Alto Landing Ground, Corsica: the 2nd Lt. Thomas D. Davis’ “regular ship”, the P47D-25RE Thunderbolt No 87, serial number 42-26421, 66th Fighter Squadron “Exterminators”, USAAF’s 57th Fighter Group (Alto LG from March 23, 1944, until August 18, 1944), who shot down a Bf 109 on July 1st 1944. In this photo, taken by the Sgt. Clarence M. "Bud" Fortier, armorer, 66th FS, the aircraft is armed with two under wing 500 lbs bombs for air-to-ground-missions. The notice on the fuselage’s left side indicate “Republic Aviation Corporation Employees War Bond Plane #45”. With this plane the Lt. Davis was KIA during a diving bombing mission over the Bologna-Ferrara area, Northern Italy, cause unknown, on September 2, 1944 (see next story). Victor Sierra

The Lt. Davis’ “regular ship”

A P-47D Thunderbolt “Razorback” of the USAAF’s 57th Fighter Group checking engine and gauges at Amendola, near Foggia, Apulia, Southern Italy. During his long wander on the Mediterranean Theater of Operations from September 1942 to May 1945 (North Africa, Malta, Sicily, Southern Italy, Corsica, Central Italy, Northern Italy), the 57th FG was based at Amendola from October 22, 1943, to January 16, 1944. Today Amendola is one of major Italian Air Force’s Air Bases, HQ of the 32nd Stormo equipped with AMX, AMX-T and Predator RPV. Victor Sierra

Thunderbolt at Amendola

The right side of the 2nd Lt. Thomas D. Davis’ Thunderbolt No 87 photographed by the Sgt. Fortier at Alto LG, Corsica. The fate of the Lt. Thomas D. Davis is reported, in the bureaucratic terms typical of the military papers, by the MACR (Missed Air Crew Report) 8380, classification Secret (classification cancelled after the war). Specify: Point of departure Alto L.G. Corsica, Course Northeast, Intended destination Bologna-Ferrara Hy, Type of mission diving bombing. Weather conditions and visibility at the time of crash or when last reported: 9/10 clouds from 800 to 1000 feet, visibility fair. Date 2 Sept. 44. Time 0825 hrs. Location L-9881. Type Model and Series: P47D25RE, Serial number 42-26421, etc. Attached to MACR 8380, headed 66th Fighter Squadron, 57th Fighter Group, Office of the Squadron Commander, addressed APO (Army Post Office) 650, US ARMY, 5 September 1944, is the Statement of pilot,  2nd Lieut Harold A. Swanson: «I was flying wing man to Lt. Davis and, after our bomb run at MO-74, Italy, flights were reformed to recce the roads. There was an overcast from 6000’ to 7000’ and I was flying under the forecast. We stayed on the deck for about 10 minutes in search of targets of opportunity when at Lt. Davis made a climbing turn to pull thru overcast. I made mine straight ahead, came thru the overcast first, and then waited for Lt. Davis. When he failed to appear, I recced the territory we had covered and met with no success. A subsequent search by Lt. Johnson, flight leader, we also of no avail». Signed Harold A. Swanson, 2nd Lieut., Air Corps. Victor Sierra