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HEADQUARTERS 723RD BOMB (H) SQ
450TH BOMB GP (H)
APO 520 US ARMY
10 May 1944
SUBJECT: Historical Records.
TO: Commanding General, Fifteenth Air Force, Attention:
Historian. (Through Channels)
1. Unit
history of the 723rd Bomb (H) Squadron, for the period 1 April 1944
to 1 May 1944.
a. The
present designation of the unit is 723rd Bomb (H) Squadron, 450th
Bomb (H) Group, 47th Wing, 15th Air Force.
b. Changes
in organization.
(1) None
(2) None
(3) Lt. Col. Harold T. Babb became
Sq CO vice 1st Lt. Harry L. Kellman, 5 April 1944, S. O. #49, 450th
Bomb Gp (H). Capt. Elman J. Beth became Sq CO vice Lt. Col. Harold T. Babb, 20
April 1944, S. O. #60, 450th Bomb Gp (H).
(4) Major Wendell M. Van Sickle
became S-3 vice 1st Lt. Thomas B. Miller, 9 April 1944, S. O. #7,
723rd Bomb Sq (H). 1st Lt. Harry L. Kellman became S-3
vice Major Wendell M. Van Sickle, 20 April 1944, S. O. #11, dated 1 May 1944.
c.
Strength, commissioned and enlisted.
(1) Month of April
(a) At beginning 486
(b) Net increase -----
(c) Net decrease 23
(d) At end 463
d. Station
– A/B Manduria, Italy
e.
Movements – None.
f.
Campaigns – None.
g.
Operations
(1) Number of Missions, 17; Sorties, 153
(2) Principal targets were M/Y in
the Balkans and Aircraft Factories in Austria.
(3) & (4) Early in the month we
were assigned the very important job of helping to destroy marshalling yards in
the Balkans. The Russians were pressing the Germans hard on the south end of
the line and we gave great assistance by destroying the important supply lines.
On 3 April
1944, our target was the Budapest M/Y. Col. Gideon with Lt. Well's crew lead
the wing on this raid and in spite of the smoke screen that was used by the
enemy, the target was well hit. In fact, photos showed that is was one of the
best raids were had to date. Great damage and destruction was done to the M/Y, equipment
and installations adjacent to the M/Y. A refinery was well it and was still
burning the next day. The flak was heavy, intense and accurate and we were
attacked by enemy fighters on the approach to the target. Two FW 190's were
claimed destroyed by gunners in our squadron.
On 4 April
1944, our target was the Bucharest M/Y. The main supply lines to the east which
supply the Germans, runs through Bucharest. The weather was bad early on the
way to the target but he mission was carried out and great damage was done to
the target. The flak and fighters were not as bad as the day before.
On 5 April
1944, the target was the M/Y and Oil Refineries at Ploesti, Roumania, The main
purpose of this raid was to knock out the transportation system so badly needed
fuel could not reach the German line to the east; and they did jut that. They
had a nice bomb run and the bomb pattern covered the adjacent oil refinery
doing great damage and starting huge fires. One hour and ten minutes before
target time 2 FW 190's were seen flying in from the south and they stayed with
our formation until the first attack was made acting as observers and , without
doubt, radioing information as to strength and heading to attacking units. The first
attack come 25 minutes from the target by 10/12 ME 109's who, using cloud
cover, made a surprise attack from 12 o'clock high. These A/C dived through the
first attack unit and came up under the second attack unit. Three of the group
A/C were shot out of formation with the first pass. Lt. Lael, pilot from our
squadron, was on of the three. The attack was coordinated and the fighters came
through in two's, three's and four's. They would rally to the rear, make a side
pass, gain altitude and then use the same tactics again. Nearer to the target,
enemy resistance increased and 50/60 ME 109's and FW 190's, 10 ME 110's and
10/15 JU 88's were seen. Attacks were made from all angles singly and by pairs
closing to within 50 yards before either pulling up or diving under.
Coordinated attacks came from 6 o'clock low in formation of six flying two
abreast, closing to 50/100 yards and breaking away on either side in a diving
turn followed by a split S and then raking the under side of the attacked A/C.
No break off in intensity was noted over the target and enemy fighters flew
through to harass our formation. JU 88's stood off at 600/800 yards and fired
rockets apparently directing the fire at the lead ships in each attack unit.
All attacks were broken off 15 minutes past the target. Our squadron lost one
aircraft and were credited with ten enemy aircraft destroyed.
h.
Commanding Officer in important operations. None.
i. Losses
in action - Officers and Men
5 April 1944 Mission: M/Y Ploesti, Roumania
Missing in action:
1 F. V. Lael P 6
R. H. Proihs ROG
2 R. R. Rickey CP 7 C. J. Chadwell AAEG
3 E. C. Rober 8
E. Carroll AROG
4 E. F. Hagenson B 9 O. J. Deappe AG
5 W. W. Turrentine AEG 10 J. A. Mytych AAG
16 April 1944
Mission: M/Y Brasov, Roumania
Missing in action:
1 R. J. Clay P 6 O. D. Swift ROG
2 N. C. White CP 7 S. J. Levin AROG
3 B. A. MacDonald N
8 J. H. Briggs AAEG
4 E. G. Hale B 9 W. D. Rogers AG
5 H. J. Gamache AEG
10 M. S. Feffer AAG
24 April 1944 Mission: M/Y Ploesti, Roumania
Missing in action:
1 Theodore A. Stanley P 6 William E. Bell RO
2 Hugh L. Harn CP 7 Arthur F. Kull ARO
3 Mervyn W. Williamson N 8 John J. DiMaggio AE
4 William M. Lauglin B 9 William J. Ryan G
5 Earl L. Merritt E 10 Jerrold S. Bernstein
G
25 April 1944 Mission: Aircraft Factory at Varese, Italy
Missing in action:
1 R. M. Barry P
6 J. T. Gorel ROG
2 E. S. Proctor CP 7 J. A. Camera AAEG
3 A. N. Dier N
8 J. F. Green AAEG
4 W. K. Miller B
9 A. E. Ramus Jr. AG
5 A. Kenyon AEG
10 J. Leonowicz AAG
i. Members who
have distinguished themselves:
Award of the Silver Star:
Clarence M.
Wentzel, Sergeant
16
January 1944, Mission to Ossoppo, Italy
William A. Miller (MIA), Major
23
February 1944, Mission to Steyr, Austria
Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross:
James C.
Courtright, 1st Lieutenant
23
February 1944, Mission to Steyr, Austria
Award of the Purple Heart:
Wendell M
Van Sickle, Major
wounds 12 April 1944, Mission to Wiener Neustadt, Austria
Theodore R.
Tautfest, 2nd Lieutenant
wounds 16 April 1944, Mission to Brasov, Roumania
John H. Briggs, Jr., Staff Sergeant
wounds 5 April 1944, Mission
Chris E.
Dalgish, 2nd Lieutenant
Wounds 30 March 1944, Mission to Sofia, Bulgaria
John W.
Shoaf, 2nd Lieutenant
Wounds 19 March 1944, Mission to Graz,
Austria
Leon E.
Layton, Staff Sergeant
Wounds 2 April 1944, Mission to Steyr, Austria
Wilburn D.
Mangrum, Staff Sergeant
Wounds 3 April 1944, Mission to Budapest, Hungary
Frederick A.
Uphoff, Staff Sergeant
Wounds 3 March 1944, Mission to Sofia, Bulgaria
2. Enclosed is the War Diary of this unit for the period 1
April 1944 to 1 May 1944 and the copies of 'Molto Buono' #2, #3, and #4, and
723rd Squadron newspaper.
For the Commanding Officer:
GALE N. GILLAN,
1st Lt., Air Corps
Squadron Historian.
WAR DIARY OF THE 723RD BOMB SQUADRON (H)
1 APRIL 1944 TO 1 MAY 1944
April 1, 1944
The mission
was briefed and then called off – it rained all morning. The afternoon was well
used by the combat crew members who are putting on the entertainment at the
Officers' Club at 2000. They were busy writing up the script and on rehearsals.
The program went over big. It was very cleverly written and arranged. It got
many good laughs from the audience.
April 2, 1944
We had an
early briefing and take off for the important target at Steyr, Austria. The
following took off from our squadron: Wells, Conklin, Clay, Morris, Barry, Griffin,
Lael, Hefner and Wilder. All returned with smiles on their faces – the target
was clear except for plenty of smoke. They felt they did a good job. Lt. Wells
lost #4 engine just after the target and had to leave his formation. He fell in
with the 451st Gp and returned to the base. There were enemy
fighters from Northern Italy to the target and back but none attacked our
squadron.
April 3, 1944
Early
briefing and an import target: Budapest M/Y. the following took off: Col.
Gideon, leading the Wing with Lt. Wells crew but with Lt. Miller as co-pilot,
Loomis, Hefner, Courtright, Barry, Henderson, Zik, Griffin and Wilder. Lts.
Zink and Wider were early returns with engine trouble. The rest went over the
target and helped do a good job. Photos show the target well covered. S/Sgt
Wilburn D. Mangrum, assistant engineer, received a slight flak wound on the
forehead. The flak was heavy, intense and accurate over the target. Our
formation was attacked near the target by E/A. We shot down two as follows:
Both on
Loomis' crew –
S/Sgt Earl W. Ringland, Tail Gunner;
one FW 190
S/Sgt J. C. Ward, Left Waist; one FW
190
It was a
big evening for everybody – the cinema at Oria. Practically everyone piled into
trucks before 1800 to rush to the theater to get a good seat. Then they had to
sit there until 1900 waiting for the show to start.
It was
beautiful all day – maybe spring is here at last.
April 4, 1944
A new
experience this morning-thick ground fog-postponed take-off time one hour
waiting for it to lift. The target was Bucharest M/Y. The following crews took
part:
Courtright,
Barry, clay, Barbati. Zink, Wilder, Henderson, John Thomas and Jeff Thomas.
Wilder was late on return and had us worried. He was separated from his
formation in going through a cloud bank but he joined the 451st Gp and dropped
his bombs on the target. The target was well covered and the boys came home
like "tickled kids" because they knew they did a good job. The
fighters were not so tough today.
We received replacement crews:
1. 2nd Lt. Theodore S. Baron
P
2. 2nd Lt. Richard J Barthel CP
3. 2nd Lt. Archie I Flowers N
4. 2nd Lt. David E Wilson B
5. Sgt. Harold C. Martz AEG
6. S/Sgt. Kenneth G. Breau ROG
7. Sgt. Dale M. Phillins AAEG
8. Sgt. William C Cogan AROG
9. Sgt. Robert L. Thompson AG
1. 2nd Lt. Donald C. Radkoff CP
2. 2nd Lt. Carl C. Robe N
3. 2nd Lt. Daniel P. Pace Jr. B
4. S/Sgt. Gail S. Heeten AEG
5. S/Sgt. Albert Tessitere ROG
6. Sgt. Eugene L. Warner AAEG
7. Sgt. Lewis E. Colley AROG
8. Sgt. Frank Sykes AG
9 Sgt. Alfred H. Woebcke AAG
1. 1st Lt. Bryant L. Smick P
2. 2nd Lt. Theodore W. Sorensen CP
3. 2nd Lt. Joel E. Fulmer, Jr. N
4. 2nd Lt. Edward C. Pentz B
5. S/Sgt. Harold E. Brown AEG
6. S/Sgt. Oliver J. Russell ROG
7. Sgt. Joseph B. Rapeza AAEG
8. Sgt. Jack W. Thompson AROG
9. Sgt. Max L. Dowdy AG
10. Sgt. John R. Reven AAG
April 5, 1944
It has
warmed up – may be spring is actually here. We had a ground fog this morning.
It didn't bother, however, because we had a late take-off time – the target was
Ploesti M/Y and Oil Refineries. The following crews took part: Lts. Lael,
Griffin, Barbati, John Thomas, Zink, Henderson, Wells, Morris, Hefner, and
Clay. Hefner and Thomas were early returns. All the remainder went over and bombed
the target well except Lt. Lael. Col. Mills who was the leader of the Group
reports that at 1433, four minutes before the target, the formation was
attacked viciously by E/A. Also that he saw Lt. Lael in a new silver plane go
out of formantion in a left bank and parts of the tail came off and that Lt.
Lael went down. There are conflicting reports as to the number of chutes that
came out. The consensus was that two chutes came out. Other unsubstantiated
reports gave the number from 5 to 8 chutes out. Col. Mills report indicates
that right the plane went out of control following a vicious nose attack,
swerved right down under his ship, and then banked left and then down.
Personnel of Lael's crew:
1. F. V. Lael P
2. R. R. Rickey CP
3. E. C. Roberts N
4. E. F. Hagensen B
5. W. W. Turrentine AEG
6. R. H. Proihs ROG
7. C. J. Chadwell AAEG
8. E. Carroll AROG
9. O. J. Deappke AG
10. J. A. Mytych AAG
The
following were transferred out:
1. J. C. Hitt P
2. D. C. Radleff CP
3. C. C. Rabe N
4. D.P. Pace, Jr B
5. G. S. Heeten AEG
6. A. Tessitore ROG
7. E. L. Warner AAEG
8. L. E. Celley AROG
9. F. Sykes AG
10. A. H. Weebke AAG
1. T. W. Barah P
2. P. J. Barthal CP
3. A. I. Flowers N
4. D. E. Wilson B
5. H. O. Martz AEG
6. K. C. Brean ROG
7. D. M. Phillips AAEG
8. W. C. Gregan AROG
9. R. L. Thompson AG
10. V. R. Akins AAG
1. Edison Putman P
April 6, 1944
No mission
- and breakfast was moved up an hour so everybody got an extra hour's sleep.
Combat crews had some good games of volley ball. It rained during the night but
it cleared up and was a nice spring day. At a group formation in the afternoon,
nine men were decorated. Men in our squadron as follows:
SILVER STAR
"For Gallantry in Action"
S/Sgt Clarence F. Wentzel
PURPLE
HEART
S/Sgt Wilburn D. Mangrum
S/Sgt Fred A. Uphoff
S/Sgt John Briggs
War Front
presentation was given by Lts. Quinn and Gillan at 1830. The usual good
turn-out was evident with their "smart Cracks".
April 7, 1944
A beautiful
day – the mission started with an 0800 briefing. The target was the Mestre M/Y.
The following took off: Lts. Kelman, Courtright, Barry, Jeff Thomas , Miller,
F/O Clay, Conklin, Wilder, John Thomas and Zink. Lts. Conlkin and Wilder were
early returns. The rest helped plaster the target and returned safely. No
fighters – flak was slight and inaccurate. This was the nicest day we have had
so far since we have been in Italy. Some of the boys went to the sea shore
south of Manduria and practiced shooting (small arms).
Almost
everyone who wasn't working went to the cinema in Oria in the evening; "Cabin
in the Sky" again. But still an enjoyable picture.
April 8, 1944
Another
beautiful day – a bit chilly in the morning; a big time mission today. All combat
men had a grim face at briefing this morning. The target – Weiner Neustadt
Aircraft Assembly Plant. They took off and turned back about the time they
reached the Adriatic.
Room inspection
a little bad this morning so we had a "stand by" inspection at 1450. Everything
in order at that time.
April 9, 1944
Easter
Sunday – the mission was briefed and they called it off. Weather must be bad up
there – it's quite enjoyable here, for a change.
The
Chaplins' outdoor service was very nice. A B-24 was the back ground, an choir
of 38 voices (good too), a portable organ, loud speakers and seats (metal
bomb-holders), and a beautiful day made Capt. Paul Stevens day a big success.
April 10, 1944
No mission
scheduled today – it rained last night; cloudy here during the morning and most
of the day. Many went to the cinema but were disturbed at the garbled effect
caused by a malfunction on the projector.
April 11, 1944
Mission was
briefed and cancelled. Everybody had an hour of drill at 1100 – nobody particularly
enthused about it.
Volley ball
games in progress all day. Some of the new crews were on a practice mission in
the afternoon.
April 12, 1944
A beautiful
morning – early briefing – and an import target; Aircraft Factory at Weiner
Neustadt. The following took off: Lts. Conklin, Griffin, and Wilder – 4, 5, and
6 in lead, 1st attack unit – Lt. Courtright lead the left box in the
1st attack unit with the following in order: Maj. Van Sickle with
Lt. Barry and crew, Lts. Wells, Clay, Smick, John Thomas, and Hefner. Griffin
was an early return but the remainder dropped their bombs on the target. Photos
show many hits on the target but results were not regarded as highly
successful.
All combat
members that were on the mission had high praise for the escort – pointing out
that they were protected above, below and on either side. E/A were not able to
get near the formation. However, there was a serge of criticism in regard to
the leader of the group formation; they were led over Mostar on the way up, and
were peppered with flak. Also, the officers objected violently because they
were lead up to between 24,000 and 25,000 feet in the target area.
After
supper enlisted men and officers rush to Oria to the USO Show. It was delayed
while the enlisted men in charge worked feverishly to try to get the lights to
work. Because of time lost, the movie part of the program was cancelled. There
was a period of grumbling, but it was soon forgotten as soon as the boys got a
look at the sweet gal who played the accordion. All seemed to be well
entertained with the usual variety that were on the program.
April 13, 1944
Another
beautiful day- - briefing was early and the mission had a certain appeal to
those briefed. The target was A/D at Bucharest. The following took off: Col. Babb
lead the group formation with Lts. Miller and Clay in #2 and #3 position. Lt.
Conklin led the left box in 1st attack unit with Lts. Courtright, Barry,
Henderson, Smick, Griffin and Wilder.
Col. Babbs
was leading the Wing today but was an early return because of a fuel leak. S- -
Lt. Miller took over and did a splendid job. Navigator Waterman and Bombardier
Kalfuss were highly complimented- - there were approximately 100 A/C on the
field and photos showed that many were hit and destroyed. All aircraft returned
safely—no fighters and the flak practically nil.
Lts. Quinn
and Gillan gave the War Fronts presentation at 1830. Lt. Chronister showed
photos of bomb hits on latest targets.
April 14, 1944
Dull gray
morning- - mission was called off just before briefing. Combat crews spent the
morning cleaning up their planes. Some classes were scheduled with various
lectures and instructions. Some volleyball was played in the afternoon. All
enjoyed the movie at Oria—"Buffalo Bill"—some went in the afternoon
but most attended at night.
April 15, 1944
A nice
morning with a 0700 briefing—target was Bucharest M/Y again. We were in the 2nd
attack unit today. Lt. Kellman was leading the low left. The following took
off: Lt. Kellman, Loomis, Conklin, Wells, Zink, Clay, John Thomas, Hefner,
Henderson and Smick. Lt. Loomis was an early return—the remainder went over the
target which was covered solid with clouds. Bombs were dropped through clouds
on ETA so results were not observed. The flak was not severe and the fighters
observed did not attack. Our escort seems to be doing a good job.
We received a new replacement crew:
1. Capt. T.A. Stanley
P
2. 2nd Lt. H. L. Harn
CP
3. 2nd Lt. M. W. Williamson N
4. 2nd Lt. W. M. Laughlin B
5. Sgt. E. L. Merrit
AEG
6. Sgt. W. E. Bell
ROG
7. Sgt. J. J. Dimaggio
AAEG
8. Sgt. A. F. Kull
AROG
9. Sgt. W. J. Ryan
AG
10. Pfc. JS. Bernstein
AA
April 16, 9144
Briefing
was at 0545 but most everyone made it. The target was Brasov, Roumania, M/Y.
The following took off: Lts. Loomis, Courtright, Henderson, Zink, Jaj.
VanSickel, Lts. Conklin, Morris, Barry, Hefner, John Thomas and Clay. Lt.
Loomis lead the 2nd attack unit and Maj. Van Sickle lead the left box
of the second attack unit. Major Van Sickle was an early return. The remainder
were over the target and it was well covered – "plastered", one man said.
Because of having to climb through clouds on the way to the target, the
formation got mixed up –one of our aircraft joined the 449th Group.
Upon leaving the target in less than a half hour as the formations were being
attacked by fighters, Lt. Clay was observed being hit which caused a big fuel
leak – so he just kept flying straight
but losing altitude gradually – and 10 chutes were observed to come out of his
aircraft – this happened at about : 4512N-2348E. The following were on the
crew:
R. J Clay P O. D Swift ROG
N. C. White CP S. J. Levin AROG
B. A.
MacDonald N J. G. Briggs AAEG
E. G. Hale B W. D. Rogers AG
H. J.
Gamache AEG M. S. Feffer AAG
Ted
Taufest, CP, with Loomis was slightly wounded in the hip by explosion of enemy
20mm shell. 2nd Lt. George B. Sauchez, B, transferred to 98th
Gp, 2nd Lt. Douglas B. Webendorfer, (B), a new replacement.
Before
take-off, a 50 cal. Machine gun was accidentally fired. Three bullets hit a
truck near our mess hall and one bullet went through the cooks' tent, just
missing one of the cooks who was sleeping – it missed his head by six inches.
A fire
started in a B-24 of the 720th Sq and caused a terrific explosion –
blew the ship to pieces and it burned up, killing four men. Happened about
2100.
April 17, 1944
Everyone
was pleased with the 0800 briefing – trying an experiment today – bombing by
radar – target, city of Sofia, Bulgaria. The following took off: Maj. Snaith
lead the group with Lt. Richman as bombardier and with Lt. Smick's crew; Lts.
Kellmen, Wilder, Loomis, (leader of low left, 1st attack unit),
Barbati, Barry, Hefner, John Thomas, Jeff Thomas and Zink. Lt. Hefner was an
early return – turning back just 20 minutes before the target with a bad gas
leak. The target was well hit as was shown by photographs.
Many
officers and enlisted men went to the Opera in Lecce – most of the remainder
went to the cinema at Oria; "What a Woman" with Rosalind Russell.
April 18, 1944
The
weatherman must be getting pretty good. There was no mission scheduled for
today – and sure enough it began clouding up and started to rain early in the
morning. The wind blew hard all day from the south. Sammy Bailen, one of our
crack bombardiers was sweating plenty when he found himself stranded in Taranto
about 2230 with no way to get home – and he was scheduled to fly Wednesday
morning. His liquid fortitude assisted him in his approach to the a staid
British Captain who was dating on our local nurses. He finally ended up by
riding home with them – they let him out on the South end of the runway. The
fresh night air and the nice long walk to his barracks was just what he needed.
He "hit the hay" and didn't wake up as the mice cut capers around his room the
remainder of the night.
April 19, 1944
The morning
started out beautifully – something must be wrong somewhere because the mission
was cancelled.
Many seemed
to be getting spring-fever – just sort of loading around in the sun, playing
catch and volley-ball. Some were even observed lying on a blanket in their
"birthday suits", drinking in Italy's beautiful sun.
Shortly
after supper there was a mad scramble to catch a truck for the movies at Oria.
April 20, 1944
The mission
took off in the beautiful morning sunshine and the further north they flew, the
more clouds they encountered. The target was covered with a solid overcast and
all the bombs were brought back or jettisoned except 10 which were accidentally
released in the target area. The target was M/Y at Treviso, Italy. The
following were on the mission: Lt. Courtright, Kellman, Barbati, Loomis,
Hefner, Jeff Thomas, Griffin, J. Morris, Wilder, Barry and Henderson. Lt.
Hefner was an early return.
The "War
Fronts" talks were given by Lts. Quinn and Gillan at 1830. Capt. Smith gave a
talk on malaria. All personnel have been very busy the last day or two trying
to get the mosquito nets over their beds.
Spec. Order
#60, April 20, 1944
1. Capt.
Elma J. Beth, 0-397414, is reld asgmt with 721st Bomb Sq and is
further asgd to the 723rd Bomb Sq, eff this date.
2. Capt.
Elma J. Beth, 0-37414, 723rd Bomb Sq is hereby aptd Sq CO of the 723rd
Bomb Sq eff this date (Prim Duty), vice Lt. Col. Harold T. Babb, 0-22881 reld.
Major Van
Sickle relieved and Cpt. Harry Kellman put in as Sq Operations Officer.
April 21, 1944
The mission
was briefed; they took off and were called back before they got to the
Adriatic. Cloudy and rainy weather most of the day. Inspection for mosquito
netting tomorrow, so everybody is busy trying to get the nets over their bed.
About everyone took in the show at Oria either in the afternoon or evening. The
No. 3 Italian of USO camp shows put on a "corny" hour of entertainment. These
Italian gals just can't dance. They must have developed their basic technique
in some convent then when they try to modernize and pep it up a little, it just
doesn't work out. Besides most of the gals were carrying an excess of fat
around the usual part of their bodies – which might make them less nimble and
graceful on their feet.
April 22, 1944
No mission
was scheduled – rained during the night. Inspection during the morning so all
were busily cleaning and straightening up their quarters early. Many went to
town to the PX and some, just to pass the time away. The new Commanding
Officer, Capt. Beth, took advantage of the opportunity to have a meeting with
all section heads of the squadron.
April 23, 1944
Late
briefing and an important target today; Schwechat A/C Factory near Vienna. The
following took off: Capt. Kellman, Courtright, Conklin, Barbati, Miller,
Griffin and Zink. Henderson was an early return. The rest placed their bombs on
the target area, but the pinpoint seemed to have escaped damage – the drift
must have fooled the bombardiers. The weather was clear and the target stood
out plainly – many are wondering shy the target wasn't completely destroyed.
One hears lots of discouraged remarks.
April 24, 1944
Lots of
excitement early this morning about 0400. Twenty-two Halifax Bombers landed on
our field. They had Polish crews with a few English. The boys in the tower had
difficulty bringing them in, but did it safely. Everybody went out on the field
early to have a look at these large English Bombers.
Mission was
briefed at 0700; target was East Ploesti M/Y. The following took off: Lt.
Loomis with Major Snaith who led the Group, Lts. Wells, Miller, Barbati,
Wilder, Griffin, Zink, Barry, Smick, and Capt. Stanley. All went over the
target and dropped their bombs. Nobody was happy with the results. Smoke pots
were used and the aiming point was obscured so our bombs were placed up in the
vicinity of the North M/Y. There were a few hits on an oil refinery.
No fighters
attacked but the flak was terrific from the IP to the target and as the left
turn was being made North of Ploesti. It's thought the enemy had lots of their
AA batteries on RR cars and dispersed all around the city. Captain Stanly
flying A/C #923 was hit in his #3 engine by flak over the target. He left the
formation and all within five minutes, ten chutes were observed to come out of
his ship. They would probably land approximately thirty to forty miles West of
Ploesti. The crew was as follows:
1. Capt. Theordore A. Stanley P
2. 2nd Lt. Hugh L. Harn CP
3. 2nd Lt. Marveyn W.
Williamson N
4. 2nd Lt. William M.
Laughlin B
5. Sgt. Earl L. Merritt E
6. Sgt. William E. Bell RO
7. Sgt. Arthur F. Kull ARO
8. Sgt. John J. DiMaggio AE
9. Sgt. William J Ryan G
10. Pfc. Jerrold S. Bernstein G
"Action in
the North Atlantic" was on at Oria – the usual boisterous crowd attended.
The boys in
the squadron area got a big laugh early this morning; Capt. Beth had arranged
to have 30 Italian workers come to help with the construction and "polishing"
program. They all arrived and 1st Sgt. Toliver was there to greet
them. He couldn't talk Italian and they could not understand English. To add to
the confusion the Italians all turned out to be stone masons and not willing to
do common labor and they were standing around jabbering and arguing. Finally
with Toliver going crazy, he shouted to Maj. Herzberg, "What in hell will I do
with them, Sir?" Some "wise acres" from out of the blue yelled out, "Fall 'em
in and give 'em some close order drill".
April 25, 1944
There were
a few clouds fairly low around the area but he boys took off. The target was
the Macchi Aircraft Factory at Varese, Italy. That's way up in the Northwest
part of Italy right near Switzerland – hope some of the boys don't get "ideas"
today.
The
following took off: Lts. Barbati, Barry, Griffin, Courtright, Loomis,
Henderosn, Wells, Wilder, Hefner and Jenson. Hefner returned early with engine
trouble. On the way to the target just after land-fall below Rimini the formation
ran into bad weather. The formation got all mixed up and lost from each other.
They fought weather all over North and Northwest Italy. Barbati, Griffin, and
Jenson were lost from the formation and each retuned alone and early. It really
was a mixed up deal – the group finally dropped on Rimini, but those that were
lost from their formation dropped on anything they could pick out and then
"high-tailed" for home. There were a few enemy fighters that were picking
stragglers. The group have six aircraft missing; one from our squadron – Lt.
Barry. The following is this crew:
1. R. M
Barry P
2. E. S.
Proctor CP
3. A. N.
Dier N
4. W. K.
Miller B
5. A.
Kenyon AEG
6. J. T.
Gorel ROG
7. J. A.
Camera AARG
8. J. T.
Green AROG
9. A. E.
Ramus, Jr AG
10. J.
Leonowicz AAG
Just where
he left the formation and under what circumstances is unknown. The formation
got so mixed up that it was impossible for those that returned to report who
was who.
April 26, 1944
The
briefing was really early this morning – at 0515 – and then we stood by on
alert. The weather was bad, so everybody "stood by", by eating breakfast and
going back to bed. Some of the boys "took off' to visit interesting points
about Italy; others played "catch" and volley-ball. All seemed to enjoy the movie
in Oria, Dorothy Lamour in "Riding High".
April 27, 1944
Weather
still bad - no mission. Combat crews spent the morning cleaning up their
aircraft. Many went to Leece in the afternoon. News Presentation given in the
S-2 Room at 1830 by Lts. Quinn and Gillan.
April 28, 1944
Briefing
time was set for 0900. Sky pretty grey with clouds; briefing time was moved up
to 1000. The target was RR and port area at Orbetello, Italy. Something
happened and most of the bombs went to the left of the target. The following
took off: Capt. Beth, Lts. Courtright, Zink, Miller, Barbati, Wilder,
Henderson, Griffin and Smick. Henderson was an early return. The boys that were
on this mission did a lot of crabbing about the way it was carried out. It's
usually that way however, when the target is missed.
"Lady
Takes a Chance", with Jean Arthur, was on at the movie. Pretty clever
show—guess it was worth it in spite of the rough dusty ride.
April 29, 1944
Early
briefing - 0615. The target is harbor installations at Toulon, France. The
following took part in the mission: Capt. Kellman, Lts. Henderson, Griffin,
Loomis, Wells, John Thomas, Wilder, Smick, Hefner, Zink. All placed their bombs
in the target area. Observation was obscured by effective smoke screen. Photos
indicated that bombs were effectively placed on pinpointed area. All returned
on time with the formation except Griffin, but he came in later. He stopped at
Naples to refuel.
We received a replacement crew as follows:
1. 2nd Lt. William R. Cubbins P
2. 2nd Lt. Frank E. Turasko CP
3. 2nd Lt. Benoni S Green N
4. 2nd Lt. Oliver H. King
B
5. S/Sgt. Frank W. Lynch
E
6. S/Sgt. Frank E Riley, Jr. R
7. Sgt. Leon M Claverie
AG
8. Sgt. Joseph J Ukish
CG
9. Sgt. Christian (NMI) Dittmann CG
10. Sgt. John D Matthews
CG
The
construction program is progressing in the Squadron Area. Of course, the
Italians seem to be limited as to the speed they can attain in laying up the
stone buildings. The big problem now is to find roofing. Major Herzberg even
went up to the Foggia area to see what he could find.
April 30, 1944
The mission
today calls for another blow at transportation lines in Northwest Italy—lines
coming is from France and Switzerland—the target is M/Y at Allesandria, Italy.
The following took part: Lts. Zink, Henderson, Thomas, Wells, Miller, Smick,
Barbati, Hefner and Wilder; Wilder was an early return. Everyone was moaning
when they returned. It was a perfect mission; no fighters, no flak, a clear
day, a beautiful run on the target—but, only a few bombs hit on the M/Y; the
remainder scattered long or short or to the side. "What the hell is the
matter?", was the common question being asked.
No mission
tomorrow - some of the boys were unhappy when they found out they were
scheduled for a practice mission.
We got a Replacement Crew:
1. 2nd Lt. Robert H. Bolton P
2. 2nd Lt. John J Noll
CP
3. 2nd Lt. Robert G. Benefiel N
4. 2nd Lt. Frank G. Gonzalez B
5. S/Sgt. Joseph D. Gount
E
6. S/Sgt. Vernon E Mullikin R
7. Sgt. Richard L. Theimer AG
8. Sgt. Joseph R. Craig
CG
9. Sgt. William W. Dukes
CG
10. Sgt. Frank W. Frantz
CG
Just
received report that 2nd Lt. D. F. Graves who has been on DS in North Africa
was killed in action.
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