HEADQUARTERS 450 TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H) APO 520 U.S. ARMY

20 JUNE 1944

UNIT HISTORY FILE NO. #314.7

SUBJECT: Historical Records

TO: Commanding General, Fifteenth Air Force, Attention: Historian (through channels)

            1. Unit history of the 450 th Bombardment Group (H) for the period 1 May to 1 June 1944.

            A). The present designation of the unit is 450 th Bombardment Group (H), 47 th Wing, 15 th Air Force, United States Army.

            B). Changes in organization

                        1). No change in designation of unit.

                        2). No transfer of units.

            C). Strength, commissioned an enlisted.

                        1). Month of May 1944

                                    A). At Beginning:                  2024

                                    B). Increase:                                    78

                                    C). Decrease:                        0

                                    D). At End:                            2102

            D). Manduria, Italy, #25, Army Air Base.

            E). No movement of organization in May.

            F). Campaigns

                        1). Italian

                        2). Duration: From 2 January 1944, still in progress.

            G). Operations

                        1). During the month of May, group operations emphasized formation flying and bombing. Non-operational days were devoted to intensified training of all crews in order to improve the bombing pattern of the bombardiers and to achieve a tighter formation in flight. The training program culminated in the support given to the drive on the Italian line beginning on May 12.         

                        2). The base and group security officer has strengthened vigilance around camp, due to rumors that German parachutists have been landed in the vicinity. Alerts and blackouts have been observed when unidentified craft have been plotted.

                        3). Outdoor movies and Sunday night boxing have been the two principal sources of entertainment for the group personnel. The day rooms and officers clubs under construction will provide additional recreational facilities within two weeks. This construction program has been given first priority by both group and squadrons.

                        4). The 450 th concentrated most its attacks during the month of may on northern Italy in support of ground operations. Other operations were directed toward Roumanian oil fields and M/Y in southern France.

            H). Losses in action

                        1). None

            I). Awards

                        1). Lt. Col. William G Snaith, 0-399635, Group Operations Officer, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement against the M/Y at Ploeasti, Roumania on May 5, 1944. The second cluster of the Air Medal was awarded to Lt. Col. Robert R Gideon Jr 0-22064, Deputy Group Commander; to Col. William G Snaith 0-399635, Group Operations Officer; and to Captain Jerry Goldvarg, 0-795232, Group Navigator.

For the Group Commanding Officer:

Arthur L Campa

1 st Lt, A.C.

Group Historian

450TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP WAR DIARY

1 MAY 1944

Group Headquarters launched an instruction program on Target Identification for bombardiers. The P.I. Officer took over at the War Room and described minutely every detail to be identified on the principal targets being attacked by the Fifteenth Air Force. This should enable crews to tell exactly where bombs hit on a mission. Too many reports from bombardiers read: "I think we hit by the railroad or somewhere by the viaduct". 

2 May 1944

Practice mission was run today in order to improve bombing pattern. Bombardiers went out with blood in their eyes this time. Captain Kaeker, Group Bombardier, briefed his crews and asked for some "pickle barrel shooting". He got it. Now the boys want another crack at the Krauts. They'll get that too.

3 May 1944

Colonel Mills continued practice missions for the Group today. He emphasized formation flying. Said the Colonel: "Remember that anyone flying loosely is not making a vulnerable gap in the formation, but he is a clay pigeon for the ME109's".

4 May 1944

Weather around this part of Italy is beautiful at this time of the year. The beach on the bay is really inviting. The sand is fine, clean and white, the water is clear and just right. All we need is hot dog stands and a few mermaids basking in the sun. "Oh well, you can't have everything," says Colonel Gideon.

5 May 1944

The determined look on the crews' faces coming out of the briefing told only one thing: they were going on a tough mission. It was rough. Ploesti may have been "demolished" numerous times but it was not quite finito. Crewmen not flying could be seen today sprawled all over the sunny side of the camp getting a tan. It's a good way to relay and forget that tomorrow you must fly. Group Headquarters held its fingers crossed until return of the mission.

6 May 1944

Group Communications and Public Relations are setting up a new building in Headquarters Area. Captain Wright decided that his tent may be uncomfortable in the heat of Italy so decided to build. In five days the combined Communication and Group P.R.O. Building goes up behind the tents. When the tents are taken down, presto the new building! Says Lt. Holland, Group Supply: "Did you feed those Italians vitamin pills?"

7 May 1944

Colonel Kyle at the Wing is right. "We are in the bombing business." Business seems to pick up every time the briefing string on the War Room map stretches out. It was Bucharest for the crews this morning, but it won't be orchids for the Romanians!

8 May 1944

Once in a while S-2 has to tell the crews something about escape procedure. A few of the "escapees" around camp "ain't saying" anything, but their presence speaks bushels of eloquence for escape procedure. Everybody listens carefully. For who knows, someone may need it altogether too soon. Such was the nature of today's talk in the War Room also a few things about the secretive Russian aircraft.

9 May 1944

The weather is playing havoc with our missions. It's nice enough around here but enroute to the target it is like a milk bottle. The crews don't like to be idle. They want to be in the air and ending the war soon. More power to them!

10 May 1944

A bit of speculation is getting around today. Something is brewing. Funny how rumors get around in the Army. Secret, Confidential, Most Secret? Maybe, but a latrine rumor is as much a part of the Army and as American as corn on the cob. Anyhow, since we can't fly on account of weather and we can't have a show because the Italians are having a fiesta in Oria, let's have a few rumors and chew the fat.

11 May 1944

All these days without a mission! Maybe the war is over and they forgot to notify the 450th. That's the way they feel around the Group, how about Rome? Are we going to spend Christmas in Southern Italy? God forbid! That's today's speculation around this headquarters.

12 May 1944

"D-Day" began today. Rumors had it that two simultaneous attacks from the East and West coast of Italy had been launched. It turned out to be an all out attack on the Gustave Line of the 5th Army front. Our crews led the attack on the West Coast Communications Centers and earned a commendation from the Commanding General of the 15th Air Force. The crews look at the comparative bombing scores of all groups concerned and walk away from the PI's display with a satisfied grin.

13 May 1944

The Colonel was very happy today. All crews back and a good mission always calls for a bit of sauntering and cherry, "hello, boys"!

14 May 1944

Major Snaith was leading today. As he got off his plane, he remarked: "We flubbed the dub this time"! The unperturbed Major went on to speak of other things in his usual casual way. At noontime someone suggested a "new game" gong the rounds in the Group at odd moments. Even Chaplain Stevens contributed 500 Lira to the pot and was as eager to win as anybody. The high card was an ace held by the Red Cross Representative. He turned in his winnings to the Officer's Mess Fund for a few extras at the table.

15 May 1944

Every time a 50 mission hitch is finished, it calls for a celebration, and no one skips it. The Group P.R.O. Specializes on these occasions. Stand Down today, so there was a lot of strolling and a lot of baseball. The warm weather is here to stay. Everyone turned out in tans, "by order of Colonel Mills".

16 May 1944

Much speculation around Headquarters about the Second Front. Captain Jackson, Group S-4, still worries about the war's end.

The 1st Combat Camera Unit headed by Lt. Mark, goes out to make a movie. The Group P.R.O., Lt. Campa, goes along to do the talking. Two Iowa farmers go calling on the Italian farmers, trying to learn their way of farming. Italian sheep herders, farmers and families are very cooperative. They are flattered to think that they will appear in American moving pictures.

17 May 1944

The Colonel led today. M. S. Reached Headquarters – rightto! General Twining inspected the area and called it very satisfactory.

18 May 1944

Red Cross Hettleman decides to throw a party for the 40 plusers. A meeting at P.R.O. Headquarters decides on the menu. Potatoes, onions, garlic, lettuce, boiled eggs, pickles and lamb barbecue will be served to all men having completed 40 missions or more.

Lt. Campa and Dave Hettleman scour the countryside looking for sheep to barbecue. No such thing for sale, it is near lambing season and the ewes cannot be spared. Would the "tenente" settle for a few juicy suckling lambs. Finally a big sheepman took pity on the US Army and decided to provide the animals - $35.00 per head.

19 May 1944

After the mission the Group personnel decided to have a beach party. Eggs, drinks, and a bit of everything was piled on the trucks and are sped to the shores of the Mediterranean.

Major McKamy sustained a badly burned bald head. There was much frolicking and swimming. "What a perfect place for a nice bunch of beach beauties", sighed Lt. Andrews, Group Armament Officer. "Why", queried Captain McQueen.

20 May 1944

Today the weather was neither good nor bad. Nobody went, nobody came. No decorations, no accidents, nothing at all. Ho! Hum!

21 May 1944

General Twining, Commanding Officer of the 15th Air Force, Colonel Kyle, Chief of Staff of the 47th Wing, Lt. Col. Gideon, Deputy Group Commander and the Group P.R.O., Lt. Campa, were scheduled to go on a hunting trip. After a fine lunch comprising of lobster, and all the trimmings, the nimrods started for a baronial estate down by the toe of Italy. The General was unable to go at the last minute but the rest continued.

The Italian baron was gracious and co-operative. He threw open the doors to this 800 year old castle and placed his private hunting estate at the disposal of the Americanos. The dove had flown, the wild boar was reluctant, and the pheasants were very much out of range. The officers promised to return again to another wild boar hunt.   

22 May 1944

Today the Colonel left for the United Kingdom. Is the 450th going to shuttle bomb? Are the English stopping here for a load on the return trip? Is the Second Front really going to open? These are the questions buzzing around Headquarters.

The opening of the new open air theatre was greeted by an enthusiastic audience of over 2000. Betty Grable's curvaceous loveliness was an attraction worth seeing, and her Gay Nineties dancing as American as corn on the cob. She was good in the clinches and the audience liked it. The theatre is definitely a success.

23 May 1944

The day threatened to be unpleasant, but it was only cool. In fact, the much augured warm weather is far from her yet. The constant assertions of the Italians at Headquarter that "FA MOLTO CALDO" have not come true.

There is still much speculation of the Second Front. Officers and enlisted men go in and out of the Headquarter War Room watching the bomb line of the 5th Army Front. Things are looking up. The Allies are moving fast and bets are being laid on the taking of Rome.

24 May 1944

Early in the morning there were long lines of men heading for headquarters Briefing Room. Something was cooking. Then came the well known piece of string that stretches and stretches Ad Infinitum "a long haul!" someone remarked. "Wiener-Neustadt!" Things went on as usual around Headquarters. Major Snaith and others in the S-3 room were cutting for high card. The crowd grew as others dropped in. The exultant cries of high cards holders could be heard in sudden outburst of joy. The crowd dispersed as the Sergeant Major announced: "They're over the field!" The Group Surgeon with his receiving set sat at one end of the runway. From this position he talked to the pilots coming in. Ambulances drove out hurriedly, flares shot out of the planes as they lowered themselves for the landing. Two of them crashed, one ran away and finally stopped against an olive grove at one end of the field. The pilots were trying to land their damaged craft sans brakes and landing gear. Men wounded and killed on board. What a mission! Eight planes did not return - - they had held out Ad Infinitum.

25 May 1944

Early in the morning several Italians were digging a long trench preparatory to the big barbecue promised to the 40 plusers. Six sheep and a fat pig were on ice awaiting the deft hands of the cooks and barbecuers. By noon, the pits were a bed of live coals into which the carcasses where lowered.

At 1700 the crowd fell in line. Commodore Zerrali had come from Taranto to join in the great feast. There was barbecued mutton served with spicy sauce prepared by Lt. "Prop-wash" Fulmer, hard-boiled eggs, pickles and ice cream. Everywhere under the olive grove were happy faces enjoying the meal. Not least among them were Lt. Col. Gideon and Col. Price who munched happily on a big bone. A nice spring day helped to make the feast a success. The program that followed at the open air theatre produced enough belly-laughs to settle the 600 lbs of meat consumed, thanks to Dave Hettleman's generosity.

26 May 1944

The beach was proven a place of sunshiny relaxation to group officers who journey there for an hour's plunge in the ocean after dinner. The volleyball court on the area is a scene of great excitement to those who like the sport. The rules are strictly "gas house" to judge by the scratches and sore ankles accrued after an evenings participation in the sport.

28 May 1944

Lt. Col. Gideon and his crew thought well of Napoleon's birthplace in Corisica. Their unscheduled visit turned out a rather interesting interlude, a respite for weary warriors of the skies.

The warm weather and spring has turned no young man's fancy in this far-flung battle ground. A recent shipment of books received by special services has enabled many group officers and enlisted men to find solace in their odd moments. There are not enough books of heavier caliber available.

The moon was bright, too bright to make movies discernible on the open air screen. When the winsome parries of the child actress in "Lost Angel" was winning the approval of the numerous audience, the P.A. System breaks in: "Attention please. Retire to the air raid shelters in good order. Enemy craft approaching." The withdrawal was orderly enough. No one was tramples. By 2430 the All-Clear sounded.

29 May 1944

It was another long haul today. Two planes missing Major Snaith was leading. We have grown accustomed to missing faces at the Group Club Bar. Is the group getting heartless? No! We are becoming reconciled to the realities of war and seasoned to the outcomes of combat.

At 2300 the wail of the siren set feet in motion all over the camp. Like a herd of running steeds the officers and men took to their shelters as ordered. It was one of those come-as-you-are parties. Some had only a pair of pants, helmet and shoes. Others had nothing but helmet and shoes. Said one young lieutenant: "I don't know what I'm standing in, but it ain't mud." There were a few righteous oaths deep down in the humid shelters.

30 May 1944

Memorial Day on the battlefront! The Group was represented by and officer from every squadron and 40 enlisted men, headed by the P.R.O., 1st Lieutenant Campa. Amidst the olive groves of Italy, near the well known port of Bari, men stood at attention, the colors at Half-Mast as The Requiem was played by a military band. Men knew that "comrades", "heroes fallen." And "supreme sacrifice" were not empty chaplain's words. The evidence was there in long rows of white crosses. The memorial service was military, brief and to the point. One is concise when reality stares in the face.

The P.R.O. learned on passing through Ceglie that the planes of the night before had dropped several parachutists in American uniform. They had been captured, so the excited bambinos said in even more excited Lingua Franca.

31 May 1944

To some it meant payday, to the combat crews it meant Ploesti. Well might they sing: "The last time I saw Ploesti." To two crews it was their last. Three parachutists were seen to open.

Group Communications was searching for Lt. Campa, the group linguist. Someone was coming on the tower's frequency. With his ear to the speaker, he put down what he heard. "Able Von Emil." The voice kept calling. "Demanda informazionen." "Luftwaffe at Cassino." The entire message, apparently from some Italian Nazi pilot was briefly:

Abel to Emil (code) A to 8

Calling for heading

Returning to airport

At Cassino.

Children, children (more code)

Finished, finished.

Arthur L. Campa,

1st Lt. Air Corps

Group HIstorian