|
|
|
|
765TH BOMBERDMENT SQUADRON (H) 461st BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H) Office of the Combat Intelligence Officer APO 520, NY, NY 31 March 1944 SUMMARY OF THE SQUADRON HISTORY FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH During the month members of the Squadron reported in after spending weeks trying to get back to the organization. At the end of the month almost all had reported in. However, there are a few still enroute from the states. Two officers were promoted during March. 1st Lt. William F. Foster, Squadron Combat Intelligence Officer, was promoted to the rank of Captain. A few days later Captain Sidney Rainen, Squadron Executive Officer, was promoted to the rank of Major. There were no promotions among the enlisted personnel. However, there were some reductions. One Staff Sergeant, two Sergeants, and one Private 1st Class were reduced to the grade of Privates. Members of the aircrews and ground crews guarded the Squadron Area and all of our airplanes on the line twenty-four hours a day, in all kinds of weather. A good job was done by all. Everyone worked together in perfect unison to get the planes, equipment, and crews in condition to perform combat missions. Several Squadron and Group practice missions were flown during the month. On one Group practice mission, in which twenty-nine planes participated, twelve were from this organization, and they all completed the mission. Bad weather and mud limited the missions during the month. On March 18th, 1st Lt. B. J. Murphy dropped the first bomb upon Italian soil for the 765th. It was dropped from 18,000 feet at 40º 13’ North and 16º 45’ West. It was a 100-pound demolition bomb. The C.E. was 90 feet at 3:00 o’clock. The plane, #717, was piloted by our Squadroin Commander, Major Robert E. Applegate, with 1st Lt. Robert K. Dusenberry as his Navigator. Movies were held every fourth night during the month at the Enlisted Man’s Service Club. There was a large attendance each night they were held. During their spare time, officers and enlisted men worked on the construction of their respective clubs. Tile was purchased and laid on the floors by local workmen. Pictures were painted on the walls by Pfc. S. Sasvay. The Officers Club was finished and formally opened on March 25th. The Club was names, “Club Amazon.” Colonel F. E. Glantzberg, Group Commander, and all the Squadron Commanders attended the opening as guests of the officers of this organization. The closing of the month found improvements everywhere. Everyone spent most of their spare time trying to make their quarters more comfortable. The Squadron Area was improved in many ways. On the line, men adjusted themselves to working under conditions that are to be found here in Italy. Combat crews were much better prepared and were anxiously awaiting word for them to start on their actual missions over enemy territory.
APO 520, NY, NY 31 March 1944 EXTRACTS FROM THE SQUADRON HISTORY FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH March 1. 1st Lt. W. F. Tallant was relieved from the duty as Assistant Operations Officer and transferred to the 764th Bomb Squadron to resume the duties as Operations Officer in that organization. Lt. Evans was placed on temporary duty at the 461st Group Headquarters. March 2. 2nd Lt. Lanigan returned to this organization from D. S., AAB Hammer Field, Calif. March 3. 2nd Lt. Norris, Maleta, Avery, and Ambrose returned to the organization from D. S., AAB Hammer Field, Calif. March 4. Two EM returned to duty from S2, AAB Manner Field, Calif. 2nd Lt. Fulks, Huber, and Platt returned from DS, AAB Hammer Field, Calif. Major Robert E. Applegate, Squadron Commander, joined the 576th Bomb Group for a practice mission over enemy territory. March 5. Two EM returned from DS, AAB Hammer Field, Calif. March 6. Seven civilian employees attached to this organization for rations only. March 7. Two EM assigned and joined from the 766th Bomb Squadron, effective 3 March 1944. Six EM returned from DS, AAB Hammer Field, Calif. March 8. Two EM assigned from the 589th Bomb Group, AAB Hammer Field, effective 11 January 1944. The following named officers and five EM returned from DS, AAB Hammer Field, California: 1st Lt. Dusenberry, 2nd Lt. Carvelas, Pasiuk, and Kioly. Major R. E. Applegate, Squadron Commander, returned from a bombing raid on Prato, Italy, with the 376th Bomb Group. March 9. No change. March 10. One EM returned from DS, AAB Hammer Field, Calif. One EM from duty to Field Hospital at Cherignola, Italy. (LD) March 11. Two EM returned from DS, AAB Hammer Field, Calif. One EM to 34th Field Hospital, Cerignola, Italy. One EM to DS with AV AF APO 520, USA. March 12. No change in the Squadron History. March 13. Three EM returned from DS to duty. March 14. One EM from duty to Site Field Hospital, Cerignola, Italy. One EM returned from DS, AV AF APO 520, USA, to duty. March 15. 1st Lt. William F. Foster, Squadron Intelligence Officer, received papers promoting him to the rank of Captain, effective March 10th. One EM returned from DS at AAB Hammer Field, Calif. March 16. Two EM reduced to the grade of Private from the grade of Sergeant. March 17. Two EM from duty to hospital at 34th Field Hosp., Cerignola, Italy. One civilian employee attached to the Squadron for rations only. March 18. At 1033 local time (0035 GMT), the 765th Bomb Squadron dropped it’s first bomb upon Italian soil at 40º 13’ North, 16º 45’ West. It was dropped by 1st Lt. S. S. Danky, Squadron Bombardier, by ship #717, piloted by Major R. E. Applegate with 1st Lt. R. K. Dusenberry as Navigator. The C.E. was 90 feet at 3:00 o’clock. It was a 100 lb demolition bomb and was dropped from 18,000 ft. March 19. One EM returned from DS, AAB Hammer Field, Calif. One EM to DS with Signal Hq & Hq Co, XIV Fighter Command for approximately thirty days. One civilian employee attached for rations. March 20. No change in Squadron History. March 21. Crews were briefed for a practice Group Mission. The mission had to be called because of bad weather. One EM transferred to General Hospital, Bari, Italy from Field Hospital at Cerignola, Italy. One EM from duty to Hospital at Cerignola, Italy. March 22. Gunners were briefed again for a Group Practice mission. It was again called off because of bad weather. One EM reduced from Pfc to Pvt. Two civilian employees released from attached for rations. March 23. One EM from 26th General Hospital, Bari, Italy to duty. One EM from 34th Field Hospital, Cerignola, Italy to duty. One EM from duty to 34th Field Hospital, Cerignola, Italy. March 24. Captain Francis Boormarki was assigned as Assistant Operations Officer. March 25. At 2000 the officers of the Squadron opened their club and named it, “Club Amazon.” Two orchestra’s supplied popular and hillbilly music for the occasion. Col. F. E. Glantzberg, Group Commander, and his staff were present at the opening as guests. The Squadron Commanders and their staffs were also present as guests. One EM went from duty to 34th Field Hosp., Cerignola, Italy. March 26. The Squadron Executive Officer, Capt S. Rainen, was promoted to the rank of Major. Church services were held at the officers club at 1600. March 27. The Air Crew members were briefed at 0700 for a practice Group Mission. March 28. One EM reduced to the grade of private from S/Sgt. For going AWOL. 1st Lt. J. Cody, Squadron Supply Officer, was released from his assignment to this Squadron and assigned to the Headquarters Detachment, 461st Bomb Group. 1st Lt. John Fogg assigned as acting Supply Officer. March 29. The aircrew members were briefed for a Group Practice Mission. Of 29 planes flying in the Group Mission, 12 were from this organization. All of our planes completed the mission. March 30. A British Airman was forced down near here. He was interrogated by the Squadron Intelligence Officer and then returned to his organization. March 31. One EM to Foggia, Italy on DS. |
|
Send mail to
webmaster@461st.org with
questions or comments about this web site.
|
