HEADQUARTERS 723^RD BOMB (H) SQ

450^TH BOMB GP (H)

APO 520        US ARMY

10 APRIL 1944

SUBJECT: Historical Records

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

            1. Unit history of the 723^rd Bomb (H) Squadron, for the period 1 March 1944 to 1 April 1944.

                        a. The present designation of the unit is 723^rd Bomb (H) Squadron, 450^th Bomb (H) Group, 47^th Wing, 15^th Air Force.

                        b. Changes in organization.

                                    (1) None

                                    (2) None

                                    (3) None

                                    (4) None

                        c. Strength, commissioned and enlisted

                                    (1) Month of March

                                                (a) At beginning         413

                                                (b) Net increase          73

                                                (c) Net decrease       ----

                                                (d) At end                   486

                        d. Station – A/B Manduria, Italy

                        e. Movements – None

                        f. Campaigns – None

                        g. Operations

                                    (1) Number of Missions – 8; Sorties – 70.

                        (2) Principal targets were A/D and M/Y in Northern Italy and A/C factories in Southern Germany (Austria).

                        (3) & (4) On 17 March 1944, the target was the important aircraft factory at Schwechat just southeast of Vienna, Austria. Our runways were sloppy from recent rains, but the group took off anyway. The whole mission was perfect except one important thing; the target was covered with a solid deck clouds. Bombs were dropped through them on ETA and results are unknown. There were no fighters and slight flak. On 19 March 1944, the mission was to destroy the aircraft factory at Steyr, Austria. The weather was bad with a solid undercast so the formation dropped on the alternate, the Industrial Areas of Graz, Austria. We lost Lt. McGregor and crew. It was thought that he was hit by flak over the target and he kept straggling. Fighters were in the area but did not attack because of the P-38 escort. It is thought that the McGregor crew got so far behind and was in trouble so they bailed out. On 28 March 1944, we attacked the Mestre M/Y in Northern Italy. Photos showed bomb hits concentrated on the target. Enemy fighters were observed but they did not attack our formation which was being escorted by P-38. The flak was slight and inaccurate.

            h. Command Officer in important operations – None.

            i. Losses in action – Officers and Men.

                        3 March 1944                        Mission: A/D Viterbo, Italy

            Killed in action:

                        1 James H. Isbell  P                          6 Emerson E. Lee  ROG

                        2 Hodgson T. Jackson  CP 7 John E. Sullivan AAEG

                        3 Frank C. Egan N                            8 Charles W. Merrill AROG

                        4 Edward J. Makowski B                 9 Paul E. Hunt AG

                        5 John A. Evans AEG                       10 William Harrelson AAG

                        19 March 1944                      Mission: Steyr, Austria

            Missing in action:

                        Lt. Walter R. Keesling P                   Joseph R. O. Roy ROG

                        Lt. Robert A. McGregor CP Kenneth R. Harper AAEG

                        Lt. Charles A. Farren N                    Jack W. Hentz AROG

                        Lt. Leo J. Schuster B                        Foye L. Prescott AG

                             Fred L. Burgin AEG                     Richard F. Scebbi AAG      

            j. Members who have distinguished themselves – None.

2. Enclosed is the War Diary of this unit for the period 1 March 1944 to 1 April 1944, a Special Account by 1^st Lt. Sigurd J. Nilsson and the first copy of "MOLTO BUONO", the 723^rd Squadron newspaper.

            For the Commanding Officer:

3. Incls:

    Incl 1 – War Diary.

    Incl 2 – Special Account.

    Incl 3 – Squadron Newspaper.

Gale H. Gillan,

1^st Lt., Air Corps,

Squadron Historian.     

WAR DIARY OF THE 723^RD BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON (H)

FROM THE PERIOD: MARCH 1, 1944 TO MARCH 31, 1944

March 1, 1944

            No mission today. The sun came out brighter than ever this A.M.

            It was pay day for the enlisted men of the squadron.

            European Theatre ribbons were also handed out.

March 2, 1944

            No mission again today. The sun came out nice and bright - combat personnel seem to be a little restless, wondering when weather (and runway) would permit another mission.

March 3, 1944

            Finally they went out again – and before we had a chance to tangle with the enemy, tragedy occurred. Apparently unable to get up off the runway, plane #707 of our squadron burst into a  sheet of flame, keeled over on its nose and exploded. It was total destruction and death in a matter of seconds. We lost one of our most capable and best-liked pilots, Lt. Jimmy Isbell, short, wiry and Irish-faced – and his entire crew. This disaster brought forth many comments from the combat crew-men. Some seemed to be afraid of frag bombs.

            The target was Viterbo A/D #2. We turned back before landfall because of bad weather. Our crews on this mission were: Lts. Lael, Clay, and Hefner (early return).

            We lost our seventh crew today – here's the list:

1. Lt Holloman – Jan. 16 – Osoppo A/D – at 45 20 N 13 10 E

2. Lt Gernand – Feb 14 – Verona M/Y – at the Target Area (Lt Rickey's Crew)

3. Lt Nilsson – Feb 22 – Regensburg – 48 05N 13 40E

4. Maj Miller – Feb 23 – Steyr – Between Wels and Steyr

  (Lt Whitney's crew – Lt Smith – Squadron Navigator)

5. Lt Scanlon – Feb 23 – Steyr – Between Wels and Steyr

6. Lt Samsa – Feb 23 – Steyr – Between Wels and Steyr

7. Lt Isbell – March 3 – Viterbo A/D – At the Base

            We have 10 old crews left – We got one replacement crew today:

P – Wilder, Lee J – 2^nd Lt

CP – Williams, Raymond L – 2^nd Lt

N – Pitkin, Leonard A. – 2^nd Lt

B – Senio, Walter P.  – 2^nd Lt

AEG – Munger, Earl M. – S/Sgt

ROG – Berry, Howard E. – S/Sgt

AAEG – Kozers, Jonnie – S/Sgt

AROG – Rucker, Lester M. – Sgt

AG – Polsuszny, Raymond F – Sgt

AAG – Williams, Donald E.  - Sgt

            A USO unit entertained the boys in the evening. The show was held in conjunction with special services. The main attraction (female) went through on the chow line for supper and morale took a sudden zoom at the appearance of a real American chassis.

March 4, 1944

            Lt Kellman led the formation today with Colonel Mills. The target was Breslau, Germany – but the mission was ordered to return to the base as they were out over the Adriatic.

March 5, 1944

            No mission today – bad weather forced cancellation after briefing. Our new crews received indoctrination and orientation by Major Snaith, on operational procedure in this area. Major McKamy gave them a lecture on escape procedure and a lecture on aircraft recognition. We received another replacement crew as follows:

P – Barry, Robert M – 1^st Lt

CP – Proctor, Elmer – 2^nd Lt

N – Dier, Alf V – 2^nd Lt

B – Miller, Warren K. – 2^nd Lt

AEG – Kenyon, Adelbert W – S/Sgt

AE – Garee, Joseph – Sgt

ROG – Camhra, Joseph – Sgt

AG – Green, John – Sgt

AG – Ramus, Adolph – Sgt

AAG – Leonowicz, Joseph – Sgt

March 6, 1944

            The Mission was briefed and then cancelled. The boys are doing a little "crabbing". They are anxious to get their missions in so they can go home.

March 7, 1944

            No mission – still raining. Everybody trying to keep inside in a warm spot, if such a thing is possible it Italy.

March 8, 1944

            Another "milk run" target briefed. Just at take-off time it was cancelled. The weather was bad again. We received another replacement crew:

2^nd Lt  Thomas P. Griffin

2^nd Lt Herbert K. Morison

2^nd Lt John D. Lawson

2^nd Lt John G. Scocos

S/Sgt Alexander Banner

S/Sgt Francis J. Lyons

S/Sgt Edgar F. Howard

S/Sgt Frank M. Davis

Sgt Ralph c. Scudder Jr.

Sgt Harry Stewart

March 9, 1944

            No mission today. It rained all night and most of the day. New crews received the "poop" on escape, first aid, communications, operations, etc. That lasted most of the afternoon.

            Messing is a little rough with so much rain. Tables were moved outside the officers mess building while they put in a cement floor. The wing of the messing building for the enlisted men is progressing quite slowly.

            Lt. Henderson and crew report an enjoyable time at the rest camp on the Isle of Capri. They didn't mind being left in Naples a few extra days because transportation was sent for them.

            Five men from our Squadron were detailed last night to arm themselves with machine guns and stand guard at a suspected enemy ammunition dump discovered in a building along the road to Oria. Piles of fresh German ammunition was found here, and it was thought it might be intended for use as flares in event of enemy air attack. The entire base was totally blacked out and a total of at least 35 or 40 guards, 5 contributed from each unit on the base were posted at the dump. No one seemed to know just what the situation was, and most of the accounts had their basis in conjecture and unfounded rumor.

March 10, 1944

            No mission scheduled for this date. The field and runway is in bad shape.

March 11, 1944

            Today we hit the submarine repair facilities and docks at Toulon, France.

            The following crews went over the target: Lt Wells, Henderson, Hefner, Wilder, Griffin, Miller and Barry.

            Photos show that plenty of destruction was done in the target area.

            We received another replacement crew as follows:

P – 2^nd Lt Walter R. Kessling

CP – 2^nd Lt Ned C White

N – Charles A. Farren – 2^nd Lt

B – 2^nd Lt Leo J Schuster

E – S/Sgt Fred L. Burgin

AE – S/Sgt Joseph R.O. Roy

R – Sgt Kenneth R. Harper

AR – Sgt Jack W. Hentz

AG – Sgt Feye L. Prescott

G – Richard F. Scebbi

March 12, 1944

            No mission today – weather. Few of the boys went to church. Received following replacement crew:         

P-  2^nd Lt Erenst A. Buenting

CP – 2^nd Lt Ralph E Benz Jr.

N – 2ns Lt John W Shoof

B – 2^nd Lt Bernard N. Brill

E – S/Sgt Harold M. Gunnare

R – S/Sgt John E. Tranbarger

AE – Sgt Melvin J. Sydenstricker

AR – Sgt Raymond J. Szozedlsny

AG – S/Sgt Raymond J. Gross

G – Sgt James P. Darey

March 13, 1944

            No mission – not even a practice mission – more rain. Our base has been nicknamed "Lake Manduria", the seaplane base.

            Received following replacement crew (partial):

P – 2^nd Lt Henry G. Van Popering

CP – 2^nd Lt  William J. Kappeler

AEG – S/Sgt Jonny Grady

ROG – S/Sgt Sam C. Corsentino

AG – Sgt James W. Gamble

March 14, 1944

            Mission cancelled, rain again. Crews are anxious to fly. They want to get their 50 missions so they can go home. Received another replacement crew:

P – 2^nd Lt Charles W. Clark

CP – 2^nd Lt William Carvin

N – Abraham Reznik

B – Harold A. Hartshorn

AEG – Sgt Ernest O. Myer, Jr.

AAEG – Sgt Wallace A. Gallway

ROG – Sgt Edward A. Hoerth

AROG – Sgt George B. Phillco

AG – Sgt George Zeiser, Jr.

AAG – Sgt Eugene D. Ramsey

March 15, 1944

            The sun was out today but the runway is still plenty muddy so no mission. Another replacement crew came in (mixed):

P – 1^st Lt Bernard B Fergusen Jr

P – 2^nd Lt Robert R. Vogel

CP – 2^nd Lt Vincent I. Taylor

CP – 2^nd Lt Richard E. Tatum

ROG – S/Sgt Jack C. Spitz

ROG – S/Sgt Leonard T Connors

AG – Sgt Edgar Carroll

AG – Sgt Korean Dulgerian

AEG – S/Sgt Raymond C. Munstermann

AEG – S/Sgt Marion F. Klotz

            Almost everyone went to Oria to the movie either in the afternoon or evening. Good movies are certainly good morale buildings.

March 16, 1944

            No mission today – the runways still sloppy. Surely it will stop raining soon.

            The Ordnance section has been getting a real workout – changing the bomb load in ankle deep mud.

            "War Fronts" presentation of the news was given at 1830 by Lts. Quinn and Gillan (S-2 officers). Everybody seemed to enjoy it very much.

March 17, 1944

            Runway was still sloppy but we got all our aircraft off on a mission to the aircraft factory at Schwechat just SE of Vienna. It was part of a "Big Show" with three wings striking in the Vienna area. Everything was perfect but the weather – it was solid over the target. Some returned their bombs – 27 aircraft of the group dropped bombs at various points in the general area of the target. No fighters – slight flak.

            We sent out 11 planes as follows: Hefner, Barbati, Lael, Wilder, Loomis, Clay, Henderson, Wells, Conklin, Morris and Griffin – the last two were early returns.

            Saint Patrick's Day and no Shamrocks in Italy – tough day for the Irish.

March 18, 1944

            Maybe the rainy season has ended, we were able to run a mission. The target was Lavariano A/D. Each aircraft carried 20 frags and covered the assigned target area. The following crews participated: Lael, McGregor, Conklin, Thomas, Zink, Wilder, Barry, Barbati, and Lane with Griffin's crew.

            Several of the boys remarked that they don't like frags because they don't do enough damage to the target. They like to see a lot of smoke and destruction on the target. 

March 19, 1944

            Another nice day – a really important mission – Steyr, Aurstia. The crews were unable to reach the intended target because of the unfavorable weather. We struck instead at the alternate – Graz, Austria. Photos showed a concentration of hits on barracks and military administrative buildings. The following crews took part: Kellman, Loomis, Thomas, Clay, Zink, McGregor, Conklin, Barry and Griffin. McGregor's crew failed to return.

            "Mac" was flying at #6 position in he lead element of the first attack unit. It was reported that he had trouble keeping up with the formation most of the way out. The formation found their target – Steyr, Austria, in solid undercast and made a 160 degree turn about 30 miles south of Wels, Austria, and took a heading for the secondary target, Graz, Austria.

            We have three reports that Mac, who had been lagging behind, fell out of the formation at 47 00 N – 13 56 E at 1356 at 21,500 feet on a heading of 200 degrees. He was losing altitude but his plane was under control and was not in a dive. One engine was reported smoking. Lt. Sharff's crew (722^nd Sq) report was that he apparently was hit by flak, that he was losing altitude rapidly and that he disappeared through the undercast. Enemy fighters were observed in the area but no attacks were observed being made on the McGregor plane. It was also reported that P-38 escort planes were in the area. McGregor's crew was as follows:

            Walter R. Keesling – Pilot

            Robert A McGregor – Co Pilot

            Charles A. Farren – Navigator

            Leo J. Schuster – Bombardier

            Fred L. Burgin – AEG

            Joseph R. O. Roy – ROG

            Kenneth R. Harper – AAEG

            Jack W. Hentz – AROG

            Foye L. Prescott – AG

            Richard F. Scebbi – AAG

March 20, 1944

            Had the briefing and a nice mission which was cancelled before takeoff. The boys were unhappy – they want to get their fifty (50) missions so they can get home.

March 21, 1944

            This mission was cancelled before it was even briefed. This damned weather is annoying to everybody. We received another replacement crew:

            2^nd Lt Wallace Jeancon – Pilot

            2^nd Lt Wendel H. Davis – Co-Pilot

            2^nd Lt John S. Frye – Navigator

            2^nd Lt Thomas R. Crossen – Bombardier

            S/Sgt John J. Pistoik – AEG

            S/Sgt John C. Farrell – ROG

            Sgt Frederico B. Lozano – AAEG

            Sgt Frank A. Ovesnel – AROG

            Sgt George C. Whited – AG

            Sgt Edwin A. Simmons - AAG       

            It was raw and cold all morning, then early in the afternoon, it rained hard for two or three hours. It warmed up but the ground is muddy and sloppy again.

March 22, 1944

            It was still cloudy. The mission was briefed and then called off on account of weather. Even though everyone desires to get their missions in so they can go home, a cheer of emotional relief was given when it was announced that the mission was cancelled. The sun came out during mid-morning and the combat crews had noisy games of volleyball. Several of them went to town to get their P.X. rations. Got another replacement crew:

            2^nd Lt Donald F. Graves

            2^nd Lt Thaddeus C. Pieczenka

            2^nd Lt Albert E. Houghton

            2^nd Lt Thomas N. Norman

            S/Sgt James J. McBurney

            Sgt James W. Trinkley

            Sgt Frank (NMI) Liberio

            Pvt Carmel R. Clune

            Sgt Louis C. Hall

            Pvt William R. Vallee

March 23, 1944

            Very early briefing this morning and then bad weather caused a call back, the boys were very unhappy about the whole thing.

            It rained most of the day. It was raw and cold and most everyone wa kept inside. Combat crews passed the time by "Bull Sessions", cards and "sack time".

            In the evening at 1830 we had the "Big Opening" of the Officer's Mess. The building was properly dedicated: with vino, bourbon, and speeches. Everybody present had a chance to speak. In fact he was cheered and encouraged by "smart cracks" from an enthusiastic audience. The meeting opened with a  serious silent toast to Major Miller (C.O. – MIA since Feb 23, Steyr mission) and all the others of the old boys "who can't be present tonight". Lt Kellman, C.O., gave a nice talk thanking everyone for their cooperation with an admonition to carry on in a way that would make Major Miller proud. The new crew members all said they were glad to be in such a fine outfit, that they had been accepted by the "old boys" in a way that certainly made them feel at home. Everyone was dressed up, blouses and everything.

March 24, 1944

            The runways are muddy and sloppy but we took off anyway. It was spitting snow as the boys were taking off: Courtright, Zink, Griffin, Miller, Hefner, Barry, Lael, Barbati, Wilder, and Conklin took off. Courtright, Miller, and Lael were early returns. The rest returned with the second attack unit when it turned back from Yugoslavia because of bad weather.

March 25, 1944

            The mission was briefed and then called off because of weather. The men have trouble passing the time. You can hear plenty of vile remarks about the weather. One member of Loomis' crew remarked that he would have his fifty missions completed had the weather been halfway suitable – everyone is trying to figure out how to get home as soon as possible.

March 26, 1944

            The rain was pattering down on the roof as the men were being briefed. Now and then a man would look up at the ceiling with a wondering look as if to say "are those crazy so-and soes going to send us out on a day like this?". The mission was cancelled. It rained hard all morning and the ponds at the north edge of the field filled up again. The officers (combat) had a meeting at 1830 to work out details of the program our squadron is to put on at the officers' club next Saturday night.

March 27, 1944

            No mission – not even briefed. The sun came out early but it was very windy. The big tent where we held the gunner's briefing blew down partly. Had to take it down to keep it from tearing all to pieces. Several of the officers are having the Italians build stone living quarters – they go hither and yon to find materials – looks like they will be a great improvement over the wooden barracks especially when the summer heat arrives, if it ever does.

March 28, 1944

            The mission was briefed in spite of the threatening weather – it was spitting snow as they took off. The target was Mestre M/Y in northern Italy. The following took off and successfully completed the mission: Lts Courtright, Conklin, Hefner, Morris, Lael, Jeff Thomas, Henderson, Miller, Clay and John Thomas. Lt Courtright was leader of the second attack unit of the group and he did a good job because bomb burst were observed in the target area with good coverage. There were no enemy fighter attacks; however a few were observed. They must have feared the P-38 escort. A few puffs of flak were observed but nobody was much impressed. Everybody is in good spirits tonight; we completed a mission and hit the target; and that's something.

March 29, 1944

            We received a partial replacement crew as follows:

                        1. 1^st Lt Roger A Kent – P

                        2. 2^nd Lt Edison W Putman –CP

                        3. S/Sgt Rudolph W Bartsch – AEG

                        4. S/Sgt Earl A. Eveanoff – ROG

                        5. Sgt Otto J Doeppke – AAG

            The weather is clearing up – still a little windy for a few scattered clouds. We got off a mission; the target was Bolzano M/Y. The following crews took part: Barry, Wells, Conklin, Zink, Clay, Henderson, Clarke, Hefner, Barbati, and John Thomas. It was successful mission and everyone was unusually happy. Our group covered the assigned target with bombs.

            1^st Lt Nilsson and four of his crew returned. (See complete story on attached sheet enclosed herewith)

March 30, 1944

            The mission was briefed early and the following took off to bomb Sofia M/Y; Kellman, Henderson, Loomis, Lael, Courtright, Wilder, Barry, Barbati, Clarke, John Thomas and Zink. Loomis was an early return. Lt Clarke is reported missing in action; at 0850 at 41 21 N – 18 47 E the formation went through heavy clouds at about 8000 feet. Lt Clarke's aircraft was observed to go into the clouds but it didn't come out except that the tail gunner on Lt Courtright's ship says he saw it swaying from side to side and up on one wing and going down – he thought it was out of control. Clouds prevented good observation.

            Lt Barbati's ship was hit by flak just before the target.  

            Special Historical Combat Report 

30 March 1944

Target: Sofia M/Y

A/C #345

Squadron: 723^rd

P – 1^st Lt Patrick A. Barbati, 1205 Mason St, Niles, Ohio

CP – 2^nd Lt Ralph A. Benz, 840 E. 7^th St, Tuscon, Arizonia

N – 2^nd Lt Dale F. Robertson, Box 102, Parma, Idaho

B – 2^nd Lt Chris A. Dalgish, 64 Sherwood Ave, Yonkers, N.Y.

TG – S/Sgt Vernon D. Hasley, Sudan, Texas

            This aircraft was flying in #4 position, left, 2^nd attack unit. The formation was on course near the target and Lt Dalgish was over his bombsight and remarked to navigator Robertson, "Boy, this is going to be a good one today". Thirty (30) seconds before the bomb release pint, a flak burst just in front of #2 engine. A large piece of flak came through the left side of the nose and knocked out the intervalometer, sheering wiring and hydraulic lines. A small piece of flak hit Lt Dalgish on the left shoulder which knocked him off balance, forward.

            Lt Robertson asked him if he was hurt; he said "I'm all right"; then he got up and with his left hand he pushed his salvo lever and released the bombs. A fire started in the nose caused by the electrical wiring being shorted. Dalgish and Roberson got the fire extinguisher down and put out the fire Then Dalgish went back and checked the bomb doors, and returned and Lt. Robertson gave him first aid assistance. The flak bursts did the damage:

            It made holes in 2 propellers, causing vibration

            It knocked out 2 superchargers on #2 and #4 engines

            It cut controls to left rudder

            It knocked out intervalometer

            It knocked out hydraulic system and emergency hydraulic system

            It knocked out electrical system

            It knocked out radio

            It knocked out interphones

            It knocked out flying instruments in the nose panel

            Turrets could be operated only manually. The 2 superchargers being out caused this aircraft to lose altitude and lag behind formation. 20 miles SW of the target they were attacked by 3 enemy A/C. Two attacked first, and then one attacked from 6 o'clock level. S/Sgt Vernon D. Hasley, Tail Gunner, got him at 200 yards and he went straight down in flames. Because of the two superchargers being out this aircraft went down to 3000 ft. and flew along with the formation in sight, all the way home. After the fighters jumped us, Lt Courtright called the P-38 escort and 5 P-28's came over and escorted us to the coast and that's what saved us." Lts Barbati and Benz, CP,  just babied her all the way home. Engineer Adams cranked the wheels down manually and seven of us got in the rear of the plane. The hydraulic system was gone, so we had no flaps or brakes. Barbati sat her down on the far end of the runway and the seven of us ran as far back in the tail as possible to keep the nose up and stop us. Barbati gave all a choice to bail out over the field, but all stayed, saying, if you can land her, we can ride her out. The landing was perfect.

            The following crew was placed on detached service with a reconnaissance group:

            2^nd Lt Donald F Graves – P

            2^nd Lt Thaddeus C. Pieczenks – CP

            2^nd Lt Albert E. Houghton – N

            2^nd Lt Thomas N. Norman – B

            S/Sgt James J. McBurney – AEG

            Sgt James W. Trinkley – ROG

            Pvt John D. Six – AAEG

            Pvt John J. Waters – AROG

            Sgt Richard B. Sellers – AG

March 31, 1944

            No mission was scheduled for today, and it was a good thing because we had showers all day. Squadron commander Kellman had all the crews out washing the mud off their planes during the morning – they did lots of moaning but they got the job done.

            Barbati and crew went over to the 35^th Field Hospital to see Lt Dalgish who was hit by flak yesterday. John Garfield was on at the USO show, in person. Everybody had to draw for tickets. The theatre would hold only about 30 percent of the personnel of the group. Garfield came over to the Officers' Club afterwards and even played a little poker with the boys. He's a regular fellow.

            The Squadron paper was published today for the first time. Copies of it are enclosed herewith.

Gale H. Gillan,

1^st Lt, Air Corps,

Squadron Historian.