Posted By Francesco Cāmpaci on February 17, 2008 at 16:11:48:
Respectables gentlemens,
I am Francesco Cāmpaci and I live to Ariano Polesine in the province of Rovigo,
in north Italy (around 60 south km in Venice, in the natural park of the delta
of the river Po). Excusing me if I write badly in language english, with this
message of mine I desire to kindly ask you some information in the hope that
can help me in how much I hope to succeed in completing my job of search for a
possible book that writing on the period of the second world war and
specifically for an episode that happened note to my country: " in Ariano
Polesine at the 10,30 in date April 8 th 1945. a " B-17 " U.S.A.A.F. it made a
landing of fortune next to the country, in the farm of Mr. Giaretta, and the
whole crew was made imprisoned from the German soldiers that were them
occupying in that period. Subsequently, this crew was transported in the other
place in the jail while the airplane was destroyed asunder literally by the
farmers of that place to recover the metal. The night among the day 8 and 9
April, for retaliation and beginning from 9 pm, they were unloaded above to
Ariano Polesine a lot of incendiary bombs also and there were accordingly an
about ten between corpses and wounded with many damages to the residences of
the country. In other days there were other bombardments on the bridge in iron
on the river: Po of Goro that connects note the country of Ariano Polesine with
Ariano Ferrarese (in the prov. of Ferrara) in how much useful was to the
Germans in withdrawn by the " Gothic line" advancing the Allied strengths in
1945". I kindly ask you if such information are to you notes and if it is
possible possession information on the name of the American crew and the fallen
airplane. In advance thanking, takes to appreciate my best wishes of good year
2008 for your families and you. With respects he greets: Francesco Campaci.
P.S.:
I beg you to confirm if indeed the following information concerns the airplane
that made landing of emergency to Ariano Polesine, as above quoted. I have not
found other information in date April 8 th 1945, thanks still for the polite
attention:
"Frater Louis J MI 44-09 817 483 From the book 'The Heroes of the 483rd':
On a mission to Campodezzo, Italy, on 8 April 1945. Flying in B-17 44-6733,
they were hit by flak on the bomb run. They lost two engines and fell below and
behind the formation. Before they were able to reach friendly territory,
all engines failed and Dexter made a superb dead stick crash landing. They
were immediately captured by German and Italian soldiers.
Crew list:
P: Vernon L. Dexter
CP: Theodore T. McKnelly
N: Richard K. Hood
B: Louis J. Frater
ENG: Douglas H. Palmer
RO: Clarence J. Gutoski
TG: Clarence E. Hughes
BT: Gerald W. Smith
RW: Donald F. Patrick
LW: Clarence R. Adams "
I DESIRE TO EXPRESS, THEREFORE, MINE GREAT DESIDERIO DI TO POSSIBLY HAVE A
CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE SURVIVORS OF THAT FLIGHT IF YOU CAN HELP A CONTACT TO
HAVE ME WITH THEM, THERE WOULD BE VERY THANKFUL, EVEN IF THEY ARE SPENT MANY
YEARS BY THAT HISTORICAL FACT, THANKS FOR YOUR COURTESY.
E-MAIL: iz3deb@alice.it
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Very tnx !