An Unforgettable Mission
As the warm breezes of late summer 1943 whispered over the impending battlefields of Italy, an ambitious aerial mission was launched with the goal of crippling the Italian air force. Among the courageous aviators was 2nd Lt Warren Singer, a youthful soul brimming with aspirations and devotion, piloting his formidable P-38 Lightning through the clouds. His mission was clear: destroy the enemy aircraft before the invasion began. Despite the operation’s success, Singer and his plane vanished, sparking a mystery that would last for decades.
The Discovery of a Lifetime
Fast forward 80 years, a team of divers found the P-38 Lightning, 40ft beneath the Gulf of Manfredonia. The discovery of the aircraft not only solved an 80-year mystery but also brought closure to Singer’s family. His grandson, Dave Clark, expressed immense pride and love for the hero they lost too soon. The plane’s discovery is a link to the past, a tangible connection to the stories of courage and sacrifice from a world-changing conflict.
The Final Flight
On that fateful day, Singer embarked on a mission alongside 165 other P-38s. Their target: the Italian airfields near Foggia. While 137 planes reached their target, Singer’s was the only one lost at sea, a fact that remained a haunting mystery for decades. The final moments of his flight have been pieced together through accounts from his fellow airmen and official reports. The revelation of his struggle to unload auxiliary fuel tanks and his decision to turn back paints a picture of a determined yet fateful flight.
The Condition of the Wreck
Dr. Fabio Bisciotti, the diver who identified the wreck, noted its surprisingly good condition. Despite being submerged for eight decades, the aircraft remained intact, suggesting a mechanical failure rather than damage from enemy fire. The open windows of the cockpit suggest that Singer made an effort to escape, leading experts to believe he successfully ditched the plane but tragically drowned shortly after.
