Zavattarello, Pavia. Douglas C-47 Dakota (Translation by Erica Iannetta)
The C-47 was a Douglas-built aircraft made in Oklahoma City. There were over ten thousand aircraft produced. The C-47 was one of the most used aircraft operated by the Allies during the Second World War: it was very versatile and was used for air-troupe transport, material transport, wounded evacuation, heavy jig sailing, and even as a bomber. The Douglas C-47 was coded as "DAKOTA" (Douglas Aircraft Company) by the British, who also called it "Gooney Bird". For Americans, however, the C-47 was the "Skytrain".
The C-47 was a good aerodynamic aircraft, easy to drive and robust, could take off and land even on semi-prepared tracks; but it also had a greater vulnerability in war than any other airplane because it lacked adequate defensive weapons, armaments and tanks were not self-sealing. The plane had a length of almost twenty meters, a height of over five meters and a wingspan of thirty; the full load was over 140 tonnes, the maximum speed of 379 km / h and operating autonomy of nearly six thousand kilometres.
The C-47 was a good aerodynamic aircraft, easy to drive and robust, could take off and land even on semi-prepared tracks; but it also had a greater vulnerability in war than any other airplane because it lacked adequate defensive weapons, armaments and tanks were not self-sealing. The plane had a length of almost twenty meters, a height of over five meters and a wingspan of thirty; the full load was over 140 tonnes, the maximum speed of 379 km / h and operating autonomy of nearly six thousand kilometres.
Douglas C-47 Dakota/Skytrain
The beginning
This incident was reported to the Grac by historian Alberto Magnani, a valuable collaborator of this site. Unlike many finds made by Grac, this was not a "headline" since it had already been found by the "Archaeologists of the Air" group years ago; but the different communication system of Grac (less specialized) convinced the group to devote this page to the fact that it happened on the night of February 22, 1945 on the slopes of Calenzone, in the municipality of Zavatterello, Pavia.
The search
Castle Dal Verme, Zavattarello
Sunday, June 7, 2015.
Arrigo and Pierlino reach Zavattarello and first contact the parish priest Sac. Leonard Sticlaru, who is very helpful and after Grac’s request, consults the "Liber Moratorium", the starting document on the site of the disaster. Unfortunately, the priest at that time did not record the names of the dead in the register. According to the "Aliotta Report" (fully reported below), the remains of the poor aviators were buried in the cemetery of Zavattarello, but a mass was not officiated because it was not known which religion they belonged to. The priest then limited himself to an "ordinary blessing", omitting, from what is known, any recording. Next, the Grac reached the site of the fall (a few hundred meters east of Casale), as reported by several sources on the Internet, including geographical coordinates. Arriving at the coordinates indicated by the web, Arrigo and Pierlino dig in the rough and woody terrain for several hours, but without any results. In the afternoon, the two researchers go to Crociglia and here meet Mr. Giuseppe Frassone, class of 39, who clearly remembers the event and still has a clear memory of the child he was and the games he played with other children of his own age, also using parts of the Dakota. Giuseppe then accompanies the Grac along a cart track that leaves from Crociglia and climbs through thick forest, leading to the slopes of Calenzone; he indicated that here is the place where the plane crashed and then leaves Arrigo and Pierlino to their work. The two search with the instruments for hours, but find nothing. The area indicated by Frassone is somewhat wide to be covered metre by metre with metal-detectors and it is not unlikely that the researchers will have to come back several times before they can locate the exact point of the fall. And so the first day devoted entirely to the quest for the Dakota of Zavattarello ends.
Arrigo and Pierlino reach Zavattarello and first contact the parish priest Sac. Leonard Sticlaru, who is very helpful and after Grac’s request, consults the "Liber Moratorium", the starting document on the site of the disaster. Unfortunately, the priest at that time did not record the names of the dead in the register. According to the "Aliotta Report" (fully reported below), the remains of the poor aviators were buried in the cemetery of Zavattarello, but a mass was not officiated because it was not known which religion they belonged to. The priest then limited himself to an "ordinary blessing", omitting, from what is known, any recording. Next, the Grac reached the site of the fall (a few hundred meters east of Casale), as reported by several sources on the Internet, including geographical coordinates. Arriving at the coordinates indicated by the web, Arrigo and Pierlino dig in the rough and woody terrain for several hours, but without any results. In the afternoon, the two researchers go to Crociglia and here meet Mr. Giuseppe Frassone, class of 39, who clearly remembers the event and still has a clear memory of the child he was and the games he played with other children of his own age, also using parts of the Dakota. Giuseppe then accompanies the Grac along a cart track that leaves from Crociglia and climbs through thick forest, leading to the slopes of Calenzone; he indicated that here is the place where the plane crashed and then leaves Arrigo and Pierlino to their work. The two search with the instruments for hours, but find nothing. The area indicated by Frassone is somewhat wide to be covered metre by metre with metal-detectors and it is not unlikely that the researchers will have to come back several times before they can locate the exact point of the fall. And so the first day devoted entirely to the quest for the Dakota of Zavattarello ends.
“Aliotta Report”
Partisans of Aliotta's Division, Passo del Brallo
Report on the fire of a plane in Zavattarello
On the evening of February 22nd, there was to be a launch by the 3rd Garibaldi Division "Aliotta". Two nights earlier, a launch was carried out that was supposed to be considered as proof of the shortage of materials. At about 9:30 pm, an allied plane appeared in the skies of Zavattarello, who entered the launch zone making regular photographic signals. Garibaldi's troupes answered with the agreed signals. After two rounds of the field, the unit dropped off two containers, immediately after followed a very sad display: a tongue of fire burst from the aircraft's left engine, the blaze was followed by a hiss, then a bang and almost immediately spiralled down without hope, crashing against the lower slope of the mountain. The patriots immediately ran to the place, the aircraft was a roaring blaze as the transported war material exploded, and in the middle of the intensity, the bodies of the crew were burning. Only after a few hours was it possible to recover the bodies. There were seven aviators, all male, completely carbonized. The bodies were painstakingly reconstructed and carried to the mortuary chamber of the Zavattarello cemetery. The priest gave a first blessing. Throughout the day a Garibaldi sentinel mounted the guard of honour at the remains. On 24th the funeral function was performed. Given that he did not know the religion of the brave men who fell, the priest did not celebrate Mass, but he gave a blessing during the brief funeral service. The remains were carried on the shoulders of the Garibaldini from the mortuary chamber to the church and the church to the cemetery between two crowds of townsfolk. The population of Zavattarello had gone to great lengths to give the best possible tribute to the valorous aviators who had found death in an attempt to help the brothers and sisters who carried on the harsh partisan struggle. At the front of the procession waved the flag of "Crespi" Garibaldina Brigade in which territory the aeroplane fell. The coffins, made from only wood due to a lack of zinc were buried in a cemented and limed common grave, which would allow for the bodies in the near future to be exhumed and moved if the Allied governments and family members so wished. A plain headstone made of rustic stone was placed on the common grave. With the following epitaph:
"When fraternal aid was offered, the twisted hand of fate fell. To the heroic Anglo-American aviators, the Garibaldini of the 3rd Garibaldi Division" Aliotta ", grateful and never forgotten. Skies of Zavattarello 22/2/’45”
At the moment of burial the Garibaldi fired a burst of gunshots, added to the emotion of those present. The bodies were then entrusted to the population of Zavattarello who took care care of them through the local CLN patriotic organisation. Already the grave started to be adorned with the first spring flowers. We assure the Allied Governments that the remains of their soldiers will always be protectively guarded by the Italian population as a symbol of the extreme fraternal sacrifice paid to achieve the same great common idea. "Free Zone", February 25, 1945
Minutes filled out by the Command of the 3rd Garibaldi "Aliotta" Division (INSMLI, CVL Fund, b 100, f. 1, guarded by Voghera's ANPI, is thanked for the authorization to publish the document).
The memories and tributes from the population of Zavattarello
The fallen airmen are remembered with a monument in the central Piazza del Verme square.
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June 7, 2015. Zavattarello: photographs of the search and the places
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The tragic story of the seven airmen: five American, two British
Parachute launch of supplies to partisans from a Dakota
From the "Report of failure to return" by the “War Department Headquarters Army Air Forces di Washington”, compiled by commanders of the crew and aircraft, it records that the Dakota C-47A, serial number 42-100954, belonging to the Twelfth Air Force, 64th Group Troop Carrier, 16th Squadron Troop Carrier, took off from Rosignano Airdrome (Livorno) at 20:30 on February 22, 1945. The target of this mission was to reach Peedunk, 44 ° 51 '55' 'N - 09 ° 16' 27 '' E (code name of the launch site, corresponding to the area between Zavattarello and Calenzone) to launch supplies to the partisans of "Aliotta" formation. The last contact with the aircraft was on take-off, 20:30, and then no more communication. The aircraft crashed immediately after reaching the launch zone. Weather conditions on the area were good. What happened exactly is not specified in the report, it only says "Battle Casualty," but from the "Aliotta Report," fully reported herewith, it is apparent that there may have been a sudden and serious mechanical failure as the origin of the disaster:
“At about 9:30 pm, an allied plane appeared in the skies of Zavattarello. It entered the launch zone making regular photographic signals. Garibaldi's troupes answered with the agreed signals. After two rounds of the field, the unit dropped off two containers, immediately after followed a very sad display: a tongue of fire burst from the aircraft's left engine, the blaze was followed by a hiss, then a bang and almost immediately spiralled down without hope, crashing against the lower slope of the mountain”.
“At about 9:30 pm, an allied plane appeared in the skies of Zavattarello. It entered the launch zone making regular photographic signals. Garibaldi's troupes answered with the agreed signals. After two rounds of the field, the unit dropped off two containers, immediately after followed a very sad display: a tongue of fire burst from the aircraft's left engine, the blaze was followed by a hiss, then a bang and almost immediately spiralled down without hope, crashing against the lower slope of the mountain”.
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Here are the names of the men of the unlucky crew:
Wallin Robert Ernest 1st Lt. 0-1683423 Pilot Flight Leader, Chicago, Illinois; Faull Donald R. 2nd Lt. 0-769409 Co-Pilot, Angels Camp, California; Lloyd C. Poole 1st Lt. 0-701289 Navigator, Richmond, Virginia; Rupnik John V. Sgt. 36461008, Crew Chief, Ironwood, Michigan; Perzyk Richard J. Sgt. 16043611, Radio Operator, Detroit, Michigan; Ford Edward, Driver J. 191599 Kicker: employed as crew member. Responsible for prompt ejection of re-supply bundles over Drop Zone. Members of 352 ^ Company, Royal Army Srvice Corp. (General Transport); Saynor David C., Driver 90849: Kicker :employed as crew member. Responsible for prompt ejection of re-supply bundles over Drop Zone. Members of 352 ^ Company, Royal Army Srvice Corp. (General Transport). Note: The right image depicts the "Crew Chief", Sgt. Rupnik John V. (the photo was kindly granted by the website www.luoghidelricordo.it, which is thanked). |
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Missing Air Crew Reports
The underlying document is the "Missing Air Crew Reports" No. 12987 on Dakota sn 42-100954, compiled shortly after the fact by the American commands from which the crew and aircraft depended.
16th Squadron Troop Carrier
Lineage: Constituted 16th Transport Squadron on 20 Nov 1940. Activated on 11 Dec 1940. Redesignated 16th Troop Carrier Squadron on 4 Jul 1942. Inactivated on 31 Jul 1945... Assignments: 64th Transport (later Troop Carrier) Group, 11 Dec 1940-31 Jul 1945... Stations: McClellan Field, Calif, 11 Dec 1940; Portland, Ore, 9 Jul 1941; Westover Field, Mass, 12 Jun-31 Jul 1942; Ramsbury, England, 16 Aug-Nov 1942 (operated from Maison Blanche, Algeria, 11 Nov-Dec 1942); Blida, Algeria, c. 12 Dec 1942; Kairouan, Tunisia, 28 Jun 1943; El Djem, Tunisia, 26 Jul 1943; Comiso, Sicily, 4 Sep 1943 (operated from bases in India, Apr-Jun 1944); Ciampino, Italy, 10 Jul 1944 (operated from Istres, France, 7 Sep-11 Oct 1944); Rosignano Airfield, Italy, 10 Jan-23 May 1945 (operated from Brindisi, Italy, 29 Mar-13 May 1945); Waller Field, Trinidad, 4 Jun-31 Jul 1945... Aircraft: C-47, 1941-1945... Operations during World War II: Included airborne assaults on Sicily and Southern France; support for partisans in Northern Italy, Jan-May 1945... Campaigns: Algeria-French Morocco; Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Apennines; Po Valley... Decorations: Distinguished Unit Citation: CBI Theater, 7 Apr-15 Jun 1944... (Tratto da: "Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II", Department of the Air Force, United States of America, Editet by Maurer Maurer, Albert F. Simpson Historical Research Center and Office of Air Force History Headquarters USAF, 1982)
Parachute launches of weapons, explosives, and equipment for partisans
Partisans, fighting behind German lines in Italy, Southern France, Yugoslavia and Greece, have been important factors in Allied victories in the Mediterranean theater. Sometimes, as in Italy, they fight and harass the enemy in small bands, attacking his communication an supply lines, ambushing his patrols... In the beginning, for lack of supplies and weapons, they were often helpless. They were cut off from Allied aid by land and sea. Only hope to help them become significant fighting forces was to supply them by air. High ground and air officers made planes, revolving around the C-47 tranports of the 12th Air Force and Dakota of the RAF. Soon supplies were getting to them regularly, flown in by crews which performed miracles of navigation to find the Partisan hideoyts in the mountain wildernesses, by night and day, in fair wether and foul. The 64th Troop Carrier Group of the 12th Air Force has been one of the principal supply mediums of the Partisans of Northern Italy. Its airmen risk flak and fighters in their cumbersome, unarmed transports and overcome nightmarish flying condition to keep their rendezvous far behind enemy lines with the Partisan... (Photos and documents from: Fold3 - Historical military records)
Members of the Command are planning missions...
Members of Troop Carrier Command pack parapacks at an air base...
At a depot near an Allied Headquarters in Italy, supplies fot the Italian Partisan are piled high, redy for loading on Douglas C-47 trasports...
Ready...
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...
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Members of Troop Carrier Command pack parapacks at an air base...
Pilots are planning the flight...
A Douglas C-47 is loaded with supplies...
Dropping supplies to Italian Partisans... The Douglas C-47 is nearing its destination, and the crew has first packages in the hatchway, ready to kick them out at a signal from the pilot... Drops are usually made from only a few hundred feet...
Kickers push free-drop begs from plane...
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Members of Troop Carrier Command pack parapacks at an air base...
Since disruption of German communications lines, particulary the blowing up of bridges, is always a prime objective of the Italian Partisans, explosive like those shown in the hands of the packer are the principal weapons of the Partisans...
Once the aircraft has reached the drop zone, the flight commander receives optical signals from the partisans, soon after he orders to his crew to begin launches of containers ...
Drop signal lights by door of Douglas C-47 used to drop supplies...
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The findings
Crociglia, thirties, "Osteria della Colomba", archive Ugo Pasini
Sunday, June 21, 2015. Arrigo and Pierlino at ten o'clock in the morning returned to Zavattarello for Dakota research. On that day, along with them was also a friend, Andrew Foster (British aeronautical engineer, Southampton, UK, friend and adviser of Grac), who wanted to join the researchers to share the emotion of the "hunt"... It was to be Andrew himself, a few hours later, who found the first item and located the plane's falling point. Mr. Luigi Ballerini of Crociglia, encountered in the morning in the village square, brought the Grac to the place that day. Mr. Ballerini was immediately interested and accompanied the three to almost the exact spot, giving very precise indications. The place was practically identical to the one indicated fifteen days ago by Frassone. When the group noticed that the information was matching, it was certain that this day would be the day of retrieval. In fact, after about an hour of "brushing" Andrew found the first piece and immediately afterwards the other metal-detectors "played in concert" ... the Dakota fell right here. Many items were found, but were tiny pieces and nothing outstanding. There were a number of empty shells, totally ruined, which reinforces the argument that there was a load of weapons and ammunition on the Dakota for the Aliotta partisans; a lot of mouldings (which certify the plane's fire after the impact) and a few pieces of sheet lining. Below moments of the search and items found.
Sergeant Richard’s Silver Bracelet
August 20, 2015. An indescribable emotion is what Christian and Pierlino experienced when after digging for a while, they saw the mesh of a bracelet. With great care and nervousness, they freed it from the land that covered it for seventy years and with great delicacy they cleaned it with water from a bottle. When the name appeared, the two researchers were overcome by enthusiasm ... Thanks to today's technology, they immediately checked on the website "gracpiacenza.com", which reports the USAAF official documents, and discovered the name and number of the Matrices engraved on the bracelet matched! It was definitely a member of the crew who lost his life here! The bracelet was still closed with the hook, as when it was worn; Perhaps the aviator had kept it in his pocket or maybe ... Now would be great to find a relative to deliver this extraordinary memory back to ... Below the images of the bracelet belonging to Perzyk Richard J. Sgt. 16043611, Radio Operator , Detroit, Michigan. The aviator is buried in the US War Cemetery in Florence. Below the photos of the bracelet found today.
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Photos above: grave's Sergeant Perzyk Richard J. sn. 16043611.
Right picture: view of the American War War Cemetery in Florence. |
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August 20, 2015. In addition to Sergeant Perzyk bracelet, the following finds have also been found in today's search.
January 16, 2016. Today, these additional finds have been found by Arrigo and Pierlino
Seeking Sergeant Perzyk's family
The day after the Perzyk bracelet was found at the scene of the incident, Grac commissioned its “Minister for Foreign Affairs”, Cristiano, to immediately start investigations to track down any family members of the deceased airman. Cristiano worked extensively by sending dozens of letters to various contacts in America. Here is the letter from Ron Hampton, a US citizen, and newspaper articles about Sergeant Perzyk, sent to Grac.
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Thur 21 Apr 2016 1100 hrs.
My friend Cristiano,
"WOW" I have found that you have been working very hard trying to finding Sgt Richard PERZYK family. With the suggested email sites you sent me I have followed up each site and have found that you have also have contacted them.
I just talked to Doug PERZYK this morning in Detroit for about 30 minutes. He told me that you had contacted him also. He said that he did not know if he was related to Richard or not. He said also he had asked several family members and they did NOT know Richard so they also did NOT know if they were related to him.
Detroit Free Press news paper I found three short articles about
1) Aug 12 1942: Richard J PERZYK, son of Anna PERZYK, 2433 Sheridan promoted to corporal
2) Apr 21 1945: Richard J PERZYK, son of AnnA PERZYK, 2433 Sheridian Army Casualties DEAD MOTHER
1) Apr 21 1949: PERZYK, Anna M, 65, 2433 Sheridan Detroit Deaths
Detroit city has changed over the years since 1950's. In the PERZYK home address there are NO family living there since about 1950, after her death. The neighborhood has changed and now about 99 % are black families in that area. Most of the original family would be dead now because of age.
I have talked with the US Army people and they do NOT have any info on PERZYK after they contacted the family about his death in 1945.
Your 1930 & 1940 Census helped. So right now I do not know of other areas to cover about PERZYK but will keep this open and see what new I can find and when I do I will contact you.
Your interest and hard work in trying to find PERZYK's family is most honorable. I admire you very much and especially being he is not a fellow countryman of yours. Keep up your outstanding goals.
Your "old fart" buddy,
Ron - San Diego
My friend Cristiano,
"WOW" I have found that you have been working very hard trying to finding Sgt Richard PERZYK family. With the suggested email sites you sent me I have followed up each site and have found that you have also have contacted them.
I just talked to Doug PERZYK this morning in Detroit for about 30 minutes. He told me that you had contacted him also. He said that he did not know if he was related to Richard or not. He said also he had asked several family members and they did NOT know Richard so they also did NOT know if they were related to him.
Detroit Free Press news paper I found three short articles about
1) Aug 12 1942: Richard J PERZYK, son of Anna PERZYK, 2433 Sheridan promoted to corporal
2) Apr 21 1945: Richard J PERZYK, son of AnnA PERZYK, 2433 Sheridian Army Casualties DEAD MOTHER
1) Apr 21 1949: PERZYK, Anna M, 65, 2433 Sheridan Detroit Deaths
Detroit city has changed over the years since 1950's. In the PERZYK home address there are NO family living there since about 1950, after her death. The neighborhood has changed and now about 99 % are black families in that area. Most of the original family would be dead now because of age.
I have talked with the US Army people and they do NOT have any info on PERZYK after they contacted the family about his death in 1945.
Your 1930 & 1940 Census helped. So right now I do not know of other areas to cover about PERZYK but will keep this open and see what new I can find and when I do I will contact you.
Your interest and hard work in trying to find PERZYK's family is most honorable. I admire you very much and especially being he is not a fellow countryman of yours. Keep up your outstanding goals.
Your "old fart" buddy,
Ron - San Diego
The Annibale Sclavi diary of the 87th Brigade Garibaldi "Crespi"
June 2017. Thanks to Piero Ricci of Pavia, a friend and collaborator of Grac, he is aware of the diary of Annibale Sclavi, partisan commander of the Brigade "Crespi", entered in the "Aliotta" Division. Below are the annotations that Annibale wrote on his notebook about the Dakota incident, taken from "Fuochi nell'Oltrepò", by Annibale Sclavi, Editions Vangelista, 1978.
"21 – 27 February 1945
The Allies, after many empty promises, have decided to make another launch.
We were all in a state of alarm. The area designated for the launch had to be completely blacked out, no one to light fires or show lights. To best help the Allied pilots the area decided on was near Molino degli Alberti, at the margin of the Morcione river which was quite large.
The evening of the launch the area was made visible by a series of bonfires: a group from the Crespi, made up of men from the Partisan Information service and Czechoslovakians vigilated to make sure no one approached, neither partisans or civilians. There was always someone who wanted to get their hands on an English greatcoat or a pure silk parachute or even some arms.
One another evening we had had a successful launch, one that should be repeated on the 26th. From Ossenisio we could see the light from the bonfires: after a while from the sky near Zavatterello a huge aeroplane approached. It flew slowly towards Valverde and the woods below searching for the agreed area: the launch of huge steel shapes began, held up by cotton parachutes. However, after two or three times circling we noticed flames on the side of the aeroplane and immediately a huge explosion. The aeroplane lost altitude and crashed in a valley near Costa Sista, towards Crociglia. The heat melted the surrounding snow and there was another series of explosions, of the munitions and fuel. The sky turned red, like a sinister aurora.
Our teams found only a huge fire. The next days the Partisans and townsfolk paid homage to the tragic seven airmen who were found, and who were laid out in coffins then taken to the small cemetery of Zavattarello. Three bodies had been shrunk by the fire and were incredibly small, the other four had arms or legs burned. Their names were engraved on their military tags around their necks. Now more than ever we felt like allies, brothers. The homage of the people lasted two days.
28 February – 6 March 1945
On 28th February the funerals of the seven fallen Allied airmen were held. There were a vast number of Partisans and townsfolk, people had come from all over the Free zone and men from all divisions. I am proud to belong to this population of country folk, so decent, so grateful and compassionate, who understand the value of life and who are deeply grateful to these young men who gave their freedom to help us obtain ours. The service was held by a partisan priest Don Pollarolo. The bodies were buried while the Partisans presented arms and the noise of their machine guns was heard as a sign of respect."
The Allies, after many empty promises, have decided to make another launch.
We were all in a state of alarm. The area designated for the launch had to be completely blacked out, no one to light fires or show lights. To best help the Allied pilots the area decided on was near Molino degli Alberti, at the margin of the Morcione river which was quite large.
The evening of the launch the area was made visible by a series of bonfires: a group from the Crespi, made up of men from the Partisan Information service and Czechoslovakians vigilated to make sure no one approached, neither partisans or civilians. There was always someone who wanted to get their hands on an English greatcoat or a pure silk parachute or even some arms.
One another evening we had had a successful launch, one that should be repeated on the 26th. From Ossenisio we could see the light from the bonfires: after a while from the sky near Zavatterello a huge aeroplane approached. It flew slowly towards Valverde and the woods below searching for the agreed area: the launch of huge steel shapes began, held up by cotton parachutes. However, after two or three times circling we noticed flames on the side of the aeroplane and immediately a huge explosion. The aeroplane lost altitude and crashed in a valley near Costa Sista, towards Crociglia. The heat melted the surrounding snow and there was another series of explosions, of the munitions and fuel. The sky turned red, like a sinister aurora.
Our teams found only a huge fire. The next days the Partisans and townsfolk paid homage to the tragic seven airmen who were found, and who were laid out in coffins then taken to the small cemetery of Zavattarello. Three bodies had been shrunk by the fire and were incredibly small, the other four had arms or legs burned. Their names were engraved on their military tags around their necks. Now more than ever we felt like allies, brothers. The homage of the people lasted two days.
28 February – 6 March 1945
On 28th February the funerals of the seven fallen Allied airmen were held. There were a vast number of Partisans and townsfolk, people had come from all over the Free zone and men from all divisions. I am proud to belong to this population of country folk, so decent, so grateful and compassionate, who understand the value of life and who are deeply grateful to these young men who gave their freedom to help us obtain ours. The service was held by a partisan priest Don Pollarolo. The bodies were buried while the Partisans presented arms and the noise of their machine guns was heard as a sign of respect."
Found the family of Richard Perzyk!
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After years of research, Grac has finally traced Richard's family. The extraordinary encounter came about thanks to Piero Ricci who, having studied and worked for a long time in America, was able to exploit his network of knowledge and contacts. Through these channels, he managed to trace the sister of the aviator who died on Calenzone. Richard's family sent Grac documents and photographs of their loved one.
Picture: Perzyk Richard J. Sgt. 16043611, Radio Operator, Detroit, Michigan.
Photo above: the thought Richard wrote on the back of his photograph sent to his parents. |
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Meeting with Simone Tiglio, mayor of Zavattarello
July 15, 2017. Today, Christian, Piero and Pierlino met with the Mayor of Zavattarello, Simone Tiglio, to inform him of the news. The Mayor said he would definitely want to plan a ceremony for the official delivery of the bracelet to the family of the young American aviator who died in the plane crash on Calenzone. He said that he would discuss the topic as soon as possible and then formulate an official invitation to the Perzyk family.
Corriere della Sera August 6, 2017
Richard the heroic aviator; his story told through the finding of a bracelet*
Killed in 1945 in the province of Pavia, Italy. His family, who will come to Italy, located in part thanks to the Mormon church who have the largest genealogical database in the world.
From the ground the partisans followed the flight path of the C47 Dakota in the sky over Zavattarello, a hillside town near Pavia. They had been waiting hours for the allied plane. Once they had exchanged signals with lights, they saw the plane release their two barrels full of weapons. Flame then burst from the left wing motor, with a screaming whine the plane came down directly into the hills leaving no chance for the seven man crew.
The sister
It was the 22nd of February 1945, 72 years later the memory of one of the seven aviators has returned to the hills of Zavattarello. Soon fifteen family members will visit including his sister Therese who is 88 years old. They will be joined by representatives of the American embassy, officers of the US Air Force, partisans and children of partisans, politicians from near and afar, and it’s certain that older locals who recall the incident will be there. It will be a special day, of course to revisit the sacrifice of those seven lives, but mostly, to return a silver bracelet that belonged to the Dakota’s 26 year old radio operator Richard Perzyk to his sister Therese.
The researchers work
The story is like going back in time, beginning with a silver bracelet found two years ago on the Calenzone mountain (Zavattarello). It was unearthed by members the Grac of Piacenza, a local group who search for downed aircraft, simply washing away the years of dirt on the plate was enough to reveal the name, surname and social security number. The challenge and Grac’s mission has always been to locate the owners of objects they find, as well as going back in time and to the places where the soldiers lived, thus reconstructing the jigsaw of their lives. There was no difficulty in finding where the sergeant Richard Perzyk came from; Detroit, Michigan. Given the surname it was also probable that he also had Polish origins. Finding his family was another matter entirely, where the Prezyk’s still in Detroit?
Searching for family
For two years the Grac had tried everything they could think of, social media which is often a powerful resource for reconnecting individuals after many years had turned up a blank. They had also tried with the Military archives, but in this case these didn’t go beyond the end of the Second World War. Both Detroit records office and the US Air Force were also dead ends. They were just giving up when, their friend and collaborator, Piero Ricci, tried with the Mormons. “The Mormon church” says Piero “turns out to be the largest genealogic database in the world so I asked them. At the same time I managed to find a Tim Perzyk in California, who like me had studied at Harvard Business School. The Harvard community is an extraordinary spider’s web of contacts which is kept alive by a database available to all who completed their studies so I was able to obtain his telephone number. I surprised him with a call while he was on holiday in France. He is the nephew of our sergeant; in the meantime the Mormons also confirmed that Richards’s family had made roots in California”. Piero and the other members of Grac were able to get in contact with Richard’s sister Therese and the story of the aviator which was forgotten in the clouds of time suddenly came to light. Documents, photographs, details and memories poured out, in California and also in Zavattarello. A few days ago a delegation from the Grac presented the story to the local mayor, Simone Tigilo, with the idea to hold a ceremony in memory of Richard and his companions who died for Italy. It is likely to be held at the beginning of November, the air will be heavy with memories sparkling like the silver bracelet.
* Article written by Giusi Fasano and translated by Piero Ricci
From the ground the partisans followed the flight path of the C47 Dakota in the sky over Zavattarello, a hillside town near Pavia. They had been waiting hours for the allied plane. Once they had exchanged signals with lights, they saw the plane release their two barrels full of weapons. Flame then burst from the left wing motor, with a screaming whine the plane came down directly into the hills leaving no chance for the seven man crew.
The sister
It was the 22nd of February 1945, 72 years later the memory of one of the seven aviators has returned to the hills of Zavattarello. Soon fifteen family members will visit including his sister Therese who is 88 years old. They will be joined by representatives of the American embassy, officers of the US Air Force, partisans and children of partisans, politicians from near and afar, and it’s certain that older locals who recall the incident will be there. It will be a special day, of course to revisit the sacrifice of those seven lives, but mostly, to return a silver bracelet that belonged to the Dakota’s 26 year old radio operator Richard Perzyk to his sister Therese.
The researchers work
The story is like going back in time, beginning with a silver bracelet found two years ago on the Calenzone mountain (Zavattarello). It was unearthed by members the Grac of Piacenza, a local group who search for downed aircraft, simply washing away the years of dirt on the plate was enough to reveal the name, surname and social security number. The challenge and Grac’s mission has always been to locate the owners of objects they find, as well as going back in time and to the places where the soldiers lived, thus reconstructing the jigsaw of their lives. There was no difficulty in finding where the sergeant Richard Perzyk came from; Detroit, Michigan. Given the surname it was also probable that he also had Polish origins. Finding his family was another matter entirely, where the Prezyk’s still in Detroit?
Searching for family
For two years the Grac had tried everything they could think of, social media which is often a powerful resource for reconnecting individuals after many years had turned up a blank. They had also tried with the Military archives, but in this case these didn’t go beyond the end of the Second World War. Both Detroit records office and the US Air Force were also dead ends. They were just giving up when, their friend and collaborator, Piero Ricci, tried with the Mormons. “The Mormon church” says Piero “turns out to be the largest genealogic database in the world so I asked them. At the same time I managed to find a Tim Perzyk in California, who like me had studied at Harvard Business School. The Harvard community is an extraordinary spider’s web of contacts which is kept alive by a database available to all who completed their studies so I was able to obtain his telephone number. I surprised him with a call while he was on holiday in France. He is the nephew of our sergeant; in the meantime the Mormons also confirmed that Richards’s family had made roots in California”. Piero and the other members of Grac were able to get in contact with Richard’s sister Therese and the story of the aviator which was forgotten in the clouds of time suddenly came to light. Documents, photographs, details and memories poured out, in California and also in Zavattarello. A few days ago a delegation from the Grac presented the story to the local mayor, Simone Tigilo, with the idea to hold a ceremony in memory of Richard and his companions who died for Italy. It is likely to be held at the beginning of November, the air will be heavy with memories sparkling like the silver bracelet.
* Article written by Giusi Fasano and translated by Piero Ricci
Richard's bracelet returns to Michigan
Zavattarello, 4th November , 2017. The ceremony dedicated to National Unity and the Armed Forces held today in the area of Pavia gave the administration of Zavattarello the chance to remember the sacrifice of the aviators who fell on Calenzone Hill in the winter of 1945. The mayor, Simone Tiglio, along with Luigino Panigazzi, a partisan of the "Aliotta" Division, handed over the bracelet found by Grac to Therese, the sister of one of the airmen, who came over especially from the USA.
Mayor Simone Tiglio and one of the partisans of the "Aliotta" Division, Luigino Panigazzi, handing Richard Perzyk's bracelet to his sister Therese
The finding of a personal object which is a relic and its solemn consigning to Therese who came especially from the United States is not a private or secondary fact. In the presence of civil and military authorities, the ceremony of Zavattarello has assumed a value equal to that of assigning a medal for valour; on this occasion it was not given for bureaucratic reasons but directly to the descendants of those generations freed over 70 years ago from the Nazi-dictatorship. It is worthy not only as a reminder, but above all as gratitude to the twenty-year-old American who crossed the Atlantic to die in our skies.
