In April, the 99th was reassigned to the 324th Fighter Group, another all-White unit, ending a very successful military teaming with the 79th. However, the 99th in concert with the Allied Air Force continued their air assault on the enemy by eliminating the rail transportation.
On May 11, D-Day, the 99th was a part of the air support team
striking out key positions; in 31 sorties they unloaded over 30,000
pounds of bombs. The 99th significantly contributed to the Allied
forces' success against the German position in Cassino on May 17.
Throughout the month of June, the Allied forces did not relent, they maintained a persistent attack on the German positions forcing them to retreat from Rome, and moving them into more vulnerable positions further north. During this offensive assault, the 99th was assigned to flying armed reconnaissance missions to destabilize German forts. Although their mission proved successful it also resulted in the lose of several members of the group.
Copyright © 2001-, Terry Muse
Revised: December 30, 2001
URL: http://black_and_hispanic.tripod.com/blackhistory/
Contact: Terry Muse