Operation Glass Knob was the cover name for the mission. In order to create a landslide that would block the road, a colonel decided to bomb the rocky outcrop of the mountain adjacent to it
By the end of 1944, the French operations had taken precedence over the Italian Campaign, and Allied forces lacked the strength necessary to breach the Germans’ formidable Gothic Line. The German Army received 600,000 tons of supplies per month by hourly trains that traveled through the Alps to reach these fortifications, which was more than enough to last forever.
But, as described by Thomas McKelvey Cleaver in Gothic Line 1944-45, The USAAF Starves Out the German Army, the powerful Gothic Line would be shattered by American air power in one of the most important but little-known air campaigns of World War II during the severe winter of 1944–45. Operation Bingo would ruthlessly sever the Germans’ supply lines instead of attacking them directly, leaving them to starve. It would not be simple, though. Every raid was anticipated and a strong array of heavy flak defended the rail routes. Men experienced hypoxia and frostbite while wearing electric flying suits due to the subzero temperatures.
12 B-25 Mitchell bombers from the 486th Bomb Squadron took off on February 13, 1945, for San Ambrogio, which is located in the Brenner Pass 10 miles northwest of Verona. Despite the cold, the sky was clear beside a ground haze.
Operation Glass Knob was the codename for the mission. To create a landslide that would obstruct the major road, a colonel thought it would be a good idea to bomb the rocky outcrop of the mountain adjacent to it. On the lead ship, the colonel flew on the mission as an observer.
One thousand-pound bombs were carried by the B-25s. After “Bombs Away,” the formation would usually yell, “Let’s get the hell out of here!” and resume its evasive maneuvers. However, the formation performed a slow turn so that the colonel could turn around and assess how his plan had worked out.
The B-25 depicted in the foreground of Anastasios Polychronis’ artwork for this article, 6Y, “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” was in the No. 6 position off the right wing of 6A, “Sahara Sue II.” As the left engine of 6Y was struck directly, it trembled. Co-pilot 2nd Lieutenant James O’Connor was instructed to feather the prop by pilot 1st Lieutenant Roman Figler. “I can’t,” the gloomy response was, “The engine’s gone!”
While reaching Rovereto, the aircraft was struck by another burst of flak on the right side, taking out the hydraulics and causing the wheels and flaps to drop and the bomb bay doors to open. Figler then turned the aircraft back toward home. The additional drag caused 6Y to lose altitude and face mountains they were unable to climb. The instruction to bail out was given. As soon as they landed, the crew was captured.
In the same box of six aircraft, 6W, which was also hit and was unable to land, was flying. The road remained open and the mountain withstood the barrage of bombs.
Gothic Line 1944–45, The USAAF starves out the German Army is published by Osprey Publishing and is available to order here.
Photo by Anastasios Polychronis
