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HISTORICAL RECORD - February 1944
HEADQUARTERS, 450TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H)
APO 520
U.S. ARMY
30 April, 1944
SUBJECT
:
Historical Records
TO
:
Commanding General, Fifteenth Air Force
ATTENTION
:
Historian (through channels)
1.
Unit history of the 450th Bombardment Group (H) for the period 1 February to 29 February 1944.
A. The present designation of the unit is 450th Bombardment Group (H), 47th Wing, 15th Air Force, United States Army.
B.No changes in organization.
C.Strength, commissioned and enlisted.
(1)
Month of February 1944.
(A)
At beginning:
1960
(B)
Increase:
(C)
Decrease:
140
(D)
At end:
1820
D.Manduria, Italy, #25, Army Air Base. Departed Alamogordo, New Mexico, Army Air Base, 20 November 1943; Arrived Manduria, Italy #25, 20 December 1943.
E.No movement of organization in February.
F.Campaigns
(1)Italian
(2)Duration:From 2 January 1944, still in progress.
G.Operations
(1) Eleven (11)
missions were flown for three hundred andn thirty-three (333) sorties.
(2) Operations for the month of February included bombing of marshalling yards and air dromes in Northern Italy as well as manufacturing centers in Germany and Austria as Regensburg and Steyr.
(3) The administrative duties of group headquarters continued during the month of February. There remained numerous housing and organizational problems which had to be solved.
By the end of the month most of the difficulties had been ironed out and the group was running satisfactorily.
(4) Losses in combat made necessary the appointment of squadron commanders and other shifts in the administrative departments of the squadrons.
(5) Because of the uncertainty of commercial electric power, group communications has started a plan to develop subsiduary power from other units using putt-putts and setting up diesel generators.
The plan has not been completely worked out, because of lack of materials and machinery.
(6) An officers club is being brought to completion under the direction of Major Donovan and Lieutenant Campa. The club will take care of all group and squadron officers.
Lieutenant Colonel Gideon has supervised and made possible the completion of an elegant bar in one of the wings of the club. Overstuffed furniture, writing tables, chairs, lighting fixtures,
fireplace, and rugs have been built or bought in order to have a place for relaxation when the officers are off duty. A good deal of time, effort and money has gone into this project,
but it has been well worth it.
(7) The sanitary problem presented by stopped up sewers and neglected piping has been satisfactorily worked out by major Thorpe, group surgeon, and his staff.
All water facilities are available, waste disposal has been attended to, and showers have been set up for officers and enlisted personnel.
(H) Lieutenant Colonel Robert R.Gideon, deputy group commander led a successful bombing mission to
Regensburg, Prufening aircraft factory on February 25, 1944.
The photo interpreter's analysisreports: "Very severe damageaffects almost the entire works."
(I) Lieutenant Colonel Robert R. Gideon, 0-22064 for gallantry in action against the enemy on 25 February 1944. Regensberg, Prufening aircraft factory, the Silver Star.
For the Group Commander:
Arthur L. Campa,
1st Lt., Air Corps,
Group Historian.
1 Incl.
War Diary in dup.
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February 1, 1944
The day was cold and clouded. Everybody in group glad to have work indoors. Squadrons were busy hauling rock and dirt to fill in all the mud holes in the area.
A few loads of sand in front of group H.Q. ameliorate the muddy situation.
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February 2, 1944
Weather improved at the field but not over enemy territory, for our planes were grounded again. The group can always find something to do on days when they stay down.
Everyone is out hunting for ways and means to improve their living conditions. It is an excellent way to keep up morale.
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February 3, 1944
Combat brings about unwished for changes. The loss of the cheerful Captain Wicks of New Mexico was felt deeply at group H.Q. where he had numerous close friends.
Dr. Thorpe, the group surgeon, is kept busy attending to
wounded returning on palnes.
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February 4, 1944
The thermometer dropped today and considerable rain fell late in the afternoon. More mud on the field and more water for "Lake Manduria." Captain Jackson, group S-4,
Major Thorpe and Lieutenant Campa decide to pump out the accumulating muddy water in front of B.O.Q.'s with the aid of the Italian fire department centrifugal pump.
After a couple of hours trying, during which all concerned were splashed with mud, the job had to be abandoned. It was decided to fill the lake instead.
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February 5, 1944
It was cold and wet today. Pilots, navigators, bombardiers and gunners filled the camp as they went back to their quarters. Mission cancelled because of poor visibility over the target.
Flares are seen again shooting out of a large rock building surrounded by a tall wall. Captain Wright notifies wing S-2. They will investigate. Signal flares look suspicious.
Weapons discharged all over the area remind us of New Year celebrations back home. The idea is catching and carbines bark an answer to tommygun's deeper baying.
Lt. Colonel Price, group executive, is slightly disconcerted. A few courtmartials disclose a mixture of vino and guns.
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February 6, 1944
Officers club begins to show signs of completion. The fireplaces and bar are progressing rapidly. Lt. Colonel Gideon has decided on an elaborate bar,
reminiscent of American cocktail lounges. Mirrors, shiny counter and bar rail will be part of the equipment.
Despite the unpleasant weather, the entire group was ordered out for
drill over the ramp, because of the previous nights fireworks. Ankle deep mud was very disagreable.
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February 7, 1944
Snow flurries ushered the day, and the weather di not improve enough for a mission. Group H.Q. continued its daily grind. Lt. Colonel Hahn, recently attached to the group,
becomes an interesting member of the Thorpe-McKamy-WrightCampa combination. Group officers amuse themselves by boiling eggs at night and retelling experiences.
"First liar doesn't have a chance," says major Thorpe.
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February 8, 1944
Slight rumor going around about possible bombings by enemy planes. Slit trenches in front of headquarters are being eyed thoughtfully. Special Services continues regular
shows at the theatre in Oria. Italian stage show draws a large crowd. The "Little" girls draw many stares and no little applause. Music numbers excellent and Bambinas are Molto Buono.
February 9, 1944
The question at group is: "When will the club open?" One wing is being used temporarily as group mess hall. Squadrons put up individual messes.
Little Italian waiter hops around playing "I used to work in Chicago" on the mandolin. The group joins in the chorus and a good time is had by all. We are hoping that
the rainy season will soon be over. Weather cancels the mission, so routine calls for continuation of same.
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February 10, 1944
All sorts of furniture begins to arrive from Oria by truck, headed by Lt. Campa. He made a "Find" after contacting the allied commission and General Grandi of the Italian Air
Forces. Tables, chairs, wardrobes, desks and benches are coming in large numbers. It looks as though there will be an officers club after all. Lt. Colonel Gideon is going around sampling
all liquors preparatory to purchasing. Purely professional interest actuates his sampling. That is the story, and he sticks by it.
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February 11, 1944
A brief hail storm and 40 mile per hour wind discouraged a mission today. By evening, the wind died down enough to allow Special Services to give a showing of "Claudia"
on the walls of the hangar. Advisory notice at H.Q. reads: "Bring your own seat." Group intelligence is certainly expanding. S-1 is moved to the lean-to of the hangar, almost in duplication of
Almogordo's group H.Q. S-2's war room, filled with world battle front maps, situation maps and a large briefing map. An impressive looking room indeed. All "S's" in one row. Is everybody happy?
Well, I guess.
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February 12, 1944
Weather conditions cloudy and windy. A few officers take advantage of the stand down to transact business in Bari. Lecce is fast growing a favorite spot with the 450th.
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February 13, 1944
Sunday, just another day for men in combat. Attendance at church was numerous because the mission was cancelled. In the evening, another outdoor showing.
This time it is "Buckskin Frontier." Separation and isolation already becomes evident among the men. Great cheers go up as Richard Dix envelops the heroine in his arms.
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February 14, 1944
Major Thorpe, group surgeon, tries to devise means to prevent frostbite on a mission. Extremely cold temperatures at high altitude are taking toll of the waist gunners particularly.
Today's raid sent the thermometer down to -60 degrees. Several men were treated for frostbite. One lost one-half of his face. Many lost toes and fingers. Br-r-r!
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February 15, 1944
No mission today. Weather cold and cloudy.
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February 16, 1944
Lt. Roberson is transferred to group H.Q. from the 721st squadron. Routine and bad weather continue. Officer's mess almost opened.
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February 17, 1944
A busy day today. A fire broke out in the guard house early in the day. A few hours later, another fire had to be put out in the 723rd squadron barracks. Almost concurrently,
a tent went up in smoke along with the occupant's belongings. Not to be outdone, Colonel Gideon and Major Donovan turned over in a command car while on their way to Lecce.
Nobody hurt. Lt. T.L. Scott's plane shot down over
Anzio beach head. Crew parachutes into American hands and later broadcasts.
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February 18, 1944
Group moves all shows to Oria theatre. Rain and cold make this arrangement highly desirable. Trucks carry officers and men back and forth.
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February 19, 1944
Again no mission. Bad weather here to stay. Day devoted by group personnel to procurement of building materials and furniture. Lt. Colonel Delbert Hahn, recently recently assigned to the group,
joins in these activities. Today's foray included a visit to the allied commission representative in Brindisi. The English major in Charge was most gracious and obliging. Group is now authorized to
draw furniture from Oria warehouse.
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February 20, 1944
Lt. Colonel Gideon and group committee busy designing a suitable insignia. Days of heraldry recalled as the group insignia is released for public approval. Each squadron will hang its shield of
battle in the officers' club when finished. Weather windy and too cloudy for mission.
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February 21, 1944
What do the officers and E.M. do when there is no mission? Officers in group who engage in combat try to catch up in paperwork in their offices. When that is done they journey
to Lecce, Bari or Taranto. They take pictures; they buy souvenirs, and try to amuse themselves at the various Red Cross centers and clubs.
Anyone who can beat prices down by fast talking and bargaining is pretty sharp. Twenty cents for one solitary hens egg is far more than any merchant is entitled to, war or no war.
Four dollars for a light bulb is right down robbery.
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February 22, 1944
The 450th entered the big leagues today by going to
Regensberg. The Obertraubling Aircraft Factory took a real beating as a result. Some crews did not get back. We shall see
how the underground comes through with the rescues. Group H.Q. buzzing around with photos, flash reports, and casualty reports. Groups of officers and E.M. mill around outside
H.Q. picking up details of the mission. Intelligence and operations sweating out late returns .. The tower gets constant calls.
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February 23, 1944
Another busy day for headquarters. Boys went up to
Steyr, Austria. The Aero Engine Works were successfully attacked. When the briefing ribbon in intelligence war room was
stretched the whole length covering a maximum number of miles, the crew whistled. The Austrians must have whistled too when the 500 pound demolitions of the 450th landed on them.
General Twinning pinned the "Silver Star" on the grinning red headed Colonel Gideon. Losses were heavy on these last three raids, but well worth the magnificent showing of the
450th bombardment group. Moral and self reliance picked up considerably. "We can do it too"
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February 24, 1944
The 450th spent the day getting ready for more big things. No mission today. Weather bad.
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February 25, 1944
Today was a gala day for the 450th. Lt. Colonel Gideon, Deputy Group Commander, led the mission over
Regensburg, Germany. The Profening Aircraft Factory was demolished
as a result of his brilliant leadership.
Webmasters Note: The 450th was awarded a Presidential Citation for this mission. You can read the complete Citation request by Clicking Here
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February 26, 1944
German propaganda broadcasts berate the "White Tailed Liberators" for their recent incursions into Germany. The white tail in our liberators had been spotted by the enemy.
They promised retaliation. We are still waiting. The British anti-aircraft batteries on the field continue their practice. They may need their guns shortly.
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February 27, 1944
All quiet on the 450th's front. Bad weather getting worse. All group H.Q. personnel don galoshes in order to get through mud.
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February 28, 1944
Colonel Mills, the commanding officer, addresses the organization and reads
commendations received from Generals Eaker, Spaats and Atkinson. The good work of the 450th
elicits praise from the higher ups. Colonel Mills promises to put more white on the tails of the Huns to make them squeal louder.
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February 29, 1944
The extra day was just a reminder that it was Leap Year. Very quiet today.
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A very special thanks to Jim Ciborski, son of John C. Ciborski, 720th Squadron, for supplying the narratives and pictures
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