Key fragment of the Fyrtle Myrtle recovered by the Salerno Air Finders.
Last Flight of the Fyrtle Myrtle
Research into the crash by the Salerno Air Finders
The Salerno Air Finders is a group of volunteers from the Italian organization Salerno 1943 who are dedicated to investigation of crashes in Campania and neighboring regions of Italy during WW II, and preservation of the memory of the airmen who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Many thanks to Matteo Pierro for allowing me post a translation of the report on the Fyrtle Myrtle from the Salerno 1943 site on the Camp 59 Survivors site.
Here is the report:
Plane: Bomber B-24, No. 44,
The Fyrtle Myrtle (Army Air Force serial number 42-40236)
Nationality: U.S.A.
Date of crash: July 16, 1943
Location: 94 km east from Salerno
Remarks: Identification confirmed
Ordine di local. 19°
On the morning of Friday, July 16, 1943 a formation of B-24 bombers took off from Berka, near Benghazi, Libya. They belonged to the 513th Bomb Squadron of the 376th Heavy Bombardment Group of the United States Air Force.
Among the planes was one called the Fyrtle Myrtle by members of its crew. Unfortunately, this was to be its last mission.
Camp 59 Survivors 