The aircrews and aircraft assembled outside Tunis, Tunisia during early January 1944. From there the 456th Bomb Group flew into the Foggia area of Italy near Cerignola and Stornara on February 1, 1944.

courtesy of 456th Bomb Group Calendar Enlarge Photo

B-24 Propeller Sign courtesy of 456th Bomb Group Association

The ground crews had arrived in Italy by boat on January 19th and had moved to Cerignola on January 25th. The crewmen lived in tents pitched in between the trees in olive groves adjacent to the airstrip.

Tents pitched in the olive grove courtesy of 456th Bomb Group Association

George L. Dancisak by Crew Tents courtesy of Michael J. Dancisak Enlarge Photo

George L. Dancisak, Edward L. Dement, and unknown crewman by Crew Tent courtesy of Michael J. Dancisak Enlarge Photo

745th Squadron Mess Hall under construction courtesy of Michael J. Dancisak Enlarge Photo

Preflight inspection of Boojum courtesy of Michael J. Dancisak

For a great description of what life was like on the ground see the story by Bob Reichard at the 456th web site.

Click Images to Enlarge Front and Back Covers

For more stories by Robert W. Reichard, see his book, One Soldier's Story, edited by David F. Abner, which is a collection of stories of Mr. Reichard's unusual military career. Robert W. Reichard was a Bombardier on a B-24 Liberator flying with the 456th Bomb Group, 745th Squadron during World War II, is a Korean War veteran and member of the Chosin Few, and was a Military Policeman and Paratrooper stationed in Berlin and Augsburg, Germany during the Cold War. Mr. Reichard also served in a number of peacetime military positions and his stories are rich with eye witness detail and insight, which provide a window into the history of those turbulent times. For information about ordering the book click here.