How U.S. Naval Gunners Destroyed Own Planes

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 66, 21 March 1944, Page 7

How U.S. Naval Gunners Destroyed Own Planes

WASHINGTON, March 16. 3 Twenty-three transport planes were 3 shot down accidentally by U.S. Navy ' aircraft gunners during tho Sicilian i campaign with the loss of 400 soldiers, says an Anny and Navy joint statement ' which followed Sergeant -Foisie’s dis- ' closure that the planes accidentally ' shot down were part of a flight of 170 ' planes in which 2500 troops of the 82nd ‘ Airborne Division were flown to the 1 Gela area and were designed to drop 1 ' paratroopers within their own lines. The statement added: “The action ; has been carefully studied in view to ■ Improving identification and timing to • prevent a recurrence. This force re. 1 ceived flak from enemy ground forces ' and from friendly naval and ground forces. The flight arrived over the battle area immediately following an enemy bombing attack and while enemy flares were still in the air. The combination of circumstances involving the approach immediately in the rear of a hostile bombing attack at night at a relatively low altitude was responsible for the loss of the planes.’’-^