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WW II Combat film of L-4 flying during Monte Cassino Battle

O

O-1Driver

Charter Member 2011
Here is a link that will show a Piper L-4 directing artillery fire during the battle of Monte Cassino. You can see Mt. Rotundo on the east side of the valley with the Abbey located on the west mountain ridge. The layout of the missions matches the actual terrain very well.

http://www.criticalpast.com/video/6...-soldiers_soldiers-firing-guns_plane-hovering

The 105 mm artillery are firing both HE and WP rounds and they can be seen impacting below the L-4 as he traverses the front line at low altitude.

O-1
 
As a side note, my L-4 rolled off the assembly line at the factory during the battle for Anzio in 1943. It was shipped by rail to Camp Roberts Calif. where it was assigned to a Artillery Battalion March 3rd, 1943. the new Arty battalion was then moved out of Camp Roberts and my aircraft went with them. We are currently researching Camp Roberts records for final deployment. The plane resurfaced 1/45 at Camp Chafee Ark. where it was sold as surplus. Attached is the AAF aircraft card from the military.

I have two friends who also own L-4s that served in France in 1943 and 1944. Mine was designated as an Artillery aircraft while at the factory and had radios installed during manufacture.

O-1View attachment 24130
 
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