The Autumnal Equinox had passed shortening the days at the approach of the Winter Solstice. Overhanging clouds, and sporadic rains already pressaged the return of another humid season for the 450^th Bombardment Group in Southern Italy. Italian urchins, oblivious of the chilly air, went about the streets bare legged, and the poorer craftsmen children wielded the masons axe or turned the rope makers wheel impervious to the changing weather, scantily dressed and bare footed. Not so the American soldiers who, clad in the order of the day, passed in review in the dim light of the cooling dusk, dressed in olive drab, greens and pinks. The combat crews too had donned their winter flying garb after the first cold reception from "Ole Man Winter" upstairs, and were happy indeed to dunk their Red Cross doughnuts in hot coffee at the end of the days mission. There were no Poplars, nor Aspens, nor hard Maples whose fiery turning leaves would mark the advent of a frost in this part of sunny "Italy." The craggy, imperishable olive trees and almonds retained their sombre tones.

Whether in Italy or in the islands of the Pacific, the American is sure to manifest his national traits. His partiality for dogs has transformed the camp into veritable kennels with specimens ranging from the variegated alley pup of dubious ancestry to the aristocrat of the hunt. The tourist tendency too is still latent in both officers and enlisted men who like to roam around in their spare time, and find out how the other half of the world lives. For those so inclined there are conical roofed houses of the first Greek invasion before Christ; Barroque archways on the approaches of medieval walls, and narrow winding streets whose facades swabbed with political emblems present a queer anachronism to men accustomed to newer, wider, and perhaps cleaner streets.

In leisure hours, when the weather permits, a casual roaming discloses sites reminiscent of other empires lost long ago. These occasional sallies serve as a healthful antidote to homesickness and "Combat Fatigue." The Greco-Roman amphitheater at Lecce evokes passages of Roman history dimly remembered, while the castle in nearby Oria with its aura speak of a count whoo lives in Opulence, but there is much conjecture about a certain "Countess of Oria" whose proclivities do not evince a noble heritage … The castle's dark forbidding entrance with its heavy iron grills, the inner court and gardens, the ancient colonades, the battlements overlooking the town (and the airfield), and the musty interiors with their collections of Phoenician pottery and Roman coins all make interesting accounts to write home as well as photographs for souvenirs.

Building continues to be a major occupation. Group intelligence has added "Real Estate" to its activities under immediate direction of Captain Johnson who seems to be the "Contractor" for the new addition. Major Harwood's headaches, as group S-2 have been augmented by this expansion program. There is also talk of an indoor theater with cold weather coming on, but Major Jackson, S-4, assures us that it is all a "Malicious rumor designed to keep me awake at nights.

The orientation program was given great impetus during the month. The speakers, mindful of the apathy with which enlisted men greet "Speeches," tried to vary their diet by introducing controversial subject matter. Everything from the G.I. bill of rights to "Women in the post war economy" was presented at these forums, for forums they turned out to be when all the audience tried to talk at once. Some speakers were accorded a return engagement. In this same connection, the S-2 staff under the direction of Major Harwood initiated a weekly news summary presented every Sunday night at the Cottontail Theatre. The news summaries have been so well received that they are now a definite institution as well attended as any featured show. Much credit is due to the officers who prepare the news for the various fronts. It is a painless way to keep the personnel informed.

Not all the entertainment is sought outside of camp, in fact, most o fit is intra-mural, thanks to constant efforts of special services. The two major sports for the month of October were naturally touch football and baseball. So many contestants turned out for the "Cottontail Conference" football games that two leagues had to be formed, the big six and the little six respectively. In baseball there were the usual suggestions from the spectators of: "Kill the umpire!" when the last out was called, the 721st communications were on top. Not content with their family affairs, the Cottontailers defied all other teams in the 47th wing. After making short work of their adversaries by winning the wing championship they advanced to the finals in Foggia where they were eventually eliminated.

"The voice of the Cottontails," now a going concern, was a boon to baseball enthusiasts eager to hear the world series. The rebroadcast programs direct from the states elicited favorable comment from the "Voice" fans who have been prodigal in manifesting their appreciation by letter. A suggestion has been made by Lt. Col. Jacoby, Deputy Group Commander, that a program be broadcast from "The voice of the Cottontails" to the folks back home. The public relations office is making the necessary arrangements"In conjunction with special services."

During the month of October an Italian USO stage show made its appearance at the Cottontail Theater to a very appreciative audience, albeit a critical one too, for the signorinas ballerinas tried to pattern after their Choeinne Sorellas of Hollywood acquaintance. Their display of wiles and terpsychorean art was well received. In fact there was an eagerness on the part of the enlisted men to show their appreciation personally and individually, but thereby hung a tale - - - Mamma, Pappa, and brother, too, had come along. Just an old Italian custom boys.

The 722nd squadron decided to kill two birds with one stone by celebrating Halloween and their 31 officer promotions. In lieu of corn stalks a few bamboo stalks did the job at the municipal ballroom in Manduria. And as for the girls, well. The committee had seen to that. A bevvy of Italian pulchritude was due to arrive from Lecce via government vehicle. The Romeos and Casanovas cast anxious glances at the ballroom entrance, but the girls who were due to arrive at seven bells did not get in till nine. There was a bit of a commotion in the hallway . "They've arrived!" someone shouted. There was a rush for the door where the first Romeo was greeted by a signora who was wildly gesticulating and asking for something. The interpreter was summoned. The lady was looking for the ladies' rest room. Shortly thereafter the "Girls" accompanied by their mothers, sisters, grandmothers and boy friends, entered. After a few cocktails the party warmed up and everybody had a good time. If you don't believe it dear reader, ask Doc. Hunt.

The 722nd has initiated a Saturday Night Feature in their day room by presenting a stage show with "Home Talent." The histrionic "Talent" ranges from the plaintive song of the prairie to the winsome signorina with her mop of hair. Even the strip teaser teased and stripped to the last long handle. Anyhow, the boys have a big time as they while their time away from home.

The battle against Malaria is considered won thus far by the medics who have not had a single case thus far. However, the flight surgeon expects a few cases when the effects of atabrine die down. Even the mildly epidemic jaundice and infectious hepititis have left the 450th pretty much alone. Knock. Knock. The rainy weather has made sewage disposal a bit troublesome this month, but the old "Maestro Tubista" who learned plumbing in Pittsburg long ago keeps the drains flowing.

Weather took a heavy toll of our operations reducing the total of 445 sorties to 230 effective and 215 ineffective. Enemy communications lines were the bulk of the targets attacked by the 450th during the month on twelve different occasions, but the inclement and adverse weather nullified five of the 12 sallies. Major Carr, the group bombardier, lamented the "Marked decline in our bombing efficiency," which was down to 34.4% this month. Additional training too was restricted by poor weather.

Now and then an aircraft fails after being airborne and the ambulance picks up the pieces. Such was the case of one piloted by Lt. Price whose engines failed just as the aircraft was over the olive grove near the field. The speed and daring of the field firemen saved the bodies of some of the victims who otherwise would have been cremated in the blazing plane.

A WAC Corporal stood by the landing field looking anxiously at the returning planes. Crowds of officers and men gathered to look ---- at the WAC. The pilot she was going to surprise after a 24 month separation failed to return. Three hours later, tall, blonde Lt……..returned after having stopped in Viz for refueling. With his hands on the girls shoulders he looked into her face and asked grinning: "You were sweating me out, were you, sis?" She smiled back infectiously and answered: "I sure was, bud. --- Sir!" Her feminine curiosity demanded to know what made the Big Bird tick, so bud showed her around.

Early last spring a plane went down over enemy territory carrying the crew of Lts. Paul and Kingsman. In mid-October the two officers came back "Home" sporting a long and curly haircut, plus the snappiest cookie dusters in Italy. Many a bonnie lassie lost her heart to the simpatico signore behind the lines, but the sum total of it was a successful evasion that enabled them to drink a toast to their continued good luck with their former squadron commander.

The new Chaplain finally arrived. Captain John H. Keefe whose Celto-Cephalic index bespeaks an Hibernean pedigree was graduated from Oberlin, attended union seminary and hails from the state of Massachussette. He carries plenty weight with the 450th, 200 odd pounds of it, and all of them good natured.

Molto Buono the 450th's newspaper was not so buono in October when its pint sized printers in the Orfanatrofio in Oria ran out of ink and time. The little orphans under the guidance of brother Vincenzo are learning Americano while handsetting the type to find a way to keep the voice of the 450th articulate overseas.

The P.R.O. boys worked day and night at their borrowed typewriters to meet the quota of stories for the month. Persuasive talk and fast typing won out in the end when they took the lead for stories in the wing with 800. They have a nose for news, so if you don't want your sins to find you out in the home paper, stay out of sight from the public relations boys. Next month they intend to top their own record. "Give us typewriters and we'll write the Nazis off the map."

The red letter days of the Luftwaffe are no more. No longer do planes "Fail to return" after every mission as in the days of the battle for Ploiesti and the Regensburg-Steyr attacks. Some gunners have gone home without having fired a shot at an enemy plane. Losses were low this month. There were ten (10) killed in action, and thirty nine (39) missing in action, most of whom will come strolling in one of these fine days. Our strength on October 1st was 2234 and on the 31st it jumped to 2380.

After a good bit of rumor and conjecture regarding decorations, it was finally understood that the XVAF was not going to hand out DFC's on a silver platter. Even so, the 450th personnel did not stand short in October, witness the following array:

                     Silver Stars…………………………..11
                     DFC's…………………………...……51
                     Clusters to DFC's……………………..3
                     Soldier's Medals………………………1
                     Bronze Star……………………………1
                     Air Medals………………………….158
                     Air Medals OLC's…………………..429

The group C.O. Col. Robert R. Gideon, discarded his Silver Oak Leaves for a pair of Eagles in October. It was a very pleasant surprise to our red headed C.O. Lt. Col. Jacoby passed another milestone in his army career when General Rush pinned on his chest the D.F.C. and so ends October.