Rudolph Emil Flack | |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | "Chief" or "Rudy" |
Born | Fanwood, New Jersey, U.S. | November 11, 1916
Died | January 20, 1974 Oxnard, California, U.S. | (aged 57)
Buried | Greenoaks Memorial Park, Baton Rouge, LA, U.S. [1] |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Service/ | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Years of service | 1937–1957 |
Rank | ![]() |
Commands | |
Battles/wars | World War II American Theater Anti-submarine campaign Air offensive, European campaign Tunisia campaign Egypt-Libya campaign Sicily campaign Cold War |
Awards | |
Spouse(s) | Dorothy Louise Collins [2], [3] |
Rudolph Emil Flack (November 11, 1916 – January 20, 1974)[4] was a Colonel in the U.S. Army Air Force. Captain Flack piloted Brigadier General Ira C. Eaker, the commander of the Eighth Air Force’s VIII Bomber Command in England who flew as an observer aboard Flack’s 414th squadron B-17E YANKEE DOODLE (41-9023),[5] on the historic first All American Flying Fortress bombing mission against German-occupied Europe, the railway marshalling yards at Sotteville-lès-Rouen, France on August 17, 1942. At this time Captain Flack was the Commander of the 97th Bombardment Group’s 414th Bombardment Squadron,[6] the RAF Grafton Underwood airfield (Station #106) base commander[7] and the mission commander.[8] On September 1, 1942 Captain Flack was promoted to Major.
Typically as the flight leader and mission commander, Flack piloted other historical figures, such as: (1) Col. Frank Alton Armstrong, Jr., (the 97th BG CO), as his copilot on the August 21st and September 6th 1942 bombing missions; (2) Col. Joseph Hampton Atkinson,[9] (the 97th BG CO), as his copilot when the 97th Bombardment Group transferred from RAF Polebrook in England to Northwest Africa (Twelfth Air Force) in November 1942, and as his copilot on the November 23, 1942 bombing mission; (3) Margaret Bourke-White as the first female photographer/writer to fly on a combat mission on January 22, 1943; (4) Major General Jimmy Doolittle (commanding general of the Twelfth Air Force) as his copilot on the February 15, 1943 bombing mission; and (5) on May 17/19, 1943 Major Flack piloted a B-17E from Telergma Airfield and picked up Lt. Gen. Carl Spaatz (commander of the Twelfth Air Force and the Northwest African Air Forces) and flew him to Oued N’ja, Morocco landing on May 19, 1943 where Lt. Gen. Carl Spaatz inspected the 99th Fighter Squadron, later referred to as the Tuskegee Airmen.[10]
On September 17, 1943 Major Flack was appointed as the Air Inspector of the 46th Bombardment Operations Training Wing (BOTW) located at the Second Air Force's Ardmore Army Airfield[11] in Ardmore, Oklahoma under the command of Brig. Gen. Frank Alton Armstrong, Jr., who was instrumental in having Flack reassigned stateside. On October 25, 1943 Major Flack was rated Senior Pilot and awarded his Senior Pilot Wings. On November 4, 1943 Major Flack was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. On April 1, 1944 Flack was appointed as the Assistant Wing Commander and then the Director of Training for the 220th AAF BU. On June 20, 1945 Lt. Col. Flack was promoted to Colonel. On June 21, 1945 Col. Flack was appointed as the Commander of Operations and Testing Division, Air Crew Training Unit, Training Secretary and Chief of the "H" Bomb Unit for the Second Air Force headquartered at the Colorado Springs Army Airfield. During this timeframe, Col. Flack’s command jurisdiction included the 509th Composite Group under the command of Col. Paul Warfield Tibbets, Jr. On October 25, 1945 Col. Flack was appointed to Office of the Chief of Staff of the Second Air Force headquartered at the Colorado Springs Army Airfield.[12] Flack retired from active duty on May 6, 1946 and served as a Colonel in the Army Air Force Reserves superseded by the Air Force Reserves through September 18, 1957.
Early Life Experiences
editEarly Years
editThe photo on the right was taken on Friday, July 4, 1919 in Plainfield, New Jersey. From left to right in this photo are Rudolph E. "Rudy" Flack (2 years and 8 months old), Henry Gerhart "Jerry" Wolf, older half-brother (8 years old) and Thomas Hans "Tom" Flack younger brother (10 months old). This photo was taken by their father, Fred Flack.
Rudolph Emil Flack was born in Fanwood, New Jersey on November 11, 1916, the son of German immigrants. Due to his mother’s illness at birth (Katherine), Rudy required the services of a wet nurse during his infancy, an African-American lady, who became a dear and close family friend. Just as black Americans suffered the scourges of racism over many generations, so did German immigrants, especially prior to, during and after World War I. Consequently, the Flack family was very sensitive to the bigotry against all races and openly discussed the ignorance behind such prejudices. Rudy’s respect for all races (that of being colorblind) was communicated to those when and where deemed necessary throughout his life, especially during major military and civilian landmark events. Rudy’s first twelve years of life were spent in New Jersey, Ohio and Michigan through the sixth grade until the Flack family moved to West Los Angeles in the summer of 1928 and one year later to their final home in Brentwood Heights where Rudy and his two brothers (Tom and Jerry) grew up and then moved on to adulthood. One of Rudy’s idols was his father, Fred Flack,[13] who was a Master Precision Machinist working for the Aero Manufacturing Company[14] as Fred has been in the Aircraft and Engine Manufacturing Industry since the early 1910's.[15] In 1916 the Aero Manufacturing Company became the Standard Aero Corporation. Besides his father, two of Rudy’s cherished idols were Abraham Lincoln who played an important role in the struggle to end slavery and Major General "Billy" Mitchell who was 100% right and is regarded as the father of the United States Air Force.
First Flying Lesson
editOn Tuesday, April 28, 1931 the Huddleston Photo Company of Los Angeles, CA[16] took a group photo on the grounds at University High School in West Los Angeles of their Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) with its 140 members. All ROTC Cadet members were dressed their uniform for this photo. The professionally printed photo measures 9.5 inches high by 56 inches long. The image of Cadet Rudolph E. "Rudy" Flack (9th grade) was digitally extracted from the original print and appears to the right. This photo was taken several months before Rudolph Flack was taken up for his first flying lesson in the summer of 1931.
As a young boy, Flack knew what he wanted to do ― fly airplanes. Flack’s father, Fred, built a wood/metal frame airplane mockup with creative controls, which included a "stick" to operate the wing ailerons (move the "stick" left or right) and the tail elevators (move the "stick" forward or backward), and Left and Right peddles to operate the vertical tail "rudder". Flack spent endless hours visualizing flying an airplane while at the controls of his mock airplane, all of which preceded his first "real" flight. Donald Wills Douglas, Sr., wanting to hire Fred who was working for MGM Studios in Culver City, had one of his pilots take Flack up for his first flight to see if he had the "right stuff" at the age of 14 in the summer of 1931 at Clover Field in Santa Monica, CA where his Douglas Aircraft Manufacturing facilities was located. To Donald and his pilot’s amazement, once Flack was instructed by the pilot to "take" the controls, they both stated they had never seen such a natural flyer behind the "stick and peddles" at such a young age. They had no idea how well read and versed Flack was with airplanes, its history and future potential, not to mention his natural flying ability. This momentous day exemplified Flack was not only a "natural" born flyer but also bore insight Flack was destined to become a natural born leader. Flack continued to receive flying lessons and logged 136.4 hours through the summer of 1937 even though Fred remained at MGM Studios until his passing on Sunday, August 13, 1944.
Education and Military Academy
editUniversity High School
editIn Flack’s freshman year (1930-31), he began serving in the West Los Angeles University High School[17] Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). Flack served as a Captain with the "Hall Guard" high school organization his junior and senior years plus served as Secretary his senior year. Flack participated in numerous sports (basketball, track and field, etc.).[18] Flack became the highest ranking military officer (Colonel) and the recipient of the highest/most awards/medals during WWII as a graduate of University High School.[19]
To the right is Rudolph E Flack's senior University High School (aka "Uni") graduation photo. Rudolph E Flack graduated on Tuesday, January 31, 1934. Some of the Hollywood celebrities' who attended "Uni" were: Marilyn Monroe attended school here in 1942, before dropping out at age 16 to get married. Jan & Dean (Dead Man's Curve) met as students here. Former Partridge Family star David Cassidy also went to school here, as did actors Ryan O'Neal (Love Story) and James Brolin (Pensacola: Wings of Gold), singer Nancy Sinatra (These Boots are Made for Walking), singer/composer Randy Newman (I Love L.A.), singer/composer Danny Elfman (of Oingo Boingo) and actresses Bridget Fonda and Rachel Ames (of General Hospital).
Los Angeles Junior College
editFlack attended the Los Angeles Junior College and carried a fully-loaded three-term class schedule after graduating from University High School on January 31, 1934 through August 1935. Flack excelled academically while majoring in Aeronautical Engineering after which he was honored with a scholarship to attend the San Diego Army and Navy Academy (SDANA) and Junior College in Pacific Beach, California, referred to as "The West Point of the West."[20]
SDANA and Brown Military Academy
editFlack entered SDANA in September 1935, majored in Mathematics, and qualified for the Academy’s R.O.T.C. Rifle Team as a "Distinguished Marksman" his Jaycee year. In April 1936 Flack’s Rifle Team won the William Randolph Hearst (WRH) Silver Medal Trophy for the annual Ninth Corps region for the entire Western Division and part of a Nation Wide contest. In April 1937 Flack’s Rifle Team won the WRH Hearst Trophy Gold Medal and Cadet Sgt. Flack won the All Events Individual Gold Medal. In September 1937 SDANA became Brown Military Academy.[21] In Flack's "The CADET 1937" yearbook next to his senior photo on Page Twenty-one it states: RUDOLPH EMIL FLACK – Sergeant, Company "A" – Plainfield, New Jersey – November 11, 1916 – Entered 1935. Ribbons: Commandant, Athletics, "Cadet" Staff. Secretary Junior College '37. Sales Manager J.C. Canteen '37. Yearbook '36, '37. Rifle Team '36, '37. Ninth Corps Area Rifle Team. Silver '36, Gold '37. Wm Randolph Hearst Trophy Team. Kelly Field Preparatory.[22] Upon graduating from the Academy on Wednesday, June 9, 1937, Flack accepted the United States Department of War’s appointment to become a Flying Cadet at Randolph Field, San Antonio, Texas.[23]
The photo on the right is Cadet Sergeant Rudolph E. Flack in his full parade dress uniform prior to his Wednesday, June 9, 1937 graduation ceremonies when he graduated from Brown Military Academy; the successor to the San Diego Army and Navy Academy (SDANA) and Junior College in Pacific Beach, California.[24]
Military Career
editCadet Flying School
editOn October 12, 1937 Flack enlisted as a Flying Cadet in the Army Air Corps and received his basic flight training at Randolph Field, San Antonio, Texas. On November 1, 1937 Cadet Flack’s first training flight was in a Boeing PT-13 Stearman beginning four months of basic flight instruction ("A" Stage at Randolph Field), which included all basic flying maneuvers and performing acrobatics. On March 14, 1938 Cadet Sgt. Flack began four months of instrument day/night flying ("Basic" Stage at Randolph Field), which included advanced maneuvers and cross-country flying. On July 5, 1938 Cadet Sgt. Flack began three months of advanced training ("Attack" Stage at Kelly Field) primarily flying attack/bomber aircraft. From November 1, 1937 through October 7, 1938 Cadet Sgt. Flack logged 294 hours and 35 minutes (294:35) flying various models of the following types of aircraft: Boeing PT-13 and PT-13A Stearman’s, North American BT-9 and BT-9B Boeing ‘Yale’ Trainers, Northrup A-17 Attack Bomber, Curtiss A-12, Douglas BT-2B and a Consolidated PT-3A.[25] On October 5, 1938 Flying Cadet Sgt. Flack completed his advanced attack aviation flight training at Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas where he graduated with the class of 38-C and received his wings. On October 5, 1938 Flying Cadet Sgt. Flack was commissioned as a Second lieutenant in the Army Air Corps Reserve. On October 7, 1938 Rudolph Emil Flack married Dorothy Louise Collins in San Antonio, Texas[26] and two weeks later transferred to Base Headquarters, 9th Attack Bomb Squadron at Moffett Field, California. On December 2, 1938 2nd Lt. Flack flew with Lt. Hudson aboard a North American O-47A observation aircraft for one hour (1:00), recorded with Mission Symbol 34 – Transition.
Hawaiian Department Tour of Duty
editOn December 9, 1938 the Flack’s departed San Francisco, California for Honolulu, Hawaii aboard the U.S. Army Transport ship, the REPUBLIC.[27] On December 16, 1938 2nd Lt. Flack reported for duty at Wheeler Field, Territory of Hawaii (T.H.) assigned to the 6th Pursuit Squadron, 18th Pursuit Group to begin his three year tour of duty. On December 21, 1938 Flack piloted a Boeing P-26B Peashooter for two hours performing 11 takeoffs and landings recorded with Mission Symbol 34 – Transition. On April 1, 1939 Flack was rated PILOT by then Lt. Col. Ira C. Eaker, Air Corps Executive.[28] On July 1, 1939 Flack was assigned to the 31st Bomb Squadron, 5th Bomb Group at Hickam Field, T.H. as Squadron Communications Officer through June 30, 1940 flying Douglas B-18 Bolo 2-engine bombers. On June 22, 1940 Brig. Gen. Walter H. Frank[29] presented Flack his Certificate of Proficiency, Aerial Navigation award. The Flack’s first child was born on July 11, 1940 in Honolulu, Hawaii. On July 1, 1940 Flack was assigned to the HQ Squadron, 5th Bomb Group at Hickam Field, T.H. as the Operations and Engineering Officer under the command of Brig. Gen. Walter H. Frank.[30] On February 20, 1941 Flack was prompted to First lieutenant and began flying Boeing B-17D 4-engine bombers on May 16, 1941. From December 21, 1938 through November 2, 1941 Flack logged 1,007 hours and 25 minutes (1007:25) flying various models of the following types of aircraft while stationed in Hawaii: Boeing P-26B and P-36A Peashooter’s, Boeing P-12E, Douglas B-18 Bolo and a Boeing B-17D. On November 5, 1941 the Flack family departed Honolulu onboard the U.S. Navy Transport ship, St. Mihiel, and arrived in San Francisco, California on November 11, 1941, Flack’s 25th birthday. As a 1st Lt. in the United States Army Air Corps Air Reserve, Flack was assigned to HQ Squadron at Moffett Field, CA in the San Francisco South Bay area. On December 22, 1941 Flack flew Antisubmarine Patrol in a Douglas B-23 Dragon and a Douglas B-18 Bolo Bomber for 4 hours and 5 minutes (4:05) recorded with Mission Symbol U-5 – Antisubmarine Patrol.
Post Pearl Harbor Special Assignment
editAs a result of the Attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Flack was flagged for a special assignment as a B-17 Heavy Bombardment Squadron Commander and transferred from Moffett Field in California to MacDill Field in Tampa, Florida. Flack was initially assigned to the 21st Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy), 29th Bombardment Group for a brief stay.[31] Flack closed out the month of January 1942 with the 21st Recon Squadron, 29th Bomb Group by flying four antisubmarine patrol missions from Tuesday the 27th thru Friday the 30th in a Douglas B-18A Bolo and a Consolidated B-24 Liberator (aka LB-30) for 5 hours and 15 minutes (5:15). Flack earned the American Campaign Medal with a bronze star for these and other antisubmarine patrol missions. On January 28, 1942 the 24th Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy) (along with the 97th Bombardment Group Heavy) was constituted (officially created on paper). On February 1, 1942 1st Lt. Flack was promoted to Captain. On February 3, 1942 the 24th Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy) (along with the 97th Bombardment Group Heavy) was activated and Capt. Flack appointed as the 24th Recon/414th Bomb Squadron[32] Commander on Friday, February 6, 1942.[33] On March 29, 1942, the 97th Bomb Group with its four Bomb Squadrons (340th, 341st, 342nd and the 414th), was transferred from MacDill Field to Sarasota-Bradenton Field,[34] 32 miles to the south. As a Flying Fortress squadron commander, Flack did not select a permanent aircraft and crew to pilot as did most squadron commanders. Instead, Flack piloted a different one of his squadron’s aircraft for each mission (combat, administrative, training, etc.). Consequently, the aircraft’s normal pilot would move to copilot and the normal copilot would occupy a different crew position. This tactic enhanced morale, furthered personnel bonding, improved operational performance, provided additional on the job and hands on training for all of his Squadron crewmen; and lastly, it put additional pressure on all of his squadron’s individual Flying Fortress Crew Chiefs[35] and their Ground Crew as they never knew which B-17 commander Flack would pilot on any given day sometimes accompanied by high ranking military officers or VIP’s occupying various positions (copilot, observer or passenger). From December 22, 1941 through April 28, 1942 Flack flew one hundred and forty-four hours (144:00).
Code Name Operation BOLERO
editOn May 13/14, 1942 the 97th Bomb Group departed Sarasota-Bradenton Field[36] for their new base assignments in England as part of Operation BOLERO (Florida ► Maine ► Canada ► Greenland ► Iceland ► Scotland ► England). Once the 97th departed Sarasota-Bradenton Field,[37] each squadron typically split its Flying Fortresses into two separate flight echelons for each mission flown (flying in either an inverted "V" formation for flights in the U.S. or a staggered single column with significant separation for the North Atlantic crossing) until arriving in England. Two more B-17 bomb squadrons from two other bomb groups were assigned to Operation BOLERO for weather observation support and they were the 303rd Bomb Group’s 359th Bomb Squadron and the 419th Bomb Group’s 301st Bomb Squadron. The 97th Bomb Group HQ personnel, and the 340th and 341st Bomb Squadrons were assigned to RAF Polebrook, and the 342nd and 414th Bomb Squadrons were initially assigned to RAF Grafton Underwood. The first 97th Bomb Group B-17's to arrive at their assigned base in England were from the 342nd and 414th Bomb Squadrons landing at RAF Grafton Underwood on July 6, 1942 as delineated in Table 1 to follow.[38]
The 97th was the first Flying Fortress Bomb Group assigned to the Eighth Air Force’s VIII Bomber Command and to arrive in England, and the first Flying Fortress Bomb Group to begin flying combat bombing missions in German-occupied Europe (and the first Flying Fortress Bomb Group sent to Northwest Africa, Twelfth Air Force); and as such, the 97th pioneered the way and set standards for all Bomb Groups, which followed. Flack’s 84-day Operation BOLERO journey included a one-month diversion to the U.S. West Coast, which included one week flying Antisubmarine patrol missions off the Pacific coastline while temporarily stationed at McChord Field just south of Tacoma, Washington. Commander Flack and his 414th was the only squadron out of the six Flying Fortress squadrons assigned to Operation BOLERO that did not lose one B-17 or accompanying P-38 Fighter during their perilous 2-1/2 month journey from Florida to England; whereas, the other five squadrons lost a combined total of eight B-17's and twelve P-38's (just lost aircraft, no loss of life).[39] Once Flack and his 414th’s second Flying Fortress flight echelon landed at RAF Grafton Underwood airfield on July 26, 1942 as shown in Table 2 to follow, Captain Flack was assigned as the Station (Base) Commander.[40] From May 14, 1942 through July 26, 1942 Flack flew one hundred and nine hours and fifteen minutes (109:15).
Table 1 – First 97th BG B-17's to Land at their Base in England on July 6, 1942:
Tail No. | 342nd Bomb Squadron | Original Assigned Pilot | Tail No. | 414th Bomb Squadron | Original Assigned Pilot | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
41-9017 | HEIDI HO | 2nd Lt. Walter F. Kelly | 41-9019 | LI’L SKUNK FACE | 1st Lt. Robert G. Baker | |
41-9026 | BABY DOLL | 2nd Lt. James M. Sammons | 41-9023 | YANKEE DOODLE | 2nd Lt. John R. Dowswell | |
41-9042 | THE BERLIN SLEEPER | 2nd Lt. George D. Burgess | 41-9024 | KING KONDOR | 2nd Lt. Clarence L. Thacker | |
41-9115 | No Name | 2nd Lt. Francis X. Schwarzenbeck | 41-9103 | DIXIE DEMO | 2nd Lt. Claude H. Lawrence |
Table 2 – Last 97th BG B-17's to Land at their Base in England on July 26, 1942:
Tail No. | 342nd Bomb Squadron | Original Assigned Pilot |
---|---|---|
41-9043 | PEGGY D | Capt. Fred Dallas |
Tail No. | 414th Bomb Squadron | Original Assigned Pilot |
41-9021 | HANGAR QUEEN | 2nd Lt. Claire M. Smartt |
41-9030 | BIG PUNK | 2nd Lt. William P. Saunders |
41-9045 | STINKY | 2nd Lt. Cooper M. Schley |
41-9089 | JOHNNY REB | 2nd Lt. Richard S. Starks |
41-9100 | BIRMINGHAM BLITZKRIEG | 2nd Lt. Thomas H. Borders |
European Theater of Operation
editPeter Hurd, a 39 year old American artist, was commissioned by LIFE[41] to paint the "men" and their activities with the Eighth Air Force’s VIII Bomber Command in England from July thru November 1942 and was assigned to Flack’s 414th Bomb Squadron. All portraits were 414th squadron members except for one, which was Captain Fred Dallas from the 342nd, who flew with Flack’s 414th second flight echelon during their North Atlantic crossing landing at RAF Grafton Underwood airfield on July 26, 1942 as shown in Table 2 above.[42] In LIFE Magazine’s February 15, 1943 publication is an 8-page article filled with Peter Hurd’s paintings on pages 63 thru 70[43].
On August 17, 1942 Captain Flack served as the mission commander[44] of the first All American Flying Fortress bombing mission against German-occupied Europe, the railway marshalling yards (M/Y) at Sotteville-lès-Rouen, France, and piloted the lead aircraft, the B-17E YANKEE DOODLE 41-9023,[45] in the 2nd Flight group with Brig. Gen. Ira C. Eaker, the commander of the Eighth Air Force’s VIII Bomber Command in England, aboard as an observer.
The following table contains a recap of Flack’s missions (primarily combat) while stationed in England beginning on August 17, 1942, while serving as Squadron and Station (Base) Commander. The first line of each mission contains the Date followed by the Target or Destination and lastly, in parenthesis, one or more (digital X-Y Coordinates)[46] each of which shows the approximate location center. The second line contains a 1-line mission summary including a 97th Bomb Group Mission number, M#, if applicable:
Date ───► Target or Destination (digital X-Y Coordinates) followed by a 1-line Mission Description |
---|
17-Aug-42 ───► Sotteville-lès-Rouen M/Y – Rouen, France (49.408173,1.105717)[47] M#1 – 12 B-17E’s (6 – 414th, 5 – 342nd, 1 – 340th) dropped 18.45 tons; 6 B-17E’s flew diversionary mission (3 – 340th, 3 – 341st).[48] |
19-Aug-42 ───► Abbeville-Drucat A/D – Dieppe, France (50.142222,1.831111)[49] M#2 – 20 of 24 B-17E’s (6 each 97th BG Squadron) dropped 38 tons on Dieppe Luftwaffe Aerodrome in support of Operation Jubilee.[50] |
21-Aug-42 ───► Wilton Ship Yards – Rotterdam, Holland (51.903212,4.383013)[51] M#4 – 12 B-17E’s (6 – 340th, 6 – 414th) Flack piloted LITTLE SKUNK FACE (41-9019), 97th BG CO Armstrong flew as Flack’s copilot.[52] |
24-Aug-42 ───► Grafton ► ◄ Bovingdon (52.420239,-0.647447)[53] ► ◄ (51.728590,-0.542316)[54] 97th BG exchanged most of their B-17E’s for the newly arrived 92nd BG B-17F’s; 414th exchanged 6 of their B-17E’s for 9 B-17F’s.[55] |
27-Aug-42 ───► Wilton Ship Yards – Rotterdam, Holland (51.903212,4.383013)[56] M#6 – 9 B-17F’s (3 – 340th, 6 – 414th) led by mission commander Flack; hits were claimed on two Ships and the center of the target.[57] |
29-Aug-42 ───► Courtrai (Kortrijk) Airdrome (A/D) – Wevelghem, Belgium (50.818973,3.209563)[58] M#8 – 13 B-17F’s (6 – 340th, 7 – 414th) led by mission commander Flack bombed the home of a Focke-Wulf 190 squadron Aerodrome.[59] |
3-Sep-42 ───► La Borne Airdrome (A/D) – Saint-Omer, France (50.713041,2.319876)[60] M#8.5 – 6 B-17F’s (414th) led by mission commander Flack bombed the Luftwaffe Aerodrome, airfield, Garrison and Station Units.[61] |
5-Sep-42 ───► Sotteville-lès-Rouen M/Y – Rouen, France (49.408173,1.105717)[62] M#9 – 37 B-17’s (25 – 97th BG, 12 – 301st BG) first 301st BG combat mission; commander Flack led his 414th flight of 8 B-17’s.[63] |
6-Sep-42 ───► Avions Potez Aircraft (A/C) Factory – Meaulte, France (49.980407,2.676846)[64] M#10 – 64 B-17’s (33 – 97th BG, 31 – 92nd BG, 301st BG) 1st 92nd BG mission; Commander Flack's copilot, 97th BG CO Armstrong.[65] |
7-Sep-42 ───► Wilton Ship Yards – Rotterdam, Holland (51.903212,4.383013)[66] M#11 – 30 B-17’s (97th BG, 92nd BG, 301st BG) CO Flack’s A/C plus the B-17F Kissy-Me-Kowboy (41-24473) bombed their target.[67] |
8-Sep-42 ───► Grafton Underwood ► Polebrook (52.420239,-0.647447)[68] ► (52.468889,-0.390278)[69] The 342nd and 414th Bomb Squadrons transfer from Grafton Underwood to Polebrook and Flack assigned as Base Commander.[70] |
26-Sep-42 ───► Morlaix/Poujean Airdrome (A/D), France – Ploujean, France (48.600833,-3.816667)[71] M#12 – 75 B-17’s (24 97th, 52 92nd, 301st) and 36 P-38’s dispatched to attack Cherbourg/Maupertus and Morlaix/Porjeau airfield.[72] |
2-Oct-42 ───► Avions Potez Aircraft (A/C) Factory – Meaulte, France (49.980407,2.676846)[73] M#13 – 18 B-17’s (6 each – 340th, 342nd, 414th) plus 25 B-17’s and 31 P-38’s; all A/C returned safely after bombing except 1 P-38.[74] |
9-Oct-42 ───► Steel and Locomotive Plants – Lille, France (50.625135,3.087770 & 50.622833,3.108217)[75] M#15 – 69 of 108 A/C bombed target (59 B-17’s, 10 B-24’s); CO Flack flew as observer aboard B-17F ALL AMERICAN (41-24406).[76] |
21-Oct-42 ───► Submarine Base – Lorient, France (47.729170,-3.370280)[77] M#16 -- 90 A/C (97th 21 B-17’s, 93rd 24 B-24’s, 301st 25 B-17’s, 306th 20 B-17’s) CO Flack piloted B-17F HELL’S KITCHEN (41-24392).[78] |
18-Nov-42 ───► Polebrook ► RAF Hurn (52.468889,-0.390278)[79] ► (50.780648,-1.839014)[80] Commander Flack and his final 414th flight echelon flew from Polebrook to RAF Hurn airfield on the coastline of South West England.[81] |
In the third full week of October 1942, the 97th Bomb Group began its support role for Operation TOURCH and started transferring segmented flight echelons of each Bomb Squadron to the Twelfth Air Force in Northwest Africa. On November 18, 1942 Commander Flack and his final 414th flight echelon were the last to depart Polebrook and flew to RAF Hurn airfield on the southern central coastline of England with Col. Joseph Hampton Atkinson[82] (the 97th BG CO) as his copilot. From August 6, 1942 through November 18, 1942 Flack flew sixty hours and fifteen minutes (60:15) while in England.
The photo on the right was taken on January 1, 1943 in front of the 97th Bomb Group Mess Tent at the Biskra, Algeria Base (airfield) in Northwest Africa. In this photo from left to right are: Brig. Gen. Joseph H. Atkinson[83] (Commanding Officer of the 97th Bomb Group), Major Rudolph E. Flack (Commanding Officer of the 414th Bomb Squadron and Biskra Base CO) and Major Paul W. Tibbets, Jr. (Commanding Officer of the 340th Bomb Squadron).
Mediterranean Theater of Operation
editOn November 22, 1942, Flack landed at Tafaraoui Airfield at Oran, Algeria and assigned as Base Commander. The following is a recap of Flack’s missions (primarily combat) while stationed in Northwest Africa with the Twelfth Air Force, while serving as the Commanding Officer of the 414th Bombardment Squadron (97th Bomb Group Mission numbers, M#, are noted, if applicable):
Date ───► Target or Destination (digital X-Y Coordinates) followed by a 1-line Mission Description |
---|
20-Nov-42 ───► Hurn ► Gibraltar (50.780648,-1.839014)[84] ► (36.151173,-5.349587)[85] Under combat conditions Commander Flack, with the 97th BG CO Atkinson as his copilot, led his 414th flight echelon safely to RAF Gibraltar.[86] |
22-Nov-42 ───► Gibraltar ► Algiers ► Tafaraoui – Algeria (36.151173,-5.349587)[87] ► (36.693811,3.214526)[88] ► (35.542623,-0.530931)[89] Under combat conditions Commander Flack, with the 97th BG CO Atkinson as his copilot, led his 414th flight echelon safely to Tafaraoui.[90] |
23-Nov-42 ───► Elmas Airdrome (A/D) – Cagliari, Sardinia (39.251469,9.054283)[91] M#20 – 14 B-17’s (340th, 342nd, 414th) with P-38 escort, was led by mission commander Flack with Col. Atkinson as his copilot.[92] |
24-Nov-42 ───► Bizerte Harbor – Tunisia (37.276721,9.890460)[93] M#21 – 18 B-17’s (6 from each – 340th, 341st, 414th) CO Flack led 414th Flight group, navigated around bad weather, and bombed target.[94] |
28-Nov-42 ───► Sidi Ahmed Airdrome (A/D) ► Bizerte Docks – Tunisia (37.246000,9.787389)[95] ► (37.276184,9.878624)[96] M#22 – 37 B-17’s (97th BG and 301st BG) 414th CO Flack led two Flight groups and both Bomb Groups bombed two separate targets.[97] |
30-Nov-42 ───► Bizerte Docks – Tunisia (37.276184,9.878624)[98] M#24 – 24 B-17’s (6 from each Squadron) CO Flack led 414th Flight group, navigated through heavy cloud layer, and bombed target.[99] |
3-Dec-42 ───► Bizerte Harbor – Tunisia (37.276721,9.890460)[100] M#26 – 18 B-17’s (3 Squadrons, 6 each) CO Flack led 414th Flight group, all Fortress returned safely after successful mission.[101] |
6/13-Dec-42 ───► Tafaraoui ◄ ► Blida – Algeria (36.503861,2.814472)[102] CO Flack flies on 6-Dec-42 Tafaraoui►Blida, 12-Dec-42 Blida Airport►Tafaraoui, 13-Dec-42 Tafaraoui► Blida Airport 342nd & 414th to "temp" base.[103] |
14-Dec-42 ───► Tunis Docks at La Goulette, Tunisia ► Biskra, Algeria (36.808527,10.308891)[104] ► (34.795326,5.735281)[105] M#30 – All 97th BG B-17’s; CO Flack led 342nd & 414th from Blida, bombed Tunis Docks and returned to new base at Biskra, Algeria.[106] |
18-Dec-42 ───► Bizerte Docks – Tunisia (37.276184,9.878624)[107] M#32 – 18 B-17’s (342nd, 414th 9 each) CO Flack led 6-Fortresses 414th Flight group, successfully bombed target and returned safely.[108] |
22-Dec-42 ───► Bizerte Docks – Tunisia (37.276184,9.878624)[109] M#33 – (Number of 97th Bomb Group B-17’s Unknown) – Weather was the main factor for aborting all combat bombing missions.[110] |
26-Dec-42 ───► Bizerte Docks – Tunisia (37.276184,9.878624)[111] M#34 – (97th BG B-17’s Unknown) – 414th BS loses 1st and only A/C in North African Campaign.[112] Major Flack is awarded the DFC.[113] |
28-Dec-42 ───► Sousse Harbor – Tunisia (35.824900,10.644875)[114] M#35 – (97th BG B-17’s Unknown) – CO Flack led 414th Flight group on another "Milk Run", all A/C returned, successful mission.[115] |
30-Dec-42 ───► Sfax Harbor – Tunisia (34.729239,10.768472)[116] M#36 – (97th BG B-17’s Unknown) – CO Flack led his 414th Flight group on a comparatively easy raid with good bombing results.[117] |
4-Jan-43 ───► Bizerte Docks – Tunisia (37.276184,9.878624)[118] M#38 – (97th BG B-17’s Unknown) – Solid overcast at target made it impossible to bomb. Consequently, all bombs were returned.[119] |
8-Jan-43 ───► Ferryville Docks – Tunisia (37.156187,9.808365)[120] M#40 – (97th BG B-17’s Unknown) – CO Flack led 414th Flight group on historical example of precision bombing by the 97th BG.[121] |
11-Jan-43 ───► Ottoman Fort – Ghadames, Libya (30.130094,9.495188)[122] M#42 – 18 B-17’s (340th, 414th 9 each) CO Flack led 414th Flight group on successful bombing Ottoman Fort at Ghadames, Libya.[123] |
14-Jan-43 ───► Sousse Docks – Tunisia (35.824900,10.644875)[124] M#44 – (97th BG B-17’s Unknown, Flak damaged 4 A/C slightly) – CO Flack led 414th Flight group and successfully bombed target. |
22-Jan-43 ───► El Aouina Airdrome (A/D) – Tunis, Tunisia (36.851187,10.227011)[125] M#47 – 36 B-17’s (341st, 342nd, 414th 6 each; 301st BG 18) Mission CO Flack piloted lead A/C with Margaret Bourke-White aboard.[126] |
9-Feb-43 ───► Kairouan/Main Airfield (A/F) & Gabes Airdrome (A/D) – Tunisia (35.685690,10.080302)[127] M#59 – 18 B-17’s (342nd, 414th 9 each) Mission Commander Flack led the 342nd and 414th and bombed the Airfield near Kairouan.[128] |
11-Feb-43 ───► Biskra ► Chateaudun-du-Rhumel – Algeria (34.795326,5.735281)[129] ► (36.156446,6.166674)[130] Flack flew 100 miles from Biskra to Chateaudun-du-Rhumel, Algeria (97th BG’s new base) and assigned as the Base Commander.[131] |
15-Feb-43 ───► Palermo Docks – Sicily, Italy (38.130861,13.370389)[132] M#60 – (97th/301st B-17’s Unknown) led by mission CO Flack w/XII Bomber Command & NASAF CO Maj. Gen. Doolittle as his copilot.[133] |
22-Feb-43 ───► Troop Camps, Kasserine Pass South of Thala – Tunisia (35.558727,8.678747)[134] M#62 – (97th/301st B-17’s Unknown) CO Flack led 414th Flight group; their persistence found & bombed target thru cloud layer.[135] |
23-Feb-43 ───► Troop Camps, Kasserine Pass South of Thala – Tunisia (35.558727,8.678747)[136] M#64 – (97th/301st B-17’s Unknown) Not scheduled to fly, CO Flack flew as an Observer aboard his lead 414th BS Flying Fortress.[137] |
25-Feb-43 ───► Bizerte Docks – Tunisia (37.276184,9.878624)[138] M#65 – (97th BG B-17’s Unknown) – CO Flack led 414th Flight group & bombed Bizerte for 9th time; 15th time for the 97th BG.[139] |
26-Feb-43 ───► Docks ► Elmas Airdrome (A/D) – Cagliari, Sardinia (39.211370,9.113617)[140] ► (39.251469,9.054283)[141] M#66 – 19 B-17’s (414th + other BS's) – CO Flack led 414th Flight group, bombed alternate targets.[142] Flack awarded the Silver Star.[143] |
1-Mar-43 ───► Palermo Docks – Sicily, Italy (38.130861,13.370389)[144] M#68 – 38 B-17’s (97th & 301st) Flack flew his last mission as the CO of the 414th (as an Observer) aboard one of his Fortresses.[145] |
From November 20, 1942 through March 1, 1943 Flack flew one hundred thirty-one hours and five minutes (131:05) with the Twelfth Air Force in Northwest Africa. On March 5, 1943 Major Flack relinquished command of his 414th Bomb Squadron, which he held since February 3, 1942, and received a major promotion serving in two positions as part of the Northwest African Air Force (NAAF), under the Mediterranean Air Command (MAC), under the Allied Force Headquarters (AFHQ).
The photo on the right was taken on July 26, 1943 in one of the NASAF Mission Planning Rooms in Northwest Africa. In this photo facing forward and sitting at the table on the left is Major Rudolph E. Flack (NASAF Assistant Operations Officer and Staff Bombardment Officer) and on the right is Major Gen. Jimmy Doolittle (NASAF commanding officer). The middle Officer sitting at the table with his back to the camera with his left hand (see wrist watch) on his left cheek is Brig. Gen. Lauris Norstad, Major Gen. Jimmy Doolittle’s Assistant Chief of Staff. When this photo was taken, the planning of bombing missions against Axis targets in Sicily, Italy and shipping in the Mediterranean were continuing on a daily basis. The execution of Operation Husky against Sicily began on August 10, 1943 and the Axis forces surrendered on August 17, 1943.
XII Bomber Command and NASAF
editOn March 5, 1943 Major Flack was assigned as the Assistant Operations Officer[146] of the Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF), and as a Staff Bombardment Officer[147] (A-3) with the XII Bomber Command, both under the direct command of Maj. Gen. James H. "Jimmy" Doolittle, the commander officer of the NASAF. In turn, Maj. Gen. James H. "Jimmy" Doolittle reported directly to Lt. Gen. Carl A. "Tooey" Spaatz, the commanding officer of the Northwest African Air Force (NAAF). One of Flack’s responsibilities was to assist in the planning of bombing missions aiding in the removal (surrender) of Axis forces in North Africa (Tunisia was last on May 13, 1943), Pantelleria Island (on June 11, 1943 via Operation Corkscrew), Sicily (on August 17, 1943 via Operation Husky), and Sardinia, Corsica and Italy (on September 8, 1943 via Operation Avalanche). Another responsibility of Flack’s was to inspect Allied Airfields in North Africa. Lastly, Flack continued to fly on combat missions for the next six months, but not at the same monthly pace as the prior seven months. The following is a recap of Flack’s missions (primarily combat) while stationed in Northwest Africa, which included the Ninth and Twelfth Air Force as part of the Mediterranean Air Command (MAC). All combat missions Flack flew on, which included his former Flying Fortress Bomb Group, have the corresponding 97th Bomb Group Mission number identified as M#:
Date ───► Target or Destination (digital X-Y Coordinates) followed by a 1-line Mission Description |
---|
4-Apr-43 ───► M/Y’s and Harbor – Naples, Italy (40.854959,14.295407)[148] M#82 – 100 B-17’s (45 97th + 2 more BG’s) As a Doolittle NASAF Staff Officer, Flack piloted and led his assigned Flight group.[149] |
10-Apr-43 ───► Cruiser Gorizia – La Maddalena, Sardinia (41.182413,9.449622)[150] M#87 – As a Doolittle NASAF Staff Officer, Flack piloted/led his assigned Flight group (301st BG sunk Italian cruiser Trieste).[151] |
17/19-May-43 ───► Telergma►Algiers►Médiouna►Marrakesh►Oued N’ja (34.000000,-5.200000)[152] NASAF Staff Officer Flack piloted a B-17E and flew Lt. Gen. Carl Spaatz to Oued N’ja to inspect the 99th Fighter Squadron.[153] |
21/24-May-43 ───► Oued N’ja Airfield, Morocco (34.000000,-5.200000)[154] NASAF Staff Officer Flack piloted a P-38F with the 99th Fighter Squadron for training and assimilation into the Twelfth Air Force.[155] |
2-Jun-43 ───► Pantelleria Gun Batteries, Docks, Airfield (36.816389,11.968611)[156] NASAF Staff Officer Flack piloted a P-38G embedded within 99th Fighter Squadron on their first patrol/escort combat mission.[157] |
6-Jun-43 ───► Costello Docks and Pantelleria Airfield (36.816389,11.968611)[158] NASAF Staff Officer Flack piloted a P-38G embedded within 99th Fighter Squadron as they have been active since June 2.[159] |
8-Jun-43 ───► Pantelleria Island, cont'd Operation Corkscrew (36.837994,11.950217)[160] M#119 – As a Doolittle NASAF Staff Officer, Flack was a key planner in this mission and flew as a B-17F copilot to view results.[161] |
6-Jul-43 ───► Luftwaffe Airfield – Biscari-Santo Pietro, Sicily (37.099232,14.499159)[162] B-25C – In preparation for Operation Husky, NASAF Staff Officer Flack bombed the Luftwaffe Airfield at Santo Pietro, Sicily.[163] |
7-Jul-43 ───► Luftwaffe Airfield – Biscari-Santo Pietro, Sicily (37.099232,14.499159)[164] B-25C – In preparation for Operation Husky, NASAF Staff Officer Flack bombed the Luftwaffe Airfield at Santo Pietro, Sicily.[165] |
17-Jul-43 ───► Marshalling Yards (M/Y) – Naples, Italy (40.840558,14.262091)[166] M#143 – 77 B-24’s, 97 B-17’s, 179 B-26’s, 164 P-38’s. Major Flack was a key planner in this mission and flew as an Observer.[167] |
19-Jul-43 ───► San Lorenzo M/Y – Rome, Italy (41.957912,12.508654)[168] M#144 – 158 B-17’s – Major Flack piloted and led his assigned Flight group in the first B-17 bombing mission against Rome.[169] |
20-Jul-43 ───► Montecorvino (Axis) Airfield – Italy (40.620833,14.913889)[170] B-25D – In preparation for Operation Husky, NASAF Staff Officer Flack bombed the Axis Airfield SW of Montecorvino, Italy.[171] |
4-Aug-43 ───► Paola Railway Station and Bridge – Paola, Italy (39.359330,16.032870)[172] P-38G – In preparation for Operation Husky, Flack led 6 P-38’s and bombed the Paola Railway Station (SW coastline of Italy).[173] |
10-Aug-43 ───► Torbodo & Novito River Bridges North of Locri, Italy (38.295275,16.324261)[174], (38.251161,16.280277)[175] Major Flack flew last combat mission overseas as B-26B copilot. Bombed two bridges north of Locri, Italy (SE coastline).[176] |
From March 20, 1943 through August 16, 1943 Flack flew one hundred and forty-four hours and ten minutes (144:10) while under the command of the NASAF.
Second Air Force Stateside Assignment
editThe photo on the right was taken on July 11, 1945 in Colorado Springs, CO, which was the Headquarters of the 2nd Air Force. Note on Flack’s dress shirt his rank of Colonel Pin on his right collar, his Prop and Wings Pin on his left collar, his Senior Pilot Wings above his left pocket and his 2nd Air Force Patch on his left shoulder sleeve.
On September 17, 1943 Major Flack was appointed as the Air Inspector of the 46th Bombardment Operations Training Wing (BOTW) located at the Second Air Forces Ardmore Army Airfield[177] in Ardmore, Oklahoma under the command of Brig. Gen. Frank Alton Armstrong, Jr., who was instrumental in having Flack reassigned stateside. On October 25, 1943 Major Flack was rated Senior Pilot and awarded his Senior Pilot Wings. On November 4, 1943 Major Flack was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. On April 1, 1944 Flack was appointed as the Assistant Wing Commander and then the Director of Training for the 220th AAF BU. On June 20, 1945 Lt. Col. Flack was promoted to Colonel. On June 21, 1945 Col. Flack was appointed as the Commander of Operations and Testing Division, Air Crew Training Unit, Training Secretary and Chief of the "H" Bomb Unit for the Second Air Force headquartered at the Colorado Springs Army Airfield. During this timeframe, Col. Flack’s command jurisdiction included the 509th Composite Group under the command of Col. Paul Warfield Tibbers, Jr. On October 25, 1945 Col. Flack was appointed to Office of the Chief of Staff of the Second Air Force headquartered at the Colorado Springs Army Airfield.[178] Flack retired from active duty on May 6, 1946 and served as a Colonel in the Army Air Force Reserves superseded by the Air Force Reserves through September 18, 1957. From September 26, 1943 through December 28, 1945 Flack flew four hundred and eighty-seven hours and five minutes (487:05) while under the command of the Second Air Force. The following is a summary of Flack’s flying hours from the summer 1931 through December 28, 1945, which totals 2,502 hours and 15 minutes (this total does not includes the hours Flack flew from January 1, 1946 through his last known flights at Ryan Field in Baton Rouge, Louisiana during the summer of 1966):
Date Range | Station or Operational Assignment | Flying Time (HH:MM) |
---|---|---|
Summer’31 ► Summer’37 | Flying Lessons at Clover Airfield Santa Monica, CA | ….136:25…. |
1-Nov-37 ► 2-Dec-38 | Cadet Flying School (Randolph & Kelly Airfields) + Moffett | ..1,295:35…. |
21-Dec-38 ► 2-Nov-41 | Territory of Hawaii (Stationed Wheeler & Hickam Airfields) | ..1,007:25…. |
22-Dec-41 ► 28-Apr-42 | Moffett + MacDill and Sarasota-Bradenton[179] Airfields | ….144:00…. |
14-May-42 ► 26-Jul-42 | Operation BOLERO USA to Grafton Underwood, England | ….109:15…. |
6-Aug-42 ► 18-Nov-42 | 8th Air Force Grafton Underwood & Polebrook, England (ETO) | ……60:15…. |
20-Nov-42 ► 1-Mar-43 | 12th Air Force Northwest Africa at various Airfields (MTO) | ….131:05…. |
20-Mar-43 ► 16-Aug-43 | NASAF and XII Bomber Command Northwest Africa (MTO) | ….140:10…. |
26-Sep-43 ► 28-Dec-45 | 46th BOTW and 2nd Air Force HQ Peterson Airfield (USA) | ….478:05…. |
..2,502:15…. |
Civilian Life
editThe photo on the right was taken on August 30, 1959 at Melrose Lanes in Baton Rouge, LA. Rudy Flack was one of the top eight finalists bowling for the City Match Game Bowling Championship at Melrose Lanes (one of his Louisiana Bowling Centers, which he owned and operated).
Civilian life began in May 1946 in Corpus Christi, TX when Flack became an entrepreneur in the family recreation and entertainment business, building and operating modern bowling centers in Texas and Louisiana for the next 21 years. Dr. Al Stander, Flack’s 414th Bomb Squadron Doctor and Flight Surgeon, already residing in Baton Rouge, LA, persuaded Flack to move there in January 1950 as the City needed a modern bowling center. Here the Flack’s (with two sons) and Stander’s (with two daughters) raised their families and continued their professional careers. While living in Texas and Louisiana, Flack played key roles in various community services and activities; such as, church, charities, associations and elected positions. Various military reunions were attended from 1954 thru 1996. In May 1967 Flack sold his Businesses and the family (Rudy, Dorothy and Rick) moved to San Fernando Valley, CA where Flack’s two brothers lived (Tom and Jerry). Rudy and Dorothy Flack moved to the city of Oxnard in Ventura County, CA in June 1972, less than three miles from Port Hueneme on the Pacific Ocean with its sun, sandy beach, ocean breezes and palm trees; very reminiscent of their three years in Honolulu, Hawaii. Rudy Flack died on January 20, 1974 from heart disease (Atherosclerosis) in Oxnard, CA as he unknowingly possessed the high risk "cholesterol gene" referred to as Familial hypercholesterolemia, which he inherited from his father (Fred) who died from the same disease at age 59. Flack had the same physique at 57 as he did when he was 27 and left this world at too young of an age.
Dates of Rank
editInsignia | Rank | Component | Date |
---|---|---|---|
No insignia |
Academy Cadet | Military Academy[180] | 2 September 1935 |
No insignia |
Aviation Cadet | Army Air Corps | 12 October 1937 |
Second lieutenant | Army Air Corps | 1 October (effective 5 October) 1938 | |
First lieutenant | Army Air Corps | 12 February (effective 20 February) 1941 | |
Captain | Army Air Force | 1 February (effective 15 March) 1942 | |
Major | Army Air Force | 1 September 1942 | |
Lieutenant colonel | Army Air Force | 4 November 1943 | |
Colonel | Army Air Force | 20 June 1945 |
Awards and Decorations
editAir Medal with one silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters
American Defense Service Medal with bronze foreign service star
American Campaign Medal with bronze anti-submarine patrol star
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four bronze campaign stars
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with bronze hourglass device
References
edit- ^ This link provides information about Rudolph Emil Flack and his place of burial:
https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/67665/memorial-search?firstname=Rudolph&middlename=Emil&lastname=Flack&cemeteryName=Greenoaks+Memorial+Park&birthyear=1916&birthyearfilter=&deathyear=1974&deathyearfilter=exact&memorialid=&mcid=&linkedToName=&datefilter=&orderby=&partialLastName=true - ^ This link is the 1940 United States Federal Census for Dorothy Louise Flack identifying her husband, Rudolph E. Flack, their age (23), were they lived in Hawaii as of April 1, 1940 plus numerous related records:
https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&dbid=2442&h=78760886&ssrc=pt&tid=17832045&pid=562405019&usePUB=true - ^ This link provides information about Dorothy C. Flack and her place of burial:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/127758963/dorothy-c_-flack/photo - ^ An evolving online book about Colonel Rudolph Emil "Rudy" Flack’s life story, primarily focused on his flying career, is freely available for all to download and view via the following link:
https://www.facebook.com/Untold-Stories-of-Colonel-Rudy-Flack-302118180261150/
Simply view the newest Facebook postings and look for the latest updated version of the "Main" book (and the "All-in-one-Appendices" which is a separate PDF document).
Everything in this Wikipedia article came from, and is only a small fraction of, what is contained in these two freely available online PDF documents ("Main" book and "All-in-one-Appendices"), summarized as follows:
In the "Main" book alone there are over 2,500 images containing never before seen photographs, official documents, excerpts from hard to find sources, newspaper articles, and so on.
Complete scanned copies of original 1940’s magazines (LIFE Magazines, New York Times Magazine and British Illustrated Magazine).
Complete scanned copies of original 1930’s yearbooks (University High School 1933 and 1934, The Cadet 1936 and 1937, and Randolph Field 1938).
Complete scanned copies of original difficult to find or no longer available printed books (The Hour Has Come – The 97th Bomb Group in World War II and The Boeing B-17 E & F Flying Fortress Profile Publication #77).
Complete scanned copies of never before seen unpublished original personal documents (1932-1937 High School & Junior College Scrap Book, 1936-1941 Navigation and Engine Notebook, and Flying Log Books from 1-Nov-1937 thru 28-Dec-1945).
And so much more. - ^ This link provides details about the B-17E Yankee Doodle (41-9023):
http://www.americanairmuseum.com/aircraft/1089 - ^ Refer to page 3 of Colonel Rudolph Emil Flack’s AAF OFFICERS' QUALIFICATION RECORD and see item 38 Chronological Record of Military Experience, which states on "6-Feb-42" Rudolph Emil Flack is the 414th Bomb Squadron, MacDill Fld, FL Commanding Officer with an Occupational Code & Title (AR 605-95) of 1011 – Squadron Commander Flying. To view this document, refer to the following link:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1946-01-31_AAF_Officers_Qualifications_Record_for_COL_Rudy_Flack-3.jpg
Even though Flack was appointed as the 414th Bomb Squadron Commanding Officer on Tuesday, 3-Feb-42 (when the 414th was initially activated as the 24th Reconnaissance Squadron Heavy), Flack logged the date as Friday, 6-Feb-42 (end-of-week paperwork filings). - ^ Refer to the August 29, 1942 British Illustrated weekly magazine with Major General Carl Spaatz on the cover. Inside this magazine on pages 3 thru 6 is a 4-page article titled First U.S. Pilots to Bomb Germany written by British Air reporter Carl Olsson with photos taken by James Jarché. On page 4 Carl Olsson interviews the Station Commander and commented on his "toughly appropriate name" of Captain Flack. This magazine is available via the following link:
https://www.facebook.com/Untold-Stories-of-Colonel-Rudy-Flack-302118180261150/
Simply view the newest Facebook postings and look for the latest updated version of the "All-in-one-Appendices" which is a separate PDF document, and go to the Appendix titled, Illustrated – August 29, 1942 – First U.S. Pilots to Bomb Germany. - ^ The following link plays a historical August 17, 1942 film clip with sound taken by the British media where Capt. Flack is introduced as the Commanding Officer for this mission by Colonel Armstrong at the 1min 15sec mark; whereby, Capt. Flack stands in front of the entire bomb group to present his pre-mission briefing statement, which completes at the 1min 34sec mark:
https://www.britishpathe.com/video/flying-fortresses-bomb-france/query/b17. - ^ This link provides details about Joseph Hampton Atkinson, which is not available via Wikipedia.com:
https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/107783/lieutenant-general-joseph-h-atkinson/#:~:text=General%20Atkinson%20was%20promoted%20to,28%2C%201961. - ^ Refer to the 14th image in this link, which is a photo of Henry Stimson, the United States Secretary of War (right), Lt. Gen. Carl Spaatz (center), the commander of the Twelfth Air Force and the Northwest African Air Forces (not the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces chief as incorrectly stated) and Capt. Benjamin Davis Jr. (left), the commander of the 99th Fighter Squadron:
https://www.airforcemag.com/Red-Tails-the-Tuskegee-Airmen-in-Photos/. - ^ Refer to this link for a brief history of the Ardmore Army Airfield:
https://military.wikia.org/wiki/Ardmore_Air_Force_Base - ^ To view all of Rudolph Emil Flack’s AAF OFFICERS' QUALIFICATION RECORDS from October 12, 1937 through February 5, 1946, display each page in his official 4-page military document via each of the following links:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1946-01-31_AAF_Officers_Qualifications_Record_for_COL_Rudy_Flack-1.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1946-01-31_AAF_Officers_Qualifications_Record_for_COL_Rudy_Flack-2.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1946-01-31_AAF_Officers_Qualifications_Record_for_COL_Rudy_Flack-3.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1946-01-31_AAF_Officers_Qualifications_Record_for_COL_Rudy_Flack-4.jpg - ^ This is an original copy of the Dept. of Commerce and Labor Naturalization Service, USA Declaration of Intention form No. 55634 signed by Frederich Flach on August 26, 1911:
https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2280/images/007792483_00694?pId=3617405 - ^ This is an original copy of a Registration Card and a Registrar’s Report as a result of World War I, which shows Fred filled out and signed on September 12, 1918. Note the Flack’s home address is 507 Belvidere Ave and Fred's employer’s address / name is 301 E. 4th St / Aero Mfg. Co. both in Plainfield, NJ:
https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/6482/images/005224384_00137?pId=32623828 - ^ These two links provide photos and details about the aircraft and their engines manufactured by the Aero Manufacturing Company where Fred worked starting in the early 1910's:
https://picryl.com/topics/standard+aero+corp
https://nara.getarchive.net/topics/standard+aero+corp - ^ Refer to these two links for historical citing’s of the Huddleston Photo Company of Los Angeles, CA who photographers’ took wide-angle landscape photos:
https://www.loc.gov/photos/?dates=1915&fa=location:california%7Ccontributor:huddleston+photo+co&st=slideshow#slide-1
http://www.worldcat.org/identities/nc-huddleston%20photo%20co/ - ^ Look and/or search for Flack in the 1931 and 1932 Chieftain yearbooks, which are available via the following link:
https://www.uhef.org/unihighyearbooks/
The 1933 and 1934 Chieftain yearbooks are available via the following link:
https://www.facebook.com/Untold-Stories-of-Colonel-Rudy-Flack-302118180261150/
Simply view the newest Facebook postings and look for the latest updated version of the "All-in-one-Appendices" which is a separate PDF document, and go to each Appendix titled, The CHIEFTAIN 1933 – University High School Yearbook ('32-'33) and The CHIEFTAIN 1934 – University High School Yearbook ('33-'34). - ^ Refer to Appendix A – Rudy's High School & Junior College Scrap Book (1932-1937) available via the following link:
https://www.facebook.com/Untold-Stories-of-Colonel-Rudy-Flack-302118180261150/
Simply view the newest Facebook postings and look for the latest updated version of the "All-in-one-Appendices" which is a separate PDF document. - ^ Refer to the 1945 University High School "World War II Scrapbook" PDF document pages 4, 27 and 98, which is available via the following link:
https://www.facebook.com/Untold-Stories-of-Colonel-Rudy-Flack-302118180261150/
Simply view the newest Facebook postings and look for the latest updated version of the "All-in-one-Appendices" which is a separate PDF document, and go to the Appendix titled, University High School World War II Scrapbook. - ^ Refer to Appendix A – Rudy's High School & Junior College Scrap Book (1932-1937) available via the following link:
https://www.facebook.com/Untold-Stories-of-Colonel-Rudy-Flack-302118180261150/
Simply view the newest Facebook postings and look for the latest updated version of the "All-in-one-Appendices" which is a separate PDF document and see page A-77. - ^ Refer to this link regarding details about Brown Military Academy:
https://www.jbu.edu/brown-military-academy/ - ^ The 1936 and 1937 San Diego Army and Navy Academy "The CADET" yearbooks are available via the following link:
https://www.facebook.com/Untold-Stories-of-Colonel-Rudy-Flack-302118180261150/
Simply view the newest Facebook postings and look for the latest updated version of the "All-in-one-Appendices" which is a separate PDF document. Once downloaded, you may view either Appendix titled:
The CADET 1936 – San Diego Army and Navy Academy (SDANA)
…or…
The CADET 1937 – Brown Military Academy Successor of SDANA.
For information about the successor who obtained the naming rights of the "San Diego Army and Navy Academy" and Junior College, Pacific, California, refer to these two links:
https://armyandnavyacademy.org/about-ana-military-academy/school-history-traditions/
…and…
http://thewebsters.us/2015/12/12/army-and-navy-academy/.
For information about the successor who obtained ownership of the "San Diego Army and Navy Academy and Junior College, Pacific, California" facilities (land and buildings), refer to this link:
https://www.jbu.edu/brown-military-academy/. - ^ Refer to the following newspaper article, which appeared in the local Westwood Press in late summer or early fall of 1937 titled, Rudolph E. Flack, Expert Marksman Made Flying Cadet:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Summer_1937_Article_Citing_Rudy%E2%80%99s_Appointment_as_a_Military_Flying_Cadet.jpg - ^
Founded by Captain Thomas A. Davis on November 23, 1910. Due to the financial difficulties from the Great Depression, the academy fell behind in repayment of its financial obligations, and was even unable to pay taxes on the property; the bank declared it in default and in 1936 announced its intention to sell the property. At the San Diego Army and Navy Academy in Pacific Beach, an active-duty army officer who had been professor of military science and tactics took over as commandant. The academy retained its high rating and recognition by the war and navy departments, meaning that graduates were entitled to admission to the military academies at West Point and Annapolis. 150 students had enrolled for the academic year beginning in September 1936 and 20 of the original 30 faculty members would return. The academy did begin classes in September 1936 but in March 1937 the property in Pacific Beach was sold to the John E. Brown College Company, which announced that it would be renamed Brown Military Academy. The change in name and ownership was apparently popular on the Pacific Beach campus; the 1937 graduating class voted unanimously to be graduated from Brown Military Academy and to have its insignia on their rings. Col. and Maj. Davis consented to the sale with the stipulation that they would be allowed to transfer the name, San Diego Army and Navy Academy, to their new school in Carlsbad. Refer to this link for these and other details:
http://thewebsters.us/2015/12/12/army-and-navy-academy/ - ^ Original copies of Flack's two Individual Flight Log books (plus an Excel spreadsheet Appendix titled, Rudy’s Flying Hours by Date by Type Aircraft 1-Nov-37►28-Dec-45) are available via the following link:
https://www.facebook.com/Untold-Stories-of-Colonel-Rudy-Flack-302118180261150/
Simply view the newest Facebook postings and look for the latest updated version of the "All-in-one-Appendices" which is a separate PDF document, and go to each Appendix titled, Rudy’s Flying Log Book from 1-Nov-1937 thru 3-Apr-1939 and R.E. Flack Flying Log Book from June 1938 thru 28-Dec-1945. - ^ Refer to this link to view two San Antonio Express newspaper articles, one for the October 7,1938 Wedding and one for the October 12, 1938 Shower:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1938-10-07_%26_12_-_Dorothy_%26_Rudolph_Flack_-_Wedding_%26_After_Party_-_San_Antonio_Express.jpg - ^ Refer to the 7-page US Republic Passenger List as documented by the War Department, San Francisco Port of Embarkation, Army Transport Service, Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA with its Cover Page dated October 10, 1938. On page number 1, line item number 19, you will find Rudolph E. Flack, 2nd Lt. Air-Res. On page number 3, line item number 37, you will find Mrs. Rudolph E. Flack, wife 2nd Lt. Air-Res. An original copy of this document is available via the following link:
https://www.fold3.com/image/604083548?rec=622456984&xid=1945 - ^ Two years later Brig. Gen. Ira C. Eaker, the commander of the VIII Bomber Command in England, was part of the U.S. Air Chiefs of the European Theatre of Operations who selected Capt. Rudolph E. Flack as the mission commander for the August 17, 1942 first All American Flying Fortress bombing mission in European German occupied territory. Also, Brig. Gen. Ira C. Eaker selected to fly on squadron commander Capt. Flack’s B-17E YANKEE DOODLE (41-9023) piloted by Capt. Flack. The following link provides details about the B-17E YANKEE DOODLE (41-9023):
http://www.americanairmuseum.com/aircraft/1089
The following link plays a historical August 17, 1942 film clip with sound taken by the British media where Capt. Flack is introduced as the Commanding Officer for this mission by Colonel Armstrong at the 1min 15sec mark; whereby, Capt. Flack stands in front of the entire bomb group to present his pre-mission briefing statement, which completes at the 1min 34sec mark:
https://www.britishpathe.com/video/flying-fortresses-bomb-france/query/b17 - ^ This link provides details about Walter Hale Frank, which is not available via Wikipedia.com:
https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/108086/major-general-walter-h-frank/
From September 1938 to November 1940 Brig. Gen. Walter Hale Frank was the commander of the 18th Wing Air Corps aka 18th Pursuit Group and the Department Air Officer of the Headquarters Hawaiian Department at Fort Shafter on Oahu, Hawaii. Two years later Major Gen. Walter H. Hale, Commanding General, VIII Air Force Service Command in the European Theater of Operations, was part of the U.S. Air Chiefs of the European Theatre of Operations; along with Major Gen. Carl Spaatz, Brig. Gen. Ira C. Eaker and Brig. Gen. Robert Chaplin Candee (who was stationed at Hickam Field, Hawaii from September 1937 through 1939) who all selected Capt. Rudolph E. Flack as the mission commander for the August 17, 1942 first All American Flying Fortress bombing mission in European German occupied territory. Refer to the following link for an August 2, 1942 photo of the U.S. Air Chiefs of the European Theatre of Operations taken at Grafton Underwood airfield 15 days before the August 17, 1942 mission:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1942-08-02_Brig_Gen_Candee,_Brig_Gen_Hunter,_Unknown,_Maj_Gen_Frank,_Lt_Gen_Eisenhower,_Maj_Gen_Spaatz_and_Brig_Gen_Eaker.jpg - ^ This link provides details about Walter Hale Frank, which is not available via Wikipedia.com:
https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/108086/major-general-walter-h-frank/ - ^ Brief History of the 29th Bombardment Group: The 29th Flying Training Wing was first activated at Langley Field, Virginia as the 29th Bombardment Group in January 1940 with the 6th, 43rd and 52nd Bombardment Squadrons assigned as its original components. In May 1940 the 29th Bombardment Group moved to MacDill Field, Florida where it was equipped with a mix of pre-production YB-17s and early model Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses and Douglas B-18 Bolos. On September 3, 1941 the 29th Bombardment Group acquired its needed fourth squadron, the 21st Reconnaissance Squadron. The 29th Bombardment Group was still at MacDill when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and it began to fly antisubmarine patrol missions in the Gulf of Mexico from January 1942 and flew antisubmarine patrols from various locations in south Florida over the Gulf of Mexico and the Florida Straits along the Atlantic Coast.
Brief History of the 21st Reconnaissance Squadron: On March 24, 1923 the 21st Aero Squadron was reconstituted as the 21st Observation Squadron of the United States Army Air Service. The squadron was re-designated a long range reconnaissance squadron and received early model Boeing B-17C/D Flying Fortresses and Douglas B-18 Bolos in 1939. The 21st Reconnaissance Squadron moved to the 36th Street Airport, Miami, Florida where it was attached to the Navy and began to fly Neutrality Patrol, sea search and weather reconnaissance missions. The 21st Reconnaissance Squadron operated from several locations along the Atlantic Coast, flying coastal patrol missions. On September 3, 1941 the 21st Reconnaissance Squadron was attached to the 29th Bombardment Group at MacDill Field, Florida, flying antisubmarine patrols from various locations in south Florida over the Gulf of Mexico and the Florida Straits along the Atlantic Coast as noted in the prior paragraph. - ^ It is currently unknown why on 28-Jan-42 the 24th Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy) was constituted (created) as the predecessor to the 414th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) and simply not have been constituted the 414th on 28-Jan-42 as was done with the 340th and 341st Bomb Squadrons, and the 97th Bomb Group on 28-Jan-42. Note that the 342nd Bomb Squadron was not constituted/activated until 15-Feb-42.
- ^ Refer to page 3 of Colonel Rudolph Emil Flack’s AAF OFFICERS' QUALIFICATION RECORD and see item 38 Chronological Record of Military Experience, which states on "6-Feb-42" Rudolph Emil Flack is the 414th Bomb Squadron, MacDill Fld, FL Commanding Officer with an Occupational Code & Title (AR 605-95) of 1011 – Squadron Commander Flying. To view this document, refer to the following link:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1946-01-31_AAF_Officers_Qualifications_Record_for_COL_Rudy_Flack-3.jpg
Even though Flack was appointed as the 414th Bomb Squadron Commanding Officer on Tuesday, 3-Feb-42 (when the 414th was initially activated as the 24th Reconnaissance Squadron Heavy), Flack logged the date as Friday, 6-Feb-42 (end-of-week paperwork filings). - ^ This link provides details about Sarasota-Bradenton Field, which is not available via Wikipedia.com:
https://military.wikia.org/wiki/Sarasota_Army_Air_Field - ^ Refer to this link titled Chapter 19 Training of Ground Technicians and Service Personnel during WWII (encompassing pages 629 thru 673):
https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AAF/VI/AAF-VI-19.html - ^ This link provides details about Sarasota-Bradenton Field, which is not available via Wikipedia.com:
https://military.wikia.org/wiki/Sarasota_Army_Air_Field - ^ This link provides details about Sarasota-Bradenton Field, which is not available via Wikipedia.com:
https://military.wikia.org/wiki/Sarasota_Army_Air_Field - ^ Refer to the following book titled, Fortresses of the Big Triangle First, A History of the Aircraft Assigned to the First Bombardment Wing and First Bombardment Division of the Eighth Air Force from August 1942 to 31st March 1944, Cliff T Bishop, Aircraft Crash Research by Stanley D Bishop, Published by East Anglia Books, 1986, ISBN 1 869987 004. Refer to pages 151 through 156 for details.
- ^ Refer to the following book titled, Fortresses of the Big Triangle First, A History of the Aircraft Assigned to the First Bombardment Wing and First Bombardment Division of the Eighth Air Force from August 1942 to 31st March 1944, Cliff T Bishop, Aircraft Crash Research by Stanley D Bishop, Published by East Anglia Books, 1986, ISBN 1 869987 004. Refer to pages 151 through 156 for details.
- ^ Refer to the August 29, 1942 British Illustrated weekly magazine with Major General Carl Spaatz on the cover. Inside this magazine on pages 3 thru 6 is a 4-page article titled First U.S. Pilots to Bomb Germany written by British Air reporter Carl Olsson with photos taken by James Jarché. On page 4 Carl Olsson interviews the Station Commander and commented on his "toughly appropriate name" of Captain Flack. This magazine is available via the following link:
https://www.facebook.com/Untold-Stories-of-Colonel-Rudy-Flack-302118180261150/
Simply view the newest Facebook postings and look for the latest updated version of the "All-in-one-Appendices" which is a separate PDF document, and go to the Appendix titled, Illustrated – August 29, 1942 – First U.S. Pilots to Bomb Germany. - ^ Refer to this link for a complete index of all LIFE Magazines published; whereby, you select any of your choice to view online:
https://books.google.com/books/about/LIFE.html?id=WlEEAAAAMBAJ - ^ Refer to the following book titled, Fortresses of the Big Triangle First, A History of the Aircraft Assigned to the First Bombardment Wing and First Bombardment Division of the Eighth Air Force from August 1942 to 31st March 1944, Cliff T Bishop, Aircraft Crash Research by Stanley D Bishop, Published by East Anglia Books, 1986, ISBN 1 869987 004. Refer to pages 151 through 156 for details.
- ^ Refer to this link to access and view online the February 15, 1943 LIFE Magazine publication:
https://books.google.com/books?id=MVEEAAAAMBAJ&source=gbs_all_issues_r&cad=1 - ^ The following link plays a historical August 17, 1942 film clip with sound taken by the British media where Capt. Flack is introduced as the Commanding Officer for this mission by Colonel Armstrong at the 1min 15sec mark; whereby, Capt. Flack stands in front of the entire bomb group to present his pre-mission briefing statement, which completes at the 1min 34sec mark:
https://www.britishpathe.com/video/flying-fortresses-bomb-france/query/b17 - ^ This link provides details about the B-17E Yankee Doodle (41-9023):
http://www.americanairmuseum.com/aircraft/1089 - ^ You can right-mouse-click on the referenced hyperlink to open a google map pinpointing the digital X-Y Coordinates in a separate Tab or Window. From here you can switch back and forth between Satellite and Map view, and zoom in and out on the map.
- ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/49%C2%B024'29.4%22N+1%C2%B006'20.6%22E/@49.4081765,1.1035283,602m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d49.408173!4d1.105717
- ^
The following Mission Recap is found on page 5, column 1, paragraph 5 in the book titled:…..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
#1 Rouen, M/Y, France. 17 Aug. 1942.
12 AIC dispatched, no losses. Good protection with Spitfires. Three B-17s from 340th sqd and 341st sqd flew diversion in separate elements under fighter cover. The 341st did not find their escort and returned to base. One Fortress is hit by pigeons, bombardier and navigator slightly injured.
Refer to this link, https://www.facebook.com/Untold-Stories-of-Colonel-Rudy-Flack-302118180261150/, and look for the latest posting for the "Main" book and following the download instructions.
Once downloaded, go to Chapter 8 –Combat Missions in Europe with the Eighth Air Force (1942) and you will find tremendous details including never before seen photographs, military documents, newspaper articles, so on and so forth regarding this and all subsequent missions. - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/50%C2%B008'32.0%22N+1%C2%B049'52.0%22E/@50.1422254,1.8289223,593m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d50.142222!4d1.831111
- ^
The following Mission Recap is found on page 35, column 1, paragraph 1 in the book titled:…..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
#2 Abbeville/Drucat, A/D, France. 19 Aug. 1942
This raid was in collaboration with the reconnaissance forces on Dieppe. 3 E/A attacked formation. 3 of our A/C received minor flak damage. This A/D is the home of "The Abbeville Kids. - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/51%C2%B054'11.6%22N+4%C2%B022'58.9%22E/@51.903685,4.3775157,1919m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d51.903212!4d4.383013
- ^
Captain Flack, mission commander, piloted the lead aircraft, the B-17E LITTLE SKUNK FACE (41-9019), with the 97th Bomb Group’s Commanding Officer, Colonel Frank Armstrong, as his copilot.
Refer to the following Mission Recap found on page 35, column 2, paragraph 1 and the subsequent quote found on page 35, column 2, 2nd to last paragraph, both in the book titled:…..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
#4 Rotterdam Shipyard, Holland 21 Aug. 1942.
1 A/C damaged. Casualties, 1 K.I.A., 5 W.I.A.
…..All was not quiet in the remainder of the flight. Sergeant Frankie Rebello, top-turret gunner in the lead ship, piloted by Captain Rudolph Flack had fired away with such abandon that he ran out of ammunition. He crawled to the cockpit, slapped the co-pilot, Colonel Armstrong on the back and screamed in his ear, "Not a bullet left." - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/52%C2%B025'12.9%22N+0%C2%B038'50.8%22W/@52.4176233,-0.6529501,2678m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d52.420239!4d-0.647447
- ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/51%C2%B043'42.9%22N+0%C2%B032'32.3%22W/@51.7270121,-0.5396396,1618m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d51.72859!4d-0.542316
- ^
To determine each B-17E the 414th Bomb Squadron flew to and left at Bovingdon airfield, and each B-17F the 414th Bomb Squadron flew back to Grafton Underwood airfield, I analyzed the following two published books:
Fortresses of the Big Triangle First, A History of the Aircraft Assigned to the First Bombardment Wing and First Bombardment Division of the Eighth Air Force from August 1942 to 31st March 1944, Cliff T Bishop, Aircraft Crash Research by Stanley D Bishop, Published by East Anglia Books, 1986, ISBN 1 869987 004. Refer to page 154 for a list of all B-17F’s assigned to the 92nd Bomb Group, which they flew from the United States to their newly assigned base at Bovingdon, England.
The B-17 Flying Fortress Story by Roger A. Freeman with David R. Osborne, published in 1998 by Arms & Armor Press, British Library Catalogue number ISBN 1 85409 301 0.
The following are the six B-17E’s the 414th flew to and left at Bovingdon airfield:
41-9045 – STINKY
41-9089 – JOHNNY REB
41-9100 – BIRMINGHAM BLITZKRIEG
41-9103 – DIXIE DEMO
41-9021 – HANGAR QUEEN
41-9023 – YANKEE DOODLE
The following are the nine B-17F’s the 414th flew back to Grafton Underwood airfield:
41-24400 – LITTLE BILL
41-24415 – YANKEE DOODLE II
41-24342 – STINKY JR
41-24443 – JOHNNY REB II
41-24413 – BIRMINGHAM BLITZKRIEG II
41-24417 – DIXIE DEMO II
41-24392 – HELL’S KITCHEN
41-24406 – ALL AMERICAN
41-24473 – KISSY ME KOWBOY - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/51%C2%B054'11.6%22N+4%C2%B022'58.9%22E/@51.9032153,4.3808243,570m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d51.903212!4d4.383013
- ^
On August 27, 1942 Captain Flack as mission commander piloted the lead aircraft for the two hour and thirty-five minute (2:35) 434 mile roundtrip bombing mission, which included three B-17’s from the 340th and six B-17’s from the 414th, where all nine Fortresses flew the mission without fighter escort.
Refer to the following Mission Recap found on page 36, column 1, 2nd to last paragraph and page 36, column 2, first paragraph in the book titled:…..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
…..With good weather continuing to hold, bombing missions were becoming almost everyday events. On August 27, nine Fortresses returned to the scene of their first air battle. The Wilton Shipyards at Rotterdam were the most modern in Holland and working at full capacity. Although only seven of the nine Forts bombed, hits were claimed on two Ships and the center of the target was well covered.
#6 Rotterdam S/Y, Holland. 27 Aug. 1942.
Flak damaged 3 A/C. Casualty, 1 man W.I.A. - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/50%C2%B049'08.3%22N+3%C2%B012'34.4%22E/@50.8189764,3.2073743,584m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d50.818973!4d3.209563
- ^
On August 29, 1942 Captain Flack as mission commander piloted the lead aircraft for the three hour (3:00) 400 mile roundtrip bombing mission, which included six B-17’s from the 340th and seven B-17’s from the 414th.
Refer to the following Mission Recap found on page 36, column 1, last paragraph and page 36 column 2; plus page 37, column 1, paragraphs 1 and 2 in the book titled:…..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
…..For the third day running, the 97th was airborne with 12 of 13 airplanes hitting the Coutrai/Wevelghem, Belgium airdrome, home of a Focke-Wulf 190 squadron. Results appeared good. On the return flight the gunners beat off persistent attacks by enemy fighters with Sgt. John D. Sullivan receiving credit for a Messerschmitt 109.
…..A glowing report to the folks back home was carried by Life, stating that the Fortresses in their first two weeks of bombing over Europe had scored better than 70 percent in hits. "Fantastic accuracy," said the British. A complete photo report of a 97th mission was included. In his official report to General Arnold, in late August, General Eaker stated that the British "acknowledged willingly and cheerfully the great accuracy of our bombing, the surprising hardihood of our bombardment aircraft and the skill and tenacity of our crews."
#8 Courtrai (Kortrijk), A/D, Belgium. 29 Aug. 1942.
E/A attacked on return trip, 3 A/C damaged. - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/50%C2%B042'47.0%22N+2%C2%B019'11.6%22E/@50.7130444,2.3176873,585m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d50.713041!4d2.319876
- ^
For unknown reasons this combat mission, and others, was not documented in the book titled: The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993.
This combat mission is recorded in Flack’s official military INDIVIDUAL FLIGHT RECORD daily log book by month and is found on page I-129 in Appendix I, which is freely available to download and view via https://www.facebook.com/Untold-Stories-of-Colonel-Rudy-Flack-302118180261150/. Simply look for the latest posting of the All-in-One Appendices PDF file.
On September 3, 1942 Major Rudy Flack, mission commander, piloted the lead aircraft for two hours (2:00), a 348 mile roundtrip, which included six Flying Fortresses from his 414th BS accompanied by Fighter escort. The target was one of the Saint-Omer Luftwaffe airfields in France of which there were several. Saint-Omer is located in the northern most region of France. A Luftwaffe Garrison and Station Units were located in the town of Saint-Omer. Based on Henry L. deZeng IV’s book (Luftwaffe Airfields 1935-45 France – http://www.ww2.dk/Airfields%20-%20France.pdf), the following are the five (5) airfields (noting book’s page number) taken over by the Germans and used by the Luftwaffe in the Saint-Omer region prior to and during WWII:
► Saint-Omer – Arques ......... page 20 and 334 (Fort Rouge, page 335, is a.k.a. for Arques)
► Saint-Omer – Clairmarais .. page 334
► Saint-Omer – Le Nieppe .... page 335
► Saint-Omer – Wizernes ..... page 335 (a.k.a. St-Omer – Longuenesse, Wizernes)
► Saint-Omer – La Borne ...... page 23 and 338 (Target for Rudy’s Bombing Mission #8.5)
A second example of a mission discussed in The Hour Has Come book, which was not assigned an official 97th Bomb Group mission number is found on page 53, column 1, paragraph 3, which states:
…..From a letter by John L. Pitts to Edward Neff's widow, 1990 … The 97th was transferred to North Africa in Nov. 1942. It was the most experienced group. We flew a loose formation 20 ft. above the water around France and Spain to land at the Rock of Gibraltar. From there we flew to Algiers Maison Blanche Air Field. The Germans bombed us out of there and we moved back to Oran. Before we left, we found some English bombs stored at the edge of the field. Edward Neff figured out how we could fit them to our bomb shackles and off we went to Tunis to bomb the bombers that bombed us. No orders, we just did It. Gen. Doolittle gave us hell with a twinkle in his eye as he did it. Probably would have gone along if he'd known about it. (Editor's note ... Is this our 484th mission?). - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/49%C2%B024'29.4%22N+1%C2%B006'20.6%22E/@49.4081765,1.1035283,602m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d49.408173!4d1.105717
- ^
The following Mission Recap is found on page 37, column 1, 2nd to last paragraph in the book titled:…..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
#9 Rouen M/Y, France. 5 Sept. 1942.
The 97th Bomb Group, combined with the 301st Bomb Group on its first mission dispatched 37 A/C.
On September 5, 1942 Major Flack piloted the lead aircraft in his Flight group for a three hour and thirty minute (3:30) 444 mile roundtrip bombing mission. All eight of the 414th Bomb Squadron B-17’s hit the designated target. Thirty-seven B-17s were assigned to this mission, 25 from the 97th BG and 12 from the 301st BG. This was the first combat mission for the 301st BG and its 352nd BS provided five B-17’s and its 419th BS supplied seven B-17s. All four squadrons from the 97th BG provided Flying Fortresses. This was the second time the 97th BG returned to bomb this target, the first being the historic Mission #1 on August 17, 1942. - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/49%C2%B058'49.5%22N+2%C2%B040'36.7%22E/@49.98006,2.674763,838m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d49.980407!4d2.676846
- ^
The following Mission Recap is found on page 37, column 1, last image in the book titled:…..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
#10 Meault AjC Factory, France. 6 Sept. 1942.
E/A encountered were estimated to be about 200. 1 A/C lost, 5 damaged. Our lost bomber was seen gliding down near the target, 4 parachutes were observed. A/C #124445, 340th, reported M.I.A. A head on attack against Armstrong's A/C caused him to pull up violently to miss the E/A.
On September 6, 1942 Major Flack piloted the lead aircraft in his Flight group with Colonel Armstrong as his copilot, for a three hour and twenty minute (3:20) 444 mile roundtrip bombing mission. A total of 64 Fortresses bombed the Avions Potez Aircraft (A/C) Factory at Meaulte, France. Note in the Mission Recap above where Colonel Armstrong, with a front-row seat, witnessed once again Flack’s uncanny flying abilities as a head-on attack against their Fortress forced Flack to pull up violently to miss the enemy aircraft (E/A) saving his crew and Fortress. - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/51%C2%B054'11.6%22N+4%C2%B022'58.9%22E/@51.9032153,4.3808243,570m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d51.903212!4d4.383013
- ^
The following Mission Recap is found on page 40, column 1, paragraph 1; and continues back on page 37, column 2, last paragraph plus page 38, first paragraph in both column 1 and 2, in the book titled:…..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
#11 Scheidan S/YD Rotterdam, Holland. 7 Sept. 1942.
Lousy weather prevented accurate bombing. 4 A/C damaged by fighters. Casualties, 3 wounded, 1 killed.
…..There was one more mission from England before the weather turned bad. The shipyards at Rotterdam were the target but only seven Forts reached the target as the weatherman announced a storm moving in and the other pilots receiving the recall message returned early. The flight of seven found the action hot and heavy over the target. Lieutenant Clarence Thacker, piloting the Kissy-Me-Kowboy, reported that fighters closed in desperate for a kill. It seemed to the crew members that, "You could knock them off with a baseball bat." The lead ship of the flight bore the brunt of the enemy attack, and Captain Aguilla B. Hughes had his hands full. With the ball-turret gunner killed, three other gunners wounded, two dead engines, the radio malfunctioning, and the oil lines and hydraulic lines to the brakes out, the Fort was forced from the formation. Two enemy flights of 12 fighters each pressed home the attack, and gunners claimed three destroyed, two of them in flames. The totals for the day were 12 fighters destroyed, 10 probably destroyed and 12 damaged. All the Forts got home.
On September 7, 1942 Major Flack piloted the lead aircraft in his Flight group for a three hour (3:00) 434 mile roundtrip bombing mission and was one of the seven A/C, which made it to the target. - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/52%C2%B025'12.9%22N+0%C2%B038'50.8%22W/@52.4176233,-0.6529501,2678m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d52.420239!4d-0.647447
- ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/52%C2%B028'08.0%22N+0%C2%B023'25.0%22W/@52.4676437,-0.3934201,3790m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d52.468889!4d-0.390278
- ^ On September 8, 1942 the 342nd and the 414th Bomb Squadrons transferred from Grafton Underwood to Polebrook, a 20 minute flight covering 11.4 miles. It took six weeks before the Polebrook airfield could be upgraded from a two squadron facility to a four squadron facility. Finally, the 97th Bomb Group with all of its command, staff, crewmen and ground personnel were now located together at one facility.
- ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/48%C2%B036'03.0%22N+3%C2%B049'00.0%22W/@48.6008365,-3.8188557,611m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d48.600833!4d-3.816667
- ^
The following Mission Recap is found on page 40, column 2, paragraph 2; and continues back on page 39, column 2, last paragraph, first sentence in the book titled:…..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
#12 Morlaix/Poujean A/D, France. 26 Sept. 1942.
Flak light and inaccurate.
Diarist, Ben Rushing ... "One E/A came out of a crowd right under a B-17. The ball gunner said he could see his bullets hitting the German pilot. Another gunner blew a German pilot right out of his cock-pit. I don't seem to realize they are people we are killing. Guess that is what war will do to you. It's more like going duck hunting. I don't seem to shudder like I thought I would when one of our fellows get killed. Two got killed today, but they weren't in our squadron though."
On September 26 the 97th was airborne again but a heavy layer of clouds covered the target and the bombs were jettisoned in the channel.
Major Flack logged three hours and thirty minutes (3:30) for what would have been a 614 mile roundtrip mission. Twenty-four 97th BG Fortresses, six from each squadron, flew on this mission; plus an additional 51 B-17’s from the 301st and the 92nd Bomb Groups, but bad weather forced all three Bomb Groups to return to their respective base.
Refer to this link for the statement, which follows: http://www.scottylive.com/mac_calendar/1942/September%2042%20Daily/Sept_26_1942.htm
Eighth Air Force: Mission 12: 75 B-17s and 36 P-38s are dispatched to attack Cherbourg/Maupertus and Morlaix/Porjeau Airfields, France; 16 execute diversionary missions but the remainder is recalled due to adverse weather. - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/49%C2%B058'49.5%22N+2%C2%B040'36.7%22E/@49.98006,2.674763,838m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d49.980407!4d2.676846
- ^
The following Mission Recap is found on page 41, column 1, paragraph 1; and continues back on page 40, column 2, last paragraph thru page 45, column 1, first paragraph in the book titled:…..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
#13 Meaulte A/D, France. 2 Oct. 1942.
Target, Avions Potez Factory, Heavy fighter opposition, 1 E/ A destroyed 4 probable, 4 damaged.
…..The 97th Group flew but three additional missions from English bases, missions that were to have much to do with future air force policy. On October 2 they attacked the Avions Potez factory at Meaulte for the third time and discovered that, despite an escort of more than 400 Allied fighters, the Germans pressed home their attacks. All the Forts got back and when the claims were tabulated they were thought to be excessive and a second interrogation was held. In the final analysis the Intelligence officers allowed 13 claims of aircraft destroyed, nine of them to 97th gunners. The results of the bombing, fair to good were overlooked in the excitement created by the claims of the Fortress gunners and by the idea that the bombers were doing much to protect themselves.
Refer to this link for the statement, which follows: http://www.scottylive.com/mac_calendar/1942/October%2042%20Daily/Oct_2_1942.htm
Friday, 2 October 1942 ― Eighth Air Force: Mission 13: 61 bombers and 54 fighters are dispatched to attack 3 targets in France; 1 fighter is lost:
1. 32 of 43 B-17s dispatched hit the Avions Potez aircraft factory at Meaulte; they claim 4-9-5 aircraft; 6 B-17s are damaged; 3 airmen are WIA. Escort is provided by 31 P-38s; 1 P-38 is lost.
2. 6 of 6 B-17s fly a diversionary mission to St Omer/Longuenesse Airfield; they claim 5-4-4 aircraft. Escort is provided by 23 Spitfires; they claim 4-0-1 aircraft without loss.
3. 11 of 12 unescorted DB-7s attack a ship in a dock at Le Havre without loss.
On October 2, 1942 Major Flack piloted the lead aircraft in his Flight group of six 414th BS Fortresses for a three hour and twenty minute (3:20), a 444 mile roundtrip bombing mission. Three squadrons from the 97th Bomb Group (340th, 342nd, 414th ) flew on this mission totaling 18 Flying Fortresses escorted by more than 400 Allied fighters and all 18 Fortresses returned safely. - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/50%C2%B037'30.5%22N+3%C2%B005'16.0%22E/@50.6249249,3.0877365,495m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d50.625135!4d3.08777
…and…
https://www.google.com/maps/place/50%C2%B037'22.2%22N+3%C2%B006'29.6%22E/@50.6228364,3.1060283,587m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d50.622833!4d3.108217 - ^
The following Mission Recap is found on page 41, column 2, paragraph 3 in the book titled:…..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
#15 Lille Industrial Area, France. 9 Oct. 1942.
Targets were steel and Locomotive Plants. Lille has to be considered the first real battle in the air between the German and American Air Forces. Hardest fighter attack to date. A total of 108 bombers dispatched. With scores of British fighters as escort. One crew reported men bailing out of Fortresses were machine gunned by German fighters.
The steel and engineering works of the Compagnie de Fives and the locomotive and freight car works of Ateliers d'Hellemmes both in the Lille, France area were bombed. - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/47%C2%B043'45.0%22N+3%C2%B022'13.0%22W/@47.7291736,-3.3724687,622m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d47.72917!4d-3.37028
- ^
Refer to the Wednesday, November 11, 1942 "The Eugene Guard" newspaper article appearing on page 14, 2nd column, which states:
Formation Attacked – As it passed over the French coast the formation was attacked by flocks of German Focke-Wulf fighter planes. Heavy fighting began, with Smartt’s plane on the right wing position of the second flight, led by Maj. Rudolph Flack of Los Angeles.
A full accounting of this bombing mission, the last flown by the 97th Bomb Group while stationed in England, appeared in news publications around the world. To cite one major publication, refer to the London, England United Press News article by James Chambers (United Press Staff Correspondent London) printed on October 29, 1942, which states:
The full story, however, of the crew's courage and skill was revealed today (Thursday) by United States army air force headquarters. As the bomber, flying in a formation headed by Colonel Joseph H. Atkinson of Dalhart, TX and Major Joseph Thomas of Pomona, CA passed the French coast it was attacked by a swarm of Focke-Wulf-190 fighters. The fortress held the right wing position of the flight commanded by Major Rudolph Flack of Los Angeles, CA and was exposed to the brunt of the attack. - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/52%C2%B028'08.0%22N+0%C2%B023'25.0%22W/@52.4676437,-0.3934201,3790m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d52.468889!4d-0.390278
- ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/50%C2%B046'50.3%22N+1%C2%B050'20.5%22W/@50.780648,-1.839014,585m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d50.780648!4d-1.839014
- ^
The following quote is found on page 48, column 1, last paragraph in the book titled:…..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
…..Peter Hurd, American artist, after having many of the crew members pose for his series of paintings on the Americans in England, summed up his feelings:
"They have the looks of veterans, these youngsters in their teens and early twenties. United in their supreme purpose, they have looked death in the face repeatedly and unflinchingly . . . invariable realists . . . but still a will to endure . . . There is no norm for a flyer . . . all types of people."
The Hour Has Come book obtained their quote from the February 15, 1943 LIFE Magazine article titled, Peter Hurd. He Paints U.S. Airmen appearing on page 66. - ^ This link provides details about Joseph Hampton Atkinson, which is not available via Wikipedia.com:
https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/107783/lieutenant-general-joseph-h-atkinson/#:~:text=General%20Atkinson%20was%20promoted%20to,28%2C%201961. - ^ This link provides details about Joseph Hampton Atkinson, which is not available via Wikipedia.com:
https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/107783/lieutenant-general-joseph-h-atkinson/#:~:text=General%20Atkinson%20was%20promoted%20to,28%2C%201961. - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/50%C2%B046'50.3%22N+1%C2%B050'20.5%22W/@50.780648,-1.839014,585m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d50.780648!4d-1.839014
- ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/36%C2%B009'04.2%22N+5%C2%B020'58.5%22W/@36.151173,-5.349587,747m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d36.151173!4d-5.349587
- ^ Major Rudy Flack, Commanding Officer of the 414th Bomb Squadron, flew as the Pilot and Flight Leader with Colonel Joseph H. Atkinson (the 97th Bomb Group Commanding Officer) as his Copilot from Hurn, England to Gibraltar (under British control) for 9 hours (9:00), a straight line distance of 1,025 miles. Rudy was accompanied by the remaining 97th Bomb Group command officers and staff as they flew in the remaining 414th B-17F aircraft. To avoid enemy aircraft, the flight plan most likely followed at a distance off the western Atlantic coast lines from England to Gibraltar, which could have been as much as a 1,200 mile flight.
- ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/36%C2%B009'04.2%22N+5%C2%B020'58.5%22W/@36.151173,-5.349587,747m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d36.151173!4d-5.349587
- ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/36%C2%B041'37.7%22N+3%C2%B012'52.3%22E/@36.6938153,3.2123373,741m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d36.693811!4d3.214526
- ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/35%C2%B032'33.4%22N+0%C2%B031'51.4%22W/@35.5426273,-0.5331197,752m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d35.542623!4d-0.530931
- ^ RAF Gibraltar ► Maison Blanche Airport ► Oran-Tafaraoui Airfield: On November 22, 1942, the 414th with the same aircraft assignments, flew from RAF Gibraltar (under British control) to Maison Blanche airport located in Algiers, Algeria (479 miles) for a short stopover and then continued on to Tafaraoui airfield with a hard surface runway (a British base) southeast of Oran, Algeria (224 miles) for a total flying time of four hours and forty minutes (4:40) approximately 703 miles.
- ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/39%C2%B015'05.3%22N+9%C2%B003'15.4%22E/@39.2514731,9.0520943,716m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d39.251469!4d9.054283
- ^
The following excerpt is found on page 55, column 2, 1st paragraph in the book titled: …..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
…..As the rains began to slacken the operations section began to list suitable targets and on 23 November Col. Atkinson led 14 Forts for an attack on Elmas Airdrome at Cagliari, Sardinia. Lockheed Lightnings were the escort but 250 miles short of the target they encountered weather and violent frontal conditions and turned back.
Major Flack flew as Pilot, Flight Leader and Mission Commander with Colonel Atkinson (CO of 97th BG) as his copilot for their first combat mission out of North Africa (Tafaraoui, Algeria) on November 23, 1942 to bomb the Elmas Airdrome in Cagliari, Sardinia, a 3 hour and 45 minute (3:45) 1,172 mile roundtrip mission. This historic mission was the 97th BG’s first mission over Italy. The mission consisted of 14 B-17F’s from the 340th, 342nd and 414th escorted by Lockheed P-38 Lightning’s. A minor clarification; the paragraph above from The Hour Has Come book states: … Col. Atkinson led 14 Forts … is true as he was in the lead A/C flying as Major Flack’s copilot; but note, Major Flack was assigned as the Mission Commander for this raid. - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/37%C2%B016'36.2%22N+9%C2%B053'25.7%22E/@37.2767252,9.8882713,736m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d37.276721!4d9.89046
- ^
Refer to the 6th paragraph in this link for the quote which follows: http://www.americanairmuseum.com/unit/158:
Shortly after the invasion, the 97th and 301st moved from their bases in England to an airfield at Tafraoui, Algeria. The conditions in Algeria were sparse compared to that in England, but by 24 November the two groups attacked the docks at Bizerte, Tunisia.
The 340th and 341st Bomb Squadrons returned to base due to bad weather. The 414th Bomb Squadron and one 301st Bomb Group Flying Fortresses Squadron navigated around the bad weather by flying out over the Mediterranean Sea to the north and approached the target flying from north to south to bomb Bizerte Harbor in Tunisia and returned to their base in Tafaraoui, Algeria after the 340th and 341st Bomb Squadrons had already landed. The report filed by the 340th and 341st on behalf of the 97th Bomb Group is what has been recorded in the USAAF Chronology: COMBAT CHRONOLOGY OF THE US ARMY AIR FORCES NOVEMBER 1942 for the activity on November 24, 1942, which does not reconcile with the 414th operations log book and the referenced quote noted above. - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/37%C2%B014'45.6%22N+9%C2%B047'14.6%22E/@37.2460043,9.7852003,736m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d37.246!4d9.787389
- ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/37%C2%B016'34.3%22N+9%C2%B052'43.1%22E/@37.2761882,9.8764353,736m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d37.276184!4d9.878624
- ^
The following excerpt is found on page 55, column 1, paragraph 2 in the book titled: …..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
…..On 28 November several Forts of the 301st Group joined with the 97th to hit Sidi Ahmed airdrome and the docks at Bizerte. It turned into an aerial battle. Forts against Me-109s and Fw-190s. The 301st lost two Forts but together the Forts claimed 10 of the enemy fighters.
The following is an excerpt from: http://aircrewremembered.com/USAAFCombatOperations/Nov.42.html, which states:
…..NW AFRICA (Twelfth Air Force): In Tunisia, 37 B-17s of the 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and the newly-arrived 301st Bombardment Group (Heavy) bomb Bizerte airfield and dock area; because of mud, no P-38 escort is provided; 2 B-17s are lost to fighter attacks. - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/37%C2%B016'34.3%22N+9%C2%B052'43.1%22E/@37.2761882,9.8764353,736m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d37.276184!4d9.878624
- ^
The following excerpt is found on page 57, column 2, last paragraph in the book titled:…..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
…..The ports of Bizerte and Tunis were known as "hot targets." For the guns that covered one of the cities could also be used to protect the other owing to their close proximity. Pilots found it easy to locate Bizerte by the nearby twin lakes and a wasp's nest of German airfields while Tunis, almost hidden behind a mountain, was white and gleaming beside blue water. In southern Tunisia the targets of Sfax and Gabes were approached across a broad plain, between the mountains and the sea. Owing to targets such as these, heroism on the part of the air crewmen became almost a routine occurrence. - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/37%C2%B016'36.2%22N+9%C2%B053'25.7%22E/@37.2767252,9.8882713,736m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d37.276721!4d9.89046
- ^
The following excerpts are found on page 56, column 1, paragraph 7; and page 55, column 2, paragraph 1 respectively in the book titled:…..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
…..The Group made an effective bombing attack scoring hits on docks and two ships in the harbor. Flak heavy, intense. P-38 escort kept enemy fighters away.
…..The biggest loss of the month for the Americans was the escort of P-38s on 3 December. They were convoying 18 Forts to Bizerte Harbor at an altitude of 20,000 feet. The P-38s were at 25,000 feet when to their surprise a large flight of Luftwaffe fighters came out of the sun. Seven of the American fighters were lost in the action and two others failed to return to base. - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/36%C2%B030'13.9%22N+2%C2%B048'52.1%22E/@36.5038653,2.8122833,743m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d36.503861!4d2.814472
- ^
The following excerpt is found on page 55, column 2, paragraph 2 in the book titled: …..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
…..The rains and violent frontal conditions continued their roles while the 97th was at Tafaraoui and soon the hunt was on for another airfield. The flight to Bizerte or Tunis was more than 600 miles one way. Not only did the long hard haul find many of the airplanes returning on what crew members referred to as "gasoline fumes" but the enemy was presented with a distinct advantage. It being necessary to have daylight for both takeoff and landing meant that the bombers were over the target at approximately 11 o'clock. This permitted the defenders to have their fighters gassed up and armed while awaiting the noontime attack and oft-times circling over the scheduled target. Also heavy clouds normally formed over the region in the afternoons.
Refer to this link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blida_Airport, which states:
…..On November 8, 1942 the Blida airfield was taken by the British 11th Infantry Brigade. This event was part of the Operation TORCH of the North African Campaign (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt). Blida, as well as other airfields on the North and Northeast coast of North Africa, was seized on this day.
Tafaraoui Base CO Flack was tasked with setting up Blida, Algeria for the 342nd and the 414th as a temporary base while Biskra was being prepared to accommodate four Bomb Squadrons. On December 6, 1942 CO Flack flew to Blida to ensure it was properly prepared to receive two Bomb Squadrons. Blida put the put their Fortresses 200 miles closer to Bizerte and Tunis, their most frequent targets. On December 12, 1942 CO Flack flew back to Tafaraoui. On December 13, 1942 CO Flack led the 342nd and his 414th to Blida from where they flew one bombing mission on December 14, 1942 and returned to their new base at Biskra, Algeria. - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/36%C2%B048'30.7%22N+10%C2%B018'32.0%22E/@36.8085313,10.3067023,740m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d36.808527!4d10.308891
- ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/34%C2%B047'43.2%22N+5%C2%B044'07.0%22E/@34.7953304,5.7330923,759m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d34.795326!4d5.735281
- ^
The following excerpts are found on page 57, column 1, paragraphs 2 and 3; page 57, column 1, paragraph 4; and page 68, column 1, paragraph 4 respectively in the book titled:.....The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
.....The rains that continued into December made it imperative for the Allied Command to find suitable fields where airplanes would be able to fly in all sorts of weather and to make provisions for protection against enemy air attacks and for freighting supplies to the groups with regularity. Priority on new fields went to the 97th to receive the first suitable base owing to its experience and the fact that the entire group was now in Africa and ready for action. The initial step was taking the mess section of the 414th Squadron to Biskra and within two days selected ground crews were being flown in. The remainder were at Oran awaiting rail transportation.
.....The same day that the selected personnel were moving into the desert the aircrews began their move. Two squadrons moved to Blida and the others to Maison Blanche. The following day 14 December they bombed the docks at Tunis without loss and returned to what will be their new base at Biskra, 200 airplane miles southeast of Algiers beyond the Atlas Mountains, in the Sahara Desert.
.....The town of Biskra, famed as a health resort, would be the base of operations for the 97th Group until the middle of February. The officers were housed in the city itself, in one of the many hotels, while the remaining personnel pitched tents, dug holes, and literally burrowed their way in the sands of the "Garden of Allah" for protection against possible enemy air action. The field was wide and on the whole suitable, for three bombers could take off abreast and dispersal was easy. One could see for miles across the expanse of desert broken only here and there by sand dunes. It was also known that another move would be made by March, 1943, for the windstorms and siroccos, expected at that time could hamper flying. The Biskra River nearby proved too shallow at times even for bathing, forcing the mechanics to use gasoline for removing the dirt and grease.
.....All A/C of this group took off on a mission. Instead of returning to Tafaraoui, they flew to Biskra. This will be our base of operations for a while at least. The ground echelon will be left behind for a short time. Upon landing at Biskra, 414th Squadron Commander Flack was assigned as the Base commander. - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/37%C2%B016'34.3%22N+9%C2%B052'43.1%22E/@37.2761882,9.8764353,736m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d37.276184!4d9.878624
- ^
The following excerpts are found on page 68, column 2, paragraph 3; page 68, column 2, last paragraph thru page 69, column 2, 1st paragraph; and page 69, column 1, paragraphs 2-5 respectively in the book titled:.....The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
.....Flak heavy and accurate. Two A/C received major damage from enemy flak and fighters. Both A/C were able to make it back to friendly territory and crash land. Casualties, 4 men killed and several wounded.
.....CREW REPORT for the 342nd Bomb Squadron’s B-17F SOONER II (42-5715): Pilot 1Lt John C. Nichols; Co-pilot 1Lt John B. Mayes, (K.I.A.); Nav 1Lt George E. Monda, (K.I.A.); Bomb 1Lt Paul A. Blaida; Eng TSgt Clarence B. Nichols, (K.I.A.); B/T/G Sgt Wm. M. Ivanhoff, (K.I.A.); Radio Sgt Thomas G. Burton; R/W/G SSgt Eugene H. Evans; L/W/G SSgt Grover C. Williams; T/G SSgt Frederick M. Wilson.
.....Aircraft No. 25715, crash landed, two officers and two enlisted men were killed, two officers and four enlisted men survived. This story is from three of the survivors, Lt Blaida, SSgt Wilson and SSgt Williams, and their conversations with the other survivors.
Eighteen A/C took part in this raid. The first 6 A/C were led by Major Thomas. The second 6 A/C composed of 3 each from the 342nd and 414th were led by Captain Dallas. The third 6, all from the 414th were led by Major Flack.
.....The 97th arrived in the neighborhood of Ferryville or Mateur first and made a 360 degree turn to allow the 301st Group to gain altitude and go in to the target first as planned. In the turn or there abouts, the 3 A/C of the 414th believed to have been led by Lt Lawrence that were to make up the last element of the second 6, got misplaced. As the result, there were but 3 A/C in Capt Dallas' flight. After coming out of the turn, the 97th Group flew east south of Bizerte out over the Mediterranean then turned and came back over the target at 235 degrees. The 414th sqd had a different area for target and turned left. This maneuver, although as planned, exposed Capt Dallas element of three and particularly Lt Nichols' A/C which was flying No. 2 position in that three, to the rear attacks so common at that time.
.....Lt Nichols' ship was attacked by two or three fighters, who came in on the nose before it reached the I.P. The first action was as much as eight minutes before the bombs were away.
.....Just after bombs away the ship suffered two to four direct flak hits. Both No. 2 and 4 engines were hit. No. 2 engine reved up and Nichols was unable to stop it. The roar of the prop was terrific and the crew expected it to fly off at any moment. The No. 4 engine caught fire. Capt Dallas' ship had also been hit by flak and just as L/W/G Sgt Williams was calling Lt Nichols' attention to the gasoline pouring out of the former's ship, the left control cables fell to the floor of the fuselage alongside Williams.
The remainder of this story is documented in The Hour Has Come book and appears on page 69, column 1, paragraph 5 through page 71, column 1, paragraph 4. - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/37%C2%B016'34.3%22N+9%C2%B052'43.1%22E/@37.2761882,9.8764353,736m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d37.276184!4d9.878624
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The following excerpts are found on page 71, column 1, paragraph 5; page 57, column 2, paragraphs 2-3; and page 59, column 2, paragraph 4 in the book titled: …..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
…..Today's mission to the Bizerte Docks was abortive . . . a solid overcast at the target made it impossible to bomb and all bombs were returned.
…..The port cities of Tunisia continued to be priority targets for the heavy bombers, with Bizerte, Tunis, Ferryville, Sousse and Sfax receiving the majority of the bombs dropped. The first mission flown from Biskra against the dock area of Bizerte proved successful. A report after the capture of the city showed that the 10,000-ton Italian freighter Arlesiana had been sunk by one 500-pounder.
.....Christmas Eve brought a smile to the sun-tanned face of Col. Joseph H. Atkinson, the 97th commander, who received his first star. He immediately assumed command of the newly announced Fifth Wing, which the 97th would remain under until the close of the struggle. - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/37%C2%B016'34.3%22N+9%C2%B052'43.1%22E/@37.2761882,9.8764353,736m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d37.276184!4d9.878624
- ^
The following excerpts are found on page 71, column 1, paragraph 7; and page 71, column 1, paragraph 8 in the book titled: …..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
…..Flak was intense and heavy, severest encountered at this target. Lt Borders' A/C exploded over target and Lt Lawrence was forced to make an emergency landing in friendly territory.
…..Diary of Clarence Thacker . . . 26 Dec. 1942 was Tom Borders last flight. He was hit over Bizerte on the bomb run. He was flying on my right wing and Claude Lawrence on my left. My bombs had just dropped when Tom got hit. He got hit in his bomb bay and all his bombs went off before he got rid of any of them. His ship went all to pieces. I didn't see any more than my crew did. I felt it when it happened, shook us up pretty good, a lot of it hit us. My ship went out of control momentarily. One of his engines came in front of the wing. One of the boys, Pucilowski, started to jump without a parachute, but one of the fellows stopped him. He thought it was the engine out of our ship the "Kissy-Me-Kowboy". Lawrence's A/C was knocked down and crash landed in "no-man's-land". Some of his crew walked back about two weeks later. Lawrence didn't get back to base but got to the hospital. A couple of them bailed out right close to the ground. - ^ Refer to General Orders 11, January 1943, Headquarters Twelfth Air Force, which states:
RUDOLPH E. FLACK, 0-371840, Major, 97th Bombardment Group. For extraordinary achievement while participating in many aerial flights in the European and North African Theatres of Operations as pilot of a B-17 type aircraft. On 26 December 1942 Major Flack led his squadron on a high altitude bombing mission over the docks of Bizerte, Tunisia against heavy flack and fierce fighter opposition. As the formation was leaving the target area, the number two airplane in the element immediately behind Major Flack’s element received a direct hit in the bomb bay and exploded in midair, severely damaging the number one and number three airplanes in the same element and forcing them to drop out of formation. Six enemy fighters of the ME-109 type immediately attacked the two crippled airplanes. Major Flack, realizing the grave danger but with utter disregard for personal safety, left the group formation to maneuver closely above the crippled airplanes. This courageous act aided in the destruction of five enemy aircraft and undoubtedly saved the two crews from total destruction. The unusual courage and ability shown by Major Flack reflects great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. West Los Angeles, California. - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/35%C2%B049'29.6%22N+10%C2%B038'41.6%22E/@35.8249043,10.6426863,750m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d35.8249!4d10.644875
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The following excerpts are found on page 72, column 1, paragraphs 6-7 in the book titled: …..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
….."Milk Run." Two trains bearing the remainder of the 97th's ground crew pulled into the railroad station at Biskra late in the evening.
The bombing missions to the northeast coast of Tunisia to such targets as Bizerte Harbor or Docks, Sidi Ahmed Airdrome, Tunis Docks or Marshalling Yards, Sousse Harbor or Docks, El Aouina Airdrome, Sfax Power Station and Ferryville Docks had become so routine they were referred to as "Milk Runs." - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/34%C2%B043'45.3%22N+10%C2%B046'06.5%22E/@34.7292434,10.7662833,760m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d34.729239!4d10.768472
- ^
The following excerpts are found on page 72, column 1, paragraph 8 thru page 72, column 2, 1st paragraph in the book titled: …..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
…..Tail Gunner Enjoys Rest:
…..Sgt. Howard V. Wilbur was a tail gunner who had an outstanding record destroying enemy fighters, flying out of both England and North Africa.
…..He noted in a letter to his parents that he did have an enjoyable short vacation while in Africa. Howard says "I can't describe it and do it justice. It was heaven after 10 months of the opposite, if you get what I mean. I stayed at a hotel on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean. I could lay in my bed at night with the windows open and let the surf rolling in on the beach lull me to sleep."
The facility mentioned above, which was a rest camp for U.S. flying personnel, provided a well-deserved temporary escape from the rigors of air war which were endured by Howard and so many others.
Sgt. Howard V. Wilbur was a tail gunner with the 342nd Bomb Squadron. - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/37%C2%B016'34.3%22N+9%C2%B052'43.1%22E/@37.2761882,9.8764353,736m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d37.276184!4d9.878624
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The following excerpts are found on page 72, column 2, paragraphs 5, 6 & 8; page 61, column 1, paragraph 7; and page 68, column 1, paragraph 1 in the book titled: …..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
…..All A/C returned from an abortive raid due to a solid overcast over the target. As usual flak was heavy, intense and accurate.
…..A base defense unit, 36 men from each squadron every week to be on alert and ready to man the 30 cal. and 50 cal. machine guns placed in trenches around the outer edge of the base. This is our antiaircraft defense.
.....5 Jan. 1943: The 414th sqd had biscuits for supper, first in the group since its arrival in North Africa.
.....There was one man at Biskra almost unknown at the time he arrived. In a period of two short weeks he would be known and honored by all. He wore the same olive drab uniform as the G.I. but his insignia differed. It bore the label, correspondent. The bent stem pipe hanging from his mouth helped to identify him. His accent was a midwest twang that marked him as a "hoosier." The man was Ernie Pyle. Here in Africa he began his career with the story of G.I. Joe.
.....With just about everything wild and wooly happening the 97th got a new commanding officer, Colonel Stanley J. Donovan. His appointment on 5 January hinted that the Fifth Wing would be growing for General Atkinson would not be forced to split his crowded schedule and would now be the intermediate step between the Groups and the 12th Air Force. The Fifth Wing continued to supervise all Flying Fortress units in the Mediterranean region until the close of the fighting. - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/37%C2%B009'22.3%22N+9%C2%B048'30.1%22E/@37.1561913,9.8061763,737m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d37.156187!4d9.808365
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The following excerpts are found on page 73, column 1, paragraph 1; and page 57, column 2, paragraphs 4-5 in the book titled: …..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
…..Overcast over Bizerte prevented the Group from bombing the primary target. The target was circled twice, but could not be seen. So the alternate target of Ferryville was successfully bombed. E/A made strong attack, 2 E/A reported destroyed, 3 probables. A big fighter battle was observed at 30,000 ft., Me-109s and P-38s. One P-38 spun down to about 10,000 ft. and then pulled out.
…..Probably the finest example of precision bombing participated in by the 97th Group occurred during the Tunisian campaign against the French naval base at Ferryville located 10 miles south of Bizerte. The installations were attacked twice by the 97th, on January 8 and 30, and every report made on the target after the capture of the city testified to the accuracy of the Fortress crews. On the first mission two enemy fighters were destroyed without loss to the Forts. Five French vessels, a submarine, a sailing vessel, a tug, an aircraft tender and a patrol vessel were sunk or damaged beyond repair. A British correspondent wrote:
....."This was the most beautiful bombing I have ever seen. It had been American daylight precision bombing and only one bomb has even fallen outside the target area. No single inhabitant of Ferryville had been killed. Yet the workshops, the warehouses, the powerhouses, the engine shops, the torpedo sheds, the cranes, the assembly plants had been blasted until nothing usable remained. It was a square mile of the most incredible destruction. Three bombs had hit a ship loaded with thirteen hundred tons of explosives and that alone had flattened everything for a quarter of a mile around. It had pulled a 100-ton crane out of its stone foundations and tossed it across three dry docks. It had completely levelled a huge electrical installation. But quite apart from what this munitions ship had done the bomb damage was nearly one hundred percent. It did not seem possible that anything could even be repaired. It looked as though they would have to start again from scratch." - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/30%C2%B007'48.3%22N+9%C2%B029'42.7%22E/@30.1300986,9.4929993,800m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d30.130094!4d9.495188
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The following excerpts are found on page 74, column 1, paragraphs 1-2; and page 77, column 2, paragraph 3 in the book titled: …..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
…..The Fort is being held by Italians and blocking the advance of the Free French. Our [340th] bombs missed the Fort and hit the town. The French took the Fort in three days.
…..On three occasions the 97th was ordered out to give direct aid to the ground forces. At the request of General Philippe LeClerc's Free French Forces, moving north from Fort Lamy, the 340th and 414th Squadrons on the morning of 11 January attacked the huge adobe fort at Ghadames. Despite reports from the crews and photographs of the bombing the results proved negligible. The sand and adobe had literally absorbed the force of the explosions. The afternoon of 12 January the 97th flew its second mission in support of the ground forces. General Bernard Law Montgomery's Eighth Army requested that Castel Benito at Tripoli be attacked. The continual retreat of the German Africa Corps had forced the enemy to overload the field with aircraft. Ernie Pyle called the account of the mission, his favorite war story.
…..The 97th on 12 January bade goodbye to the oldest man in point of service, one of the first to be assigned to the Group at MacDill Field. General Doolittle, seeking a man with experience, called for Major Paul W. Tibbets [340th Bomb Squadron CO] to join him in the planning section of the 12th Air Force. Replacing Tibbets in Group operations would be Captain Robert E. Kimmel [as the new CO of the 340th Bomb Squadron]. - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/35%C2%B049'29.6%22N+10%C2%B038'41.6%22E/@35.8249043,10.6426863,750m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d35.8249!4d10.644875
- ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/36%C2%B051'04.3%22N+10%C2%B013'37.2%22E/@36.8511913,10.2248223,740m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d36.851187!4d10.227011
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The following excerpts are found on page 74, column 1, paragraph 9; and page 77, column 1, paragraph 9 in the book titled: …..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
…..255 fragmentation clusters were dropped on the target. Fires covered the entire field. An ammunition dump was hit. The explosion caused an estimated 600 casualties. Observation reports 40 E/A probably destroyed. Two alerts tonight but no enemy bombers.
…..The crews were pleased to learn from First Army Intelligence that the mission of 22 January, when Margaret Bourke-White was the photographer, had been one of the best. An ammunition dump had been hit causing an estimated 600 casualties and destroying 12 parked airplanes and damaging 19 others.
Refer to the following January 23, 1943 excerpt found by scrolling down in this link:
http://paul.rutgers.edu/~mcgrew/wwii/usaf/html/Jan.43.html
Two escorting P-38s are lost to enemy fighters.
Major Flack was considered by upper Army Air Force Command as one of their best, rock solid Pilots and Combat Commanders with a Distinctive Track Record to date, which was no one who ever flew on the same aircraft with Major Flack ever received a Purple Heart due to any type of injury. Major Flack was selected to fly Margaret Bourke White, the first female photographer/writer to fly on a combat mission.
When Margaret Bourke White returned stateside after her historic January 22, 1943 combat mission, LIFE Magazine published an article with photos, which appeared in their March 1, 1943 publication on pages 17 through 23, which may be viewed via the following link:
https://books.google.com/books?id=WlEEAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false
LIFE Magazine page 17: This article is titled LIFE’s Bourke White Goes Bombing and further states as the sub title: First woman to accompany U. S. Air Force on combat mission photographs attack on Tunis. Near the top of the 2nd column it states: On Jan. 22, by permission of Major General Doolittle, commander of the 12th Air Force, she climbed into a Flying Fortress and took off for Tunisia – the first woman ever fly with a U. S. combat crew over enemy soil.
LIFE Magazine page 19: The middle right photo shows Major Flack (standing on the far left) with some of his ground crew personnel checking out the B-17F LITTLE BILL (41-24400) prior to the January 22, 1943 mission.
LIFE Magazine page 20: The rendezvous citation for the top photo refers to the 301st Bomb Group meeting up with the 97th Bomb Group in flight along with their P-38 Fighter escort.
LIFE Magazine page 21: Turning into the bomb run citation for the top photo refers to the B-17F (42-5191) PEGGY piloted by Captain Fred Dallas with the 342nd Bomb Squadron. The short bio for this aircraft as documented in the B-17 FORTRESS MASTER LOG by David R. Osborne is:
42-5191 Del Cheyenne 8/10/42; West Palm Beach 15/12/42; Ass 342BS/97BG Biskra 3/1/43; Chateau-du-Rhumel 3/2/43; Pont-du-Fahs 1/8/43; Depienne 15/8/43; MIA Levento 9/12/43 w/?, crew saved. PEGGY.
LIFE Magazine page 22: The following quote appears at the beginning of the 2nd paragraph:
Shortly before 9 a.m. the squadron climbed into the dry air over its desert base and moved northeastward toward the Tunisian border. Miss Bourke White rode in the lead plane, Little Bill, piloted by 26-year-old Major Rudy Flack of Pasadena, Calif., able and imperturbable veteran of more than a score of combat missions in the European and African theaters of operations. - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/35%C2%B041'08.5%22N+10%C2%B004'49.1%22E/@35.6856943,10.0781133,751m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d35.68569!4d10.080302
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The following Mission Recap is found on page 83, column 2, paragraph 2 in the book titled: …..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
…..#59 A/F near Kairouan, Tunisia. 9 Feb. 1943.
…..Today while the 342nd and 414th loaded their equipment onto wagons at Biskra, in preparation for their departure tomorrow by plane, our planes went on a mission to Gabes A/D. It was aborted, for the target was overcast and bombs were brought back.
First, The Hour Has Come book's Mission Recap above identifies two different targets: (1) an A/F (airfield) near Kairouan and (2) the Gabes A/D (airdrome). Second, the Mission Recap above also indirectly states the mission to Gabes was aborted, for the target was overcast … but makes no mention regarding the outcome of the mission to an A/F near Kairouan. It was not uncommon for targets located on the West Coast of Tunisia (Bizerte, Tunis, Sousse, Sfax, Gabes and so on) to be socked in with heavy layers of clouds, especially during winter months. It was the 342nd and 414th whose assigned target was an A/F near Kairouan, Tunisia verified as follows. Along with Flack’s Individual Flight Records noting his Combat mission on 9-Feb-43, refer to the following February 9, 1943 excerpt found by scrolling down in this link:
http://paul.rutgers.edu/~mcgrew/wwii/usaf/html/Feb.43.html:
TUESDAY, 9 FEBRUARY 1943
AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
…..B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
…..B-24, Consolidated Liberator
…..B-25, North American Mitchell
…..B-26, Martin Marauder
…..P-38, Lockheed Lightning
…..P-39, Bell Airacobra
…..P-40, Curtiss
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
…WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force)
…..…..In Tunisia, B-17s bomb Kairouan Airfield. Fighters strafe AA and machine guns and trucks in the Faid Pass, buildings near Mezzouna, trucks in the Station de Sened area, and fly escort and reconnaissance missions. - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/34%C2%B047'43.2%22N+5%C2%B044'07.0%22E/@34.7953304,5.7330923,759m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d34.795326!4d5.735281
- ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/36%C2%B009'23.2%22N+6%C2%B010'00.0%22E/@36.1564503,6.1644853,747m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d36.156446!4d6.166674
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The following excerpts are found on page 82, column 2, paragraph 3; and page 86-87, column 1 in the book titled: …..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
…..10 Feb. 1943 … Personnel and equipment are being moved to Chateaudun du Rhumel. Trucks in convoys, and planes whenever the dust storms allows …
…..11 Feb. 1943: Weather prevented further "shuttle service" between the two fields. A command post was set up in town. Continuing rains, snow and sleet made it impossible to set up equipment. Wind added to the undesirable situation and everyone is wet and cold with no opportunity for drying off …
…..12 Feb. 1943. At the new base the presence of soft rock 6 inches below the surface of the earth makes difficult the digging of shelter trenches and the construction of underground homes …
…..14 Feb. 1943, weather kept the transports grounded. Today is the first birthday of the 97th Bombardment Group. No ceremony marked the occasion and the proposed mission was cancelled …
…..The new field at Chateaudun officially opened 15 February 1943. It had many redeeming features. The supply problem was eased by the nearness to major depots at Bone, Philippeville and Telergma, and although there were some sand and dust storms, fortunately they did not reach the proportions found at Biskra. Since the majority of the Allied air bases were in the general vicinity it enabled the various groups to organize a coordinated defense until a regular early warning system was installed. Whether this coordinated defense was responsible for the future results are not certain but results were excellent. From the assignment to Chateaudun until the close of the war the bases occupied by the 97th Group were never attacked, although alerted on many occasions. The view from the base was in direct contrast to the vast expanse of the desert. In the distance could be seen snow covered mountains with miles of green valleys. The main highway to Constantine bordered the field and Allied convoys passed in seemingly endless streams, aiding many an airman to hitch-hike to Constantine when issued a pass to leave the base. Chateaudun was smaller than Biskra but Constantine proved ample for most of the needs of a visiting soldier.
…..At Chateaudun the 97th Group was for the first time presented with the opportunity of utilizing to the full the capabilities of the Flying Fortress. Originally designed as an airplane to strike against the enemy’s ports, factories, cities and transportation in order to destroy his ability to make war, the Flying Fortress was also used for giving direct support to the ground forces. Until the close of the North African Campaign the 97th Group flew 47 missions from Chateaudun against a variety of targets, ranging from airfields to naval convoys. The full effect of the range of the heavy bomber was seen in the Mediterranean Theater for the first time, for on 17 occasions the 97th crossed the Mediterranean to strike at ports and airfields in Sicily, Sardinia and Italy. Twenty-three other attacks were carried out against targets in Tunisia and six missions were flown in search of enemy shipping on the Mediterranean. Additional help for the 97th and 301st Groups, which carried the brunt of the air war in North Africa thus far, also arrived. One new Fortress Group, the 99th, arrived 21 March. The forming of a uniform Allied command made it possible for the American Air Force in northwest Africa to coordinate its efforts with the American air units assigned to the British Eighth Army. On several occasions both units attacked the same target in order to saturate and overwhelm the defenses.
…..The attacks by Allied air units against Axis shipping marked the beginning of the end for the Italian navy. The destruction of Italian shipping on the Mediterranean and in the ports of both Africa and Italy forced the Italian government to withdraw the remaining ships to northern Italian ports. This practically took the navy out of the war.
…..The first mission from Chateaudun was flown on 15 February, with General Doolittle leading an attack on the docks at Palermo, Sicily, in conjunction with the Ninth Air Force flying out of Cyrenaica. - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/38%C2%B007'51.1%22N+13%C2%B022'13.4%22E/@38.1308652,13.3682003,727m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d38.130861!4d13.370389
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The following excerpts are found on page 87, column 2, paragraphs 1-3 in the book titled:…..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
…..The Group made its 60th mission and its first visit to Palermo with good results. Major Gen. Doolittle and Col. Donovan led the raid.
…..…..Meanwhile, the transports were grounded because of bad weather, and those remaining at Biskra are chafing from inactivity.
…..…..16 Feb. 1943. Peace and quiet, no mission, no alerts, and transports still grounded, bad weather.
The Hour Has Come book does not correctly identify Major Flack as the Pilot, Flight Leader and Mission Commander with Major Gen. Jimmy Doolittle onboard as his Copilot. For verification, refer to the newspaper article written by Mildred Hollingsworth (Evening Outlook, Santa Monica, California on Wednesday, August 4, 1943, column 2, third to last paragraph), which states the following:
Soon after arriving in Africa he wrote again to his mother, "My new boss is Doolittle, and I believe that he will make a good one. Had him with me on a raid a few days ago and he appears to be a great fellow." (Flack is referring to his 15-Feb-43 mission to bomb the Palermo Docks in Sicily, Italy.)
Major Gen. Jimmy Doolittle at this time was the Commander of the XII Bomber Command and the Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) who flew with Major Flack on the first mission from their newly setup American base in Chateaudun du Rhumel, Algeria to bomb the Palermo Docks in Sicily, Italy. This mission included Colonel Stanley J. Donovan, Commander of the 97th Bomb Group, who flew in the lead aircraft in one of the Wing Groups. This mission included the 301st Bomb Group as well.
Found in the following link is an excerpt and photo from the Naval History and Heritage Command, National Museum of the U.S. Navy:
https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/museums/nmusn/explore/photography/wwii/wwii-europe/italian-campaign/allied-invasion-sicily/lc-usw33-020990-c.html
The photo in this link and in other publications is incorrectly orientated as displayed. To verify this fact, simply view the Palermo, Sicily docks via google maps.
…..Flying through an intense barrage of anti-aircraft fire U.S. Army Air Force Flying Fortress B-17 fought off an attacking formation of enemy planes and accomplished their mission which was to bomb shipping and harbor installations at Palermo, Sicily. A bomb can be seen on its way while bursts from preceding bombs have wrecked destruction below. - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/35%C2%B010'01.0%22N+8%C2%B050'04.2%22E/@35.1669364,8.8322983,756m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d35.166932!4d8.834487
- ^
Refer to the following February 22, 1943 excerpt found by scrolling down in this link:
http://paul.rutgers.edu/~mcgrew/wwii/usaf/html/Feb.43.html:
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (North African Air Force)
In Tunisia, A-20s of the 47th Bombardment Group (Light) and fighters, flying close support to Allied ground forces, aid in repulsing Field Marshall Rommel's drive toward Thala and Tebessa. The 47th flies 11 missions and bomb at minimum altitude; 1 A-20 is lost after being hit by 3 Bf 109s; several aircraft sustain wing damage from ripping antennae off German tanks and trucks. At 1915 hours local the enemy begins a general withdrawal toward Kasserine. B-17s bomb the Kasserine Pass while B-25s hit the nearby bridge and escorting P-38s strafe retreating troops. Other B-25s hit the railway yards at Gafsa. P-39s of the 154th Observation Squadron, 68th Observation Group fly 17 attack-reconnaissance sorties over the Kasserine area destroying 3 tanks and damaging 10 trucks while losing 1 aircraft.
For a closer look at the portion of the Kasserine pass just south of Thala most likely bombed by the 414th Bomb Squadron, refer to this Wikipedia link,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kasserine_Pass
and view photos, and in particular the Map Figure labeled MAP IX along with PDF page 27 (map page 24) in the following link,
https://history.army.mil/books/Staff-Rides/kasserine/Maps_Sketches.pdf
and you will see the point where Field Marshall Rommel’s troops from the 10th Panzer Division were turned back as a result of the successful bombing by the 414th Bomb Squadron led by Major Flack as described in the paragraphs to follow.
The following excerpts are found on page 89, column 1, paragraph 2; page 90, column 1, paragraph 1; page 90, column 2, paragraph 5; and page 90, column 1, last paragraph thru column 2, paragraph 4 in the book titled:…..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993:
The following is from The Hour Has Come book, which is incomplete and contradicts the Mission Recap to follow:
…..The single attack flown by the 97th from Chateaudun, in direct support of the ground forces, came in late February. Field Marshall Erwin Rommel attempting to find room for his Africa Corps to maneuver, had chosen Kasserine Pass, held by green American troops, for his next attack. Moving in under weather which made flying extremely hazardous, he rolled back the American flank to such an extent that even the air bases were placed on a four-hour alert for possible evacuation. On 22 February the 97th Group went looking for Rommel's forces. After searching the area for three hours in an attempt to find a break in the clouds, returned with its bombs.
The preceding comments did not include the results for the 414th Bomb Squadron; just the results for the other three 97th Bomb Group squadrons. In the following Mission Recap from The Hour Has Come book, it infers the results for the 414th Bomb Squadron but is still incomplete:
#62 Troop Concentration Kasserine Pass, Tunisia. 22 Feb. 1943.
Weather sunny and clear at our field. The 30 minute operational alert developed into a mission in the afternoon. Weather was bad over the target, only a few A/C dropped bombs.
…..Reports came in much later that our bombs landed on a German armored column advancing on Allied Troops.
…..This attack by the 97th was the start of a series of blows by the Allied air forces that were to tip the balance in the struggle and force the retreat of the Axis armies. Marshall Rommel, whose forces bore the brunt of these blows reported, "In every battle to come the strength of the Anglo American air force was to be the deciding factor."
The following story makes whole the successful bombing results by the 414th Bomb Squadron on February 22, 1943 led by Major Flack:
…..At approximately one o'clock the following morning the telephone in the operations section rang and a sleepy duty officer answered it to hear an unmistakable English voice inform him that congratulations were due to the group for a "bloody fine show".··Puzzled, the officer mumbled thanks and hung up. During the remainder of the morning additional congratulatory messages arrived by teletype and telephone. Since no details were mentioned, the 97th wondered what it had done. That night the facts of the mission to Kasserine became known when a newspaper photographer being flown back from the front happened to land at Chateaudun. Weary from lack of sleep and the strain of battle he sought a bed only to awaken when he was informed that he was a guest of the 97th. His enthusiasm seemed boundless. Said he, according to one account:
…..Why you're wonderful. Wonderful. I know ― I was right up there in the front lines before Thala with the boys taking pictures when a German armored column came up the road looking for trouble. It looked damn bad, because we didn’t have much to put up against it. And then we heard this roar overhead. Couldn't see the planes because of the thick clouds.
…..Well, there that column was, moving in on us. And there were those planes. And between them was a bunch of clouds. It was sad I'm telling you. And then all of a sudden a bunch of dust bursts began to pop up all around the column. You could hear a sound like a million firecrackers. And in a minute you couldn't see the column at all for the dust and smoke.
…..When it cleared away there were a number of vehicles burning. And there must have been a number of casualties as everyone was riding uncovered and not expecting trouble. About that time our artillery opened up on the mess and began to give them a real pasting. A little later they began pulling out everything they could save and they never did come back. Say, how did you fellows do it, anyway?
And now, you have the "rest of the story" completing the successful February 22, 1943 bombing mission by the persistent 414th Bomb Squadron led by Major Flack. - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/35%C2%B010'01.0%22N+8%C2%B050'04.2%22E/@35.1669364,8.8322983,756m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d35.166932!4d8.834487
- ^
Refer to the following February 23, 1943 excerpt found by scrolling down in this link:
http://paul.rutgers.edu/~mcgrew/wwii/usaf/html/Feb.43.html:
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (North African Air Force)
In Tunisia, B-17s bomb Kairouan Airfield and hit troops retreating through the Kasserine Pass. B-25s and B-26s hit the Kasserine Pass and the bridge nearby. A-20s and fighters also attack retreating columns in the Kasserine area.
The following excerpts are found on page 90, column 1, paragraph 1 midway; and page 90, column 1, paragraph 4 in the book titled:…..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993:
The above February 23, 1943 accounting where retreating troops were bombed through the Kasserine Pass and columns were attacked in the Kasserine area substantiates the bombing results by the 414th Bomb Squadron on February 22, 1943, which is also corroborated by the newspaper photographer’s story quoted in the February 22, 1943 reference, stating: …they began pulling out everything they could save and they never did come back.
…..The following morning [23-Feb-43] the group was briefed to attack the airfield at Gabes, but only one Fort bombed because of the cloud cover. The same afternoon another search was started over the Kasserine area. Loaded with fragmentation bombs the 97th hoped to locate the enemy south of the mountain town of Thala. The weather was atrocious, and the 301st groups which had started out with the 97th, turned back to base. A break in the clouds permitted the lead crew of the 97th [Flack’s 414th Bomb Squadron lead B-17] to locate their position, but almost immediately the earth was again obscured. The situation called for returning the bombs, yet the 97th wanted to help the ground forces, dropped its bombs, hoping some good would result.
The following is the Mission Recap from The Hour Has Come book:
#64 Troop Concentration Kasserine Pass, Tunisia. 23 Feb. 1943.
Immediately upon their return from Gabes the crews went on a 30 minute operational alert which, developed into a mission. Weather again interfered and only half of the A/C dropped their bombs. - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/37%C2%B016'34.3%22N+9%C2%B052'43.1%22E/@37.2761882,9.8764353,736m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d37.276184!4d9.878624
- ^
The following excerpts are found on page 91, column 1, paragraphs 1-2; page 90, column 2, last paragraph; and page 91, column 2, paragraph 1 in the book titled: …..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
24 Feb. 1943 . . . Since today's mission was cancelled due to weather, everyone made a mad dash for the hot springs "douche".
We really ate today, fresh eggs and biscuits for breakfast and meat for lunch.
#65 Bizerte Docks, Tunisia. 25 Feb. 1943.
The 97th returned to its old "milk Run" today, several A/C received minor flak damage. 3 ME-109s were damaged when attacking our formation. 1 E/A was shot down.
…..Settling on a new base created many problems, one of which at Chateaudun, concerned the absence of facilities for taking a bath. A system was worked out, permitting the airman to bathe approximately every ten days, when a sulphur springs reminiscent of the ancient Roman baths that dotted this area of the Empire, was discovered nearby. Later the bathing problem was somewhat relieved, for permission was granted for the men to use the public baths in Constantine.
…..Although the movement to Chateaudun brought the 97th closer to Allied supply depots there was no discernible increase in the supply of fresh meat to the squadron mess tables. To ease this problem the squadrons continued the practice initiated at Biskra, the acceptance of donations from the men for the purchase of chickens, turkeys and even calves. The lack of fresh bread at the mess tables had been a common complaint since the arrival of the 97th in Africa but at Chateaudun the dilemma was alleviated. The bread supply was the result of a "deal" between the mess officer and the proprietor of a bakery in Constantine, which had been shut down for lack of flour. The 97th Group ordered flour from the supply services and turned it over to the baker. He kept half of what he baked in exchange for his labor and the use of his ovens. - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/Autorit%C3%A0+Portuale/@39.2114355,9.1130243,254m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x12e734074981c7dd:0xe0d720ccbd58302f!8m2!3d39.2113696!4d9.1136165?hl=en
- ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/39%C2%B015'05.3%22N+9%C2%B003'15.4%22E/@39.2514731,9.0520943,716m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d39.251469!4d9.054283
- ^
The following excerpts are found on page 91, column 1, paragraph 3; and page 43, column 2, paragraph 4 through page 44 in the book titled: …..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
…..Today the Group flew its 50th mission since being in North Africa. The primary target was certain shipping in the Mediterranean, but when they were unable to find it, they successfully bombed the city of Cagliari and St. Elmas A/D in Sardinia. After bombing 10 E/A attacked the formation, 2 were destroyed and 2 damaged. 3 of our A /C were damaged.
…..One of the Fortresses sent to Africa, Hell’s Kitchen was a veteran of the 97th Group’s 414th Squadron and had begun its war career in the second mission of the group when the airdrome at Abbeville was bombed during the Dieppe catastrophe.
…..On February 26, 1943, several B-17s of the 97th Group, Hell’s Kitchen among them, were sent out to bomb Italian cruisers near Sicily; the secondary target was Sardinia from which Axis planes were active.
…..For belly-turret gunner Allie Moszyk it was the twenty-third mission of his rather brief career, he had only been in the Army Air Corps for a month over a year. The mission had not begun too well for him for, because of the shortage of ground crews, the plane's crew members had to gas-up and Bomb-up their own plane. It was while he was assisting with the fueling Moszyk fell off the wing. Though not seriously injured, he could have easily stayed home on that particular mission. But there was a serious shortage of men and he chose to go on the raid. Because of the lack of hands, ground officers actually served on KP and Moszyk received a jolt one day he was served powdered egg by a KP with the rank of lieutenant colonel. Air crews were regarded as the elite and were spared the duties that fell to the ground crews.
…..Hell’s Kitchen's regular pilot was ill on the day of Moszyk's twenty-third mission so co-pilot Norbert Kirk took over the left hand seat. A devout Catholic, Moszyk carried an improvised rosary he had fashioned from a shoelace, having lost the one he brought overseas with him. They were about 15,000 feet over Sicily when they were attacked by a flock of Me-109s and Fw-190s. The latter especially buzzed around the Fortress with ferocious tenacity, jumping in on either side of the tail. Curled up in the ball position Moszyk could not get a good bead upon the Fw-190 which had got on the tall firing 20mm cannon shells at them.
…..What Moszyk did not know was that Philip Trapani, in the tail position, was having trouble with his twin fifties which had frozen. He had just reached for the lever to charge his guns when a 20mm shell exploded in the tail, severely injuring him in the arms and legs.
…..Almost at the same instant Moszyk, seeing the Fw-190 on their tail firing shouted into the intercom, "Pull up the tail, sir!" and received a direct hit (apparently aimed at the tail gun) in his turret. In a flash the Fw-190 dived below and out of the way. There was a great explosion inside the turret, smoke and bits of shrapnel filled the ball and Moszyk felt his arm go numb and his face was covered with blood. His radio was dead so he climbed out of the ball turret to attend to his wounds. Surprised that he could still walk around, Moszyk decided to investigate the tail-gun position to see how Trapani was making out. He found the tail gunner bleeding profusely and without an oxygen mask. Placing his mask upon the wounded Trapani, he hurriedly tried to tie a tourniquet around his arm. He then found a walk around oxygen bottle for himself and went forward to inform Kirk that he would need some help to attend to Trapani.
…..Kirk had his hands full, for he had already feathered No. 3 engine, and No. 1 was afire. He and the bombardier "Gabby" Gardner returned to the tall-gunner, noting on the way that Robert Jones, the radio operator, was also wounded but continued to send messages.
…..Trapani was conscious by then and it was found that when he had reached out to charge his guns the 20mm shell had exploded against the arm (later it was learned that the bone was badly shattered and the arm had to be amputated). Moszyk and Gardner gave the wounded man first aid and were shocked to find that they had to open five first aid kits before they could find one that contained morphine. However, Trapani refused the morphine because he was afraid if he had an injection he would never wake up again. They managed to stop some of the bleeding in both arm and leg.
…..They then turned to Moszyk, himself with arm and leg wounds, and his face badly cut from splinters that had ricocheted in the ball turret. Luckily the structure of the turret had deflected the full impact of the cannon shell and his injuries were not serious. Because of the wounded men aboard Kirk wanted to land at an emergency field at Bone, but they continued on to Biskra instead. Before they landed he asked Moszyk to get back into the ball turret to see if any of the tires had been shot up. One had been so that when they came into their field on three engines, the fire in No. 1 had gone out, they had only one tire.
…..Kirk brought Hell’s Kitchen in gingerly and balanced it on the single good tire, then when the flat touched down the plane swung around bending a couple of propellers. They were met by anxious members of their squadron, including Richard Murfit, the regular pilot. He was shocked when he saw the plane and the bloodied Trapani and Moszyk.
….."Kirk," he demanded, "what have you done with my crew?''
…..Both the wounded men were hospitalized: within two weeks Moszyk was out, but Trapani's arm required amputation and he remained in the hospital for a month before being evacuated to the United States. (After the war, and following several additional surgical treatments, he died from the wounds he received over Sicily.) Moszyk received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his role in attending to the severely wounded Trapani and for giving up his own oxygen mask. He was later returned to the U.S. to serve as a gunnery instructor.
Refer to the following February 26, 1943 excerpt found on page 75 of 265 in this link:
http://www.ww2.dk/Airfields%20-%20Italy%20Sicily%20and%20Sardinia.pdf
26 Feb 43: bombed by XII Bomber Command B-17s – airfield buildings and workshops hit and numerous casualties. Elmas did not return to full serviceability until 12 March. - ^ Refer to GENERAL ORDERS NUMBER 6, February 26, 1943, HEADQUARTERS FIFTH BOMBARDMENT WING, which states:
"RUDOLPH E. FLACK, 0-371840, Major, Air Corps, Army of the United States. For extraordinary skill, gallantry and leadership over enemy occupied territory in North Africa during the period 14 January 1943 to 22 January 1943. As commander of his Heavy Bombardment Squadron, and at great risk to his personal safety, Major FLACK led two high altitude daylight bombardment missions, both of which resulted in heavy losses to the enemy. By his skill as a pilot and flight leader, despite intense anti-aircraft barrages, Major FLACK on each occasion successfully led his flight over the assigned target and accurately bombed important enemy military installations. This was accomplished without the loss of any United States' aircraft. Major FLACK by his courage and coolness under heavy anti-aircraft fire, his marked ability as pilot and flight leader, has served the armed forces of his country gallantly and well and his brave deeds have furthered their aims and ideals." - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/38%C2%B007'51.1%22N+13%C2%B022'13.4%22E/@38.1308652,13.3682003,727m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d38.130861!4d13.370389
- ^
The following excerpt is found on page 91, column 1, paragraph 5 in the book titled: …..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
#68 Palermo Docks, Sicily. 1 March 1943.
One bomb hit caused a terrific explosion. 16 E/A attacked formation, 2 destroyed, 1 probable.
The following are excerpts from the Wings at War Commemorative Edition (Series No. 6), which is an excellent read providing details regarding the Air War in and out of Northwest Africa in 1942-43 accessible via this link:
https://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001329819/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-007.pdf:
In the face of much bad February weather, all possible blows were delivered on Palermo and Messina, the former attacked by RAF night bombers and the latter by USAAF B-24's. … Meanwhile Malta and Northwest Africa-based bombers were strewing havoc among supply ships out of Naples. The enemy then took to sending ships out of Palermo and other Sicilian ports to make the run to Tunis and Bizerte under cover of night. Malta-based aircraft seriously took up the work of destroying Sicilian communications, particularly those at Messina, and were soon joined by the bombers based in the Middle East.
Meanwhile the Northwest African Air Forces was sending its bombers against Sardinian and Sicilian targets. Cagliari docks and railways were bombed by 19 B-17's on 26 February, and again on the 28th by 46 B-17's. Docks and anchored ships suffered extensively. Trapani was visited by Wellingtons repeatedly. Palermo also received several bombings, one on 15 February by 19 B-17's and the worst on 1 March by 38 B-17's. Docks, drydocks and shipbuilding yards were hit by 2,000-pounders, and five vessels were set on fire.
Refer to this Wikipedia link for the quote to follow:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombing_of_Palermo_in_World_War_II
On 1 March 1943, thirty-six bombers of the 12th Air Force dropped 94 tons of bombs over the harbour: the objective was hit, disabling the drydock and sinking the destroyer Geniere and some smaller vessels, but once again part of the bombs fell on the city, hitting among other things the Cathedral. - ^ Refer to the fourth to last paragraph found in the Wednesday, August 4, 1943 Evening Outlook, Santa Monica, California newspaper article written by Mildred Hollingsworth.
- ^ Refer to page 3 of Colonel Rudolph Emil Flack’s AAF OFFICERS' QUALIFICATION RECORD and see item 38 Chronological Record of Military Experience, which states: 5Mar43-10Aug43 – 12 B.Comd, No African Strateic AF – Asst A-3 (Maj Gen JAMES H. DOOLITTLE) – Sup – JHD and 2162 A-3 Opns Staff O under the column titled Occupational Code & Title (AR 605-95). To view this document, refer to the following link:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1946-01-31_AAF_Officers_Qualifications_Record_for_COL_Rudy_Flack-3.jpg - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/40%C2%B051'17.9%22N+14%C2%B017'43.5%22E/@40.854963,14.2932183,699m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d40.854959!4d14.295407?hl=en
- ^
Major Flack piloted his Lead B-17F from Telergma, Algeria to the Naples, Italy Marshalling Yards and back to Telergma, Algeria for seven hours and twenty-five minutes (7:25), a 1,080 mile roundtrip.
The following Mission Recap is found on page 93, column 2, last paragraph in the book titled:…..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
#82 M/Y Naples, Italy. 4 April 1943.
After 4 days of stand-down because of weather, the Group had another first. Along with 2 other Groups raided Naples, the first mission to the European Continent for heavy bombers operating from North Africa. 45 A/C dispatched. A direct hit sunk a ship in the harbor. 13 E/A intercepted our formation. Sgt. Hoffman destroyed an Italian Reggi. Another E/A reported a probable and 1 damaged.
Refer to this link, which provides an aerial photo and a short description of the April 4, 1943 bombing of the Naples harbor:
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/MED1482/ - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/41%C2%B010'56.7%22N+9%C2%B026'58.6%22E/@41.1821111,9.4476684,1703m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d41.182413!4d9.449622?hl=en
- ^
Major Flack piloted his Lead B-17F from Telergma, Algeria to the Cruiser Gorizia at La Maddalena, Sardinia and back to Telergma, Algeria for seven hours and five minutes (7:05), a 776 mile roundtrip.
Refer to the following April 10, 1943 excerpt found by scrolling down in this link:
http://paul.rutgers.edu/~mcgrew/wwii/usaf/html/Apr.43.html
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force)
In Sardinia, B-17's hit ships at La Madallena.
The following Mission Recap and excerpts are found on page 94, column 1, paragraph 5; page 97, column 1 thru column 2, paragraph 1; and page 98 respectively in the book titled:…..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
#87 Cruiser Gorizia, La Maddalena, Sardinia. 10 April 1943.
Despite the attacks of the American and British air units coupled with the work of British submarines in the Mediterranean, the Allied high command pondered the question as to whether or not an attempt would be made to evacuate the Axis armies, slowly being forced back in northern Tunisia. Reports reaching the allied command that a German admiral had taken over command of the Italian fleet alerted the Allies to the possibility that direct action might be expected. Photo reconnaissance planes soon spotted the two main threats of the remainder of the Italian fleet. These were the heavily armored cruisers Gorizia and Trieste anchored in coves in the harbor of La Maddalena, Sardinia, behind submarine booms. The Trieste went down immediately under the bombs from the 301st Group, while the Gorizia, surrounded by flak batteries, was damaged to such an extent by the 97th Group that it was towed to the harbor of La Spezia. There it remained, undergoing repairs, until after the armistice.
Besides the destruction of supplies, ports, shipping and other means of transportation, a basic duty of the air force is counter-air action, or the destruction of the enemy’s air units. In the final phase of the struggle to capture Africa, the 97th Group participated in thirteen such missions. Several of them flown in conjunction with other units of the 12th Air Force. The targets ranged from the Gabes airfield, on the southern border of Tunisia to Grosetto airdrome, north of Rome.
Refer to the following two photos showing the before and after bombing of the Cruiser Gorizia in the harbor at La Maddalena, Sardinia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?search=File%3A1943-04-10_Cruiser_Gorizia%2C_La_Maddalena%2C_Sardinia_Photo-1%7CAerial+photo+before+bombing+the+Cruiser+Gorizia+at+La+Maddalena%2C+Sardinia&title=Special:Search&profile=advanced&fulltext=1&advancedSearch-current=%7B%7D&ns0=1#/media/File:1943-04-10_Cruiser_Gorizia,_La_Maddalena,_Sardinia_Photo-1.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?search=File%3A1943-04-10_Cruiser_Gorizia%2C_La_Maddalena%2C_Sardinia_Photo-2%7CAerial+photo+during+the+bombing+of+the+Cruiser+Gorizia+at+La+Maddalena%2C+Sardinia&title=Special:Search&profile=advanced&fulltext=1&advancedSearch-current=%7B%7D&ns0=1#/media/File:1943-04-10_Cruiser_Gorizia,_La_Maddalena,_Sardinia_Photo-2.jpg - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/34%C2%B000'00.0%22N+5%C2%B012'00.0%22W/@34.0001063,-5.2012747,845m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d34!4d-5.2?hl=en
- ^
On May 17, 1943 Flack piloted a B-17E from Telergma Airfield to Algiers Airfield, Algeria and picked up Lt. Gen. Carl Spaatz and flew him to Médiouna Airfield in Casablanca, Morocco. The next day Flack piloted Lt. Gen. Carl Spaatz to Marrakesh Airfield, Morocco. On May 19, 1943 Flack piloted Lt. Gen. Carl Spaatz to Oued N’ja, Morocco to inspect the 99th Fighter Squadron, later referred to as the Tuskegee Airmen. Refer to the 14th image in the following link, which is a photo of Henry L. Stimson, the United States Secretary of War (right), Lt. Gen. Carl Spaatz (center) and Capt. Benjamin O. Davis Jr. (left), the commander of the 99th Fighter Squadron:
https://www.airforcemag.com/Red-Tails-the-Tuskegee-Airmen-in-Photos/ - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/34%C2%B000'00.0%22N+5%C2%B012'00.0%22W/@34.0001063,-5.2012747,845m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d34!4d-5.2?hl=en
- ^ On May 19, 1943 NASAF Staff Officer Flack was introduced to the 99th Fighter Squadron by Lt. Gen. Spaatz who provided a short Bio of Major Flack’s flying career to-date. Next, Lt. Gen. Spaatz explained Major Flack would assist with the assimilation of their Fighter Squadron into the Twelfth Air Force; whereby, they would be providing escort cover for Allied bombers and flying combat missions in the near future. Lastly, Lt. Gen. Spaatz informed them Major Flack would be flying with them on a couple of their initial combat missions. Major Flack’s colorblind conviction (well known to Air Force command) was based on his religious beliefs and personal life experiences as Flack was ridiculed and discriminated against while growing up being a first generation German-American. Major Flack spent time with the 99th FS before flying back to Telergma Airfield in Algeria.
- ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/36%C2%B048'59.0%22N+11%C2%B058'07.0%22E/@36.8158699,11.9622764,4167m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d36.816389!4d11.968611?hl=en
- ^
Refer to this link for the excerpt to follow:
http://tuskegeeairmen.org/wp-content/uploads/TUSKEGEE-AIRMEN-CHRONOLOGY.pdf:
2 June 1943: The 99th Fighter Squadron flew its first combat mission, flying P-40 aircraft on patrol over the Mediterranean Sea while attached to the 33d Fighter Group. The 99th did not encounter enemy aircraft that day. Squadron P-40s flew from Fardjouna, Tunisia, although the ground echelon of the squadron did not arrive at the new base until June 7.
On June 2, 1943 Major Flack flew from Telergma ► Chateaudun ► Fardjouna ► Pantelleria ► LeKroub. Major Flack rendezvoused with the 99th Fighter Squadron in flight over Fardjouna Airfield and they flew east to Pantelleria Island (56 miles) providing protective cover for bomber aircraft. Major Flack embedded himself within the fighter squadron to evaluate the cooperation between bombers and fighters. Once arriving at their destination, Major Flack peeled away from the formation and bombed several preplanned targets (Gun Batteries, Docks and Airfield) with his P-38G Heavy Fighter Bomber. Once completed, Major Flack joined up with the 99th Fighter Squadron in escorting the group of bombers back to the Tunisia mainland at which point Flack dropped out of the formation and flew back to the LeKroub airfield in Algeria, which accounts for Flack’s two "Takeoffs/Landings" at Chateaudun and LeKroub as logged in his Individual Flight Records. - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/36%C2%B048'59.0%22N+11%C2%B058'07.0%22E/@36.8158699,11.9622764,4167m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d36.816389!4d11.968611?hl=en
- ^
Refer to this link for the excerpt to follow:
http://tuskegeeairmen.org/wp-content/uploads/TUSKEGEE-AIRMEN-CHRONOLOGY.pdf:
2-9 June 1943: The 99th Fighter Squadron flew an average of two missions daily for the 33d Fighter Group during the campaign against Pantelleria Island, which ended on 11 June. Some of the missions targeted enemy gun sites on the island, and some escorted A-20 and B-25 aircraft on raids against enemy targets there.
On June 6, 1943 Major Flack flew from LeKroub ► Monastir ► Kairouan West ► Pantelleria ► LeKroub. Early on 6-Jun-43, Major Flack flew from LeKroub ► Monastir ► Kairouan West. Later on Major Flack took off from Kairouan West and rendezvoused with the 99th Fighter Squadron in flight over Fardjouna Airfield at the designated time and location. They continued on their assigned combat mission to provide fighter support for one group of heavy bombers. Once over Pantelleria Island, Major Flack peeled off and dropped his Heavy Fighter bomb loads on both Costello Docks (Porto di Pantelleria) and Pantelleria Airfield (Aero Porto di Pantelleria), upon specific targets based on reconnaissance photos. Once completed, Major Flack joined up with the 99th Fighter Squadron in escorting the group of bombers back to the Tunisia mainland at which point Flack dropped out of the formation and flew back to the LeKroub airfield in Algeria, which accounts for Flack’s three "Takeoffs/Landings" at Monastir, Kairouan West and LeKroub as logged in his Individual Flight Records. - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/36%C2%B050'16.8%22N+11%C2%B057'00.8%22E/@36.8379983,11.9480283,740m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d36.837994!4d11.950217
- ^
The following Mission Recap is found on page 107, column 2, paragraph 3 in the book titled:…..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
#119 Pantelleria Island, Gun Batteries. 8 June 1943.
All target area bombarded by Allied Navy prior to bombing attack. Dust and smoke prevented observation of bomb strikes. More flak than experienced on former raids, inaccurate.
Refer to this link’s page 427, paragraph 3 for the excerpt to follow:
https://archive.org/details/Vol2EuropeTorchToPointblank:
According to plan, the island twice was offered a chance to surrender prior to D-day. On the 8th (D minus 3), immediately after the naval bombardment, three pilots of the 33d Fighter Group dropped messages demanding immediate cessation of hostilities and unconditional surrender of all military personnel. Immediately after the drop, bombers showered the island with thousands of leaflets which pointed out the futility of further resistance and the advantage in sparing the island the ordeal of continued bombings. When, after a six-hour respite, prescribed signals of surrender had not been displayed, the air assault was renewed.
As stated in the Air Force Association report contained herein, The B-17’s, along with medium, light and fighter bombers, dropped almost 700 tons of bombs on June 8.
Refer to the following links, which provide a couple of historical accountings of the bombing of Pantelleria Island in 1943 as part of Operation Corkscrew:
https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/2017/01/13/the-wwii-bombing-of-pantelleria-island-a-test-of-air-power/
https://www.airforcemag.com/article/0602pantelleria/ - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/37%C2%B005'57.2%22N+14%C2%B029'57.0%22E/@37.0992363,14.4969703,737m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d37.099232!4d14.499159
- ^
As the Pilot, Major Flack departed the Pantelleria Marghana airfield with a fully loaded B-25C and bombed the Luftwaffe Axis airfield at San Pietro (Biscari) in Sicily, and then continued to and landed at the Takali Airfield on the Island of Malta.
Refer to page 210 of 263 (PDF 212 of 265) in this link for the excerpt to follow:
http://www.ww2.dk/Airfields%20-%20Italy%20Sicily%20and%20Sardinia.pdf
The airfield landing ground was located in SE Sicily 5 miles N of Biscari and immediately SW of the village of San Pietro. The following is a short history of the Allied bombing of the San Pietro (Biscari), Sicily Luftwaffe Axis airfield:
26-May-43 ... Bombed by NASAF bombers.
4-Jun-43 ...... Station strength report gave 82 aircraft at San Pietro.
17-Jun-43 .... Bombed by IX Bomber Command B-24s.
5/8-Jul-43 .... Attacked daily by Allied aircraft.
9-Jul-43 ....... Bombed and damaged aircraft on the ground.
14-Jul-43 ..... San Pietro (Biscari) captured by U.S. invasion forces.
As of June 1, 1943, the NASAF consisted of 9 Bomb Groups, 4 Fighter Groups and 4 RAF Wings as shown in the Unit and Organizational chart for the NAAF found in the following link:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwest_African_Air_Forces
The excerpt to follow is from the 12th Airforce, 57th Bombardment Wing, 321st Bombardment Group, History obtained via this link:
http://57thbombwing.com/321stHistory/321_BG_1943-07.pdf
Tuesday, 6 July 1943.
USAAF Chronology: Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO):
Eastern Mediterranean (Ninth Air Force):
…..In Sicily, B-24's strike satellite airfields at Gerbini; B-25's hit the airfields at Biscari and Gerbini while P-40's escort bombers, patrol, and carry out dive-bombing operations. The 85th Fighter Squadron, 79th Fighter Group transfers with P-40's from Tunisia to Malta.
Western Mediterranean (Northwest African Air Force):
…..In Sicily, Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) Wellingtons hit Gerbini Airfield and 2 satellites during the night of 5/6 Jul; during predawn hours and throughout the day, light and medium bombers of Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) bomb airfields at Biscari, Sciacca, Trapani, and Comiso; NASAF B-17's again hit Gerbini Airfield and 3 satellite fields; B-25's bomb Biscari Airfield. Northwest African Coastal Air Force (NACAF) maintains sea patrol and convoy protection.
HQ 321st BG War Diary: At 0835 on July 6, 1943, 36 planes took off to bomb Biscari-San Pietro airdrome. One plane returned early and the others dropped 268 three-hundred pound bombs with .1 and 45 second fusing from 8,000 to 9,000 feet at 1025. Almost all of the bombs were dropped on the field, and the results were excellent. The buildings on the northeast and northwest corners were also hit and 1 JU-52 taking off from the airdrome was believed to have been hit. No flak was encountered.
Refer to the following Wikipedia link, which you will need to translate from Italian to English:
https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeroporto_di_Biscari-Santo_Pietro, where it states the following:
During the summer of 1943 it was heavily bombed and was conquered by the Americans landed on the nearby beaches of Scoglitti during the landing in Sicily (June 9, 1943). - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/37%C2%B005'57.2%22N+14%C2%B029'57.0%22E/@37.0992363,14.4969703,737m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d37.099232!4d14.499159
- ^
As the Pilot, Major Flack departed the Takali Airfield on the Island of Malta with a fully loaded B-25C and bombed the Luftwaffe Axis airfield at San Pietro (Biscari) in Sicily, and then continued to and landed at the La Marsa Airfield in Tunisia.
Refer to page 210 of 263 (PDF 212 of 265) in this link for the excerpt to follow:
http://www.ww2.dk/Airfields%20-%20Italy%20Sicily%20and%20Sardinia.pdf
The airfield landing ground was located in SE Sicily 5 miles N of Biscari and immediately SW of the village of San Pietro. The following is a short history of the Allied bombing of the San Pietro (Biscari), Sicily Luftwaffe Axis airfield:
26-May-43 ... Bombed by NASAF bombers.
4-Jun-43 ...... Station strength report gave 82 aircraft at San Pietro.
17-Jun-43 .... Bombed by IX Bomber Command B-24s.
5/8-Jul-43 .... Attacked daily by Allied aircraft.
9-Jul-43 ....... Bombed and damaged aircraft on the ground.
14-Jul-43 ..... San Pietro (Biscari) captured by U.S. invasion forces.
As of June 1, 1943, the NASAF consisted of 9 Bomb Groups, 4 Fighter Groups and 4 RAF Wings as shown in the Unit and Organizational chart for the NAAF found in the following link:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwest_African_Air_Forces
The excerpt to follow is from the 12th Airforce, 57th Bombardment Wing, 321st Bombardment Group, History obtained via this link:
http://57thbombwing.com/321stHistory/321_BG_1943-07.pdf
Wednesday, 7 July 1943.
USAAF Chronology: Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO):
Eastern Mediterranean (Ninth Air Force):
…..In Sicily, B-24's hit airfields at Gerbini and the rail line N of Brucoli; and B-25's bomb the airfield and surrounding areas at Biscari and Comiso. P-40's bomb and strafe Lucca Airfield, Italy.
Western Mediterranean (Northwest African Air Force): Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) Wellingtons bomb Palermo, Sicily and airfields at Villacidro, Milis, and Pabillonis, Sardinia during the night of 6/7 Jul.
…..In Sicily, during the day, B-17's, B-25's, and B-26's bomb Gerbini satellite fields and Bo Rizzo Airfield, as P-40's fly a diversionary sweep over the W part of Sicily; Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) A-20's hit Sciacca during the night of 6/7 Jul, and the following day bomb airfields at Trapani, Biscari, Comiso, Bo Rizzo, and Mazara del Vallo, and hit Sciacca, and Marsala radar stations, Caltanissetta and Porto Empedocle.
Refer to the following Wikipedia link, which you will need to translate from Italian to English,
https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeroporto_di_Biscari-Santo_Pietro, where it states:
During the summer of 1943 it was heavily bombed and was conquered by the Americans landed on the nearby beaches of Scoglitti during the landing in Sicily (June 9, 1943). - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/40%C2%B050'26.0%22N+14%C2%B015'43.5%22E/@40.8410172,14.2589891,1667m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d40.840558!4d14.262091
- ^
The following Mission Recap is found on page 114, column 1, paragraph 2 in the book titled:…..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
# 143 Naples, Italy. M/Y. 17 July 1943.
Moderate heavy flak. 3 A/C received minor flak holes. Special Note:
The entire Strategic Command hit the Naples Marshalling Yard for the heaviest blow of the campaign. In the A.M. 77 Liberators bombed this target. In the P.M. 97 Fortresses bombed this target. 179 Marauders (B-26) bombed this target. In addition 164 P-38s escorted the above bombers. 5 E/A shot down by P-38s. In total 353 bombers dropped 650 tons of bombs.
Refer to the following Wikipedia link for the military history of Italy during WWII:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_history_of_Italy_during_World_War_II: - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/41%C2%B057'28.5%22N+12%C2%B030'31.2%22E/@41.9590095,12.5073975,3268m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d41.957912!4d12.508654
- ^
The following Mission Recap is found on page 114, column 1, paragraph 3 in the book titled:…..The Hour Has Come ‑ The 97th Bomb Group in World War II, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, Texas, Library of Congress Number 93-060460, Published 1993, which states:
# 144 Rome, Italy, San Lorenzo M/Y. 19 July 1943.
Flak heavy, moderate and fairly accurate. 11 A/C received minor flak damage. This was the first mission to Rome. General Doolittle flew with us. Note:
…..The entire crew of the missing A/C from Mission #142 on 16 July 1943, returned to rejoin the 97th. The plane was kept in the air with one engine. They made a perfect landing (in the water) off the coast of Catania where they knew the units from the British and American fleets were operating. They were all rescued by a British destroyer. The plane remained afloat for 90 seconds.
Refer to the following Wikipedia link for the military history of Italy during WWII, with an excerpt appearing thereafter:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_history_of_Italy_during_World_War_II
On July 19, 1943, Rome was bombed again, more heavily, by 521 Allied planes, with three targets, causing thousands of civilian casualties. After the raid, Pius XII, along with Msgr. Montini (future Pope Paul VI), travelled to the Basilica di San Lorenzo fuori le Mura, which had been badly damaged, and distributed ₤ 2 million to the crowds. Between 11 a.m. and 12 noon, 150 Allied B-17 Flying Fortresses attacked the San Lorenzo freight yard and steel factory. In the afternoon, the second target was the "Scalo del Littorio" on the northern side of Rome. The third target was the Ciampino airport, on south-east side of Rome. - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/40%C2%B037'15.0%22N+14%C2%B054'50.0%22E/@40.620798,14.9120619,701m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d40.620833!4d14.913889
- ^
As the copilot, Flack departed La Marsa, Tunisia airfield with a fully loaded B-25C and bombed the Axis airfield southwest of Montecorvino Pugliano, between Pontecagnano to the northwest and Bellizzi to the southeast in Italy.
As of June 1, 1943, the NASAF consisted of 9 Bomb Groups, 4 Fighter Groups and 4 RAF Wings as shown in the Unit and Organizational chart for the NAAF (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwest_African_Air_Forces). The following excerpt is from the 12th Airforce, 57th Bombardment Wing, 321st Bombardment Group, History obtained via this link, http://57thbombwing.com/321stHistory/321_BG_1943-07.pdf:
Tuesday, 20 July 1943.
USAAF Chronology: Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO):
Eastern Mediterranean (Ninth Air Force):
…..In Sicily, B-25's attack Randazzo and Taormina; and Royal Air Force (RAF) heavy bombers hit Vibo Valentia Airfield.
Western Mediterranean (Northwest African Air Force): During the night of 19/20 Jul, Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) Wellingtons bomb Aquino, Sicily and Capodichino, Italy Airfields while Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) medium and light bombers attack vehicles, roads, and town areas around and in Randazzo, Santo Stefano di Camastra, Orlando, and Nicosia, Sicily. During the day, NASAF fighter-bombers attack targets of opportunity in W Sicily while NASAF medium bombers strike Montecorvino Airfield.
For historical WWII photos circa 1943 refer to this link: https://www.facebook.com/MontecorvinoAirfield/ - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/39%C2%B021'33.6%22N+16%C2%B001'58.3%22E/@39.3590155,16.0296201,1012m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d39.35933!4d16.03287
- ^
Refer to this link for the excerpt to follow: http://aircrewremembered.com/USAAFCombatOperations/Aug.43.html
The Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) B-17's bomb the submarine base at Naples. B-26’s hit the railroad bridge at Cantanzaro (referred to as Catanzaro today) and B-25’s hit the railroad at Paola.
What was the importance of this Target? Just south of Paola, the mountain range to the east pressed the shores of the Mediterranean Sea to the west and created a natural narrow bottleneck. The destruction of railroad tracks and bridges in the Paola area hampered the movement of Axis troops and equipment up and down the western coast line of this region in Italy. In particular, halting the movement of Axis troops and equipment heading to Sicily as Operation Husky was nearing its successful completion. - ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/38%C2%B017'43.0%22N+16%C2%B019'27.3%22E/@38.295432,16.3233776,305m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d38.295275!4d16.324261
- ^ https://www.google.com/maps/place/38%C2%B015'04.2%22N+16%C2%B016'49.0%22E/@38.2509736,16.2802222,143m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d38.251161!4d16.280277
- ^
The Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) possessed three B-26 Medium Bombardment Groups. They were the 17th BG, 319th BG and the 320th BG. Each of these B-26 Bomb Groups consisted of four Bombardment Squadrons.
The following excerpt is from the 12th Airforce, 57th Bombardment Wing, 321st Bombardment Group, History obtained via this link, http://57thbombwing.com/321stHistory/321_BG_1943-08.pdf:
Tuesday, 10 August 1943.
USAAF Chronology: Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO):
Eastern Mediterranean (Ninth Air Force): B-25's attack Randazzo, Sicily while P-40's bomb and strafe shipping on the SW coast of Italy and in the Straits of Messina.
Western Mediterranean (Northwest African Air Force): Brigadier General Ray A Dunn takes command of the Northwest African Air Force Troop Carrier Command (Provisional). In Italy, Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) P-38's bomb and strafe communications targets on the toe of Italy; and bridges at Angitola and N of Locri are bombed by B-26’s. Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) planes fly antishipping sweeps over coastal areas of NE Sicily and the Straits of Messina, carry out armored reconnaissance over the battle areas and toe of Italy, and bomb Randazzo, Sicily. On the ground in Sicily, US Seventh Army forces pursue the enemy to a point W of Naso near the N coast. During the night of 10/11 Aug, the US 3rd Infantry Division makes an amphibious landing on the coast, outflanking the enemy E of Capo d'Orlando. The US 9th Infantry Division reaches a point N of Bronte. HQ Twelfth Air Force transfers from Algeria to Tunisia. HQ 81st Fighter Group transfers from Monastir to Sidi Ahmed, Tunisia. The 84th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 47th Bombardment Group (Light), transfers from Malta to Torrente Comunelli, Sicily with A-20's. The 342nd Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy), transfers from Chateaudun-duRhumel, Algeria to Pont-du-Fahs, Tunisia with B-17's. - ^ Refer to this link for a brief history of the Ardmore Army Airfield: https://military.wikia.org/wiki/Ardmore_Air_Force_Base
- ^ To view all of Rudolph Emil Flack’s AAF OFFICERS' QUALIFICATION RECORDS from October 12, 1937 through February 5, 1946, display each page in his official 4-page military document via each of the following links:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1946-01-31_AAF_Officers_Qualifications_Record_for_COL_Rudy_Flack-1.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1946-01-31_AAF_Officers_Qualifications_Record_for_COL_Rudy_Flack-2.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1946-01-31_AAF_Officers_Qualifications_Record_for_COL_Rudy_Flack-3.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1946-01-31_AAF_Officers_Qualifications_Record_for_COL_Rudy_Flack-4.jpg - ^ Refer to: https://military.wikia.org/wiki/Sarasota_Army_Air_Field
- ^ The 1936 and 1937 San Diego Army and Navy Academy "The CADET" yearbooks are available via the following link:
https://www.facebook.com/Untold-Stories-of-Colonel-Rudy-Flack-302118180261150/
Simply view the newest Facebook postings and look for the latest updated version of the "All-in-one-Appendices" which is a separate PDF document. Once downloaded, you may view either Appendix titled:
The CADET 1936 – San Diego Army and Navy Academy (SDANA)
…or…
The CADET 1937 – Brown Military Academy Successor of SDANA.
For information about the successor who obtained the naming rights of the "San Diego Army and Navy Academy" and Junior College, Pacific, California, refer to these two links:
https://armyandnavyacademy.org/about-ana-military-academy/school-history-traditions/
…and…
http://thewebsters.us/2015/12/12/army-and-navy-academy/.
For information about the successor who obtained ownership of the "San Diego Army and Navy Academy and Junior College, Pacific, California" facilities (land and buildings), refer to this link:
https://www.jbu.edu/brown-military-academy/.