James Walter Wiley

On one mission we took off at 2AM with Byfield Gordon as our pilot. We had been told this was a suicide mission and we may not return. The Germans were bringing their supplies down to the front line over a railroad bridge which we were to blow up. As day was breaking we flew right down close to the water so we could not be detected by radar. We were so close the spray from the water came in and wet us. Then we rose up over the land, turned and dropped our bombs under the bridge. This was possible because bombs would go out and then down due to us flying so fast and the plane veering sideways. We dropped our bombs then went out over the water so the enemy could not hit us. However, a haystack next to the bridge opened and out came the German guns. I was looking right down at them, but God was with us.

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Mar 14, 2017
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Cupra Marittima
by: Allen Shouse

This account sounds like it could be about the 19 October 1943 mission (number 179)by the 515th against railroad bridges at Cupra Marittima and three other locations along the Italian Adriatic coast.


Aug 10, 2015
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Great Story
by: Anonymous

Great story! Glad they were safe and yes, God was surely watching out for them! Thanks Mr Wiley for your service!
Clark Baldon

Jun 22, 2014
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Bombing Bridges
by: William M Davis

Great story Mr Wiley..My Dad was a bombardier with the 515th and often complained about the futility of bombing bridges from high altitude..Sounds like you guys solved the problem..but you had to stck your neck out to do so..
Thank you for your srevice..truely nothin can stop the Army Air Corp..
Bill Davis

Oct 22, 2013
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Great Story
by: CLark Baldon

Thanks for sharing! Thank you for your service!

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My Trip to San Pancrazio

October 2019


Reunion

NOTE change in month !!!

DATES: Oct 26-29, 2024

CITY:Tucson, AZ

HOTEL: Double Tree Suites Airport hotel

7051 South Tucson Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85756

520-225-0800


Click here to read about the reunion details.

previous reunions


For Sale

The Other Doolittle Raid


The Broken Wings of Zlatibor


The Liberandos


Three Crawford Brothers


Liberando: Reflections of a Reluctant Warrior


376th Bomb Group Mission History


The Last Liberator


Full Circle


Shadows of Wings


Ten Men, A "Flying Boxcar," and A War


I Survived Ploesti


A Measure of Life


Shot Down In Yugoslavia


Stories of My Life


Attack


Born in Battle


Bombardier's Diary


Lost Airmen


Langdon Liberando