| [January 1943] |
532nd Bomb. Sq.,
381st Bomb Group (H) - WAR DIARY
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Submitted by Lt. G.T.
Kelley
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FEBRUARY 1944
1. The mission planned for Frankfurt today, was scrubbed.
2. The second day of the month finds the squadron doing the usual garrison duties as no mission was scheduled for today.
3. The target was the port area of Wilhelmshafen, where is located important naval dockyards where U-boats are constructed and repaired. Squadron pilots were: Capt Hutchens, Lts McNeill, McCrory, Fastrup, Laux, Thomson, Robinson, Beckman and Genther.
4. The railroad marshalling yards of the important commercial center of Frankfurt was the target chosen or today, the aircraft being flown by: Capt Hutchens, Lts Thomson, McCrory, Beckman, Laux, Genther, Robinson, Fastrup and Cogswell.
Eight men of one crew finished their tour of operations today: Capt David Hutchens, Lts William L. Goodman, Royce L. Stephens, Sgts Hilbert W. Braun, Alexander J. Pzalagowski, Gene Purdy, Mike Jasinski and Francis Barnett.
5. The airfield at St Avord, France, was the objective of the bombers today. This field was being used as a training base for fighters and long range bombers. Pilots taking part were: Major Fitzgerald, squadron commander, who led the composite group, with Lts Thomson, Henderson, Robinson, Cogswell, Laux and Capt Hutchens.
Lt William F. Tillson finished up today, just one day after his pilot, Capt Hutchens and others of his crew.
Today Sgt Raymond Chevreaux, reported missing in action January 6 over Tours, returned to the base. He received a promotion to S/Sgt and is scheduled to be sent to Mitchell Fd, Long Island, NY.
T/Sgt James M. Self Jr, who has completed a tour of duty with the 384th Bomb Group at Grafton Underwood, has been assigned as a gunnery instructor.
6. The crews scheduled for today's mission were briefed on the airfield and Nancy/Essey, France. This field is now being used by the Germans for training glider and air-borne troops. Adverse weather conditions prevented the bombers from dropping their bombs, which were brought back to base.
9. The mission planned to Leipzig was scrubbed, due to weather conditions.
10. Seven aircraft of this squadron attacked Ludwigshafen today, those taking part were: Lts Henderson, Thomson, Cahill, Fastrup, Beckman, Darrow and Laux, the latter, flying in #099-G is missing in action. One of this crew, Sgt Thomas J. Glennan was a former radio mechanic of this squadron. He volunteered for gunnery and spent a week at gunnery school. It was his third mission. Crew: Lts Robert V. Laux, Donald G. Harrer, Phlemon T. Wright, Judson F. Doyle; Sgts John L. Holton, Abe A. Helfgott, Richard C. Hamilton, Rudolph Cutino, Thomass J. Glennan, Henry R. Barr.
13. Today a mission was planned for Lettingham/Les Grande Bois, France but it was scrubbed before briefing.
17. After several quiet days a Field Order came through designating Freval, France, as the object of today's operation, but again the mission was scrubbed.
20. Today two targets were named for this group. Planes went to Leipzig and Oschersleben. The mission today is expected to play a very important part in the outcome of the war. It is one of the greatest attacks by the Eighth Air Force against the Germans.
Twelve aircraft of this squadron took off piloted by Lts: Beckman, McCrory, Fastrup, Genther, Bowen, Cogswell, Cahill, Henderson, Robinson, Thomson, Flaherty and Capt Wood.
Lt Cogswell in #562-P , and crew, are missing in action. At 13.42 hrs over the target this aircraft left the formation after apparently being hit by fire from a ME 110. They were seen joining another formation and dropping their bombs over the target. When last sighted the plane was still with the formation and no chutes were observed leaving the aircraft. Crew: Lts Kirsch J. Cogswell, William Borrego, William R. Meehan, Lorenzo Espinosa; Sgts Raymond J. Leccese, Frank O. Urban, Joseph L. Durnin, Charles E. Duncan, John V. Kangas, Wilfred L. Miller.
Sgts Straub, Walker, Stuart, Chas Bearze are all credited with an enemy aircraft damaged.
Today M/Sgt Victor A. Kottinger, a crew chief of this squadron was married. His wife and he honeymooned in London. He comes from California.
21. The target for today was to be Gutersloh, however a target of opportunity, Achmer airfield, was attacked by: Capt Wood, Lts Cahill, Henderson, Beckman, McCrory, Fastrup, Bowen and Thomson. The latter aborted due to mechanical failure of #3 engine.
T/Sgt Dirling claimed one enemy aircraft destroyed and Sgt Terry, one damaged.
Two new crews were assigned: 2nd Lts David D. Keyes, Richard C. Seal, Ralph W. Lynch, John N. Hughes; Sgts Charles C. Van Voorhis, John L. Fair, Charles E. Davis, Larry W. Lynch, Theodore R. Simone, Dale E. Hullett.
2nd Lts Willard B. Thomas, Paul R. Schlintz, Charles W. Bonham, Doswell A. Jamison; Sgts Richard L. Krepfle, Elmer E. Estle, George J. Dynan, Henry R. Levandoski, Fred A. Taylor, Cecil L. Lowry.
22. The target which the crews were briefed on today was Oschersleben, but a target of opportunity was attacked and identified by photographs as Bunde, Germany. The ships of this unit were piloted by Capt Hecker, with Major Fitzgerald as group commander; other pilots being Lts Thomson, Henderson, Genther, Bowen and Flaherty. The latter is reported as missing in action. Crew: Lts Francis J. Flaherty, John I. Hoffer, Russell D. Austin, William R. Farrell; Sgts Notra J. Bright, John P. Roe, Burling Larson, Henry R. Krzyzak, Casimir L. Bukowski, Arthur N. Butler.
Today's mission was the completion of the tour of combat duty for T/Sgt Fred T. Berg. His right hand was severely frost-bitten while he was cranking his bomb-bay doors closed after the run over the target. Berg was one of the original crew members of the squadron having been assigned in Pyote, Texas.
23. Today T/Sgt Fred T. Berg was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for completing 25 missions over enemy occupied territory.
24. For the third times aircraft of this squadron flew on a mission to Schweinfurt, but this was not as rough as the others have been as no aircraft were lost. Enemy aircraft did not attack this squadron, however moderate to intense accurate flak was encountered at the target. Bombing results were reported as fair. Pilots who participated were: Lts Beckman, McCrory, Henderson, Darrow, Fastrup, Cahill, Robinson and Thomson.
Two new crews were assigned: 2nd Lts Thomas A. Pirtle, John B. Kilenberg, Milton W. Stern, Harry F. Cooper; S/Sgts James W. Warren, Robert W. Burrows; Sgts James C. Estep Jr, George W. Cassody, William C. Kinney, William L. Bull.
2nd Lts John A. Rickerson, Donald M. Wilson, Edward J. Hammer, F/O Walter Oneschak; Sgts Gerard B. Wilbur, Durward I. Williams, Alfredo Lujan, Paul E. Sanzone, John R. Phelps, Theodore A. Setela.
25. Today's target was the Messerschmitt fighter assembly plant at Augsburg, all our aircraft reported bombing results as good. The composite group was led by this squadron, the pilots being: Capt Wood, Lts Robinson, Cahill, Genther, McCrory, Fastrup, Darrow (who finished up) and Henderson, who was on his 25th mission, is missing in action.
MIA Crew: Lts Donald G. Henderson, Jack H. Fournier, Earl H. Wonning, Nicholas J. De Rose; Sgts Raoul B. Ramos, Boyd E. Burgess, Anthony J. Korkuc, Anthony J. Bartolo, Thomas R. Hunnicut, Dale L. Schilling.
Four enlisted men of this squadron: T/Sgt Evan B. Marsh, Cpl Roy C. Sanders Jr, Pfcs Armando Castro and Carl Gross, left for gunnery school today where they will receive a three-day course of instruction in flexible gunnery.
27. T/Sgt William Seifermann died this morning as a results of wounds received during the raid on Schweinfurt on Feb 24.
28. He was taken to the American Cemetery at Cambridge. The entire crew he flew with, and his brother, attended the funeral service.
29. The planned mission to Jever, Germany was scrubbed before take-off.
Ten officers of this squadron exchanged
old bars for new this month: 1st Lts Wood and Winter to Captain;
2nd Lts Moore, Flaherty, Loft, Speer, Schneider, Zadnik, Brophy
and Loftin to 1st Lt.
The squadron strength at end of the month is 79 officers and 390
EM.
Numerous awards were presented to combat personnel. They are:- S/Sgt Paul A. Leighton - Distinguished Flying Cross; three Purple Hearts to: F/O Benjamin M. Saporta, S/Sgt Joseph C. Clement, S/Sgt Ralph L. Hooper; plus 26 Air medals and 45 Oak Leaf Clusters.
| [January 1944] |