From 11.00 hours, III./JG 53's Bf 109s were up from Arlena di Castro to escort 10 Fw 190s to Cassino. The fall of the bombs was not seen owing to strong AA defences but hostile aircraft were not encountered.

From 1655–1750, five Bf 109s of III./JG 53 were up from Fabrica, escorting Fw 190s. Their mission was reported carried out but they neither observed the bombing nor had any contact with Allied aircraft.

The main body of the Gruppe operated from Arlena between 1605 and 1702 hours, 17 Messerschmitts covering 19 Focke-Wulfs dropped on a railway east of Cassino. On their return flight, the German pilots reported running into eight Spitfires, north of Cassino at 3000 m.

The main body of the Gruppe operated from Arlena between 1605 and 1702 hours, 17 Messerschmitts covering 19 Focke-Wulfs dropped on a railway east of Cassino. On their return flight, the German pilots reported running into eight Spitfires, north of Cassino at 3000 m.

Unteroffizier Gerhard Kerschek was reported missing, about 10 km. west of Aquino and an Fw 190 was seen to be shot down by a Spitfire from 1500 m. in the same location, spinning down and crashing. It was noticed that another Focke-Wulf was trailing smoke, apparently as a result of AA fire in the target area and it too was seen to crash.

On returning to base, Ltn. Lothar Lohse was seriously injured in a landing accident and another aircraft nosed over on account of the softened ground.

SIGNALS INTELLIGENCE

Complied from German communications, including after-action reports, picked up by the Allies.