July 5, 1944

Image from Airforce Image Gallery and has been modified and can be found at Planes of World War II page.

From "This is How it Was," a history of the 485th Bomb Group, 15th U.S. Air Force:

SUBMARINE PENS, TOULON, FRANCE; The Group rendesvous with the 460th BG, 464th BG, 465th BG and 1 Group of P-38s at 1230 hours. Fighter escort remained withth4e formation over the target until the formation was wellpast the coast of France on the return route. 72.5 tons of 500 lb. GP (General Purpose) bombs from 22,800 feet. Bombing results generally fair. The enemy use of smoke screen only partially successful due to an adverse wind. No hits were observed on the sub-pens, hoever some bombs hit the adjacent dry docks. No enemy aircraft met in the target area but were engaged with our escort. Moderate flak over the target. Some red flak bursts were seen in the target area. The nose gunner of aircraft 727 had a verty exciting experience when his electrical flying suit caught fire. It was extinguised without much difficulty. H received only slight burns. 2 aircraft missing; 812 was observed to have turned back at 1200 ours with #3 engine feathered. When last seen 812 was under control and heading towards Corsica. Aircraft 127 was seen to lose altitude at the target and lagged. Some P-38s dropped down to provide cover. 127 last seen under control. Weather clear and return made witout incident.

My dad was tail gunner on "812", a B-24 flying out of a base in Italy. The plane crashed in a swamp on approach in Corsica. Dad was one of two survivors of the seven-man crew. It is sobering to think of all the young lives cut short back then, and how lucky our generation is to not face anything like that.