Mission # 47 , Sept. 15, 1943.

47th MISSION:- BATTAPAGLIE, Italy. Wednesday, Sept. 15, 1943.
I was at a Group Bombardiers meeting, when they announced that there would be a Briefing in 20 minutes - at 1430. I hurried back to the tent to pick up my equipment, and rushed over to Briefing - which they also rushed through. The target was a highway and bridge near Salerno. The Germans were making a “push”, and our troops were retreating. This explained the suddenness and urgency for the mission.
I was just working from a map for the target. We didn’t reach the target area until 1800. The weather was very hazy, and I didn’t pick up the target until we were directly over it. We continued flying on for a few minutes, and then made a 180 degree turn to head back in the opposite heading than we were briefed. Visibility was even worse. We were heading into a low sun. I dropped the 16 - 300# bombs on the highway, but missed.
Four ME-109’s hopped us, but they didn’t do any damage. I saw some flak, but it turned out to be from our batteries shooting at German dive bombers over the Gulf of Salerno. The German planes were attacking our invasion forces in both the harbor and on the beach. Our Fifth Army (headed by General Mark Clark) is desperate, and their situation is critical.
I flew with Major O’Connor, and Moe as co-pilot, and led the Squadron. I saw a most beautiful sunset behind the clouds, from 8,000 feet, on our return to Base. It was dark when we landed, as the traffic pattern was a “rat race”. This is the first time that we have flown so late in the day. Redbird, and Wolfcale, completed their 50 missions today!
Mission Time: 05:00.