UXO Site selected: Venice Bombing Range, FL

General Area: Venice, FL

Site Type/Program: FUDS

Location: The former Venice Bombing Range consisted of 2,560 acres located nine miles southeast of the town of Venice, Sarasota County, Florida. US Highway 41 forms the northern boundary of the site. Most of the former range is owned by Taylor Ranch Incorporated and is primarily used for agricultural operations such as topsoil production, sod farming, and cattle grazing. Much of the target area is now a large lake created as a result of excavation work. A few, small outlying parcels around the perimeter of the tract have been developed for other purposes.

Brief History: In the early part of World War II, the United States leased 2,560 acres of unimproved land for use as a U.S. Army Air Forces aerial practice bombing range named Venice Bombing Range. The Army Air Force utilized the site for training operations associated with the Sarasota Army Air Field, located about 30 miles to the northwest and nearby Venice Army Air Field. Headquarters 3rd Air Force requested construction of the following for the range on 16 April 1942: clearing and grubbing of 19.4 acres, four control points, two bomb spotting towers, one control tower, one bombing target, and 16,594 liner feet of 3 strand barbed wire fence. The War Department, Headquarters of the Army Air Forces in Washington, confirmed funds were available for the above construction. They also stated the range was needed immediately, as it was necessary for training programs already under way. No documentation was found indicating any other construction at the bombing range site other than targets and fencing. The site remained active until early 1946 when its functions were no longer needed by the Army Air Forces. At the conclusion of World War II, the War Department determined the site was surplus and directed the cancellation of the 2,560 acre leasehold on 29 January 1946. The lease was terminated 30 June 1946 and returned to the then current owner.

Range / Site Description:

Associated Munitions:

Activities Completed: The Archives Search Report (ASR) for Venice Bombing Range was completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District, in May 1995.

Issues: The Huntsville Center Technical Advisory Group recommended an EE/CA for this site. The site survey team inspection revealed no evidence of ordnance and explosives (OE). However, persons interviewed indicated that 100 lb, M38A2 practice bomb debris from 10 bombs, without explosive materials, was unearthed near the center of the bulls eye target during topsoil excavation operations about 12 years ago. No other oral or written reports of OE or debris from OE were found. Also, no historical evidence was found indicating what ammunition was used at the range. So, finds were limited to the bulls eye area and it is possible that more is present.

Other Information: EE/CA

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