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This photograph from the the 321st Bombardment Group's post-war 'Headlines' pamphlet shows several B-25Js from the group flying past the erupting Vesuvius. The eruption destroyed at least 78 aircraft from the 340th Bombardment Group, which was based at the foot of the mountain, and made flying in the area difficult.
ORIGINAL CAPTION: VESUVIUS ERUPTS - When Mt. Vesuvius erupted in March 1944, hot volcanci cinders as big as watermelons showered down on the 340th Bomb Group's base near the foot of the mountain, and the 321st was called upon to double its bombing effort. This 321st formation was several miles away from the mountain but the air turbulance was so great it was almost impossible for the bombers to maintain formation.
This document comes from a pamphlet produced by the 321st Bombardment Group after the war, which told the story of the group's activities from 15 March 1943-15 March 1945 in the form of a newspaper.
Many thanks to Christine Stewart for sending us this document, which came from the collection of her father in law Eugene W. Stewart, a staff sergeant in transportation with the 321st Bombardment Group.