Date: 15 mar 1944

MISSION #8

BASE: San Pancrazio

TARGET: "B" Area of Cassino, Italy--Troop Support

SHIP: Sakinshack …256

ESCORT: P-38’s from 14th Fighter Group 49th Fighter Squadron

BOMBS: 6 x 1000 lb. from 19,500 feet

ENEMY AIRCRAFT: none

FLAK: Heavy Volume, Accurate Aim, Heavy Caliber.

RESULTS: Some waves dropped bombs on Allied side of the line, in fields of an unidentified town.

SORTIES: 1 Total: 10

MISSION TIME: 3:35 Total: 47:40

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NARRATIVE: Our target was a “choke point”, the town of Cassino, along the route to Rome. Enemy troops had dug in there, occupying a hallowed abbey on the top of a mountain overlooking the town below. To the Allies, the town itself was not the objective so much as the hills behind it and the road beyond, which led to Rome.

Crew nine was flying lead for the 451st Bomb Group on this mission. Once in the general area, there were several valleys that all looked alike. The navigator and bombardier were in a discussion as to whether we were in the right place. The plane was going down a valley all the time this discussion was taking place. In a short time the pilot asked what was going on. Before much longer, the Pilot said, "I order you to drop the bombs." We were all waiting on them to drop and we would drop at the same time. As a result, the bombs were scattered over a large area.  

Later we learned our bombs had been dropped on some New Zealand troops. From that time forward, crew nine flew tail-end Charlie.