Armorer’s Diary
My Life in the Service
The Diary of
Sgt. Charles Rood
32391113
772nd Bomb Squadron
463rd Bomb Group
In starting the lines about to follow, I must apologize for being unable to give a more detailed account of the events that have occurred to me from the 1
time I left Atlantic City’s swank hotels for the open plains and snow covered peaks of the “Rockies”.
Buckley Field and its armament school was enough to try men’s souls, with their rigid discipline, heartbreaking obstacle courses, and the fleeting nightmares of mathematics. Afraid of being left behind, I struggled through, and my army career thus began in earnest.
The great replacement center at Salt Lake City, Utah was my home for three brief and hectic days. Records checked over and over. More
“shots” to grumble about. Excellent meals.
The powers that be put me aboard a train for Sioux City, Iowa, and I headed east into the great unknown future.
After an interview with Capt. Konald (then Lt.), C.O. of the 906th Guard Squadron, it was decided that I be placed in charge of the Squadron’s arsenal; a duty I performed to the best of my ability for one year.
Nothing unusual occurred at this base to make any significant changes in my life.
I made many friends during my year at Sioux City, and for several months I was quite content to let the world slide by as it was, and have others create new history by their valiant efforts on the battlefronts that covered the globe.
The life of comparative ease however, began to pall and a desire to take a more active part in the war slowly began to form. Once started, the desire grew like Jack’s beanstalk, and soon I was haunting the doorstep of every officer in camp whom I thought could help push me overseas into a new and active arena.
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Finally, after a few false starts, the great day arrived, and I found myself aboard a train heading for the sunny south, and the great B17 base at MacDill Field, Tampa, Florida.
As an armorer in the 772nd Bomb Squadron, I was doing the work I had painfully schooled for, and I was contented knowing that when our training there was completed, our trip across the Pond wasn’t far away.
New Year’s Day found us crowded into trucks, and headed for Lakeland, thirty miles away, where the finishing touches were given to our combat training.
Early one morning about the first of February, we marched with full packs to the train that would carry us to our jumping off place, which turned out to be Camp Patrick Henry, Va. Here in the cold dampness and rain, we spent several days out of touch with the world at large, and waited impatiently for the word that would send us out of the States, destination unknown.
The morning broke cold and dreary, but our hopes were high as the last train ride in the states carried us to the choppy waters of Hampton Roads, and the liberty ship “William B. Cushing” that was to be our home for the next month.
Feb 13th, 1944. Cold and raw, and as we neared the gangplank, we turned our heads back over the land thru which we had just passed. The “gangplank fears” I’d often wondered about were definitely missing. Perhaps it was because I was too busy struggling with my gear to think about anything else.
Gun, gas mask, heavy barracks bag, all doing their best to wear me out before I’d even started. Rood! Charles E., sir! , and I was checked off as I stepped over the rail, and followed the line of men disappearing into the depths of the ship to the hold below. Three hundred men to sleep on bunks side by side, five tiers high, and for awhile the hold was bedlam!
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For the next twenty eight days we tossed and rolled all over the South Atlantic, with ninety nine ships like our own for company, each trying to outroll the others. “Sub” warnings and aircraft warnings were plentiful, tho’
we had no trouble with either until we entered the Mediterranean. Early one morning, after the usual stormy night, a sub or subs found easy targets in the two ships directly behind us. One made the African shore under her own power, while the other continued on her way after repairs were made.
A days stop in the beautiful harbor of Augusta, Sicily, while our convoy was broken up. A day of gay barter with the colorful boatmen. Mt.
Etna was a beautiful sight to behold in fleecy clouds and dazzling sunshine, and for this view alone I thought the voyage worthwhile.
Up anchor, and with four other ships, we ran the gauntlet to the port of Taranto, reaching there at dusk, and later in the evening, thrilling to the flashes of fire in the sky that told us that the action was not far away.
Early next morning, we crowded into a small ferry that appeared as tho’ she would founder at any moment, and churned to shore a mile or so away. Terra Firma once more, and eyes agog at the strange faces and war shattered buildings.
This was our introduction to sunny Italy. Dingy streets, filthy children with tattered rags for clothes. Boys of five and six years clamoring for a smoke, and inhaling them like veterans.
Smashed and torn, the houses were desolate and pitiable, and we were glad that we had come four thousand miles to punish the ones who were guilty of such evils.
Marching away through the streets of Taranto, kids hanging onto your pack, and their never ending chant of “cigaretta Joe”? To the outskirts of town, and into the fresher, cleaner air of the open fields and orchards.
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Billeted at night in the bare, bedraggled rooms of what once had been charming homes. Sleep at night on the marble floors that felt like feather beds to our tired bones.
A visit to the beautiful cemetery, where the monuments to the dead were works of art unlike any I’ve ever seen before. Guided by a tiny lad who shed quiet tears as we stood before the shell torn ruins of his family’s plot.
Another train, wheezing along at a merry pace through the beautiful fields and orchards; past the ruins of ancient cities and vacant “pill boxes”, grim reminders that war had passed this way.
Stopping at Bari and other places, gazing out of our open windows at the passing throngs, trying to talk to some fair senoritas, clumsily thumbing the pages of our Italian guide books and getting lost in the process.
Leaving the train at Barletta in the dead of night, to climb aboard the trucks that were to take us to our final destination; a huge convoy, speeding along in the night with headlights blazing; thirty miles, or was it the three hundred that it had seemed? Stopping at last in an open field; cold, weary, and our beds the breast of Mother Earth.
Our sleep was broken early the next morning by a deluge of cold rain, and in no time at all, our field was a sea of mud. The tents arrived, and we labored throughout the day, setting them up, improvising stoves and flooring; our beds empty petrol cans left behind by the Nazis in their haste to withdraw
Then came days of many details necessary to put our outfit in shape, and waiting to hit the “line” and get to work on the ships.
Armament crew chief on #114, “The Atoner” was my first assignment, and I loved that ship and crew as a mother hen her brood, sweating them out on each mission. ? ? P.S. Two Nazi ships shot down by 38’s.
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( Note: According to the story that my dad told numerous times, two German bombers were approaching the base on a low level run, when two P-38
fighters broke through the clouds, diving straight down on the enemy planes.
I gather that this was when the camp was being set up. Ship numbers are the last three digits).
On April 5th, 1944, I was made Flight Chief of “C” flight, with a sergeants rating. Ships #114, #829 “Jaunty Joan”, #796, and #844 the famous “Swoose II”, Col. Kurtz’s flagship. #796 and #829 went down over enemy territory with all guns blazing. I lost many a pal with these two ships.
Later, two new silver ships replaced them, and I’m sure that both will give a good account of themselves.
The Nazis come over every other night or so.
That’s just about all the story thus far. Day in and day out the news is the same; my ships are bombing the hell out of the Nazis, and doing their parts well to bring to a speedy end this damned war.
P.S. Spent two weeks in the famous 97th Bomb Group.
June 3rd “J.D.” and I made exceptionally good time reaching Manfredonia via Foggia, and enjoyed a good swim in the Adriatic, followed by a long awaited and much enjoyed “fish fry”. The trip home was made in record time.
I may add here that old #847 “Fearless Fosdick” “failed to return” on the second of June. #847 was a ship I recently took over from “J.D.”
June 4th ---- ? ? ? Bad night!
June 5th Another bad day, when #817 old “Hairless Joe” failed to return.
Rome is ours !!
June 6th A sad day for me. “The Atoner” #114 went down in enemy territory. This was my first real love and I’ll miss her.
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“The Armorers”
Perhaps I’d better mention briefly here a bit about the job the armorers have done and are doing to keep the guns a’blazing on these ships of ours.
A tribute too, to the hours they’ve spent sweating the bombs into the ever hungry bomb bays. 100’s, 250’s, 500’s, and 1000 lb. packages of death and destruction to be delivered to Adolph.
The agony of waiting for their ships to return, and their despair when they don’t. Just a bunch of kids working their hearts out trying to win this war by themselves. Perhaps they’ve lost a year or two with the home folks, but they’ve gained a million years of gratitude from the world of democracy.
June 6th First reports on the invasion of the French coast. Hit the foxholes for an hour – no damage. ?
June 9th We lost one of our new radar ships, #724, and some of my oldest combat friends, Morales (tail gunner), Kerbacker and “Woody” (waist), Reichers – engineer, and Lt. Geo. DeBooey, sq’drn bomb.
June 10th Johnny and I trekked once more to Manfredonia, where we put in a grand day. Hiring a sailboat with it’s crew of three, we sailed up and down the blue Adriatic, swimming far off the beach.
Sunday – June 11th. A quiet day – rec’d package from Mom and Pop. Very grateful to them for this swell pen, the cigars, salt, and papers. This evening in our new show house, we saw Joel McCrea, Maureen O’Hara and Linda Darnell in “Buffalo Bill”.
Fri. June 16th Cool yet sunny day. The ships have taken off with a cargo of 250’s for Northern Italy, to blast hell out of the retreating Nazis.
Radio reports that B29’s have struck at Japan. As yet we have no confirmation. The boys have now pushed 80 miles beyond Rome and still pushing.
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June 18th, 44. Mission “scratched” this morning due to our first real rain in two months. Our tent was torn down over our heads when a truck carried away our light lines. A new one was set up in less time than it takes to tell.
June 19th. Mission scratched.
June 20th. “ “
June 21st. “ “
June 20th. B24 crashed at North end of runway. Four killed, three in hospital. Three of her 12 – 500’s exploded, obliterating complete fuselage.
Unexploded bombs still fused landed hundreds of yards away. Cause unknown. Fifteen minutes later a Wellington crashed and burned at South end of runway. Nazis overhead. Driven off.
June 22nd. Six ships, all we now have available, “took off” loaded with 24
– 100 lb. incendiaries. Land armies 50 miles south of Florence. @ They came over again about midnight. No damage. The 38’s barely gave them a chance.
June 27th. Still hot & dusty. Last night a fleet of 17’s came in from England and Russia on a “shuttle run”. We’ll probably load them this evening along with ours. The boys blasted Vienna yesterday with 250’s, G.P.
We’ve just six ships able to take off these days. Six left out of the sixteen we started with, and only three of the six are original ones.
June 28th. Non-operational. Ships came back from their mission to Budapest pretty well shot up. 550 – 827 – 846 feathered props. Helped work on our new club, which opens Sat. It’s really swank.
Cherbourg is ours! ? ? ( foxholes 2a.m – 3:15) July 2nd. Ships took off loaded with 500’s. Shuttle ships still with us.
Yesterday, Johnny and I had our usual Sat. swim at Manfredonia.
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? (foxholes for an hour or so).
July 4th. Just another day. Our new club, “The Wheel”, opened with a bang.
Only twelve dozen glasses and two chairs broken.
July 6th. Johnny and I saw the ships off at 6:30 a.m. they’re loaded with 500’s.
They returned from their raid on Breslau pretty well shot up. My own
#887 had one “prop” shot off and about sixty holes in her. #887 got two Nazi fighters, one by my old friend Hans Wagner, ball gunner. Foxholes again!
? ? ?
July 7th. Johnny and I returned from Arignola to find our ships had taken a bad pounding on their Vienna raid. My new ship, #807 was shot down, “tho the entire crew bailed out, and may get back. Joe Guylas, an old friend flying for the 773rd. had his ship “ditched”, and we expect him and the rest of the crew back in a day or so. We could only send two ships on today’s mission,
“tho some of the other squadrons fared even worse than we yesterday. The 774th. Had only two ships come back. Two out of six!!
P.S. Aug 6th. “Joe” and his crew-mates have not returned. “So-long Joe; happy landing, somewhere”. ( P.P.S. See Aug. 8th entry) July 12th. Non-operational. Cool and sprinkling. Cloudy and dark, I guess, because our little “Bosco” died during the night. A bomb trailer ran over him down on the line, and he never whimpered once, right up to the last minute.
Pollack is broken-hearted, as are the rest of us. “So-long, Bosco, perhaps we’ll meet again someday, somewhere”
This evening I saw a picture that I shall never forget. Jennifer Jones in
“The Song of Bernadette”. No other picture has ever given me such a profound feeling of holiness and belief in God’s miracles.
The boys loaded 500’s tonight, and if the weather improves by morning, the Nazis will catch hell again.
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July 16th. Clear and hot. The ships returned from Vienna a bit shot up, but were highly successful. I have a new silver “G” to watch over now; #194.
Cpl. Bob Dobeski will be her armorer. This gives me #194, #887, #251, and
#271, all silver. Yesterday, Sat. the 15th., Sgt. Graham, Sgt. Burns, Johnny, and I made a trip to Cerignola. Had our usual feed and the usual bottle or two of wine. @@
July 18th. On “Charge of Quarters” from 5:30 p.m. till 8:00 a.m. All went well. The boys loaded 250 lb. “frags”.
July 19th. Quiet day – ships okay.
July 21st. The ships returned from Yugoslavia pretty well shot up. My
#194 landed at an allied field in northern Italy, and will probably be salvaged. My #251 was ripped by “flak” and will probably be out of action for several days. The rest of the ships had more than their share of flak holes.
A few of the boys are missing. Several Nazis overhead – driven off.
July 22nd. Johnny and I continued our cook’s tour of Italy, reaching as far as Barletta. Nothing here of real interest, excepting the large wineries. A large allied hospital is located here, and the streets are filled with walking wounded; mostly British and Poles. The day was very hot and dusty.
July 23rd. “non-operational”. Dust storms still raging.
July 25th. Rather rough day, as the ships came home in pretty tough shape.
Dominic’s new ship, #276, with only ten missions, blew up over the target.
There were no survivors. “Dutch” Peters “E.M.” flying bombardier in my
#887, was badly wounded by “flak”. ( compilers note: my dad had a piece of twisted metal, cut from his flak-jacket. It is in my possession.) My #194 and
#251 are now undergoing repairs in the service squadron as a result of the heavy “flak” they met.
July 26th. (blank)
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July 30th. Saw “Four Jills in a Jeep” tonight – it was very good.
July 31st. A very rough day for us over Weiner- Neustadt, Germany. I lost my #887, and had new #271 limp into the “bone-yard” for repairs. “Mike”
lost his famous old #827, “G.I. Delivery”, with 53 missions to her credit.
Two of my good friends, “Hans” and “Clarkie”, finished their fifty missions and are real happy about it. They’ll be going home soon.
Aug. 1st. #550, “Lassie and Her Lads”, was our only ship to “take off” with the group this morning.
Four miles south of Florence now.
Aug 5th. Spent the day in Foggia trying to find something to send Kay for our anniversary. Guess the Nazis took most jewelry of value, but I believe the cameo’s set in silver that I did buy are the best in town.
Aug 6th. Had a letter from Don with some snaps of him and “Ginny”, his girlfriend. The kid is growing fast and quite handsome.
The ships are away on a mission “somewhere” with a load of 500’s to disturb somebody’s otherwise quiet Sunday. The day is hot, as usual, probably about 100°.
Don’t see many Nazis overhead anymore. Even the searchlights are seldom seen, excepting the ones used as guides.
Aug 8th. Last evening about 6:00 p.m., my old friend, Joe Guylas, whom we had given up for lost, “came back from the dead”. Joe’s story was both amusing and tragic. His ship was hit by intense “flak” over target Vienna, wounding the bombardier, and setting two engines and the bomb bay on fire.
Losing altitude, they headed back home over Yugoslavia.
The pilot finally ordered the crew to bail out at 5000 ft., and they did.
The pilots “chute” failed to open, and he was lost. Joe landed safely and was soon found by loyal Partisans, who led him to a few of the others. They marched eighteen nights under cover, finally getting a C54 transport lift to Bari, and thence to Foggia. The bombardier was gradually losing his mind, and was left behind in care of the Partisans. Joe had only the highest praise 11
for these people who befriended them so graciously. They refused to eat until our men had been fed, and gave up their beds so our men could sleep.
Just before Joe and Reed (gunner) were picked up by the Partisans, they were walking merrily along the highway, straight towards a Nazi held village three miles distant. Luckily for them, the Partisans found them in time and all was well. Joe insisted they walked his party up every hill and mountain in the country. However, all’s well that ends well, and soon Joe will be heading for home.
Aug 10th. Was down at the line at 4:30 a.m. to see “Luke” and “Bob” off on their first mission as “E.M.” bombardiers. The mission is a double one with 250’s, and we’ll really be “sweating them out”.
Haven’t seen a Nazi bomber in some time now. I guess they need all their ships in France. “Stan” ( Dad’s younger brother) is there now, and I guess he’ll get a few glimpses of their dying glory.
“Luke” and “Bob” returned OK from their raid on Ploesti. “Bob” sent his away in “train”. Luke had to “salvo” three “hung” bombs in the Adriatic.
Mission completed.
Boys loaded seven ships with 500’s tonight. I checked the loads about 10 o’clock. Hurt knee in bomb bay of #271.
Aug 11th. Mission scratched. The boys loaded the 8th Air Force ships here on a shuttle run. A regular cloudburst at chow time this evening. Allies are moving very fast in France. Russian drive slowed down some for the time being. We’re still trying to make “Florence”, but she’s a stubborn gal. She’ll give in soon however.
Aug 20th. Just returned from a weeks stay at our new rest camp Santa Cesarea, located far down the “heel” of Italy. The Army has taken over the two swank hotels on the water’s edge, one for officers and one for the enlisted men.
We took off in one of the 75th. Squadron ships, the “Thundermug”, proud possessor of one hundred “missions” on the 13th of August, nine a.m.
Lieuts. Howe and Goldstein, Sgt. Tom Campbell, Pvt. Geo. Adams and myself.
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Flying all over Southern Italy’s beautiful mountains and grand beaches, we tried to locate a tiny landing strip where we were to pick up a few more officers. The compass being “off”, we had a hard time trying to pick out the small dirt runway, and circled around for over an hour before we finally saw it and came in for a landing.
We had coffee and sandwiches at the only building there, a Red Cross hut, and then “took off” once more. Another hour and fifteen minutes flying over the water, we landed at the 98th Bomb Grp’s field and by car from there drove thirty miles to Santa Cesarea, our destination.
Santa Cesarea was one of Mussolini’s favorite resorts, and very picturesque and charming. As our own hotel, the “Villa Tamburino” had only been opened a day or so, our meals were taken at the officer’s dining hall, and to make a gross understatement, they were really grand. Snowy linen, silver service, fresh cut flowers on each table and a native orchestra made each meal a great pleasure.
Our room in our own hotel was large and airy, with huge French doors leading to our balcony over the water, and from where we could see the town itself and the seacoast, with its bays and villages for miles.
Geo. And I walked and swam to our hearts content, and the water itself was the clearest I’ve ever seen. At evening, on the terrace of the officer’s hotel, we enjoyed several good movies, or enjoyed some fine iced drinks in our own grand bar. During the week, we went swimming far up the coast at Otranto, a city built in the 13th century, and at Castro in the opposite direction.
We hired sail boats and swam far out in the bays, or just sunned ourselves, while the native boatmen plied the oars. We dove from Roman ruins into crystal pools in water so clear that it was like looking through space itself.
Santa Cesara has provided a refuge for 1900 young Yugoslav girls and boys, whose parents were taken captive or killed by the Nazis, and the optimism of these kids is really amazing considering the sad memories of their homeland.
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We “took off” for home today, Aug 20th, making a stop halfway home for more passengers, finally arriving here at base about 2:30 p.m. All in all, we had a grand time, and were duly grateful.
While I was away, my #194 was shot down. #287 and #231 were also lost. #231 had made only one mission; her last! “Luke” now has six missions.
Aug 27th Up early to go down to Special Service Bldg. With a batch of others to donate a pint of blood for our friends fighting up in Northern Italy
& Southern France.
Boys came back from their mission over Germany o.k. “Flak” just missed “Luke”, coming through the nose and glancing off the chin turret.
Ploesti falls to Russians.
Aug 30th. Quiet day. Ships came back with a little flak. Saw Spencer Tracy
& Irene Dunne in “A Guy Named Joe” – V.G.
Aug 31st. Non-operational
Sept 1st. Up at 5:00 a.m. to see the ships off. Dobeski is bombardier in my
#377 today. Clear & hot. Ships returned o.k. from raid on Yugoslavia—
“milk run”. Temperature at noon 120º.
--- Sept 2 --- One year older --- (note: 36) Sept 3rd. Terrific dust storm, accompanied by high winds and downpour.
Wind tore off the entire mess hall roof. Tonight we’ll eat in the “Wheel”, our club. Ships returned o.k. , some with “flak”.
Sept 10th. Saw the ships off at 5:30 a.m. loaded with 500’s ; target Vienna.
May be rough. Heavy rain last evening. This morning clear & cool.
The Allies are poised in full strength before the “Siegfried Line”.
Ships returned o.k. with some “flak”. Saw Errol Flynn and Paul Lucas in “Uncertain Glory” – V.G.
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Checked bomb loads after show—o.k.
Sept 11th. Mission scratched exactly at “take off” time. Poor target weather.
Sept 13th. Target Munich. Ship #106 blew up over target. No chutes were seen. This was “Leo’s” and had 21 missions.
A “B24” caught fire on “hardstand” and was destroyed.
Sept 14th. I was down at the line from 5:00 a.m. till “take-off” at 5:45.
ships were “recalled” due to poor target weather. #846 sheared her landing gear when she came in and will no doubt be salvaged. Old #846 was one of our original ships and was credited with over sixty missions.
P.S. 9/20/44 ( She’s being repaired)
Sept 15 – 19th Spent all our spare time building our Fall home. Completed it the 18th and are very pleased with the results. Days are getting a bit cooler
– nights are cold. The war news grows more and more favorable.
Sept 22nd. Cool and sunny. The ships took off about 8:00 a.m. with a load of twelve 500 lb. “R.D.X’s”. I think “Luke” is flying in my #102. P.S. – they all made it back.
Sept 23rd. Mission to Hungary completed. All returned.
Sept 24th. Non-operational
Sept 25th. Non-operational – rain
Sept 26th. Non-operational
Sept 27th. Mission “scratched”. Poor target weather. I instructed combat crew on #271 in the art of unloading bombs. They then “took off” on a practice hop with three 100 lb. practice bombs.
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Clear and sunny. The boys loaded 12 ships with 1000 pounders.
Someone should catch hell.
Sept 28th. After all the men’s work last evening, loading bombs till three a.m. , the mission was “scratched” early this morning. We had hoped to see the ships take off on this trip, as all squadrons in the 5th Wing were sending up double the usual strength, and a terrific blow that might have ended the war was in our hands. Now we may never know, unless the same mission is in the cards for tonight. The day is dark and cloudy.
Sept 29th 30th. “Scratched”
Oct 1st. Scratched – still raining like hell.
Oct 2nd & 3rd. “scratched”
Oct 4th. Clear and sunny. After ten days of idleness, the ships took off in two waves. The first at 7:30, the second at 8:00. #019, “Wittle Wabbit”
(radar) cracked up on the “take-off” and must be salvaged. At ninety to one-ten per hour it’s a marvel no one was injured. The target is Vienna. The first
“wave” is to silence the guns. The second to demolish the target. They’ll be back at 3:00 p.m. – mission completed. All ships returned.
Oct 5th. Mission “scratched”
Oct 6th. “ “
Oct 7th. Took off about nine a.m. for Vienna with 1000 pounders. Weather slowly clearing. “Mission completed” – all ships returned.
Oct 8th. “Scratched” – rain
Oct 9th. “ “
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Oct 10th. Target Vienna. All ships returned. “Lassie and Her Lads”, Paul Kozak’s old #550 had just taken off on a gunnery mission when two engines caught fire. While attempting to land at Foggia Main, she blew up on the Naples road just short of the field and scattered for half a mile. Nine dead.
One survivor.
Oct 12th. Target Bologna, Italy. Ship #118 caught fire between the lines, and ten “chutes” were seen leaving the ship. We expect the entire crew to return today or tomorrow.
Went fishing with my “S.A.A.F.” pals – no luck – great fun.
Oct 13th. Target Vienna. All ships returned.
Oct 14th. Target Flackheimer. All ships returned.
Oct 15th. “Non-operational”. Fine day. This evening the boys are loading 12 ships with 500’s. My turn to get up at “briefing” tomorrow morning.
Oct 16th. “Briefing” at 5:00 a.m. Ships took off about 6:30. cloudy but sunny. Target Vienna. Mission complete. All ships returned.
Oct 17th. Target Blechhammer, Germany. Ships took off loaded with
“R.D.X’s” ; due back at 3:00 p.m. They started to straggle in at four thirty.
Three of my ships, #271, #419, and #377 did not return. About 7:30, #271
came in after spending eleven hours in the air, with enough fuel to last just seven more minutes. A severe storm broke up the formation, which scattered.
#419, with Bob Dobeski, Bores, and Miltler aboard, was forced down in the Adriatic. We are still sweating them out. #377 came back early this morning (8:00 a.m.) after landing and refueling at an emergency field in Yugo-Slavia. #271 had quite a tale to tell about climbing the face of a mountain so closely that they thought the props would hit. All instruments were “out” and no navigator aboard.
Loaded 250’s this p.m.
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Oct 18th. “Non-op” – just practice mission. I checked over #271 and #377
and found them in fair shape. #277 smashed her new K13 sights in the
“waist” when they thought the ship would hit the mountain, and the pilot
“took her upstairs” in a hurry. Radio room floor “buckled” and all “ammo”
thrown out to lighten ship.
Oct 19th. Mission “scratched”. We thought #419 had “ditched” and that Dobeski and the others got out, but later reports do not confirm this. We don’t know where they are at 6:00 p.m. this evening. Showers on and off all day. 250’s again tonight.
Oct 20th. Target Germany. All ships returned o.k.
Oct 21st. “Non-op” I was “C.Q.”
Oct 22nd. Mission “scratched”.
Oct 23rd. Target Germany anti-aircraft emplacements. Load “1000
pounders”. Mission complete. All ships returned.
Oct 24th. “Non-op”, as we’re having a “dry run” for our “Presidential Citation” that is to be awarded us on the 28th. Clear and sunny.
Oct 25th. “Scratched”. “Leo” was taken suddenly with malaria during the night, and is now in the hospital at Foggia.
Oct 26th. “Scratched”. One “radar” from each sqdrn. Took off for target Germany – rainy. #250 completed her mission, but was badly shot up.
Oct 27th. Mission “scratched”
Oct 28th. Mission “scratched”. “J.D.” and I went into Foggia for the day, eating at the Red Cross, and having a drink or two at the “Coffee Shop”.
Went to the boxing bouts held in the Flagella Theatre and really enjoyed them. Returned to the base about 9:00 p.m.
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Oct 29th. Clear and sunny. The boys took off with a load of R.D.X. about 7:30 a.m. “Luke” is flying #490. No word of “Bob” yet. ( ships recalled at noon).
Oct 30th. Non-operational
Oct 31st. Non-operational
Nov 1st. Non-operational. Day clear and sunny, but the runway is still under water. The colored guard detachment is moving out and their duties are to be taken over by the squadron itself. All men, regardless of rank, will take over guarding the base approximately once weekly. This sudden turn of affairs will no doubt seriously interfere with our normal duties, but for the time being at least, there is no way of getting around it.
It seems strange, but nicely so, at this time of the year to see a new crop of grass, dandelions, gentians, daisies, etc. springing up all over the fields.
Nov 2-3-4- “Scratched”
Nov 5th. Cargo of 250’s to Vienna. Mission complete. All ships returned.
“Dry run” for Presidential Citation.
Nov 6th. Ships “took off” at 6:30 a.m. loaded with 250’s. Partly cloudy and cool. Target Nazi airdromes – E.T.A. 2:30. Mission complete – all ships returned. Bombing altitude 30000 and the guns were covered with condensation when I checked them over. Remained clear and cool all day.
No word from “Bob” Dobeski.
Nov 7th. Ships took off at 9:00 a.m. Passed in revue before Gen. Twining and Gen. Laurence after Gen. Twining presented us with the Presidential Citation. He complimented us as well on the way we carried out our formations.
Guard duty this eve. All ships returned.
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Nov 8th. “Non-operational”. Day was quite clear and warm. Gave #251,
#377, and #102 a good “check-up”. Findings quite satisfactory.
Nov 9th. Just to be different, Sgt. Graham, “J.D.”, Cayson, and I loaded two of the ships with practice bombs, early this morning. The day has been fine
‘tho tonight is extremely windy. Received letters from Mom, “Bob”
(anotheryounger brother) and “Stan”. “Stan is now in Belgium. Dewey concedes election to President Roosevelt.
Still no word from “Bob” Dobeski.
Nov 10th. “Non-operational”. A cold driving rain made the day most miserable. We fellows went to the first show, a poor one, and are now in the tent listening to the rain beating against the walls like fury. The howling wind and rain make it a good night to stay in by the fire, which is now glowing red, warming our tent house very nicely. Lt. Brown got his Captain’s bars today and gave us $20.00 to have a drink on him. A bottle of brandy and one of cognac sitting on the table (our own) looks like mighty good company on a night like this. Here goes! ( bomb load same) Nov 11th. Ships took off about 8:00 a.m. and hit alternate target Salzburg.
All ships returned.
“J.D.” and I went to town to see “Casanova Brown” starring Gary Cooper and Frank Morgan. The Italian stage show was also V.G. Weather poor all day.
Nov 12th. I got up at “briefing hour” 4:30 a.m. and sweat the ships off.
After the last one “took off” the recall was given.
Mountains look pretty with a fresh blanket of snow on their crests.
Sun rose red and the day promises to be fair. Party at Sgt. Graham’s abode in honor of our new “Captain”. Quite successful!!!
Nov 13th. Spent most of the day in the sack, trying to forget last nights party. The ships were grounded anyway, and I had thoroughly checked them Sunday.
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Enjoyed the “G.I.” movies as usual and will retire early. Wrote to my
“one and only”, enclosing several more “snaps” taken here on the field.
Cough not so good.
Nov 14th. Mission “scratched”. Rained hard this a.m. and remained cloudy all day. Just checked over my ships. Pretty fair except for one or two guns.
Just eight missions in twenty eight days!
Nov 15th. “Scratched”. Jean Arthur in “The Impatient Years”. Yum!!
Nov 16th. Target Germany. Mission complete. En-route home #406 fell behind the formation and was pounced on by several Nazi fighters. The radio and tail gunners were killed outright, and one waist gunner, removed at Foggia Main where #406 came in, is given little chance for life. #406 was riddled and will be “stripped” at Foggia Main. The two gunners killed were on their first combat mission.
Nov 17th. Ships took off at 6:30 a.m. with 500’s. Target – (not given) Guard duty 2:00 a.m. till 6:00 a.m.
Nov 18th. “J.D.” & I went into town for the “aft”. Had a bite to eat and a few drinks. The boys took off in two “flights”. The first at seven a.m. with 500’s R.D.X. The second at noon with 250 lb. demo. All ships returned.
Nov 19th. I got up at 5:30 to “sweat them off”. First flight away at 7 a.m.
with 1000 pounders. Second flight off at 8:00 a.m. with 250’s. All ships returned.
Nov 20th. Ships away with 250’s demolition. Target Yugoslavia. Mission complete. All returned.
Song fest at the Club enjoyed by all. Weather fair.
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Nov 21st. Non-operational. Fifth Wing inspector states that my ship #253
(Cpl. Miller) and #250, one of Miley’s, were the best he had ever inspected.
Couldn’t find a thing wrong.
Very cloudy and windy and rain appears due any minute.
Nov 22nd. Sweated them off about 7:00 a.m. Mission complete. All ships returned.
Nov 23rd. Thanksgiving. Real good turkey dinner. “Non-op”. Letters from Kay, Stan, Mom, Glady, and p’kages from “Bob”, and Mary. A beautiful sunny day.
Nov 24th. “Non-operational”
Nov 25th. “Non-operational”
Nov 26th. “Non-operational”
Nov 27th. “Non-operational”. Guard duty 10:00 p.m. till 2:00 a.m. on supply depot. Cloudy & damp.
Nov 28th. Mission “scratched”. Cloudy – showers – very raw.
Nov 29th. Mission “scratched” same as yesterday. Ship #737 of the 73rd crashed on “take off”. Her bomb load of ten 500’s blew the ship and six crew members sky high. Four men escaped on crash landing four minutes before she exploded.
“Gov’t Girl” at the movies. V.G.
Nov 30th. Mission “scratched”. \ Rain. Drove out to the wreck. She really blew to bits. Only found two engines and two “props”. Found a few dog-tags, one hand, one foot, and one head and shoulders section. Cause unknown as yet, “tho I believe she lost flying speed as she left the runway; wheels up, her props flailed the ground and tore loose, setting the ship on fire. After her initial “hit”, she bounced and crash-landed five hundred feet 22
further on, near the old B24 wreck. It was from this crash landing that four of the men escaped the explosion. Last night about 1:00 a.m. the explosion jarred the entire camp, and for a moment we thought the Nazis were overhead.
Dec 1st. “Non-operational”. Heavy rain on and off during the day. Stuck to the tent most of the day. This evening at the “Ravioli” (base) we saw “A Chip Off the Old Block” starring Don O’Connor – V.G. Received package from “Glad”.
Dec 2nd. “Non-operational”
Dec 3rd. “Non-operational”. Clear and sunny for a change. Went into town and met “Izzy” at the Red Cross at 4:00. Had a bite to eat there and later a few drinks on the Ave. We returned to camp about 7:30 and had a bit of a show at the Corporals’ Club where “Izzy” footed the bill for all drinks. He leaves for England about the 7th.
Dec 4th. “Non-operational”. Clear and sunny. Izzy gave me two ‘chutes, one blue, the other white. Still have the half I shared with “Lute”. Hope to have Kay’s outfit made in time for her birthday at least. I’m still sweating out her measurements.
We had “Izzy’s” farewell party at “H.B’s”. “Alfie”, Wally, “Izzy”
from the S.A.A.F. and Graham, H.B. Martin, Williams, “J.D”, Beane, and myself. Three “fifths” of Gordon’s and one fifth of “Gilbey’s” plus a quart of Martini Vermouth. Turkey and tuna fish sandwiches provided the meal.
“Izzy” leaves for a six weeks stay (schooling) in England tomorrow morning.
Dec 5th. “Non-operational”. According to “Operations”, two more days of rain will probably finish our flying for good, as the take-off strip will be condemned. Cloudy and damp now, with rain once more threatening.
Glider made forced landing.
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Dec 6th. Fair – slight overcast. The 97th lost a “Fort” this a.m. on “take-off”. Crashed, caught fire, and her 500’s went off one at a time. Our first wave got away about 8:00 a.m. Second wave now taxiing out. Runway still very poor.
All ships returned! Incomplete!
Dec 7th. Pearl Harbor Day. “Non-op”. 5th Wing inspection. Cloudy and showery.
Dec 8th. “Non-operational”. Stood guard 10 – 2:00 a.m. Began to rain just as I came off. Saw “Adventures in Iraq”.
Dec 9th. Mission incomplete. Ships dropped only their two delayed action bombs in the Adriatic. Weather poor.
Dec 10th. Ships “took-off” at 7:30 this a.m. “Recall” due to weather about noon. Heavy rains this evening gives us a “stand down” for tomorrow.
Looks like the field will be condemned. New runway under water, and can’t be worked on. “Stan” writes from Holland.
Dec 11th. “Non-operational”. Cold and rainy as usual. A drink or two at the club, a few games of ping – pong, and bed.
Dec 12th. Got up at “briefing” only to find all ships scratched excepting the Radars of each squadron. #385 and my #253 came home about 3:30.
Mission complete. Started our new concrete floor today, laying two inches of gravel. Cement tomorrow.
Checked bomb load this “eve” ‘tho I’m sure tomorrow will be “non-op”.
Dec 13th. “Non-op”.
Dec 14 – 17th. All non-operational days of rain and mud. During the past several days we’ve had a new cement floor put in our “tent house”. We pitched a tent alongside our house and piled our equipment there. We slept 24
in the armament office two nights. Today we moved our gear back in and are getting things straightened out.
The new runway has been condemned, as are most of the taxi strips, and our usefulness as a combat group is at a low ebb.
We’ve given “Bob” Dobeski up as lost now, as today makes the second month with no word of the ship or crew.
Twenty-one B24’s shot down returning from mission. They were jumped just a few miles down the coast after the escort had scooted for home.
Dec. 18th. At long last the ships “took-off”, target 25 miles north of Blechhammer, Germany, a rough spot. All five of my ships “took off” and returned about 4:30, altho’ #271 blew a tail wheel when she reached her
“hardstand” and #251 came in with Nos. 1 & 3 out of kilt. Both engines repaired by 10:00 p.m. “R.D” just popped in to tell me the “intervalometer”
on #253 is “burned out”. Will go down and change it after “midnight chow”.
Saw “G.I.” movies tonight with “J.D.”, Capt. Brown, and Albert.
Dec 19th. Heavy ground fog lifted in time to let the boys take off about seven a.m. Target Blechhammer. All returned o.k. Guard duty 10:00 – 2:00
a.m.
Dec 20th. Went on guard last night at 10:00 and volunteered to guard a crashed B24 and bombardier’s body out in “no man’s land” halfway across the hills and plains to San Marco.
The group surgeon and driver with an ambulance followed Sgt. Beals and I driving a command car. A heavy fog slowed us down considerably.
Went into Foggia, thence out the Manfredonia road to the San Marco road which we drove along for approx. four miles.
We were forced to abandon both vehicles when we bogged down in the mud and proceeded on foot across the muddy swampland and farms for six miles, a slow tortuous hike. We spotted the crew’s fire in the distance and reached them at 1:10 a.m.
( Mission complete today. All ships returned.)
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The survivors were in fairly good shape, altho’ the co-pilot had sprained both ankles. The bombardier had bailed out when the ship’s altitude was a mere 500 ft. and died of internal injuries plus shock and left leg broken in several places.
The “Liberator” had run out of gas at an altitude of 1700 ft. (en route to Manfredonia) and all four engines failed at the same time. Two others bailed out and survived the landing. How the pilot and balance of the crew survived that crash landing, I’ll never know, as it was smashed to kindling.
The surviving crew spent the night at a farm near by, leaving me and the
“dead” to watch over the ship and the crew’s personal affects.
Beals was to bring me relief early in the morning about 8:00 a.m., but the sun was high at 12:30 when he finally arrived with two jeeps and trailer.
We lashed the body on a stretcher to the trailer, proceeding to the 61st.
Station hospital in Foggia, where we delivered the remains.
It had been a cold, gruesome night as the fog rolled in and the Capt.
had warned me to keep a sharp watch for Italians who would no doubt attempt to loot the ship and crew’s luggage. I built a “fox-hole” of barracks bags and lay in wait for possible “ Fascists”. I apprehended four about 4:30
a.m., keeping them with me till daybreak, tho’ the “carbine” firing over their heads would have no doubt sent them flying.
Slept like a log from 2:00 p.m. till 10:00 p.m., missing supper (three meals). J.D. and I went to the club for our beer till 11:30. Slept till 7:00 a.m.
Dec 21st. “Non-op”. Went down to the “line” right after breakfast and checked “377” – “251” & “271”. After dinner I installed a new intervalometer in “253”. Started raining at 4:30 p.m. and now at 7:00 it is still pouring. Mission scheduled for tomorrow with 12 – 500’s may be
“scratched” before loading. Hope so as I check tonight. “Up in Mabri’s Room” at the “theatre”.
( No word of Dobeski)
Dec 22nd. Non-operational. Moved ships to other side of runway and then moved them back. Saw “Always a Bridesmaid” with Andrews Sisters.
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Dec 23rd. “J.D.” and I went into Foggia for a change. Made arrangements to have Kay’s nightgown and negligee made by a family who before the war were very wealthy. I’ve seen some of their work and it’s nice. Home about 10:00 p.m. “Non-op”.
Dec 25th. “Christmas Day”. Slept rather late. Ate until I could hardly budge and the meal was great. Nothing fancy, but they kept piling it on as long as you could take it.
The boys “took off” this a.m. with a cargo of Christmas “cheer” for Adolph. Mission complete. The men are down on the line loading bombs and in a few minutes I’ll go down to inspect the loads. Loads checked okay excepting #253. Sent “R.D” and Thompson down to remedy. Some guards were trigger happy, but all went well.
Dec 26th. Ships took off about 7:30 a.m. Target just north of Blechhammer, Germany. Refineries were demolished, the flames being seen for thirty miles. All returned.
McConnell, armorer on my #271, shot a slug through my adjacent
#251 while checking the lower ball. Thompson was checking the radio gun on #251 when the slug passed through the waist. Repercussions will be violent no doubt.
Dec 27th. Clear and sunny – fairly warm. Major Patton’s reprimand wound up McConnell’s “shooting”. #251 just made an early return. Engine trouble.
Typhus and typhoid shots. All ships returned o.k. Mission complete.
Dec 28th. Operational – mission complete – all returned. Small “flak”.
Squadron show, “Holiday Hangovers”, was extremely good. Clear and cold.
Dec 29th. Up at 5:30 a.m. to check armament on ships prior to take – off.
Cloudy and damp. Rain started about 10:30 a.m. Some ships special “recall”. Others continued towards target.
Ships returned about 3:45 pretty well shot up. My #102 and #377 had plenty of “flak”. Guarded down on the line 6 to 10:00. Not too bad, tho’
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plenty wet. Stand down tomorrow, so I escaped checking bomb loads tonight.
Dec 30th. “Non-op”. Cold and rainy.
Dec 31st. “Non-op”. Cold and rainy. Heavy snow started about 3:00 p.m.
Looks like Xmas eve should have looked. The camp is a sea of mud, and the damp cold penetrates to a man’s marrow.
Big party at the Club tonight, with all drinks on the house. Beer, wines, cognac, peach brandy, vermouth , gin, whisky, etc. “J.D.”, “Leo”, and I saw “Submarine Alert” with Richard Arlen & Binnie Barnes. It was strictly class “B”. May write more after the party. I may I said!! “Mike” is still in the hospital.
Party was a bedlam! J.D. and I drank our fill & went to Hilton’s to finish off. Swiped a whole turkey from the mess hall when the lights went out. It was cooked to a turn and delicious. J.D., Bob, Leo & I finished it all.
Jan. 1st. 1945 “Non-op”. Awoke with a bit of a headache. The ground is covered with snow and the ugly mud is covered for awhile, at least. Skipped breakfast and lunch. Have turkey for supper. Received letters from Mom and
“Stan”.
Jan 2nd. “Non-op”. The run-ways are really a mess. Mud gets worse every day. My #271 bogged down when she slipped off the run-way on the way to the take-off area hardstands. She was “carted” out at 5:00 p.m. The night is clear and cold.
Jan 3rd. “Non-op”. Partly cloudy and warmer. “J.D.” and I to town to check on Kay’s “present”. Home at 7:30. Judy Canova in “La. Hayride”.
V.P.
Jan 4th. “Non-op”. Clear and sunny. Checked the ships. “J.D.” and I spent an hour or so at the Club, quaffing a few cans of ale. Got two bottles of 80
octane.
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Jan 5th. Clear day, partly cloudy towards evening. A P38 crashed behind 61st. Station hosp. 8 miles away. The blast shook the tent.
Jan 6th 7th. “Non-operational”. On the 7th we saw Cary Grant and Ethel Barrymore in “None but the Lonely Heart”, one of the very best.
Jan 8th. Rain – “Non-operational”. Our “vanguard” over at the 301st. are staying indoors today I guess.
“J.D.”, Leo, Beeson, Miller, Young, Anctil, Carey, Albert, and Allen make up this first group, who are supposed to remain a week. We will try to
“operate” from this base of the 301st. as their runways and taxi strips are in better shape than ours.
In the event a mission is scheduled, the balance of the boys will drive the 25 miles to load. Each squadron in our Group has sent approx. 100 men to the 301st. as an emergency unit. Radio, armament engineers, comm.
Ordnance, etc. A regular “tent city” again, under conditions similar to our first arrival. Mud!!!
Jan 10th to 15th. Just sitting around doing nothing. Reading, writing, or going to town trying to rush Kay’s negligee which I did finally get yesterday. I’ll try and get to town tomorrow to mail it home. The ships are still over at the 301st near Lucera.
Jan 16th. “Non-op”. Rain.
Jan 17th. “Non-op”. Rained steadily since yesterday “aft”. Now at 10:00
a.m. still going strong. Rain stopped about 5:00 p.m. Saw “ Stars on Parade”. O.K. Brought our beers back from the club, had toasted tuna fish sandwiches, read awhile and so to bed about midnight.
Jan 18 – “Non-op” – Cards from Lt. Ray Hammerle (??) and Elsa Pellory.
Cloudy but clearing. Drove over to 301st with Capt. Brown, Lt. Weeks, and
“J.D.” to see the boys and deliver some feed chutes. As “super N” on guard tonight, I hit it lucky – was released as all posts were filled. Stayed in and read.
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Jan 19th. Clear and sunny. The boys were supposed to fly out of the 301st, but they’re overhead now so it looks like the “M” was scratched and a practice “M” taken.
Jan 20th. Clear – partly cloudy – showers late at night. Saw young Balik in the P.O. downtown where he is “clerking”. Sid Levonson is dead.
Jan 21st. Moved over to the 301st for my tour of duty there. Tonight we loaded 12 – 500 lb R.D.X.s. The sky is overcast and bad weather is expected. Our new tent is cold. Mission Vienna complete.
Jan 22nd. Heavy snow. “Non-op”. Strong wind – staying inside.
McConnell and I were up tho’ for fried eggs and bacon at 6:00 a.m. Russians still driving hard. Heavy wind during night.
Jan 23rd. “Non-op”. Four or five inches of snow. Most vehicles frozen up.
Tent life over here at 301st very poor. Could have remained at our own base under these same conditions. Today clear & cold. Made trip to home area.
Stayed in tent all evening.
Jan 24th. Non-op. Rising sun soon melted most of the snow. Worked on the “Swoose” (844) for a few hours. Took a walk with Taylor for an hour or so. Wrote to my darling wife. Bed early. Looks like a mission tomorrow.
Clear skies, half moon.
Jan 25th. Non-op –
Jan 26th. “Non-op”. Overcast – mission scratched at last moment as usual.
Helped unload #385 and load practice bombs into her. Understand we may move back to our own area in a day or two. I really hope so. Forgot to mention yesterday that “Lute” informed us that “Dobeski” has finally been located. He’s a “P.O.W.” We’re very thankful.
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Jan 27th. “Non-op”. Rain this morning. Sun came out about noon. Perhaps we’ll move tomorrow, if the weather remains clear.
Jan 28th. Non-op – rain & snow. No move.
Jan 29th. “Non-op” – rain & snow. Very cold. Snow prevented us from returning to our home base.
Jan 30th. “Non-op”. Now clear and cold. Just sweating out our return to the old base.
Jan 31st. Returned to base about 4:00 p.m. Checked ships. Bomb load 500’s.
Feb 1st. My #251 cracked up on “take off”. Cpl. Thompson, armorer.
Looks like total wreck. Clear and sunny. No casualties. Saw “Winged Victory”. V.G.
Feb 2nd. The “old man”, “J.D.” and I “snaked” the bombs out of #251 early this a.m. Rather muddy. Cloudy – mission scratched. “Ole Lute” has just a
“double” or two “singles” to go. We’ll all be sweating him out on his last hop.
Feb 2nd. Non-op –
Feb 3rd. Non-op. Went into town with J.D. and Burns for a bit of eggs and chips. Molto Bromo! Home early.
Feb 4th. Non-op.
Feb 5th. Mission “complete”.
Feb 6th. Non-op. Heavy rain.
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Feb 7th. “Take-off” at 8:00 a.m. Clear day. Target 100% visual. E.T.A. 3:00
o’clock. I got a new “radar” to take the place of #251. “Red” Thompson will be my armorer.
Feb 8th. Take off at 8:00. E.T.A. 3:30. Mission complete. Target secret.
Feb 9th. “Non-op”. Practice hop.
Feb 10th. “scratched”
Feb 11th. “
Feb 12th. “
Feb 13th. Clear and sunny. Just like Springtime in my hills only here there are no trees. A great blue sky, flawless from horizon to horizon makes a grand setting for our planes that right now, climbing for altitude, look ghostlike at 20,000 ft.
Mission to Vienna o.k. , but a bit costly. #163 went down over the target when #4 engine was shot off. Ten chutes were seen leaving the ship.
Tonight I check.
Feb 14th. “Take-off” – 9:30 a.m. Target Vienna – mission complete – all ships returned. Good picture tonight. Wm. Bendix and Dennis O’Keefe in
“Abroad With Two Yanks”.
Feb 15th. “Take-off” – 9:00 a.m. Mission complete. #253 was demolished by bombs salvoed by another ship during the “run”. Two “chutes” appeared.
This sets me back to four again.
Feb 16th. Another “bad day”. The ships were pretty badly shot up over Northern Italy. Mission complete, but #684 and #547 failed to return. During my tour of guard, a taxiing ship of the 75th sheared the nose off of loaded
#490, which of course “scrubbed” her for today’s mission. “Lute’s” flying his last in #496 today. Our prayers ride with him.
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Feb 17th 18th 19th Missions to N. Italy and Germany complete. All ships returned. #702 is my new ship. Cpl. Miller – armorer. Today extremely cold (19th).
Feb 20th. Mission complete. All ships returned. #285 of the 74th landed with just one engine. Coming in crosswind, she slewed around, leapt the big ditch and finally stopped beside my new #725. The ship was shot to hell.
Feb 21st – 25th. Missions every day. 15 consecutive days now. A new record!
Feb 26th. Mission scratched. A beautiful Spring-like day. Ships already loaded for tomorrow’s mission. “Lute” goes home Thursday we think.
Sunny.
Feb 28th. Eleven ships “took off” about 8:30 a.m. Beautiful sunny day.
Mission complete!
Mar 1st. Mission complete. Checked the night’s bomb load. Beautiful day.
Mar 3rd – 4th. Missions complete. All ships returned. Saw Wallace Berry in “Barbary Coast Gent” V.G.
Mar 5th. Checked ships. Grand day. Inspected load this “eve”. Mission
“scratched”.
Mar 6th. Mission “scratched”. Showers.
Mar 7th. Mission “scratched”. Saw Bette Davis in “Mr. Skeffington”. V.G.
Mar 8th. Late “take-off”. E.T.A. at 16:40. “Midge” and “Brownie” became the proud parents of four cute puppies this morning. All doing nicely. Many guests dropped in during the day.
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Mar 9th. Mission complete. All ships returned.
Mar 10th. One ship – 1000 lbs. Balik paid me a visit.
Mar 11th. Non-op. Went to town to visit Cpl. Mitchell. Balik spent the night there in style. He drove me back to the base Mon. morning.
Mar 12th. All ships took-off. Mission complete. All returned.
Mar 13th. Mission to Vienna complete. All returned.
Mar 14th. Target Germany. #708 landed in Yugoslavia but returned the following day. #555 was last seen heading for Russia with three engines out.
Plenty of flak damage.
Mar 15th. Target Germany. Mission complete. All returned.
Mar 16th. Target Vienna. Mission complete – all returned.
Mar 17th. “Scratched”. Made a trip to Lucera- ancient town with buildings dating back to 1200 A.D. Lunched at Mario’s. Camp at 7:00 p.m.
Mar 18th – 23rd. Bombing every day. We’re squeezing hell out of the Nazis, but at the same time concentrating their ships and flak. Yeah! Now and then they shoot us up more than a little and we lose more than a little but as it stands today, we have more combat ships on the “line” than ever before.
What in hell chance have the Nazis got? Good weather, good hunting!
Mar 24th. Lost my #702 over Brux. Mission complete, tho’ the group lost eleven ships. I believe our outfit was the only one to carry on through to the target.
En-route home, Col. Robb, our “C.O.”, went down. He may have landed in Russia however.
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I was “ganged” by several “Eyties” who took me for $90.00, watch, etc. Later on the M.P.s and I cornered one of them. ( fortunately, my dad had been an all sports athlete and amateur boxer in his younger days, and was still in excellent condition. This may have saved him. He was 36 at the time).
Mar 25th 26th. Mission’s complete.
Mar 27th. Attended civilian court, where I identified a man as one of the gang who jumped me. He was sentenced to a term of 4 to 5 years. Cloudy and may rain. Mission scratched.
Mar 28th – 31st. Rapid pace of war has caused us to change the bomb loads several times. Last few missions highly successful.
April 1st. Easter Sunday. A bright sunny day filled with a promise of peace soon to come. Expect Balik to pick me up this aft. For a spaghetti supper in town at his place. Allied armies cannot be stopped.
April 2nd. Mission to Austria complete – all returned. Supporting the Russians on their advance to Vienna by destroying escape and supply routes, plus communications.
April 3rd. “Stand down”. Warm and sunny.
April 4th. “Stand down”. Warm, sunny & dust storm starting.
April 5th. “Mission complete”. All ships returned. Hot.
April 6th. 1000 pounders over Northern Italy. Quite successful. All ships returned. Clear.
Apr 7th. “Flubbed” objective and first and second “alternates”. Just one of those things. Stood “ formation” this a.m. Short visit to Foggia this aft.
Camp by 7:00 p.m. Cloudy.
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Apr 8th - 9th. “Frags”. Missions complete.
April 10th. #179 loaded with 38-100 lb. Frag clusters “crash landed” just west of the tower on an “early return”. Completely destroyed by her load.
Five crewmen died.
April 11th. Mission complete.
April 12th 1945 A.D. Our Commander-in-Chief, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt died suddenly at 4:30 p.m. while visiting at White Sulphur Springs. The shock of his passing at this time stunned us all and we deeply regret that it was not the will of God to grant him life long enough to enjoy the coming peace for which he so valiantly strove to bring about. God rest his soul; we have lost a great and valued friend.
April 13th Friday. “Stand down”. Saw DeHaviland and Lupino in
“Devotion”. A great picture.
Apr 14th. “Stand down”. Short trip to town. Party at the S.A.A.F.’s Sgts Club with “Issy”, “Wallie”, “Alf”, and “Barney”. “J.D.” joined in later.
Apr 15th. Memorial service for our late President. Mission of 500’s a success. “Les” came over from his R.A.F. outfit to visit us. Dinner, show, and a trip to the club.
Apr 16th. Mission of 250’s failed. Ships returned with bombs. Same load tonight.
Apr 17th to Apr 20th. Good weather – good bombing. We are now working as a Tactical Air Force in conjunction with the armies in Italy. For us, the targets on the other side of the Alps are no more. The end should come soon.
During the week we saw Bob Hope in the “Princess and the Pirate”.
Party over at the SAAF’s club for “Alfie”, who leaves for Brindisi tomorrow. Our last farewell to him takes place at the Sgt’s club this evening.
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#271, my old “Magnificent Malfunction”, went down fighting over the Brenner Pass. Five chutes left the ship. 86 missions.
Apr 21st. Mission complete. All ships returned. Day cool and cloudy.
Apr 22nd. Mission complete. All ships returned.
Apr 23rd. Mission complete. A.S.R.
Apr 24th. Lost my #764 returning from gunnery. Banked too sharply approaching landing strip, crashed and exploded, killing crew of four. Cpl.
R.D. Miller – armorer, M/Sgt. Gilman Hanson, Eng. Crew Chief.
Apr 25th. Mission to Linz, Austria complete. All ships returned.
Apr 26th. Poor weather. Early return.
Apr 27th. Stand down. Genoa & Milan in the hands of the Partisans. We’re rolling along.
Apr 28th. “Stand down”. Heavy showers most of the day. Dress parade
“scratched” after getting soaked. War just about over. Our job here will soon be completed.
April 29th 1945 “Mr. Brown” is dead. “Brownie” was hit by a speeding jeep down by the old line early this morning. “Mike” woke me to tell me the bad news. The pup is buried down by the runways he loved so well; by the fields he romped in, chasing birds. He’ll “brief” the line with me no more, and I’ll be mighty lonesome. At least we’re spared the pain of leaving him behind when we go. So long, old pal. Thanks for the memories.
P.S. “Stand down today”
April 29th (cont.) Mussolini and eighteen of his “dupes”, including his mistress, were captured and slain by Partisans in Milan. The Italians in the tent next door are lustily singing at the top of their lungs. A murderer, 37
paying part of his debt to society, the Duce will continue his “installments”
in Hell.
April 30th. “Stand down”. Saw Balik in town – Had supper with him.
Returned to base in time to see the G.I. movies. The boys had to unload the 500’s and load 1000’s this evening.
May 1st. “Mayday”. Base restricted due to possible demonstrations among the Communists in town. After changing to 1000’s last night, were having to
“stand down”.
Hitler’s death confirmed by high Nazi officials. His successor is said to be Admiral Doenetz.
A day of thanksgiving for all mankind. Death’s right-hand man has been trampled by his idol.
May 2nd. Italy is ours. Nazis in Italy surrender unconditionally. Our next move will be as an A.T.C. outfit, ferrying war weary troops from here back to the states. Right now we’re stripping all guns etc. from the ships. Soon we’ll depart for our new base near Caserta. We hope to leave for the states ourselves in a month or two.
May 3rd. Stripping ships.
“ 4th. “ “
“ 5th. Day off. Nazis are surrendering “en-masse” in most areas.
May 6th. Worked at shop. “C.Q.” 5 p.m. – 8:00 a.m. All quiet.
May 7th. Slept most of the day. Semi-official end of the war. Flares shooting up all around us. The parachute flares, drifting in the night, are beautiful and dangerous. Our party at Sgt. Graham’s a huge success. Huge, did I say? So’s my head!
May 8th 1945 Fini la guerre!!!
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VE day at long last. A holiday for us at camp. The morning finds us quiet, but the club opens at 10:00.
Celebration party o.k. with no undue excitement. 1000 pounders out in the valley “sounding off” lent emphasis to the day.
May 9th. Second day of thanksgiving for V.E. day. A lovely sunny day with a flawless blue sky overhead. The stillness seems strange, and out on the
“line” our “Forts” are sitting out a well earned rest, silent but proud.
May 10th. Working hard to dispose of shop equipment, etc. Had a fine time this evening at the SAAF’s. “J.D.”, “Rex”, “Sarge”, “myself”; “Barney, Wally, Ronney” enjoyed a real “braarfleis” (barb-b-que), roasting beef, mutton and pork over huge fires with long forks. Plenty of “ish” also (issue-South African forces alcoholic rations of some type – Dad told me, can’t remember exactly). Fireworks dangerous but grand.
May 11th. Packed equipment all day. “Issy” is leaving this a.m. for S.
Africa and a discharge. He came over to say adieu. “Repeat” on “Strike Up the Band” with Rooney and Garland.
May 12th. Just about finished up at the shop. We’re just about ready to head for Naples and the “A.T.C.”
May 13th. “Mother’s Day” – Off all day. Very warm and windy. Saw
“Wilson” in Technicolor – “V.G.”
May 14th. Just marking time. Spent a.m. at the shop. Hope to leave Wed.
a.m.
May 15th. Still here. Hot as H---.
May 16th. Waiting for the other unit in Naples to pull out. May take them a few more days yet. Meanwhile we’re all packed and just killing time. Hot as H---.
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All spent just killing time, seeing plenty of movies. Among them “Mrs.
Markingham” with Greer Garson & W. Pidgeon. This was really excellent.
“Hail the Conquering Hero”. Eddie Bracken. “Practically Yours”, McMurray and Colbert. “To Have and Not to Have” Bogart & Bacall – V.G.
“Rainbow Island” LaMour and Eddie Bracken.
Word came tonight that we take off at 8:00 a.m.
May 22nd. A dozen or more of us armorers “took off” about 9:00 a.m. in old “Miss Fury” Lt. Col. Ferguson, our C.O., was the pilot and did a beautiful job flying a “17” that was carrying a load of 23 men plus all their baggage.
We landed at this huge field at Pegliano, just outside of Naples. Our quarters are in a large school building right in the heart of town, tho’ for a day or so we’ll occupy tents till this Troop Carrier Command Outfit pulls out. They’re heading for Trinidad, the land of Rum and Coca Cola.
May 23rd. Moved into the apts.
May 24th to June 6th.
Dear Diary –
Please excuse my negligence, but everything has been merrily routine.
Patrol duty on the line, area, and in town is rather dull. Made three trips into Naples and saw my first street cars in two years. Naples, with its teeming crowds, traffic and Via Roma’s swank shops, reminds me of any large city back home. The scenery about us is lovely and I hope soon to visit Vesuvious, who rears her ancient head to the East.
Dobeski O.K. Wrote to J.D. to say he was sweating out a ship in France.
June 7th to June 11th. Eat, work, and little sleep. Awarded Battle Star for Normandy Campaign, bringing my point total to 89.
June 8th. Visited Pompeii and enjoyed it very much. The Church of the Sanctuary of the Virgin Mary was the most beautiful I have ever seen, or 40
hope to see. We’re only flying out three ships a day. Casablanca bottleneck is holding us back.
-------------------------------------------------
“Leo”, Beane, Albert, Thompson, Miller and others have all been transferred. Too few points, and it looks like “occupation” for them. We’ll miss our old buddies.
June 12th to June 27th.
Sorry I keep neglecting you, diary, but it’s too hot to even write. Things have been quite routine, tho’ I did break the monotony by flying up to Rome for an eight day rest (?) Just as I intended, I saw just about all of the famous spots, and was even included in an audience with the “Pope”.
The places visited are too numerous to mention, and may it suffice to say that I enjoyed my visit very much. We flew home in the “Rose of Foggia”, flying low over the water to get a look at Anzio, the beautiful coastline, and old Vesuvious that looms in our own backyard. I go on tour at midnight.
July 3rd. The past several days have seen several changes taking place. All of our squadron here who have 85 or more points are now members of the 753rd Sqd. 455 B. Grp. B24’s, Arignola. We are on “temp. detached service” to the 463rd and are booked for “repple-depple”. The next week or so should see the ball really rolling.
Have been doing plenty of swimming at our huge pool, and just the other “aft” saw Frankie Sinatra’s great show at the small stadium next to the pool.
Old “Sarge” is gone; he asked for and received a transfer to the 2nd Bomb Group. We all miss him, but he wants to stay in and the 2nd will remain intact.
July 10th. No real news for the old diary the past several days. Just routine work and hours of swimming. Saw several exhibition bouts featuring Primo Carnera at the stadium.
The 301st B. Grp. went through here yesterday, headed for Naples
“repple depple”. We’re supposed to follow 10 days later???? Credited with 41
Battle Star No. 9 for the “Air Invasion of Europe”. Only a handful of us get this star, as we were on temp. det. service at the 97th at he time, and while there gained the credit.
July 11th to 19th. Same old routine. Eat, sleep, swim, and guard duty. A few P.O.M. inspections are taking place; necessary before we hit P.O.E.
Indications are that we’ll leave here Aug 17th.
A huge British bomb dump went up four miles beyond the “line”, jarring me from the jeep and shattering hundreds of windows in the area.
Weather extremely warm.
July 20th to July 31st. Nothing but rumors, work, and swim. Getting a bit fed up on these rumors now. The date for our departure varies from Aug. 9th to the first of Dec.
Recently saw the stage version of “Duffy’s Tavern” featuring Duffy & Jinx Falkenburg, etc. Received autograph from “Jinx”.
Weather very hot. Average 93. Foggia has hit 106.
Aug 1st – Aug 10th. Atomic bombs and Russia’s entry into the war against Japan spell doom for the Nips.
Aug 10th. Japan Capitulates!!
P.S. Aug 3rd. Col. Hampton believes we’ll be home in time for Thanksgiving. Possibly sooner.
Aug 15th. “Peace at Last!!”
Japan fully accepts Potsdam terms. Hirohito subject to Allied military dictate. When full terms are finally complied with, the Jap empire will be as limited in size as that of the year 1853.
The Nips are to be completely stripped of the means to wage war.
When do we go home!!
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Aug 20th. “120 pointers” are leaving today. 95 and up are on today’s list.
My 94 should place me on the next. Flying is finished and we’re just marking time. Cloudy nearly every day.
Aug 29th. “J.D.”, Maples, Helton & others from 95 points up leave for Naples tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. Here goes the old gang. Yesterday I was told to report to the orderly room for my clearance papers and I expect to leave for Naples & home Sept 2nd, my birthday. What a gift!
Sept 7th. Arrived at the 7th. Repl. Depot 11:00 a.m., Sept 2nd. Started
“processing” immediately and finished the following day. S/Sgt. Byrl Taylor, Sgt. John Whelan, P.F.C. Charles Smith, Pvt. Calkins (Smiley) are together in the 538th Company. This is our sixth day and now we’re just sweating out our alert slips. Should leave here no later than the day after tomorrow.
We’ve met “J.D.”, Galley, Helton, Phillips, and many of the boys who left Pomigliano a few days before us, enjoying some good beer busts. This repple depple occupies the grounds and buildings of what was to be the Facist Fair, and it’s quite a lovely place with its odd buildings and beautiful gardens.
Early this a.m. a terrible storm hit us, and nearly “drowned out” many of the boys who were forced to move their cots. Heavy showers continue, although the lucky ones are still being called out over the loud speaker to
“move out”.
Sunday Sept 9th. “Alerted” today – took final “physical” and changed money. Supposed to leave for the ship at noon tomorrow.
Mon. Sept. 10th “Took off” for the ship about 11:00 a.m. after getting soaked waiting for transportation. A “beautiful” Liberty ship was awaiting us, the S.S. Henry Baldwin, and 750 happy G.I.’s toted their heavy bags up a gangplank once more; this time with a far happier thought in mind. The bay of Naples was choppy and in no time at all the boys were hitting the rail.
“Gibraltar”
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The weather calmed however, and for the past few days we’ve enjoyed lovely weather. The meals are excellent, and with our first fresh milk in 20 months, leave nothing to be desired.
Sept 14th. Clear and sunny, and we should arrive at the “Rock” late this afternoon. We expect to stop there long enough to have a patient removed.
One of the boys had his appendix removed quite successfully by one of the Army surgeons thanks to calm weather, but they fear the risk of heavy Atlantic weather in his condition.
Passed the “Rock” at 2:00 p.m., and just about to enter the Atlantic, when we developed engine trouble. Put about and dropped anchor in Gibraltar harbor about 9:00 p.m., a half mile off shore. The “Rock” is ablaze with lights.
Sept 15th. “Our Anniversary” and my love is just as strong as the “Rock”
that dominates this lovely harbor. Spent the day taking snaps aboard ship of the Rock, etc. Hope to spend a few hours ashore tomorrow.
“Good night, darling, I’ll be seeing you soon”.
Sept 16th. Dunbar & I spent several hours ashore. Had several fine drinks at the Victoria Hotel Bar and a grand meal at the Hotel Continental. Gibraltar is really a bit of old England itself.
Sept 17th. Spent most of the day fishing off the pier. No luck, but fish were plentiful.
Sept 18th. A British tug eased us into the Bay at 8:00 a.m. and we’re on our way again. With fair luck and weather we should reach the States in about twelve days.
Sept 22nd. Approx. eight days out of New York. Thus far, we’ve had fairly easy going, with huge ground swells our only problem. However, we are now expecting a hurricane, and with battened hatches and crossed fingers, we’re hoping for the best. If the worst comes to the worst, at least I was homeward bound, on my way to Kay, looking westward; ever westward.
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(Note: Dad was a merchant seaman in his late teens and early twenties –
thus his familiarity with nautical terms.)
Sept 23rd. Church services on #4 hatch. Day sunny – red sunset bodes no good.
Sept 24th. High winds – high seas – and quite wet. Approx. five days or so out of N.Y. Weather permitting, we should arrive Sat (29th) or sometime Sunday (30th).
Sept 25th. High winds and high seas. About 1440 to go.
Sept 26th. Still rocking along.
Sept 28th. Smooth sailing.
Sept 29th Another fine day – covered 286 miles since noon yesterday. Just 341 to go. Should dock tomorrow about 4 p.m.
Sept 30th. (Note: My dad, his dad, and brothers worked in New York City.
Coming into New York Harbor was really a special homecoming.) Very rough morning, tho’ none of us minded much, as we hit the states this aft’. Montauk Point gave us our first glimpse, and it really looked grand to these tired old eyes. The sun set slowly on distant Staten Island and soon the shore lights begin to twinkle. Coney Island was ablaze with lights. As we approached the land, we thought we’d sneak in through the dusk, unseen and unnoticed, but they hadn’t forgotten us. They had been waiting in the bay, and as our heavily flagged ship came rolling up, the yacht Miss America came prancing out to meet us, band playing wildly and a score of “beauties”
bidding us welcome. A huge sign, “Welcome Home – Well Done” was draped along the yacht’s sides, and as she drew alongside, that old lump started inching up in my throat till I could hardly swallow.
A mile away on the shore was a block long sign, “Welcome Home –
Well Done”, in lights and again that old lump bothered me. As we eased into the Army pier, a band struck up and a color guard at attention formed an escort as we climbed down the gangplank.
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A short train ride took us to Kilmer about 1:30 a.m., and our first stop was in one of the large theatres where a hot colored band was waiting. After a few numbers, we were welcomed by several ranking officers who “on behalf of the people of America, thanked us for our part in the war”. From the theatre to a huge mess hall, and a huge buffet supper and thence to bed.
Oct 2nd. A two hour ride to Fort Dix, and now we’re just sweating out the processing that in four or five days will make us civilians once more. I’m so anxious to get to Kay that the time seems to drag, tho’ it feels fine just to be so close to her, and they’re being really swell to us here at Camp. Everything and anything we want.
Oct 6th 1945
Camp Dix, N.J.
Well, this is it, I guess. Has it been three years or thirty? I’ve made a host of friends whom I’ll miss a lot. Too many of them “took off on their last mission”, and may they always meet good flying weather.
I’m glad to be home. One of the lucky ones to make it. I’ve missed Kay so much. I pray to God that our Victory is the beginning of an everlasting Peace. Finito. ( This was the final entry).
(Notes: Dad passed away suddenly, on the job, of an apparent heart attack, on July 24, 1967. He was 58. I was in Kitzingen, Germany, with the U.S.
Army, when I got the news. It was a long trip home, but thankfully not by boat.
Mom- his beloved Kay – passed away three days shy of her 95th birthday, on January 27, 2003. She never remarried. She was seven months older than Dad.
I was their only child, born January 8, 1947.) Compiled by: Ronald Stanley Rood, Sr. May 10, 2003
Armorers Diary
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(Contents of diary sections prior to the daily notations. These were special sections to fill in names, etc.)
My Buddies in the Service
(Note: There are some addresses here, which I am leaving out. After nearly sixty years, I doubt if they are correct in any case).
S/Sgt. Harold E. Miley “Mike” (Inspector)
S/Sgt. John D. Martin “J.D.” (Squadron Inspector) Corp. Leo G. Dominic “Lee, Dom, Wabbit” (A)
S/Sgt. Luther R. Curry “Lute” (A) (“E.M.”bombardier) S/Sgt. Robert Dobeski “Bob” (A) (“E.M” bombardier) Master Sgt. Lyle Graham (Chief Armorer).
Cpl. Charles Delzell “Del” (Turret Maint.)
P.F.C. George Adams “Flash” (Armorer)
1st Lt. James Brown (Armament Officer)
Sgt. Edward Woerner “Ed” (C.W.)
Sgt. Ralph Fedde 966 Guard Squadron
Sgt. Ed Grimm 966 Guard Squadron
Cpl. R.D. Miller “R.D.” (Arm.)
Cpl. Robert Thompson “Red” (A)
Sgt. William Cayson “Willie” (A)
Sgt. John Whelan (A)
Cpl. Warren Williams “Wa” (A)
S/Sgt. William Williams “Willie” (T)
S/Sgt. Gale Albert “Al” (T)
M/Sgt. Henry Davis “Hank” (B.S.)
T/Sgt. H.B. Martin “H.B., Marty” (T)
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Sgt. Alfred E. Allen “Al” (A)
Cpl. Leo Anctil “Lee” (A)
Sgt. Rex Christianson “Chris” (A)
S/Sgt. Robert Beeson “Bob, Beese” (B.S.)
S/Sgt. Eugene Maples “Gene” (Insp.)
P.F.C. John Carey “Red” (A)
Sgt. Robert McConnell “Bob” (A)
Sgt. John Spielberger “Spiel” (A)
Corp. Kyle Helton “Kyle” (C.W.)
Sgt. Paul Kozak “Sam, Kozy” (A)
P.F.C. James Smythe “Jim” (A)
P.F.C. Hyman Pollack “Hy” (A)
P.F.C. Edward Barrett “Bee-bee” (A)
S/Sgt. John Griswald “Gris” (B.S.)
P.F.C. Michael Young “Mike” (A)
Cpl. Alan Bucher “Buke” (Clerk)
Cpl. Carl Clemmer “Clem” “transferred to 97th” ( returned here) S/Sgt. Eugene Barney (T) (returned to States B29’s) Sgt. Roy Hayes (T) (returned to States B29’s) Corp. Sidney Bernstein (A)
P.F.C. Harry Bellis (A)
Sgt. Wm Taylor (772nd Sqd. Ordnance)
“Buckley Field”
Frank Maher
John Lally
Howard Locknish
Joseph Starrs
Leon Prickitt
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(Other Forces)
No. 1335453
A/C Lawler, Les
178 Squadron R.A.F.C.M.F.
No. 1179534
LAC Bloor, Les J.
178 Squadron R.A.F. C.M.F.
Sgt. Isadore Bolon “Izzy” (Chief Armorer S.A.A.F.) Cpl. “Wally” Donford S.A.A.F. (Note: I am purely guessing at the last name).
Sgt. Al (No last name given)
Cpl. Ron W. Farrar S.A.A.F.
Sgt. Barney (Louis) Barnett S.A.A.F. (Again I am guessing at the last name).
“Officers I Have Met”
Capt. Konald C.O. 966 Gd. Sqd.
Capt. Siebert Arm. Officer 772nd B. Sqd. 463rd B. Group
“Simply Aces”
Lt. J. Brown Assn’t. Arm. Officer “A darn good Joe”.
Major Rossi – Executive Officer 772nd Bomb. Sq’dron.
Major Patton – Commanding Officer 772nd Bomb Sq’dron “A top flier and a soldier”.
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Lt. Col. Kurtz Commanding Officer of the 463rd B. Group (Swoose Group) now a full colonel. The best flier in the group.
He’s earned his “eagles”.
Lt. Weeks – Ordnance Officer
Lt. Sampson – Engineering Officer
Capt. Hoffman – Chaplain
Capt. Loese – Spec. Services 772nd.
Major Neilson – “C.O” 767th. Buckley Field Denver, Colo.
Civilians
Mario and his very nice family at Foggia.
“Places I Have Been”
“The Rock of Gibraltar”
Entering the Straits at sunrise, marveling at the huge rock that dominates the passage. On the African shores, white villages huddled at the foot of the rugged mountains, and fertile farms like patchwork quilts showing on the slopes.
Sept 16th. Spent three days in this lovely spot. Ashore several hours for a grand meal.
Augusta, Sicily
On deck early one beautiful morning, I saw the dim shoreline draw closer and closer. Soon the sun rose and reflected its rays in the windows of the buildings ashore. To my right rose Mt. Etna, snow-capped and encircled with soft clouds glowing pink in the red sun. Orange groves and huge stands of olive trees dotted the hillsides.
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Our boat was surrounded by tiny boats with orange colored sails, manned by picturesque boatmen, who had oranges, nuts, silks and laces to exchange for our cigarettes, and business was brisk.
Taranto, Italy
Battered almost beyond belief, streets littered with debris.
Shells of houses with floors crumbling and hanging by slender wires.
Foggia, Italy
Not quite as shell torn as Taranto, yet 30000 people were buried under her ruins. Splendid Red Cross bldg.
Stationed 8 miles away at the Celone Airdrome for 14 months.
San Severro, Italy
Untouched by war – quaint streets and alleys. Ancient churches and cathedrals dating back to the year 1500 A.D.
Manfredonia, Italy
Huddled at the foot of the Appenines, bordered on the East by the blue Adriatic. White sandy beaches and picturesque fishing boats. Gaily tinted houses with flower festooned balconies.
Santa Cesareo Rest Camp
Spent seven grand days here in the swank Villa Tamburrino with Lts. Howe & Goldstein, Pvt. Adams & Sgt. Campbell. Had a good room with balcony over the sea. Superb meals and endless hours of swimming. We flew down in the “Thundermug” and returned in the “Road Hog”, taking some good aerial snaps en-51
route. The resort was the Duce’s (Note: the Italian dictator, Benito Mussolini) favorite spot tho’ we didn’t see him.
------- Rome ------- 6-15 – 6-23-45
Historically wonderful – 8 grand days (Note: out of room to write in this section)
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