Regia Aeronautica Airfields Query
- ClintHardware
- Member
- Posts: 819
- Joined: 21 Jan 2011, 13:17
Regia Aeronautica Airfields Query
Hi All
Is anyone able to give the Regia Aeronautica Airfields/Aerodromes/Landing Grounds names/IDs and locations in respect of the Derna and also Bomba areas. One corrupted name I have been given is Bomda-ef-Erado - but not sure of its location.
Is anyone able to give the Regia Aeronautica Airfields/Aerodromes/Landing Grounds names/IDs and locations in respect of the Derna and also Bomba areas. One corrupted name I have been given is Bomda-ef-Erado - but not sure of its location.
Imperialism and Re-Armament NOW !
Re: Regia Aeronautica Airfields Query
ClintHardware
Much depends on how close to Derna you are looking at.
Shores in his Courage Alone (map 9) shows five airfields semi-clustered around Derna: Derna, El Ftehja, Martuba N3, Menelao, Tmimi M2. Looking at the A.S. maps found at the U. of Texas library (map sheet NI 34-16), I can identify Derna, Martuba N3, and Tmimi M2. Given the Shores map is quite large scale and in general offers only relative locations, I wasn’t able to pin down/confirm El Ftehja and Menelao.
The Italian official, La prima offensive Britannica in Africa settentrionale schizzo 11 shows the location of the R.A. units on 1 December 1940. This map has the 143° squadriglia (R.M.) stationed at Bomba. This squadron was equipped with Z501 flying boats, so I believe the ‘airfield’ at Bomba is actually a seaplane base. Looking at the A.S. map mentioned above, I can’t see a location anywhere near Bomba level enough for an airfield. Shores states that the 143° was stationed at Menelao in 1940 (page 143), so I believe Menelao and Bomba are one and the same.
I haven’t yet broke the code on El Ftehja.
Pista! Jeff
Much depends on how close to Derna you are looking at.
Shores in his Courage Alone (map 9) shows five airfields semi-clustered around Derna: Derna, El Ftehja, Martuba N3, Menelao, Tmimi M2. Looking at the A.S. maps found at the U. of Texas library (map sheet NI 34-16), I can identify Derna, Martuba N3, and Tmimi M2. Given the Shores map is quite large scale and in general offers only relative locations, I wasn’t able to pin down/confirm El Ftehja and Menelao.
The Italian official, La prima offensive Britannica in Africa settentrionale schizzo 11 shows the location of the R.A. units on 1 December 1940. This map has the 143° squadriglia (R.M.) stationed at Bomba. This squadron was equipped with Z501 flying boats, so I believe the ‘airfield’ at Bomba is actually a seaplane base. Looking at the A.S. map mentioned above, I can’t see a location anywhere near Bomba level enough for an airfield. Shores states that the 143° was stationed at Menelao in 1940 (page 143), so I believe Menelao and Bomba are one and the same.
I haven’t yet broke the code on El Ftehja.
Pista! Jeff
Jeff Leser
Infantrymen of the Air
Infantrymen of the Air
Re: Regia Aeronautica Airfields Query
Quotes of Notes i have:
Derna
Campo di manovra N1 and N2(at least N1 at start). N1 was abandoned in Dec40 because was easily flooded by rain.
N3 was build after the ofensive to conquer Cirenaica in 41. Bomber able.
El-Fetejah Campo di manovra(operated in 1942)
Campo di manovra(war start says Santoro) at Cirene and Apolonnia
http://www.mucchioselvaggio.org/FOTO_C8 ... 012-10.pdf makes reference to a bomber able campo di fortuna near Giovanni Berta Village in July 1940.
Martuba has campo di manovra at war start , and Martuba 4 and 5 are in use in 1942 - Source is Santoro.
Golfo di Bomba-Menelao and Timimi
Timimi M2 was bombed in July 1940 but Santoro doesn't list it at war start(June 40)
Bomba Menelao was an Idroscalo -floatplane "base"
Golfo di Bomba had beaches but no support or even a small harbor. The ships had to anchor. At begin of war there were 3 or 4 motorsailers to take supplies, people from ships to the floatplane base.
Derna
Campo di manovra N1 and N2(at least N1 at start). N1 was abandoned in Dec40 because was easily flooded by rain.
N3 was build after the ofensive to conquer Cirenaica in 41. Bomber able.
El-Fetejah Campo di manovra(operated in 1942)
Campo di manovra(war start says Santoro) at Cirene and Apolonnia
http://www.mucchioselvaggio.org/FOTO_C8 ... 012-10.pdf makes reference to a bomber able campo di fortuna near Giovanni Berta Village in July 1940.
Martuba has campo di manovra at war start , and Martuba 4 and 5 are in use in 1942 - Source is Santoro.
Golfo di Bomba-Menelao and Timimi
Timimi M2 was bombed in July 1940 but Santoro doesn't list it at war start(June 40)
Bomba Menelao was an Idroscalo -floatplane "base"
Golfo di Bomba had beaches but no support or even a small harbor. The ships had to anchor. At begin of war there were 3 or 4 motorsailers to take supplies, people from ships to the floatplane base.
Re: Regia Aeronautica Airfields Query
Some more info:
The idroscalo was in northen part of the Gulf at mouth of a dry uadi(uadi-et-tmimi) was the idroscalo, just barracks and some tents, just near at west there was a dusty landing field for fighters to operate if necessary. Maybe this is the Tmimi field.
The idroscalo was in northen part of the Gulf at mouth of a dry uadi(uadi-et-tmimi) was the idroscalo, just barracks and some tents, just near at west there was a dusty landing field for fighters to operate if necessary. Maybe this is the Tmimi field.
Re: Regia Aeronautica Airfields Query
When you say 'Shores', you mean 'Dunn'?jwsleser wrote:Shores in his Courage Alone (map 9) shows five airfields semi-clustered around Derna: Derna, El Ftehja, Martuba N3, Menelao, Tmimi M2. Looking at the A.S. maps found at the U. of Texas library (map sheet NI 34-16), I can identify Derna, Martuba N3, and Tmimi M2. Given the Shores map is quite large scale and in general offers only relative locations, I wasn’t able to pin down/confirm El Ftehja and Menelao.
The enemy had superiority in numbers, his tanks were more heavily armoured, they had larger calibre guns with nearly twice the effective range of ours, and their telescopes were superior. 5 RTR 19/11/41
The CRUSADER Project - The Winter Battle 1941/42
The CRUSADER Project - The Winter Battle 1941/42
Re: Regia Aeronautica Airfields Query
Not sure. Tmimi was a large base hosting one of the Stuka wings in 1941, I believe?Dili wrote:Some more info:
The idroscalo was in northen part of the Gulf at mouth of a dry uadi(uadi-et-tmimi) was the idroscalo, just barracks and some tents, just near at west there was a dusty landing field for fighters to operate if necessary. Maybe this is the Tmimi field.
Based on this there was at least a landing strip there in April 41:
https://www.laetusinpraesens.org/guests ... wb2.htm#46
The enemy had superiority in numbers, his tanks were more heavily armoured, they had larger calibre guns with nearly twice the effective range of ours, and their telescopes were superior. 5 RTR 19/11/41
The CRUSADER Project - The Winter Battle 1941/42
The CRUSADER Project - The Winter Battle 1941/42
Re: Regia Aeronautica Airfields Query
Urmel
I am sure I had a brain cramp on Dunning. The book is at my office, so I will check on Monday where I got the name Shores.
RE Tmimi
It is a completely separate airfield from Bomba-Menelao. Look at the Unvi of Texas webpage at map sheet NI 34-16 and the Tmimi field is clearly marked.
RE: Bomba. Glad to read my assumption on Bomba-Menelao was correct. Thanks for the confirmation.
RE: El-Fetejah. Dunning shows Cirene and Apolonnia separate from El-Fetejah. The A.S. maps in Texas show both Cirene and Apolonnia, but not El-Fetejah.
Pista! Jeff
I am sure I had a brain cramp on Dunning. The book is at my office, so I will check on Monday where I got the name Shores.
RE Tmimi
It is a completely separate airfield from Bomba-Menelao. Look at the Unvi of Texas webpage at map sheet NI 34-16 and the Tmimi field is clearly marked.
RE: Bomba. Glad to read my assumption on Bomba-Menelao was correct. Thanks for the confirmation.
RE: El-Fetejah. Dunning shows Cirene and Apolonnia separate from El-Fetejah. The A.S. maps in Texas show both Cirene and Apolonnia, but not El-Fetejah.
Pista! Jeff
Last edited by jwsleser on 03 Oct 2015, 23:20, edited 1 time in total.
Jeff Leser
Infantrymen of the Air
Infantrymen of the Air
Re: Regia Aeronautica Airfields Query
Appears to be correct if we take this references http://www.wwii-photos-maps.com/targetn ... index.htmlNot sure. Tmimi was a large base hosting one of the Stuka wings in 1941, I believe?
Tmimi is in the Bomba gulf but at "middle" of it while the Bomba air strip is probably the North near the Idroscalo.
Tmimi airstrip maybe this:
http://www.wwii-photos-maps.com/targetn ... z%202.html
Idroscalo with size for a strip
http://www.wwii-photos-maps.com/targetn ... z%201.html
Current Bomba airfield.
https://www.google.pt/maps/place/At+Tam ... aa8dd2fe2a
Re: Regia Aeronautica Airfields Query
Dili
RE: Tmimi. yes that matches the WW2 map http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/ams/nort ... i34-16.jpg
Pista! Jeff
RE: Tmimi. yes that matches the WW2 map http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/ams/nort ... i34-16.jpg
Pista! Jeff
Jeff Leser
Infantrymen of the Air
Infantrymen of the Air
- ClintHardware
- Member
- Posts: 819
- Joined: 21 Jan 2011, 13:17
Re: Regia Aeronautica Airfields Query
Hi Jeff and Everyone - thank you for your contributions. Bomda-ef-Erado will have to remain unconfirmed for the while.
Clint
Clint
Imperialism and Re-Armament NOW !
Re: Regia Aeronautica Airfields Query
Larry
Wow, excellent discovery. That is an amazing document. A true labor of love by Mr. de Zeng. He authored a 2 vol set on German Bomber Units.
Clint
Can I ask for the cite and context for the Bomda-ef-Erado airfield. Where did you see this airfield listed? I haven't found anything that seems to fit.
Grazie!
Pista!
Jeff
Wow, excellent discovery. That is an amazing document. A true labor of love by Mr. de Zeng. He authored a 2 vol set on German Bomber Units.
Clint
Can I ask for the cite and context for the Bomda-ef-Erado airfield. Where did you see this airfield listed? I haven't found anything that seems to fit.
Grazie!
Pista!
Jeff
Jeff Leser
Infantrymen of the Air
Infantrymen of the Air