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MORE ABOUT CY WILSON
"...Spark-plugged by Lt. Col. Wilson, the 20th.FG scourged everything that moved along the rails and roads of Germany and German-occupied Europe, and set the pace for Eighth Air Force Fighter Groups in the destruction of ground targets. The campaign was intensified as D-Day approached and the smashing up of everyhting German that moved near and behind the battle lines became 'Priority One' until the end of August. The effect of these attacks was enormous. They not only helped to paralyze the enemy communication system, which many German war leaders such as Field Marshal Von Runstedt and Reichmarshal Goering have declared the single most important factor in the defeat of Germany, but also threw terror and despair into the hearts of German troops and civilians. "Ground attack missions were always dangerous, the most dangerous that fighters could engage in, but our pilots pressed them home with daring and skill, as the record shows. Between April 8 and July 24...the 20th. destroyed or damaged 315 locomotives, 100 ammunition cars, 87 oil tank cars, 1,000 frieght cars, and 370 motor vehicles, including armored vehicles. Barges, boats, radio stations, railway stations, military barracks, radar installations, high tension towers, small factories and hangars had also been attacked....Our pilots machine-gunned, dive-bombed, skip-bombed and even high-level bombed enemy targets."  A German locomotive under fire by a 20th.FG pilot. |
