Captain Harry R. Ankeny's Combat Diary
Page 30
swimming there. I have never seen a more beautiful sea.
Got a pretty fair sunburn but it was sure worth it.
Had a big party that nite at the officers' Club there
with the boys from the fighter group on the field. The
Red Cross also served ice cream which was indeed a treat.
12 Aug. '44
We took off on the last leg of our shuttle--back to
England and we were anxious to get home. Headed straight
over mountainous Italy and caught a glimpse of Rome.
Flew on over Corsica and as we neared the French coast
they radioed that the bombers were an hour late. Well
we circled and circled until I almost went crazy. Every-
one split up somewhat and when the bombers finally arrived
I couldn't find the group or the right bombers so I headed
north trying to cut them off but never caught sight of them.
Crossed out of Northern France over the beach-head. Landed
at Lesiton after putting in 7 hrs. flying time and we were
all very happy to get home.
The mission was a real success--the bombers really
hit their targets with only one being lost and that to
ack-ack. None went down due to enemy aircraft opposition
and we didn't lose a single man. The General leading the
mission praised us highly on the fine escort job and put
us in for a citation.
It was a very interesting and educational mission
and one I will never forget. Seeing how people actually
live in Europe convinced me that there is no place like
the good ol' U.S.A.
---END OF SHUTTLE MISSION---
Copyright © 1996, Harry R. Ankeny