Castelvetrano Airfield
Encyclopedia
Ombrene Airfield is an abandoned World War II
military airfield in Sicily
, which is located approximately 1 km southwest of Castelvetrano
. The airfield was a former Italian Air Force
(Regia Aeronautica
) base, which was seized by the United States Army during the Invasion of Sicily (Operation Husky), and used as part of Sicilian Campaign as well as the Allied Invasion of Italy
in 1943.
The airfield was primarily used by the United States Army Air Force Twelfth Air Force units:
When the Americans moved out the airfield was closed and dismantled. Today, the main runway of the airfield is clearly visible in aerial photography, but no structures of other components of the airfield remain.
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 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,...
, which is located approximately 1 km southwest of Castelvetrano
Castelvetrano
Castelvetrano is a town and comune in the province of Trapani, Sicily, Italy. The archeological site of Selinunte is located within the territory of the comune. It was the birthplace of Giovanni Gentile, the key philosopher of the Fascist movement in Italy.The town is predominantly a farming town,...
. The airfield was a former Italian Air Force
Italian Air Force
The Italian Air Force has gone under different names in different periods:*Regia Aeronautica , from 1923 to June 1946*Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana, the air force of Italian Social Republic during World War II...
(Regia Aeronautica
Regia 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...
) base, which was seized by the United States Army during the Invasion of Sicily (Operation Husky), and used as part of Sicilian Campaign as well as the Allied Invasion of Italy
Allied invasion of Italy
The Allied invasion of Italy was the Allied landing on mainland Italy on September 3, 1943, by General Harold Alexander's 15th Army Group during the Second World War. The operation followed the successful invasion of Sicily during the Italian Campaign...
in 1943.
The airfield was primarily used by the United States Army Air Force Twelfth Air Force units:
- 81st Fighter Group, 12 October - February 1944, P-39 Aircobra
- 314th Troop Carrier Group, September 1943-February 1944, C-47 SkytrainC-47 SkytrainThe 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...
When the Americans moved out the airfield was closed and dismantled. Today, the main runway of the airfield is clearly visible in aerial photography, but no structures of other components of the airfield remain.