1 20 179 https://barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/16/372/Dibble_Text0102.pdf 0ac370e32fba46bb9932315f9d4c22e6 PDF Text Text IKE'S ESCORT On July 31, 1943 four pilots from the 1st Fighter Group, 94th Fighter Squadron, Lts. Archie Jackson, Jim Dibble, John Cram and Ralph Thiessen were selected for an escort mission. Following the usual breakfast of powdered eggs, bacon, hardtack bread, margarine and boiled coffee the pilots were told to fly to El Aouina airdrome which was located about 35 miles from the pilot’s base at Mateur, Tunisia and 15 miles from Tunis. They were to receive their final briefing after they arrived at the airdrome. The pilots were met by a high-ranking Army officer and told that they would be escorting a C-53 and it was to be protected at all costs. Soon a staff car arrived and the passengers proceed to head for the transport. The pilots were about to escort General Eisenhower and his staff around the Mediterranean area. Eisenhower had arrived earlier in the morning to meet with Air Marshall Tedder. The Air Marshall had word that Pietro Badoglio, who had recently been made Premier by King Victor Emmanuell III following the fall of Mussolini, was actively trending to the Germans. Tedder wanted permission to resume the heavy aerial bombardment of Italy, particularly of Naples and of the marshalling yards at Rome. Eisenhower agreed and gave his permission. Eisenhower had arrived in his B-17 but the fortress burned out a brake when landing at El Aouina. The group transferred to a C-53 which had a Disney insignia painted on the nose which read “Time’s a Wastin’.” With the General and his staff in the transport, the P-38 pilots took off and circled the field until the C-53 took off and was on its way to Sicily. Eisenhower’s first stop was to see General Patton in Palermo. Palermo had fallen to the Americans one week earlier. General Patton met Eisenhower at the Boccodi-Falco airfield. It was fortunate that the brake on the B-17 had failed because the runway that nestled amongst the mountains bordering Palermo was not only very short but also not level. The C-53 bounced hard and landed uphill. As the Generals left to tour the city, the escort pilots tried to leave the airfield for their own tour but were stopped because of Patton’s orders that anyone in the town had to wear a steel helmet. They had none so they had to stay with their planes. It was hot so the pilots found an olive tree close by and waited for Ike to return. �Meanwhile, Eisenhower and Patton were touring Palermo. The effects of the bombing that had taken place were devastating. The first thing the Americans had to do was organize Italian workers with G.I. bulldozers to clear streets, particularly those in the vicinity of the docks. General Patton was living in the Palace of the King of Sicily and following the tour of the city stopped with Eisenhower at the Palace for a Spam luncheon before returning to the airport. Upon the generals return the pilots were told that their next stop would be Syracuse. Eisenhower was anxious to meet with General Alexander to make sure that there were no misunderstandings over how the Allies were going to attack Messina, which was scheduled to start August 2nd. The group landed at a temporary landing strip near Syracuse. The headquarters for Alexander’s 15th Army Group were just being established and he and his immediate staff were quartered in a farmhouse near the landing strip. Eisenhower’s meeting with Alexander took place under an olive tree near the farmhouse. Eisenhower wanted Patton to continue his methodical and steady advance while Montgomery was to lay on all he had and try to break through to Catania. Also present were members of Secretary of War, Stimson’s staff that had just arrived from London with news that Montgomery’s failure to take Catania had given the public a let down on their hero. The Prime Minister had expressed to Secretary Stimson his gratitude at Ike’s statement intended to publicly balance the progress between the stalled British 8th Army and the rapidly advancing American 7th Army. In actuality the 8th Army had been getting a great deal of publicity for any kind of movement and the 7th Army, which was moving rapidly, was still suffering under the cloud of the great reputation of the 8th. Soon the party was off to the Luqa Airdrome on Malta. Eisenhower was the guest of Field Marshal the Lord Gort and stayed overnight at the Verdala Palace. While Eisenhower was meeting with his senior commanders to discuss the entire Italian campaign, the escort pilots along with the other transport pilots were taken into town and had an English supper consisting of steak and kidneys. Following supper the pilots were put up in a hotel and had a shower and bed to themselves. In the morning tea was brought to each pilot’s room along with a wake-up call. Following a breakfast of eggs, cakes and tea the pilots returned to the airfield to pre-flight their planes. About 7:00am a limousine drove up to the �field. The driver got out but the man in the back opened the door himself and started walking towards the pilots. Lt. Archie Jackson, the leader of the escort pilots, said “That’s Ike!” The pilots jumped to attention. He came toward them and said, “Rest men. I just came out to thank you for the good job yesterday.” Eisenhower looked at Lt. Jackson and asked, “Where are you from son?” Lt. Jackson answered, “Louisburg, Kansas.” Ike replied “Well I am from Abilene.” “Yes sir, I know,” Archie responded. The General then asked the others where they were from and shook hands with all the pilots. He then said “I won’t need your escort today. I will have an escort of Beaufighters so you may return to your home base. I have not had breakfast yet so I better get back, but I wanted to thank each of you for an excellent job yesterday.” After Ike left, a RAF Wing Commander came over and asked the pilots to escort a B-17 back to Tunisia. Upon their return to Mateur, the escort pilots were de-briefed by Captain Brown, the 94th’s Intelligence Officer. He told the pilots that the escort mission was secret and there would not be any mention of it in the mission reports. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource James P. Dibble: Flying with Eisenhower Description An account of the resource See records of the flight where James and other P-38 pilots flew escort for Eisenhower in 1943. Jump to other sections of the collection: <ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/5">James P. Dibble: World War II P-38 Fighter Pilot</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/6">His Early Life</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/7">High School into the Army Air Corps</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/8">Flight Training</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/17">We Got Married!</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/9">Combat!</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/10">Mission Reports</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/11">Letters Home</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/16">Flying with Eisenhower</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/12">The Day of Armageddon - August 30, 1943</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/13">Killed in Action</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/14">The Search for Answers</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/15">The Monument in Padula, Italy</a><a href="http://omeka/collections/show/15"></a></li> </ul></li> </ul></li> </ul> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Typed document Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Recap of a mission where James Dibble participated in a flying escort for General Dwight Eisenhower in Italy Subject The topic of the resource James Dibble. Eisenhower. Description An account of the resource Recap of a mission where James Dibble participated in a flying escort for General Dwight Eisenhower in Italy. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Military history Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource James Dibble Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource unknown Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/ Rights Holder A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource. Hastings Public Library Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Jim Dibble Date Accepted Date of acceptance of the resource. Examples of resources to which a Date Accepted may be relevant are a thesis (accepted by a university department) or an article (accepted by a journal). 1/18/2022 https://barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/13/317/Dibble_Text0094.pdf a8720fc2e34f42eadc961bdd69022fce PDF Text Text SEPTEMBER 9, 1943 September 9th, six days after Montgomery and the British forces landed in extreme southern Italy, the U.S. 5th Army under General Mark Clark staged an assault landing on the beaches near Salerno, 25 miles southeast of Naples. Gathering in Sicily were the main units of the Allied Air-Forces which would be needed to support the invasion. The main U.S. convoy had sailed from Oran on September 5th. The British troops landed at the southern end of Italy on September 3rd, and resistance to the landings was slight. Both German and Italian forces evaded major engagements and fell back rapidly after carrying out extensive demolition. By September 8th, British advance units were already halfway up the toe of the Italian boot. With the announcement that evening of the unconditional surrender of the Italian government, hostile action by the Italian Army in the south ceased, and the Italian fleet sailed for allied ports to surrender. However, it was anticipated that the landing of the 5th Army at Salerno would cause an immediate and strong reaction from the Germans. It was expected that they would fight hard to prevent, or at least delay a penetration inland that would trap their forces moving up from the south. Late on September 8th, at their temporary base at Catania, Sicily, the word was passed around the First Fighter Group; "We're landing at Salerno tomorrow." During the briefing that followed, the 94th Fighter Squadron learned that it had been assigned the "Pears" beach area to patrol during the invasion. The mission was to prevent the German Air Force from attacking the invasion forces on the beachhead. During the first three missions the 94th flew on the 9th, only 4 enemy aircraft were seen and they fled at the sight of the P-38s. Jim would lead the fourth and largest mission of the day. The flight of twelve planes was separated into three flights of four planes each designated “Red, White and Blue” respectively. Having received advance permission to strafe behind the German lines, Jim was jubilant. "We get to strafe," he proclaimed to fellow pilots. The briefing was short and to the point. Jim told the pilots that they would be given a target to strafe following their patrol of the beach. He told the pilots to kick hard on their rudders while strafing to keep from getting hit. This mission, Jim's 49th, was to be his last. The planes took off at 3:00 PM reaching the beach �area at 4:10. Flying on Jim's wing was a new pilot, Lt. Stan Wojcik. Stan had trained to be a P-40 pilot. He had been assigned to the 5th Air Force and was traveling across North Africa to reach his new base when his orders were suddenly changed. Stan was reassigned to the First Fighter Group while it was on stand down following the August 30th mission. Due to the upcoming invasion, the Group needed pilots in a hurry. When he arrived at his new squadron, Stan got in about five hours of transitional flying before going with the Group to Sicily for the invasion. After Jim’s flight had patrolled the beach area for one hour, "Changer," the aircraft controller on the USS Ancon, ordered Jim's flight to attack a convoy of over 400 enemy vehicles 30 miles east of Agropoli, Italy. The German convoy was traveling north along National Highway 19 near the small town of Padula. The flight turned south and followed the coast to Agropoli where it turned east to find the convoy. As the flight passed over the town of Monte San Giacomo the valley with the German convoy appeared before them. Jim, with Red Flight, initiated the attack out of the sun at over 300 mph. The remaining two flights of four planes loitered at altitude until ordered in. As the Red Flight attacked, the Germans threw up a wall of anti-aircraft fire, above them as well as below, from the sides of the mountains as well as from the valley. "Red" flight had just pulled around in the valley following the initial attack when White and Blue flight were ordered to attack. Just then, Jim’s wingman, Stan Wojcik noticed smoke coming from Jim's plane. Stan pulled up above Jim's plane so he could look into the cockpit. By now the cockpit of Jim's plane was engulfed in smoke and flames. Unable to detect any movement by Jim, Stan shoved the throttles to the firewall to try to get away. Having been close to Jim's plane, the anti-aircraft guns were already trained in Stan's direction. He felt a couple of thuds. The area in front of his cockpit erupted in smoke and flames which then extending into the cockpit. He immediately pulled the escape ring above the windshield and the slipstream blew the top canopy off. After gaining enough altitude, and knowing he was vulnerable to being hit by the horizontal stabilizer, Stan pushed himself backward out of the cockpit. Stan waited to pull the ripcord. Fortunately, he missed the tail, his chute opened and he had to turn his chute to miss some high-tension wires near the road. Seeing the first two planes in Red Flight shot down, White flight and Blue flight immediately broke of the attack continuing east taking the remaining P-38’s up and over the East Mountain ridge to escape the intense anti-aircraft fire and to locate additional targets to attack. Lt. Cy Nolen part of White flight flew under Stan as he was coming down in his parachute and saw his plane crash on the east ridge. �Being low when he bailed out, Stan hit the ground almost immediately. He was immediately captured by German troops from the convoy and though severely burned would eventually survive the war in Stalag Luft 1. With both engines on fire Jim’s plane was gliding south when it crash landed in a farm field just East of the National Highway. He was able to get out of his plane but it appeared that among other injuries he had a broken leg. Soon German troops arrived and a firefight broke out. After having been further injured a German soldier picked up Jim’s pistol and killed him with it. Two brothers, Vito and Paolo Cimino, who had been working in the field at the time were ordered to bury Jim next to his fighter plane. The area around Padula had been anti-German. In fact, there were freedom fighters in the area several of which had been either killed or captured by the Germans. Jim’s attack on September 9, 1943 marked the end of the German occupation of the area. The German’s had gathered tank, infantry and anti-aircraft forces near Padula to be ready to mobilize and attack the American Army as soon as they knew the location of the landing. The German forces quickly left the area to reinforce German troops near Salerno and to avoid being trapped between the American and the British 8th Army moving up from the extreme southern toe of Italy. In my attempts to learn what had happened to my Uncle, Jim’s crash site was located in May 1999. While we were excavating the area, we were approached by several of the area’s citizens who remembered the event. They now knew who the pilot was that crashed in their field that day. They told us they wanted to build a memorial to honor his sacrifice. Many of Padula’s citizens still remembered the attack by Jim’s flight of P-38s, not because it was their one main battle during the war, but because it had come to symbolized their freedom and the end of World War II as they knew it. The Padula area is known for their marble like stone that is quarried in the nearby mountains. On May 6, 2000 the town of Padula came to the crash site to honor Jim. At the crash site there is a very large piece of Padula stone rising over eight feet out of the ground. One side had been polished with a commemorative plaque attached to it. Authored by eyewitness and former Mayor Enzo Pinto, the plaque read: “ON SEPTEMBER 9, 1943 LIEUTENANT JAMES P. DIBBLE CRASHED HERE WITH HIS AIRCRAFT WHILE LEADING A SQUADRON OF 12 P38 AIRPLANES. HE WAS STILL ALIVE AND WOUNDED WHEN BARBARIOUSLY KILLED BY THE GERMAN SOLDIERS. THE �FAMILY AND ALL PADULA REMEMBER HIM, AND IN HIS MEMORY, HONOR THE COURAGE AND SACRIFICE OF HIS YOUNG LIFE.” The ceremony was attended by many of Padula’s citizens along with representatives from the local and regional governments as well as representatives for the regional Carabinieri (a member of the Italian paramilitary police). The eyewitnesses to the crash came to remind their fellow citizens what took place that day. The widows of the local freedom fighters came to remind the citizens of the sacrifice made by many from this area. Many school children came to listen and learn about their village and its heritage and the United States Air Force reminded everyone how important events like these are to preserving our past as well as our future. Jim was Missing in Action and later an Unknown Soldier until he was identified in October 1946. But thanks to the citizens of Padula and to one of the very few monuments in Europe dedicated to a single airman Jim’s memory will live on long after we are gone. Jim’s remains were returned to Michigan, December 1948 and was interred in Middleville, MI’s Mt. Hope Cemetery. On his 49th and final mission, Jim made the supreme sacrifice. He did not try to be a hero; he did not have to. He knew the risks and did his job. Today we owe our freedom in part to these men who helped make this a better world to live in. What began as sorrow 75 years ago has ended in great pride and inspiration. Jim Dibble � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource James P. Dibble: Killed in Action Description An account of the resource Typically pilots rotated home after their 50th mission. James took off for his 49th mission on Septemebr 9, 1943, and never returned. He was shot down on a straffing run near the town of Padula, Italy. Initially there was much confusion amongst the other P-38 pilots, and it was thought James survivied and may have been taken prisoner. Ultimately it was discovered that James had been shot down and then killed by German soldiers. James was ultiamtely brought home and buried in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Middleville, Michigan. See information on his gravesite at <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/40312090/james-p-dibble" target="_blank" title="James P. Dibble's Gravesite" rel="noreferrer noopener">FindAGrave.com</a>. See reports, documents and letters around James' missing in action status and then the determination that he was killed in action. Included are letters from the Army to his wife Maxine and parents, newspaper clippings and local memorials. Jump to other sections of the collection: <ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/5">James P. Dibble: World War II P-38 Fighter Pilot</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/6">His Early Life</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/7">High School into the Army Air Corps</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/8">Flight Training</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/17">We Got Married!</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/9">Combat!</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/10">Mission Reports</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/11">Letters Home</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/16">Flying with Eisenhower</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/12">The Day of Armageddon - August 30, 1943</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/13">Killed in Action</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/14">The Search for Answers</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/15">The Monument in Padula, Italy</a></li> </ul></li> </ul></li> </ul> <ul><li> <ul><li><a href="http://omeka/collections/show/15"></a></li> </ul></li> </ul> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Typed document Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Account written by Jim Dibble of September 9, 1943 when his uncle James was shot down in Italy Subject The topic of the resource James Dibble. Crash. Description An account of the resource Account written by Jim Dibble of September 9, 1943 when his uncle James was shot down in Italy. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Military history Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Jim Dibble Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource unknown Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/ Rights Holder A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource. Hastings Public Library Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Jim Dibble Date Accepted Date of acceptance of the resource. Examples of resources to which a Date Accepted may be relevant are a thesis (accepted by a university department) or an article (accepted by a journal). 1/18/2022 https://barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/12/313/Dibble_Text0220.pdf 7aa0b681a434a0226094d7b2a9f32c6d PDF Text Text THE DAY OF ARMAGEDDON The First Fighter Group Prepares for the Invasion of Italy Written by Jim Dibble Publishing Note This document is an original manuscript written by Jim Dibble in the early 2000s about the 1st Fighter Group’s experiences on August 30, 1943. His uncle was fighter pilot James P. Dibble. Jim graciously donated this, along with hundreds of other documents, photos and artifacts to the Hastings Public Library in Hastings Michigan in January of 2022. A version of this manuscript was published in Flight Journal, in October 2005, but Jim retains all rights to the original and has granted the Hastings Public Library rights to post this document online with the rest of the donated collection. This document has had minor formatting updates but is otherwise as Jim provided it. August 15, 2022 DME �Following the invasion of Sicily in July 1943, the missions flown out of North Africa by the 1st Fighter Group pilots in their P-38 Lightnings had a common objective of preparing for the invasion at Salerno, Italy by the United States Fifth Army. The Salerno landing complemented the British Eighth Army’s landing at Reggio di Calabria on Italy’s extreme southern toe. One possible strategy – which never happened – would drive the U.S. Army straight east to Foggia to trap German units to the south. Starting in mid-August, the softening-up raids commenced into southern Italy. During the few weeks between the end of the battle for Sicily and the invasion of Italy, the 1st Fighter Group would experience some of the war’s fiercest fighting. The Group’s three squadrons – the 27th, 71st and 94th – would lose 39 pilots as KIA, MIA or POW’s. The Group would also earn two of its three Presidential Distinguished Unit Citations, the first based on the August 25th raid on the Foggia, Italy airfields, and the second as part of the August 30th bomber escort mission to Aversa, Italy. In preparation for the invasion a photo reconnaissance mission flown on August 22 revealed at least 180 enemy bombers, 72 fighters, and 45 transports concentrated at the Foggia Airdrome complex, located near the spur of Italy’s boot. Because of the easy striking distance from the projected Italian landing beaches at Salerno, destroying these enemy aircraft was imperative. However, the aircraft’s wide dispersal would make conventional bombing ineffective. On August 25th all three P-38 groups of the Twelfth Air Force – the 1st, 14th and 82nd – were assigned to strafe the Foggia complex. 140 P-38s would attempt to destroy this enemy concentration by the first mass, long-range, low-level strafing raid ever carried out. The pilots took off from their airbases in Tunisia flying the entire 530 miles to Foggia at 50 feet above the water. The formation flew across the southern tip of Italy towards the spur. After a long wide sweeping turn the squadrons divided, then lined up abreast and headed west for the targets at tree top level. The surprise was complete. Pilots started firing at every haystack, clump of trees and any possible hiding place for aircraft. Everywhere enemy planes exploded or erupted in flames. Page 2 of 11 �The total destruction inflicted on the Luftwaffe was tremendous – 64 enemy aircraft were claimed as destroyed, and 86 claimed as damaged. A later inventory taken by intelligence officers found that 212 enemy aircraft had actually been destroyed or damaged beyond usefulness. With a loss of only eight P-38’s, morale was high. However, in just five days the mood would change as the 1st Fighter Group would earn its second citation for a mission that to this day is remembered as “The Day of Armageddon.” At this point the 1st Fighter Group was tasked to escorting the 42nd Bomb Wing and their medium bombers to rail and communications targets near Naples, Italy. For the four days leading up to their mission on August 30th the P-38s escorted the bombers over the same general area and on each succeeding day, the escort pilots were met by an increasingly superior number of enemy fighters. At 7:00am on the morning of the August 30, 1943, 48 pilots gathered in the 1st Fighter Group briefing tent at their Mateur, Tunisia base. The pilots sat on the rough benches, dressed mostly in the brown summer flying suit or khaki uniforms. Most sat quietly smoking cigarettes while telling the inevitable jokes. All wore a .45 automatic or a German luger and carried a “dinghy sticker” on their belt. This knife was used to stab any rubber dinghy (located in the seat pack) that had accidentally inflated and jammed the pilot against his plane’s controls. Of course, the knife could be used for other survival purposes! The briefing was routine. “Remember what you did yesterday? You are going to do it again – same target area – same time.” All three squadrons, the 94th “Springcap,” 27th “Petdog,” and the 71st “Cragmore” were to participate. Surviving Group and squadron records indicate that the pilots were organized for the mission into their respective squadrons. However, 1st Lt. Frank McIntosh, who had kept a detailed diary of his missions, indicated that a fourth composite squadron was formed with the call sign “Broadway.” The target was the Aversa marshalling yards ten miles north of Naples. The Group was to escort 26 B-26 Martin Marauder bombers from the 319th Bomb Group. The call sign for the 1st was “Daylong,” and the call sign for the 319th was “Lacework.” Page 3 of 11 �The pilots dispersed for final instructions, collected their parachutes and other personal equipment. The long deathly wait that followed was the hardest part of any mission. Watches were checked frequently until the start engine time. Stomachs felt leaden, and palms sweated. Mentally, each pilot computed his missions. This mission would be one more for the total, one less before going home. At 9:25am, the Group leader, 1st Lt. James Dibble, took off leading the 94th in a gradual climb. All planes were up by 10:05. Rendezvous with the bombers was set for 10:15am over Cape Siddi Ali El Mekki at a 4,000-foot altitude. As the coast of Africa fell away behind them, ahead a line of specks on the hazy horizon stood out, seemingly motionless. The tails of the B-26,s seemed inordinately large. Climbing through clouds, the escort pilots headed for their rendezvous with the bombers. Four P-38s returned early, leaving 44 fighters to escort the bombers. By the time Sicily passed to starboard, the Group was parallel with the B-26s. Twenty-seven bombers had taken off at 9:40am. Eight bombers returned early. As the bombers picked up the heading for the target area the fighters fell in place. There was only one rule – stay with the bombers. There was only one excuse for leaving the bombers; you had to be shot down. The B-26’s were flying true to form, 180 mph. The formation was now at 10,000 feet. Suddenly, a heavy line showed on the horizon ahead, which as the minutes passed was clearly recognized as the coast of Italy. In order to avoid any possible flak, the bombers stayed over open water as long as possible. Enemy radar created a humming sound in all headphones that rose and fell of its own accord. At 11:30am, as the fighters neared the coast, they released their belly tanks and spread out. At 11,000 feet the bombers had reached their bombing altitude. The fighter escort was now positioned five hundred feet above the bombers. The fighter pilots were constantly searching the air as they began to weave back and forth over the bomber formation in the normal escort pattern, one leapfrogging over the other, one always looking outward, and one looking inward ready to turn into any attacking enemy fighters. Seldom that an enemy fighter would not break away facing the P-38’s concentrated Page 4 of 11 �firepower of four .50 caliber machine guns and one 20-mm. cannon mounted in its nose. As the coastal plain became visible below, the bombers pulled in together and tightened into bombing formation when approaching their "Initial Point," where they would turn in column toward the target. Ahead were the Aversa rail yards. Target time was 12:00. Since just before the American formation reached the coast, enemy fighters had been taking off from Italian bases in Pomigliano, Capodichino and Grazzanise. Others with belly tanks were taking off from Foggia, some of the survivors from that stricken area attacked five days previously. At 11:39am Robert Gugelberger a pilot with Jagdgeschwader 53 (JG-53) was scrambling along with all other available German fighters to intercept the American formation. Gugelberger climbed out of Cancello, Italy to 4000m. The Germans positioned themselves above the formation and planned to fire the rockets they carried that day into the front of the formation. At 11:53am, as the bomber formation approached the coast, radios suddenly came to life. The first wave of 25 to 30 enemy fighters burst upon the group out of the hazy horizon. The enemy split up into two groups and attacked each side of the P-38 formation. After the pilots had dispersed these enemy fighters and were re-grouping over the bomber formation, 75 to 100 enemy fighters of all types appeared overhead. Looking up, the pilots saw Me. 109’s, Me. 210’s, Fw. 190’s and Ma. 200’s diving into the middle of their formation. The German fighters were armed with aerial bombs and rockets. Gugelberger and the rest of JG-53 had just arrived as the bombers reached their target. Now Gugelberger attacked: “I fired and saw both rockets fly through the formation, however they exploded behind it. Dove beneath the bomber formation and pulled up.” Black flak-type bursts began exploding near the P-38s and bombers as the aerial bombs exploded. The enemy attacks were well coordinated. One group attacking while the other was re-forming at altitude. Having reached the target, the bombers dropped 107 - 500 lb. bombs. Many direct hits were observed in the center of the rail yard and two warehouses were also completely destroyed. Little damage was done to the Page 5 of 11 �bomber formation as it now dropped their noses and headed back to the coast. The enemy fighters turned their attention to the P-38s. As more enemy fighters joined in to attack the P-38s, squadron integrity began to disappear. The pilots tried to maintain their flights of four planes but this too became difficult due to the relentless attacks. Everywhere a pilot looked was an enemy fighter or a P-38 in a spin or dive - smoking or on fire. During the battle’s initial phase, Lt. Hal Rigney, the "tail-end Charlie" in Dibble’s flight, was shot down by a captured enemy P-38. "I assumed it was one of our aircraft and was joining up for mutual protection. However it seemed to lag back for a while failing to close or form up with me. About the same time as I dismissed him from my thoughts, I was startled by hits on my aircraft. I immediately broke to the left to see where the shots originated. There was no aircraft except the P-38. I smelled smoke and observed a fire under the cowling of my port engine. Unable to extinguish the fire and recognizing the gravity of the situation, I called for escort home. I was informed that none was available. By this time the fire was becoming more intense. I decided to make a run for home. I rolled over, feathered the engine and dove to the deck trying to blow the fire out. Needless to say it didn't work. The fire had spread to the wing. I realized I was in a precarious position, too much fire and too far away from the home base. I jettisoned the canopy, unfastened my safety belt, and pulled the nose up for additional altitude. With the canopy gone, smoke and flames were sucked into the cockpit. Fearing there was probably insufficient altitude to bail out, I reluctantly decided to abandon the aircraft. I shoved the control column forward and the next thing I knew the plane hit the water. I was abruptly catapulted into the water." Although taken prisoner by the Germans, Rigney was able to escape. While working his way through Italy to reach friendly forces, he met an Italian pilot who confirmed the existence of a captured P-38. Lt. Charles McCann of the 71st didn’t think anyone was going to make it back. Everywhere he turned enemy fighters were pressing the attack. He Page 6 of 11 �saw Lt. Clarence Southard flying without part of his wing tip after he and a 94th fighter had struck each other. With the B-26s having crossed the coast and heading for home a swirling dogfight now growing in intensity descended nearly to the deck. Ed Griswold, one of the B-26 pilots recalled the scene. “Crossing the coast we were attacked by an estimated 150 fighters, a mix of Me-109 and Macci 200s. Their aggressiveness suggested Germans piloted the Italian aircraft. Seventy-five of the enemy engaged the P-38s at the coast. Our escorts promptly entered a Luffberry for defense. When our formation exited the target and crossed the coast, the scene was awesome. There were so many parachutes that you could not count them. I saw a 109 ram a P-38 and a second P-38 run into the ball of fire.” Following the initial dogfight, 1st Lt. McIntosh along with Lt. Harry Warmker and Lt. Larry Russell went after six Me. 109’s that were attacking a lone P-38 on single engine. Before they got close the 109’s finished off the P-38 and split-up. McIntosh and his flight pulled up into a half-loop and fired at the fighters. McIntosh was close to stalling when he rolled out and to his horror saw Warmker fly straight into the water with his guns blazing. Lt. John Husby of the 27th was wounded in the back by fragments of a cannon shell. As the three German fighters continued the attack, McCann led his flight to Husby’s rescue, breaking up the attack. After Gugelberger launched his rockets at the bombers he flew off with a Fw. Steinmuller to join in the attack on the P-38s. “More (rocket) launches and more crashes in the water. Another rocket armed machine fired into the Lightnings and two went down. I attacked twice from above in a dive. Got in a brief burst. Then I spotted two Lightnings, positioned myself behind the second machine and fired. Burst was on target but now I was surrounded by Lightnings. Climbed vertically and was happy to have got away. The Lightning I fired at was shot down by another of our pilots.” Page 7 of 11 �With the bombers safely on their way back to North Africa, Dibble gave the order to work towards the Bay of Naples and reform. From the 71st, John Willey was missing and his wingman Walter Morrison had both engines shot out and bellied into the water. As Lt. Hurst was shooting down his second of the day, Donald Deisenroth also crashed into the water from battle damage. Lt. Charles Schreffler of the 71st had shot down one Me. 109 and probably another before heading for the deck and hopefully Sicily flying on only his good right engine. Like the rest of the pilots Lt. Stan Opdahl of the 94th all of a sudden found himself in the worst fight he would ever see. “Planes were everywhere. Bits and pieces of airplanes were falling everywhere. Planes chasing and being chased, turning and spiraling.” Opdahl had destroyed a Me. 109 and damaged a Ma. 202 but now he to was flying on one engine heading for Sicily alone on the deck and almost out of gas. Lt. Robert Vrilakas of the 94th was heading for the bay to reform with the squadron when a P-38 from the 27th went by with a 109 closing on his tail. Vrilakas broke into the 109 firing a good burst from close range. The 109 broke off the attack in what appeared to be a fast uncontrollable spinning dive. Realizing he was heading directly back towards Naples and the pursuing enemy fighters, Vrilakas immediately dove for the deck to try to outrun his pursuers. He leveled off just inches above the water, and was immediately hit by enemy fire. "It sounded like hail on a tin roof with occasional explosions as his cannon shells hit and exploded." Vrilakas was sure he was going to lose his plane, when he noticed he was rapidly approaching another 109 directly ahead and about 100 feet above trying to catch up to another P-38. “If I went under him there would be two of them on my tail. If I pulled up and eliminated the skid to fire at him the guy behind me would have a sitting duck to work on.” Page 8 of 11 �Vrilakas decided to pull up. As he fired his guns the 109 began to smoke and went into a gentle turn to the right. A hail of enemy fire again began to hit him. “One of the bullets creased the canopy bar beside my head, which knocked out the whole rear of the canopy. Plexiglass flew all over the cockpit, even in my mouth. I dove for the deck again and for some reason experienced no more shots from the 109 behind me.” Back on the deck, Vrilakas feathered his right engine and was able to make contact with Dibble who brought what was left of the squadron around in a 360-degree turn, which allowed Vrilakas to catch up. Dibble and two other pilots, Lt. Jack Pettus and 1st Lt. Robert Anderson, stayed to escort Vrilakas to Boccadifalco, Sicily. Vrilakas’ P-38 was damaged beyond repair. He returned to his base at Mateur the following day. He was credited with one plane shot down and one damaged and would receive the DFC for his days work. The battle had been raging for over forty-five minutes when McIntosh headed for the deck with Reynolds on his wing. Six 109’s, splitting into two groups, dove towards them. The Germans made several passes at the two but McIntosh and Reynolds were able to break into them each time. McIntosh decided on the next pass the two would break in different directions. “What happened,” said McIntosh, “was all six enemy fighters stayed with me while Reynolds got away. The six 109s made a few more passes at me and broke off.” Having broke to the left to lose the 109’s; McIntosh was now rolling back to the right when two Fw. 190’s flew by. “They were moving very fast when they went by. With very low deflection I gave a short burst in their direction. One of the 190’s turned abruptly hitting the water with his left wing and went in.” McIntosh eventually caught up to Reynolds and the two would safely make it to Sicily for re-fueling. Page 9 of 11 �In all, the battle lasted for more than 45 minutes, which represented one of the longest continuous running dogfights of the war. Twenty-eight P-38s made it back to their base at Mateur by 5:13pm. Four planes that had landed at Sicily were unable to fly any farther, and twelve P-38's were missing. The B-26 bombers suffered no losses and returned to their base by 2:08pm. The P-38 pilots claimed six Me. 109s, one Fw. 190 and one Ma. 202 destroyed along with three Me. 109s probably destroyed and three damaged. The 94th lost five pilots – Lieutenants John Cram, Ralph Peck, Charles Woodward, David Parlett and Hal Rigney. Parlett and Rigney were captured, escaped and returned to the squadron in the summer of 1944. Cram, Peck and Woodward were MIA. The 71st lost Lieutenants John Willey, Walter Morrison and Ralph Turrentine. Turrentine was presumed killed in a mid-air collision with a German Me. 109 fighter. However, the later consensus of those on the mission was that Willey had collided with the 109. Based on German records, it is possible that aerial rockets hit both Morrison and Turrentine. Neither Willey nor Turrentine survived. Morrison became a POW. Clarence Southard was originally listed as MIA. However, he was able to land his damaged aircraft at Trapani, Sicily and return to his squadron the next day. In the 27th Lieutenants Harry Warmker, Clifford Randol and Jerome Weinberg were MIA. F/O Donald Deisenroth became a POW. The severe losses to the Group on this mission were mainly due to a new tactic developed by the German Air Force. The tactic stationed many of their defense force near the coast of Italy to attack an incoming force upon notification. This wave of aircraft tried to be as aggressive as possible to break up the formations. A second and third wave took off from a rear base in the Foggia area to hit the Allied planes after leaving the target and during the return to North Africa. These later waves of fighters had belly tanks and pursued longer distances then anyone had previously encountered. The aircraft also had engine oxygen tank boosters installed for sudden bursts of acceleration while diving to overtake the fleeing planes withdrawing from the target. The boosters caused their engines to over rev and “burn out”, but Page 10 of 11 �the Germans figured that an engine change was worth knocking down many departing bombers. The fact that the 1st Fighter Group encountered this tactic for the first time on August 30th and was able to foil the enemy plan speaks highly of all the pilots on the mission and helps to explain their high loss. Dangerously low on gasoline, the P-38s continued to fight off the enemy's coordinated attacks, losing 12 pilots while claiming 8 fighters destroyed, probably destroying 3 and damaging another 3 planes. Consequently, the bombers were able to complete a very successful bombing run and return to their base without the loss of a single bomber. The American invasion of Salerno, Italy took place September 9, 1943 and as a result of the difficult missions flown by all the Air Forces in August there was virtually no German Air Force opposition to the landings. The Group leader on the August 30th mission, 1st Lt. James Dibble, would lead the 94th’s last mission on September 9th to protect the beachhead. Returning from the patrol, Dibble led his squadron on a strafing attack of a German convoy of over 400 enemy vehicles. During that attack Dibble was shot down and killed. 1st Lt. Dibble’s efforts during the August 30th mission had been devoted to keeping the Group and his squadron together as much as possible. Pilots would credit his timely decision to reform and work out of the target area with keeping most of them from being shot down or running out of gas. His leadership of this mission was acknowledged by the Air Force in 1990 by posthumously awarding him the Distinguished Flying Cross. Page 11 of 11 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource James P. Dibble: The Day of Armageddon - August 30, 1943 Description An account of the resource From Jim Dibble's account titled "The Day of Armegeddon" included in this collection: "Following the invasion of Sicily in July 1943, the missions flown out of North Africa by the 1st Fighter Group pilots in their P-38 Lightnings had a common objective of preparing for the invasion at Salerno, Italy by the United States Fifth Army." A mission on August 25th was highly successful, with a loss of only 8 P-38's. The 1st Fighter Group earned a Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation for their efforts, but the August 30 mission, for which they would earn a second citation, was not so easy. See mission reports, photos, first hand accounts and more information about this infamous air battle known as The Day of Armageddon. Jump to other sections of the collection: <ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/5">James P. Dibble: World War II P-38 Fighter Pilot</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/6">His Early Life</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/7">High School into the Army Air Corps</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/8">Flight Training</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/17">We Got Married!</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/9">Combat!</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/10">Mission Reports</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/11">Letters Home</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/16">Flying with Eisenhower</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/12">The Day of Armageddon - August 30, 1943</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/13">Killed in Action</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/14">The Search for Answers</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/15">The Monument in Padula, Italy</a></li> </ul></li> </ul></li> </ul> <ul><li> <ul><li><a href="http://omeka/collections/show/15"></a></li> </ul></li> </ul> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Typed document Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The story of August 30, 1943, titled "The Day of Armageddon" by Jim Dibble; an account of the air battle that earned his uncle James Dibble the Distinguished Flying Cross Subject The topic of the resource World War II. August 30, 1943. Description An account of the resource The story of August 30, 1943, titled "The Day of Armageddon" by Jim Dibble; an account of the air battle that earned his uncle James Dibble the Distinguished Flying Cross. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Historical account Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Jim Dibble Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2005 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/ Rights Holder A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource. Hastings Public Library Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Jim Dibble Date Accepted Date of acceptance of the resource. Examples of resources to which a Date Accepted may be relevant are a thesis (accepted by a university department) or an article (accepted by a journal). 1/18/2022 https://barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/10/206/Dibble_Text0148.pdf 59823ad66002178d4228bb32e5b62095 PDF Text Text 94TH FIGHTER SQU/ JADRON 1ST FIGHTER GR( 10UP A.P.O. 520 M May 21, 1943. F' ■ IF ... , . BCMBER ESCORT MISSIONS -- 16 P-38s, Capt, Wellensiek, Lts, Dibble, Miller,, Lentz, Lentz, ran, Helr.is, IFroehling, Fell, Brown, Hammond, Petersen, Mathews, Rayburn, Steuhan, sen, SoS<z ierson, together with formations from the 2?th and 71st, Fighter Fir^ ’ at 0740 hours to escort about 70 B-17s from the 2nd and 301st Biib Groups over the; landing grounds at SCIACC.., SIGHT, B-17s going over target 5s at 29,000 feet at 0945 1-Jurs. Lt. Sokol, a spare, returned at 25,000 feet, P-38: because of mechanical i failure, ---------,--------landing — at —0900 hours. Bombing; Airdrome covered with bursts at SCIACCA, but no fires observed'., Oil fires were seen on CASTEL • VETRANO Airdrome. No enemy fighters near B-T7s., Flak: light intensity over target. One enemy aircraft was seen between P ‘IEIIERIA and SICILI at 30,000 feet but did not attack formation. 5 Me,32Js and 16 other enemy aircraft were observed on the ground at SCIACCA. Lt. Hammond land: at a new landing ground near at 1130 hours for gas; tood 2 . 230 hours and landed here at 1300 •"hours. Weather: to and over target, CAVU. Formation landed at 1205 hours. May 22, 1943. WEATHER FLIGHT - 2 P-38s, Its. retersen and Jackson, took off at 0935 hours on a at 1200 ■•■ ’^FIGHTER SWEEP - 14 P-3«s, Capt. Sutcliffe, Les. Pritchard, Brown, Fell, Matnews, "Sokol, Newsome, Hagenback, Quinn, Anderson, Johnson, Lorre, Holcombe and Dibble, together with formations from the 2?th and 71st Fighter Squadrons, took off at & 1240 hours oq a fighter sweep over northwestern SICHI at 5,000 feet. Formation $ . was over northwestern SICHI from 1455 hours to 1510 hours. The two spares, Lts. aJl 7;iHaLo<mbe and Dibble, returned and landed at 1540 hours. About 3 Me. 109s and 3Fw.l9 ’attacked the formation. It. Hagenback probably destroyed 1 Fw.190 and damaged'! f ■•.. 561109. Lt. Fell damaged 1 Jfe.109. It. Johnson damaged 1 Me,109. It. Lcwe was hjt ? * • by an enemy aircraft and is missing. Two aircraft (unidentified) were seen to crash* into the sea a few miles west of SICHI. Flak; light flak pf medium intensity over .. ■ HAZARA: slight puffs ajr numerous other points in northwestern SIGHT. Weather:, to f F-/target, CAVU but hazy; over target, CAVU. Formation landed at 1650 hours. ■_ . . RANDOLPH A. BROWN, 1st It., Air Corps, Intelligence Officer, S � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource James P. Dibble: Mission Reports Description An account of the resource A collection of Mission reports from James' combat flights. Jump to other sections of the collection: <ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/5">James P. Dibble: World War II P-38 Fighter Pilot</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/6">His Early Life</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/7">High School into the Army Air Corps</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/8">Flight Training</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/17">We Got Married!</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/9">Combat!</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/10">Mission Reports</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/11">Letters Home</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/16">Flying with Eisenhower</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/12">The Day of Armageddon - August 30, 1943</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/13">Killed in Action</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/14">The Search for Answers</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/15">The Monument in Padula, Italy</a></li> </ul></li> </ul></li> </ul> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Typed mission report Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Mission Report for the 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, May 21 and May 22, 1943 Subject The topic of the resource United States. Air Force. 12th Air Force. 94th Fighter Squadron. Description An account of the resource Mission Report for the 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, May 21 and May 22, 1943. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Flight Mission report Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Randolph A. Brown Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1943-05 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/ Rights Holder A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource. Hastings Public Library Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Jim Dibble Date Accepted Date of acceptance of the resource. Examples of resources to which a Date Accepted may be relevant are a thesis (accepted by a university department) or an article (accepted by a journal). 1/18/2022 https://barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/9/177/Dibble_Image0052.jpg efe2ed4b38860e1f201bb50e737b54ca Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource James P. Dibble: Combat! Description An account of the resource James spent his combat time based out of North Africa and helped clear the way for the eventual invasion of Italy in 1943. He was a member of the 94th Air Squadron, <a href="https://www.1stfg.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">1st Fighter Group</a>, and flew the famous twin-engined P-38. Learn more about the P-38 at: <ul><li><a href="http://www.aviation-history.com/lockheed/p38.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aviation History online Museum</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj_1pKiyOT5AhXUkIkEHWqSCb8QFnoECAMQAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.britannica.com%2Ftechnology%2FP-38&usg=AOvVaw25-9_sOlkuv_UPtZBhV1Ma" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Britannica.com</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj_1pKiyOT5AhXUkIkEHWqSCb8QFnoECAQQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FLockheed_P-38_Lightning&usg=AOvVaw0_UoxVGVbZOtad9vsjWvhW" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wikipedia</a><a href="http://www.aviation-history.com/lockheed/p38.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a></li> </ul> Don't miss the section titled Day of Armageddon recapping the events of August 30, 1943. This air battle over Italy ultimately earned James the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was lucky to survive - many pilots made the ultimate sacrifice. See photos, letters, mission reports and more about James' time spent in combat over Africa and Italy in 1942 and 1943. Jump to other sections of the collection: <ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/5">James P. Dibble: World War II P-38 Fighter Pilot</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/6">His Early Life</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/7">High School into the Army Air Corps</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/8">Flight Training</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/17">We Got Married!</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/9">Combat!</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/10">Mission Reports</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/11">Letters Home</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/16">Flying with Eisenhower</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/12">The Day of Armageddon - August 30, 1943</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/13">Killed in Action</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/14">The Search for Answers</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/15">The Monument in Padula, Italy</a></li> </ul></li> </ul></li> </ul> Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Photograph Location The location of the interview Mateur, Tunisia Physical Dimensions The actual physical size of the original image 4" x 6" Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource James Dibble with his 3rd P-38 Lightning Subject The topic of the resource James Dibble Description An account of the resource James Dibble with his 3rd P-38 Lightning. Note the two swastikas on the nose indicating confirmed enemy planes shot down. His wife's name is also painted on but misspelled. It should be "Micky". Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Black and white photograph Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource unknown Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1943-09-05 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/ Rights Holder A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource. Hastings Public Library Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Jim Dibble Date Accepted Date of acceptance of the resource. Examples of resources to which a Date Accepted may be relevant are a thesis (accepted by a university department) or an article (accepted by a journal). 2022-01-18 Type The nature or genre of the resource Still image https://barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/11/143/Dibble_Text0064.pdf 968c7bfdb54de97fdc199dde5e5768c4 PDF Text Text � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource James P. Dibble: Letters Home Description An account of the resource Getting letters from home was always a highlight of the week for everyone overseas. They wrote home frequently as well as evidenced by the volume of James' letters. Here is a collection of letters and postcards he sent home to his wife Maxine, brother Bill and parents while serving in Africa and Italy. Be sure to look at the letter dated 1943-04-10. Notice how James indicated he censored his own letter and look at the special form he had to use to send it home. Notice on other letters where they are stamped whether they were censored or not. Like most others, James had to be careful not to divulge too much information about where he was. James was killed on September 9, 1943. Be sure to read his last letter home, sent the day before. Jump to other sections of the collection: <ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/5">James P. Dibble: World War II P-38 Fighter Pilot</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/6">His Early Life</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/7">High School into the Army Air Corps</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/8">Flight Training</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/17">We Got Married!</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/9">Combat!</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/10">Mission Reports</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/11">Letters Home</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/16">Flying with Eisenhower</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/12">The Day of Armageddon - August 30, 1943</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/13">Killed in Action</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/14">The Search for Answers</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/15">The Monument in Padula, Italy</a></li> </ul></li> </ul></li> </ul> <ul><li> <ul><li><a href="http://omeka/collections/show/15"></a></li> </ul></li> </ul> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Hand-written letter Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Letter from James in North Africa to his parents, 1943-03-19 Subject The topic of the resource James Dibble. Correspondence. Description An account of the resource Letter from James in North Africa to his parents. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Personal correspondence Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource James Dibble Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1943-03-19 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/ Rights Holder A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource. Hastings Public Library Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Jim Dibble Date Accepted Date of acceptance of the resource. Examples of resources to which a Date Accepted may be relevant are a thesis (accepted by a university department) or an article (accepted by a journal). 2022-01-18 https://barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/9/374/Dibble_Text0214.pdf a4c12ab1678dd5a1d120d8b1f0f1ac68 PDF Text Text On May 5,1943 a new pilot, Lt. James P. Dibble arrived at the First Fighter Groups airbase at Chateaudun du Rommel, Algeria and was assigned to the 94th "Hat in Ring" squadron. Lt. Dibble's first combat mission took place on May 21,1943. The Group would be escorting approximately 70 B-17 bombers from the 2nd and 301st Bomb Groups to Sciacca, Sicily. Sixteen pilots from the 94th along with formations from the 27th and 71st fighter squadrons took off at 7:40am for the mission. The bombers went over the target at 25,000 feet with the fighters providing protection from 29,000 feet. The following day Jim would write home to his wife describing his experience that day. "I will tell you that my introduction to combat was a merry one," Jim wrote to his wife. "We were escorting bombers and right over the target in the flak and fighter area, my right engine quit - whew, did I sweat for a minute. I couldn't stay with the formation, and it was a long way from home. So I feathered the bad engine's prop and started down in a hell of a hurry. Luckily the bombers were just leaving the target so I just tucked myself under the wing of one of those beautiful babies and went home with them for protection. Some fun." After the publication of the Collier’s Wing Talk article Jim’s mother wrote asking if he was the pilot in the article. He wrote home identifying himself as the pilot and added the following, "A waist gunner fired a burst at me as I was moving in, he thought I was the enemy-fortunately he missed." Quite an introduction to combat with many more exciting times to come. Lt. Dibble would go on to fly 49 missions before being shot down and killed strafing a large German convoy in Italy. He came back from missions three times on one engine, shot down 2 ME-109's with one probable. He met Eddie Rickenbacker and Jimmy Doolittle. Escorted General Eisenhower to Sicily to meet with Patton, Alexander and on to Malta to meet Lord Gort. At the time of his death he had become the top-rated pilot in the squadron. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart, 10 Air Medals and two Presidential Unit Citations. There is a monument dedicated by the citizens of Padula, Italy to Lt. Dibble's sacrifice. The story of this monument and its dedication can be seen on Youtube. Go to the following link : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5xBvSe84 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource James P. Dibble: Combat! Description An account of the resource James spent his combat time based out of North Africa and helped clear the way for the eventual invasion of Italy in 1943. He was a member of the 94th Air Squadron, <a href="https://www.1stfg.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">1st Fighter Group</a>, and flew the famous twin-engined P-38. Learn more about the P-38 at: <ul><li><a href="http://www.aviation-history.com/lockheed/p38.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aviation History online Museum</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj_1pKiyOT5AhXUkIkEHWqSCb8QFnoECAMQAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.britannica.com%2Ftechnology%2FP-38&usg=AOvVaw25-9_sOlkuv_UPtZBhV1Ma" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Britannica.com</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj_1pKiyOT5AhXUkIkEHWqSCb8QFnoECAQQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FLockheed_P-38_Lightning&usg=AOvVaw0_UoxVGVbZOtad9vsjWvhW" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wikipedia</a><a href="http://www.aviation-history.com/lockheed/p38.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a></li> </ul> Don't miss the section titled Day of Armageddon recapping the events of August 30, 1943. This air battle over Italy ultimately earned James the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was lucky to survive - many pilots made the ultimate sacrifice. See photos, letters, mission reports and more about James' time spent in combat over Africa and Italy in 1942 and 1943. Jump to other sections of the collection: <ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/5">James P. Dibble: World War II P-38 Fighter Pilot</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/6">His Early Life</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/7">High School into the Army Air Corps</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/8">Flight Training</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/17">We Got Married!</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/9">Combat!</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/10">Mission Reports</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/11">Letters Home</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/16">Flying with Eisenhower</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/12">The Day of Armageddon - August 30, 1943</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/13">Killed in Action</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/14">The Search for Answers</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/15">The Monument in Padula, Italy</a></li> </ul></li> </ul></li> </ul> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Typed document Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource A short bio on James written by his nephew Jim. Subject The topic of the resource James Dibble. Combat. Description An account of the resource A short bio on James written by his nephew Jim. It references an article from Collier's, June 26, 1943, recounting a combat incident attributed to James Dibble. Rights were not received to include the text or an image of the article, but the original can be seen at the Hastings Public Library. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Magazine transcription Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Jim Dibble Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource unknown Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/ Rights Holder A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource. Hastings Public Library Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Jim Dibble Date Accepted Date of acceptance of the resource. Examples of resources to which a Date Accepted may be relevant are a thesis (accepted by a university department) or an article (accepted by a journal). 1/18/2022 https://barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/16/371/Dibble_Text0101.pdf bc316225aacd2392383b39e52eeece56 PDF Text Text Archie G. “Gil” Jackson 31171 Monterey So. Laguna, CA 92651-6961 (949) 499-2765 Dear Mr. Dibble, Thanks for your letter of January 8, 2001.1 have been quite lazy in replying to you about the particular mission you would like information about August 1, 1943. As you may know, on most occasions pilots were informed after the evening meal if they were to fly on a sortie the next day. We didn’t know where it would be until after our breakfast; then the briefing would take place. Breakfast was powdered eggs, spam or bacon, hard tack bread, margarine, and boiled coffee. The bacon had been in an oven, and then sliced about %” thick (nothing but fat). The margarine was in a #10 can, and we called it axle grease. This particular mission we were told to go to El Aquina, about 15 miles from Tunis. El. Aqina was about 35 miles from our base at Mateur. We would receive our final briefing there. We were met at El Aquina by high rank Army officers, and told this was a most secret mission, and we were to take care of the C-53 at all costs, and we would land at Palermo, Sicily. We were to fly two P-38s on each side of the C-53.1 was the ranking P-38 pilot, Jim was my wingman, and Thiessen flew Cram's wing. The pilot of the C-53 was a major, and the co-pilot a captain. The C-53 is a C-47, but with the entrance door on the right side. This one had plush seats and was General Eisenhower’s plane. It was also used to fly celebrities around. General Eisenhower used a B17 most of the time, but at this time it was being repaired. The General and his staff appeared, and we took off circling the field until the C-53 took off and we were on our way. When we landed at Bacadifalco we were met and surrounded by armed guards, a staff car was there, and the General and his staff were escorted from the airdrome. Palermo had been secured a few days before. We wanted to go into town, but when we got to the gate, they said that General Patten had issued orders that anyone in the town had to wear a steel helmet. We had none so we had to stay with our planes. It was hot, about 105 F, so we found an olive tree close by and waited for Ike to return. �We each had a canteen of water, but the C-53 crew gave us a cool drink from their supply. Ike returned and said we would land at Syracuse. When we landed there, General Montgomery’s staff met us. The meeting was 100 yards or so from us. We saw General Montgomery, but we stayed within close proximity of our planes. Then we took off for Luga Airfield on Malta, and would remain overnight. General Eisenhower was having a conference with General Alexander and we would return the next day. \Ne were taken into town, and had an English supper of steak and kidneys (it was awful, but better than what we were used to). We were put up in a hotel and had a shower and a bed to ourselves. The next morning, we had one egg, cakes, and tea. The tea was brought to our rooms with a wake-up call (a real treat). We returned to the airfield and pre-flighted our planes. About 7:00AM a limousine drove up - a big one with no top and two sets of seats behind the driver’s seat. The driver got out, but the man in the back opened the door himself and started walking toward us. I said “That’s Ike”, and we all jumped to attention. He came on toward us and said “Rest, men.” Then he said, “I just came out to thank you for the good job yesterday.” Ike looked at me and asked, "Where are you from son?” I answered, "Louisburg, Kansas.” He then replied, “Well I’m from Abilihe.” I said, “Yes, Sir, I know.” Then Ike asked the others where they were from and shook hands with all of us. He then said, “ I won’t need your escort today, as I am going to Cairo, Egypt, and will have an escort of Beaufighters, you may return to your home base. I haven’t had any breakfast yet, so I better get back, but I wanted to thank each of you for an excellent job yesterday.” When he left, a RAF Wing Commander came over to us and said, “There is a B-17 that was shot up over Messina, and needs an escort back to Tunisia, can you take care of it?” So we escorted the B-17 back to its home base near Mateur - it was from the 97th Bomb Group. When we landed at Maetur, Captain Brown, Intelligence Officer of the 94th, debriefed us. He told us the missions were secret and there would not be any mention of what happened in the write up. This was the time General Eisenhower scolded General Patten for slapping a sick soldier in the hospital in Palermo and made him apologize for it. During this period, Otto Wellensiek was CO of the 94th, I was the Operations Officer, and Jim Hagenback was the Assistant Operations Officer. Otto came down with malaria in mid August and was hospitalized near Ferryville. He didn’t return until about the first week of September. �Hagenback took my place, and I was sent to Devisor, Egypt - an RAF base East of Cairo near the Suez Canal. While I was there, I flew up and down the canal looking for subs at both ends. When I returned to the 94th, orders were issued for my return to the States. I was lucky and got a ride home as co-pilot on a MATS aircraft taking the Southern Route. Dakar, French West Africa; Natel, Brazil; Blem, Brazil; Trinidad; Miami, Florida. I was relieved from active duty in June 1945.1 went home to Kansas and took my old job as Chief Chemist for the State of Kansas. I was recalled back to service in late 1947, and attended Meteorology school in Champaign, Illinois. Then, I was sent to Fairfield Susan AFB, California, and attended University of California in Nuclear Chemistry. I was then sent to the pacific atolls to work on atomic detonations with the laboratory on Guam. I was on the team of chemists whom first discovered the USSR’s first atomic detonation in October 1949. Relieved from active duty in May of 1950, I took a job with Hawaiian Punch as Director of Research. I stayed with them 25 years until I retired in 1985. R.J. Reynolds of Winston-Salem, North Carolina owned Hawaiian Punch. I apologize for telling you about Jim complaining about our diet, quarters, etc. But, in those times, he wasn’t the only one to complain - we all did. I was sorry to hear about him, as we had become comrades. I selected him as my wingman and my crew chief became his when I left the 94th. Sincerely, Archie “Gil” Jackson PS: I stayed in the AF Reserve until January 1977. My retirement orders stated 34 years, 11 months, and 15 days. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource James P. Dibble: Flying with Eisenhower Description An account of the resource See records of the flight where James and other P-38 pilots flew escort for Eisenhower in 1943. Jump to other sections of the collection: <ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/5">James P. Dibble: World War II P-38 Fighter Pilot</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/6">His Early Life</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/7">High School into the Army Air Corps</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/8">Flight Training</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/17">We Got Married!</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/9">Combat!</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/10">Mission Reports</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/11">Letters Home</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/16">Flying with Eisenhower</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/12">The Day of Armageddon - August 30, 1943</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/13">Killed in Action</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/14">The Search for Answers</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/15">The Monument in Padula, Italy</a><a href="http://omeka/collections/show/15"></a></li> </ul></li> </ul></li> </ul> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Typed letter Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Letter from Lt. Col. Archie Jackson (Ret) to Jim Dibble describing a mission where he and James Dibble flew escort to General Dwight Eisenhower Subject The topic of the resource James Dibble. Eisenhower. Description An account of the resource Letter from Lt. Col. Archie Jackson (Ret) to Jim Dibble describing a mission where he and James Dibble flew escort to General Dwight Eisenhower. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Personal correspondence Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Lt. Col. Archie Jackson (Ret) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 3/14/2001 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/ Rights Holder A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource. Hastings Public Library Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Jim Dibble Date Accepted Date of acceptance of the resource. Examples of resources to which a Date Accepted may be relevant are a thesis (accepted by a university department) or an article (accepted by a journal). 1/18/2022 https://barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/13/319/Dibble_Text0192.pdf 4341ad999432752b6b6489f7ded8b1b7 PDF Text Text �� Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource James P. Dibble: Killed in Action Description An account of the resource Typically pilots rotated home after their 50th mission. James took off for his 49th mission on Septemebr 9, 1943, and never returned. He was shot down on a straffing run near the town of Padula, Italy. Initially there was much confusion amongst the other P-38 pilots, and it was thought James survivied and may have been taken prisoner. Ultimately it was discovered that James had been shot down and then killed by German soldiers. James was ultiamtely brought home and buried in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Middleville, Michigan. See information on his gravesite at <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/40312090/james-p-dibble" target="_blank" title="James P. Dibble's Gravesite" rel="noreferrer noopener">FindAGrave.com</a>. See reports, documents and letters around James' missing in action status and then the determination that he was killed in action. Included are letters from the Army to his wife Maxine and parents, newspaper clippings and local memorials. Jump to other sections of the collection: <ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/5">James P. Dibble: World War II P-38 Fighter Pilot</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/6">His Early Life</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/7">High School into the Army Air Corps</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/8">Flight Training</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/17">We Got Married!</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/9">Combat!</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/10">Mission Reports</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/11">Letters Home</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/16">Flying with Eisenhower</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/12">The Day of Armageddon - August 30, 1943</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/13">Killed in Action</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/14">The Search for Answers</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/15">The Monument in Padula, Italy</a></li> </ul></li> </ul></li> </ul> <ul><li> <ul><li><a href="http://omeka/collections/show/15"></a></li> </ul></li> </ul> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Microfilm copy of a typed document Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Missing in Action Report (MACR) for James Dibble Subject The topic of the resource United States. Air Force. 12th Air Force. 94th Fighter Squadron. Description An account of the resource Missing in Action Report (MACR) for James Dibble. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Killed in Action report Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource James J. Hagenback Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 9/9/1943 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/ Rights Holder A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource. Hastings Public Library Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Jim Dibble Date Accepted Date of acceptance of the resource. Examples of resources to which a Date Accepted may be relevant are a thesis (accepted by a university department) or an article (accepted by a journal). 1/18/2022 https://barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/12/284/Dibble_Image0075.jpg 1f01af6716e585f095487c97767ca01a Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource James P. Dibble: The Day of Armageddon - August 30, 1943 Description An account of the resource From Jim Dibble's account titled "The Day of Armegeddon" included in this collection: "Following the invasion of Sicily in July 1943, the missions flown out of North Africa by the 1st Fighter Group pilots in their P-38 Lightnings had a common objective of preparing for the invasion at Salerno, Italy by the United States Fifth Army." A mission on August 25th was highly successful, with a loss of only 8 P-38's. The 1st Fighter Group earned a Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation for their efforts, but the August 30 mission, for which they would earn a second citation, was not so easy. See mission reports, photos, first hand accounts and more information about this infamous air battle known as The Day of Armageddon. Jump to other sections of the collection: <ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/5">James P. Dibble: World War II P-38 Fighter Pilot</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/6">His Early Life</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/7">High School into the Army Air Corps</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/8">Flight Training</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/17">We Got Married!</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/9">Combat!</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/10">Mission Reports</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/11">Letters Home</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/16">Flying with Eisenhower</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/12">The Day of Armageddon - August 30, 1943</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/13">Killed in Action</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/14">The Search for Answers</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/15">The Monument in Padula, Italy</a></li> </ul></li> </ul></li> </ul> <ul><li> <ul><li><a href="http://omeka/collections/show/15"></a></li> </ul></li> </ul> Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Photograph Location The location of the interview Mateur, Tunisia Physical Dimensions The actual physical size of the original image 3" x 5" Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Pilot George Smith and his P-38 Subject The topic of the resource World War II. August 30, 1943. Description An account of the resource Pilot George Smith and a P-38. Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Black & white photograph Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource unknown Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1940's Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/ Rights Holder A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource. Hastings Public Library Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Jim Dibble Date Accepted Date of acceptance of the resource. Examples of resources to which a Date Accepted may be relevant are a thesis (accepted by a university department) or an article (accepted by a journal). 1/18/2022 https://barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/11/251/Dibble_Text0105.pdf 02a3ea2c9ffa6f18456756b15d6bce54 PDF Text Text �� Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource James P. Dibble: Letters Home Description An account of the resource Getting letters from home was always a highlight of the week for everyone overseas. They wrote home frequently as well as evidenced by the volume of James' letters. Here is a collection of letters and postcards he sent home to his wife Maxine, brother Bill and parents while serving in Africa and Italy. Be sure to look at the letter dated 1943-04-10. Notice how James indicated he censored his own letter and look at the special form he had to use to send it home. Notice on other letters where they are stamped whether they were censored or not. Like most others, James had to be careful not to divulge too much information about where he was. James was killed on September 9, 1943. Be sure to read his last letter home, sent the day before. Jump to other sections of the collection: <ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/5">James P. Dibble: World War II P-38 Fighter Pilot</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/6">His Early Life</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/7">High School into the Army Air Corps</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/8">Flight Training</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/17">We Got Married!</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/9">Combat!</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/10">Mission Reports</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/11">Letters Home</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/16">Flying with Eisenhower</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/12">The Day of Armageddon - August 30, 1943</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/13">Killed in Action</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/14">The Search for Answers</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/15">The Monument in Padula, Italy</a></li> </ul></li> </ul></li> </ul> <ul><li> <ul><li><a href="http://omeka/collections/show/15"></a></li> </ul></li> </ul> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Hand-written letter Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Letter from James in North Africa to his wife Maxine (Micky), 1943-03-21 Subject The topic of the resource James Dibble. Correspondence. Description An account of the resource Letter from James in North Africa to his wife Maxine (Micky). Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Personal correspondence Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource James Dibble Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1943-03-21 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/ Rights Holder A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource. Hastings Public Library Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Jim Dibble Date Accepted Date of acceptance of the resource. Examples of resources to which a Date Accepted may be relevant are a thesis (accepted by a university department) or an article (accepted by a journal). 1/18/2022 https://barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/10/207/Dibble_Text0149.pdf 03fbe42b3b897a00eaaa6138a3ca4e39 PDF Text Text I t 94TH FUHIER SQUADHOE 1ST FIGHTER GROUP A.P.O. 520 W 31, 1943. ’ ’ 0915 hours. Weather: over SIOUX, 2/10ths clouds at 30,000 feet, hazy. Towards ITAIX, scattered clouds at If,000 feet. Over SARD KIA, 1/lOths clouds at 30,000 feet. JIo enemy aircraft. No enemy shipping. fiune 1, 1943, J.... : fe 77, ; . I DIVE BOaiiD AID I^CCllT nlooldi: -• 2 F-30s, Lts, Petersen, Esser, .Lentz, Froehling, Pritchard, Nev;some, ’ Solrol, Boose, Bower, Hiller, H :r■'' pi, each carrying 1 i 1000 lb. borab Holcombe, Helms, lla'ch. -cl; jether with ^'formation from the 71st Fighter-Squa. .'(.l and .025 fuses )y together -. ■.curs to aron, took off at 1135 -'.ours t; escort about 20 B-l/s over PAI.TSliZRIA. Our Squadron formation flew at 12,000 feet on a direct eourse to the target , .but descended to 3,000 feet in order to dive bomb the gun positions #1 iaYnAri-ia+.A ’ltr nnY*hhAast. mediately northeast of of the the towr tqwn .of.Just after the.Bvl?® had ■bombs going irito the water. 12 or our bombs hit in the target^area and • ■ ’ “ "r:I lie. fns ->5?et •-“-hl? to relorre his bomb, It was ir.roscihlr the uamage done uecause of w large amount of dust la ... .. X -B®t area. Flak: over target,late in opening up but medium in height, also .flight, but'intense and accurate. No enemy aircraft seen. Weather: to and-' a: > ^-32 WSEf escorted by formation from the 14th Fighter Group, took off at 0620 hours ■ on a dive bombing ri.ssioh over ?HTjO SIOUX. Formation flew on the deck to a point about 23 mil . off BOLE ■’..'here they were forced to turn backj.because of low overcast :.■ d heavy haze from 0 KB on up. Lt. Anderson heturned eatly because of mechanical failure, landing at 0635 hours. It. Brophy returned early because of radio trouble, landing at 0700 hours. t L L F;. < Remainder of formation landed at 0S00 hours. ■ Capt., Air Corps, 7 . A A � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource James P. Dibble: Mission Reports Description An account of the resource A collection of Mission reports from James' combat flights. Jump to other sections of the collection: <ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/5">James P. Dibble: World War II P-38 Fighter Pilot</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/6">His Early Life</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/7">High School into the Army Air Corps</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/8">Flight Training</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/17">We Got Married!</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/9">Combat!</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/10">Mission Reports</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/11">Letters Home</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/16">Flying with Eisenhower</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/12">The Day of Armageddon - August 30, 1943</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/13">Killed in Action</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/14">The Search for Answers</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/15">The Monument in Padula, Italy</a></li> </ul></li> </ul></li> </ul> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Typed mission report Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Mission Report for the 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, May 11 , June 1 and June 2, 1943 Subject The topic of the resource United States. Air Force. 12th Air Force. 94th Fighter Squadron. Description An account of the resource Mission Report for the 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, May 11 , June 1 and June 2, 1943. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Flight Mission report Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Randolph A. Brown Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1943-06 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/ Rights Holder A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource. Hastings Public Library Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Jim Dibble Date Accepted Date of acceptance of the resource. Examples of resources to which a Date Accepted may be relevant are a thesis (accepted by a university department) or an article (accepted by a journal). 1/18/2022 https://barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/16/370/Dibble_Text0103.pdf fc8aa14b71803e0b8473aa375e89775c PDF Text Text NE by (ZZZ. a-612 August 2, I924.3. DECLASSIFIED DOD DIR. 5200.9, Sept. 27, 1958 Dats 5?—3 0 ~ ^7 Algiers, Monday, August 2, 1943* — Following th^fehelving of Mussolini and the quick denunciation of Fascism within Italy, the Prime Minister and the President on succeeding days called for "unconditional surrender". After they had spoken to their publics, the proposed message to the Italians which Ike caused to be sent on Monday, July 26 — intended to give the Italians their "white alley* — was approved by the Combined Chiefs. The Prime Minister had insisted on in sertion of a saving clause demanding the Italians not turn over British or American prisoners to the Nazis to be taken away to Germany. is pasted nearby. Text of this message It was broadcast to Italy, starting Friday noon, July 30. Immediately there was a murmur in the press corps because the message indicated permission to retain the House of Savoy but this was necessary because we will need in. Italy a stable government' and the House of Savoy is the only peg to which such a government conceivably may tie during the transition, until a popu lar vote by the people may be held to select their own government. We left Maison Blanche by Fortress at 6:30 Saturday morning, ing to fly direct to Palermo but Air Marshal Tedder had telephoned Ike Friday evening that he urgently desired to talk to him. Aouina airfield at Tunis. Consequently, we stopped at kl The Air Marshal had word that Badoglic was actively trending to the Germans and wanted permission to resume the heavy aerial bombard ment of Italy, particularly of Naples and of the marshaling yards at Rome. Ike gave his assent. The Fortress burned out a brake when we landed at El Aouina but the Air Force had a C-53 (on the nose of which.was painted a Walt Disney insignia with an inscription "Time's a wastin'") standing by-with an escort of six Lightnings. I had asked for two Lightnings toescort the Fortress, figuring these would be useful to help our^round troops in Sicily identify the Fortress .as friendly �a-615 August 2, 1943» because the Lightnings are so easily distinguishable with their twin tails. The Air Force, always careful to protect the Boss, had raised the ante to 6. General Patton met us at the Bocco-di-Falco airfield which is nestled amongst the mountains bordering Palermo. It was fortunate the brake of the Fortress had given way at Tunis because the runway at Palermo is not only short, but not J D Our 0-53 landed uphill and bounced. level. General Patton was in fine form. provisional 7th Army. He was proud rcfvthe a/coinplishment of the He said it is the best group of fighting men in the world It is true their accanplishments are remarkable although their opposition has been less than that of the British 5th Army on the east. Howrever, the Americans claimed that if Montgomery's army had moved as rapidly as our 7th, the Germans could not have concentrated at Catania to stop them. Now the 45th Division moving eastward along the northern coast road of Sicily and the First Division moving on its right, were making steady but slow progress. Mere marching over the terrain is difficult. Gun implacements have to be spotted during the daytime, mortars and artillery — such as can be transported and implaced in the precipitous mountains — are care fully aimed at th'ese strong points and then break loose with their concentrated fire after darkness, while our infantry surrounds and mops up the blown-up enemy positions. This makes for slow- going but the progress has been steady. Patton said they would continue this type of attack persistently so the enemy would never have a chance to re-group. In order to keep the pressure persistently applied to the enemy he was relieving the First Division with the Ninth, and the 45th with the Third. One of the difficulties encountered, particularly along the coast road was effective enemy demolition of the road bed. On one side was the sea, on the other sheer cliffs, sometimes reaching mountain high. A dsnolition would tumble the base of the road into the sea and make the work of the Arny Engineers most difficult. Incidentally, General Patton paid a high tribute to their excellence. General Patton is living in the Palace of the King of Sicily who had been DECLASSIFIED . DOD DIR. 5200.9, Sept. 27, 1958 NE by Dale_ �August 2, 1943. A-616 overthrown in 1861 when Garibaldi took Sicily with 1000 men and the island was joined into the union which became Italy. Major General Terry Allen, commander of the First Division and Brig. General Theodore Roosevelt, his assistant, had been relieved by Patton and confirmed by Ike. .The former for "war weariness," and to be returned to America uhder our rotation policy without discredit. eral Huebner is taking his place. leader of inexperienced troops. Gen General Roosevelt had proved to be a gallant He is battle-wise and extremely courageous but this was the only quality which commended him as a general. Ike thought eventually his good quality could be retained by later assigning him to an inexperienced division about to go into battle. He will be given an assignment in the North African theater where his qualities may be useful. The First Division has been in more fighting than any other outfit in this operation and no doubt General Allen simply became fatigued to such a low level that he was unable to afford the inspiration and the leadership, as well as the imagination and discipline that are necessary for a divisional commander. We saw the effect of bombing in Palermo.. It was fl^vastaging but satisfactory. When I saw the effect of bombing at Bizerte I felt sacT, but at Palermo my feeling was "The Ities asked for it and they got it." Two ships of about 125 i r length had been lifted by the force of an.explosion entirely out of the water and onto the quay — a scene that would *0 make a cartoon for Ripley's "Believe it or not." gS 1 3s s § % 5 g 2 Apparently an ammunition ship which had been bombed blew up, created a tidal wave and washed the ships onto the quay 10 ft. above the normal level of the water. The first thing the Americans had to do at Palermo was to organize Italian workers with G.I. bulldozers to clear the streets, particularly those in the vicinity of the docks. Now most of them are clear. The port had reached a level of 2,200 tons discharge with .rapid increase in prospect. American destroyers and PT boats were lying in the harbor.' General Patton had called on the Cardinal of the Palermo arch-diocese, Lavitrone, and the Cardinal ha<^promptly returned his call.. They had become fine �August 2, 1943 . friends. The Cardinal had shown Patton some of the ancient cathedrals. A-617 He had also given the General a message to be transmitted to the Pope, a copy of which I carried back with me and dispatched from Malta at Ike's direction to the Combined Chiefs so it could be sent by proper channels representative of both governments. In it the Cardinal said he and his people were being treated with the "utmost cour tesy" and that the occupation had occurred without any "unpleasant incidents". The message had come through the former Lieutenant Governor of New York State, Poletti, who is now a colonel in the Allied Military Government. I asked General Patton how Poletti was doing and he said "Beautifully, but I think he is electioneering for Roosevelt among the Sicilians" After a Spam luncheon in the Palace we took off for Syracuse to meet General Alexander. The headquarters for his 15th Army Group were just being established and he and his immediate stafi sre quartered in a farm The two General3 craferred under an olive i i 21 v tree, backgrounded by a mule unwillingly affording the yosyer^mich drew water from house about ten minutes from the airfield. a deep and cool well. When the mule stopped he was beaten with a long lash by an Italian farmer — an ex-soldier of the last war who expressed his friendship for the Allies in this one by freely giving of his Chianti and Marsala. Ike was anxious that there be no misunderstanding between Alexander and Patton as to plans for the attack scheduled to start the next day —August 2 — today. Patton was to continue his methodical and steady advance; Montgomery was to lay on all he had and try to break through! Incidentally, Monty has 400 big guns and his attack at Catania will be reminiscent of El Alamein. It should be re ported, too, that members of the Secretary of War's party who had just came from London said the failure of Monty to take Catania had given the public a let down on their hero. The Prime Minister had expressd to Secretary Stimson his profound gratitude at Ike's statement at having undertaken publicly to balance the progress between the stalled British 8th Army and the rapidly advancing American 7th Army. Ike had told the press, the 7th Army had relatiyely easy going and the 8th very DECLASSIFIED DOD DIR. 5200.9, Sept. 27, 1958 N.E by U6-L Date_£r3^7 �August 2, I943. difficult. A-618 Actually the 8th Army has been getting a great deal of public ity for any kind of movement and the ?th Amy, which has been going great guns, is still somewhat under the cloud of the great reputation of the Sth. Returning to Malta we stayed overnight at Verdala Palace, again the guests of Field Marshal the Lord Gort and his friendly assistants. g •s 4 CO Ike had a meeting of the senior commanders Sunday forenoon during which the entire Italian situation -was discussed, plans refined for attacking the toe of Italy and consideration 5 igiven to helping General Wayne Clark and his 5th Army plan its attack on Naples, probably September 9, with the BUTTRESS to come September 2. i 2 John Gunther, the newspaperman, happened to be a house guest at Verdala Jo Palace. He asked me to read a story about Ike which he had written for Readers Digest. It was most complimentary but I asked him to remove some quotations which I felt General Marshall might feel lacking in dignity. The fact that Malta served as headquarters during the on Sicily will be released for publication on August 4* ^of the attack Ike prepared a statement paying his tribute to the heroism of Malta as a symbol of the united nations which will be released at the same time. Returning to Algiers late, yesterday afternoon after a 3-hour and 40 minute direct flight from Malta in our Fortress, the crew of which had quickly repaired its brake — utilizing a part from a wrecked Fortress at El Aouina — I found that the French papers here were filled with a story that the Italians had sent a delegation to Algiers to confer with Ike.. While it is true we had a report that there was a man in Algiers willing to serve as "contact,* Ike has declined to see him. Naturally any emissaries from the enemy must come under appropriate flag of truce — if they should come here at all, as I suspect negotiations will come through the Vatican which will deal either with the Prime Minister or the Presi dent; more likely the latter. Ike was itching this morning to know the result of the long planned boobing of the Ploesti oil fields in Rumania. More than 150 B-24s of the 9th Air Force � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource James P. Dibble: Flying with Eisenhower Description An account of the resource See records of the flight where James and other P-38 pilots flew escort for Eisenhower in 1943. Jump to other sections of the collection: <ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/5">James P. Dibble: World War II P-38 Fighter Pilot</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/6">His Early Life</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/7">High School into the Army Air Corps</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/8">Flight Training</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/17">We Got Married!</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/9">Combat!</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/10">Mission Reports</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/11">Letters Home</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/16">Flying with Eisenhower</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/12">The Day of Armageddon - August 30, 1943</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/13">Killed in Action</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/14">The Search for Answers</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/15">The Monument in Padula, Italy</a><a href="http://omeka/collections/show/15"></a></li> </ul></li> </ul></li> </ul> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Typed document Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Declassified report of General Eisenhower's visit to Italy in August 1943 Subject The topic of the resource James Dibble. Eisenhower. Description An account of the resource Declassified report of General Eisenhower's visit to Italy in August 1943. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Mission report Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource unknown Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1943-08 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/ Rights Holder A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource. Hastings Public Library Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Jim Dibble Date Accepted Date of acceptance of the resource. Examples of resources to which a Date Accepted may be relevant are a thesis (accepted by a university department) or an article (accepted by a journal). 1/18/2022 https://barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/13/318/Dibble_Text0095.pdf 67ed3aea368a8979ae1ce42d0b921348 PDF Text Text � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource James P. Dibble: Killed in Action Description An account of the resource Typically pilots rotated home after their 50th mission. James took off for his 49th mission on Septemebr 9, 1943, and never returned. He was shot down on a straffing run near the town of Padula, Italy. Initially there was much confusion amongst the other P-38 pilots, and it was thought James survivied and may have been taken prisoner. Ultimately it was discovered that James had been shot down and then killed by German soldiers. James was ultiamtely brought home and buried in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Middleville, Michigan. See information on his gravesite at <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/40312090/james-p-dibble" target="_blank" title="James P. Dibble's Gravesite" rel="noreferrer noopener">FindAGrave.com</a>. See reports, documents and letters around James' missing in action status and then the determination that he was killed in action. Included are letters from the Army to his wife Maxine and parents, newspaper clippings and local memorials. Jump to other sections of the collection: <ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/5">James P. Dibble: World War II P-38 Fighter Pilot</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/6">His Early Life</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/7">High School into the Army Air Corps</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/8">Flight Training</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/17">We Got Married!</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/9">Combat!</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/10">Mission Reports</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/11">Letters Home</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/16">Flying with Eisenhower</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/12">The Day of Armageddon - August 30, 1943</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/13">Killed in Action</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/14">The Search for Answers</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/15">The Monument in Padula, Italy</a></li> </ul></li> </ul></li> </ul> <ul><li> <ul><li><a href="http://omeka/collections/show/15"></a></li> </ul></li> </ul> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Typed mission report Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Copy of a statement from 2nd Lt. Raymond Schultz on what he saw when James Dibble 's group was attacked at Padula Subject The topic of the resource James Dibble. Crash. Description An account of the resource Copy of a statement from 2nd Lt. Raymond Schultz on what he saw when James Dibble 's group was attacked at Padula. He mistakenly thought another plane had gone down and did not know it was James. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Mission report Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource 2nd Lt. Raymond Schultz Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 9/9/1943 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/ Rights Holder A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource. Hastings Public Library Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Jim Dibble Date Accepted Date of acceptance of the resource. Examples of resources to which a Date Accepted may be relevant are a thesis (accepted by a university department) or an article (accepted by a journal). 1/18/2022 https://barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/12/315/Dibble_Text0230.pdf 4583e447e47cd2c9b7d5516163bfe075 PDF Text Text 32 My daughter, Pam, and some of the grandchildren have copies of that frontpage picture and I was later able to duplicate it for a campaign card I used when I ran for Prosecutor, reason I was able to do this was quite a coincidence, The After my fifty missions, Ray and I had received orders to go home. We had gone into Bizerte and I was looking for the building where this magazine had been published and we did find it. I asked some questions, identified myself and was able to locate the photographer who had taken the picture. proofs or anything I could take home. I asked for any He had a brass type of imprint from which the original picture was made and he gave it to me. why? I still have it - it's in my desk drawer. So that's I was able to use it later in my campaigning.for Prosecutor. 50th Mission This is an account of my 50th and final mission. It was flown on August 30, 1943. It's been a rather difficult experience to relate. Part of which you'll understand after you read the following and partly because a lot of it is pretty much a blur at this time. The day started like all others. I was awakened by the roar of planes being pre-flighted and as in most of the mornings I kept thinking that odd expression "listening to the lions roar". By habit I checked my mosquito netting & shook my boots to make sure no scorpions had taken refuge during the night. Everything seemed o.k. I crawled out of bed, dressed quickly and headed to the mess tent. The food was pretty much as always - it was never good but boring and on this particular morning, it hit me - this was the big one. The big "50". had pretty well disappeared at that point. for strength so I did. The appetite I knew I had to’ eat I walked into the briefing tent. Newberry was already there. (Capt. The briefing was very short. "Remember what you did yesterday". "You're going to do it again today - B-26's again - same target area - same time." This would make 8 days. Again I silently prayed that this one would be like yesterday and I would be home free. was set for 1100 hours. Take-off We were to rendezvous with the bombers over Cape Bonn at 9000 feet at 1120 hours. saw a jeeprclimbed in and drove to where my plane was bivouaced. �33 In addition to the anxieties I felt, I had one other worry. For 45 missions, I had flown one plane which was "my plane". It was painted with a design resembling the mouth of a shark and had the name "Betty" om.it. Rather contradictory when I reflect back. For some strange reason when I completed my 45th mission, the Air Force sent me for R. & R. at a hotel the Red Cross maintained in the Atlas Mtns. While I was gone another pilot flew my plane on several missions and he did not return from the last, flying a substitute plane - a strange plane. this was a bad omen. I was now I certainly felt After four missions without a great amount of difficulty and the usual amount of aerial combat, I hoped I had no reason for paranoia, home. Joe had been my crew chief from the very He saw pilots come and go. He had never had one go A close bond formed between us. He was a very quiettman beginning. and a damn good crew chief. When I arrived at my plane, he had just cut the motors from the morning's warm up. any reason for a great deal of conversation, There was never I cut the motor on 1.1 my jeep, walked over, sat down in the shade under the wing. "How does she sound?", I said. "Couldn't be better", he answered. I realized he was quite aware that this was #50 for me.and how I was feeling. He said nothing. understood.and I thanked him. We looked at each other only and I got in the jeep and returned to the tent. Fat Boy was writing letters, to do. There wasn't a hell of a lot When not flying, we wrote letters, occasionally ate, would lie in the bunks or play poker, but we never started a poker game before a mission. I was too nervous to lie in. the bunk. I felt an urge to write one more letter. There was no escaping the feeling before each mission, but now I knew it would soon be all-over. you leave. So there is a desire to put things in order before I opened my brief case, took out a V mail form and started "my darling Betty". Her letters to me had always been so cheerful and so expressive of her love, and there was not indication in her mind that she had the slightest doubt but that I would return. optimism. I'm sure my letters did not express the same �- 34. I tried to conceal the fatalistic attitude which I had formed. Fat Boy rolled out of his bunk. "Let's go you P-38 drivers" he remarked, without really looking at anybody. "We can still make the world safe for apple pie and motherhood." Right now, I would settle for making the world safe for me, I mumbled as I picked up my helmet, goggles, oxygen mask, Mae West, parachute and headed f for the jeep. The squadron consisted of 3 flights. consisted of four planes. Each flight I was leading one flight. McIntosh led the lead flight and the group, Fat Boy Hurst led the third.. I felt good to have them with me. My wing man was Eickman. Weinburg and Randall were my second element. They were experienced pilots The jeep dropped Fat Boy and Weinberg at their planes first and then to mine. Joe was waiting there. I climbed on the wing, eased into the cockpit, fastened the shoulder harness and motioned that I was ready. Joe closed the canopy and I locked it from the inside. I plugged in my oxygen mask and my radio, set my radio for the proper channel.and went through the other flight phecks. It had become so much of my life it was second nature to me. I energized the starter, yelled "clear". I engaged Joe responded, "clear". the starterand the first engine roared quickly into life with one belch of black fumes, I repeated the same process with the second engine, I signalled Joe to remove the chucks and I taxied to the runway. My wing man joined me as we waited in line for take-off. As usual the hot African sun quickly caused overheating of my engines. The temperatures were in the red line. The first time this happened, it was with deep concern with tanks and bombs fastened under each wing, however this had happened so many times, with no difficulty, that the red line experience had become routine. We took off in formation and circled the field so that those taking off behind could join up on our position. 2500 ft. We rendezvoused at On seeing all were in position, we set course for Cape Bonn and I put the plane in a gentle climb, so we would reach 9000 ft. formation. mission. My wing man was tucked in tight. I wouldn-'t say I was scared - it was more closely described as stark terror. feelings. He could fly good I remembered briefly the feelings I had on my first I wondered if he felt the same �35 I checked my other element and found they were in good position, also flying good tight formation. I looked to my right at McIntosh's flight and then at Fat Boy's on my left, We were a damn good squadron and I couldn't help but smile. Under normal circumstances, I would have been feeling great exhilaration at this time, This was not a normal circumstance. the big "50". The stark blue Mediterranean came into view. This was I picked up my landmarks on Cape Bonn, arrived at the rendezvous point at 11:14 and the bombers were not there; scan of the horizon revealed their approach. however, a guibk I turned toward them and as we joined up, I swung my flight into position with out further ceremony. target area, navigation. The bombers picked up the heading for the From here on there would be no problems with There was only one rule - stay with the bombers. There was only one excuse for leaving the bombers - you had to be shot down. me. The coast of Africa quickly disappeared behind As I watched it faded into the distance - I couldn't help but wondering, as I had so many times before, whether I would see This time the feelings were even deeper. it again. could pick up the western coast of Sicily. to form - 180 M.P.H. Later, I The B-26's were true In order to maintain a higher speed for the fighters, we flew a pattern much like a letter "S" back and forth I was able to maintain about 220 M.-P.H. and stay with overhead. the bombers while doing this. A second squadron of planes had been put up by the 94th and they also had rendezvoused with us over Cape Bonn.and they were flying the same pattern. We had a system of flying our "S" pattern in opposite directions, so that we continually criss-crossed over the bombers, for tactical reasons. This was done If the Germans came in on from any direction, we always had planes turning into them for a headon pass. A head-on pass was the most effective combat tactic for the 38. This was true because the 20 mm. cannon and 50 cal. machine guns were all mounted in the nose of the 38. in such a position, they threw a pattern of bullets which had the same concentration at any range. advantage. The Germans did not have this �3.6 Their guns were "sited in" to form a pattern at a certain range but if they were beyond this range, the guns were not accurate. Quite briefly, it meant we would be effective at much greater or shorter ranges than they could. would come in on a head-on pass. away. It was very seldom a German They would almost always break- The 26's lumbered over the coast of Sicily, which was now in allied hands. distance. Shortly I could see the coast of Italy in the The bombers stayed over open water in order to avoid any possible flack until it became absolutely necessary to turn in. As we approached the target area, we swung to the east. this time all hell broke loose. About The radio suddenly began to scream from fighter pilots reporting bogies at different locations, coming in from different highs, Suddenly the air seemed filled with 109's, 190's and I went on adrelin. Quite honestly from this point on, I really don't remember much detail. What I sensed in the beginning was soon verified - that this was going to be one hell of a fight. At some point in time, I remember somebody calling over the radio, probably McIntosh, to form a .".Luffberry " . A "Luffberry" is a circle where all the planes follow each other and it has the advantage of somebody's always covering your tail. It has several disadvantages, one of whichiis, it doesn't go anywhere. A few minutes before, I had seen the bombers pass, heading for home with no difficulty and learned later that they had no losses. So I'm sure my instincts said at this point it's time to get the hell out of there. There was no point in fighting against these odds. It was not something I reasoned - it was something done entirely instinctively. I rolled my plane over, pulled the controls in to my belly and I dove for the deck. I relaxed the controls when I could see the water ahead. I stayed in the dive with my controls fire- walled wide open until I could level off at about 50 ft. At that time I looked behind me to see if I had been followed - I had - there was one 109 but he was not in range at this point, probably had not been able to keep up and so I turned into him for a head- on pass, but before he came into range, he broke away and headed �37, back to Naples. At that time, I checked to see if my flight was in-tack, it was not. My wing man was still there, but the second element with Wineberg and Randall was nowhere to be seen. At that point, I heaved a sigh of relief and headed for Sicily. We were low on fuel so we must have fought longer then I realized. I managed to find a British newly constructed base which only consisted of a runway and some trucks. my wing man and I. N. Africa. I landed - We refueled and took off and flew onto The First Fighter Group Assoc, puts out a newletter and there were 2 accounts of this mission printed in these letters, one by the name of Bob Vrilakas and one by the name of Ervin J. Styr. They obviously remembered more, had checked records about this mission, which obviously stood out in everybody1s mind and presented accounts much more in detail than I can do and so, for that reason, I am going to include excerpts from one letter in this report: "The date was:August 30, 19^3. The target was the Aversa marshaling yards, less than 10/north of Naples. The 1st Fighter Group would be furnishing top cover for the 319th and 320th Bombardment Group flying B-26 Martin Marauders. We pick up the narration with the 1st weaving back and forth about 12-1/2 to 13 thousand feet with the bombers directly below approaching their IP where they would turn and approach the target. "McIntosh swung the 1st wide in its following turn to be between the bombers and the direction from which the enemy fighters were expected to launch their attack. His calculation was correct. Since gust before the American formation crossed the Italian coast, the enemy had been taking off from Pomigliano and * Capodichino, and some snaked their way through the bomb holes on Grazzanise. Others with belly tanks on, were by this.time.Clawing into the air from Foggia. They burst out of the hazy horizon in two waves and each wave split to each side when they saw the twin-tailed Lightnings. They were higher by two to three thousand feet and they were coming full bore. All three squadrons called them in, with the 71st and 94th dropping tanks: together. momentarily. McIntosh held his He had seen only two or three at first, then to �38 his amazement there seemed to be scores of them, The 27th dropped their tanks in a hurry. In a flash the three squadrons were breaking right and left. The enemy was coming from all sides, and from above. In a moment the sky was filled with every variety of enemy fighter, mixing in a wild melee . The intercom was filled with shouts, warnings and instructions. There were 44 P-38's in the fray. at from 75 to 100. The enemy was estimated The number was set at 75 in the Distinguished Unit Citation awarded to the Group later (Originally these were called Presidential Unit Citations). John T. Hanton was considered to have drawn first blood when he sent a ME-109 spinning earthward in the first minutes of the conflict, then had all he could do to keep from being shot down himself. The enemy was everywhere. and then from head-on. They came frpiji above and beneath The 94th Jost John C. Cram and Ralph Peck, then Ralph F. Turrentine, of the 71st. collided head-on with a Messerschmitt in a grinding crash that was noiseless to the pilots of both sides, but the explosion of gasoline was flash enough for all to see. Clifford W. Randol was shot down, then Larry Reynolds nailed an ME-109 as did John D. Hurst, all 27th members. Vrilakas of the 94th .shot down an enemy he later thought was a Macchi-202, then a few minutes later had his right engine damaged and part of his plexiglas canopy shot away. John I. Husby of the 27th, was wounded in the back by fragments of a cannon shell. He wobbled in the air as he felt the sting and saw his own blood.. He was wide open for a moment. Three enemy fell upon him, but they split-essed away when Charles J. McCann of the 71st led his three man flight to the rescue. The battle descended in altitude, It seemed to grow in int intensity, but this was due to the arrival of more enemey from Foggia. Jerome N. Weinberg of the 27th went into the water, then Charles E. Woodard of the 94th was lost. Holding the inside of the turn as McIntosh began to inch the formation out to sea, the 71st leader, John S. Willey, was shot down and was missing in action and left alone, Walter G. Morrison, �- 39 - his wingman, lost both engines to enemy fire and bellied into the water. He was picked up by the Italians and taken prisoner. Two more enemy were destroyed iroyed by a tight t: turning flight of the 27th pilots, one of them by "Pappy Hurst' Hurst", his second of the day. But, Harry Warmker lost his bearings as he I turned into three others, and he hit the water with all guns firing. McIntosh thought later '’ > because of the haze and concentration concei he had an attack of vertigo on his gunsight. Deisenrotl;h followed him into the water from battle damage‘ and was almost knocked out when the Lightning hit, and was ne<>arl.y ‘ carried under before he could loosen his seat belt. Vrilakas was nursing ’his cri ’ rippled P-38 on one engine when two more enemy attacked on the deck, Rigney of the 94th turned to protect him, shot one of the enemj iemy down, but exposed himself to the other who hit Rigney' with a hail of machine gun and cannon fire, He lost control and hit the i water with a crash, but he survived, also to be taken prisoner, to escape, and return to the Group. The battle in all had lasted 40 minutes. Not a single bomber was lost either to enemy ffighters or flak. But smoke was rising from the Tyrrhenian Sea oi>ff Naples where fighters from both sides had crashed. Vrilakas made it to Sicily.. Husby all the way home to Mateur. For McIntosh it was his fiftieth >th and final f: mission. He had destroys '■ed a Focke-Wulf 190 in the opening minutes of the battle, then hac id devoted his efforts to keeping the squadron and group together as much as jpossible." What a way to enc id a combat tour! The score that day, the 30th of August,1943 - 44 planes to the target area, 23 returned to Mateur. (Eight made it to friendly fields elsewhere." The 1st Fighter Group was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation later called Distinguished Unit Citation, for outstanding performance of duty against the enemy. After landing at home base, and being de-briefed I headed for my tent and was stopped by Capt. Newberry who said there was somebody waiting to see me in the tent. It turned out to be Red Haines from Spring Valley who had been a school chum of mine for several years. I was not much in a visiting mood but it ‘was a welcome sight to see someone from home. He and I had played basketball for several years in our high school years. After he left Hurst came into the tent and told me that Wineburg and Randall had both been lost - shot down, of course, and that we had suffered other casualties - the exact extent of which was not known to me for several days after. Somebody in the outfit had heard about some Roman ruins not too far away so several pilots and myself decided to go. Being war time, the ruins didn't seem to be in charge of anybody - no fee charged, We just was well worth the trip. walked in and seemed to go back in time to the days of the Romans. It � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource James P. Dibble: The Day of Armageddon - August 30, 1943 Description An account of the resource From Jim Dibble's account titled "The Day of Armegeddon" included in this collection: "Following the invasion of Sicily in July 1943, the missions flown out of North Africa by the 1st Fighter Group pilots in their P-38 Lightnings had a common objective of preparing for the invasion at Salerno, Italy by the United States Fifth Army." A mission on August 25th was highly successful, with a loss of only 8 P-38's. The 1st Fighter Group earned a Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation for their efforts, but the August 30 mission, for which they would earn a second citation, was not so easy. See mission reports, photos, first hand accounts and more information about this infamous air battle known as The Day of Armageddon. Jump to other sections of the collection: <ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/5">James P. Dibble: World War II P-38 Fighter Pilot</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/6">His Early Life</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/7">High School into the Army Air Corps</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/8">Flight Training</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/17">We Got Married!</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/9">Combat!</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/10">Mission Reports</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/11">Letters Home</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/16">Flying with Eisenhower</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/12">The Day of Armageddon - August 30, 1943</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/13">Killed in Action</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/14">The Search for Answers</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/15">The Monument in Padula, Italy</a></li> </ul></li> </ul></li> </ul> <ul><li> <ul><li><a href="http://omeka/collections/show/15"></a></li> </ul></li> </ul> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Typed document Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Notes from George Smith clarifying events of August 30, 1943 Subject The topic of the resource World War II. August 30, 1943. Description An account of the resource Notes from George Smith clarifying events of August 30, 1943. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Historical account Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource George Smith Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource unknown Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/ Rights Holder A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource. Hastings Public Library Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Jim Dibble Date Accepted Date of acceptance of the resource. Examples of resources to which a Date Accepted may be relevant are a thesis (accepted by a university department) or an article (accepted by a journal). 1/18/2022 https://barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/11/252/Dibble_Text0106.pdf e8e58af2e1c79fc100be314131ccc290 PDF Text Text �� Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource James P. Dibble: Letters Home Description An account of the resource Getting letters from home was always a highlight of the week for everyone overseas. They wrote home frequently as well as evidenced by the volume of James' letters. Here is a collection of letters and postcards he sent home to his wife Maxine, brother Bill and parents while serving in Africa and Italy. Be sure to look at the letter dated 1943-04-10. Notice how James indicated he censored his own letter and look at the special form he had to use to send it home. Notice on other letters where they are stamped whether they were censored or not. Like most others, James had to be careful not to divulge too much information about where he was. James was killed on September 9, 1943. Be sure to read his last letter home, sent the day before. Jump to other sections of the collection: <ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/5">James P. Dibble: World War II P-38 Fighter Pilot</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/6">His Early Life</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/7">High School into the Army Air Corps</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/8">Flight Training</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/17">We Got Married!</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/9">Combat!</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/10">Mission Reports</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/11">Letters Home</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/16">Flying with Eisenhower</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/12">The Day of Armageddon - August 30, 1943</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/13">Killed in Action</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/14">The Search for Answers</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/15">The Monument in Padula, Italy</a></li> </ul></li> </ul></li> </ul> <ul><li> <ul><li><a href="http://omeka/collections/show/15"></a></li> </ul></li> </ul> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Hand-written letter Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Letter from James in North Africa to his wife Maxine (Micky), 1943-03-22 Subject The topic of the resource James Dibble. Correspondence. Description An account of the resource Letter from James in North Africa to his wife Maxine (Micky). Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Personal correspondence Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource James Dibble Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1943-03-22 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/ Rights Holder A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource. Hastings Public Library Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Jim Dibble Date Accepted Date of acceptance of the resource. Examples of resources to which a Date Accepted may be relevant are a thesis (accepted by a university department) or an article (accepted by a journal). 1/18/2022 https://barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/10/208/Dibble_Text0150.pdf da8def1bd068899dd2bf0063e20268df PDF Text Text ■ 94TH FI-.LTE:. L 1ST FLUTE?. GLuUP .4.P.O. 520 June'3, 1943. DlVa j -HPLIr - 15 P-38s, >8s, Capt. Wellensiek, Wellensiek, Lts.. Opdahl, i\halen, Anderson, Quinn, Gilliam, Ltrown, Hammond, >nd, .Stephan, Stephan^ Priciiard, Brci >phy, Helms, Holcombe, Cogswell., 1335 hours/ and i’ihblo, took off lj:35 hours, to-ethcr >.it?i formations j from. the L'.’LL uni 71st Jy;.drons, e.cli curry. •; 11 * A^ IL^c It. L;..L -----br. ... -route to dive bomb grin emplacement No. 1 immediate: f TZLLSRIA. The fornati-'n cl :>-bed 5000j feet 1 iet:e. before beginning their dive and released their bombs at 2500Cf~et. XX' fret. It iis impossible to estimate exactly the number of hits scored because the tai arget was covered with dust, but it is oelieved that two-thirds of the bombs hit j; ■ in the targetL area’. One cament building was hit; -- 4fo j--- .. enemy aircraft were observed,♦ Flak: Light, intense, intense and accujAte. Time over targe CAVU. FoHtetion landed at target 1515 hours. Leathei to target and over target 171C- hours. k [ 5177 I-C n~.:Fr "LSJr.n: - 15 P-j't, Capt. .iover, Its. Pace, Kewsone, j..:ol, Lo.-.c, i Cronin, Hageni-acx, Eec-er, Freehl'.’ ng, Jager, Least, Gillian, Petersen, Liles, yic. L; i a-s.-. eacii carryiyl x 10X 1b. bomb (inst. and .025 fuses), took off at 1545 hours, F’’ .“ together with the 2?th Fighter Squadron,” to dive bomb Kild a/b near TIiAPANI, 6IQL Is.deck direct to the -iq”i--ds ,w. - - -y.nrc-o + - -y - ■ y-< — ■ gtF the field and the runway. Two hangers were left burning. ^Time. over target 1755 .. Two hangers hours. ; No -E/A were encountered. Flak: light, neitherintense nor accurate but a/ L- r rnr7~—; ’1^4TOk? FLIGHT - 2 P-3«s, Its, Petersen and fironhy, took off 0500 hours and lanaed f? 0930 ho. rs on weather £li:ht to Hyeres Islandr. nearF^V’CE t''. a ‘ ■ � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource James P. Dibble: Mission Reports Description An account of the resource A collection of Mission reports from James' combat flights. Jump to other sections of the collection: <ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/5">James P. Dibble: World War II P-38 Fighter Pilot</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/6">His Early Life</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/7">High School into the Army Air Corps</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/8">Flight Training</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/17">We Got Married!</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/9">Combat!</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/10">Mission Reports</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/11">Letters Home</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/16">Flying with Eisenhower</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/12">The Day of Armageddon - August 30, 1943</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/13">Killed in Action</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/14">The Search for Answers</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/15">The Monument in Padula, Italy</a></li> </ul></li> </ul></li> </ul> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Typed mission report Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Mission Report for the 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, June 3 , June 4 and June 5, 1943 Subject The topic of the resource United States. Air Force. 12th Air Force. 94th Fighter Squadron. Description An account of the resource Mission Report for the 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, June 3 , June 4 and June 5, 1943. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Flight Mission report Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Randolph A. Brown Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1943-06 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/ Rights Holder A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource. Hastings Public Library Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Jim Dibble Date Accepted Date of acceptance of the resource. Examples of resources to which a Date Accepted may be relevant are a thesis (accepted by a university department) or an article (accepted by a journal). 1/18/2022 https://barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/9/161/Dibble_Text0081.pdf d5cb7b5867d898bc802778f5a947dc7f PDF Text Text � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource James P. Dibble: Combat! Description An account of the resource James spent his combat time based out of North Africa and helped clear the way for the eventual invasion of Italy in 1943. He was a member of the 94th Air Squadron, <a href="https://www.1stfg.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">1st Fighter Group</a>, and flew the famous twin-engined P-38. Learn more about the P-38 at: <ul><li><a href="http://www.aviation-history.com/lockheed/p38.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aviation History online Museum</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj_1pKiyOT5AhXUkIkEHWqSCb8QFnoECAMQAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.britannica.com%2Ftechnology%2FP-38&usg=AOvVaw25-9_sOlkuv_UPtZBhV1Ma" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Britannica.com</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj_1pKiyOT5AhXUkIkEHWqSCb8QFnoECAQQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FLockheed_P-38_Lightning&usg=AOvVaw0_UoxVGVbZOtad9vsjWvhW" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wikipedia</a><a href="http://www.aviation-history.com/lockheed/p38.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a></li> </ul> Don't miss the section titled Day of Armageddon recapping the events of August 30, 1943. This air battle over Italy ultimately earned James the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was lucky to survive - many pilots made the ultimate sacrifice. See photos, letters, mission reports and more about James' time spent in combat over Africa and Italy in 1942 and 1943. Jump to other sections of the collection: <ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/5">James P. Dibble: World War II P-38 Fighter Pilot</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/6">His Early Life</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/7">High School into the Army Air Corps</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/8">Flight Training</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/17">We Got Married!</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/9">Combat!</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/10">Mission Reports</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/11">Letters Home</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/16">Flying with Eisenhower</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/12">The Day of Armageddon - August 30, 1943</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/13">Killed in Action</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/14">The Search for Answers</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/15">The Monument in Padula, Italy</a></li> </ul></li> </ul></li> </ul> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Newspaper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Assorted newspaper clippings about James Dibble shooting down a German Messerschmitt Subject The topic of the resource James Dibble. Combat. Description An account of the resource Assorted newspaper clippings mounted on a scrapbook page about James Dibble shooting down a German Messerschmitt. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newspaper Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource unknown Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1942 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/UND/1.0/ Rights Holder A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource. unknown Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Jim Dibble Date Accepted Date of acceptance of the resource. Examples of resources to which a Date Accepted may be relevant are a thesis (accepted by a university department) or an article (accepted by a journal). 2022-01-18 https://barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/9/377/Dibble_Text0213.pdf f3a4ba0b839b7bc2556e5b71caadc000 PDF Text Text STRAFING OF FOGGIA AIRDROME <t 2 �•[ HEADQUARTEBS 3O6TH WING (US) APQ.52O . US ARMY 3 June 1944. SUBJECT: Proposed Citation for 1st Fighter Group, AAF. TO Commanding General, Fifteenth Air Force. ; 1. Under the provisions of War Department Circular No. 333, 1943 and Circular No. 26, NATOUSA dated 6 March 1944, it is requested that a citation for the 1st Fighter Group, Twin Engine, Arny Air Force, for outstanding performance of duty in action and for extraordinary heroism over the Foggia network of airdromes on 25 August 1943 in the first and greatest mass, long range, low level strafing attack ever carried out, be approved and that the citation be confirmed in War Department General Orders. I 2. In August 1943, a large force of enemy fighters and bombers were concentrated on the main Foggia Airdrome and its ten (10) satellites. An re ale d at at least one incomplete photographic coverage on 22 August 1943 revealed hundred and eighteen (118) bombers, seventy-two (72) fighters^ 3, and fortyfive (45) transports on these fields. Because of their easyr striking live that these distance, of the projected landing at Salerno, it was imperati enemy aircraft be destroyed. The wide dispersal of these aircraft made it impossible to accomplish this task by normal action of heavy bombers. Thus, the Air Force determined to wipe out this enemy concentration by the first mass, longrange, lav level strafing raid ever carried out. Three (3) groups of P-38’s, totaling one hundred and forty (140) aircraft, were to be used in this important operation. In the vicinity of Kairouan, Tunisia, throughout the three (3) day period preceding the day set for the attack, long and secret practice missions were held. Unless complete surprise could be achieved it was anticipated that losses on this raid might be exceptionally severe. Close formation was an absolute necessity. The most accurate navigation and split second timing would be necessary in order to reach the initial point and then spread out on the correct routes of attack for each of the nine (9) separate targets which extended over an area of nine hundred (900) square miles. In order to avoid detection by enemy radar, it was imperative that the entire formation remain under an altitude of one hundred (100) feet along the entire route. At minimum altitude the F-38’s would be subjected to aerial attack and heavy ground fire for 300 miles over Italy. 3. Taking off from Mateur, Tunisia, at 0?06 hours on 25 August 1943> sixty-five (65) P-38‘s of the 1st Filter Group proceeded to the rendezvous point at Zembra Island vhere they met the 82nd and 14th Fighter Groups. Flying in perfect low level formation, the three (3) groups flew on the deck past Sicily, hit the western coast of Italy at Praia a Mare, on the Gulf of Policastro, 400 miles from the take-off point. They then swept across Italy at tree top level for 300 miles, reached Molfetta, on the east coast of Italy, exactly as planned, and th en flew over water up the coast - 1 - �I < •where the 82nd and 14th Fighter Groups turned off at their respective turn ing points. At a point near Manfredonia, under the superb leadership and navigation of the Operations Officer of the 1st Fighter Group, the three (3) squadrons divided, and at a speed of 300 mph .at tree top level, headed for their three (3) targets, Foggia satellites 1, 2, and 4. Light and heavy anti-aircraft and small .arms fire was encountered from various points along the way, including destroyers in the Gulf of Manfredonia and from the target area. Fifty-seven (5?) ?-38’s of the 1st Fighter Group swept over their assigned targets, strafing everything in sight. Using the most conservative estimates, the 1st Filter Group destroyed thirty-six (36) aircraft, one (1) of which was destroyed in the air, and severely damaged fifty-two (52) others. The aircraft claimed as destroyed were seen to explode and burn. Strafing on the return routes, the 1st Fighter Group suc miscellacessfully attacked locomotives, freight cars, powerlines, trucks, ' ’ neous installations, and a troop train of twenty (20) railway cars, killing and wounding many enemy troops. On this raid the 1st Fighter Group lost four (4) F-38’s. Far heavier losses were avoided because, as a result of superb flying and navigation, the enemy did not receive warning in time. 4. In all, a total of sixty-four (64) enemy aircraft was claimed >yed by the entire mission, and ei^ity-six (86) were damaged on the destroyec ‘ <of which the 1st Filter Group destroyed and damaged more than half ground, aircraft. Over 70^ of the destroyed and damaged aircraft were of these ail bombers. Subsequent interpretation of aerial photographs confirmed that the ■ - - ~ successft „;:i3ful, and placed the number of planes lost by the mission was highly Axis as considerably greater than the conservative totals listed above. The effect of the attack at this crucial time greatly decreased the enemy’s air :gion and directly paved the way for the approaching landing power in this ref Is was an important factor in the cessation of Italian hostilat Salerno. This import efforts and devotion to duty of all ities one week later. The untiring unti ground personnel of this Group contributed greatly to the success of this mission. The pilots displayed great courage in their fearless execution of inprecedented operation. Despite all dangers,. this difficult, hazardous, and unprecedentec the flying personnel of the 1st Fighter Group Groi_ pressed their attacks with on the enemy, and r - — - -rendered extraordinary heroism, inflicted a crippling blow t a valuable contribution to the armed conflicti against our enemies in1 Europe, rces of the ition of the Armed Fore v/hich is in keeping with the spirit and tradit United States. 8 Incls: Incl 1 Incl 2 Incl 3 Incl 4 Incl 5 Incl 6 Incl 7 Incl 8 D. G. STROTHER, » Brigadier General, USA, Conroandi ng. - Proposed Citation (in quir Lnt) - Field Orders (in quint) - Mission Report (in quint) - Map of Course (in quint) - Opl and Intel Summary, HAAF (in quint) - Daily Intel Summary, 42nd Hg (in quint) - Coxmendation (in quint) - Eoster (in quint) - 2 - �•r- PROPOSED CITATION ( (. 1ST FIGHTER GROUP. For outstanding performance of duty in armed con flict’with the eneny. Upon receiving orders for the first mass long range low level strafing raid ever carried out, the pilots of the Group spent three (3) days intensely training and preparing for this vital operation, while ground personnel displayed the greatest zeal, devotion, and efficiency in preparing the P-38 type aircraft for this important mission. On 25 August 1943) sixty-five (65),P-38’s of the Group took off to rendezvous with two (2) other fighter groups for the attack on the Foggia airdromes, on which were concentrated more than two-hundred and thirty (230) eneny aircraft, which severely threatened the projected invasion at Salerno, Italy, and which, because of wide dispersal, were immune from normal bombing methods. In order to prevent detection ty eneny radar, it was imperative to fly the entire five-hundred and thirty (530) miles to the target at an extremely low altitude. Serious losses were inevitable should the eneny be alerted. Completely disregarding anti-aircraft fire, intense small arms fire, and possible eneny aerial opposition, the pilots, by superb navigation, swept across and then up Italy, where they split off for their respective attacks on the different Foggia airdromes. The heroic pilots of the 1st Fighter Group swept across the eneny fields, strafing the widely dispersed aircraft, gun positions, eneny troops, and other militaiy targets. In this attack the 1st Fighter Group destroyed and severely damaged a total of eighty eight (88) hostile aircraft, with the loss of only two (2) P-38’s, while the entire mission accounted for a total of one-hundred and fifty (150) air craft destroyed or damaged on the ground. Thus, at this critical time before the landings at Salerno, a crippling blow was dealt to the eneny. The pilots of this Group, despite all dangers, pressed their attacks with extraordinary heroism, covered both themselves and their Group with glory, and rendered a • valuable contribution to the armed conflict against our enemies in Europe, which is in keeping with the spirit and tradition of the Armed Forces of the United States of America. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource James P. Dibble: Combat! Description An account of the resource James spent his combat time based out of North Africa and helped clear the way for the eventual invasion of Italy in 1943. He was a member of the 94th Air Squadron, <a href="https://www.1stfg.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">1st Fighter Group</a>, and flew the famous twin-engined P-38. Learn more about the P-38 at: <ul><li><a href="http://www.aviation-history.com/lockheed/p38.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aviation History online Museum</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj_1pKiyOT5AhXUkIkEHWqSCb8QFnoECAMQAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.britannica.com%2Ftechnology%2FP-38&usg=AOvVaw25-9_sOlkuv_UPtZBhV1Ma" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Britannica.com</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj_1pKiyOT5AhXUkIkEHWqSCb8QFnoECAQQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FLockheed_P-38_Lightning&usg=AOvVaw0_UoxVGVbZOtad9vsjWvhW" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wikipedia</a><a href="http://www.aviation-history.com/lockheed/p38.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a></li> </ul> Don't miss the section titled Day of Armageddon recapping the events of August 30, 1943. This air battle over Italy ultimately earned James the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was lucky to survive - many pilots made the ultimate sacrifice. See photos, letters, mission reports and more about James' time spent in combat over Africa and Italy in 1942 and 1943. Jump to other sections of the collection: <ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/5">James P. Dibble: World War II P-38 Fighter Pilot</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/6">His Early Life</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/7">High School into the Army Air Corps</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/8">Flight Training</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/17">We Got Married!</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/9">Combat!</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/10">Mission Reports</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/11">Letters Home</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/16">Flying with Eisenhower</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/12">The Day of Armageddon - August 30, 1943</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/13">Killed in Action</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/14">The Search for Answers</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/15">The Monument in Padula, Italy</a></li> </ul></li> </ul></li> </ul> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Typed document Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Proposed Citation for the 1st Fighter Group including the 94th Air Squadron Subject The topic of the resource World War II. 1st Fighter Group. Medals and Citations. Description An account of the resource Proposed Citation for the 1st Fighter Group including the 94th Air Squadron. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Citation report Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource D. C. Strother Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 6/3/1944 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/ Rights Holder A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource. Hastings Public Library Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Jim Dibble Date Accepted Date of acceptance of the resource. Examples of resources to which a Date Accepted may be relevant are a thesis (accepted by a university department) or an article (accepted by a journal). 1/18/2022 https://barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/13/325/Dibble_Text0093.pdf 9cf7178043a02cbb498e8be04a1ce38b PDF Text Text �� Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource James P. Dibble: Killed in Action Description An account of the resource Typically pilots rotated home after their 50th mission. James took off for his 49th mission on Septemebr 9, 1943, and never returned. He was shot down on a straffing run near the town of Padula, Italy. Initially there was much confusion amongst the other P-38 pilots, and it was thought James survivied and may have been taken prisoner. Ultimately it was discovered that James had been shot down and then killed by German soldiers. James was ultiamtely brought home and buried in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Middleville, Michigan. See information on his gravesite at <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/40312090/james-p-dibble" target="_blank" title="James P. Dibble's Gravesite" rel="noreferrer noopener">FindAGrave.com</a>. See reports, documents and letters around James' missing in action status and then the determination that he was killed in action. Included are letters from the Army to his wife Maxine and parents, newspaper clippings and local memorials. Jump to other sections of the collection: <ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/5">James P. Dibble: World War II P-38 Fighter Pilot</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/6">His Early Life</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/7">High School into the Army Air Corps</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/8">Flight Training</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/17">We Got Married!</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/9">Combat!</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/10">Mission Reports</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/11">Letters Home</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/16">Flying with Eisenhower</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/12">The Day of Armageddon - August 30, 1943</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/13">Killed in Action</a></li> </ul></li> <li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/14">The Search for Answers</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/collections/show/15">The Monument in Padula, Italy</a></li> </ul></li> </ul></li> </ul> <ul><li> <ul><li><a href="http://omeka/collections/show/15"></a></li> </ul></li> </ul> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Typed document Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource James Dibble Crash Investigation Report Subject The topic of the resource James Dibble. Crash. Description An account of the resource James Dibble Crash Investigation Report summarizing the known facts and corrections, ultimately declaring James Dibble as killed in action on September 9, 1943. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Plane crash investigation report Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource James M. Stribling Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 6/11/1944 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/ Rights Holder A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource. Hastings Public Library Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Jim Dibble Date Accepted Date of acceptance of the resource. Examples of resources to which a Date Accepted may be relevant are a thesis (accepted by a university department) or an article (accepted by a journal). 1/18/2022