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