Milazzo Airfield
Encyclopedia
Milazzo Airfield is an abandoned World War II
military airfield on Sicily
, located in the southern suburbs of Milazzo
, on the northern tip of the island.
Built as a temporary wartime field by Army Engineers, using Pierced Steel Planking for runways and parking and dispersal areas, and support structures being quickly constructed out of wood or tents. The following units were stationed at the base taking part in the Allied invasion of Italy
from the field.
With the Americans pulling out and moving onto the mainland of Italy in October, engineers dismantled the airfield. Today, there are no remaining traces of the airfield as the area around Milazzo has grown over the years, which have obliterated any trace of the airfield. It is unknown precisely where the airfield was actually located due to the changed landscape.
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 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,...
, located in the southern suburbs of Milazzo
Milazzo
Milazzo is a town and comune in the province of Messina, Sicily, Italy.The city is situated between two bays, one of Milazzo and the east to the west of Patti, in a strategic place in the north-eastern Sicily.Located 43 km from the provincial capital, is part of the metropolitan area of the Strait...
, on the northern tip of the island.
Built as a temporary wartime field by Army Engineers, using Pierced Steel Planking for runways and parking and dispersal areas, and support structures being quickly constructed out of wood or tents. The following units were stationed at the base taking part in 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...
from the field.
- HQ, 64th Fighter Wing, 1 September-7 October 1943
- 31st Fighter Group, 2-21 September 1943, Supermarine SpitfireSupermarine SpitfireThe Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries throughout the Second World War. The Spitfire continued to be used as a front line fighter and in secondary roles into the 1950s...
- 57th Fighter Group, 12-16 September 1943, P-40 Warhawk
With the Americans pulling out and moving onto the mainland of Italy in October, engineers dismantled the airfield. Today, there are no remaining traces of the airfield as the area around Milazzo has grown over the years, which have obliterated any trace of the airfield. It is unknown precisely where the airfield was actually located due to the changed landscape.