325^TH FIGHTER GROUP - PANTELLERIA ONSLAUGHT

    The story of the fall of Pantelleria, the story of the five-day onslaught by the Allied Air Forces which brought the little Island to its knees, is one that marks an exceptional phase in the use of offensive aerial warfare. It was ample proof of the extent to which air power might be used in gaining ultimate victory.

    The part played by the 325^th Fighter Group in this magnificent air show is on of no mean proportions. The story of this group’s attack on Pantelleria begins on May 11, 1943, when 20 P-40s dive bombed the harbor on the Island. Between May 11 and May 22 the three squadrons of the group, alternately and collectively, made 10 raids on the Fortress. After May 22 the pilots received harassing missions to the Island with such regularity, and usually in the early hours of the morning, that it became known as the "Milk Run". These missions were mostly of nuisance value with the planes strafing any targets that might present themselves. This was not at all indicative of the deluge that was soon to follow.

    The 325^th moved from its base at Montesquieu, Algeria, early in June and began operating from a temporary airdrome at Souk el Khemis, Tunisia. Its missions, which from here on, were to be flown entirely over water were somewhat shortened in range by this move, making the operational distance to Pantelleria more advantageous. ON June 7 it was made known that the Allies planned to knock out the Island with their Air Force. Consequently, on that day the 325^th began its part in the five-day siege. At all hours of the day, from dawn until sunset the P-40s were flying missions to Pantelleria. Sometimes they escorted bombers, sometime they strafed, and often times they carried thousand-pound bombs, hitting again and again with devastating effect. Day after day the squadrons were given pin-pointed gun emplacements to silence, and day after day the pilots returned with "Mission completed, target destroyed." They flew as many as six missions a day, often stopping only to grab some Red Cross doughnuts and coffee. Nor is it to be assumed that sll of these mission were flown unmolested, for Germany and Italy threw a constant air cover over the Island, so that the P-40s were forced to engage in numerous air scrambles from which they emerged with an impressive number of victories. They were also subjected to a constant flak barrage through which they flew without hesitation.

    From the beginning of the onslaught to the raising of the white flag on June 11 the 325^th Fighter Group flew thirty-three missions and 6-6 sorties to the Island. The proff of the theory of victory through air power was secure, and the part played by this Group is indelibly written in the annals of aerial warfare. The attack had started by raiding the harbor and airdrome, then hindering transportation and supply lines from the outside. It had then progressed to internal supply and communication lines, and finally it centered on the smallest gun emplacements, clearly shown and numbered in complete photographic coverage of the Island.