Borizzo Airfield
Encyclopedia
Borizzo Airfield is an abandoned World War II
military airfield in Italy
, which was located in the vicinity of Trapani
on Sicily
.
. During the Sicilian Campaign it was sized by elements of the United States Fifth Army . Once in Allied hands, it was used by the United States Army Air Force Twelfth Air Force 316th Troop Carrier Group, which flew C-47 Skytrain
s from the field between 18 October 1943-12 February 1944.
When the Americans pulled out the airfield was handed back to the Italians that rebuilt the airport in 1949. The airport operated military and commercial flights until 1961 when the new Trapani-Birgi Airport was opened. It was definitely abandoned in 1971 by the Italian army and closed.
Today of the airport remain only the runway, the control-tower and few smaller buildings.
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...
, which was located in the vicinity of Trapani
Trapani
Trapani is a city and comune on the west coast of Sicily in Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Trapani. Founded by Elymians, the city is still an important fishing port and the main gateway to the nearby Egadi Islands.-History:...
on 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,...
.
History
It was built in the 1930s near the village of Borgo Rizzo and used by Axis forces as a base for the Italian Regia AeronauticaRegia Aeronautica
The Italian Royal Air Force was the name of the air force of the Kingdom of Italy. It was established as a service independent of the Royal Italian Army from 1923 until 1946...
. During the Sicilian Campaign it was sized by elements of the United States Fifth Army . Once in Allied hands, it was used by the United States Army Air Force Twelfth Air Force 316th Troop Carrier Group, which flew 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...
s from the field between 18 October 1943-12 February 1944.
When the Americans pulled out the airfield was handed back to the Italians that rebuilt the airport in 1949. The airport operated military and commercial flights until 1961 when the new Trapani-Birgi Airport was opened. It was definitely abandoned in 1971 by the Italian army and closed.
Today of the airport remain only the runway, the control-tower and few smaller buildings.