Mount Vesuvius Eruption of March 1944

During World War II, with the war raging in Italy, Mt. Vesuvius erupted during March of 1944. The volcano destroyed between 78 and 88 of the 340th Bombardment Group's aircraft at the Pompeii Airfield. On March 22, 1944 the airfield was abandoned, and no longer exists today.

B-25 with ash from Mount Vesuvius eruption — B-25 Mitchell bomber with ash from Mount Vesuvius eruption

Vesuvius 321st Cassino — B-25s from the 447th Squadron of the 321st Bombardment Group on their way to bomb targets.

B-25J named "Finito Benito Next Hirohito," flying near the volcano in May 1945

B-24 Liberator flying near Mt Vesuvius in 1944

The above photo was taken by Dominique Taddei, given to John Sutay, former 57th Bomb Wing Historian (who passed away on May 31, 2002), and then to Don Kaiser.

Photo of Mt Vesuvius taken from ISS in 2024

Bombing Pompeii

During 1943, the archaeological area of Pompeii was bombed by Allied forces. About 170 bombs were dropped by British and Canadian bombers, hitting and damaging several points of the excavation area.