US Army Air Force

Return to base, the war is over

57th Fighter Group

From the USAAF’s 57th Fighter Group history: «As the enemy retreated towards the Alps, the base in Grosseto soon was left far behind the bomb line, and on April 27 [1945] they moved northward to Villafranca di Verona Airdrome. En route to the new location the ground crews drove through the battlefields of the Apennines and saw evidence of the effective dive-bombing. The Po Valley was a revelation to the men who enjoyed the picturesque fertile country, comparatively untouched by war. Everyone had heard so much about the beautiful country and now had an opportunity to see the industrial and agricultural center of Italy for himself. Finally on May 2nd [1945] came the astounding news that the German High Command in Italy had surrendered unconditionally and all hostilities would cease immediately. The Group had aircraft out on reconnaissance missions, and control tower personnel got a thrill in calling to them over the radio, “Return to base, the war is over”». In the photo, a picture of the photographic album all in color of James C. "Wabbit" Hare, pilot of 57th FG’s 65th Fighter Squadron, one of the P-47D Thunderbolt, Plane #77, of the 57th’s 66th FS “Exterminators” at Villafranca. In background a liaison-observation plane (left) Stinson L-5B Sentinel and (right) a transport plane Douglas C-47. Victor Sierra