US Army Air Force

23 August 1944…

U.S. Air Force

"Pancho and His Reever Rats", Martin B-26G-5-MA Marauder s/n 43-34240, Battle number 97, is an aircraft of the 444th Bomb Squadron, 320th Bomb Group, 12th Air Force, United States Army Air Force. It will lost over the Italy on 23 August 1944, an inauspicious day for the 320th BG. While none bomb is dropped over the target - a road block of a little town indicated by the Mission Report as Covigliano, but in reality Covigliao, a “frazione” of the City of Firenzuola near the Futa Pass on the Tuscany’s Apennines (identification possible thanks the same Report which specify “area Firenzuola”) - because the same is not identified, but the Flak in the area is very heavy, two of the 18 Marauder arrived over the target (another aircraft return early for technical troubles) fail to return to the base, Decimomannu, Sardinia, while another Marauder, B-26 Battle No. 94, heavy damaged by Flak crash on landing, crew safe. Five other airplanes has Flak damages. One of the two B-26 lost, Battle No. 79, s/n 42-95496, pilot 1st Lt Richard N. Briscoll, entire crew MIA, hit over target by Flak which knock out one of the engines, is view for last time apparently out of control. "Pancho and His Reever Rats", the Marauder of this photo, take-off from Decimomannu at 08:12 hours, with a war load of demolition bombs, crew seven men: 1st Lt. Wilbert L. Weier, pilot; F/O William H. Hallenbeck, copilot; Sgt. Joseph B. Betenjany, bombardier; S/Sgt. Albert A. Giuffre (an Italian name perhaps Giuffrè?), engineer; S/Sgt. Ray T. Ivey, radio operator; Sgt. Walter E. Kadel, gunner; S/Sgt. Hilary R. Yavorosky, photographer/gunner. From the Mission Report: «1 B-26 a/c Battle no. 97 lost due to Flak over target. It was last seen at 10:05 hours at 44°05’ North/11°22’ East with fire enveloping the right engine and bomb bay. Three/four chutes were seen to emerge, and the aircraft exploded in mid-air at about 1,000’». Only survivor S/Sgt. Albert A. Giuffre, baild out successfully and taken POW. The other was declared Missed in Action (MIA) and later Killed in Action (KIA). Victor Sierra