april 12, 1945: bombing of a German HQ

[micky]

Hello friends, i need the help of the veterans: on april 12, 1945, a flight of twelve P-47 hit the German HQ of the 51st Corps (mountain troops) in Cavriago (map reference L-2573), southwest of Reggio Emilia, north italy.

The attacker has been identified as P-47, but until today i was unable to identify the squadron who did the job. Someone can help me? Thanks in advance

Michele

[Nick Beale]

The MATAF daily intelligence/operations summaries in AIR23/6513 at the National Archives in London would probably help you.

[shooshoobaby]

12th AF P - 47 Groups , 1945
27th , 79th , 86th , 324th , 350th
Mike

[micky]

Thanks guys, i have asked to the AFHRA about the summary, and they told me that need some weeks to find WHAT summary must be checked...

Mick

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by shooshoobaby

12th AF P - 47 Groups , 1945
27th , 79th , 86th , 324th , 350th
Mike

Just to complicate matters, 79th FG was subordinated to Desert Air Force rather than 12th AF.

[Frank Olynyk]

There was also 57th FG flying P-47s. I do not know if they were part of 12th AF or Desert Air Force in 1945. Off the top of my head I believe they were Desert Air Force in 1942; possibly 9th AF later (until it moved to England).

Frank.

[micky]

Originally Posted by Nick Beale

Just to complicate matters, 79th FG was subordinated to Desert Air Force rather than 12th AF.

Uhmm! so, i can exclude 79th FG... i guess.
DAF did only few operations in my area (western Emilia). A pilot from the italian 1st FG told me that Spitfire and other Brit planes was "rare birds" in this area, except from a short period around summer 1944.

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Dear Micky,

I have checked the only 3 “war diaries” written by former pilots of Brazilian 1st GAVCa “Senta a Pua”. They certainly flew on the 12th April 1945 to the N of Italy ( this is positively correct and checked ); however I can´t find the names of the aircrew involved ( one at least did his first combat mission that day: Aspirante Aviador Reserva Jorge Maia Poucinha – who finished with 16 missions ) neither the location of their target. You probably will have more luck checking 350th Fighter Group ORB´s.
Our 1st Brazilian Fighter Squadron also flew on the 11th and 14th, when they attacked and destroyed a German HQ and Communication Center at VERGATO ( Tried to find out on a map, but had no joy yet…). Could this be the HQ you are looking for?
Unfortunately NONE of this “war memories” does have a chronological war diary, with dates and the names of aircrew involved on ALL missions that were flown by the 1st Brazilian Fighter Group. I will try to find out this for you, but it could take some time.
Meanwhile I will try to find out on the papers a former USAAF MTO P-47D veteran sent me.
Yours very friend and sincerely
Adriano Baumgartner

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Hello Micky!
I do know that Brazilian´s 1st Fighter Group operated that day, flying P-47D in N of Italy. I am checking some books and papers to give you a positive or negative response in a very near futur. Please wait a couple of days, ok?
Yours
Adriano Baumgartner ( from Brazil )