originally built as a civil seaplane station on the South-West coast of Corsica. For several weeks beginning on the 30th of September, 1943, the airfield experienced heavy bombings by the Luftwaffe. In 1944, the USAAF occupied the airport and installed perforated metallic mats for the operation of P-51s. The airfield’s relatively short runway acted as a challenge for larger aircraft, and also the proximity of mountains.
Infrastructure: Ajaccio consisted of two medium sized hangars, repair shops, and small buildings possibly serving as offices. At the Northern end of the Quay were two cranes for lifting seaplanes in and out of the water.
The airfield today is known as Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport.
Ajaccio Aspretto
Bastia-Borgo
Location: 42°34′31″N 9°27′10″E / 42.57528°N 9.45278°E / 42.57528; 9.45278
Borgo airfield was constructed from 1926 to 1930, when the French State addressed the need for a maritime airfield on 122 hectares of land that they had acquired. From 1937-38, the airfield was suppose to operate with occasional transit aircraft by the Potez Company - Aero Service, however this never materialized as the agreement was not signed. On February 1943, Italian reconnaissance aircraft arrived. From March to the beginning of October 1943, the airfield was heavily utilized by the Luftwaffe during WWII. During US occupation, the runway was deemed to be too small, and a larger one was constructed to the north. However, the runway was still used by the Piper Cubs. After the war, the airfield was disused around 1948.
Infrastructure: Borgo Airfield was operated by a 1115 x 825m and a 1280 x 275m grass strip.
Units:
- 124a Squadron of Regia Aeronautica
- Luftwaffe (unknown) Junker Ju 90, Junker Ju 290
The airfield today is known as Bastia–Poretta Airport.
Corte
Casabianda
Calvi Fiume-Secco (Calvi)
Location: 42°33′00″N 8°48′00″E / 42.55000°N 8.80000°E / 42.55000; 8.80000
On 6 May, 1935, the French army acquired land to build a military airfield, however, it was opened to public use instead. Surfacing work was completed in March 1936, and temporary hangars and barracks were constructed from 1939 to 1940. After the invasion of Vichy France, the airfield was occupied by the Italian army, however they disliked the use of the airfield. From 1939 to 1940, the airfield was used by RAF reconnaissance aircraft. On June 1944, the airfield was listed as operational by the Luftwaffe, although no activity by the force was recorded. On October 1943, the USAAF acquired the airfield for Operation Dragoon, and it was used as an emergency landing field until the departure of the USAF in 1945.
Infrastructure: 730 x 455m grass runway, 3 hangars and sheds located NW of the airfield.
Ghisonaccia-Gare
US Airfields
Bevinco
Poretta
Serragia
Alto
Location: 42°27′00″N 9°31′35″E / 42.45000°N 9.52639°E / 42.45000; 9.52639
Alto Airfield (also known as Advanced Landing Ground Alto and Alto Air Base) was a temporary airfield constructed in early 1944. On 23 March 1944, the 57th fighter group was assigned to Alto Airfield, and landed with their P-47 Thunderbolts. The units participated in Operation Strangle against the German army in Italy. The name was derived from the river that ran nearby, close to the village of Fovelli.
Units:
- 320th Bomb Group, B-26 Marauders
- 57th Fighter Group, P-47 Thunderbolts
Infrastructure: Alto Airfield was operated by a 18/36 Pierced Steel Planking 1830x50m runway.
Alesani
Aghione
Solenzara
Location: 41°55′23″N 9°24′12″E / 41.92306°N 9.40333°E / 41.92306; 9.40333
Solenzara Airfield (also known as Air Base 126 Solenzara) was constructed by the USAAF’s Twelfth Air Force XII Engineer Command during World War II. The runway was constructed with Pierced Steel Planking.
Solenzara Airfield was designed for fighter, medium bomber units, as well as command and control. Known units assigned were:
- HQ, 57th Bombardment Wing, 20 April-5 October 1944
- 310th Bombardment Group, 10 December 1943 – 7 April 1945, B-25 Mitchell
- 324th Fighter Group, 19 July 1944 – 25 August 1944, P-40 Warhawk
Both the 310th and 324th flew combat missions in support of the Invasion of Southern France (Operation Dragoon) during July and August 1944. After World War II and Operation Dragoon, the USAAF units moved out and returned to the United States. The airfield was transferred to France in July 1945.
Today, the airfield is currently operated by NATO as Solenzara Air Base.
Calvi Sainte Catherine
Location: 42°31′39″N 8°47′34″E / 42.52750°N 8.79278°E / 42.52750; 8.79278
In 1943, the airport was constructed as a military airfield by the Luftwaffe for strategic air operations. After the war in 1951, the airport was redeveloped for civil use and commercial flights.
Calvi-Sainte-Catherine Airport is operational as a civil airport today.
Calenzana
Fiume Secco
Ponte Leccia
See Also
References
- https://www.corsica-aventure.com/en/mag/discover-corsica/uss-corsica
- ^ https://www.ww2.dk/Airfields%20-%20France.pdf p 11
- https://www.forgottenairfields.com/airfield-bastia-borgo-1278.html#:~:text=Borgo%20airfield%20(french%3A%20aérodrome%20de,of%20the%20town%20of%20Borgo
- https://www.ww2.dk/Airfields%20-%20France.pdf Page 61
- ^ https://www.ww2.dk/Airfields%20-%20France.pdf p 81
- https://www.forgottenairfields.com/airfield-calvi-fiume-secco-1406.html
- ^ https://www.americanairmuseum.com/archive/place/alto
- Maurer, Maurer. Air Force Combat Units of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History, 1983. ISBN 0-89201-092-4.
- Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) . Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556.
- Johnson, David C. (1988), U.S. Army Air Forces Continental Airfields (ETO), D-Day to V-E Day; Research Division, USAF Historical Research Center, Maxwell AFB, Alabama.
- USAFHRA Document 00244862 - Report of construction of Solenzara Airdrome, Corsica
- https://aeroaffaires.com/private-jet-hire-destination/calvi-sainte-catherine-private-jet-charter/
- https://www.privatefly.ch/private-jet-hire/calvi-st-catherine-airport-A1855