Italian Forces

In flight over

www.decimomannuairbase.com

Today the large airport of Decimomannu, in Sardinia, "Decimo" in the slang of Italian Air Force, is most important European air base for fire training used by air forces Nato and no Nato. The origin of "Decimo", 25 km N-NW of Cagliari, date back to 1939 when, in foresight of a war, at airport foresight existing in Sardinia, additional bases were set up called "campi di manovra " ("manoevering areas" or "training areas") among the most important were Villacidro and Decimomannu. The latter was designated Campo di manovra number 39. The first unit at Decimomannu was the 32nd Stormo Bombardamento Terrestre transferred to new airfield from Cagliari-Elmas at June 1940 with its Gruppi (38th and 89th Gruppo) equipped with Savoia-Marchetti SM.79. With the 8th Stormo, they too based in Sardinia at "Campo di manovra" of Villacidro, established X Brigata da Bombardamento "Marte" (Tenth Bombardment Brigade). In the photo, taken between the end of 1940 and the beginning of 1941, a SM.79 of 32nd Stormo (228th Squadriglia) overflying Decimomannu Airport. Note many aircraft on dispersal areas. Victor Sierra