Frascati bombing raid September 8, 1943
Encyclopedia
September 8, 1943 is the date of a bombing raid of USAAF planes against Frascati
, a historical town near Rome, Italy. The target was the German General Headquarters
for the Mediterranean zone (O.B.S.) and the Italian headquarters, scattered in buildings and Villas nearby the town.
131 USAAF aircraft (B-17G Flying Fortress) carried out a selective-bombing from height altitude because the aircraft were equipped with the modern laying control system "Norden". The order of flight was:
The General Doolittle operation order of 7 September 1943 was: Intentions for September eight heavies will destroy town of Frascati - This target is important and must be destroyed.
The aircraft headed for Littoria (modern Latina) and Monte Cavo
(Alban Hills
), they arrived on Frascati at 10 minutes past 12 p.m. Their target was Field Marshal Albert Kesselring
and his staff.
The anti-aircraft defence was equipped with heavy anti-aircraft guns of 88/56 mm and machineguns of 37/20 mm, which they had placed on Tuscolo
ridge and terraces in the town reinforced with cement pillars to stand the recoils.
The Italian Royal Air Force (Regia Aeronautica
) engaged about thirty aircraft fighters, some of anachronistic biplane Fiat CR.42
, some of Macchi C.200
, some of Fiat G.50
, some of Reggiane Re.2001
, two Fiat G.55
and some of Macchi C.202. This was the last mission of Regia Aeronautica before the Armistice
with the allied. Overall, one Allied aircraft was destroyed, a B-17 of 97th Bomber Group and 36 fighter attacking were destroyed in air.
About of 50% of the buildings, many of the monuments and villas were destroyed. St. Pietro square was destroyed, however, the Cathedral facade remained undamaged.
In that day United States General
Dwight D. Eisenhower
publicly announces the Allied
armistice with Italy
.
After a few days, Field Marshal Kesselring
and his military headquarters moved to Monte Soratte.
Field Marshal Kesselring later wrote in his memoir's about his experience on September 8. He called it the "day of Italian treason". In fact, the Italians were not present at the German headquarters at the time of the bombing raid. On September 3, 1943 the Italians were alerted by the Allied forces of the bombing raid during their peace talks about their ultimate surrender. These Italian generals and the Savoy
royal dignitaries, six days later fled to the port of Ortona
, located near Pescara.
The news of the Italian armistice with the Allies reached Frascati at 7:45 pm, September 8, 1943. The townspeople who, less than 24 hours beforehand had been hiding in bomb shelters, were now fleeing south to escape the occupation of the German army (Wehrmacht Heer). The townspeople had no time to clean up debris and bury their dead. As a result, the German armed forces (Wehrmacht
) declared the area as an "infected area" and had plans to eliminate the city using flamethrowers. The remaining citizens, however, had found out about the German plan to raze the city, and worked to bury their dead. In total, 485 civilians were victims of the allied raid.
Frascati
Frascati is a town and comune in the province of Rome in the Lazio region of central Italy. It is located south-east of Rome, on the Alban Hills close to the ancient city of Tusculum. Frascati is closely associated with science, being the location of several international scientific...
, a historical town near Rome, Italy. The target was the German General Headquarters
Wehrmacht
The Wehrmacht – from , to defend and , the might/power) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the Heer , the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe .-Origin and use of the term:...
for the Mediterranean zone (O.B.S.) and the Italian headquarters, scattered in buildings and Villas nearby the town.
131 USAAF aircraft (B-17G Flying Fortress) carried out a selective-bombing from height altitude because the aircraft were equipped with the modern laying control system "Norden". The order of flight was:
- 1) 99th Bomb Group with n. 32 F.F. B17 - 5,500 m (18,000 feet).
- 2) 301st Bomb Group with n. 36 F.F. B17 - 6,000 m (20,000 feet).
- 3) 97th Bomb Group with n. 35 F.F. B17 - 5,500 m (18,000 feet).
- 4) 2nd Bomb Group with n. 28 F.F. B17 - 6,000 m (20,000 feet).
The General Doolittle operation order of 7 September 1943 was: Intentions for September eight heavies will destroy town of Frascati - This target is important and must be destroyed.
The aircraft headed for Littoria (modern Latina) and Monte Cavo
Monte Cavo
Monte Cavo is the second highest mountain of the complex of the Alban Hills, near Rome, Italy. An old volcano extinguished around 10,000 years ago, it lies about from the sea, in the territory of the comuneof Rocca di Papa. It is the dominant peak of the Alban Hills...
(Alban Hills
Alban Hills
The Alban Hills are the site of a quiescent volcanic complex in Italy, located southeast of Rome and about north of Anzio.The dominant peak is Monte Cavo. There are two small calderas which contain lakes, Lago Albano and Lake Nemi...
), they arrived on Frascati at 10 minutes past 12 p.m. Their target was Field Marshal Albert Kesselring
Albert Kesselring
Albert Kesselring was a German Luftwaffe Generalfeldmarschall during World War II. In a military career that spanned both World Wars, Kesselring became one of Nazi Germany's most skilful commanders, being one of 27 soldiers awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords...
and his staff.
The anti-aircraft defence was equipped with heavy anti-aircraft guns of 88/56 mm and machineguns of 37/20 mm, which they had placed on Tuscolo
Tusculum
Tusculum is a ruined Roman city in the Alban Hills, in the Latium region of Italy.-Location:Tusculum is one of the largest Roman cities in Alban Hills. The ruins of Tusculum are located on Tuscolo hill—more specifically on the northern edge of the outer crater ring of the Alban volcano...
ridge and terraces in the town reinforced with cement pillars to stand the recoils.
The Italian Royal Air Force (Regia Aeronautica
Regia Aeronautica
The Italian Royal Air Force was the name of the air force of the Kingdom of Italy. It was established as a service independent of the Royal Italian Army from 1923 until 1946...
) engaged about thirty aircraft fighters, some of anachronistic biplane Fiat CR.42
Fiat CR.42
The Fiat CR.42 Falco was a single-seat sesquiplane fighter which served primarily in Italy's Regia Aeronautica before and during World War II. The aircraft was produced by the Turin firm, and entered service, in smaller numbers, with the air forces of Belgium, Sweden and Hungary...
, some of Macchi C.200
Macchi C.200
The Macchi C.200 Saetta was a World War II fighter aircraft built by Aeronautica Macchi in Italy, and used in various forms throughout the Regia Aeronautica . The MC.200 had excellent manoeuvrability and general flying characteristics left little to be desired...
, some of Fiat G.50
Fiat G.50
The Fiat G.50 Freccia was a World War II Italian fighter aircraft. First flown in February 1937, the G.50 was Italy’s first single-seat, all-metal monoplane with an enclosed cockpit and retractable landing gear to go into production...
, some of Reggiane Re.2001
Reggiane Re.2001
The Reggiane Re.2001 Falco II was an Italian fighter aircraft, serving in the Regia Aeronautica during World War II. A contemporary of the renowned Macchi C.202, the production of this type was to be limited to only 252, but it was a flexible design that proved to be able to undertake a number of...
, two Fiat G.55
Fiat G.55
The Fiat G.55 Centauro was a single-engine single-seat World War II fighter aircraft used by the Regia Aeronautica and the A.N.R. in 1943-1945. It was designed and built in Turin by Fiat. The Fiat G.55 was probably the best type produced in Italy during World War II, but it did not enter...
and some of Macchi C.202. This was the last mission of Regia Aeronautica before the Armistice
Armistice with Italy
The Armistice with Italy was an armistice signed on September 3 and publicly declared on September 8, 1943, during World War II, between Italy and the Allied armed forces, who were then occupying the southern end of the country, entailing the capitulation of Italy...
with the allied. Overall, one Allied aircraft was destroyed, a B-17 of 97th Bomber Group and 36 fighter attacking were destroyed in air.
About of 50% of the buildings, many of the monuments and villas were destroyed. St. Pietro square was destroyed, however, the Cathedral facade remained undamaged.
In that day United States General
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
publicly announces the Allied
Allies
In everyday English usage, allies are people, groups, or nations that have joined together in an association for mutual benefit or to achieve some common purpose, whether or not explicit agreement has been worked out between them...
armistice with Italy
Armistice with Italy
The Armistice with Italy was an armistice signed on September 3 and publicly declared on September 8, 1943, during World War II, between Italy and the Allied armed forces, who were then occupying the southern end of the country, entailing the capitulation of Italy...
.
After a few days, Field Marshal Kesselring
Albert Kesselring
Albert Kesselring was a German Luftwaffe Generalfeldmarschall during World War II. In a military career that spanned both World Wars, Kesselring became one of Nazi Germany's most skilful commanders, being one of 27 soldiers awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords...
and his military headquarters moved to Monte Soratte.
Field Marshal Kesselring later wrote in his memoir's about his experience on September 8. He called it the "day of Italian treason". In fact, the Italians were not present at the German headquarters at the time of the bombing raid. On September 3, 1943 the Italians were alerted by the Allied forces of the bombing raid during their peace talks about their ultimate surrender. These Italian generals and the Savoy
House of Savoy
The House of Savoy was formed in the early 11th century in the historical Savoy region. Through gradual expansion, it grew from ruling a small county in that region to eventually rule the Kingdom of Italy from 1861 until the end of World War II, king of Croatia and King of Armenia...
royal dignitaries, six days later fled to the port of Ortona
Ortona
Ortona is a coastal town and municipality of the Province of Chieti in the Italian region of Abruzzo, with some 23,000 inhabitants.Ortona was the site of fierce fighting between German and Canadian forces during the Italian campaign in World War II...
, located near Pescara.
The news of the Italian armistice with the Allies reached Frascati at 7:45 pm, September 8, 1943. The townspeople who, less than 24 hours beforehand had been hiding in bomb shelters, were now fleeing south to escape the occupation of the German army (Wehrmacht Heer). The townspeople had no time to clean up debris and bury their dead. As a result, the German armed forces (Wehrmacht
Wehrmacht
The Wehrmacht – from , to defend and , the might/power) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the Heer , the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe .-Origin and use of the term:...
) declared the area as an "infected area" and had plans to eliminate the city using flamethrowers. The remaining citizens, however, had found out about the German plan to raze the city, and worked to bury their dead. In total, 485 civilians were victims of the allied raid.