Date & Time: Jul 13, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
41-18418
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Skydiving / Paratroopers
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
El Djem - El Djem
MSN:
4480
YOM:
1942
Location:
Catania
Sicily
Country:
Italy
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
4
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
0
Other fatalities:
0
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The airplane was taking part to the invasion of Sicily, transporting paratroopers of the British 1st Parachute Brigade, the 'Red Devils', to a drop zone near the Primosole bridge, Sicily on Operation 'Fustian'. The airplane was shot at by Italian Flak just after the paratroopers had jumped and crashed south of Catania. All four crew members were killed.
Crew (12th TCS):
1st Lt Clyde W. Saunders,
1st Lt Sidney Slotoroff,
S/Sgt Joseph A. Serosky,
Sgt Herbert A. Rhoads.
Probable cause:
Shot down by the Italian Flak.