533rd Bomb Sq.
381st Bomb Group (H)
WAR DIARY
Submitted by Pvt John Haggerty
FEBRUARY 1945
1. The first day of February dawned bright and clear with a moderate wind sweeping the field. Take off time for the group's 244th mission was set for 07.45 hrs, and 37 ships were dispatched, with one spare. The 533rd provided ten ships.
There was one abort, Lt Kuhns of the 535th, who salvoed the bombs in the Channel and returned to the field with two engines out; 42-32102 lost another engine as it came in to land, and the pilot made a crash landing in the 533rd engineering area, knocking down two crew chief's huts and completely wrecking the airplane. No one was hurt.
The 381st led the entire Eighth Air Force today, with Major Douglas Winter, 534th CO, in command. The group had trouble in getting assembled this morning, having to climb away over a high cloud front. Major Winter said weather was bad all the way to and from the target. The formation attacked the marshalling yards at Mannheim, dropping bombs by instruments through 10/10th clouds.
The mission marked the first time "Micro-H" bombing technique has been employed by the 381st. Flak at the target was light and inaccurate and battle damage to ships was extremely light. No enemy aircraft were encountered.
Pfc Camp returned to duty from DS at the RAF school at Yatesbury.
2. The sky was overcast this morning, with low-hanging grey clouds. A mission to Berlin as primary and Dresden as secondary was scrubbed.
Five combat officers and five EM left today for the rest home; T.Sgt William G. Hiney and S/Sgt David A. Phillips were transferred to the 70th RD casual pool.
3. One thousand Flying Fortresses rocked refugee-packed Berlin today with 2,500 tons of high explosives. Ten ships of the 533rd made up a fraction of the total striking force, altogether the 381st put up 36 for the mission, with Capt McNeill of the 532nd in command.
Flying weather was good, but Europe was covered by an almost complete overcast all the way to Berlin. At the city however, bombardiers found weather conditions CAVU, and a visual bomb run was carried out. Our's was the 12th Group to attack the Tempelhof marshalling yards, and strike photos show that our bombs hit to the right of the assigned MPI. Flak at the target was moderate but extremely accurate. One man was slightly wounded in the 534th and one 532nd ship is MIA. The formation returned to the field 40 minutes early.
T/Sgts Travis J. Groft, Earle L. Bassett and S/Sgt William D. Dangerfield were transferred to the 70th RD casual pool.
4. The weather turned cold and rainy after the return of the bombers yesterday, and a stand down was ordered at 23.00 hrs last night. There were high winds this morning, with low-hanging grey clouds.
The following were promoted from 2nd to 1st Lt: Howard J. Anderson, Miles P. Baldwin, Albert P. Miller, Stuart G. Newman and Kenneth R. Schmalz. EM promotions include: Sgt Raymond T. Timms to S/Sgt; Cpl Woodrow W. Englett to Sgt and Pfc Phil D. Howard to Cpl.
Transferred to the 70th RD casual pool today were: 1st Lts Joseph Steinwinter, Francis J. Gstrein, Samuel J. Weisman.
5. Heavy rain about 03.00 hrs was followed by overcast sky at 3,000 ft and the mission scheduled for 07.30 hrs take off, was scrubbed. Crews had been already called and were waiting on the line. The intended target was Munich.
Men at the base heard heavy explosions during the night of what are believed to be V-2 rockets. Searchlights in surrounding areas were busy throughout the night.
T/Sgt Albert R. Ulrich, S/Sgts John K. Cardon, John Bormida were transferred to the 70th RD casual pool; S/Sgt George A. Runger was reduced to Pvt.
6. Briefed to attack Lutzkendorf visually, a force of 35 aircraft of the group were unable to do so today, were ordered not to attack the secondary and finally dropped their bombs on Ohrdruf, Germany, a highway junction 10 miles south of Gotha. Two bombers attacked Steinbeck. Nine 533rd ships took part, with Capt Ewing S. Watson, of the 533rd, as group commander. One of our ships, piloted by Lt Crouse landed at another base.
A shake-up in base commands resulted in many important transfers and some re-assignments within the squadron today. Lt Col George G. Shackley, 533rd CO for more than a year, goes to Group HQ, and appointed Air Executive. The new squadron CO is Capt Ewing S. Watson. Major Joseph Kreiger, Jr., was transferred to the 535th, and 1st Lt James V. Farley, also went to Group HQ, as group bombardier.
Two new crews were assigned today: 2nd Lts John E. Blankenship, Arthur H. McKee, Lewis R. Severance, Jr., Melvin R. Raskin; Cpls Darwin A. Babcock, Weldon H. Brudlos, Charles E. Hall, John H. Hitchens and James C. Neal.
2nd Lts Alonzo W. Goodwin, Arthur McImberg, Charles H. Miller, Andrew Dudak; T/Sgt Joe H. Bethea, Cpls James F. Gibson, Stanley R. Bishop, Robert C. Halden and Albert H. Rufe.
7. Our ships took off about 09.20 hrs this morning, with Osterfeld, Germany, as the intended target. Extremely poor weather conditions were encountered as the formation neared Germany, and a recall was ordered. The planes landed at home field at 13.30 hrs. One 532nd ship became separated from the formation and did not receive the recall, and bombed Essen alone.
1st Lt Robert T. Hilmes was transferred to the 70th RD casual pool.
8. A mission planned for Wesel, Germany was scrubbed because of bad weather.
Pfc Charles W. Neiz was assigned today, transferred from the 535th, as was Cpl Richard L. Mayfield from the 534th, while Cpl Albert S. Enser was transferred to the 535th. Three combat men were transferred to the 70th RD casual pool; T/Sgt Paul L. Grim, S/Sgts Henry L. Johnson and Dale E. Williams.
9. Thirty seven bombers of the 381st attacked a motor road viaduct at Arnsberg, south east of Dusselldorf. Capt Bill Cronin of the 534th led the formation. Breaks in the clouds on the way over were reported, but the target area itself was completely covered. Clouds at Arnsberg were higher than briefed, and the bombers were actually in them at "bombs away". There was no flak at the target and no enemy aircraft.
The following two officers, 1st Lts Robert W. Beckman and George F. Stevens, were released today and transferred to the 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron, at Station #365, Halesworth, in Suffolk; Sgt William T. Short left for DS at Burtonwood Repair Depot.
10. A mission planned for Kassel today was scrubbed.
Four combat officers and five EM left for rest homes; 1st Lt Thomas Schilling was transferred to 70th RD casual pool.
11. Yet again the mission was scrubbed, the intended target being Munster.
Capt John W. Berkley and 1st Lt Burton H. Kinney left for 14 days TD with the 5th Strategic Air Depot Airstrip, at Station B-53, on the Continent.
12. A chill drizzle was falling this morning when a stand down was declared. Weather cleared shortly before noon, and the sun shone throughout the afternoon.
The following promotions were announced today: 2nd Lts Arthur S. Carter, D. P. Morgan and Jerry Pasek to 1st Lt; S/Sgts Joseph J. Francis and John W. Roach to T/Sgt; Sgts Marvin C. Elsbury, Edward G. Palmer and John R. Thrash to S/Sgts; Cpls Bertram M. Davis, Robert C. Moore, Raymond Pussler, Erwin J. Schwartzman, Lester E. Chaney, Joseph P. Moriarty, James D. Powell, Carl A. Robinson and William D. Wideman to Sgts.
The following were re-classified: S/SgtJohn N. Liddell from 502 to 631; Pfc John J. Bilicki from 405 to 631.
1st Lt Howard J. Anderson was transferred to the 70th RD casual pool.
Two new combat crews were assigned today: 2nd Lts Robert E. Peyton, Marvin Rasmussen, William Blackwood, Marvin E. Nagel; Cpls Glenn E. Erwin, William G. Gardiner, James W. Howell, Daniel A. Josephson and Gilbert A. Tennant.
2nd Lts Morris W. Roettger, Benton W. Clifford, Lucian DiVincenzo, Albert Nigra; Cpls Harold M. Evans, Joseph D. Ginsburg, Harold E. Hoover, Willard J. Howard and Lawrence E. Stuart.
13. A very heavy double explosion was heard on the base about 04.00 hrs this morning. Cause is unknown.
Three red-red flares from the control tower announced the scrubbing of a mission shortly before 07.00 hrs today. "A" target was to be Kassel, and "B", Dresden.
Lt Col Harry P. Leber, Jr., former base commander, left today for the United States. Lt Col Conway S. Hall is the new group commander.
1st Lt John E. Crowley, T/Sgt Thomas J. Hammer and S/sgt Leland D. Graham left for the 70th RD casual pool; four combat officers and five EM left for rest homes.
14. The 381st received a Valentine Day card today - one which it was not expecting. What started to be an unsuccessful mission later proved to be the most successful ever carried out by the 381st, whose 37 ships took off at 08.30 hrs, briefed to attack Kassel, with Dresden as the secondary.
The entire First Air Division, led by Lt Col Ensign, went off course at Munster, where flak was moderate to intense. The 381st lost the rest of the Division in contrails and cirrus clouds shortly afterward. Capt Jim Tyson, flying lead ship with the 535th, did not dare go off course and off time to Dresden, the secondary target scheduled for a split-second timing attacks by a great number of bombers.
The only choice left open for the 381st was a target of opportunity. Fortunately, Capt Palenik, the lead bombardier, spotted a large industrial plant through a break in the clouds near Brux, Czechoslovakia, and was able to synchronize on it. Strike photos later showed direct hits on and around the plant, which proved to be the vital Sudetenland Ische Treibst Offenwerke, a synthetic oil factory and a long-time high priority target for the Eighth Air Force. A force of 25 bombers attacked the oil plant, while 12 others of the 381st bombed marshalling yards at Pilsen, through 10/10th clouds.
Eighteen of our aircraft landed away from base, 13 on the continent. The 533rd ships took part in the attack on Brux. Two of the squadron's ship landed in Brussells and one in France, but all landed safely at base later.
Today's pilots were: Lts Roush, Carr, Nolan, Coates, Sutherland, Illig, Hacker, Goldin and Riza.
The following re-classifications were announced: Capt Martin L. Healey, Jr., from 2110 to 2120; Capt Charles R. McCarthy from 2110 to 2200; 1st Lt Gail S. Brewer from 4113 to 4000; 1st Lt Robert E. Bryson from 0200 to 2520.
Capt John W. Berkley and 1st Lt Burton H. Kinney were released today and transferred to the 327th Station Complement Squadron, at Station B-53, on the Continent, where they have been serving several days on temporary duty.
15. Twenty two bombers of the 381st attacked the city of Dresden today, bombing by instruments through 10/10th cloud. Seven ships of the 533rd took part, one flown by Capt Carpenter, low squadron leader, aborted and jettisoned bombs in the Channel.
Weather today was good for flying, although there was a solid undercast at the target itself. No flak was met at the target, but there was meagre and incuurate flak over a wide area near Brux. No enemy aircraft were seen.
Pilots participating were: Capt W.F. Carpenter, Lts Schein, Crouse, Goldin, Saccomano, Fawcett, Sutherland, Urban and Illig.
T/Sgt Martin G. Klein returned from DS at No. 10 technical training school.
16. Lt Col George G. Shackley, flying in a 533rd ship, with Lt Gotthardt as his pilot, commanded 36 bombers of the 381st in an attack on an oil plant, fuel dump, marshalling yard and steel works in Langendreer, Germany today.
Altogether, 23 bombers dropped their loads with good results, on the yards, and the other 13 hit targets of opportunity in Langendreer. Strike photos show hits on an oil or ammunition dujmp on the south bank of a canal north of the MPI. A tremendous flash and a huge column of white smoke shows clearly in the pictures.
Flak at the target was intense and fairly accurate, lasting about seven minutes. Eight of the 533rd's nine ships suffered major battle damage, but there were no casualties and all returned safely to base.
Taking part today were: Lts Gotthardt, Schein, Nelson, Richard, Urban, Hacker, C.H. Carpenter, Sutherland and Saccomano.
No change within the squadron was listed in morning reports.
17. A 21-bomber mission to Mannheim was recalled about 11.15 hrs, the planes returning to our hazed-over field about noon. The day was damp, misty and chilly with poor visibility. No change listed in morning reports.
18. Non-operational. An order for two of the group's GH aircraft to join another outfit for a mission was cancelled.
Order transferring Capt John W. Berkley and 1st Lt Burton E. Kinney to the 327th Station Complement Squadron was rescinded today; the officers returned to duty with the squadron. Capt Charles R. McCarthy left for DS on London for a 6-day course in Army Information Education.
19. Capt Carpenter and Lt Privett of the 533rd led 37 bombers of the 381st to an attack on theMoesch-Benzin synthetic oil plant at Dortmund today. The bombs were dropped by instruments through 10/10th cloud. Three 533rd ships suffered minor battle damage: #761, #560, and #977. Take-off was at 10.30 hrs and return to base was 16.30 hrs. However 13 aircraft from the 398th BG, Nuthampsted landed at this base with bad ground haze at the time and a flare path was lighted.
Pilots today were: Lts Privett, Fawcett, Sutherland, Pettitt, Reynolds, Richard, Oldsman, Illig and Hacker.
1st Lts Arthur G. Carter, Edward C. Carr and John A. Conklin, Jr., were released today to the 70th RD casual pool.
20. Weather was mild and spring-like this morning, with a high overcast clearing about 08.00 hrs. Major Bordner of the 534th, led 36 of the group's aircraft to an attack on the railroad station at Nurnberg, Germany, the 252nd mission for the 381st.
Bombing was carried out through 10/10th cloud and results were unobserved. Flak at the target was moderate and inaccurate, generally bursting behind our formation. Ten bombers from the 533rd took part in the operation, all returning safely without casualties.
Participating pilots were: Lts Riza, Nelson, Sutherland, Saccomano, Pettitt, Reynolds, Cline, Oldsman, Illig and Hacker.
The following EM were promoted to from Sgt to S/Sgt: Joseph J. Macuso, John W. Shelby, Joseph P. Walsh, Harvey W. Abbott, Edward A. Gonet, Edward B. Litogot, Louis A. Porter, Harold K. Snyder and Edward J. Toth.
21. There was a light frost this morning, with some fog and mists over low ground. The sky was bright and clear, when 37 aircraft took off at 07.15 hrs for the 253rd mission, a PFF attack on the Nurnberg marshalling yards, Major Taylor, 535th leading the formation which included seven bombers of the 533rd.
Flak was meagre and inaccurate, behind our formation at the target. No enemy aircraft were seen and the bombers received close support all the way from strong formations of P-51s. All our planes returned safely with no casualties.
Our pilots were: Hales, Nolan, Crouse, Goldin, Pettitt, Reynolds, Cline, Oldsman and Saccomano.
T/Sgts Thomas M. Guilfoyle and William J. Collins were transferred to the 70th RD casual pool; Capt John W. Berkley and 1st Lt Burton H. Kinney returned to Air Depot Airstrip B-53, on the Continent for 14 days TD; the following were promoted to Sgt: Joseph W. Demski and Russell C. Snow; four combat officers and six EM returned from rest homes.
22. Despite wet, misty weather this morning, 37 bombers of the 381st took off for two separate attacks on marshalling yards at Kobbelitz and Klotze, Germany. The primary target, the Gardelegen marshalling yards north of Magdeburg, was missed when our group was diverted from course by the traffic pattern interference of another outfit.
Dog-fights were seen in front of our formation in the target area, but there was no flak. Bombing results were adjudged to be fair to good in both cases, especially since the bombers released their explosives from the extremely low level of 12,000 ft. The nine bombers of the 533rd took part in the attack on Klotze.
Today's pilots were: Lts Roush, Fawcett, Riza, Goldin, Coates, Nichols, Reynolds, Saccamano and Urban.
Pvts Ernest Reil and Henry A. Harris were listed as AWOL at 12.00 and 17.00 hrs today; Capt Henry W. Bonneau left for TD in London; six combat EM and one officer left for rest homes today; T/Sgt Jack E. Callan was released and sent to 70th RD casual poole.
23. Led by Lt Roush, nine bombers of the 533rd were part of a force of 12 which attacked marshalling yards at Adelsburg, Germany today, while the main force of 25 bombers of the group attacked marshalling yards at Meiningen. A complete undercast blocked vision all the way in and precluded at attack on the primary target, the yards at Hof, Germany.
The group sought a target of opportunity and found Meiningen, where the lead and high squadrons bombed the marshalling yards with good results. The low squadron, which included the 533rd, failed to recognize the run at Meiningen, made a 360 degree turn and bombed the yards at Adelsburg with only fair results. Flak was only meagre, no enemy aircraft seen, thus all our ships returned home safely to base.
Our pilots participating today were: Lts Schmalz, Nolan, Riza, Coates, Pettitt, Nichols, C. H. Carpenter, Urban and Goldin.
The following EM left today for assignment to the 12th Re-inforcement Command as more infantry material: Cpls Hugh J. Lazzeroni and Virgil E. Smothers; Pfcs Virgil R. Huskey, Albert M. Dolfen, Harry F. Hard; Pvts John B. Keffer, Armand V. Gervais and Sgt Harry Orser; T/Sgt Albert D. Hines was released to the 70th RD casual pool.
24. A cool, frosty and clear morning today, with the sun rising above light mists about 08.30 hrs. The Hamburg docks constituted the primary target for a force of 35 of the 381st, but 10/10th undercast at the target forced the formation to bomb the city proper. The mission was uneventful. Flak at the target was meagre and inaccurate and no enemy fighters were seen. The group was led by Capt Ed McNeill of the 532nd.
Taking part today were: Lts Roush, Nolan, Crouse, Illig, C.H. Carpenter, Jones, Cline, Coates and Eagle.
Cpl Edward G. Barrett was assigned today from the 70th RD casual pool; S/Sgts Harry L. Deaton and William Gildermeister returned from DS ay No 10 technical training school; 1st Lt Miles P. baldwin was released at sent to 70th RD casual pool; T/Sgt Robert E. Tyler left on furlough; Pvt Ernest Riel returned to duty from AWOL.
25. An exceptionally satisfactory bombing job was accomplished today when the 533rd, 534th and 535th attacked visually the marshalling yards at Munich. The 533rd put 12 ships up for the mission, the formation made up of 37 ships of the 381st. One of our ships, 44-6478 W, piloted by Lt Paul Illig, landed at Woodbridge, Suffolk, after running short of gas. He immediately refuelled and return to home base. Another ship landed at Woodbridge and a third in Belgium.
Capt Cronin, group operations officer, was air commander for the operation, with Lt Privett as his pilot. The ground was visible going over but completely covered by clouds on the way back. Jerry's smokepots at the target worked to our advantage in two ways: wind blew the smoke away from the yards and gave us a perfect pick-up point on the target; smoke interfered with the German AA until after we had bombed. Flak was moderate and accurate after bombs away, but our group suffered no losses. According to Capt Cronin, our bombs: "walked right across the tracks."
Today's pilots were: Lts Privett, Nolan, Reynolds, Pettitt, Goldin, Jones, C. H. Carpenter, Illig and Coates.
The day at the base was overcast and windy, growing slightly warmer in the afternoon. No changes in the 533rd were listed in morning reports.
Anna Neagle and other British movie stars were at the base today for a celebration on the line honoring completion of 100 missions by "Stage Door Canteen" a 535th Fortress. Brig Gen William M. Gross, First Combat Wing C.O., was a guest of honor at the ceremony.
26. Weather this morning reminded squadron personnel that Spring is just around the corner. The day dawned clear, with scattered clouds and a moderate, warm wind.
At 07.45 hrs 37 bombers of the 381st took off to attack Berlin, ten of them supplied by the 533rd, which flew spare. The formation was commanded by Major Douglas Winter, 534th CO, who led the group over increasingly thick undercast to the target. A PFF bombing job through 10/10th clouds was carried out and results were unobserved.
The "spot jammer" technique against enemy anti-aircraft radar apparently works usually well. One SJ operator reported stopping 32 separate "leaks" over Berlin. There were no enemy aircraft either seen or reported and our P-51 escort was very strong. More than 3,000 tons of bombs hit Berlin from Eighth Air Force heavies today, the attack being made in greater force than the devastating Feb. 3 attack. All ships returned safely save one, which landed on the Continent.
Our pilots were: Lts Riza, Reynolds, Urban, Goldin, Pettitt, Goodwin, Saccomano, C.H. Carpenter, Nichols and Illig.
From one through a dozen distant rocket blasts were heard and felt throughout the early morning hours.
Capt Louis G. Ralston, squadron physician, left for two days TD in London; Capt Charles R. McCarthy returned from DS in London; Sgt Joseph W. Demski was transferred to the 70th RD casual pool; Pvt Henry A. Harris returned to duty from AWOL; S/Sgt Chester J. Wolski was re-classified from 611 to 748, and Pfc Harry Carter from 055 to 835.
27. Ten bombers of the 533rd took part with other squadrons in a PFF attack on the marshalling yards at Leipzig. Flak was meagre for the 381st, although there were heavy barrages over the city before and after our bomb run. Flying weather and bombing formation were good today, and satisfactory results are believed to have been achieved. All our ships returned safely with no casualties.
Today's pilots taking part were: Lts Illig, Crouse, Urban, Saccomano, Goldin, Coates, Nichols, Goodwin, Oldsman and Pettitt.
The following promotions were announced today, from Cpl to Sgt: Darwin A. Babcock, Stanley R. Bishop, Weldon H. Brudlos, Glenn E. Erwin, Harold N. Evans, William G. Gardiner, James E. Gibson, Joseph D. Ginsberg; Charles E. Hall, John H. Hitchens, Robert C. Holden, Harold E. Hoover, Willard J. Howard, James N. Howell, Dan A. Josephson, James G. Neale, Sr., Albert H. Rufo, Lawrence R. Stuart and Gilbert A. Tennent.
From Sgt to S/Sgt: Joseph H. Biglin, Thomas A. Tucker and John W. Bunker; from S/Sgt to T/Sgt: Marvin C. Elsberry, Edward C. Palmer, Lloyd L. Shelton and John Thrash.
F/O John S. McKenna returned from TD at Station #102 Alconbury; Cpl Joseph Giointo, Jr., was released from assignment with the 495th Fighter Training Group, Station #113 Cheddington, and assigned to the 533rd; the following were sent to the 70th RD casual pool: 1st Lts Ellis E. Richard, Nelson G. Schein and Lawrence E. Hales.
28. The group received a stand down order last night, giving crews a well-earned rest after nine missions on nine consecutive days.
1st Lt Joe D. Nelson was transferred to the 364th Fighter Group; 1st Lts James E. Barett and Albert D. Miller were sent to the 70th RD casual pool; Capt Louis G. Ralston, on TD at Station #101, was placed on 7-days TD at the rest home in Southport; 2nd Lt Jakovec returned from DS with the 91st BG, Bassingbourn; Cpl Garnett G. Swallow was reduced to Pvt today for inefficiency.
Three new crews were assigned today: 2nd Lts Robert E. Jankowiak, Phillip R. Roche, William D. Garrett, Herbert W. Levenson; Cpls Paul L. Berger, Stanley E. Beschta, John W. Hensley, James E. McGrath and Oscar J. Moberg.
2nd Lts Wilbur J. Larson, Leonard S. Rau, F/O Robert A. Mason; Cpls Edwin J. Etter(toggler), Robert D. Hayes, William E. Olsen, John V. McCarthy, Eugene G. Sprowls and John H. Sweesy.
2nd Lts Ralph A. Nowicki, Walter Dell'Oro, William L. McCullough; T/Sgt Charles A. Brown (toggler), Cpls Archie E. Christie, Raymond P. English, Francis M. Esser, Leslie McNamire and James E. Walsh.
Also Cpls Jack C. House and T/Sgt William D. Brown.
Total strength of the squadron on the last day of the month was 11 field officers and captains, 34 1st Lts, 57 2nd Lts, 10 F/Os and 437 enlisted men.
> March 1945