Primary Target
Naples Harbor
Secondary Target
Ferry Gear at Messina
Results of Attack
The remaining formation of B-24 bombers that consisted of 10 of the original 12 planes dropped their bombs in train and salvo. During the bombing raid the steamers Lecce (1,956 tons, ex-French ship named Ouergha) and Modica (3,161 tons, ex-French ship named Maurice Delmas) were sunk in the harbor, with the Italian Navy destroyer Corraziere badly damaged: the warship had the entire bow section destroyed.
Enemy fighter opposition encountered
Estimated: 18 Italian Macchi MC202 fighters.
Claims: 3 destroyed. 5 probably. 1 damaged.
Flak Encountered
The flak around the target was intense and accurate for altitude.
Bombs Dropped
48 x 1000 pounds – 24 tons total.
Casualties or Losses
One Aircraft M.I.A., 10 men M.I.A.
Number and Names of 12 Aircraft and Pilots in Mission
Aircraft No. 41 – 23711 – Jerks Natural – Pilot – Lt. D.L. Sims
Aircraft No. 41 – 23729 – Shoot Luke – Pilot – Lt. J.H. Murphy
Aircraft No. 41 – 23722 – Bomerang – Pilot – Lt. J. E. Stewart
Aircraft No. 41 – 23874 – Ball of Fire Junior – Pilot – Lt. J.N. Tate
Aircraft No. 41 – 23990 – Nickname Not Available – Pilot – Lt. C.M. Murphy
Aircraft No. 41 – 23692 – Nickname Not Available – Pilot – Lt. M. Macks (Abandoned mission due to mechanical problem)
Aircraft No. 41 – 23738 – Nickname Not Available Pilot – Lt. A. Asch
Aircraft No. 41 – 23728 – Hot Stuff – Pilot – Lt. J.R Roche
Aircraft No. 41 – 23754 – Teggie Ann-Little Lady – Pilot – Lt. E.C. Baker
Aircraft No. 41 – 23732 – Liberty Lass – Pilot – Lt. F.R. Hodges (Abandoned mission due to mechanical problem)
Aircraft No. 41 – 23748 – Nickname Not Available – Pilot – Lt. D.S. Thayer
Aircraft No. 41 – 23675 – Celhalpodos – Pilot – Lt. C.T. Moore (M.I.A)
Time of Depature
1240 Hours
Time of Bombing
1820 Hours
Time of Return
2255 Hours
Comments in Reports Regarding Harold’s Plane During this Mission
In a message from the Commanding General, USAF, Middle East, dated December 6, 1943 it was stated that the plane in question was last seen going down over the target area with two inboard engines out. No opening parachutes were observed, no search was made.
In another message from the Commanding General, USAF, Middle East stated that the mission left Tobruk landing ground and flew via Cape Aaper and Cape Rizzuto to bomb nine merchant vessels in Naples harbor; that the bombing run was made toward the sea. At the completion of the run the plane in question was attacked by four enemy planes and was last seen by other crews of the same formation turning back toward Naples, still under control.
A letter from Captain Moore’s wife written in November 1943 stated the following…
“Officers in my husband’s squadron have written me that his ship, a B-24, was hit by flak over Naples Italy, and was last seeing flying low, though in good control heading toward the coast of Italy about 5-10 miles from land.”
A letter from Lt. Robert Brown’s mother, dated October 15, 1943, stated the following…
“Friends of his wrote us that he was bombing Naples when this happened. Soon after leaving their target their plane was hit, and went out of formation, losing altitude, but seemingly under good control. They turned and headed back toward the shore of Italy, which was only 5-10 miles away. Several men wrote us that they have every reason to believe our son is alive, but cannot confirm it.”
Background on Photo Mentioned in DOD Missing Air Crew Report, No. 16372
A photo appeared in several newspapers in the USA in 1943 that supposedly came to the Associated Press from a neutral source in Sweden entitled, “Yank Prisoners, Say Italians” on April 12, 1943. It was of a group of 16 prisoners taken prisoner in Tunisia by Italians. While several members of the crew were identified by other family members Harold was not one of them. But, no mention of the photograph being reviewed by Harold’s family was mentioned in the report.
1. First mentioned on page 5 of report: “Harold is a prisoner of Italians – photo appeared in a Syracuse New York newspaper on April 12, 1943.
2. Page 5 ad 6 of report: “Clipping from Enid Daily Eagle, Enid OK, April 20, 1943.”
3. Page 6: We have a plain print from a negative of this wire picture.”
4. Page 6: Press Association Inc., Picture No. 19250 entitled, “Yank Prisoners, Say Italians”
5. Page 14: The picture was obtained from a neutral source and transmitted by radio from Stockholm Sweden on April 12, 1943. This method of transmission was called Wirephoto, telephotography or radiophoto which was a way of transmitting photos invented in 1920.
Photo was reviewed by technical experts at DOD and FBI. But, final report stated that neither the DOD or FBI could make out clearly any of the 16 soldiers shown in this photo. But, it doesn’t mention any attempt to trace the original negative or source of the photo or verify claims made from it in Italy. So, this could be one clue to follow-up on to investigate the possibility that plane could have landed and crew take prisoner.
