This Day in History: 1944-03-23

Bomb assassination against Southern Tirol congregation in Rome, 33 die.  Flight Sergeant Nicholas Stephen Alkemade, a rear gunner in a Royal Air Force Avro Lancaster heavy bomber, survived a fall of 18,000 feet after abandoning his out-of-control burning aircraft without a parachute over Germany.  His fall was broken by pine trees and soft snow and he only suffered a sprained leg.