MISSION No. 1113 / 95th Fighter Squadron -
22 April 45 - Armed Recon of PO Valley
MISSION and TARGET: To
maintain Armed Reconnaissance in area bounded by the line drawn
from North of Adige River, then Westward to Mantova, to South
tip of Lake Garda, along Alps to Brenta River and thence to Adriatic
which is Eastern boundary.
AIRCRAFT and CHRONOLOGY:
17 P-38s off at 1200 hours. No early returns.
1 P-38 turned back at Perrara (hit by flak). 16 P-38s circled
the area and dropped bombs from 1330 to 1430 hours. 1 lost. 16
P-38s down at base by 1900 hours.
--------------------TOOK
OFF-----------TARGET-------------LOST----------BOMB---------
95th FS--------------17-------------------17------------------1--------------16----------
ROUTE: Base
to North of Vali de Comacchio, 280 miles; to assigned area, 40
miles; to point South of Venice, to Base, 310 miles. Total mileage
- 630 miles.
RENDEVOUS, FORMATION and
ASSUALT: The 95th went into the target area
passing North of Vali de Comacchio, then turning North just before
Perrara and circled the area. The formation split and flew in
two sections. Not finding any moving rail or road targets, they
dropped bombs on various roads and railroad targets and returned
to base. There were low clouds forcing the P-38s to fly at low
altitude making them highly accessible to flak.
RESULTS OF BOMBING: (a)
Bomb data - 17 P-38s took off with 6 3/4 tons of 500# of bombs.
Inst. nose; N.D. tail. 1 P-38 hit by flak dropped 1 x 500# 3 miles
NW of Perrara. 16 P-38s dropped on miscellaneous roads and bridges
in the target area. (b) Results: 1. Lt. Norwich hit road just
South of Padua. 2. Lt. Halford hit South approach of road bridge
at (4501-1149) after first permitting a white ambulance with trailer
to pass safely across. 3. Lt. Messenger got direct hit on railroad
bridge at (4514-1029). 4. Lt. Geresi hit farmhouse North of Montsgrama
( West of Movigo). 5. The remaining 13 P-38s dropped on miscellaneous
roads in the area causing no damage.
STRAFING: None
ENEMY AERIAL ACTIVITY:
None
FLAK: (a)
S-A-L 3 miles N. of Perrara (b) S-A-L Movigo (c) M-A-L, 4505-1152
(d) S-A-L, 4525-1029 (e) M-A-L, 4515-1215 (f) There was all types
of flak particulary from the area just North of battle front most
of it from positions in open fields.
SIGNIFICANT OBSERVATIONS:
(a) The Northern bridge at Padua was blown
up. (b) Set on fire on ground at (4555-1145) seen at 1400 hours
at 1,000 feet. (c) Hospital train of 20/30 cars in small M/Y NE
of Perrara.
WEATHER: (a)
Area between Perrara and Padua 8 to 9/10 overcast as low as 300
feet. (b) Area North and around Padua clear.
AIR SEA RESCUE:
None
RADIO SUBITY: Satisfactory
ENEMY AIRCRAFT IN TROUBLE:
None
ENEMY AIRCRAFT DESTROYED
BY OTHER GROUPS: None
VICTORIES and LOSSES: One
P-38 (Lt. Anderson) 95th Sqdn. was hit by flak at 1,000 feet at
1420 hours. P-38 winged over and went straight in to the water,
crashing at (4513-1218). 8 P-38s were damaged by flak: Pilots
- Lt. Norwich(flak), Currier (.50 cal.), Masch (40mm), Bernier
(20mm), Ryland (20 and 40mm), Hellwig (small arms), Messenger
(20mm), Nasalson (20mm).
SORTIES: Seventeen
(17) aircraft sorties; seventeen (17) effective sorties; seventeen
(17) pilot mission sorties.
FORMATION and FLIGHT LEADERS:
Lt. Bernier (formation leader), Lts. Cohen,
Anderson, Crumer.
COMMENTS: None
CORRECTIONS TO REPORT:
None
SIGNED: David Weld,
Major, Air Corps, Intelligence Officer
2nd Lt. Ernest L. 'Andy' Anderson(95th)
was flying his 50th mission, needed to complete his tour of duty.
Anderson was given credit for, 50 missions.
This 'copy' of the, original photo, signed
and dated 6 Oct. 44, by, 2nd Lt. Ernest L. 'Andy' Anderson, hung
on the wall of the 95th FS Officer's Club. When Anderson was lost,
Del Ryland, Anderson's wingman on that mission, took possession
of the photo. Through the 82nd FG website, Anderson's, Grandniece-Dawn,
located and has spoken with several of Anderson's friends and
fellow pilots in the 95th, including, Del Ryland. With great pride
and emotion, Del stated, "After 58 years, Andy's photo is
going home, to his family. Andy was a good friend and pilot. It
was an honor to have known him and to have flown with him."
Del, promptly sent the, 'original' Anderson photo, to Anderson's
family. A priceless 'heroic and patriotic' family treasure, for
Anderson's sisters, his Grandniece-Dawn, and other family members,
for generations to come. (Del Ryland copy of the 'original'
photo)
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