THE COLOSSEUM

THE COLOSSEUM
I just read an excellent essay in the May 29-30, 2010 Wall Street Journal, written by James Gardner (“A Wonder From Any Angle”). If you didn’t see the article, be sure and visit your library and read it. You will be glad that you made the effort! The subject matter concerned the Colosseum in Rome - one of the seven wonders of the world! I would guess that many of you were mesmerized when you saw this magnificent structure. Those who have not had the opportunity, add it to your list of “Great Places I Want to See Before I Check Out”.
Marie and I visited Rome in 1985 - a couple of years after I retired from the California and Hawaiian Sugar Company. It was Maries first visit and my third - if you can call seeing Rome from 25,000 feet a “visit”. The only difference is that I had a tremendous view from overhead, as opposed to physically walk in that sacred place.
My first visit was at about high noon on July 19, 1943. I was sitting on a very small seat behind a Norden bombsight. I was the bombardier on a B-17 Flying Fortress named “Skippy”. Our crew was assigned to the Second Bomb Group - part of General Jimmy Doolittle’s Twelfth Air Force.
At our very early- morning Briefing, I noticed that the “target” map was covered when we entered the Briefing Room. When they uncovered it, I was flabbergasted, when I saw that the red -course line ended up at Rome. This was to be my 34th combat mission. The “Briefer” announced the target to be the rail marshalling yard in the center of Rome. He went on to tell us that it was a strategic target, because the German -supply line to southern Italy, ran through Rome. Near the end of his presentation, he said he realized that some Catholic bombardiers might have a conflict of interest. Then, he gave each of us a chance to opt out of the mission. Not a single hand went up. We were warned time and time again during the briefing to concentrate on getting the bombs in the assigned target area.
We were briefed to fly at 21,500 feet, at an indicated air speed of 150 knots. We were unescorted, and each B-17 carried twelve 500# bombs. The flak from the German 88mm guns was moderate, and the German/Italian fighter attack was light - I did see a few fighters. Apparently the enemy was as surprised as I was at the Briefing. Our bomb run was from the north to the south. We were the second Group, in trail, on the bombing run. Our mission was the first bombing of the war. The fine weather permitted good visibility.
How did they expect us to concentrate on the marshalling yard, when down below I could see the winding Tiber River up ahead. To the left I had a tremendous view of Vatican City, with the Forum and the Colosseum straight ahead. Somehow, all of the bombardiers stayed focused, and we dropped most of our bombs in the rail yards. This was about our longest mission - eight hours!
Our second Rome mission was on August 13, 1943 - “Friday the 13th. While I normally am not superstitious, this “unlucky” time did cross my mind! This was my 41st mission. Our target area was still the rail marshalling yard. About the only difference was that we bombed from 25,000 feet. Our bomb load was the same 12 - 500’s. We were fortunate to have our P-38 “friends” escorting us. I did see two German fighters, and they attacked the formation. The flak was moderate but very accurate - bursting at our altitude. Our mission time was shorter this time - only five hours and a quarter. Our flying time was shorter because our Group had moved in North Africa - from near Algiers to near Tunis. This was made possible by Montgomery’s Eighth Army chasing Rommel eastward in the “Battle of Africa.”
Fast forward to Marie’s and my visit to Rome in 1985. We took a Tour of Rome. Marie and I were sitting in the right front seat - what a vantage point. As we came around the curve on the Via dei Fori Imperiali, the Colosseum filled the whole right side of the windshield ahead of us! I can’t describe my emotion at that moment. What a strange feeling. After seeing pictures of the stadium in my geography books, in the News Reels, and various other media, I never dreamed that I would ever see it close-up - and there it is. I was surprised how large it is, and how well preserved. Think of it - almost 2,000 years old and still majestically standing! When I walked around inside, I experienced a very strange emotion - knowing a little about it’s history.

RCL - 5/31/10.