Archie to SAM: A Short Operational History of Ground-Based Air ...

ANTIAIRCRAFT DEFENSE THROUGH WORLD WAR II
ain’t no such thing as a ‘friendly airplane.’” 85 That attitude
and that problem continued.
The most costly Allied fratricide incident in World War II occurred
during the invasion of Sicily. On the night of 11 July and
the early morning hours of 12 July 1943, the Allies attempted to
reinforce the invasion with elements of the 82d Airborne Division.
Gen Matthew Ridgway, the division’s commander, anticipating
difficulties, attempted to get a protected aerial corridor
for his forces and got assurances from both the US Navy and
the US Army antiaircraft gunners. Unfortunately, Ridgway’s
worst fears were realized. The troop-filled C-47s and the gliders
arrived over the invasion fleet shortly after an Axis bombing
raid. The first flight passed without incident, but then one
gun opened fire and acted as a signal for Allied gunners both
ashore and afloat to cut loose at the rest of the aerial armada.
Antiaircraft fire destroyed 23 of the 144 aircraft that departed
Africa that night and badly damaged 37 others. Losses in personnel
amounted to 97 paratroopers killed or missing and 132
wounded. Sixty Airmen were killed or missing, and 30 were
wounded. 86
Two nights later, a similar incident occurred with similar results.
American and British troop carriers attempted to drop
British paratroopers to seize a bridge and establish a bridgehead
on the east coast of Sicily. Friendly naval and ground fire
engaged the transports, destroyed 11, damaged 50, and forced
27 others to abort the mission. Of the 87 aircraft that pressed
on, only 39 got their troops within a mile of the designated drop
zone. Thus, only 300 of the 1,900-man force reached their objectives;
nevertheless, they carried it. 87
Fratricidal problems continued throughout the war. Fortunately
for the Allies, they proved less costly than the Sicilian debacles.
On D-day, for example, despite special invasion markings
(white stripes), “friendly fire” hit a number of Allied aircraft. At
2025, guns aboard a landing craft downed two P-51s flying at
500 to 1,000 feet. Ten minutes later, Allied flak destroyed two
more Allied aircraft. At 2050, gunners fired on four Spitfires but
apparently did not score any decisive hits. At 2130, however,
Allied flak holed one Spitfire that was last seen smoking and losing
altitude. At 2200, gunners engaged two Typhoons and ap-
47