Bill Beigel's War Casualties Blog

 

When the B-24s left for Viterbo, all became airborne, except "Maggie Zass", tail # 41-28707. The heavy bomber was piloted by 2nd LT James Isbell, of Texas.  According to a witness, instead of being in the normal takeoff position as it sped down the runway, the bomber appeared to be in a nose-down posture. The aircraft continued on the runway, not slowing down.  Soon, it passed the end of the runway onto the rough, uneven surface beyond. At that moment, the nose hit the ground, and the tail rose into an almost perpindicular-to-the-earth stance. Then, there was a "flash of flame extending high into the air accompanied by a column of smoke. There was a sharp explosion and pieces of metal starting falling over an area of at least 200 yards.  Instantly, the plane was the center of a huge flame and there were many minor explosions, mostly from 50 cal. shells. It was evident that nothing could be done for the crew members..."

 

As for the rest of the Squadron, the target for their mission was not attacked; the weather was so bad that the aircraft instead returned with their lethal cargoes, dropping them  to "feed the fish in Taranto Bay", according the Squadron War Diary.

 

The War Diary also reported that later that day, a U.S.O. show was put on at the base's Oria Theater.  "The customary wolfish yells, barks, and howls were heard when the GI audience saw the woman singer clad in her white evening gown.  All had a good time or at least had pleasant dreams".

 

Maybe some of then men had "pleasant dreams" that night, but not anyone that saw the destruction of "Maggie Zass".

 

'Personalized WW2 Historical Research' specializes in locating the type of detail described in the story above, the kind of detail which was rarely revealed to the friends and family of those who were lost.