(The following is from my “Life in the Service - Calendar of Events.”)
Friday, July 23, 1943. Mission No. 37. - Leverano, Italy.
Briefing this morning on a 10 minute notice. Ken had trouble starting our #2 engine, which delayed our take-off. We finally caught the rest of the Group at the Rendezvous Point. This is our longest mission so far - in the heel of the boot.
Our prop on the #2 engine “ran away” over Cape Rosa. Ken “feathered” the prop, and we returned early to base on three engines. We landed on three engines with our full- twelve 500 pound bombs still on board. Time of mission - 02:30.
Our Squadron was jumped by one hundred FW-190’s and ME 109’s, and the planes were riddled with holes. Ken’s and Capt. Mayer’s ball-turret men were both killed by German 20 mm’s. Sgt. Eye (ball -turret gunner) was wounded with a compound fracture of his arm. Four other crewmen were wounded.
Maintenance will change the No. 2 engine on #133.
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1 comment:
Grandpa- I'm still amazed that you somehow survived the war. However, I'm grateful because if not I wouldn't be here. I'm definitely proud of you for setting this up because I don't even have a clue how to do it. Keep adding these interesting stories.
Love, Daniel
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