According to Genero’s plan, the rear guard—except for the M3 75mm tank destroyers—would deploy to positions around the high ground in the little valley and dig in. Genero, half of one platoon of the 2/503d, one halftrack, one gun Jeep, and one towed 40mm Bofors gun would be the bait.
Once Phil had lured the German forces—including any of the 16 Panzer IIIs—into his ambush, he would call for close air support from the pre-positioned P-38s and A-20s.
In the narrow valley, the massed fire from the American A-20 bombers should annihilate the axis tanks. If no German aircraft showed up, the P-38s could assist the allied infantry by coming down on the deck and strafing the German forces.
The 20mm cannon and four .50 caliber machine guns in the nose of each of the forked-tailed devils would de
