Us Official Photographs

885th Bomb Squadron supplying partisans

The 885th Bomb Squadron (H) Special of the 15th Air Force has been engaged in supplying arms, ammunition and food to the Partisan forces of Italy, Yugoslavia and pre-invasion France. At the present time these activities are being exerted mainly in Northern Italy. Other than dropping supplies, this organization occasionally drops U.S. agents behind enemy lines. These operations are conducted with the cooperation of the British, depending upon their intelligence reports, for selection of its missions. This organization picks its own targets, after clearance with the 15th Air Force Headquarters; writes own operational orders; briefing and all other pertinent data. Here, T/Sgt. Charles Locasto of Ridgewood, New York and S/Sgt. John Padgett of Newberry, South Carolina, attach parachute drop packages to the static line on board their plane over Italy. Both men are members of the 885th Bomb Squadron (H). 15 February 1945