US Army Air Force

Down over Castelli Romani

An engine of an American bomber Boeing B-17 down by AA fire over Frascati, in the Castelli Romani (a famous wine country), South of Rome, on 8 September 1943, few hours before the announcement of the Italy’s armistice. The aircraft was the B-17F s/n 42-05147 of the 97th Bombardment Group’s 414th Bombardment Squadron departed from Cape Bon, Tunisia, with other 36 bomber of same type, which attacked Frascati at 12.30 hours local time dropping 408 500lbs bombs. This B-17 was the only aircraft lost in this mission with the death of two crewmembers, the other eight bailed out. Victor Sierra