The first aerodrome that 150 and 142 occupied in Italy was Cerignola #3 at Torretta 8 miles from the Italian cathedral Town of Cerignola. It had first been surveyed as a possible airfield in October 1943. All of 205 Group's squadrons landed at Torretta after leaving the Kairouan/Oudna Area and then moved on to other fields leaving 150 and 142 Squadrons in residence between December 1943 and Febuary 1944. The field was very muddy with a single runway and hardstandings made of crushed clay and rock. After 330 Wing left Torretta it was taken over by units of the USAAF who improved the aerodrome so that it could be used as an effective base for B-24 Heavy bomber operations.

---

Wimpy victim of the runway at Cerignola - this one had an unexploded 4000 lb. bomb under it - minutes later it was a mass of flames - the crew escaped with no injuries.

Aerial Photo of Camp and Administration area of field taken by 150 Squadron Photographer (photo: Trish Epthorp)

Former Farm buildings taken over as Sergeants' Mess - door to right (photo Trish Epthorp)

Maintenance was done on peri-track and hardstandings (photo: A.B. Harrison)

P-Peter of "B Flight" missed the quick turn at the end of the runway and bogged in - it was towed out and resumed flying duties (photo A.B. Harrison)

Groundcrew in USAAF jackets with Snow White and Seven Dwarves (photo: Trish Epthorpe)

Click to view Engineering Report on Cerignola #3 (Torretta) Airfield)

Click to return to The Mess