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HEADQUARTER 723RD BOMB (H) SQ
450TH BOMB GP (H)
APO 520 US
ARMY
18 July 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 June 1944 to 1 July 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).
Maj. Ellsworth R Jacoby became Sq CO vice Capt. Elman J Beth, 15 June 1944, S.O. #108, 450th Bomb Gp (H).
(4). Capt. Elman J Beth transferred to Group
Hq on S.O. #108, 450th Bomb Gp (H), 15
June 1944.
c.
Strength, commissioned and enlisted
(1) Month of June
(a) At Beginning 491
(b) Net increase 10
(c) Net decrease 0
(d) At end 501
d. Station
– A/B Manduria, Italy
e.
Movements – None
f.
Campaigns – None
g
Operations
(1) Number of missions, 16; sorties,
145
(2) Principal targets were oil
refineries and installations in the Balkans and Italy, and aircraft factories
in Austria and Germany.
(3)
& (4) No particular part of the month was devoted to any one type of target
as aircraft and oil installations rank equally in priority and hence were
bombed alternately throughout the month to foster a sharp reduction in both
enemy oil supply and plane output.
On 16 June 1944, our target was the oil refinery at Bratislavia,
Czechoslovakia. Enroute to the target, 10/20 ME-109's intercepted our formation
and subsequently damaged several of our aircraft and shooting down one squadron
ship. Over the target, intense and accurate flak was encountered but a
successful bomb release was effected and huge fires were started in the tank
farm and several direct hits were scored on the distillation plant and smoke
rose to a height of 10,000 feet.
On 26
June 1944, we attacked the Heinkel Aircraft Factory at Schwechat, Austria. This
installation was said to be producing jet-propelled craft and ranked high on
the priority list. Despite the intense and accurate flak barrage, our group
accomplished a most effective bomb pattern and photo assessment give us credit
for severe damage to hangars, destruction of eight aircraft on the ground, and
complete demolition of a large assembly plant.
h. Commanding
Officer in important operations – None.
I. Losses
in action – Officers and Men
9 June
1944
Mission: Munich, Germany
Missing in action:
1 B. L. Smick P 6 R. L. Segesta ROG
2 R. A. Frink CP 7 C. J. McCrandy AAEG
3 K. D.
Bracken N 8 R. J.
Hoobery AROG
4 R. J. Ruhge B 9 G. E. Crunawalt AG
5 D. V.
Crandall AEG 10 T. H. Adams
PH
11 J. R.
Creer AAG
13 June
1944 Mission: Bratislava Apollo Oil R/Y,
Czechoslovakia
Missing in action:
1 P. C.
Koegel P
6 M. Harris ROG
2 J. E. Kane CP 7 I. B. Malawsky AAEG
3 J. G.
Collins N 8
C. H. McClintock AROG
4 W. D.
Yancey B 9 F. K.
Klock AG
5 R. G.
Kampstra AEG 10 L. C. Hall
AAG
24 June
1944
Mission:
Ploesti, Roumania
Missing in action:
1 R. C.
Hefner P 6
S. C. Corsentino ROG
2 R. F.
Meeks CP 7 J. R.
Roven AAEG
3 J. A.
Fulmer Jr. N 8 J. W. Gamble AROG
4 G. E.
Sanchez B 9 W. R.
Vallee AG
5 C. B.
McVeigh AEG 10 F. Liberio
AAG
j. Members
who have distinguished themselves:
Award of the
Silver Star:
Chris E.
Dalgish, 2nd Lieutenant
30
March 1944, Mission to Sofia, Bulgaria
Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross:
Robert L.
Keller, 1st Lieutenant
29 April
1944, Mission to Toulon, France
Charles L.
Coates, 2nd Lieutenant
5 May 1944,
Mission to Ploesti, Roumania
John L. Vernon,
2nd Lieutenant
25 May 1944,
Mission to Porto Marghera, Italy
Robert John
Thomas, 1st Lieutenant
24 May
1944, Mission to Wollersdorf A/D, Weiner-Neustadt
Edward C.
Loomis, 1st Lieutenant
25 May
1944, Mission to Porto Marghers, Italy
Robert Jeff
Thomas, 1st Lieutenant
5 June
1944, Mission to M/Y, Castel Maggiore, Italy
Eugene F.
Hagenson, 2nd Lieutenant
3 April
1944, Mission to M/Y, Budapest, Hungary
Robert F. Long,
1st Lieutenant
25 April
1944 Mission to M/Y, Ferrara, Italy
Martin Gelman,
1st Lieutenant
17 April
1944, Mission to Sofia, Bulgaria
Edward T.
Pickard, 1st Lieutenant
5 May 1944,
Mission to Ploesti, Roumania
Patrick A.
Barbati, 1st Lieutenant
30 March
1944, Mission to Sofia, Bulgari
Frank Di
Giovanni, 1st Lieutenant
27 May
1944, Mission to M/Y Marseille, France
Robert G. Zink,
1st Lieutenant
24 April
1944, Mission to M/Y, Ploesti, Roumania
Award of the Purple Heart:
Oliver H. King,
2nd Lieutenant
Wounds 24
May 1944, Mission to Wollersdorf A/D, Weiner-Neustadt
George A. Franz,
Tech Sergeant
Wounds 24
May 1944, Mission to Wollersdorf A/D, Weiner-Neustadt
Glenn Harper,
Staff Sergeant
Wounds 30
May 1944, Mission to Ebreichdorf Factory, Austria
Joseph Penyak,
Sergeant
Wounds 30
May 1944, Mission to Ebreichdorf Factory, Austria
Joseph Rapoza,
Sergeant
Wounds 24
May 1944, Mission to Wollersdorf A/D, Weiner-Neustadt
Richard C.
Hefner, 1st Lieutenant
Wounds 4
June 1944, Mission to West M/Y Genoa, Italy
2. Enclosed is the War Diary for this unit for the period 1
June 1944 to 1 July 1944.
For the Commanding Officer:
G. J. ANTONIE
2nd Lt., Air Corps
Squadron Historian
WAR DIARY OF THE 723RD BOMB SQUADRON (H)
1 JUNE 1944
TO 1 JULY 1944
June 1, 1944
No mission
today and many a sigh of relief must have been evident. It was a very warm day
and the beach truck was loaded as all the boys took advantage of the
opportunity to take a relaxing swim. There are a goodly number of red faces,
(and red shiny noggins on those whose hair are few and far between.) No, they
weren't blushing—just a little too much of "Ole Sol".
We added
another crew to our roster today:
2nd Lt.
Leon W. Coquillette P S/Sgt. Ralph G.
Strappelli ROG
F/O Roy F.
Meeks CP
Sgt. Charles W. Wexstaff AG
2nd Lt.
Olaf A. Bue N
Sgt. Emmett S. Love AAEG
2nd Lt.
Harold W. Farmer B
Sgt. Harold A. Peterson AG
S/Sgt.
Theodore Fitch AEG
Sgt. Elmer Holliday AAG
2nd Lt.
David H. Honkins P
S/Sgt. Arthur M. Swartz ROG
2nd Lt.
Garrett L. Cameron CP Sgt. Robert E. Byrd AG
2nd Lt.
Abraham Steinberg N Sgt. Earl R. Dale AAEG
2nd Lt.
Joseph Costello B
Sgt Jackson D. Hulsey AROG
S/Sgt.
Elvin W. Childers AEG Sgt. Byron H. Mathoney AAG
2nd Lt.
Raymond A. Frick P
S/Sgt. Roco L. Segesta ROG
2nd Lt.
George A. Maxwell CP Sgt. Charles J. McCready AAEG
F/O Roy J.
Ruhge N
Sgt. James J. Greer AROG
2nd Lt.
Kenneth D. Bracken B
Sgt. Roy J Hooberry AG
S/Sgt.
Donald V. Crandall AEG Sgt. Gerald E. Grunawalt AAG
June 2, 1944
Briefings
seem to be given earlier and earlier everyday. This morning the boys wandered
into the War Room at 0400 hours. The target was Simeria M/Y, Roumania.
Excellent weather both here at the base and enroute to the target made the
"milk run" truly an easy mission.
Everyone
was back from the flight by noon, so it was "off to the beach" this
afternoon. Two nurses surely added to the scenery on the sandy shore.
Bob Hope in
"Let's Face It" was shown tonite and most of the fellows were so
engrossed that they forgot all about the Jerry plane that was supposed to come
over along about 2230.
Three new
crews were added to our squadron today. Their names are:
Lts. Brus Sgts. Leddie
" Garoin " Tripp
" Forkler " Vanacare
" Evans
" Wolfe
Sgt. Stock "
Speakes
Lts. Koegel Sgt.
Malazsky
" Kane
" Harris
" Collins " McClintstock
" Yancey " Kluck
Sgt. Kempstra
Lts. W. F. Joens Sgts. H. J. Franz
" C. K. Hubbard " R. L. Douglas
" J. Shellick " G. E. Adrians
" A. V. Maushort "
W. C. Beringer
Sgt. R. A. Ambrose " E. J. Blaser
Two especially happy lads today are S/Sgts.
Uphoff and Ward who chalked up number 50.
Lt. Jack
Morris and crew returned to the squadron after parachuting to safety on the
Island of Vis. Many "glad to see you back's" were said and ole' Jack
just answered, "Glad to be back."
June 3, 1944
Briefing
was at 0500 but just as the boys had gotten all the "poop from
Group", the mission was scratched. "Ho hum", back to the sack
for a while could be heard from many as they filed out of the War Room.
The weather
here at the base continued to be fair and hot, so down to the beach we went.
June 4, 1944
Today's
mission was Genoa M/Y and from all reports a splendid bombing was accomplished.
Lt. Fulmer said he saw a train just "a huffin' and a puffin'" trying to get out
of the yard. It didn't make it. Hard luck, Adolf. It was hot as blazes today so
the beach was crowded again.
June 5, 1944
We sent 9
ships to bomb Castel Maggiore, Itlay. The weather was good and a fair job was
done. It continued to be hot there at he base and the beach was again crowded.
Lt. Keller
and S/Sgt Byers flew their fiftieth today and their broad smiles are indicative
of real happiness. Capt. Beth, our CO, had a meeting of the new flying officers
in the squadron and he gave them a few helpful hints in regard to combat
flying.
S/Sgt L. M.
Rucker discovered his cousin's name and APO in the Red Cross register in Manduria
and immediately made a search for him. He visited just about every headquarters
in the area and then to his amazement, his cousin is stationed two miles down
the road from here. What are you beefing about Sgt? You found him, didn't you?
S/Sgt Anderson,
our mess Sgt. Finally got out of the hospital today.
"Whistling
in Brooklyn" with Red Skelton was thoroughly enjoyed tonite.
June 6, 1944
Today was
"D" day and the news of the landings in France has certainly boosted the
spirits of everyone here. The War Room was crowded most of the day as the boys
stood by eagerly awaiting someone, from the S-2 room who would probably be
carrying a little yellow sheet with the flash news.
The mail
situation continues to be bad as only a few letters came into the squadron. Of
course, the boys are all griping about it, because letters surely mean a lot to
a fellow over here.
Ploesti was
on the pan again today and the mission made number fifty for Lts. Coates,
Barbati, and John Thomas.
Numerous
movie shorts and the feature "Glass Key" with Alan Ladd was shown tonite and it
wasn't bad at all.
June 7, 1944
There was
no mission today and since it was hot again, the fellows welcomed the rest and
took advantage of the beach truck which leaves every afternoon from our orderly
room.
Quite a few
bags of mail today but they contained packages and newspapers, and the fellows
are still looking for letters that are not long overdue.
The movie,
"Washington Woman", was shown tonite. The gal running off without shoes occasionally
reminded one of a "G I" standing reveille on a dark cold morning.
June 8, 1944
It was all
quiet I the squadron today since there was no mission. Some of the newer crews
had a practice mission with some of the old hands forming the nucleus.
The beach
continues to be a favorite spot on these hot days.
The
all-Italian stage show proved a hit. The orchestra proved to be a hit as well
by playing many American hit tunes and there were gals – about ten of them. The
little gal who sang with the orchestra was a cute little number and did the
"wolves" howl.
June 9, 1944
Another
early briefing this morning and our target was Munich. Lt. Smick, P, and crew,
2nd Lt. R. A. Frick, CP, 2nd Lt K. D., Bracken, N, F/O R.
J. Ruhge, B, S/Sgt D. V. Crandall, E, S/Sgt R. L. Segesta, R, Sgt. C. J.
McCready, AE, Sgt. R. J. Hooberry, AR, Sgt. J. J. Greer, AG, Sgt. G. E.
Greenwalt, AAG, S/Sgt T. R. Adams, Ph., failed to return. No one can quite tell
where or how he went. He was last reported having trouble with his ship and
turning back to N. Italy.
It was hot
again today so all those who had the time went to the beach.
Peter B.
Petersen, a German speaking lad who works in our mess, had a great story t to
tell tonite. During the course of the day, he had tuned in a Berlin radio
station, and lo and behold, German propaganda states that Oria, (a nearby
town), had been captured by Der Fuerhers' brave soldiers; our air base had been
completely wiped out, and that Nazi forces were moving toward Taranto. We are
all wondering what we are doing here and still bombing the daylights out of the
Hun if we are wiped out. We can't be dreaming, can we?
The movie,
"The Adventures of Tartu", was shown tonite and the open air theatre was again
crowded. Our weekly entertainment program now takes care of every nite of the
week except Saturday.
June 10, 1944
We bombed
Trieste today and believe it or not one burst of flak was observed and it
wasn't very near. S/Sgt. Joseph E. Portuges was happy about the whole thing as
today's flight meant "Finito" for him.
Acitivity
in the squadron was definitely at a minimum this afternoon as everyone went to
the beach.
The
following neamed men left the squadron for home:
1st
Lt. William L. Buksa S/Sgt William J. Largig
2nd
Lt Samuel Bailen S/Sgt Wilburn D Mangrum
S/Sgt
Selwyn J Palmer T/Sgt
George A Franz
S/Sgt
Virgil H Hutchinson S/Sgt
Edward J MacKafee
T/Sgt
Herman Goodyke T/Sgt
Ralph L Wiley
S/Sgt
Vernon D Hasley S/Sgt
Alfred Nielson
T/Sgt
Lawrence L McClain S/Sgt
Edward F. Fedor
S/Sgt Henry
A Stenvik S/Sgt
Jimmy T Robertson
S/Sgt Bert
H Ashton T/Sgt
Lycurgus C Bratton Jr
S/Sgt John
A Lombardo S/Sgt
John P Luna
(Don't
forget to send us that bottle of beer you promised!)
June 11, 1944
The boys
went all the way to the Black Sea today to bomb Constanta.
Church
services in town as well as here at the base were well attended, and during the
leisure hours this afternoon, the beach was crowded.
Toward
evening a few clouds rolled in and we had our first rain in a long time. The
precipitation was a short duration, but then gave everything a fresh
appearance.
The boys
are not getting much mail these days, and there's a bit of mumbling to be
heard. The invasion comes first boys.
Lt. Vernon
and S/Sgt. Fox hung up their flying togs after todays' mission.
We welcomed
a new crew to the fold today. Their names are:
Lt. E. E.
Venclik P S/Sgt. M. V. Potter ROG
Lt. R. W.
King CP S/Sgt. W. C. Sandrus AAAEG
Lt. D. G.
Cole N Sgt. H. H. Smeltzer AROG
F/O W. H.
Kemp, Jr. B "
E. J. Hamil AG
S/Sgt. M.
V. Sanders AEG " C. J.
Jewison AAG
" R. L. Conkle
AAG
June 12, 1944
Lt.
Templin, our supply officer, took a jaunt up to Brindisi to get a green
parachute for the EM's club. Templin says, "Might as well ask for a green
elephant." Are there such animals - have seen pink ones.
Capt. Beth,
our CO, arranged a Bar B-Q for the combat crews this afternoon. Trucks carried
the boys to the beach for barbecued pork chops and all the other odds and ends
that go with such an outing. Ball games were in progress, but the loose beach
sand didn't make for a fast diamond.
We received
another new crew:
Lt. J. D.
Squires P L. W. Neal ROG
Lt. K.
Walters CP A. Manuele AAAEG
R. L.
Kamlolz N D. C. Laughon, Jr AROG
G. W.
Cross B J.
Montano AG
F. J.
Padgett AEG L. M. Pollard AAG
June 13, 1944
The boys
went up to Munich again today and Lts. R. Long, M. Gelman, and S/Sgt. E. W.
Ringland were really glad to be back after the raid, because this made number
fifity for them.
It was hot
here again today and we're beginning to believe that summer is really here.
"G.
I." movies were shown tonite and all the shorts that were shown were
"stinko". Everyone sat thru them though hoping that the next short
would be better. In the news reel, an old gal representing the W.C.T.U. gave a
prohibitionist speech. She didn't get very far before the boys flashlights
obscured her picture and the movie operator took the hint and cut the speech
short.
Lt. E A Richman, Staff Bombardier, was
transferred out of the squadron.
June 14, 1944
Lts. Jeff
Thomas and Gellman were mighty happy after today's milk run to Osijek,
Yugoslavia. Gellman had been hoping for easy pickins for his last mission and
today's raid couldn't have been any easier.
It surely
was hot today and we're all afraid it's only the beginning. It was hotter in
the desert last summer fellows.
The mail
has started to come thru and there area a few happier faces around the
squadron.
The movie,
"The Iron Major" with Pat O'Brien, was shown tonite and it was
thoroughly enjoyed. It certainly helped to redeem the lousy shorts of Tuesday
nite.
June 15, 1944
It was hot
again today and since there was no mission, the boys really filled the trucks
as they headed for the beach. Some of the fellows have acquired a good tan,
others have bright red noses, and the men with sparse foliage on the
"noggin" have a bright pink, glistening knob between their shoulders.
Another all
Italian Show visited us tonite. (Well, almost all Italian) A "G.I.",
in dirty, poorly-fitting coveralls, and somewhat under the influence of vino,
made his way onto the stage to give a few loose-jointed dances which were
really funny. Yes, there also were some girls. Must have been at least 15 gals
and some fairly hefty number might be counted as two. The little gal who sang
with the orchestra was the favorite of the evening and, if the Special Services
hadn't turned out the lights to signify the end of the show the little girl
would be singing still.
16 June 1944
The boys
went all the way to Czechoslovakia today. Enemy fighters cost us Lt Koegel and
crew.
The movie,
"Going My Way", with Bing Crosby, was shown tonite and it was by far
the best picture ever shown over here.
Haven't
seen our CO, Capt. Beth, around for a few days so he must be having a great
time at Rest Camp. From all indications all the boys expect the DFC before
going home, so Lts. Quinn and Antonie are being swamped with requests. Finally,
a meeting was held to get the situation under control and it looks like
everybody will be better satisfied in the future.
17 June 1944
It was a
beautiful day. The sun, as usual, shone; the air was balmy but a good stiff
breeze was created by the props of the plane being warmed up behind the hangar
and the dust was reminiscent of the sand storms in the desert of Africa.
Lt. Antonie
is the OD, (old dog), again tonite.
The mail
situation has gone from bad to worse and the long faces in the squadron are
indicative of how the boys feel about it.
Maj.
Jacoby, our new CO, held a meeting of the whole squadron to introduce himself.
18 June 1944
It was
cloudy and windy most of the day and everyone was hoping for a little rain
because we've been eating sand and dust for the past couple of days.
To the
surprise of everyone a big sack full of letters arrived today and all the
griping of the past two weeks seems to have brought results. One enlisted man
standing way out on the edge of the crowd which all but swamped the mail
orderly, got a letter and as he opened it he found a calendar and a
mimeographed message from his minister at home. Sez he, "My name begins
with a "Z" so I stand here sweating out all them other jokers who got
mail and this is what I get."
There were
no fights tonite and since there's no mission tomorrow, Lts. Ferguson, Miller,
Courtright, Morris, Taylor, Kappler, Loomis and Tautfest decided to go to the
club for just one little drink. Well, you know how it is said, Lt. Ferguson,
"One thing led to another and the first thing we knew we weren't thirst
anymore, but we got doggone hungry, so the boys went to my room, (which under
normal conditions can accommodate four people), for a little snack. We started
out with some soup and then followed it with C, D and K rations, plus eggs,
sausage, meat loaf and bread." Did you say a snack? We don't get that much
in a week at the mess hall.
Lt.
Tautfest of the 722nd SQ came to our squadron as navigation officer, and Lt
Strickland of the 721st is our new bombardier officer.
June 19, 1944
It was a
clear warm day here at the base today and nothing much of anything was done
other than a bit of "sack time" and a few went to the beach.
Our
enlisted men's day room is progressing slowly but surely and one of these nites
in the near future there's going to be a gala opening and a few good-sized
heads the following day.
The boys
who have finished their fifty missions are running around trying to get their
citations through before going home. Lt. John Thomas said this afternoon,
"I took the paper to the orderly room to be typed. I turned my back, and
it was sent to Group Hq and I've been chasing it ever since – guess I better go
to 15th AAFHQ and just wait for it." Looks to me, John, that the citations
walking you through instead of you walking it thru.
The movie,
"Bombardier", was shown tonite and you should have heard the pilots
and navigators howl when Pat O'Brian said, "The bombardier is the
spearhead of the American attack." Unfortunately a movie of that type
shown to men who are very familiar with bombing, training, and operational
capabilities of the bombsight, see all the little technical errors in the movie
and hence it appears to be a little bit far-fetched. "Popeye" cartoon
was good tho even if it was fantatic.
June 20, 1944
Our
squadron dispatched a plane to Bari today to bring back a troop of gals to put
on a USO show here. Well, there were two of them anyway. There was one pretty
girl and a red-head, and two male characters who brought many a laugh. Songs
were sung, Hollywood stunts were don, stories were told, (about my
mother-in-law), and the trombone was played and a great time was had by all.
Lts.
Squire, Walters K.E., Sgts. Podgett, Thurston, Pvt. Owensby and Caywood were
killed today in a plane crash. The shop was participating in a practice
formation and due to some unknown mechanical malfunction, the A/C left the
formation to land. The pilot made three passes at the field but failed to bring
it in, and finally decided to crash-land it in the Gulf of Taranto. Apparently
the ship was unmaneuverable and hit the water too hard and broke into pieces.
Lt. Hefner
was sent to Naples a couple of days ago to ferry a few fellows to this base.
Well, ole "Hef" likes to see a bit of country while he is over here
and promptly stayed at Naples two days. On returning tonite, Maj. Jacoby, our
CO, greeted him with a grin and asked what held him up. "Well, sir, I had
a little difficulty getting away." "Was it a signorita that was the
cause of your difficulty, Hefner?"
June 21, 1944
Lt. Fulmer,
who was squadron OD last nite slept in our operations office and when he awoke
at 0700 hours, Sgt. Young asked him how he managed to sleep thru all the noise
this morning and "Prop-wash" Fulmer replied, "Well, Sergeant, I
didn't get much sleep last year so I was pretty tired; and besides, I worked
pretty hard when I was a kid and just never got over being tired."
The boys
were briefed for a mission to Vienna this morning and after standing by in the
ships for about an hour the raid was scratched.
The movie,
"The Falcon Out West", was shown tonite. The show in itself wasn't
very good and the operator must have been completely tangled in film as he
sweated and slaved in a vain attempt to have sound at the same time as the
picture was on the screen. As the case was, tho, when the screen was dark thee
was plenty of sound, but when the film was fixed to show again there wasn't a
peep to be heard. Can you imagine people at home sitting thru an ordeal like
that? The boys did it over here and we don't have soft seats either.
June 22, 1944
The boys
bombed Ferrara, Italy, today without much opposition.
The mail
situation after a few good days has settled back to a bit below normal and the
long faces are already becoming apparent.
The
popularity of the beach is still evident as the fellows continue to escape the
heat by going for a swim.
There was
supposed to be a movie tonite but we had no projector, so we just listened to a
few tunes over the P.A. system and went home to write a few letters.
June 23, 1944
Today was
another one of those days where the boys started for Ploesti and ran into
clouds towering to 25,000 feet and had to return to base.
It was
pretty hot again today but most of the boys just took things easy and caught up
on a bit of "sack time".
One
enlisted man was heard to say this evening as he washed his mess kit, "Chow
was surely bad tonite – why, I'll bet people back home are eating better".
Sergeant, I understand people at home can hardly get Vienna Sausages – things
are really rough all over.
The movie,
"Nine Girls", played here tonite. It was a mystery picture and of
course, nobody in the audience would want to blame the crime on one of the
pretty gals although they all looked guilty. It was the elderly teacher of the
girls who did it, "Didn't I tell you so, Butch?"
June 24, 1944
It was back
to Ploesti again this morning and enemy fighters cost our group six aircraft.
Lt. Hefner, a well-liked fellow in our squadron suffered a few punctured gas
cells and subsequently lost considerable fuel. Over Southern Yugoslavia, he
calmly called the formation and told them he was going down, but would be back.
Lt. Cubbins
better known as "Gusty" or "Windy" related the story of his
love life to Lts. Jack Morris and Johnny Walters. It was this way sez
"Gusty"' "I was going with this gal for nine years, six months
and four hours, and the nite before I left for the army I gathered all my
courage and made up my mind to kiss her for the first time; I had held her and
once and I figured I was in, "but solid". We sat on the porch swing
for four hours and as each minute passed my courage waned, so I shook hands
instead of kissing her, I really was a man about town in those days, wasn't
I?"
Capt. Tom
Miller had a little celebration tonite at the club, drinking
"partisan" vino.
Sgts. J
Grady, K Dulgerian, C M Wentzel, and Lt Shoaf, finished their 50th today.
June 25, 1944
There was a
mission to Toulon, France, today so there weren't too many boys on hand for
church services this morning.
The mail
situation has improved somewhat over the past few days but there were still
quite a few of the lads who left mail call empty-handed and long-faced. I was
one of them.
The promise
of trips to Rome has quite a few of the fellows pretty well excited. Major
Jacoby, our CO, drew names out of a hat to see who would be the first of the
squadron to go. Lt. Antonie's name came out first, abut he cant go because he
has to hold down the S-2 department alone while Lt Quinn is in a rest camp. The
Major drew his own name second, (he sez he didn't cheat either), but he can't
go either so finally Lt Templin's name was drawn so he's going to Rome this
coming week. While in Rome do as the Romans do, "Temp", but go easy
on the vino.
There were
no boxing matches again tonite and we surely miss our Sunday nite
entertainment.
June 26, 1944
T/Sgt Raymond
L Cook is going in circles and getting a bit "war weary" making
combat mission charts. He and Sgt Young work in our operations and for the past
month have worked 13/14 hours a day 7 days a week, and "no time and a half
pay for overtime", says Sgt Young.
Today's
mission to Schwechat proved to be the best bombing mission of them all. Early
estimates state that 300 bombs fell on the briefed aiming point. No wonder
everybody is so happy tonite.
The movie,
"Never a Dull Moment", with the Ritz Brothers going thru their usual
antics brought a goodly number of laughs.
June 27, 1944
It was
really hot today, but since the boys flew today, they didn't have the chance to
go to the beach.
Lt. Earl
Templin left at 0400 hours for Rome and will get there tomorrow and spend three
days and nites in the city. He'll surely have some tales to tell when he gets
back.
We were
scheduled for some "G.I." movies tonite but they didn't get here
which was all the better because we saw "Andy Hardy's Double Life",
which certainly was better entertainment than a mess of shorts covering
everything from farming to being in the army.
June 28, 1944
There was
no mission again today and the free time was utilized by the fellows in going
to Taranto and to the beach. We have a pretty nice set-up at the sea shore and
the boys really appreciate it on these hot days.
We're still
looking for those cans of beer every squadron is supposed to get this week.
Everyone in the group has gotten their ration but our squadron. Could it be that
because we live away out there beyond the run-way we've been forgotten? Let's
send Uncle Sam a note to remind him that we're still a part of the group.
The mail
situation has improved somewhat but all of the fellows still are looking for
some of the letters now long over-due. "Can't understand it – the little
cookie at home writes everyday, too."
June 30, 1944
There was a
mission to Zagreb, Yugoslavia, but clouds prevented bombing. We finally got our
beer ration and smiles from ear to ear indicated everyone's pleasure. Most of
the boys were more or less surprised at their inability to drink more than two
cans. You're out of practice, boys.
As the
movie tonite, there was a training film on how to build a latrine in the field.
It was amusing to some and educational to others. The main feature was amusing
and Adolphe Menjou played a slick part.
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