On the afternoon of January 21, 1945 during a raid at the railway station of Olmeneta, American P47 fighter aircraft Thunderbold 57th Fighter Group of the 65th Fighter Squadron, fell near Casalbuttano, Italy. The aircraft was registered with serial number 42-28582 , nick name " Balls Out III " # 48. The American bomber pilot was piloted by Clyde J. Casterline freshman 0-774017 native of Dillon, Montana USA.
The squadron consisted of four aircraft commanded by Lt. leader Earle H. Evans, which in turn was assisted by Harry J. Cavanag , Wilbur R. Holmes Jr. and our Casterline. The mission included the bombing of the station and the interruption of the railway line, the goal was shown on the rack in position K- 8435 and the squadron effected repeated beatings hovering menacingly over the country when ….. At 13.15 too close to the target, Clyde J. Casterline was hit by a stray splinter and the plane experience unusual fire.
The pilot for a moment he tried to catch his share and fell in behind the other three but when it was completely engulfed in flames lost control of Balls Out and disastrously crashed to the ground near the farm wobble at Belvedere. The aviator died in the accident, who noticed on site saw him burn sitting on the driving seat, the voices in the country told of a pilot blond and this particular gave rise to the idea that it was a German pilot.
The comrades flew over the area for quite some time, between hope I live to see the unfortunate colleague and the fear of being hit by enemy air defenses , but established the death departed, ripresentandosi the day after the fall.
It is said that the next day, an American airplane flew over the area by throwing a bouquet of flowers in memory of the military disappeared. The pilot Clyde J. American Casterline was buried in the military cemetery in Florence.
Note the body was apparently moved from the military cemetery in Florence, Italy.
Information provide by FAG Member: Kristin (#47543835) as translated from Italian.
The squadron consisted of four aircraft commanded by Lt. leader Earle H. Evans, which in turn was assisted by Harry J. Cavanag , Wilbur R. Holmes Jr. and our Casterline. The mission included the bombing of the station and the interruption of the railway line, the goal was shown on the rack in position K- 8435 and the squadron effected repeated beatings hovering menacingly over the country when ….. At 13.15 too close to the target, Clyde J. Casterline was hit by a stray splinter and the plane experience unusual fire.
The pilot for a moment he tried to catch his share and fell in behind the other three but when it was completely engulfed in flames lost control of Balls Out and disastrously crashed to the ground near the farm wobble at Belvedere. The aviator died in the accident, who noticed on site saw him burn sitting on the driving seat, the voices in the country told of a pilot blond and this particular gave rise to the idea that it was a German pilot.
The comrades flew over the area for quite some time, between hope I live to see the unfortunate colleague and the fear of being hit by enemy air defenses , but established the death departed, ripresentandosi the day after the fall.
It is said that the next day, an American airplane flew over the area by throwing a bouquet of flowers in memory of the military disappeared. The pilot Clyde J. American Casterline was buried in the military cemetery in Florence.
Note the body was apparently moved from the military cemetery in Florence, Italy.
Information provide by FAG Member: Kristin (#47543835) as translated from Italian.
On the afternoon of January 21, 1945 during a raid at the railway station of Olmeneta, American P47 fighter aircraft Thunderbold 57th Fighter Group of the 65th Fighter Squadron, fell near Casalbuttano, Italy. The aircraft was registered with serial number 42-28582 , nick name " Balls Out III " # 48. The American bomber pilot was piloted by Clyde J. Casterline freshman 0-774017 native of Dillon, Montana USA.
The squadron consisted of four aircraft commanded by Lt. leader Earle H. Evans, which in turn was assisted by Harry J. Cavanag , Wilbur R. Holmes Jr. and our Casterline. The mission included the bombing of the station and the interruption of the railway line, the goal was shown on the rack in position K- 8435 and the squadron effected repeated beatings hovering menacingly over the country when ….. At 13.15 too close to the target, Clyde J. Casterline was hit by a stray splinter and the plane experience unusual fire.
The pilot for a moment he tried to catch his share and fell in behind the other three but when it was completely engulfed in flames lost control of Balls Out and disastrously crashed to the ground near the farm wobble at Belvedere. The aviator died in the accident, who noticed on site saw him burn sitting on the driving seat, the voices in the country told of a pilot blond and this particular gave rise to the idea that it was a German pilot.
The comrades flew over the area for quite some time, between hope I live to see the unfortunate colleague and the fear of being hit by enemy air defenses , but established the death departed, ripresentandosi the day after the fall.
It is said that the next day, an American airplane flew over the area by throwing a bouquet of flowers in memory of the military disappeared. The pilot Clyde J. American Casterline was buried in the military cemetery in Florence.
Note the body was apparently moved from the military cemetery in Florence, Italy.
Information provide by FAG Member: Kristin (#47543835) as translated from Italian.
The squadron consisted of four aircraft commanded by Lt. leader Earle H. Evans, which in turn was assisted by Harry J. Cavanag , Wilbur R. Holmes Jr. and our Casterline. The mission included the bombing of the station and the interruption of the railway line, the goal was shown on the rack in position K- 8435 and the squadron effected repeated beatings hovering menacingly over the country when ….. At 13.15 too close to the target, Clyde J. Casterline was hit by a stray splinter and the plane experience unusual fire.
The pilot for a moment he tried to catch his share and fell in behind the other three but when it was completely engulfed in flames lost control of Balls Out and disastrously crashed to the ground near the farm wobble at Belvedere. The aviator died in the accident, who noticed on site saw him burn sitting on the driving seat, the voices in the country told of a pilot blond and this particular gave rise to the idea that it was a German pilot.
The comrades flew over the area for quite some time, between hope I live to see the unfortunate colleague and the fear of being hit by enemy air defenses , but established the death departed, ripresentandosi the day after the fall.
It is said that the next day, an American airplane flew over the area by throwing a bouquet of flowers in memory of the military disappeared. The pilot Clyde J. American Casterline was buried in the military cemetery in Florence.
Note the body was apparently moved from the military cemetery in Florence, Italy.
Information provide by FAG Member: Kristin (#47543835) as translated from Italian.
Inscription
2LT 57 AAF Fighter Grp World War II Montana
Gravesite Details
Dillon Tribune 3 Jul 1945 Casterline, Clyde J. pages 1390, 1507, 1509-102LT Casterline's remains were returned to Dillon and buried on 2 December 1948. [Contributor 49203322]
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