War Diary Of Frank DiGiovanni
Bombardier on Leland Henderson Crew
450th Bomb Group
723rd Squadron
(Frank added interesting notes that he
still remembers and they are designated by a *)
My First Mission – Group's #1
January 8, 1944
From our base Manduria, to a
German airdrome in Yugoslavia called Mostar. *
A formation of 19 ships with approx. 24
P-38 fighter escorts. When approaching target, we were fired at by 88mm
anti-aircraft which was quite accurate and rather heavy, but had no fighter
opposition. We got two hits from flak, one in the pilots window and a piece
nicked our prop in No2 engine (Billie). **
The bombs dropped from the ship
okay and I only had a little trouble on my optics frosting a little. The Group
bombing was to my opinion rather poor, and hits to the right of the target 7500 feet. This EE was partly caused by a cloud over the target. Everyone on the crew came back
without a scratch and a new experience.
Flying time was 3 hours 30 minutes.
* Because of our extreme southern location in
the heel of Italy our first hour was over the Adriatic Sea.
** I was the painter, so I named the
engines after our wives and girl friends. Our pilot, Leland Henderson was the
only one married, and had a daughter. Her name was "Judy Lee" so that was our
planes name. She was so proud later (older).
January 13, 1944
Ship was used as lead ship so I
didn't go along. The ship was loaded with 100 lbs frag bombs. The ship got shot up with flak and was attacked by three ME109. One was a
probable shot down.
My Second Mission – Groups # 7
January 16, 1944
Loaded with 10, 500lb bombs.
From Manduria to the target in North Italy, Osoppo airdrome. The trip up was
peaceful until nearing the target when the nose guns were froze. When we neared
the target our squadron of six ships moved over to the left of
the big formation and made a run over the target. I got a run on a installation
and my bombs went without any trouble. When leaving the target dodging flak, we
were attacked by ME109's and FW190s. The two waists, ball and tail got a few
shots in. Then one gun in the ball cut out and Monty got hit in the right leg.*
Gallagher's guns fired a few rounds and then his ammunition got tangled and
both guns kicked out. Fighters came pouring right in for his guns were inoperative
and he was wounded in the left foot and flak in the left arm. A 20mm slug hit
the armored glass of the turret and knocked Jimmie clear out of his turret.
Wenzel's left waist gun went out on him after a few rounds for it froze on him
causing him to break the charging handle. He was wounded by a 50 caliber slug
that went through his left hip. ** Deinhardt was firing and his belt was
shot stopping his feed and was wounded in the left hand.
Our six ship formation were fortunate to
see a formation of 17's and got in their formation for protection after Lt.
Hollman's ship was shot down.*** His crew bailing out about 10 or 20 miles out from the coast.****
Coming back we were well shot
up. Dickerman and I gave Wenzel and Gallagher a little first aid and Monty and
Deinhardt weren't to the flight deck where Chief took care of them. We then had
more trouble when we couldn't retract the sperry ball and our rudder controls
were shot away. Vaughn and Hahn finally managed to retract the ball and things
looked bright.
Chief managed to bring the ship
in without rudders after Vaughn shot off flares. We came in with Hahn holding
on to a break in the hydraulic lines to enable us to land. We taxied to the end
of the runway where the ambulance was waiting and the doctors took care of our
wounded.
After being on the ground we
later learnt that right below the nose turret was a live 20mm slug that never
exploded.
Flying time 6 hours 45 minutes.
* His leg was amputated 50 years later.
** Wenzel and I got air sick easy. With a
bullet going thru his hip, he got air sick!!
*** His bombardier was my best friend
**** We hoped he would be saved because we
shot down a German fighter, both would be rescued.
[At that time we had no identifying
markings, we all looked alike. Our 6 planes got into the 449th. They
were briefed to turn one way and we, the 450th turned the opposite.]
My Third Mission – Groups # 12
January 21, 1944
Target Prato, N. Italy Mar. Yards Loaded
with 10, 500lb bombs.
Two groups from our group net
with the 449th and had an easy trip up. Three other groups of 17's
also were flying in the northern direction. We all were escorted with P-38's
and had no opposition to the target. The target was covered over by clouds and
had to return to our base. It was a fairly calm trip all but the oxygen hose
being cut on the lowering of the sperry ball. With a small supply of oxygen the
ball was damaged a little in the procedure of raising and lowering of the
turret. After breaking the pulley on the hoists we finally managed to pump the
turret in position. On the way back the bombs had to be released in the
Mediterranean killing only fish.
Flying time 7 hours 10
minutes.
My Fourth Mission – # 13 Group - Written
Jan 1994
January 22, 1944
Target – Marshalling Yards
Arrazzo, Italy
Recalled on a mission north – on way up we
saw many ships in the Ocean on the west coast of Italy, south of Rome. When we returned to Manduria we were informed the Allies invaded Anzio.
My Fourth - 5th Mission - # 14 Group
January 23, 1944
Sunday
Target - Rieti, Italy (Rome)
Two groups from our group went
on a mission of our own without any other planes and no escort. We took off
okay but were a few miles out and had a gas leak. We cracked our doors and
returned to the field. After landing the crew chief said he transferred fuel
and it ran over so we took off again to catch the group. The gasoline continued
leaking and we had to keep our doors half open all the way to the target. We
didn't run into any enemy fighters but had a little flak. We got a few flak
holes cutting a few wires and oxygen lines. We made a run on the target and got
some good hits on the field. We came back okay and got a little more flak but
luckily we did not have any fighter opposition: for if we would have had some
bullets hit some of the leaking gasoline we may have had a little trouble.
Flying time 5 hours 15
minutes
My Fifth - 6th Mission - #18 Group
January 29, 1944
Target Siena, N. Italy - Mar. Yards
Loaded with 10 - 500lb bombs
Two groups in our group went
out on their own missions. It was a quiet trip up and was a fairly nice day
until we hit the target area and then it was covered over with a thick
overcast. We had no secondary target and were briefed to drop on ETA which we
did and no results were made. The trip back was also quiet without fighters or
flak.
Flying time 6 hours 00
minutes.
My Sixth – 7th Mission - # 20 Group
January 31, 1944
Target – Aviano Air Drome. N. Italy
Loaded with 12 – 500lbs.
Two groups in our group and two
from 449th with 82nd fighter escort. It was a quiet
mission over water mostly up to northern Italy. When we hit the coast it was
quiet until a few miles from the target and we started to get flak. Heavy and
accurate flak. I saw the bombs from the 449th hit and they did a
good job. We went over the target but I did not see our bombs hit. We continued
getting flak until after passing the target and I saw white flak and knew
fighters were coming in. They did but didn't make much of a pass for they were
taken care of by the P-38's. The rest of the trip was quiet. We only had one
hole up in the nose glass to the right of the bombsight. (Me)
Flying time 6 hours 00
minutes.
My Seventh – 8th Mission - # 22 Group
February 4, 1944
Target Toulon, France Submarine pens and
harbor.
Two groups in our group plus
the wing including 449th, 98th & 376th.
When briefed the weather was said to be fairly good but on our way up we hit a
heavy undercast and started to head towards Italy and looking for a target
encountered a little flak. After seeing it was impossible to find an opening in
the clouds to bomb, we came back home.
Flying time 5 hours 25
minutes.
My Eighth – 9th Mission - # 25 Group
February 14, 1944
Target – Verona Marshalling Yards
Two groups of 18 ships from our
group with couple other groups 376, etc. We took off here a very cold morning
and was fairly quiet all the way up but it was very cold. After
leaving the ground for a few minutes our nose wheel door flew open and stayed
that way causing terrific draft. When we climbed to altitude where it was -450C and then the tail gunner (Uphoff) had trouble with his oxygen. His hands started to
get frost bitten and couldn't use his hands. His oxygen froze and cut off his
supply. His hands were frost bitten to were he couldn't use his hands at all
and had to let himself fall out of the turret to get out.
With his oxygen line cut out he
kept passing out and Hahn advised us to turn back. When we started back I
dropped my bombs on or near an industrial center near Lacieza. Then the no. 2
engine cut out and we could only pull 15" on no. 3. That wasn't all, our heated system went out on us for it worked off of 2 and 3 engines. Our oxygen
froze open on us and leaked out. If we would have continued over the target we
would have lost two engines and oxygen over the target really making it rough
but we managed to get home safely.
Flying time 7 hours 20 minutes
My 10th Mission - # 27 Group
February 17, 1944
"ANZIO"
Target Marina Italy
The target was mostly cross
roads and a railroad junction to help out the ground forces at the beachhead
below Rome. We had a quiet trip up all but some low clouds. We managed to make
the target and it was perfectly clear. After hitting the coast we got a lot of
flak which lasted a little while. We made a good run on the target and dropped
some fairly good bombs. We started back and got the same flak twice. The waist
gunners got a little scare for a piece of flak came in one window and off the
window out the other side. The tail gunner got a piece of flak in the turret
door but no one injured. The way back was rather quiet except for a few clouds
about fifty mile from home where the group split up and came in individually.
After we came out of the flak
our no. 2 engine was throwing oil & gas so the pilot feathered it but made
a good landing on 3 engines.
Flying time 5 hours 20 minutes
My 11th Mission - # 33 Group
March 11, 1944
Target Sub-Pens at Toulon, France
All four groups of the wing
were up and rendezvous with P-38's at Capri. The trip up was quiet and was so
until after crossing the coast of France. We turned over to the target short of
the I.P. to miss a little flak and got just a little before the target. Over
the target enemy fighters appeared but were not too aggressive. One ship was
hit by flak and started to burn and fighters finished him off. It started down,
a few bailed out and then exploded. The tail gunner and the left waist fired a
few bursts to keep fighters out and they didn't make a pass at us. The trip
back was quiet and all we had was a broken aerial and a flak hole in no. 4
engine.
Flying time 8 hours 25
minutes
My 12th & 13th Mission - # 34 Group
March 17, 1944
Target Schwaechat, Austria near Vienna
The trip up was quiet crossing
the Adriatic and then over Yugoslavia we got a little flak that didn't amount
to anything. We came near the target area and it was overcast for miles. We
flew around that area and finally dropped our bombs thru the overcast on no
particular target. We started back after I let my bombs go thru the left bomb
bay doors. The trip back was quiet until we got another little bit of flak at
the same place going over. Just a few bursts. The rest of the way was quiet and
got home safely.
Flying time 7 hours 35
minutes
[Interest – The plane has safety devices
that bombs would not release if everything was ok]
My 14th Mission - # 38 Group
March 28, 1944
Target – Mestre, Italy Marsh Yards near Vienna
We had a close one when waiting
to taxi out, a ship blew a tire and headed straight for us but hit a dirt pile
and stopped.
The trip up to the target was
quiet with a little flak to one side and approached the target and did a good
job. We had a couple fighters make a pass at us but not in range of our
fifties. Leaving the target was quiet and just got a little flak but not near
us. The remainder of the trip was quiet & got back safely. Other Groups
were hit by flak and P-38's took care of enemy fighters. Had little trouble
with the tail guns but didn't have to use any guns.
Flying time 7 hours 00
minutes
My 15th Mission - # 39 Group
March 29, 1944
Target – Bolzano, N. Italy Marsh Yards
The trip up was quiet with the
wing flying and two Groups of P-38 escorts. Some of the Group were getting flak
and one went down while we were in the bomb run. Enemy fighters were up but
P-38's fought them off and our Group wasn't attacked by any fighters. We hit
the target to the left and came back with no trouble to us but other attack
units were getting flak. We came back OK and it was rather smooth except the
Ball Gunner had trouble getting in the ball turret.
Flying time 7 hours 35
minutes
Total so far 83 hours 20
minutes
My 16th Mission - # 40 Group
March 30, 1944
Target – Sofia, Bulgaria Marsh Yards
The trip up was quiet but got a
burst of flak at a couple different places. We got to the target and it was smoking
at the time. We dropped our bombs on the target. I watched the bombs go and saw
one hit that must have hit an ammunition dump for smoke went up 10,000 ft. We rallied right and was sitting over to the left of the target and saw other groups
plastering the town & yards. On our way back we got a couple bursts from
enemy held territory and got back safely.
Flying time hours minutes
My 17th & 18th
Missions - # 42 Group
April 3, 1944
Target Budapest, Hungary Marsh Yards
We had a fairly quiet trip up but
got a few bursts in enemy held country. We had trouble for awhile for the pass
finder got all out of wak and we flubbed dubbed around and finally got over the
target 55 minutes late. There were two fires at the time and we got our bombs
out over the target. I saw a bomb hit an oil refinery for flames blew up around
10,000 feet and then a mass of black smoke. They threw up plenty of flak. Then
fighters started coming in. John D. gun was out before but started firing when
we were being attacked. They came in at all angles and had one come in at 11 o'clock and Portugese gave him a couple hundred rounds. They quit coming in and
then our tail guns cut out. After leaving the target our generators burned out
and we had no electrical power. We thought we had to ditch for our fuel was low
and couldn't transfer out of the Tokio tanks. We got down to about 10,000' and could start the Putt Putt and got our fuel transferred. Coming in for our landing the
ship in front of us blew a tire and we almost crashed into it. We got back
okay. Never a dull moment.
Flying time 7 hours 00
minutes
[I consider this my worst mission. Why?
Easter Sunday at 9:00A.M. We probably killed many people]
My 19th & 20th
Missions - # 43 Group
April 4, 1944
Target – Bucharest, Rumania Marsh Yards
We had a quiet trip up getting
a little flak at a couple small places in Yugoslavia but didn't amount to much.
We got to the target okay but never did see our escorts. We got a few fighters
over the target and the top turret gunner, Bratton, got a FW190. He shot
it's tail off. We didn't get much opposition after leaving the target but got a
little more flak over Yugoslavia again. The tin-foil proved itself over the
target. We got back okay and everyone was satisfied.
Flying time 7 hrs 15 minutes
My 21st & 22nd
Missions - # 44 Group
April 5, 1944
Target – Ploesti, Rumania Oil Fields
We just about repeated the
mission as yesterday on the way up getting a little flak at Yugoslavia. We were supposed to have fighter escort but didn't see any. We got close to the
IP and were jumped by ME109's, FW190's and JU88's. We had quite a
fight. We got shell casings throu the nose turret tearing it all apart, the
top turret and one casing went throu the Co-Pilot's window and hit Taylor in
the lip. We fought fighters for 40 minutes and Bratton got a ME109.
Liberio hit a ME109 and Bratton & Wall claimed he got it but Liberio
wouldn't put in the claim for he didn't see it go down. On our way back we met
P-38's and they passed us by & went to the target. We saw them come back
and they went on. The trip was fairly quiet on the way back. Portugese got cold
& the guns went out. He quit and I got the right gun working and rode the nose
turret back.
Flying time 6 hours 40 minutes
My 23rd & 24th
Missions - # 47
April 13, 1944
Target – Budapest, Hungary Vecses A/D
We had a quiet trip up to the
target and didn't encounter any flak. We were a little early and met our escort
about half hour early and followed us to the target. The lead ship fell out
& returned over Yugoslavia so the deputy lead took over. Kaulfuss was lead
bombardier with Miller & Baker as pilots. Waterman navigated & did a
good job. We weren't over the target first and was to the right of the aiming
point. We got our bombs on the right side of the field and came home without
any trouble. Got back safe with everyone okay. We sweated out No. 1 engine but
used it okay all the way.
Flying time 6 hours 40 minutes
My 25th & 26th
Missions - # 48 Group
April 15, 1944
Target – Rumania (Bucharest)
We had a fairly good trip up to
the target and moved from five to two position when no. 1 man fell out. We got
to the target okay after having a scare from the P-38 until we recognized them.
They gave us good escort over the target. The weather was good up to the target
but over the target was a solid overcast I dropped my bombs thru the clouds. On
the way back we saw a couple Groups hit Nis and returned home safely.
Flying time 7 hours 10
minutes
My 27th & 28th
Missions - # 49 Group
April 16, 1944
Target – Brasov, Rumania Marsh. Yards
We started out on course okay
until we got about an hour out. The pilot was having trouble with the
superchargers and couldn't get much manifold pressure. We where sweating out a
return and on top of that had weather. The clouds were thick enough to cut with
a knife. We finally got over the soup and when we got out ther was the target
clear as a bell. One wing was hitting the Airdrome near our target and we came
right over the yards and did a good job. We left the target and got jumped
by ME109's. They really came in close. So close that when they pealed off
below me I saw the black German crosses. They came in with their 20mm blazing
and explode looking like flak. They made quite a few direct passes at us and Deinhardt
claims he got two. One sure & one probable. We had a long fight and
they finally left after a 15 minute fight. We had planes scattered all
over the sky coming back but got back okay. I saw one B-24 go down over the
target after all the men bailed out.
Flying time 6 hours 45
minutes
My 29th Mission - # 51 Group
April 20, 1944
Target – Treviso, Italy Marsh. Yards
The whole Air Force was out and
had good formations. We picked up fighter escort early. First P-38's and then
P-51's. The weather was fairly good all the way up until we hit land and then
got a solid overcast over the target. We turned and came back and got a little
flak. I brought my bombs back, some salvoed their load in the water.
Flying time 7 hours 00
minutes
My 30th Mission - # 54 Group
April 25, 1944
Target – Ferrara, Italy – Marsh. Yards
The mission up was quite an
experience. The briefing was for good weather not much flak if any and probably
no fighters. Soon as we hit land from the Adriatic we were jumped by enemy
fighters. The formation was all split up due to the poor weather and the
fighters shot down a couple of our stragglers. About ten minutes later the
escort appeared and we weren't encountered by any more fighters. The weather
was very bad as we went on and a few groups returned. We went to the target area
with planes scattered all over the sky. We went over the target area but
couldn't see it for it was covered solid. After leaving the target we got flak
thru the clouds and then hit more bad weather. Our ship got separated from
everyone so we were all alone. All we could do was head for the Mediterranean
side and come down alone sweating every mile. Everyone came in practically
alone. The group lost seven ships. You can't buck weather, I really
sweat more then when sweating flak & fighters. You can fight fighters back.
Flying time 8 hours 10
minutes
My 31st Mission - # 56 Group
April 29, 1944
Target – Toulan, France Sub pens
The trip up was quiet with good
weather. We met our escot and went into the target. The target had smoke pots
going & covered in well. We made our run and could see it fairly well. The
flak was terrific, lots of it,, high low & at our altitude. We got a couple
hits. A couple fighters made a few passes but didn't stay long. Flak came up
thick & fast and shot down the lead plane with Maj. Orris, and Assist
Operations Officer, Sqdn Bomb, Sqdn Nav of the 722nd Sqdn. The same
squadron lost another ship. Two losses for the group for the day.
Flying time 8 hours 15
minutes
My 32nd Mission - # 57 Group
April 30, 1944
Target – Alessandria, Italy Marsh. Yards
The trip up was good &
weather was good. We went up the Adriatic and headed inland when we got a
little flak on the coast north of Anconia. We went all the way inland after we
met our escort without any opposition. We had a good bomb run but the course
wasn't killed in lead & we hit to the left. We came back not encountering
any flak over the target and got a little at a couple of small places. We had
quite a time with a P-38 coming in close waving at the gunners & crew
members. He was directly below me.
Flying time 7 hours 30
minutes
My 33rd & 34th Mission - # 58 Group
May 4, 1944
Target – Ploesti, Rumania South Marsh. Yards
We got a late start and
everything started smoothly. We headed for the target, picked up our escort on
time and continued up. We sweat out No. 3 engine for oil pressure dropped down.
We went all way up to the target with good weather and right at the target
began a layer of clouds broken to about 5/10 lb. We lost our escort before I.P.
and picked some up over the target. The target was well covered with smoke pots
but we did a good job of bombing. I observed two sticks of bombs hit and saw an
oil tank go into flames. We got a few fighter attacks and Hall and Devlin got a
probable apiece. We got heavy flak for about fifteen straight minutes. The
fighters stayed with us until a while after target but left later. We picked up
more escort around Yugo border & took us home. We didn't lose anyone but
449th lost a couple. I saw nine chutes open from one or more ships
that may have returned to their base.
Flying time 7 hours 00
minutes
My 35th & 36th Mission - # 59 Group
May 6th 1944
Target Braso, Rumania Marsh. Yards
We had a very quiet trip up and
everything was going along smoothly. We had no trouble up and had fairly good
escort but not as good as the previous day. We hit the IP, made our turn and
where heading to the right of target but made a violent left turn and made a
beautiful run on the target. I saw bombs hit and where doing a good job. Bombs
were hitting after and before we got to the target. We got flak but it wasn't
too accurate. We left the target and had no fighter opposition and could see
the target flaming & smoking as we rallied right. It was also being hit
along with the A/D near by. It was rather a milk run for awhile. About an hour
away from target we smelt gas fumes and I kept cracking the doors. Then Wentzel
called and said we had a fire in the bomb bays. I opened the doors just in case
it was serious & we may have to jump & to keep the boys free from fumes.
Hall & Bratton got the fire extinguisher on the Hydraulic pump motor which
was smoking and put it out. After that the trip was quite and a good mission. Never
a dull moment with crew 77 - 9.
Flying time 7 hours 00
minutes
My 37th Mission - # 60 Group
May 12, 1944
Target San Stefano Harbor Installations
The trip up was a moral purpose
tour over the lines and we helped in the new drive. We had no trouble going up
& had no fighters. Made our run on the target and got some accurate flak by
a few guns. One ship in the low left in lead attack got a direct hit by flak.
His wing ship tried to get out of his way and collided with a ship in lead box.
The Group lost three ships but we came back okay.
Flying time 5 hours 45
minutes
My 38th Mission - # # 63 Group
May 17th 1944
Target San Stefano Harbor Inst.
The trip up was a straight hop
up and had no trouble on the way up and we had P-51 cover. We got to the target
a little early, made our run catching those few but accurate guns but, got out
without any loses to ourselves. We had different runs with the first attack
unit hitting one aiming point and the three boxes in the second attack all had
their own aiming points synchronizing for course & rate. The trip back was
quiet and was a good short mission. Chief nearly got hit by flak going
through his legs touching J.A.D.
Flying time 5 hours 45
minutes
My 39th Mission - # 64 Group
May 18th 1944
Target Ploesti, Romania Oil Refinery
We started up to the target and
was quite a way up and we got a solid overcast. We kept going and then caught
flak up through the clouds. One hit very close to our ship making a thud but
got no holes. "Fearless Red" Gideon had us flub dubbin around until he finally
saw P-47's returning and he made up his mind to come back. We brought our bombs
back and got credit for one instead of two for being shot at.
Flying tie 5 hours 00 minutes
My 40th Mission - # 67 Group
May 23rd 1944
Target Anzio Beachhead Troup concentration
We had a quiet trip up and met
a few of our escort before the I.P. On our way up we met a lot of the Group
returning. We made our run into the target with practically an overcast over
the target. We went over the target but no bombs dropped. We got some pretty
accurate flak. We made a 3600 turn and hit the I.P. and made another
run on the target. This time the target was visible until right before bombs
away and a cloud came over the target. We dropped our bombs but I didn't see
any hit the ground. After we left the target we got some close flak. Three
bursts would break off our right wing and kept following us right along behind
the lead box. We must have gotten about ten groups of three and then it started
hitting out our rear as leaving the gun range. The rest of the trip was quiet.
Pat Barbati lost No. 3 engine just before IP but went over the target the first
time a little lower than the Group but left after the first pass.
Flying time 5 hours 00
minutes
My 41st Mission - # 69 Group
May 25, 1944
Target – Porto Margneua, Italy
The trip up was quiet and
everything went along fine. We got to the target and had no trouble. We made
our run and just got a little flak but didn't amount to much. We left the
target okay and came home without any loses. It was a good mission to finish
on. JP Orley finished and was the first officer.
Flying time 5 hrs 30 minutes
My 42nd Mission - # 70 Group
May 26, 1944
Target – Nice Repair & Locomotive Shops
It was a long hop up and we
didn't have much trouble. We went over land for a little and made our turn on
to the target where we picked up our fighter cover. We got a little flak but
didn't amount to much. The target area was being well hit before we got there
and we layed our eggs on our Aiming Point. We came off the target and came
home. The fighters left us after a few minutes. A few ships landed &
refueled at Corsica and then came on home. It was a good mission.
Flying time 7 hrs 30 minutes
My 43rd Mission - # 71 Group
May 27, 1944
Target Marseille, France Marsh Yards
It was a very long hop up but
all the way up over water. We made land fall and went inland about fifty miles
and hit the target. We got quite a bit of flak over the target but didn't get
hit. It was a good mission and a few of the fellows finished. We got back okay
after a long trip.
Flying time 8 hours 45
minutes
[Lt Buksa (Buckley) was lead bombardier and
I was second. Prior to the IP and starting the bomb run, Buksa's bombsight was
failing and I had to take over the lead. We had a good run. Later we were
informed we had 95% hits; and that was why I got the DFC.]
My 44th & 45th Mission - # 73 Group
May 30, 1944
Target Ebieichsdorf, Aust Parts Factory
It was a rather quiet trip up
and we met our escort okay. We were briefed with just a little flak near the
target but possibly none over the target. When we got there we seemed to get
flak from Vienna and Weiner Naustadt and it was terrific. It seemed to be
raining on the ship and we got about ten holes. The escort was good so we had
no fighter opposition. We made the trip back okay and got home safe.
Flying time 7 hours 00
minutes
My 46th & 47th
Missions - # 74 Group
May 31, 1944
Target – Ploiesti, Romania Oil Refinery America Rumano
We started up in good style and
led the Wing. We had no trouble on the way up and
met our fighter escort okay. P-38 brought
us up quite a way and left about the IP where we had
P-51 top cover over the target. We made our
run on the target but it had the best cover by smoke ever over a target. I was
deputy lead and dropped where the target should have been. First attack dropped
by "Mickey" on the city but didn't do so good. Flak was coming up like it was
raining flak puffs. We got our share of flak holes. After leaving the target we
got jumped by ME109's and gave us a 21 minute fight. They shot down three ships
and my gunners got themselves three. Hall, Bratton, and Devlin got one apiece.
The P-51's stayed over the target to cover the other groups & we got jumped.
We got back okay with just a few holes in the ship.
Flying time 6 hours 45
minutes
My 48th & 49th
Missions - # 75 Group
June 2, 1944
Target Simeria Rumania March Yds.
It was a quiet trip up and we
had to go about a hundred miles north of the target and then came back to hit
the target. We had P-38 cover and they met us as briefed. We came down and made
our run on the target. It was a little hard seeing the target at first due to
haze. The first attack made their run and they fell short. We made our run (2nd
attack) and got a few in the yards. We got no flak over the target. I looked
back to watch the other Groups hit and saw one puff of flak smoke only at about
10,000 feet. We got back okay and didn't pick up any flak on the route up or
back.
Flying time hours minutes
My 50th Mission - # 76 Group
June 4, 1944
Target – Genoa, Italy March Yds.
This was my last and it seemed
like we'd never get to the target. When we made landfall the coast was clear
but hazy and just a few miles inland was a solid overcast. We went inland to
the IP and was a solid overcast. We couldn't see the target for haze and
clouds. The mickey man took us into the coast and the overcast brake off. We
were west of the target so went up the coast for our bomb run. We didn't get
any flak until right over the target. I saw one burst low and then we got three
close burst and me sweating. Our bombs went and hit on the target. Flak then
burst above us and we got over water after a few minutes. The trip back was
quiet for we had good P-38 cover.
Flying time hours minutes
[Thanks to the Squadron C.O. I was in the
#4 aircraft, considered the safest spot because it was my last mission. The
"Chief" finished his 50th and I flew as a replacement in a different
crew]
CREW
Leland H. Henderson – Pilot/Chief
Robert Jeff Thomas – Co-Pilot
John Albert Dickerman – Navigator
Frank DiGiovanni – Bombardier
James Vaughn – Engineer/Top Turret
James Gallagher – Tail Turret
Stanley Montgomery – Ball Turret
Robert Hahn – Nose Turret
Clarence Wentzel – Radio/Waist Gunner
James Deinhardt – Waist Gunner
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