Draft:Corsica Airfield Complex

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 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.

French Airfields

Originally built by France were:

Ajaccio Campu del Oru

Location: 41°55′28″N 8°47′44″E.

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.

Bastia-Borgo

Location: 42°34′20″N 9°27′00″E.

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 supposed to operate with occasional transit aircraft by the Potez Company - Aero Service, however this never materialized as the agreement was not allowed. 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) Aircraft: Junker Ju 90 by Luftwaffe, Junker Ju 290 by Luftwaffe. The airfield today is known as Bastia–Poretta Airport.

Calvi Fiume-Secco (Calvi)

Location: 42°33′00″N 8°48′00″E.

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.

US Airfields

Alto

Location: 42°27′00″N 9°31′35″E.

Alto Airfield (also known as Advanced Landing Ground Alto and Alto Air Base) was a temporary airfield constructed in early 1944. The name was derived from the river that ran nearby, close to the village of Fovelli. 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. Infrastructure: Alto Airfield was operated by a 18/36 Pierced Steel Planking 1830x50m runway. Aircraft: Aircraft assigned at Alto Airfield were the B-26 Marauders from the 320th Bomb Group and P-47 Thunderbolts from the 57th Fighter Group.

Calvi Sainte Catherine

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.

See Also

• Operation Strangle
• Operation Dragoon
• Foggia Airfield Complex