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OFFICIAL HISTORY Oct. 1 - Nov. 30, 1943
ITALIAN-GRECO-BALKAN CAMPAIGN
For some time previous to these operations from Italian bases, American intelligence officers have kept a wary eye on the enemy in the Greco-Balkan sector. When they were satisfied that he was making a serious effort to strengthen his positions thereby increasing his air force, this headquarters was called upon to upset the Nazi timetable - to knock him out before he could get started.
How effective was our counter air strategy is indicated by a recapitulation of the Axis's operations during the period from the first mission on October 4th to October 21st. In this little more than two-week period, nearly 90 enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground and half as many again probably damaged beyond repair. The Salonika, Eleusia and Larissa airdromes were severely hit. The mission to Tirana, Albania's capital, on October 13th left repair sheds, stores and depots in flames as well as accounting for the destruction of numerous parked aircraft. This marked the first time that American air force units based in Italy had bombed an Albanian target.
Enemy shipping also suffered from the B-25's. In addition to sinking a 350-foot merchant vessel in Corfu harbor, they damaged a 200-ton merchant vessel and a 750-ton merchant vessel in Kator harbor, as well as getting a direct hit on a port ant vessel in Levkas harbor.
Our units also claimed the honor of being the first USAAF organizations to bomb a Yugoslavian harbor when they went to the Stojplje marshalling yards on October 18th. Here they demonstrated a modern air offensive at its best.
The Mitchells and their Lightning escorts about covered the yards and scored direct hits on the locomotive repair shops, buildings, trains and lumber yards. Other P-38's dive-bombed the nearby signal tower and scored many hits among the rolling stock. Returning from their mission they informed their headquarters that huge German motor convoys were proceeding in the vicinity of Skoplje. Like veterans answering a three alarm fire, two formations took after them. When they were through strafing them at various points, they had destroyed and damaged many motor trucks as well as doing a clean-up job on those tanks, cars and locomotives which they went after to make it a complete day.
On this latter jaunt they blew up an unusually large ammunition dump which exploded with such violence that the plane of Lt. Clarence G. Setts, Gladwin, Mich., was blown vertically upward for over 2000 feet and the effect of the blast was visible over seven miles away due to dust from the ground wave. The explosion caused all but one of the guns to jam, his wing screws was shattered and the metal skin pushed in against the motor. Rivets were sprung at several points. Yet the P-38 continued its strafing attack, destroying a large truck with its one good gun.
On October 20th, Mitchells with Lightning escort, as well as other P-38's carrying bombs, went after the all-important Yugoslavian railroad center of Nish, which contained three large groups of sidings capable of accommodating nearly 2000 units of rolling stock and a locomotive repair shop of the roundhouse type with a capacity of 40 locomotives. Nish is a focal point of main railroad lines from Belgrade, Skoplje, Salonika, Sofia and Turkish Devierin. Apart from one other line from Belgrade to Skoplje, all traffic from the former to Greece, Bulgaria and eventually Turkey must pass through Nish.
Reconnaissance photos taken two hours later showed that a demoralizing blow to German supply lines in the Balkans had been made.
The next day, the Lightnings went after the locomotive shed at Skoplje scoring hits on 43 of the 44 locomotives housed there.
This day after day hammering of German rail and air force installations in Greece and the Balkans continued throughout October and into early Nov abnr when orders were received relieving us of the B-25 units and placing B-24's under our command. (General Orders No. 84, Headquarters, 12th Air Force, Directive 3 November 1943.)
HEADQUARTERS, 47TH WING, APO 520
Official History
Oct. 1 - Nov. 30, 1943
PART II
AFTER DARK
MANDURIA, ITALY
Our first few weeks here were marked by a series of social and special events, the highlight of which was the visit of King Victor Emmanuel III, to the airport on October 22nd. General Ridenour and Col. Taylor, Chief of Staff, were among the party which reviewed the Italian Air Force units stationed here. The King conversed in English with the general, stating that he regretted that four years of war had so severely affected their air force that it couldn't be of greater service to the Allies after the September Armistice.
On October 27th, General Ridenour returned from a series of meetings in Tunis and informed his staff that effective November 1, 1943, this Headquarters would function as a Heavy Bombardment Wing, employing B-24 Liberators with P-38 Lightnings. The first contingent of Liberators did not arrive until the early evening of November 17th when they landed in the dark, giving everyone a thrill.
Around the latter part of November, the Italian officers and men located at the base, began preparations for moving to other localities. The need for additional space for American units had long been foreseen and the influx of service units and anti-aircraft made it imperative at this time. The large headquarters building formerly occupied by the Italian Base Commandant was taken over for administrative offices and quarters for General Ridenour and some of his staff.
Uncle Sam did not forget his boys in Italy on Thanksgiving Day. There was plenty for everyone -- turkey and the traditional trimmings. In the event that transport problems had caused a slip-up in his good intentions, the officers and men of the Wing would not have gone hungry. For over a month previous we had been fattening several turkeys and chickens in coops outside the mess hall.
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