{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-usaaf-italian-made-liberation-of-rome-medal-91st-bomb-group","title":"Original U.S. WWII USAAF Italian Made Liberation of Rome Medal - 91st Bomb Group","description":"Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This is an Italian made liberation medal which commemorates the Liberation of Rome. The Medal is a five pointed star, front bears the Air Corps propellor insignia in relief and the reverse is engraved.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLt.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBell\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e91st BOMB Gp\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLIBERATION\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOF ROME\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJUNE 5, 1944\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\nThese medals are extremely rare as they were locally made and were sold and given to the American soldiers after the battle as a thank you from the Italian people to their Liberators. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOn the June 5th 1944, the people of Rome flooded into the streets to welcome the arrival of the Allied troops. The men had marched from the south, following their success at the Battle of Monte Cassino. Now, the crowds were celebrating the liberation of Rome from German occupation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShops and workplaces were closed for the day and the reigning Pope – Pius XII – appeared on the balcony of the Vatican to address the jubilant crowds below in St Peter’s Square. He gave thanks for this victory, particularly as the ancient city had suffered remarkably little damage in the course of the battle.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Pope praised the “goodwill on both sides”, since the city had survived its occupation and liberation largely intact.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 91st Bomb Group, known more informally as \"the Ragged Irregulars\", flew 340 missions between 7-November-1942 and 25-April-1945 in 9,591 sorties dropping 22,142 tons of bombs. The Group lost 197 aircraft MIA.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBefore D-Day these were predominantly strategic bombing missions, hitting targets like aircraft factories, air fields and oil facilities. After the Allies had gained a foothold on the Continent, the Group carried out more missions in support of ground troops, such as bombing railway yards and tracks. With 420 enemy aircraft destroyed, the Group had the highest total claim of all the Eighth Air Force Bomb Groups. The Group also had the highest losses of any of these Bomb Groups, with 197 aircraft reported as missing in action over the course of the war.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCLAIMS To FAME:\u003cbr\u003eHighest total claims of enemy aircraft destroyed in 1sr Bomb Division: 420\u003cbr\u003eHighest losses of all 8AF Bomb Groups: 197 Aircraft MIA\u003cbr\u003eFirst 8AF BG to attack a target in the Ruhr: 4-Mar-43 DUC awarded.\u003cbr\u003eLead the famous Schweinfurt mission of 17-Aug-43\u003cbr\u003eFirst 8AF Bomb Group to complete 100 missions: 5-Jan-44","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":31067475574853,"sku":"ONSV1632","price":175.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/products\/ONSV1632__01.jpg?v=1595897922","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-usaaf-italian-made-liberation-of-rome-medal-91st-bomb-group","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}