Trying to locate WW2 airfield - Naples

[shed driver]

I'm off around Naples next week and I'm following my grand father's war diary. He landed in Naples in 1943 and was present for the 1944 eruption of Vesuvius. One extract says "June 3 - Moved to Marigniella Forward Fighter and Bomber Drome" I've tried searching, but granddad's spelling may not be accurate.

Any ideas?

I've located a fair few of the other places he visited or was billeted - so they are already on the itinerary.

SD.

[the-norseman]

Could it be Marinella in Foggia

[Furbo]

shed driver said:

I'm off around Naples next week and I'm following my grand father's war diary. He landed in Naples in 1943 and was present for the 1944 eruption of Vesuvius. One extract says "June 3 - Moved to Marigniella Forward Fighter and Bomber Drome" I've tried searching, but granddad's spelling may not be accurate.

Any ideas?

I've located a fair few of the other places he visited or was billeted - so they are already on the itinerary.

SD.

I've a good friend in Naples, I will ask her.

[shed driver]

That could be the one. Sadly I've only got the single diary entry to go on.

SD.

[the-norseman]

its not far from Naples for certainly a candidate, dont think any of it is left.

[Gassmi]

shed driver said:

I'm off around Naples next week and I'm following my grand father's war diary. He landed in Naples in 1943 and was present for the 1944 eruption of Vesuvius. One extract says "June 3 - Moved to Marigniella Forward Fighter and Bomber Drome" I've tried searching, but granddad's spelling may not be accurate.

Any ideas?

I've located a fair few of the other places he visited or was billeted - so they are already on the itinerary.

SD.

Almost certainly Marcianise. That was a major Allied fighter and bomber base near Naples in 1943-44. Marigniella isn't a real place but sounds exactly like how an English speaker would mishear and spell Marcianise.

Check your map for Marcianise, about 25km north of Naples. Also look at nearby Pomigliano d'Arco (another big wartime airfield). Those two were the main forward fighter dromes in that area during Vesuvius eruption period.

[shed driver]

Gassmi said:

Almost certainly Marcianise. That was a major Allied fighter and bomber base near Naples in 1943-44. Marigniella isn't a real place but sounds exactly like how an English speaker would mishear and spell Marcianise.

Check your map for Marcianise, about 25km north of Naples. Also look at nearby Pomigliano d'Arco (another big wartime airfield). Those two were the main forward fighter dromes in that area during Vesuvius eruption period.

Brilliant, thank you so much.

There's a fair bit now to go on. I'll try and get out there just to have a look.

SD.

[86DA]

Ive asked someone i know, who lives in Marcianise they have said Marinella, hope that helps.

[shed driver]

I think I'll need a bit more than 4 days!
A really good excuse to go back.

SD.

[clive_candy]

If he was RAF and you know his squadron you can probably find the Operational Record Book online at the National Archives.

[shed driver]

clive_candy said:

If he was RAF and you know his squadron you can probably find the Operational Record Book online at the National Archives.

He was Royal Artillery - 146 Battery, 17th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment. Link to thread with diaries - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

SD.