Scordia Airfield
Encyclopedia
Scordia Airfield is an abandoned World War II
military airfield in Italy
, which was located approximately 1 km north of Scordia
in Sicily
.
It was an all-weather temporary field built by the XII Engineer Command using a graded earth compacted surface, with a prefabricated hessian (burlap) surfacing known as PHS. PHS was made of an asphalt-impregnated jute which was rolled out over the compacted surface over a square mesh track (SMT) grid of wire joined in 3-inch squares. Pierced Steel Planking was also used for parking areas, as well as for dispersal sites, when it was available. In addition, tents were used for billeting and also for support facilities; an access road was built to the existing road infrastructure; a dump for supplies, ammunition, and gasoline drums, along with a drinkable water and minimal electrical grid for communications and station lighting.
Once completed it was turned over for use by the United States Army Air Force Twelfth Air Force 57th Fighter Group during August 1943, flying combat operations with P-40 Warhawks.
When the 57th moved out to Milazzo
to prepare for the invasion of the Italian mainland, the airfield was closed and dismantled. Today, there is traces of the airfield remaining on the landscape visible from aerial photography, but no buildings or physical features 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 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 approximately 1 km north of Scordia
Scordia
Scordia is a comune in the Province of Catania in the Italian region Sicily, located about 160 km southeast of Palermo and about 30 km southwest of Catania. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 17,202 and an area of 24.3 km².Scordia borders the following municipalities:...
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,...
.
It was an all-weather temporary field built by the XII Engineer Command using a graded earth compacted surface, with a prefabricated hessian (burlap) surfacing known as PHS. PHS was made of an asphalt-impregnated jute which was rolled out over the compacted surface over a square mesh track (SMT) grid of wire joined in 3-inch squares. Pierced Steel Planking was also used for parking areas, as well as for dispersal sites, when it was available. In addition, tents were used for billeting and also for support facilities; an access road was built to the existing road infrastructure; a dump for supplies, ammunition, and gasoline drums, along with a drinkable water and minimal electrical grid for communications and station lighting.
Once completed it was turned over for use by the United States Army Air Force Twelfth Air Force 57th Fighter Group during August 1943, flying combat operations with P-40 Warhawks.
When the 57th moved out to Milazzo
Milazzo Airfield
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....
to prepare for the invasion of the Italian mainland, the airfield was closed and dismantled. Today, there is traces of the airfield remaining on the landscape visible from aerial photography, but no buildings or physical features remain.