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The name of Cassino was famous for centuries. In its great Abby Benedictive monks had kept learning alive in the middle ages. To the Nazis, all the Abby meant was a good observation post commanding the Allies route northward, so we eventually had to destroy it. After a two month stalemate, the Allies launched a terrific bombardment on March 15, 1944, by air and artillery. Cassino was completely smashed, but we failed to take the hill by storm and the Germans found new shelter in the ruins. to the Allies, the town itself was not the objective so much as the hills behind it and the road beyond, which led to Rome.

From their position on the hills, the Nazis could watch the movement of every mule and jeep for miles. the Allies were blocked for four months. Finally, in May, the German held hills were outflanked and taken, but Cassino was never captured by direct assault.

Cassino was bombed from 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM at thirty minute intervals. Planes were so thick there was not time or space for another pass. It was not unheard of for a group to make a 360 degree turn and go over the target again. the Abby was the navigators check point to the I.P. Crew nine was flying lead for the 451st Bomb Group on this mission. Once in the general area, there were several valleys that all looked alike. The navigator and bombardier were in a discussion as to whether we were in the right place. The plane was going down a valley all the time this discussion was taking place. In a short time the pilot asked what was going on. Before much longer, the Pilot said, "I order you to drop the bombs." Everybody else was waiting on us, as a result five hundred pound bombs were scattered over a large area.

On parking at the base, the Group Commanding Officer and several officers were standing nearby. The pilot, navigator and bombardier went with the escort to a special debriefing. Later the rest of the crew learned our bombs had been dropped on some New Zealand troops. From that time forward, crew nine flew tail-end Charlie.

The bombardier had to go to wing headquarters for an interview, while the remainder of the crew went to the Isle of Capri for a week. Horan, bombardier, was on a mission to Northern Italy during this period. His plane was shot down and he was killed, and later his dog-tags were found. While an Inspector General inspections was taking place in the area, it was strafed by some P-51s.

After the war, I asked the pilot, Carlson, what happened as a result of this goof-up. As far as he knew, no punishment was given. Carlson remained in the Air Force for 30 years. A fellow in my present day Sunday School class said, "Maybe you were the ones that dropped bombs on our position."