The Short Story of the Austro–Hungarian Naval Air Base in Durazzo, 1916– 1918

Abstract

The Imperial and Royal naval air arm only existed for eight years, and its extensive upgrading was, on one hand, the result of the outbreak of the Great War, but primarily of the Italian declaration of war. From the twentyone naval airbases of the Monarchy, the one built after the occupation of the city at the beginning of 1916 in the harbour of Durazzo, was one of the most important ones. The Imperial and Royal pilots operating from the Kumbor air base and its subordinate base in Durazzo had to withstand a three-fold superior Entente force and they maintained their combat readiness until the end of the war. Their mere presence drew significant enemy forces away from the northern Italian front, thereby easing the burden on their comrades fighting there.