Glider bomb hits USS Savannah

11th September 1943: German attacks on the Salerno invasion fleet deploy a new technology - the era of the 'Guided Missiles' has arrived

A U.S. Navy destroyer lays a smoke screen during a Red Alert for air attack, off the Salerno invasion beaches in September 1943. Photographed from the port bridge wing of USS Philadelphia (CL-41). Note manned and ready 20mm and 40mm guns on Philadelphia and elevated fire control radar antenna and 5/38 guns on the destroyer.

The slender bridgehead that the Allies had established at Salerno remained under contention as the Germans prepared to counter-attack. Offshore the Allied Naval force continued to provide much-needed firepower to support the troops on land.

USS Savannah (CL-42) is hit by a German radio-controlled bomb, while supporting Allied forces ashore during the Salerno operation, 11 September 1943. The bomb hit the top of the ship's number three 6/47 gun turret and penetrated deep into her hull before exploding. The photograph shows the explosion venting through the top of the turret and also through Savannah's hull below the waterline. A motor torpedo boat (PT) is passing by in the foreground.

Overhead the Allied airforces, operating from Sicily and North Africa, were very far from establishing the virtually complete air superiority that would later be seen at Normandy. The Luftwaffe was able to break through often enough to cause significant problems. And the era of ‘Guided Missiles’ had arrived.

Since I was one of the small guys, I was lowered into the hole on top of turret 3 to inspect the damage and look for survivors.