US Army Air Force

Take off from “Decimo”

U.S. Air Force

Six Martin B-26 Marauder from the 437th Bomb Squadron, 319th Bomb Group, 12th Air Force, US Army Air Force, taking off from Decimomannu, or “Decimo” in the aviator’s slang, in Sardinia. Based at “Decimo” from November 1943 to 21 September 1944 (so the photo was taken between this two dates) when moved to Serragia Airfield, in Corsica, the 319th Bombardment Group (437th, 438th, 439th and 440th Bomber Squadrons) was the first American Marauder unit deployed in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. Coming from Louisiana, where completed the initial training to Marauder, the 319th moved to Algeria in October and November 1942 and was assigned to 12th Air Force. The first combat mission date to 28 November 1942 and until March 1943, the Group bombed Axis targets in Tunisia and Libya including railroads, airfields, harbor installations and ships along the Mediterranean Coast. Later, in June 1943, attacked enemy targets on Italian island in Sicily, Sardinia and Pantelleria Island. From bases in Algeria and also in Tunisia, the 319th supported the Allied invasion of Italy, bombing bridges and marshaling yards during the late summer and early autumn of 1943. In November, it moved to Sardinia, to strike Axis targets in Central Italy and early 1944, the 319th supported Allied ground forces as they advanced in the Cassino and Anzio areas. At this time “Decimo” was the base of another USAAF’s Marauder Group, the 320th Bomb Group. Victor Sierra