FOREWORD:

Some words of clarification may be in order regarding the following 55+ year old records of events that transpired during the hot, sweaty summer of 1944.  Some may recall or have heard that there was a war going on then and in the European theatre the Allied forces had advanced from initial landings on Sicily and now occupied the lower 1/3 of the Italian peninsula.  Within this area were located more than a dozen air bases from which the U.S. 15^th Air Force operated heavy bombers in all directions from N.W. through S.E., targeting German occupied aircraft factories, oil facilities, rail lines, etc.  One such base was located at Manduria in the heel of the Italian boot.  This was the destination of the crew whose adventures are described in the pages to follow.  When my navigator W.J. Christian began keeping a personal record of activities, I asked him to make a duplicate copy for me, and that is how I ended up with the hand written account which I still have.

The transcribing was done in 1999 with great care by Amy Peterson, making sure that it is verbatim transcript, warts and all.  When reading this diary keep in mind that the words are not mine but those of a 21or 22 year old member of my B-24 crew.

Following the pages constituting this diary is a copy of a letter received from this same crew member written after we had separately returned from overseas.  You'll find a few warts here too, but I value it far more than any formal or official recognition of our contribution to the war effort.

                                                                                                Lieutenant, Air Corps

                                                                                                Army of the United States

A FOREWARD TO THE FORWARD:

As indicated, the accompanied pages attached to transcript of Bill Christian's diary were prepared by me at the time (1999) to be distributed to my 3 children and their families.

Included in the package is some follow-up correspondence from 1944. 

The VHS tapes also were made in 1999, primarily for following generations.

                                                                                                A. Peterson

This little book contains the experiences of Crew 579 from 1^st April 1944 to ?

Crew Roster:

A.R. Peterson            "Pete"             Pilot

W.F. McNeff               "Mac"              Co-Pilot

W. J. Christian            "Chris"                        Navigator

M.L. Schirmacher            "Marv"             Bombardier

C.E. Smith                 "Smitty"           Aerial Engineer

P.W. Crawford                                Radio Op

W.T. Rankin                                       Nose Gunner

E.W. Evans                                        Waist Gunner

H.R. Billadeau                                Ball Gunner

W.E. Shrum                                       Tail Gunner

April 1 - We left Topeka, Kansas on our first leg to combat.  We passed over Memphis, Birmingham, Atlanta, Macon, Jacksonville, and landed our P.O.E. at Morrison Fields, West Palm Beach, Fla.  We were confined to post, and Mac couldn't even get out to see his wife who just lived 40 miles away.

April 2 - We fooled around all day at Morrison, getting our final processing for overseas duty.  Marvin's brother, who was in Sarasota, somehow got on the post, and Marvin was very glad to see him.  We briefed 7:00 p.m. for our next hop to Trinidad.

April 3 - Took off in wee hours of morning for our first overwater hop.  Everything went O.K. and we passed Cuba, Puerto Rico and other islands, and landed at Trinidad in afternoon.   Got our first taste of tropics.  Food was strictly G.I.  Briefed that night for next leg to Belem.  Also Mac, Pete and I made the acquaintance of a post officer, and he took us up to his little house.  It was nicely furnished with all modern equipment.  We had a few drinks and all bought some liquor off him.  We slept that night for the first time under mosquito nets.

April 4 - Took off in a rainstorm for Belem.  Weather was rough and navigation tough.   We crossed the equator and landed on a short runway at Belem.  Overran the end of it, but no damage done.  Had seen a lot of jungle that day, some of it from very low altitude due to weather.  The base at Belem is nice and food looked good, but tasted terrible.  Briefed for next hop to Natal.  Had a few drinks at officers club and then to bed.

April 5 - Supposed to leave for Natal, but Smitty was sick, so we spent the day at Belem.  Pulled a 100 hour inspection on plane and everything seems to be O.K.  We all bought leather boots for protection against mosquitoes.

April 6 - Left Belem for Natal.  Had more bad weather and flew as low as 1000 ft. to get under it.  Landed at Natal O.K.  Base was nicest one yet.  Food was good for a change and quarters were good.  Went to outdoor movie and saw "Buffalo Bill."  Had a few drinks at club.

April 7^th to 13^th - Briefed at 10:00 am for long overwater hop to Dakar, Africa.  However, Pete and I went on sick call so we wouldn't have to leave that day.  Discovered we both had fevers and were grounded.  Ended up that Pete's fever got worse and he was put in the hospital.  So we laid around for 7 days playing cards, drinking at the club, reading and going to shows at night.  On April 13^th we drew our per diem and all got between 70 and 80 dollars apiece.  We all got a big kick out of the natives, even Crawford and McNeff - but didn't manage to get to town.  Marvin and I got a little tipsy on daiquiris one night.  Marvin got bit all over by bed bugs and he looked real cute.  Briefed again for Dakar.

April 14 - Took off for Dakar in the wee hours of the morning, heavily loaded with baggage, mail and gas, and boy, we figured we needed every gallon of the latter.  This was the big test for me, and I was really sweating it out.  In fact the whole crew was; Smitty was even making fishing tackle.  However, I was lucky and in the afternoon we came in right over Dakar, after 11 hours over water.  Dakar was a miserable field, food was rotten and so were living conditions.  We briefed that night for Marrakech, our next stop.

April 15 and 16 - Took off in the morning and flew all day over desert and mountains, managing to hit a tricky pass in the mountains in spite of low clouds.  Arrived in the afternoon and stayed 2 days.  We lived in tents and had no lights.  Food was strictly G.I.  We got into the town of Marrakech.  The natives want to buy and sell you everything.  Chris had bought a watch in Brazil for $5 and sold it to some native for a Parker fountain pen and then sold the pen for $12.  We looked the town over by riding a little cart towed by a 2 seated bicycle pumped by 2 native boys.

April 17 - Briefed this morning for our next stop at Tunis.  Took off at 8:00.  Had undercast 1/3 of the way.  We flew over Oran and close to Algiers.  Flew over Mediterranean ½ of way.  Saw a large convoy.  Landed in Djedinea in afternoon.  Living conditions here were really rough.  Slept in old tents and ate food cooked by Italian prisoners.  Seen a U.S.O. show that could have stunk in the states, but white women looked good to us.

April 18^th - Briefed for next hop to Manduria, Italy.  Took off around 9:00.  Crossed the Mediterranean into Sicily and then along the coast of Sicily to Italy.  We got within 40 miles of destination when a freak wind hit us, and before I caught it, it had blown us off course and over territory of which we had no map.  To make a long story short, we flew in over coast of Yugoslavia at 3,000 ft., and got the hell shot out of us.  Well we headed back out to sea and I plotted a sun shot I had taken, and it showed us north of our destination.  So we headed south and finally landed with Billadeau, Smitty, and Crawford slightly wounded and 17 flak holes in the ship.  Naturally we were interrogated right away, and we found out that of the 14 ships that started out that morning from Tunis, that only 8 of us were in.  Later we found out that the freak wind had caught them too.  Final outcome was that

            8 ships landed here

            3 ships landed someplace else

            3 ships were shot down by Germans over Yugoslavia

                        We Were Lucky

That night we were assigned to 450 Bomb Group and 722^nd Squadron, and we were now in combat "In a Big Way."  Due to the fact that Commander Smith was sweating us out, we opened a qt. of liquor.

April 19 - Straightened up our tent a little.  In afternoon signed pay voucher and then went to Taranto.  Pete, Mac, and I really had a joy ride.  We had a tea in British officers' club.  Looked at Harbor.

April 20 through 28 - During these 9 days, Pete went on 4 missions, Mac on 1, and Crawford on 1.

            Pete went to Ploesti

            Pete went to Varese

            Pete went to Toulon

            Crawford went to Varese

            Mac went to Varese

The rest of us laid around and done nothing but sweat the boys in. 

We went to Lecce one day.  Clean town and we even had ice cream at Red Cross.  Seen a statue in Lecce of a boy having sexual intercourse with a duck. We four officers moved to another tent after building a floor in it.  We also built some tables and benches. Billadeau got out of the hospital and is ready for duty.

April 29 - Pete, Crawford, and Shrum flew today on mission to bomb sub pens at Toulon.  Pete and Crawford came back, but ship Shrum was flying in was shot down.  10 chutes were seen and we hope to assume that he was a prisoner of war.

We all feel bad because we considered Shrum our best gunner and a swell fellow.  Major Orris, the squadron leader, and the squadron navigator and bombardier also were shot down.  Smith's crew had to land in Corsica or Naples; he is assumed to be safe, as he was escorted by nothing.

April 30 - Today we flew our first mission as a crew in our own ship.  We went up into northern Italy and bombed Allessandra marshalling yards (M/Y) that had 2500 R R cars.  Marvin's bombs were the best of the whole group.  We encountered no enemy fighters or flak, and we all considered it an easy mission.

May 1^st and 4^th - Practice missions - Billadeau, Smitty, and Crawford received Purple Heart today.  Reason being "Flying over enemy territory due to my navigator error."  Brunner ship #760 cracked up on take off.  Only one man slightly hurt.

May 5^th - Briefed at 9 AM for raid on Ploesti at 2 PM and dropped 10/500# bombs on refinery.  Smoke was seen to rise to 12,000 ft.  Jumped by fighters as soon as left flak area.  No damage by fighters…3 holes caused by flak.

May 6-11 - Practice Missions -- went to Bari.

May 12 - Today was a rough one.  Big Push started in Italy and we were supposed to fly 2 missions to northern Italy.  We took off at 5:30 and flew towards our target via front lines to boost morale of Ground Troops.  We arrived over our target of Porto San Stefano at 0900, dropped our bombs, and then flak let loose.  Word's ship had its tail blown off by a direct hit, and started down out of control.  7 chutes were seen.  At same time, Chriestia veered out of Word's way and hit Smith's plane, knocking entire tail off.  Smith went straight down and no one got out.  While all this was happening we got flak hit in #3 engine, leaving a hole in the prop hub.  Were losing oil fast, so feathered #3 and came home without further difficulty on 3 engines.  Were about to take off on a second mission in the afternoon, but it was cancelled - just in time.  We sure will miss Smith, Craven, Corneluis, and Farrar.  Only yesterday we all went to Bari together.  Only consolation is that we sure plastered the target.

May 13 - Back up in northern Italy for a raid on Piacenza M/Y.  Went over at 21,000 ft. and for once encountered no flak.  Target completely destroyed.  No trouble on way home.

May 14 - No mission.  Fooled around and wrote letters etc. all day.

May 15 - Practice bombing and gunnery mission for whole crew today.  Had a lot of fun for once in an airplane.  No flak to sweat out.

May 16 - No flying today.  Marvin and Mac went to Oria, and Pete and I built a clothes closet.

May 17 - Briefed for our second raid on Porto San Stefano.  We went over this time at 22,000 ft. and flak wasn't as accurate as the day we lost Smith.  Hit target successfully and left big fires.  Hope we somewhat avenged Smith.

May 18 - Briefed at 6:30 for Ploesti raid.  On course at 0800 over Adriatic.  Struck bad weather over Yugo and couldn't get though to Ploesti.  We then tried to bomb Belgrade through overcast, but radar ship was screwed up.  So we came back with bombs.  Sure got a lot of flak over Belgrade for nothing.

May 19 - Up at 3:30 am and briefed for raid on LaSpezia at 4:30.  Took off 06:14 and rendezvoused.  Paraded the front lines for morale effect.  On way to target hellish weather and formation got split up a couple times.  Finally got to target and made our bomb run through intense flak to smash target which was a M/Y.  On way back struck more weather and had to descend to 5,000 ft.  One of our gun boats opened fire on us, but stopped after we strafed him back.  Shain had to ditch his ship in Bay of Naples, and he and navigator were killed.  Back to field and landed at 2:10.

May 20 - Day off - rested.

May 21 - Day off.  Spent all day making sides for tent.  All tired that night.

May 22 - Up at 7:30 and briefed for RR bridge at Latisana, Italy.  Struck bad weather and couldn't get through to target.  Bombed alternate at Pescara.  Didn't do too good and flak was awfully accurate.  However, didn't lose any ships.  Back 12:00.

May 23 - Up at 6:30 and briefed for raid on German troop concentration below Rome.  On course ran into bad weather.  Went in over coast and through lot of flak over target, but couldn't bomb because of clouds over target.  Piece of flak came through pilot's windshield.  Went back out over sea and waited for weather to clear over target, at which time we went over again, dropped bombs (frags) hitting motor pool and doing considerable damage.  Very accurate flak, but no ships lost.

May 24 - Up at 3:30 and briefed for aerodrome at Weiner Neustadt. 20 miles north of Graz, 50 ME-109's attacked our group, which was without escort. Had a rough time but shot down 18 of them, losing 8 B-24's. After being under attack for 16 minutes, some P-38's showed up and the 109's took off for home. Remainder of group continued on and bombed, but not too good results. No further trouble on the way home, but 4 ships cracked up on the runway. Our Sqdn. had lost Chrestia and crew, and 984 had a 20mm hole in the nose wheel doors. Also flak holes from the worst flak we had ever flown though. We were lucky.

May 25 – Pulled raid on oil storage and refinery at Venice, Italy. Bombs hit right on target and it was demolished. Smoke & fire up to 18,000 ft. Enemy shot rockets and considerable flak at us, but it was quite inaccurate and we were undamaged.

May 26 – Up at 3:30 to brief for Nice, France raid. Over target and bombed at 10:33. One of the best jobs we have done – target demolished. Flak was moderate and not too accurate. No ships lost, but we are all dead tired from 5 straight days flying.

May 27 – Day off at last. Group hit Marseilles, France. Doing a good job in spite of intense flak. We went to Manduria and got our rations. Feeling good not to have flown, even though no ships were lost today.

May 28 – Group day off. Air alert at night - no bombs dropped, but we spent some time in very uncomfortable air raid shelter.

May 29 – Didn't fly again today. Group bombed Weiner Neustadt with good results and good luck. No planes lost.

May 30 - Up at 4:30 and briefed for another raid on Weiner Neustadt. No fighter opposition to target. Over target and through heavy flak, but didn't drop any bombs. Turned around and went back over target and dropped bombs. Made a left turn right over Weiner Neustadt, and boy, was the flak thick. On way back fighters hit us and the group lost 2 planes, including Brunner from our squadron on his 48^th mission. 10 chutes were seen and we hope they landed in partisan territory. (Three of the members of this crew got back to the base a few weeks later, after some very narrow escapes. Others were murdered by the Eustachi, and some of them were dead when they hit the ground. Don't know what happened to Brunner – a good pilot.)

We got one flak hole through nose turret, but Rankin's flak suit stopped it right over his heart. Crawford damaged one enemy 109. Another air raid alert – we took to the orchards this time, but no bombs were dropped.

May 31 – Pete was grounded today and so we didn't fly. Group went to Ploesti, losing 3 or 4 planes, two from our squadron. Shaefer turned back before target with feathered engine, and fighters must have got him coming back. Barrett went down due to flak over target. He had 45 missions – 10 chutes were seen. Major McWhorter flew our ship today and it came back with more holes in it. 6 new crews have come in to replace our boys that have gone down. Jerries came over again, but dropped no bombs.

June 1 – Group stand down, went to beach.

June 2 – Up at 03:00 and briefed at 4:00 for raid on Simeria, Romania. No interception on way to target and only one burst of flak. Nice mission. Black-out again tonight – enemy planes believed taking pictures at Taranto. We could hear 2 JU-88's go over.

June 3 – Scheduled for early briefing this morning. Everyone except Mac flying. Stinchfield replacing him. Mission cancelled because of weather. Marv & I went to beach this afternoon for a swim.

June 4 – Mission to Genoa M/Y. Hit target with 40 hundred pounders. Moderate and heavy flak over target, but we just got a couple of holes.

June 5 – Mission to Castel Maggiore M/Y 5 miles above Bologna. Dropped 500 pounders at 13:40, but didn't hit target too good. Hardly any flak. At 13:11, 10 miles S.W. of Bologna, we ran into a hornet's nest of 30 flak guns. They really had us boxed, and never have seen flak so close or so accurate. They split our formation up badly, and several ships were damaged. One had 6 ft. of the right wing blown off, but still had aileron control, so it made it back O.K. All ships landed safely. We just picked up a few more holes to patch.

June 6 – Up at 2:45 for another Ploesti raid. Lead navigator screwed up and we got off course to catch considerable flak at Belgrade. 2 ships hit and had to return to base. Dropped on the target at 09:17 with a group right above us dropping bombs through our formation. Tried to use evasive action, but some of them seemed to miss us by inches. Target was obscured by smoke screen, so we dropped bombs on the pathfinder ship. Flak was heavy, intense, and accurate. Evans stopped a piece of flak with his parachute. Had good escort and saw no enemy fighters. Hard about French invasion over radio coming back over Yugoslavia.

June 7 – No mission. Went to beach.

June 8 – No mission. Everybody wondering why. Had close order drill in morning.

June 9 – Up at 2:45 to be briefed on 264 heavy flak guns, etc. at Oberfaffenhofen aircraft factory near Munich, Germany. Target was undercast, so we bombed Munich on pathfinder. Lots of flak anyway, and we got one big piece through the tail, which set a box of flares on fire. Evans and Crawford grabbed the flares and threw them out the waist window. Nobody on our ship hurt – Group lost one ship which exploded over target. Keller had a rough time (Lombard co-pilot).

June 10 – Got up early again and started out for Trieste, Italy oil refinery. Pretty good hits on target and shipping. Large fires and smoke seen up to 12,000 ft. One naval vessel sunk. ME-109's attacked 2^nd wave, but were driven off (1 shot down) by P-51's. Moderate and inaccurate flak. No ships lost.

June 11 – Went on a long one today way over to Constanta on the Black Sea to hit oil refinery. Smoke and fires seen after bombs hit, but raid was not too successful. Flak was heavy but inaccurate. We had good escort of P-38's and lost no ships. Smith didn't fly with us today. Has a case of the nerves and is grounded for awhile.

June 12 – No mission today.

June 13 – The group attempted to bomb F.W. 190 plant at Munich today, but failed amid very intense flak. Lost 2 planes. We didn't fly, but our ship came back with a lot more holes in it.

June 14 – Briefed at 04:30 for raid on Osiejek, Yugoslavia, which we completely destroyed. No flak and no fighters! Wish they were all like this one.

June 15 – We were not scheduled to fly today, and the mission was called off on account of weather. We are sweating out going to rest camp.

June 16 to 21 – The whole crew spent these 5 days at rest camp, enjoying good food, drinks, recreation, and plenty of rest. During this period the group flew about 1 mission without losses.

June 22 – The group went to Ferrara, Italy, and successfully bombed a M/Y without losing any ships. We didn't fly.

June 23 – Boys briefed for Ploesti. Returned early because of weather.

June 24 – All of crew except Marvin, Smith (still grounded) and I went to Ploesti. Encountered the same usual heavy flak, and off the target were jumped repeatedly by 40 enemy fighters. Six ships went down including Murphy, Johnson, & Van Popering from our squadron. Murphy went down with old 984, the Flak Magnet having met her end as a result of fighters rather than flak. She had 30 sorties without an early return, all praises be to an excellent ground crew. Hope our next ship is as good.

June 25 – Up at 2:45 and were slated for raid on submarine pens at Toulon, France. Had a new airplane, but she developed a bad fuel leak in the transfer pump. Also could not transfer fuel so we turned back after sweating it out as far as Naples. First early return Pete has made in 35 missions. Rest of group flew over target, but didn't drop bombs because of weather.

June 26 – Up at 03:00 and briefed for airplane factory at Vienna. Over target 09:52 and encountered damn heavy and intense flak. Top of nose turret was blown off, but luckily Rankin had flak helmet on, saving him from more serious injury than bits of glass in his eye. Had good P-38 & 51 escort all the way, so were not attacked, but we saw a lot of dog fights. Group lost 2 ships. Frink went down in flames (in "Toni Gayle") just before target. Schoeffler went down in a spin over target. We flew another new ship, "Queen Anne" today (modified "H" also), and like it very well. Hope we can keep her.

June 27 – Were scheduled for a/c factory job at Budapest, but struck bad wx in Danube Basin and had to bomb alternate of Brod, Yugoslavia. Missed M/Y but hit installations. Moderate flak and only 4 enemy fighters seen. No group losses today.

June 28 & 29 – No mission these 2 days. Rested and wrote letters, etc.

June 30 – Arose at 3 for an a/c factory job at Zagreb, Yugoslavia. I had to fly with Captain Dawkins in the attack lead ship, while Pete and the rest of the crew were flying deputy lead. Had bad wx all the way, and climbed to 24,000 ft. to get over it. Target was undercast, so leader tried to dive through it. Came down 2,000 ft. per minute and got separated from the rest of the group. Couldn't bomb because of wx and had to jettison bombs (frags) for fear of fighter attack. I navigated our 13 ships home O.K., but did a lot of sweating when 11 enemy fighters came sailing by. They didn't even attack though, and everybody got back all right.

July 1 & 2 – No Missions.

July 3 – Today we took off to bomb oil installations at Guirgio, Romania. Encountered no opposition until target. Over target flak was awfully accurate and got two of our ships. Wilson blew up over target, but 8 chutes were seen before the ship exploded. 3 chutes were on fire. Walrath went down 30 miles from target. 2 chutes were seen.

July 4 – Led the high right box today with Captain D. C. Dawkins as co-pilot to finish his 50 missions. Long mission but encountered no fighters. Target was hit excellently and we have received a commendation for it. Target was a R.R bridge at Pitesti main line between Ploesti & Belgrade. Volk made an early return deep in enemy territory and never did get back. Assumed to have been shot down.

July 5 – Today Marvin and I flew with Major McWhorter in lead ship 2^nd attack, to bomb submarine pens at Toulon, France. Hit the target in spite of smoke screening, but flak was intense and several ships were damaged. 6 of them had to land at Corsica. It was an 8 hour trip and very tiring.

July 6 – Today we led the group as lead ship. Pete was co-pilot for Col. Snaith, and Marv and I were lead navigator and bombardier. Target was 2700 ft. RR bridge at Cesaro, Italy. We all did a good job – knocked out a 70 ft. span and 2 other spans are sagging on the river bed. No flak, no fighters. Multo buona!!

Juyly 7 – Had today off. Group bombed Zagreb M/Y with no losses. Marvin went swimming while I went to ____, and Pete and Mac went to Gioia to bring back a radar ship.

July 8 – Mission to Markersdorf  A/D 30 miles S.W. of Vienna. We led the squadron formation, but were crowded off the bomb run by the 449^th. Missed the briefed target (so did everybody else), but hit a railroad yard with tank cars in it and started some good fires. No flak at target and had good escort, so we saw only 9 enemy fighters. Saw 2 B-17's and one B-24 blow up in mid-air today.

July 9 – We had O.D. duty today and did not fly. Group unsuccessfully bombed Ploesti without losing any ships.

July 10 – 11 – Standdown.

July 12 – Today we led the 2^nd attack wave on a raid into southern France. Target was RR bridge at Cannes, which was not hit too good, though the bombs from our formation went right in the target area. Met heavy flak over the target and on our turn out to sea, caught some from Nice. No ships lost, but we hit lousy weather on the way back and arrived home with a 2 ship formation. Almost rammed a formation of P-51's.

July 13 – Group had a milk run to northern Italy today, but we didn't fly.

July 14 – Led the squadron again to bomb M/Y at Budapest. Hit the target and no fighters hit us, but we caught plenty of flak and got some big holes. Queen Anne got the purple heart.

July 15 - Today the group raided Ploesti again. Crawford, Reid, and Evans and Allen flew with Col. Snaith in the lead ship, which caught a direct hit over the target, exploded just at Bomb's Away. No chutes were reported. The rest of us who didn't fly today lost 4 of our dearest friends. A man can't say in words how he feels. Crawford had 47 missions, Allen 49, Evans and Reid had 43. This was the only plane lost over the target one ship cracked up while approaching the field, seriously injuring several men.

July 16-17 – Standdown.

July 18 – Briefed for Friedrichshafen, but had to turn back on account of the weather. Were leading an attack unit, but came back with 3 ships. The rest of them were scattered all over and came in later.

July 19 – Today we went up to Munich. We led the squadron through heavy intense and accurate flak for 6 minutes. One group ship went down. Attacked by several 109's on the way back that wounded several men in another squadron. Collette crash landed at Foggia, killing 5 enlisted men. Felt good to get through that raid.

July 20 – The four of us sent to Bari today to see the stage show This is the Army , which we all enjoyed very much. Pete and I hitchhiked back, via Brindisi. Group did a good job on Freiedrichshafen today, losing Furrow and crew out of our squadron,  who are probably in Switzerland.

July 21 - I was the only one of the crew that flew today, but didn't get to target on account of wx. Caught flak at Pola and fighters attacked, so got credit for a mission. No ships lost.

July 22 – Today we went to our old favorite Ploesti. We led the 3^rd attack unit consisting of 12 ships. At the I.P., upon seeing the barrage of flak ahead and a group of 17's coming over the same target from a slightly different direction, the 1^st and 2^nd attack units turned off the bomb run, though the 2^nd attack unit did drop their bombs. We kept on going and made a good bomb run before we turned out of the flak, which didn't give us too much trouble because the Jerries were shooting at the 17's that were above us. Target was smoke obscured as usual, but think we got a few bombs in by radar pathfinder. The 1^st and 2^nd attack units had taken off and left us so we just slowed down in order to protect stragglers and came home by ourselves. Found out our compasses were all haywire, and it was pretty rough navigating on the way back to avoid the flak area. Got back with the formation intact though, and without being attacked by fighters, which we had seen. Piece of flak missed Marvin and me by inches. C.O. wants to put us all 4 in for the D.F.C. Group lost 2 planes.

July 23 – This morning we briefed for a very short raid on an oil refinery at Betal Kryzova, Albania. Left the field at 12:06 and dropped bombs at 12:31. Flak intense and accurate. Rankin wounded in eye by broken glass from his turret. Target hit, no losses. Pete finished his 50 missions.

July 24 & 25 – Standdown.

July 26 – Group prevented from hitting Vienna aerodrome by weather.

July 27 – Marv and I flew lead ship to Arm. Wks at Budapest, but had sight malfunction. 1 sqdn. ship lost - - blew up with 7 chutes seen.

July 28 – Stand down.

July 29 – Group went to Markersdorf with poor results. Mac & I flew to Naples.

July 30 – Stand down. Flew Mac to rest camp & flew practical mission at night.

July 31 – Group flew to near Ploesti. Pete, Marvin & I went to Bari and saw Rankin. Zelznik blew up on take-off, killing 7 men and getting us out of bed but quick.

August 1 – Briefed for Ploesti. Got off but mission cancelled, so we had to fly around 3 hours to lighten load before landing.

August 2- Stand down.

August 3 – Barbecue & beach party. Huge success with 6,000 cans of beer. Group milk run to northern Italy.

August 4 & 5 – Stand down.

August 6 – Marv & I led the group to Toulon.

August 10 – I finished up on raid to Ploesti. Pete left this morning for Naples, to return to the U. S.

Friday – Oct. 27, 1944

Dear Pete

            Well, Joe, it is about time you wrote me, I thought maybe they had taken both your eyes out.

            Sorry to hear about your eyes Pete but if it isn't serious, maybe it will keep you out of further combat from now on. I have had my physical and outside of the usual nerves only thing they found wrong with me was an infected prostate. Thanks for the pictures, I didn't have any pictures except combat pictures, so I got something to show my grandchildren.

            I haven't heard from Mac (Co-Pilot) or Marvin (Bombardier) except a short letter from Marvin saying they had finished and were on their way to walking their orders through. If Marvin is Group Bombardier it is news to me, I didn't think they would have a non-flying Group Bombardier but I don't know.

            Probably time this letter gets to you, Mac will be home and give you the news but I will give it to your anyway as much as I know.

            As you know my last mission was over Ploesti. Well same thing happened that day that happened to us at Ploesti. 1^st attack SNAFUed and the good old 722^nd went in on its own. I practically had to order Keller to turn where I said but he did and we hit the target and 1^st attack dropped 4,000 feet off target. Well, the flak was worse than I ever saw it. Fitz broke formation and unluckily got a direct hit and went down. He later came back when they liberated Ploesti but his Navigator and Bombardier were killed by the direct hit. Fitz himself got blown out of plane by gas explosion just as he was on catwalk and has a big scar on face.

            Anyway we got back that day and I sure was glad to be finished. After that Gennette went in Hospital and I took over the job of Sqd navigator and it had a lot of headaches. The next mission we led I put Lazort in with Marvin. McWhorter (Sqdn. Commander) and Fahnstock were the pilots. The mission was to Ploesti and over Ploesti they got a flak hit on Co-Pilots side and Fahnstock and Mcwhorter were wounded. Fahnstock had his arm almost torn off and Mcwhorter got a junk in his A_ _. Coming back from Ploesti, Lazort got screwed up and led the whole damn group over Berat, Albania at 8,000 feet and the 720^th lost two ships. To make a long story short Mcwhorter and Fahnstock both ended up in hospital and Lazort got a hell of a lashing by Gideon (Group Commander).  Fahnstock will never fly again. The (Colonel) Mcwhorter was in about 3 weeks and is out now.

            The next excitement was when group went to Vienna and Stinchfield's Copilot Clauser was killed by piece of flak going through his head. Stinchfield was bodily wounded in leg and barely landed at Foggia before he passed out.

            The next excitement was the next day when they went to Vienna again. I never seen so many feathered props. One guy landed with 2 feathered on one side. One crew bailed out over field because they couldn't get wheels down. To climax it all Mac came in last after cruising around the field shaking his wings to get his wheels down. Then he landed with no brakes and everybody in tail He sure looked funny coming down runway with his nose all the way up in the air. Anyway he looked darn good to us. His ship was shot all to hell but no one hurt. I damn near cried sweating him in. Mac wasn't cold that day he was sweated right through his flying clothing.

            That's about all the news I know except when they liberated Ploesti. Colonel Snaith came back and he was only one to get out. I had hopes Pete, but he told me that rest were reported dead. I haven't written Mrs. Crawford or any of them but I may see Mrs. Crawford as I suspect I will be sent to Monroe, Louisiana to a refresher course in Navigation. Barretts crew came back from Ploesti entire 10 men. 7 of Walraths crew including Walrath cam back. Part of VanPoperings crew and part of Johnsons crew but I don't know what part. All of Volks crew and all of Schaeffers crew (except Schaeffer) came back from Yugo. Sam Houston came back from southern France where he had been hiding out. I met Charlie White and his crew in Naples back from Ploesti. Seemed good to see them. If only Smith, Carmel and VanDykes crew were OK and our boys it wouldn't have been so bad. Think how lucky we are Pete.

            I met one of the crews here that went to England, that we knew, and he said every crew that went from our gang to England made their missions and didn't lose a man. They say England is tougher, that's one for the books.

            Rankin (nose guns) and Billadeau (Ball turret) came back with me. I had a lot of trouble getting Rankins orders through but I went to Bari myself and got them through on 48 missions. It was worth the trouble in order to make sure somebody didn't screw him up. Rankins eye is O.K. now.

            Smitty (engineer) is still sweating them out but I guess we don't have to worry about him. He is a swell guy and I know we both think he is a darn good engineer and man.

            Outside of our eccentric navigator I think you had a damn good crew, Pete but then the crew had a damn good pilot. I know I thanked God many a time that I had you for a pilot. I wish we could get back together again but knowing the army we probably won't see each other until war is over but by golly sometime we shall get together over a Grapefruit Juice and spin tall tales.

            Did you ever hear anything from your D.F.C. I never did and probably won't It makes me burn to see these guys from the 8^th wearing it. Keller's crew got it just before they left. Incidentally Keller and Hobart both made Captain. You certainly deserved it but the army way is always the wrong way.

            I was 7 days at Naples and the couple weeks almost coming across sleeping in a stinking hold next to some German prisoners. Boy did they stink. Couple of them were ack ack boys from Toulon and were very unpopular.

            Had a good time at Furlough but it went to fast and now I am here. I have my car with me and hope they don't send me too far. I haven't been classified yet but they are sending 99% of the navigators to Monroe, Louisiana so I more or less expect to go there. Would like to get in intelligence school but probably no chance. Probably leave here in 3 or 4 days and will write you my new address. Now look Joe, write me letters, damn it, I want to keep in touch with you. Good luck on your eyes, maybe you are constipated and they are treating you for the G.I.'s. It has been known to happen.

            Best regards to Bess and both of you write and take care of the stone ache.  If you see Mac give him my regards. I must write him in a couple of days. Lots of Luck, Pete.

                                                                        As Ever,

                                                                        Bill

P.S. Yes C. S. I did get the 45 home right in my bag. What happened to your secret compartment box.

P.S.S. Queen Anne was there when I left.

                                                                                                                                    - 1999 –

                                                            FOOTNOTES:

Bill Christian (Chris), my former navigator, wrote this letter to me at Miami Beach in Oct 1944 where I was hospitalized with an eye problem following my return from overseas. He had also finished his missions, though somewhat later than I, and was reporting to me the "excitement" that he and others had experienced after I left Italy.

(1)   McNeff had about 5 missions to go when I finished up and was given his own crew when I left. He was a qualified P-38 pilot but had no formal training or left seat time in B-24's.

(2)   Col. Snaith was operations officer of 450^th group when on a Ploesti mission a direct hit destroyed his airplane. Among those killed were my radioman and 3 gunners. I had flown a mission as co-pilot with Col. Snaith 9 days earlier.

(3)   Grounded and assigned to maintenance with a severe case of combat fatigue after about 30 missions.

(4)   Queen Ann – our second airplane which was a replacement for the one we brought over (another crew lost it to fighters). Queen Ann had been owned by a less fortunate crew.

Andrew Peterson

722 Sqdn.

June 13, 2008