Mondolfo

43°45'01"N 013°09'50"E

runway: 13/31 - 2000x..m - PSP
runway: 13/31 - 2000x..m - PSP

Air field Mondolfo was an airfield 215 kilometer north-northeast of Rome.
It was built in February 1945 with two large (2000m) parallel PSP runways, with a small grass crash runway laid out in between. The airfield had enough facilities to house two 15th Air Force fighter groups.


P-51 'Weary Willlie' piloted by Bill Smith of 31FG takes off for his 50th and final mission of the war (mondolfoinguerra.com).


Mondolfo airfield on 30 April 1945 (AFHRA)


The southeastern thresholds with barely visible the markings of the grass crash runway between them (AFHRA)

During its existence, 31st and 325th Fighter Group were stationed at the base, both with three squadrons of P-51D/K Mustangs assigned. While 31FG (307, 308 and 309FS) focused on the escort fighter role, 325FG (317, 318 and 319FS) flew ground air support missions. Ground support units assigned were the 65th Ordinance Ammunition Company (munitions supply), and the 543d Air Service Group (ground station operations).
In April they were joined by 2Sqn of 52FG. Equipped with drop tanks the P-51s used the airfield to strike deep inside Germany.


P-51 groundcrew taking a break next to droptanks of 52FG USAAF at Mondolfo 1945.


A row of P-51s of 52FG USAAF at Mondolfo in April 1945 (mondolfoinguerra.com).

The airfield was turned over to the Italian government in late September 1945, and dismantled after the war. The land used by the air station as well as the airfield have largely been returned to agricultural use. In aerial photography major portions (such as the northwestern part of the runways and dispersals are still recognisable. Even from small aircraft the airfield can still be recognised north of the Autostrada Adriatico parking called Metauro Est.


Mondolfo in 2012, with the runways and parkings clearly recognisable in the northwest (Google Earth).

Thanks to Edi Eusebi for pointing out some previous errors in the description of this airfield!