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APO 520, NY, NY 30 November 1944 SUMMARY OF THE SQUADRON HISTORY FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER The month of November was one of the nicer months, as far as weather is concerned, and it was more or less in our favor for the bombing of the fortress Europe. Eighteen of the scheduled missions were accomplished. Twelve of these were single missions, and three were double target missions. November 5 was a double mission. Seven of our aircraft struck at Vienna, Austria, and the target being oil supply, bombing by PFF. Two other aircraft hit Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, but because of the overcast were forced to return with their bombs. November 17 was also a twin mission, in which nine of our squadron Liberators attacked the oil center, Blechhammer, Germany. The results were unobserved, but believed that explosions fell short of the target. Two other of our Liberators hit the oil refineries in Vienna, Austria. They bombed by PFF, and the effectiveness of the bombing could not be observed. During this months operations we flew our first night mission and results could not be determined. Night navigation, and take offs and landings were practiced on several occasions. During the later part of the month the enemy had time to strengthen their defenses, because the weather was very poor and stand-downs prevailed. One of the highlights that we are proud to place in this month’s Squadron Historical Summary is the fact that on November 6 we had the pleasure of having among us General Twining, commanding general of the 15th Air Force. Aerial activity took second place that day. General Twining presented the group with its first War Department Citation for its outstanding bombardment attack on Ploesti, Roumania that took place July 5, 1944. An Air Force band was on hand and the men passed in review before the General. Two separate missions were flown again on this date. Our efforts and bombs that cause the destruction were aimed at the oil refineries in Vienna, Austria. Two out of the seven Liberators returned because of malfunction, but the other five broke through to the target. The results were unobserved because of the undercast. They reported that flak had been heavier than it had previously ever been. Four other Liberators headed for Bolzano, Italy, to attack power stations. Results were reported to be good, although cloud formations made accurate observations impossible. Lt. Col. Hardy, our new commanding officer, spoke to the enlisted men on two separate occasions. The topics which were covered were Squadron Discipline, Saluting of Officers in town as well as in the area, Promotion Policy, the construction of a new Enlisted Men’s Service Club, and other projects to be commenced in the future. The winterization of tents is just about complete, and the men are approaching being closer to the comforts of home. A big help to boost the men’s morale was the receiving of Christmas packages. Xmas seemed to come early for the men, for they had packages galore and still coming in strong. PX rations were good, and the men were also able to purchase Christmas cards. Another aid for the morale was a couple of USO productions at the group theater. The picture shows at the squadron theater were also good and we went through the month without any malfunctions of the camera. The medics are having a tough break this month because several men have been taken ill with diphtheria and were sent to the 34th Field Hospital. Something new was tried in combat this month. One pathfinder from the 765th along with one each of the other squadrons took off on a bombing mission to Klagenfurg, Germany. Several men left for home to make a transcription of a radio script to be broadcasted in the United States. It was to be part of the program to encourage people to subscribe to the 6th War Bond Drive. This month brought several promotions to the squadron. Lts. Dietrich, Ecklund, Kelleher, Landry, McGrath, Turner, Wilson, and Woodruff donned new silver 1st Lt. Bars. 23 enlisted men were promoted to S/Sgt; 35 to Sgt; 11 to Cpl.; and 6 were awarded a chevron. The officers donned blouses for a party in their club. A band from the 43rd Service Group provided the entertainment. Lt. Cody returned to the squadron after a special course of instruction in the States qualifying him to assume the duties of Squadron Gunnery Officer. A B-24 L Liberator, the first of this type model assigned to the squadron joined our fleet of airplanes. The engineering department was notified that four of the squadron’s planes were to be transferred to the Wing. The selected ships were worked upon immediately and put into the best possible condition. Lt. Norris who had been transferred to an ATC unit because of an injury in the leg did not permit him to fly a B-24 came out on orders for the D.F.C. In a raid over Munich, Germany, Lt. Welton and his crew failed to return from the attack. He was last seen crossing the Alps. Sgt. Norcross, cured of yellow jaundice, was discharged from the hospital. Cpl. Pardue was badly burned when his has truck caught on fire. He was sent to the hospital. 1st Lt. Tyson was assigned to the organization to assume the duties of supply officer. Capt. Baker is once again Operations Officer and Capt. Gray is his assistant. The serving of food in the enlisted men’s mess hall was greatly improved and facilitated by the installation of a steam table beneath the pans of food on the serving line. This prevents the food from getting cold between the time it leaves the stoves in the kitchen and the moment it is placed in the mess kits of the men. Lights made their appearance at each end of the engineering department streets giving the area a metropolitan look. The men of the organization turned in their summer issues of clothing to the supply room. Each man was awarded or issued his War Department Citation ribbon and an additional 15th Air Force shoulder patch. Eleven squadron planes loaded with fragmentation bombs took off to bomb Villafranco airdrome in northern Italy. It was the first non-PFF mission in many a day and the results of the bombing could be clearly observed. F/O Laksar, who had been suspended from flying duty by the 15th AF Evaluation Board, was transferred from the squadron to an MP unit. The activities of the 765th squadron came to pass, but the spirit of the men has been raised to a new high. Thanksgiving played a great role in building the morale of the men. Each and every one had something to be thankful for on that day, thankful that they were still alive, others because they completed their missions and were going home, but the hope that was in their hearts was that of an early victory. The Thanksgiving feast was one of the best that could be prepared under the existing conditions. There was plenty of turkey for everyone and the food was well prepared. Tablecloths garnished the tables and the men ate out of plates. A photographer was on hand and pictures were taken of the dinner. Most of the men were seen coming out with a bulging stomach. Now the celebration was over, plans for another mission were in the kettle over the fire, but the men were ready for they were beginning to feel the holiday spirit. These were the things the men were thankful for and the hopes they had on their first Thanksgiving overseas.
APO 520, NY, NY 30 November 1944 EXTRACTS FROM THE SQUADRON HISTORY FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER November 1. Seven squadron aircraft took off to bomb an ordinance depot in Vienna. One ship returned early with a landing gear malfunction. The rest went on to the target only to find it covered with clouds. Consequently confusion reigned, the ships became separated, and the bombs were dropped wherever the opportunity afforded. If any damage was caused it was purely coincidental. Lt. Bloxom went into a spin over the target, managed to pull out of it and dropped his bombs in the heart of Vienna. A lengthy promotion list appeared on the bulletin board. 23 promotions to S/Sgt; 35 to Sgt; 11 to Col. And 6 were awarded a chevron. Lts Dietrich, Echlund, Kelleher, Landry, McGrath, Turner, Wilson and Woodruff donned new silver 1st Lt. Bars. M/Sgts Genuardi and Larson left for Rome to make a transcription of a radio script to be broadcasted in the United States. It was to be part of the program to encourage people to subscribe to the 6th War Bond Drive. November 2. No combat mission was scheduled on this date. Maj. Hoermann left the squadron to assume the command of the squadron in the 461st Bomb Group. Capt. Mixson took over the duties of Operations Officer of the organization. Capt. Sage, having completed 50 missions in this theater, departed for a permanent change of station to the United States. Lt. Hughes’ crew joined the squadron. The orderly room moved into temporary quarters in the rooms back of the S-2 office. Sgts Mezera, Perlipiano, Steinberg, Cpl Abramson, and Lt. Turner entered the 34th Field Hospital. November 3. Something new in combat was tried on this date. One pathfinder from the 765th along with one from each of the other squadrons took off on a bombing mission to Klagenfurg, Germany. Seven other crews participated in a training mission. The officers donned blouses for a party in their club. A band from the 43rd Service Group provided the entertainment. November 4. The Fatherland itself was the target the bombing mission of this date. A marshalling yard at Augsburg, Germany was attacked by formations of Liberators led by pathfinder aircraft. The explosives were unleashed through a heavy overcast and the results could not be ascertained. This mission marked the first use of delayed action bombs by the squadron. A generous quota of PX rations was sold to the men. A program xx x X.X. xxxxxx were shown on the squadron screen. November 5. Two separate missions took place on this date. Seven squadron aircraft again set out to reduce Germany’s diminishing oil supply by attacking Vienna, Austria. Bombing was done by pathfinder through a 10/10 undercast and results could not be observed. Two other Liberators from the organization were scheduled to visit a marshalling yard at Sarajevo, Yugoslavia but a complete coverage of clouds over the target forced them to return with their bombs. Lts Ford and Lightbody returned to the squadron after completing a 30-day furlough to the States. Sgt. Steinberg and Cpl. Kane were discharged from the 34th Field Hospital. November 6. Aerial activity took second place in the news of the squadron on this date. At 1100, General Twining, commanding general of the 15th Air Force, landed at the base in a shiny silver C-47 to present the group with its first War Department citation for its outstanding bombardment attack on Ploesti, Rumania on July 15th. The men passed in review before the general with the Air Force band. Two separate missions were flown on this date. The major effort was directed against a Vienna oil refinery. They bombed by PFF, but because of the undercast were unable to completely determine the results. Four other ships went to Bolzano, Italy to attack the power station there. Results were good. Lt. Cassna’s crew departed for a week of relaxation on the Isle of Capri. Cpls Wilks and Shamshak and Pfc Jamail filled the San Spirito quote for the week. Sgt. Parlapiano returned from the 34th Field Hospital. “Col. Comrades” was showing on the screen. November 7. Mission #130 was flown to a marshalling yard at Ali Pasin Most, Yugoslavia. Fair results were reported. A squadron detail was started and various departments must furnish a quota of men to work on a construction project to better the appearance and to improve living quarters. Lt. Toth was placed on DS with Group Headquarters. He is to assume the duty of Group Navigator because Capt. Prien who recently completed his 50th mission returned to the States. The greatest number of packages from home arrived and was distributed to the men. November 8. A mission was originally schedule for this date, but was cancelled during the night. For the second straight day a record-breaking number of packages arrived. Christmas seems to be coming early to this squadron. “Ladies Courageous” was playing at the squadron theater. Pvts Kastenberg and Netishen were released from confinement in the 15th AF stockade and returned to duty in this squadron. We were flashed that Franklin D. Roosevelt had been re-elected for another term as president of the United States. November 9. A practice mission took place on this date. Emphasis was placed on formation flying and bombing, but the bombing phase of the flight was never accomplished. Lights made their appearance at each end of the engineering department streets giving the area quite a metropolitan look. Sgt. Lester Anderson entered the 34th Field Hospital. More packages from home and the men are beginning to feel the holiday spirit. Sgt. Tidd, remaining member of Lt. Schweisberger’s crew, departed en route to the States. November 10. A mission was scheduled but a stand down was called before take off. Lt. Cody returned to the squadron after a special course of instruction in the States qualifying to assume the duties of squadron Gunnery Officer and relieving Capt. Gray of this responsibility. “Marriage is a Private Affair” was shown on the squadron screen. November 11. Two bombing missions were scheduled on this date. The on to Linz, Austria was particularly xxxxxxxxxx carried out. The xxxxx x x xxxxx x xxxx x xxxxxx xxxxx xxxx xxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxx xxx. November 12. Record unreadable. November 13. Record unreadable. November 14. Once again squadron fliers were briefed to attack a strategic enemy installation in Vienna, Austria and once again the adverse flying weather caused the flight to be cancelled before take off. A practice mission was flown in the afternoon. 1st Lt. Tyson was assigned to the organization to assume the duties of Supply Officer. Sgt. Shinn entered the 91st Station Hospital in Foggia. “Rosie The Riveter” shown on the screen. November 15. Record unreadable. November 16. The target for this date’s mission was Munich, Germany. However something went wrong and the bombs were dropped nowhere near the objective. All seven ships returned safely. The men of the organization xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. November 17. Record unreadable. November 18. Record unreadable. November 19. Record unreadable. November 20. Seven squadron planes took off to attack Blechhammer, Germany. The bombs were dropped with much accuracy and the crews claimed the target to be well hit. Later photographs confirmed these claims. Lt. Norris, who had been transferred another unit because his injured leg would not permit him to fly a B-24, came up on orders for the D.F.C. The engineering department was notified that four of the squadron’s planes were to be transferred to Wing. Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. November 21. Record unreadable. November 22. Record unreadable. November 23. Record unreadable. November 24. Record unreadable. November 25. No combat mission was scheduled for this date. Concern was beginning to be felt for Lt. Hughes and the men of his crew. They were reported to have landed on the island of Vis while returning from a mission to Blechhammer, Germany on Nov. 20th. However, their continued failure to return to the squadron or contact it in xxxxx xxxx has cast suspicion on the accuracy of this information. Lt. Tyson xxxxxx x xxxxx entered the 34th Field Hospital. Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx. November 26. Stand down for today. Group operations contradicted the previous report concerning the whereabouts of Lt. Hughes and his crew, originally said to have landed on the Isle of Vis, later information places them in Yugoslavia. Cpl. Pardue was badly burned when his gas truck caught on fire. He was sent to the hospital. Cpl. Bradford also entered the hospital. Chances are being sold in the squadron to give a boost to the 6th War Loan drive. Generous Bond prices are to be given. The raffle will take place Saturday xxxxx xxx xxxxxx xxx xxxx. Xxx xxxx xxx xx xxxxxxx xx xxxxx xx. November 27. Record unreadable. November 28. Record unreadable. November 29. Record unreadable. November 30. Record unreadable. |
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