450TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H)  NARRATIVE APRIL 1945

In the clear skies of southern Italy the church spires stood out during the month of April without a sign of rain for the first three weeks. The grape vines began to sprout, and the conical houses were whitewashed again. The waters of the Adriatic were calm, storms abated and the cactus by the seaside turned a deeper green in anticipation of the budding season. The rains of a year ago were absent during the Spring of '45; it seemed as though Winter had gone leaving Summer behind. Rumors began to spread at the beginning of the month that an Italian offensive was in the offing. There was much conjecture as to what disposition would be made of the 450th after the European war. Some insisted that we would go directly to the Pacific, others that we would stay, and the more optimistic insisted that we would be returned to the Zone of Interior for refitting. That was the subject of greatest interest as the month progressed and rumors spread.

ACTIVITIES

Easter Sunday ushered the month this year with a sunrise service which was very poorly attended because the mission was briefed at the same hour. Even so, there were a few early risers who were on hand to join Chaplain Keefe as the first rays on the sun shone over the horizon. Later in the day another service was held inside the theater and this time there was a full house and a twenty man choir to lead the singing. At eleven that same morning, Chaplain MacNamara of the 449th came over to conduct Catholic services on the base, and he too had a good attendance.

THE GROUP PX

Considerable regret was expressed when the officer's PX in Manduria discontinued serving the 450th. Despite the distance traveled every week, it was worth it on account of the variety of articles which could be purchased there. Lately it was announced that the new Group PX across the road would be equally, if not better supplied than any PX in the vicinity. It would certainly be accommodating to be able to buy some of that "Dyanshine" and "Schick" razors which the papers at home say the "boys overseas" are getting.

INFANTRY AND AIR CORPS TRADE IMPRESSIONS

The men at the front lines sometime envy the Air Corps "Glamour Boys" who do nothing but sit in a comfortable airplane and fly over the continent. Lately there have been a few exchanges of officers and men from the front and the Air Cops in order to compare notes and find out what each other are doing. Lt. Col. Engstrom, CC of the 723rd, went up to the front lines while two Captains came down and spent a few days with us. The colonel was much impressed with the rough going of the Infantry, and the Captains too earned some respect for enemy flak. The thing that bothered the most was that they could not dodge the puffs of flak and had to sit tight and wait. "Give mea foxhole where I can duck," said the Captain of the Infantry.

AUTOGRAPHED LIBERATOR ARRIVES

We often read stories about bombers bought by bond drives in the States. This month there arrived a Liberator whose fuselage was literally covered with signatures of citizens of Detroit who had bought $1000.00 Bonds. A pilgrimage was started by the men from Detroit to see how many of the names they could recognize. Some of the romantic minded were already planning to write letters to anyone whose name was prefaced by Miss.

I & E SCHOOL BEGINS

No one rings a bell calling the 450th to school, but the I & E Officer puts out his poop on the bulletin boards, puts the announcements in the "Cotton Tales" and even voices them over the radio. The second semester got under way during the month of April with Spanish, Calculus and a host of other subjects. However, the program was interrupted when the rumor got around that a move was in the offing.

NEW HEADQUARTERS MESS FOR EM

The enlisted men in Headquarters have been trying their best to keep up the reputation that have earned of being the best Hq in the XV AF by doing everything possible to improve their living conditions. The latest move has been to enlarge their mess and install table in their new dining hall. Later in the month they secured glassware and tableware to replace their mess kits, but the scarcity of silverware forced them to eat with their mess gear. Combat is getting pretty rough overseas!

BUSINESS AND PLEASURE TRIP

The historian needed additional photographs of southern Italy for the records, the Public Relations officer needed extra poop for his releases, and the Chaplain needed a day of relaxation after the activities attending the Easter season. So Historian-PRO and his office staff joined the Chaplain and together they went around the instep of the Italian boot. In order to insure safety all around, the Group Surgeon was added to the list of passengers along with the PRO photographer who went along to take the photos. Just in case they were attacked they threw in a couple of shotguns from the MP's and at 3 AM they were on their way.

Their first site was the Greek ruins fifty miles out of Taranto. Further on they came to a promontory where they ate breakfast and viewed the beehive city of Rocca De Imperiale. Two natives on burrows showed then the way and in good English informed the party that they had lived in New York and Pittsburg for over fifteen years. After winding their way up the medieval city they become the object of curiosity to the inhabitants who do not see visitors very often. The narrow cobbled streets were a bit of the dark ages in the midst of the XX century. Further down the seaside they knocked at the massive doors of a bastion built in Roman days. Today it was being used as a radio signal tower by the Air Corps. After 1400 years it was still being used for its originally intended purpose.

On the way back the party stopped at a baron's castle for a cup of coffee and proceeded to view his stock of wild buffalo, hence to the nobleman's hunting grounds where a few ducks were bagged. In the absence of a retriever, the Surgeon volunteered and brought the ducks out of the pond.

JOCKER II BREAKS THE RECORD

Ever since "Bottoms Up" the 450th veteran was lost on its 105th mission there has been a race amongst the crew chiefs for a muchly disputed first place in combat missions accrued by their charges. During the month of April, "Joker II" came through with 111 missions over enemy territory. And from the way things are going this month, that may be the record ship for the 450th over Italy.

ANOTHER GROUP CITATION

The Group's second Distinguished Unit Citation was presented during the month by Major General Twining, exactly a year after the mission that earned the award. The citation, originally written by Captain Campa, was read by Captain Johnston, The second streamer was added to the 450th banner and the men passed proudly in review. A bomber formation was timed exactly to pass the reviewing stand just as the last squadron was passing in review. Congratulations were in order, and at that moment Captain Campa, Public Relations officer and publisher of the newsweely drove up in a jeep with copies of the "Cotton Tales" announcing the presentation of the Citation by General Twining just one minute after the ceremony. The sergeants in the {RO office had connived with Captain Campa to put out this EXTRA as a surprise. At the last moment the hour was changed, so the presses had to be reached in Oria, the type reset and a new throw made with 1500 hours instead of the originally scheduled 1400. Both Major General Twining and Brigadier General Rush enjoyed the little scoop.

MEMORIAL TO PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT

The news of the Commander in Chief's death reached the 450th base on Thursday morning. The favorable progress of the war left no doubt as to its outcome, but with the President's death came speculations about the peace. Officers and men felt that the most important feature of this war was still undecided: the peace.

The colonel read the War Department proclamation to an assembled formation n front of Headquarters. The Wing Chaplain read the late President's favorite hymn delivered the invocations well as the benediction. The national anthem was played and taps sounded as the colors came down to half mast. And now we have a new Commander in Chief. 

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

Social activities during Lent had been voluntarily curtailed by the personnel of the Group. Parties were not held during that period nor was there much to do of a social nature. Italian
Easter was not the same holiday season that it is in the United States and as a consequence no one got into the spirit of it.

HEADQUARTERS EM DANCE

Right after Easter the Enlisted Men decided to have a real fling in their new mess hall and dayroom combination. They decorated the 'ballroom" appropriately, invited WACS and English Fanny in addition to the nurses and Red Cross girls from the environs and hired the 98th music makers. Even the traditional corsage was available to the feminine guests. The evening started with a few missed drinks, followed by animated conversation and dancing. Everyone was going in full swing by midnight and even General Rush attended the party and declared it one of the best parties he had ever been to. Some of the officers were invited and they dropped in during the evening for a bit of fun. It was indeed a great success.

ITALIAN BAPTISM

A member of the 450th, Sgt Jablonski, crashed into Oria society during the month by accepting the offices of godfather at a baptism of a bambino. The ceremony was performed with all due formality and the sergeant assumed his duties under the traditions of the church. The fact that the bambino's sister was a charming young signoriana may or may not have influenced Jablonski to accept the honored post. Anyhow, the 450th made the society column for the month.

CAFÉ SOCIETY

Notwithstanding the dearth of transportation on this base, many officers and men get around during odd moments all the way from Bari to Lecce. In Bari it's the Red Cross clubs that attract the men. There are shows during the week, a bit of opera and worthwhile concerts by the Friends of Music Symphony. There may be other things too but a lot of those "things" are catching!

In Taranto the Red Cross announces the opening of another snack bar, all of which means that if you are left stranded in that port city there will be a nice hot cup of coffee and doughnuts to tide you over to the next mean. Some officers and men bring interesting tales about strolling down the strada by the seaside and finding it very profitable. Could be!

But Lecce is the place that rings the bell. The enlisted men go to the club to wine and dance, but mostly to revel at the antics of what they call the Lecherous Leech from Lecce. This buxom female sings, wiggles and squirms rhythmically and circulates temptingly amongst the crowd. The officers too have their rendezvous in the club with music, spaghetti, and wines. Those who like to sing find an obliging maestro who will pound (pound is the word!) out any tune old or new on the club piano. There are visiting signoriana who act as hostesses nightly and who like to dance with the lonely American officers. Then, there is a villa in Lecce too, but that is another story.

ENTERTAINMENT

Many a man is beginning to wonder just what the Chinese girls look like as he looks at the map and notices the favorable progress f the war.  There are all sorts of folk stories about the 'heathen Chinese" but eh boys want to look see. During April they got a chance to take a good look at three very charming and talented Chinese entertainers who appeared in camp. The Kim Loo sisters presented the "Light Fantastic" show with finely executed songs and dances, much to the delight of the audience. It was very reassuring to know that Chinese girls are so exotic and appealing.

NO STRIP, JUST TEASE

When the 721st hired a show to entertain them in April some of the men had hopes of another strip tease performer, but an order at the last moment deprived the audience of the strip part of the act. As a matter of fact, the "girls" stripped before coming on the stage and tried their best to tease the hard to tease GI's. Any one looking at these "girls" could not be convinced that the Italians have a food shortage. The juggler and the Neapolitan songstress were much better received than the so-called "strip teasers".

OUTDOOR MOVIES

All we had to do to bring on the rainy weather was to move the shows to the outdoor theater. Now you can count on it that every time there is a show scheduled there is bound to be a rainstorm. Some of the hardy theater goers stuck through the drizzle and watched Ginger Rogers do her stuff.

ATHLETICS

Despite the coming of Spring, basketball was to give the only last official fling by holding an invitation tournament at the Cottontails' fine gymnasium. Eleven teams showed up from the various groups in the 47th Wing and in the end the 722nd Armament won the championship, with 720th as consolation winners.

SOFTBALL SEASON N

No sooner was the basketball season over that another sport came into the limelight. Equipment is now available for softball, and the spacious field recently completed across the road is the place wherein to play it. Groups are coming out daily for a workout, and a league has been organized.

BOXING INDUCEMENTS

Sergeant Price of Special Services is all set for a nice boxing tournament. It seems that Americans are never content to come out in competition with someone else. Not only that, but there always has to be a "champion" of something, even if it is for rolling a peanut with your nose.  In this case the leather pushers who come out on top of the heap will get War Bonds for their trouble.

UNSTANDARD OPERATION PORCEDURE

The control wheel in a Liberator was never supposed to be operated by the pilot's knee, but Lt. Mark of the 720th had no choice. His object was to bring back his crew and plane home and this he did literally forcing his plane to fly. Lt. Hanna also had difficulty in coming back from Vienna when his controls were shot out and his fuel tank punctured. His plane lost eventually three engines before he could get to a friendly field and by the time his sheets touched the ground the last engine went out.

THIS AND THAT

Hardly anyone thinks of April Fool's until it is past, but this year Cpl. Maravilla of the 721st thought it would be a good joke to put one over on some of the officers in camp. Dressed as an attractive signoriana the corporal embraced Captain Schmidt who blushingly tried to extricate himself from the amorous embrace. Later on "she" called on a Captain and had him going ga-ga until the ruse was disclosed.

PROMOTIONS

Major Andrews, "Schnauser" to his buddy Captain Robinson, acquired his leaves during the month of April, and with it also the dignity that did not come with the office. Capt Kelly also was promoted to Commanding Officer of the 720th Squadron.

I.G. INSPECTION

The I.G. inspection had a lot to say about the 450th, and particularly about the bombsight maintenance which they declared: "work was being performed in an excellent manner in the best equipped and maintained shop in this Air Force."

Of the training program:

"Training facilities showed evidence of much initiative and labor. The entire physical set up of the Group training center was considered superior. Progress shown in the endeavor was highly commendable."

Of Intelligence:

"Intelligence facilities were superior. Visual training aids were of exceptional merit. The functioning of the entire section was highly commendable."

In general:

"The overall operational techniques of this Group were, as such, being pursued in a highly effective manner. The operational results being obtained daily were most commendable."

OPERATIONS

During the month of April the 15th AF changed its status from a Strategic Air Force to a Tactical one due to the fact that all major targets of strategic value had been destroyed. No better proof that heavy bombardment paid dividends in the European theater could be had. Most of the targets for the month consisted of communication and transportation centers mostly in direct support of ground operations, and in many cases in coordination with ground operations.

On April 15th, General Spaatz singled out the 47th Wing for its operations in support of the offensive in Italy, and on that date the 450th participated with 100% bombing accuracy record scored against the Legnano Bridge. The 449th was unable to find the target because the 450th had completely obliterated it from the map. This was the climax of operations for the Group whose bombing average led the XV AF with a score of 73.7%.

            ON THE 27TH OF APRIL 1945 THE GROUP WAS DECLARED UNOPERATIONAL

ON THE HOME STRETCH

On the 17th April, the colonel held a meeting of the entire Group and reviewed the record of the 450th. At this time he announced that the 450th would return to the United States for refitting, and all personnel would get a 21 day leave. The stunned audience had to have this statement repeated. The casual tone of the CO did not seem real to the surprised and happy members of the 450th.

RUMORS BY THE SCORE

As a result of the announcement that we would be going home, all sorts of conjectures and speculations got under way in camp. Who was going home? How long would we be there? To what field would we go? Where would we go from there? What was the date of sailing? For one of these questions there were at least a dozen different answers, and everyone had it right from the horse's mouth! The month ended with the horses' mouth noncommittal. All we know, and that is subject to change, (Let's hope not!) is that the 450th is going to the United States.

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Decorations and awards during April came through in great style with the following distribution:

            Silver Star                              1

            DFC                                        72

            OLC to the DFC                    4

            Bronze Star                            20

            Soldier's Medal                     3

            Air Medal                               127

            OLC to Air Medal                  676

            Purple Hearts                        3

            Good Conducts                     28

STRENGTH

There were 2586 officers and men at the beginning of April and 2465 on April 30, 1945. There were no KIA, 31 MIA and 2 WIA.