Galatina
Galatina Airport and its heroic history
Dear friends, today I would like to talk to you about the Galatina Airport, a historical site of great importance for Italian military history. This airport is located 15 km south of the city of Lecce and 7 km north of the city of Galatina and is managed by the Italian Air Force. It is named after Lieutenant pilot Fortunato Cesari, gold medal for military valor. The structure has an asphalt runway 60 m long and wide, with orientation RWY 14-32.
Today, Galatina Airport is a Main Operating Base of the 1st Group and as such carries out exclusively military activities, not being open to commercial traffic. Within the airport, we find the 61st Wing and the 10th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, which operate to maintain the safety and protection of Italy.
But let me talk about the heroic history of this airport. It was established on March 31, 1931, by decree of Minister Italo Balbo, as a "Campo di Fortuna". From 1936, it became a "Regio Aeroporto di Seconda Classe". During the first phase of World War II, Galatina Airport became a strategic base for operations in the Balkans and the Mediterranean. Mainly, the units operated the "Dive Bombing" tactics on the famous Junkers Ju 87, namely the 96th and 97th Group, which shortly became Autonomous Squadrons (209th and 239th) and in '42 gave birth to the 101st and 102nd Group (5th Wing).
Giuseppe Cenni and the "Cenni Dive" technique
But what makes Galatina Airport so special? Certainly one of the most decorated and skilled pilots in this specialty, the legendary Captain Giuseppe Cenni, the most decorated and skilled Italian pilot in diving. From December 14, 1940, he started operating here, leading his 239th T. Squadron, often with 2 sorties per day, where he began an intense activity. The actions were daily and relentless, the only element that could block the take-off was the bad weather, which allowed all personnel to take a break.
From Galatina Airport, Giuseppe Cenni carried out the technique of "Cenni Dive", which consisted of lowering the plane a few meters above the ground, and then launching a bomb which, bouncing off the water, hit the target with great accuracy. This technique, also called "Skip Bombing", passed into history as the world's first action with this technique, which allowed to hit the targets with great precision.
The importance of Galatina Airport in World War II
The actions of Giuseppe Cenni and the other pilots of Galatina Airport were often under enemy anti-aircraft fire, but they never stopped. All targets were hit with great precision, as was always documented by the Commander's aircraft. Among the many actions launched from Galatina, let's remember at least the one of April 4, '41, on the Gulf of Dafinico (Corfu): this passed into history as the world's first action with the Skip Bombing technique.
The history of Galatina Airport continues today, with the activity of the 61st Wing and the 10th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. Their presence is important to ensure the safety of our country and is a sign of the great importance that the presence of Galatina Airport has had and continues to have in Italian military history.
Conclusions
In general, Galatina Airport is a place rich in history and importance for our nation. Here, the hands of time related to World War II events unfolded, and here the techniques of "Cenni Dive" and "Skip Bombing" were carried out. Galatina Airport still plays an important role in the protection and security of Italy today, thanks to the activity of the 61st Wing and the 10th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. They leave an important mark in the history of our country and are an integral part of our cultural and historical heritage.
