MISSION No.43

MISSION NO. 43. Foggia. Thursday, August 19, 1943.
Briefing at 0720, and over Italy at noon. I was the lead bombardier for the Squadron, and also the second wave, with Capt. Kutschera. Our bomb run was at 20,000 feet. We also were escorted by P-38’s - from the 14th Fighter Group - for a change.
The flak was intense and very accurate, although we didn’t receive many holes. We lost five planes, and crews from the Group, due to enemy -fighters cannons and their aerial bombs (a new tactic). There were many injured crewmen, and many planes were damaged. Two planes left our formation after departing the target area, and went in to Palermo with injured aboard.
We hit the town with 12 - 500’s, and did a pretty good job of area bombing. The first wave of B-17’s wiped out a power house. Foggia, and all the surrounding airdromes; Naples and Messina have been our toughest missions. When they announce these targets at “Briefing”, I can feel the tension surrounding me.
After our mission, the Group received a “Commendation” from General Atkinson (Wing Commander).
Mission time 06:30. T.B.W.T.D. = 205,120#.