14th Fighter Group 07/13/1943
Report on 2nd Lieut. JERRY S. STIDHAM, O-730654, whose home address is Box 116A, Melrose Route, Roseburg, Oregon. Listed as missing in action during a dive-bomb mission in area east of ENNA, Sicily, 13 July, 1943. Returned to base at 2300 hrs, 23 July, 1943. Narrative in first person for purpose of clarity.
- - - - - - - - -
I was flying at about 2500 ft. about 3 miles due east of Xirbi, having released my bomb a short time previously on a convoy slightly east of ENNA. I had been hit by flak at least four times, in my right engine and wing, one wing tip being badly damaged. Smoke was coming into the cockpit and it was clear to me that I would have to “hit the silk”. I pulled the ship into a climb, having full control excepting for the throttle. I jettisoned the canopy, lowered on side of the cockpit, released the safety belt and jumped. About the time my chute had opened, I saw my ship hit the ground and burst into flames. It seemed about two minutes time before I landed, in good condition except for a sprained ankle.
An Italian farmer was the first to reach me, although I could see Germans approaching from nearby hillsides, as they had seen me coming down. The Germans took me overland for about ½ mile on foot, when I was put into a jeep and taken to what appeared to be a field headquarters. Here I was subjected to a preliminary search and they took my escape kit, wings, bars, and money packet. Some other things were overlooked. The location of this field headquarters was about three miles west of VILLAROSA, south of the road. My treatment here was cordial at all times. I was given some coffee and candy, and was offered food which I did not care for. Remained in this field headquarters about two hours.
I was then taken in another jeep, along with two British infantry prisoners, to a point about five miles south, southeast of ENNA. This place was in a gully, and apparently a higher headquarters, since I saw quite a number of high-ranking German Officers about. I also saw one Italian captain, who had no part in my experience. I was not interrogated here, and was treated most cordially. Was given a good meal, consisting of bread, a sort of stew and a cold drink. I was at this place from about 1 to 5 o’clock the day of my capture. I could hear artillery shells exploding not more than ½ mile away, also airplanes overhead and many bombs. Prior to arrival here, and enroute, saw bombs bursting near ENNA, and since I could not see the ships, presumed they were from B-17’s at high altitude.
Between five and six o’clock I was taken by a captain of the Luftwaffe in a Mercedes car, with a guard and driver. We travelled east and northeast, probably through Leonforte and Andrano to Catania, to a GAF Headquarters. I remained here about two hours, but was not interrogated. Was then taken in a motorcycle sidecar to another place near the waterfront in the northeast part of Catania. On this trip I observed bombing of the waterfront by Wellingtons. This was about daylight, the morning following capture. Here I was searched more thoroughly and later interrogated by a Luftwaffe Officer, a rather elderly man. He spoke good English, first asking the usual questions of name, rank and serial number, which were properly answered. Other questions were asked regarding location of unit, number of ships, etc., to which I refused an answer. The interrogator soon found out that I would not give him additional information, but he did use a mild form of threat. He said, in effect:
“In view of the indiscriminate bombing that has been done here by Americans, we feel justified in using any means we see fit to make you answer these questions.” He asked me how long I thought the war would last, and I told him I could not discuss it. In the search, I was relieved of my knife, khaki belt and some of my own money. The khadi belt was later given back after removal of the things concealed in it. Was then allowed to sleep for about two hours.
About eight o’clock, accompanied by a doctor, guard and driver, was taken in a jeep to a German field hospital in the outskirts of Catania, where I was examined. This was a small hospital, but well equipped, and I noticed that they even had atebrin there. Here I had a breakfast of bread and coffee. I was in this hospital about an hour.ere I
From the hospital I was taken to a so-called PW camp, located on a hilltop about five miles southeast of Troina. It was an old barn with a sagging roof, but with clean straw on the floor. It was surrounded by a ten-foot wire fence, and enclosed an area probably 100 x 50 yards. The fence was still under construction. I stayed here all day Wednesday and ate two meals. At one meal we (a British Spitfire pilot who had come with us from the hospital) ate Sardines which were shipped from Portugal. We had plenty of water. We were the only prisoners here until about 4 p.m. when 1 Infantry Captain and two enlisted men (British) were brought in. In the early evening about 15 to 20 British paratroopers were brought in, having been captured at the Catania A/D. One guard remained at the entrance to the PW camp. Only one other guard was there, who walked around the enclosure. I noticed a machine gun position just south of the camp, which had considerable influence on my escape plans. I could also see patrols in the vicinity at times.
I slept till about nine o’clock, and with the Spitfire pilot, slipped under the wire fence on the north side. It was very poorly constructed. We went about three miles north where we concealed ourselves in a rock pile. Stayed there all night and the following day (Thursday). We had neither food or water. When darkenss came on we started southeast, and being without compass, used the moon and stars as a guide. As we went by some farm houses, we heard dogs barking, and we also saw some patrols, but managed to avoid them. About midnight we came fairly close to a large troop concentration, parked on and off the road. We travelled both north and east to get around them, passing within a quarter mile, continuing for about five miles until we reached an orange grove which overlooked a road. While here we saw a convoy pass, which included at least four tiger tanks, some self-propelled guns, half-tracks, jeeps and lorries, all headed south. We remained in the orchard most all day Friday, not more than 400 yards from a German Field artillery piece. Shells from British artillery were striking within ¼ mile. During mid-afternoon, went out about ¼ mile to an irrigation ditch for some water.
As darkness came on again, we started south, hiking all night, at times coming very close to troops. Being in flat country we were unable to find a good hiding place, and had not had food for two days. Passing an Italian farm house, we encountered an Italian, gave the Fascist salute, and told him we were German. He gave each of us two fried eggs, two boiled eggs and some bread. We then hiked foran hour more down the Gerbini area. Saw B-25’s over the area, and AA guns firing a short way south of us. This was late Sunday p.m. After dark, as we were walking down a hillside we heard “halt” in German, and immediately hit the dirt. Another voice answered, and we were not observed, but saw German helmets passing by within ten feet. Continued walking all night down the river (probably the Dittaino).
We were halted twice, but crouched, and no one came near. At dawn on Monday we could see the AA firing from Augusta. At this moment a machine gun burst struck between me and the Spitfire pilot, and other shells scraped the area just above us. As it was near daylight, no hiding places, and machine guns all about us, we deceided to give up. We both raised up and yelled “comrade”, to which a machine gunner in a nearby trench replied “come, come”. We told him were were airmen and we were treated very well. We were taken to a second and larget trench. We were there about one hour, during which time there was some rifle firing and grenade tossing. As we were about to be removed, a salvo came over from the British, which apparently killed our guard. We reversed our direction, going down the trench toward a culvert. The barrage lasted about 15 minutes, and very accurate. It killed two Germans very close to us, but we received only minor scratches. When the first lull came, we rushed out of the culvert to another nearby irrigation ditch. The barrage followed us and Germans as well were firing at us, but we were too deep in the trench to be hit. We travelled on our bellies and on our hands and knees for about 1 ½ miles, until we were exhausted. We slept intermittently due to our exhausted condition.
Finally we raised up, only to see a British outpost. We were then escorted to a a British headquarters near the coast, an area which had just been bombed. Once behind British lines, we were taken in a British scout car to a point near Augusta where we received good care. We were then taken to Pachino, flew to Malta in a Maryland, and from Malta to base in a B-26.
Our impression of the Germans can be summed up as follows: The troops in the Catania area are veterans who go about their business very methodically. The general attitude is that they are far from being beaten, and have utmost confidence in themselves. Their uniforms are neat and all are well shaven. Signs indicated their bitterness toward the Italians. No opportunity was given to observe the attitude of the Italians, although our Italian host had one of the leaflets dropped by the Allies. As “Germans” we were averse to any discussion, for fear of giving ourselves away.
From an interview by: ROLLIN C. SMITH,
Major, A.C.,
Group S-2.
I walked on a little further and I saw the silhouette of a large German tank and I heard voices which sounded as if they were German, so I stood still and I could hear the voices move away. I continued on and about an hour later, which would be about ten-thirty or eleven o’clock I walked almost into a unfriendly tank, I saw off to one side what appeared a clump of cactus and as I approached it I stepped on a twig which snapped and I could very distincly hear the bolt snap back on a rifle. I stood perfectly still for about ten minutes and I started running stooping low heading for the outlines of the mountains to the west. I ran for about three or four minutes and as there was no more shots fired I started to walk along a path between two mountain ranges until I reached a point about _______. It was about five A.M. and I could on the road south of me traffic so I made toward the highway. After about three-quarters of an hour I reached a point where I could observe the traffic on the road. Most of the traffic was going east and I felt it was British. I heard some of their conversation and _____ it to be British so I hailed a British sentry nearby and he took me to his headquarters. I met some Major in an infantry company whose name I do not recall. This company and ninety millimeter anti-aircraft guns I do not recall the name of the company or the brigade. This was about six A.M. I was very very tired and they gave me three drinks of scotch and made me feel pretty high.
They sent me to an advance dressing station just east of _ICH__. While there I saw JU 88’s straffing in the area and someone remarked that they dropped their bombs to the east of us although I did not hear them.
From this advance dressing station they sent me to an intermediate somewhere in the vicinity of ______ in an ambulance. At the advance dressing station they had given me some pills so I fell asleep in another ambulance and at nine A.M. I arrived at the 71st general hospital at SOUK AHRA_.
I stayed their that night, the next day and the following night and during that time I tried to persuade the hospital commandant, a Colonel whose name I do not recall to let me go. Finally on the 13th I felt myself free to leave the hospital and left it about ten A.M. I caught a ride in a truck to _______TINE where I got a transport to _____ ___ BAINS arriving their on the 14th. I returned to my Squadron on the 16th.
MAURICE K. LANCE___
1st Lt., A.C.
Official US Army Air Forces Combat Report by Jerry Stidham of the 14th Fighter Group. This material is a transcription of official reports-testimonials of Jerry Stidham's combat experience.
Do you have WWII memorabilia that you are not sure what to do with it? The children don't want it? Then let us help you preserve this history by donating these items to the Army Air Corps Library and Museum. We are accepting donations in the form of uniforms, medals, ribbons, patches, photos, memorabilia, papers, gear and equipment. We also accept monetary donations to support our operations and long term plans. This website is part of the Army Air Corps Library and Museum, and as a 501(c)(3) Non-profit, your qualifying donations are tax deductible.
Read about how we need your support and use donations
Historical Artifacts: We are looking for photos, documents and other types of artifacts including uniforms and gear of the 15th Air Force in World War II as well as other units and commands. We accept electronic/scans or originals of pictures and paper records. A General Order could be an award document that contains information on many servicemen. Special Orders may contain transfers or other information. Flight records, accident reports, maintenance logs, after action reports, pilot encounter reports, diaries and biorgraphies; all of these types of documents help us support or mission: preserving your history! Contact us today for instructions on sending us this material.
Are you an AAC, AAF or USAF Veteran, family member, historian or WW2 enthusiast? We Need YOU! Contact us today to see how you can help the Army Air Corps Library and Museum, a Texas Not-For-Profit Corporation. We need your help! We are looking for volunteers that can help us with the following tasks. Typing and Transcriptionists: One of our big projects is extracting data from the thousands of documents we have and putting this data into a database where we can display the information on a website such as this one.
