The airstrip at Rocco Bernardo lacked prominent side markings. The surface was firm sand that generated clouds of blowing dust whenever we took off. It was difficult to see enough
of the runway to verify that it was clear. We shared this strip with an RAF fighter squadron. One Hurricane landed just before a four-ship of of ours rolled into position for takeoff. The
Hurricane generated a dust cloud on the rollout. Instead of waiting until visibility improved, the leader of our flight with my classmate, Gene Kowalski, on his right wing began the take
off roll. Within seconds, there was a fireball followed by an explosion. The dust cloud obscured the tragedy. The RAF pilot had pulled off the runway to the right. He parked facing the
runway at a safe distance, and shut down his engine. The two P-40's drifted enough to the right in dusty conditions to allow Gene Kowalski, eyes correctly focused on his leader, to
smash into the Hurricane, destroying two aircraft and pilots. Oblivious to the P-40's, the RAF pilot was still in his cockpit filling out aircraft forms and never knew what hit him.
Kowalski was buried with full military honors near the airstrip where he died. After the war, his body was shipped home to his final resting place. He was our first classmate to make
the supreme sacrifice. Others would join him before the war in Europe reached its conclusion in May 1945.
(Michael C. McCarthy, Brigadier General USAF Retired. "Air-To-Ground Battle For Italy" - Air University Press, Maxwell Air Force Base Alabama, 2004)
Tripoli
