Incident Overview

Date: Sunday 11 July 1943
Aircraft Type: Douglas C-47-DL (DC-3)
Owner/operator: United States Army Air Force – USAAF
Registration Number: 42-5691
Location: Scoglitti, Sicily – ÿ Italy
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 5 / Occupants: 5
Component Affected: C-47 and C-53 transport aircraftC-47 and C-53 transport aircraft
Narrative
On July 9-10, 1943, the Allied invasion of Sicily began with a series of amphibious landings. Approximately 2,200 paratroopers were dropped into Gela, Italy, by USAAF C-47 and C-53 aircraft. The initial landing formations, consisting of nine planes in V formations, launched attacks on the invasion fleet, followed by ground fire from Allied forces on naval vessels and shore troops. The 52nd Troop Carrier Wing lost 23 C-47 aircraft to friendly fire, resulting in 83 fatalities. The 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment suffered 81 casualties.On July 9-10, 1943, the Allied invasion of Sicily began with a series of amphibious landings. Approximately 2,200 paratroopers were dropped into Gela, Italy, by USAAF C-47 and C-53 aircraft. The initial landing formations, consisting of nine planes in V formations, launched attacks on the invasion fleet, followed by ground fire from Allied forces on naval vessels and shore troops. The 52nd Troop Carrier Wing lost 23 C-47 aircraft to friendly fire, resulting in 83 fatalities. The 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment suffered 81 casualties.

Description

The Allied invasion of Sicily, Italy, codenamed Operation Husky, began on the night of 9–10 July 1943, when 2,200 paratroopers were dropped into Gela. Amphibious landings started in the morning with German aircraft attacking the invasion fleet. A second drop started on the night of July 11 with USAAF C-47s and C-53s departing from runways around Kairouan, Tunisia. They flew in V formations of nine planes each at low altitude and lights out. The first two formations of transport planes followed their prescribed course and discharged their paratroopers squarely on target. When the next formations appeared over the shoreline, fire was opened from the ground by Allied forces on naval vessels and shore troops. The 52nd Troop Carrier Wing lost 23 of 144 USAAF C-47s to friendly fire; 83 airmen were killed. The 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment suffered 81 dead. Douglas C-47 42-5691 was one of the transport aircraft lost.

Primary Cause

German aircraft attacks on the invasion fleet.German aircraft attacks on the invasion fleet.

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