5th BW Missions April 1943
April 4 - M/Y: Naples, Italy
In one of the largest attacks in the North African theater up to this time, 27 B-17s dropped frags among 50 dispersed E/A at Capodichino A/D at Naples while 64 B-17s unloaded 500 and 300 pounders on Naples harbor, railroad station, shipping and oil refineries. 3 M/Vs were hit. Many fires were started and the entire area was left covered with smoke.
April 5 - Sidi Ahmed A/D: Bizerte, Tunisia, El Aouina A/D: Tunis, Tunisia, Milo A/D: Trapani, Sicily, Bocca Di Falco A/D: Palermo, Sicily
The 1st Fighter P-38s shot down 16 E/A which jumped them while on a shipping sweep. B-17s bombed A/Ds at El Aouina, Sidi Ahmed, Milo and Bocca Di Falco destroying a total of 128 E/A on the ground. 3 E/A shot down in combat.
April 6 - Convoy: Off Bizerte, Tunisia, Docks & Shipping: Trapani, Sicily
Two Groups of B-17s encountered 45-65 E/A during shipping attacks on Trapani and Sicilian Straits and destroyed 22.
April 10 - Docks & Shipping: La Maddalena, Sardinia, Heavy Cruisers Triesti & Gorizia: La Maddalena, Sardinia
18 P-38s on fighter sweep of Sicilian Straits attacked 50 JU-52s escorted by 15 MA-200s and FW-190s heading toward Tunis. 20 JUs were destroyed and 3 damaged. 7 MA-200s and 1 FW-190 were destroyed. Our losses--Nil. A Group of B-17s sunk the Italian cruiser Trieste at La Maddalena with 1000 lb bombs. Another Group of 17s scored 2 direct hits on the Italian cruiser with 1000 pounders at La Maddalena-- large explosion seen on ship.
April 17 - Docks & Shipping: Palermo, Sicily, Docks & Shipping: Ferryville, Tun.
A wave of B-17s attacked Palermo harbor. Many M/Vs were hit and the docks smashed.
April 18 - M/Y & A/d: Palermo, Sicily
88 B-17s smashed Palermo marshalling yards and the Bocca Di Falco A/D. Direct hits were scored on the roundhouse and bombs caused widespread destruction in the marshalling yards. Hits in hangar, barracks and administration areas at the A/D.
April 19-30
B-17s concentrated on A/Ds in Sicily and Sardinia while the P-38s of the 1st F. Gp. carried out dive-bombing missions.