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Photo ID help, British?

Discussion in 'Information Requests' started by mcoffee, Apr 19, 2015.

  1. mcoffee

    mcoffee Son-of-a-Gun(ner)

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    The attached photo was among those in the 449th Bomb Group archives. The bombed out dirigible hanger in the background is at Grottaglie, Italy. Elements of 205 Group operated out of Grottaglie along with the 449th. The inverted rank chevrons on the men look British. Any information about the men in photo would be appreciated.
     

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  2. Drew5233

    Drew5233 Member

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    Yep, definitely British or Commonwealth. Impossible to tell if they are all Army, the RAF Flight Sergeant Rank was the same as a Staff/Colour Sergeant rank. The leather jerkins suggest Army though. If they are Army they may have liberated the airfield, I'm assuming thats a German Me 109 they are stood in front of?

    Nothing written on the rear of the photo?
     
  3. CAC

    CAC Ace of Spades

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    Wouldn't have said a 109...
     
  4. Drew5233

    Drew5233 Member

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  5. mcoffee

    mcoffee Son-of-a-Gun(ner)

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    The photo has "560" on the back, which I can't find any connection to. Below is a list of RAF units that operated from Grottaglie. I also found that RAAF 3 Squadron was at Grottaglie in Sept. '43. I believe the photo is from '44 or '45 since it was with 449th photos.

    The aircraft is possibly an early Mark Spitfire. Hard to tell with the spinner removed and few visible details.

    I have photos of British Wellingtons, Halifaxs, Spitfires and a Vultee Vengeance in British markings on the field at Grottaglie. There was an anti-aircraft unit on the base which I was told was Welch. Don't have much other information on the British presence there.

    "Grottaglie Field, in Southern Italy, fifteen miles south-east of Taranto, was origionally a base of the Italian Air Force. Whilst occupied by the Luftwaffe the airfield was heavily bombed by the 12th USAAF operating out of North Africa, reducing the dirigible hangars to skeletons.
    In December 1943 the airfield was in allied hands and was taken over by the 449th Bomb Group who remained there until the end of the war.
    Squadrons stationed here during the Second World War.
    • 6 Squadron RAF
    • 38 Squadron RAF
    • 86th Bombardment Squadron USAAF. 27th Sep to 12th Oct 1943
    • 92 Squadron RAF. 14th to 23rd Sep 1943
    • 221 Squadron RAF. Sep 1943 and Mar to Oct 1944
    • 255 Squadron RAF. 28th Dec 1944 to 30th Nov 1945
    • 500 Squadron RAF. Jan 1944
    • 624 Squadron RAF.
    • 716th Squadron 449th BG. 47 Wing. USAAF. Dec 1943 to May 1945
    • 717th Squadron 449th BG. 47 Wing. USAAF. Dec 1943 to May 1945
    • 718th Squadron 449th BG. 47 Wing. USAAF. Dec 1943 to May 1945
    • 719th Squadron 449th BG. 47 Wing. USAAF. Dec 1943 to May 1945"
     

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