1/20/44 Mission:
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, B-26's bomb the Viterbo marshalling yard and attack a bridge at Pontecorvo; B-25's attack railroads in the Carsoli area; A-20's give close support to the US 5th Infantry Division in the Minturno area; British and US P-40's follow RAF light bombers in a raid on the Popoli station; A-36's pound a rail and road crossing at Viterbo. and P-40's hit communications at Frosinone, Palestrina, and Carsoli, where a traffic block is created; A-36's and P-40's fly nearly 200 sorties in support of the US Fifth Army ground forces as the 36th Infantry Division begins an assault across the Rapido River in the Theodice area; and P-40's hit targets along the British Eighth Army front.
1/21/44 Mission:
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, B-26's hit railroad bridges N and S of Orvieto; B-25's bomb chokepoints around Rome and unsuccessfully attack the Pontecorvo bridge; A-20's attack communications at Atina; P-40's hit shipping at Povlje, Yugoslavia; other P-40's and A-36's attack strongpoints, trucks, a command post, a HQ building, and radar station in the battle area; P-40's also give close support to US Fifth Army troops which are hardpressed at both Garigliano and the Rapido River bridgeheads; and A-36's bomb Veletri, a concentration at Minturno, and the area S of Viterbo.
1/22/44 Mission: The commencement of the Battle of Anzio
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, maximum support is given to Allied landings at Anzio, which are begun by the US Fifth Army's VI Corps at 0200; fighter-bombers, light and medium bombers direct efforts toward isolating the landing area by cutting roads, bridges, and railroads and obstructing towns in the surrounding region, at Valetri, Valmontone, Colleferro, Ceprano, and Fondi and hitting traffic and communications throughout the area; fighters maintain a patrol over shipping and beachhead and successfully intercept several enemy fighter-bomber missions directed against the landings.
For more on the Anzio landings see:
http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/anzio/72-19.htm
and http://www.worldwar2facts.org/battle-of-anzio.html
1/22/44 V-Mail
Honey:
I can spend all day thinking of things to write and then sit down and not be able to think of a thing.
The Vulcano kids went out and bought an Italian text book for me (written in English). In addition, I was given a definite assignment!
Hey! Have you ever gotten the plaid skirt and the tam? Do you like them?
I am sending you little turquoise pins. Send one to Jack (Emma) and keep one for Beverly. It is a color she wears well. Also enclosed is a coral necklace for you—red—a color, oh boy! Treat it carefully, it didn’t grow on a tree. Happy Easter. More later.
Next Day
You sound much happier down there! I like this idea fine. Davis’ were very nice to me and I’m sure you’ll like them if you get a chance to meet them, even if out of our class financially. I’m glad you called.
Nena writes that she has your skirt and tam and will forward it when she gets your address. Your necklace went out today.
Boy, have I got psycho problems in my tribe!
I love you muchly, Cy