History books of World War 2 talk about the military importance of the airfields of Foggia, Italy. Built for the Italian air force before the war, seized by the German Luftwaffe, bombed and fought for by Allied forces, the airfields were an important objective. What’s often overlooked, however, is the impact on the Italian people who lived in the adjacent, ancient city of Foggia. Between May and September of 1943 nine air raids by American and British bombers resulted in about 20,000 civilian casualties and devastated parts of the city.
The U.S. 12th Air Force established its headquarters near Foggia in late 1943. As Christmas approached some of the servicemen and women assigned to the 12th were determined to bring some holiday warmth to the children of the area, children like the ones pictured here playing near a U.S. encampment on swings made from communications wires. This photograph and the others in the article are from an album belonging to Major Lynn Frank “Woody” Woodworth of the 12th Air Force (pictured, left), now part of Roger Keehner’s photographic collection.
The Flagella Theater in Foggia was undamaged by the bombing and when decorated by Air Force personnel, became the setting for a Christmas party attended by many of the local children. Here we see a Christmas tree, gifts of toys and bags of food and candy ready to be distributed, and musicians ready to provide music.
The 12th Air Force shipped out for overseas duty in fall, 1942 and many of the men and women assigned to it were facing the second Christmas away from home. Headquarters personnel tried to alleviate the grimness of war and drum up some holiday spirit with carols around a piano, conversation, and laughter as shown in this picture.
Italy is known for its fine wines and liquors so holiday spirits could be taken literally as shown here. Major Woodworth, on the far right, appears among the revelers.
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