381st Bomb Group (H)
War Diary
Roll BO370: Frames 190-205
March 1945
March 1 was an operational day. It was Mission 260 for us and the target was Stuttgart. We put up 37 aircraft, with Capt. Ewing S. Watson in the command spot.
The formation encountered 6/10 cloud cover most of the way, but on the target the clouds thickened to 10/10. The only enemy opposition experienced was meager flak, which was shot up at the Fortresses as they crossed the battle line. There was no flak in the target area and there were no enemy aircraft in sight.
The formation made a mickey run. The clouds broke over the objective, and the bombardier was enabled to make visual corrections. Turning off the target the formation struck a clear spot and were able to see the results of the bombing under the shelf of clouds. Reports were that bombs were seen bursting across the marshalling yards although the main pattern was slightly off.
The entire formation returned safely to base, with the exception of Sgt. D. R. Hawkins, engineer in Lt. Price's airplane, who bailed out over friendly territory after a fire broke out in one of the Fortress's engines. The fire blew itself out and the aircraft returned to base without difficulty.
Chemnitz was the target for March 2 and we sent out the customary 37 aircraft contingent with Capt. Tyson in the lead ship. It was an uneventful mission. Although the weather was approximately 2/10 to 4/10 most of the way in, over the target it was a solid 10/10 and the bombing was executed by instruments, results remaining unobserved, despite the fact that the crew reported scattered breaks in the target area. There was no enemy opposition of any kind and there were no unusual experiences for any of the aircraft, except for one and that one did not go to Chemnitz.
Lt. Charles "Hotrock" Carpenter, posted as deputy leaded for the mission, developed engine trouble immediately after he took off and was forced to bring his Fortress back. Col. Shackley, in the tower, gave the youngster explicit landing instructions. Carpenter came in with full fuel and bomb load and made a beautiful set-down, Col. Shackley hearing him breathe into the microphone "Good landing, huh?".
Hastily transferring to another Fortress, Carpenter took off again and Shackley heard him say "Good take-off, too", as he began to pull up his wheels. About 20 minutes behind the formation, Carpenter set out to catch up. He searched the skies for the Fortresses. Far ahead he saw a "big blob of ships" and gleefully "poured on the coal" to catch up to them. Getting within seeing distance, he discovered it was a force of Lancasters.
It was too late to do anything about it now, so he tacked on to the "Lancs" and went along to their target, which turned out to be Cologne. Carpenter had a bomb sight, of course, so he took his turn on the run and performed an excellent bombing job, "to show those guys what daylight bombing was really like.
The Lancasters didn't discover him until after the formation had turned for home. Then there was a lot of high jinks in the air. The Lancs frolicked with the Fort, turning turrets, shooting flares and exchanging signals. Eventually Carpenter picked up two of the British bombers as wing men and flew formation with them across the channel.
It was fun. The strangest part of the story was revealed after "Hotrock" landed back at the base. The name of his plane ,it developed, was "RAFAFF", derived from the combination of the initials of the British and American Air Forces.
March 3 was a clear, cold, windy day, and, although the radio later carried the report that 1,200 American heavies attacked Germany, we were not in operation. Instead the Group flew a practice mission in the afternoon.
In the evening the NCO club had its official grand opening, with a dance for members only.
At 0100 hours March 4 (Sunday) the Tannoy sounded a red alert. Enemy aircraft were reported overhead and strict blackout was enforced. We heard later that the Jerries pulled a strafing attack on a second division field near Sudbury, using 20mm shells.
We flew mission No. 262 March 4, with a tank factory in the Southeastern corner of Ulm as our objective. Major Taylor was in command of our 37 aircraft formation. It was 10/10 from France through the target and back, and flying was exceptionally tough because of the worst contrails we had encountered in a long time. The bombing was done by Gee-H methods and results were unobserved. There was no enemy opposition of any kind. It was 37 up, 37 over and 37 back.
Ruhland was the briefed target for March 5 and our 37 aircraft were under command of Lt. Col. Shackley. Finding the primary completely covered, the formation went on to the secondary, Shemnitz, and executed the bombing there through a 10/10 undercast. Enemy opposition was confined to flak and was encountered only at Brux, where a heavy barrage was thrown up at the Fortresses. There was no flak at the target.
Two of our aircraft, those piloted by Lt. Price and Lt. Smith, made safe forced landings in France. The rest returned to base without incident. There were no casualties and no losses.
There was a stand down on Tuesday, March 6, and Wednesday, March 7.
Wednesday a party of officers, headed by Col. Hall, went to Parliament, in accordance with arrangements made for us by Lord Kemsley. They met General Gross and Lt. Col. Smith, of combat wing, who were also included in the invitation. Gen. Gross, who arrived in London before the party from here reached there, made connections with the MP, who took him in to the debate. They were shown through Parliament (the rest of the party) but proved to numerous a group for Mr. Lionel Berry, Lord Kemsley's son, to handle and were unable to get into the chamber for the debate.
The Ridgewell party was subsequently entertained at luncheon at the Savoy by Clarence Winchester, acting for Lord Kemsley. Group Captain G. L. "Hamish" Mahaddle, of Warboys, was also a guest.
We flew Thursday, March 8, and our target was the synthetic oil plant at Huls, Germany. Our contingent of 37 aircraft was commanded by Capt. Edwin Bryce. One of our aircraft returned early because of mechanical failure. The others went on to the target, despite bad weather, bombing by PPF methods through 10/10 undercast. Results were unobserved. The only enemy opposition was meager and inaccurate flak at the target. No enemy aircraft were encountered.
Kassel's marshalling yards, depot and repair shops, made up the target for March 9, and Lt. Col. Conway S. Hall, Group Commander, was in the lead ship of our contingent of 37 aircraft. The weather was good enough for visual bombing at Kassel, although a cloud shelf made it impossible to determine results. Wet photo prints showed good bombing. There was no enemy air opposition, but meager and inaccurate flak was encountered in the target area. We lost one aircraft. Missing in action are:
2nd Lt. P. J. Scherrman, pilot; 2nd Lt. E. B. Nelson, co-pilot; F/O N. J. Drohan, navigator; 2nd Lt. M. M. Miska, bombardier; and Sgts. G. M. Casparovich, W. R. McLain, G. W. Monzigo, H. B. Houghton, and H. D. Fitzgerald.
The aircraft was hit by flak over the target between the No. 3 engine and the bomb bay. The whole right side was afire as it began to glide down to about 15,000 feet, where it was seen to explode. Two 'chutes were reported.
Capt. Marvin W. Fairbanks, of the 532nd, returned from the mission to discover he had been appointed Group navigator.
We went to Sinsen, near Recklinghausen, March 10, where a railway center for supplies to the Western Front was our target. Our contingent of 37 aircraft was commanded by Capt. Carpenter, 533rd Operations Officer. It was 10/10 all the way and the bombing was done by Gee-H methods. Meager and inaccurate anti-aircraft fire was the only opposition encountered. There were no casualties and no losses.
The administration of sulfadiazine pills to all personnel was suspended March 10 on order from higher headquarters.
The first ten days of the month brought a steady, although somewhat depleted, stream of general orders awarding decorations to members of the Group.
We received 31 Air Medals in GO 179, 1AD, 1 March, and eight Oak Leaf Clusters to the Air Medal in GO 186, 2 March. There was a bumper crop of 61 more Clusters in GO 188, 3 March.
DFCs, for "extraordinary achievement while serving as tail gunners" on bombing missions over Germany, were awarded (GO 192, 4 March) to S/Sgts. Andrew G. Walker, Jr. and Omer L. Godfrey. Both had completed duty tours.
We were awarded 11 more Oak Leaf Clusters to the Air Medal in GO 196, 5 March, to follow the 52 we received in GO 193, dated the day before. There were 39 Air Medals included for us in GO 198, 6 March, and 27 Clusters. We won 47 more Clusters in GO 201, 7 March, and 36 Air Medals in GO 202, 8 March, which also brought us 27 more Clusters. There were 7 Clusters for us in GO 208, 9 March. And GO 210, 10 March, brought us seven Air Medals and nine more Clusters.
We went back to Bremen Sunday, March 11, with the submarine pens as our first objective and the marshalling yards as our No. 2 objective. Major Charles W. Bordner was commander of our fleet of 37 aircraft, Flying over 10/10 clouds all the way to and from the target, we found moderate to intense flak at Bremen, although it was inaccurate for us. Because Major Bordner's mickey was "out", the lead squadron fell back and bombed off the high squadron, which took the lead run for us. Results were unobserved. Bordner reassumed the lead after the bombing had been performed and brought his formation safely back to base without losses or casualties. It is worth recording that despite the heavy flak, none of the aircraft showed major battle damage.
Congratulations from General Arnold on the operations of the past five weeks were handed down to us through 1st AD on Monday, March 12.
The railroad center at Dillenburg, in the Ruhr, was our target March 12 and our 37 aircraft were commanded by Capt. Tyson. It was another 10/10 day. The lead, high and low squadrons accomplished individual bombings, using Gee-H methods. There was no flak, and the Luftwaffe was still out of sight. There were no losses or casualties.
There was a stand down March 13, although the day, which began with light frost and clear skies, showed bright sun and steadily rising temperatures through the afternoon. There was one unusual incident. Lt. Charles H. "Hotrock" Carpenter, who earned fame through bombing Cologne with the RAF in a Fortress named RAFAAF, was called to London for his second radio broadcast within the week.
We flew again on the Fourteenth, and our target was the single track railroad bridge at Vlotho, in the Ruhr. Capt. MacNeill was the commander of our force of 37 aircraft, 36 of which attacked the target. The abortive was the famous "Stage Door Canteen".
The formation found good flying weather although ground haze made downward visibility only fair. Flak was very meager and in accurate. The formation made a good visual run and results appeared to be good for at least the lead squadron. There were no casualties and no losses from the mission.
But later that evening a Fortress flying on a practice mission crashed near Yeldham and two members of the crew were severely injured. 2nd Lt. Andrew Dudek, navigator, suffered fractures of one hand and both legs, and F/O Raymond M. Oxley suffered a fracture of the ankle.
Oranienburg, whose marshalling yards had been the center of considerable enemy movement towards the Eastern Front, was our target March 15 for Group Mission No. 270. We were tail end Charlie (last over target) for the entire Eighth Air Force, and Capt. Carpenter was commander of our 37 aircraft contingent. Flying weather was good but the target was somewhat obscured by ground haze and the dense smoke of previous bombings. There was considerable enemy opposition. Even the Luftwaffe was up and, although our formation was not attacked, crew members did report dog-fights in the target area between the Jerries and our escorting fighters. There was meager, inaccurate flak on the route in, and when the Forts reached Oranienburg they found moderate and fairly accurate anti-aircraft fire awaiting them. The bombing was visual and, although the dense ground smoke made spot assessment impossible, the crews were certain they had done a good bombing job.
On our way home, the Fortresses got more flak at Wittenberg, and, although it was meager, it was "right in there". One of our aircraft, with Lt. Charles "Hotrock" Carpenter at the controls, sustained a direct hit in the waist, which killed the gunner, S/Sgt. N. J. Ahl. Carpenter struggled gamely with his badly battered aircraft and flew it, somehow, back to England, where he made an emergency landing, under the worst possible conditions, at Woodbridge. T/Sgt. J. R. Thrash, engineer of Carpenter's crew, was slightly wounded in the flak burst. Sgt. R. L. Hinders, tail gunner, was slightly injured when the plane broke in two in crash landing.
There was one other casualty on the mission: 1st Lt. R. Muffley, who suffered wounds in the nose and eyes as a result of flak over Wittenberg.
A mission intended for Bohlen was scrubbed after briefing March 16. A change of PX hours was announced that day. Effective March 19, the new hours will be Monday through Friday, 0900 to 1230 hours; and 1330 to 1730 hours; Saturday 0900 to 1230 hours.
Bohlen's synthetic oil plant was our target again on March 17, and Major Bordner was in the lead ship of our 37 aircraft contingent. The 10/10 cloud undercast which prevailed in the target area was complicated by dense, persistent contrails. Further difficulty was caused by the fact that both the lead and high squadrons' instrument aircraft were not functioning properly. The formation found moderate but inaccurate flak over the battle line going in and similar anti-aircraft fire at the target. Because of the instrument snafu only the low squadron bombed Bohlen. The other 25 aircraft went on to Jena, where they made their run and dropped their explosives. Both bombings were by PFF through 10/10 clouds and results were not observed. There were no losses and no casualties.
Berlin (Schloashaus railroad station) was our target for Sunday, March 18, and our 37 aircraft were under the command of Major Joseph Krieger, Jr. Flying weather was good until the formation approached Berlin. There a 4/10 undercast, with dense persistent contrails and ground haze, made observation difficult. Flak varied from moderate to intense and was reported as accurate. Enemy fighters were reported in the vicinity, but our crews didn't see them and suffered no attacks.
Starting the bomb rum, Maj. Keieger found a squadron from another group out-of-position directly under our formation and he was forced to deviate from course to avoid hitting it. The run and bombing were accomplished, nevertheless, but only the lead and low squadrons dropped. the high squadron's lead ship, hit by flak, had lost its AFCE , and was being crowded by another out-of-position squadron from another group. The high followed the rest of the formation through the target, then went on to pick another target of opportunity, a plant at Zehdenick, just north of Berlin, where it dropped its bombs.
Although 20 of our aircraft suffered battle damage, three of them damage of the "major" type, all of our formation returned safely to base. There was one casualty: Sgt. Laddie Fields, who suffered a flak wound above his right ankle.
Plauen was our objective Monday, March 19, and our No. 1 target was a new wrinkle for us, the flak batteries guarding the town. We were slated to be first in. Our 37 aircraft, under command of Capt. Watson, found beautiful weather until they entered Germany. There the clouds thickened all the way up to our altitude and we were joined by dense persistent contrails and thick haze. There was meager flak for us at the battle lines, although the Groups behind us were really shot at from the ground. Although we saw no enemy aircraft, our crews reported they heard stragglers calling off attacks by "jerries".
The complete undercast forced us to forego the first two targets and attack H2X objectives for the day. We used PFF methods and results, of course, were unobserved.
We suffered neither losses or casualties.
There was a stand down on March 20.
Crew members received 36 Air Medals and 31 Clusters in GO 214, 11 March; 45 Clusters in GO 216, 12 Mar.
The DFC for extraordinary achievement as a bombardier was awarded to Capt. Melvin C. McBurney in GO 219, 13 Mar. McBurney had completed his tour of combat duty.
Eight Air Medals and 23 Clusters came down to us in GO 221, 13 Mar; and there were 12 more Air Medals and 40 Clusters for us in GO 222, 14 March. GO 224, 15 March, gave us 27 more Clusters. And there were 15 Air Medals and 23 Clusters in GO 228, 16 March.
1st Lt. Henry B. Matty, Jr., was awarded the DFC in GO 230, 17 March, for "extraordinary achievement while serving as a bombardier". There were 14 Air Medals and 34 Clusters for us in GO 236, 17 March; we received three more Clusters in GO 234, 18 March; and GO 236, 18 March, brought 20 Air Medals and 76 more Clusters.
The airfield at Rheine/Salzbe was our target for March 21 and we put up 37 aircraft under command of Capt. Bryce. The weather was clear although there was considerable ground haze. Flak was meager at the target (which was the only place at which it was encountered) and it did not start coming until after the lead and low squadrons had dropped their bombs. The high squadron reported the anti-aircraft fire was meager, accurate and continuous following. The formation began a Gee-K bomb run, winding up with a visual bombing when Lt. Tidwell, lead bombardier, was able to pick up the target in plenty of time to get himself lined up. Strike photos showed hits right on the aiming point with an excellent pattern in the target area. There were no casualties or losses.
Hut installations at Feldhausen made up our target on March 22 for the Group's 275th mission. Our 37 aircraft, under command of Capt. Gotthardt, found good weather to the target, but ground haze and smoke screen and the smoke of previous bombings made the objective difficult to pick up. There was moderate and accurate flak defending the place. The formation made a Gee-H approach and shifted to a visual run when the target came in sight. Results were reported as excellent. We lost the lead ship which was hit immediately after bombs away and started going down in flames. Neighboring aircraft reported there was a hole right through the cockpit. Two to three 'chutes were observed clearing the ship. Capt. Gotthardt, who had only recently been promoted (last Sunday) was highly regarded in the Group, as were other members of the crew. Capt. Ackerman took over the lead for the return to base.
Missing in action were:
Capt. Robert B. Gotthardt, flying as Group leader; 2nd Lt. Robert D. Fawcett, pilot; Capt. George J. Stone, navigator, and second tour man; 1st Lt. Peter Kowalski, bombardier, twice decorated with the Purple Heart; 2nd Lt. Elbert W. Hiller; 2nd Lt. Walter F. Scott; 2nd Lt. Charles G. Bonotai and T/Sgt. Lawrence A. Russolino, S/Sgt. Joseph H. Biglin and Sgt. Stanley H. Bishop.
Friday, March 23, we put up 37 aircraft for an attack on the marshalling yard at Cosefeld. Capt. Cronin was in the lead ship. Except for a little ground haze, the weather was beautiful on the target, there wasn't a cloud in the skies. With no enemy opposition of any kind to bother them, the Fortresses made an excellent bombing run and strike photos picture an exceptionally good bombing, despite the fact that the lead ship's bombs fell just a little short. The crews reported two twin engine fighters bellow them but experienced no attacks. The mission marked the finish of his second tour of combat for Capt. Klinksick, first man in the organization to perform that stunt.
Herbert Lazar, 535th radar officer, was promoted to Captain. A similar advancement was announced for Charles F. Houk, 534th pilot.
Saturday, March 24, our contingent of 37 aircraft, commanded by Capt. Tyson took part in the ground breaking for the airborne invasion scheduled for the day by attacking the landing ground at Furstenau/Vechtel. Weather and visibility were perfect and the bombing was performed visually with excellent results. The bomb concentration was "dead on the target". There was flak defending the target and the crews described it as "meager but very accurate". We lost one crew, suffered several other casualties, and returned to base with a crop of battle damage.
Missing in action were:
2nd Lt. Robert E. Jankowiak, pilot; 2nd Lt. Philip R. Roche, 2nd Lt. William D. Garrett, 2nd Lt. Herbert H. Levenson; and S/Sgts. James E. McGrath, Oscar J. Moberg, John W. Hensley, Paul L. Berger, and Stanley E. Beschta.
2nd Lt. Charles E. Greenlee, bombardier was wounded by flak which hit him in the forehead.
We flew a second mission the same day and this time the target was the night fighter base at Twente, in Holland. We provided only 12 aircraft for the operation and Major Taylor was the commander. There was ground haze but the formation was led into the target by an instrument ship which pointed the way to the objective accurately. Capt. Palenik, lead bombardier, was able to pick up the target and the results were excellent. The formation, which took off at 1415, returned to the base at 1730, for what was probably the shortest flying time ever experienced by the Group on a mission. There was no enemy opposition and there were no losses or casualties.
Meanwhile, airborne troops were landing in the area near Rees and were beginning the push which was to mark the final surge of the war in Europe.
Wayne E. Herman, 535th bombardier, was promoted to captain. (WRONG HE WAS A PILOT!)
The planes took off at 0600 Sunday, March 25, for an attack on Seitz, but were recalled at 0700 because of weather conditions. It was a dull day and a light rain fell throughout the evening.
Coming in for a landing about 2200 hours after a practice flight, a 533rd aircraft caught fire. The crew got out in time, but they were unable to save the ship, which burned brightly for more than an hour. 50 caliber bullets were popping all over the place. There were no injuries.
We flew again Monday, March 26, and, for the Group's 279th mission, the target was Seitz. Our 37 aircraft were commanded by Major Sandman. The weather was filthy all the way in and out and Seitz had cloud banks all over it. The formation made two 360's in an attempt to get a look at the objective, a synthetic oil plant, and the low squadron did bomb, although because of an accident in the nose of the lead ship, the bombs landed away from the target. On the second run over Seitz flak got the lead aircraft's bombsight. The formation proceeded to the secondary at Plauen and, with the high squadron leading, executed their bombing there. Strike photos showed fair results, the main pattern falling long, although some bombs landed on the factory. The moderate to intense flak cost us one casualty.
2nd Lt. Arthur J. Smith, 532nd bombardier, was severely wounded by a piece of shrapnel which went through his hand, but he dropped his bombs with the leader before he collapsed.
Six of our aircraft landed away from base, most of them because of a shortage of fuel.
March 27, turned up an overcast, drizzly morning and the mission scheduled for the day was scrubbed.
James V. Farley, new Group bombardier, was promoted to Captain.
We hit Berlin Wednesday, March 28, with Capt. MacNeill in command of our 37 aircraft contingent. For Berlin it was a strange mission. Not only did the crews see no enemy fighters, but flak was meager and inaccurate. It was 10/10 on the target and the bombing was accomplished by instruments. Results were unobserved.
There was a stand down March 29.
March 30, with Col. Hall in personal command, the Group's contingent of 37 aircraft participated in the attack on the submarine pens at Bremen. There were clouds from the Zuider Zee in to the target and there was a 6/10 cloud cover over Bremen. The formation made its approach down a cloud-free alley and Capt. Farley, lead bombardier, had no difficulty lining up on his target. Results were reported as excellent, with a light pattern of bombs right on the building comprising our MPI. The formation encountered opposition in the Bremen area only, but the flak there was reported as moderate to intense. Col. Hall reported he saw one "jerrie" making passes at a straggling B-17. As the German came in for his second pass, four P-51's showed up and one of them knocked the jerrie down.
We lost one aircraft and its crew. Missing in action were:
1st Lt. Robert A. Bennett, pilot; 2nd Lt. A. D. Nelson, Jr.; F/O P. D. Cawley, S/Sgt. E. H. Holt, T/Sgt. R. H. Mumper, S/Sgt. C. D. Majors, T/Sgt. C. M. Slemszenski, S/Sgt C. J. Hockley, Sgt. G. Stubblefield and S/Sgt. C. F. Knaus.
Sgt. J. D. Newell, Jr., 535th ball turret gunner, was slightly wounded in the left leg.
We finished the month with another mission (No. 282 for the Group) on March 31. Our 36 aircraft were led by Major Taylor and the No. 1 target was Merseburg. Although the weather at our altitude was good, there was a complete 10/10 undercast below. The formation went, therefore, to the H2X target, listed as No. 3, the marshalling yards at Halle, and performed an instrument bombing job there. The only opposition was meager and inaccurate flak. There were no casualties and no losses.
The last third of the month brought another influx of awards.
There were three Air Medal Clusters in GO 238, 20 March; 25 more Clusters in GO 241, 21 March; and 12 Air Medals and 18 Clusters in GO 245, 22 March.
1st Lt. Robert J. Roush, a pilot, was awarded the DFC (GO 243, 22 March) for his flying job on the mission of Jan. 10, 1945. Roush took over the lead when the leader was forced to leave the formation and Roush's aircraft was severely crippled by anti-aircraft fire over the target. He eventually brought the aircraft back for a landing at a friendly base on the continent.
2nd Lt. John E. Rice, Jr., 534th pilot, was awarded a DFC (GO244, 22 March) for his outstanding flying ability and exemplary initiative on the mission of Jan 1, 1945, when he brought his aircraft back after it had been crippled by flak and Rice, himself, had been wounded in the shoulder.
We received 44 Clusters to the Air Medal in GO 246, 23 March; and 17 Air Medals and three Clusters in GO 252, 25 March.
F/O Robert E. Farmer, 534th, received the Purple Heart (GO 253, 26 March) for wounds he received on the mission of March 22.
There were nine Air Medals for us in GO 258 27 March; five more Air Medals and 90 Clusters in GO 261, 28th March; 33 Clusters in GO 265 29 March; 30 more Clusters in GO 268, 30 March and a final 28 Clusters in GO 269, 31 March.
For us it had been an exciting and elating month. Victory talk became more and more outspoken and frequent bets were made on the date that hostilities would cease.
Volunteers were being sought for agencies involved with end-of-the-war activities, and directives from higher headquarters, which obviously dealt with winding up affairs, were coming in frequently.
But it had been a heavy operational month. The Group executed 23 combat missions.
> April 1945