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When RAF Liberators were bombing shipbuilding yards in daylight raids at Monfalcone
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Memory Lane
When RAF Liberators were bombing shipbuilding yards in daylight raids at Monfalcone
When RAF Liberators were bombing shipbuilding yards in daylight raids at Monfalcone, North-East Italy, one crew had a miraculous escape when their aircraft was struck by two bombs from an aircraft above.
The port inner propeller was cut clean off. A gaping hole was made in the fuselage and the top of the mid-upper turret was torn off
The bombs had not fallen far enough to become live and therefore did not explode on impact.
The damaged Liberator dropped its own bombs on the target, then flew
more than 300 miles back to base and landed safely.
The mid-upper gunner Pilot Officer Walter G. Lewis, of Orange, New South Wales,
and Ashstead, near Epson, Surrey, said I was looking up and saw a bomb leave an aircraft above us. I saw |t getting. bigger and bigger as it came towards us. The next thing I realised was that the fuselage had been hit near the flight deck and i seemed to be pushed down in front of my seat.
The perspex above me was a bump on the shoulder, Then I saw that the propeller of no. 2 engine
was missing and that the engine was badly damaged"
Picture shows: The damaged liberator a few second after it had
been hit. The propeller has gone and the inner port engine is
giving, off oily vapour.
April 1945
Official
Reach PLC
Mirrorpix
Italy
Media ID 21887176
© Mirrorpix
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a remarkable moment during World War II when RAF Liberators were engaged in daylight raids on shipbuilding yards in Monfalcone, North-East Italy. In this particular incident, one crew experienced an extraordinary escape after their aircraft was struck by two bombs from an enemy plane above. The devastating impact of the bombs is evident in the image - the port inner propeller has been cleanly severed, leaving a gaping hole in the fuselage and tearing off the top of the mid-upper turret. However, against all odds, these bombs did not detonate upon impact as they had not fallen far enough to become live. Undeterred by their damaged aircraft, the brave crew continued their mission and dropped their own bombs on the target before embarking on a perilous journey back to base. Miraculously, they managed to fly over 300 miles and land safely despite the severe damage sustained. Pilot Officer Walter G. Lewis, hailing from Orange, New South Wales and Ashstead near Epson Surrey recounts his experience as he witnessed one of those deadly bombs hurtling towards them. The force of impact pushed him down in front of his seat while causing significant damage to both engine no. 2 and parts of the fuselage. This incredible photograph showcases just how close these courageous men came to tragedy but also highlights their unwavering determination and resilience amidst adversity during wartime operations.
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