VENAFRO
1944.
13. May.
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Twelve aircraft led by SQUADRON LEADER COX, DFC, OFFICER COMMANDING, F/O L.J. MONTGOMERIE and F/O P. JONES took off at 1240 to provide area cover for 24 BALTIMORES that were looking for targets between PICO and PONTECORVO. About 1330 as they were patrolling at 16.000 ft. North-West to South-East along the LIRI VALLEY near FROSINONE, they saw 22 aircraft on the Left flying South-East towards TERRACINA. They were flying in perfect AMERICAN formation and were not thought to be hostile (22 aircraft - "Oh maleesh" was heard over the area!). However turning about we watched them cross the coast, turn inland round GAETA and bomb our troops on the lower GARIGLIANO.
Realising now that they were F/W.190’s we engaged them as they streaked for ROME. S/LDR, G.J. COX damaged one and destroyed another which crashed in flames, while F/O. P. JONES [Australian] shot down another (his last operational flight too), the pilot baling out, and a third (the 400th for 244 Wing) was shared between Lt. V.V. BOY, W/O. C.D. YOUNG and F/SGT. A.H. PHILLIMORE. F/O. L.J. MONTGOMERIE who was top cover joined in the fray later, and after dicing in an out of cloud he damaged a F/W.190 before it finally disappeared. Altogether a most magnificent show.
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