Villafranca Airfield, Verona, just after the end of the war in Europe, May 1945. Photographed by James C. "Wabbit" Hare, officer of the 57th Fighter Group’s 65th Fighter Squadron, a North American B-25 used by the 57th as “administrative aircraft”. In background some C-47 and, on the left, almost invisible, one of the 57th FG’s Thunderbolt. After the war Villafranca, become a NATO Air Base hosting the Italian Air Force 3rd Aerobrigata (Air Brigade) with RF-84F Thunderflash and, afterwards, the 3rd Stormo with RF-104G and F-104G recce pod. Today is the Aeroporto Internazionale “Valerio Catullo” di Verona (Verona International Airport), on of most important Italian commercial airport while the Air Force component is an important logistic base for the Italian and NATO missions “outside area” as Afghanistan. Victor Sierra

“Administrative aircraft”

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

Return to base, the war is over

Hungary’s skies, raid over Debrecen Marshalling Yards, September 21, 1944: “Sweet Pea”, a Boeing B-17G, tail number 238078 of the 2th Bomb Group’s 429th Bombardment Squadron, 5th Bomb Wing, 15th Air Force, Mission 279, it’s hit by an 88mm anti-aircraft shell while 2nd Lt Guy M Miller and his crew approaching the target. The Fortress is nearly tore in two. The left waist gunner, Elmer H Buss, is killed instantly, the right waist gunner, James F. Maguire, has multiple wounds but his life is saved by his back pack parachute, the tail gunner, S/Sgt James E Totty, is mortally wounded and will die on the airplane, the radio operator, S/Sgt Anthony Ferrara, has many shrapnel fragments in the chest. Most of the control cables are cut. And Lt Miller and his copilot, Lt Thomas M. Rybovich, attempt the impossible: return to home, to Amendola base, near Foggia, in Southern Italy, almost 600 miles, many of them over enemies territory. The navigator, 2nd Lt. Theodore Davich, plot a course and with every tail control cable but one lost in the shattered mess of the fuselage, the pilots hold the bomber on course manipulating the engine throttles. And the impossible is successful: “Sweet Pea” back home. Boeing report the airplane is hold together «by a few longitudinal and 27 inches of skin». In the photo a dramatic view of the conditions of “Sweet Pea” after the return to Amendola (Despite the damages “Sweet Pea” was repaired and returned to flight. But for a brief time: on June 1945 was completely destroyed by a take-off accident and by the post-crash fire). Victor Sierra