German Air Force

Luftwaffe base in Italy

Bundesarchiv

Luftwaffe’s transport aircrafts, a Messerschmitt Me 323 in foreground and a pair of Junkers Ju 90 in background, the latters of the Lufttransportstaffel 290 (LTS 290), at Grosseto airport, Italy, March-April 1943. Originally an Italian Air Force’s basic training airfield, Grosseto, not far from Tuscany’s coasts, was requested by the Luftwffe as one's own base for bomber and transport units as well as school for torpedo aircraft crews. The Luftwaffe made important work of adjustment, included concrete runway, hanger and other buildings, changing the original airfield in a modern and large airport largely employed for the airlift from the Germany to Mediterranean Theatre for troops, freight and supplies transport and medical evacuation. From April 1943 Grosseto airport was again and again raided by the Allies and heavy damaged. After the German retreat on 1944, Grosseto was repaired by the American becoming the base of the USAAF’s 57th Fighter and 47th Bombardment Group (Bundesarchiv Bild 1011-561-1130-31A). Victor Sierra