JUNE 1944

1. The 532nd squadron has adopted an English War Orphan sponsored by the Star and Stripes War Orphan Fund. The child, Daphne T. referred to as Case No. 868, was born May 11 1937. The father Seaman T. was called to service in March 1941 and was serving aboard the "Franc Terein" when his ship was sank with all hands in a scrap with an E-Boat in September 1943.

Daphne has mid-brown hair and is the mischief maker of the family. She is high spirited, inclined to want her own way and attempts to dominate the family group. She attends the local council elementary school. All the children show good care and that the mother maintains a clean and happy home is indicated by the children's appearance, etc.  Both parents had received elementary school education and the father had a reputation as a good steady worker who was devoted to his wife and family.     

Some £41 was collected from the enlisted men of the squadron as a contribution for the prisoners of war from this group.

1st Lt McNeill was promoted to captain and 2nd Lts Emmert and Jamison to 1st Lt. The mission scheduled for Hamburg was scrubbed before briefing. The password for tonight is Pelican.

2. All  the enlisted men except the radio operators on Lts Durbin and Klare's crews arrived at 20.00hrs. The password is Bullets.

Aircraft of this squadron formed the lead squadron of the 381st Group on the first mission of the day to bomb a gun installation in the Boulogne area. The results were unobserved due to 10/10th cloud coverage. Those taking part were: Lts Cupernall, Sutherlin,Thomas, Cann and Doyle.

Pilots on the second mission of the day to bomb a railroad flyover at Palaiseau/Massy, France, were: Lts Martin, Dussault and Herrington.

3. No crews of this squadron participated on the mission today. The officers and radio men on Lts Durbin and Klare's crews arrived at 20.00 hrs.

Lt Col Reed inspected the site this morning; Lts Eilenbury and Worthen were promoted to 1st Lts; The password is Gardenia.

Two more crews were assigned: Lts Norwood Durbin, Harold Wood, Ira Zipperman, Emery Santos; Sgts Eugene Gay, James Lane, John Culp, Jack Scott, Samuel Sargis, Thomas Cavanagh.

Lts Normand Klare, George Ward, Harold Brown, Alfred Goodfellow; Sgts Donald Bragg, Harold Provence, Otto Bauman, Sigurd Esselstrom, Daniel Flicek, Edward Vacek.

4. The new crews were given an indoctrination lecture. The password is Strike.

5. Lt Col Fitzgerald flew in aircraft #594, a PFF ship, as air commander leading the lead group of the 1st "B" Combat Wing on the mission to bomb the coast defense at Tailleville, France. Mt M. Fairbanks flew as lead navigator of this aircraft, the other pilots being: Lts  Sutherlin, Cupernall, Klinksiek, Doyle, Cann and Martin.

An inspection of Sites 1 and 6 was made today by a representative of the Division Air Inspectors's Office. Weapons and ammunition were issued to all men in preparation for invasion and defense of the area. The password is Finished.

6. The invasion of the European continent by allied forces started this morning between the hours of 06.00 and 08.00. The men worked all night in preparation for the missions of today. Aircraft of this squadron attacked defense installations in France, while other squadrons of the group attacked other defenses. Those taking part were: Capt Winter and Lt Moore; Lts Sutherlin, Doyle, Thomas, Dussault, Sluyter, Guy and Cann.

A second and third mission were planned for today, but were scrubbed due to bad weather. The password is Design.

7. Earlier today the weather was bad, but this afternoon the planes took off to attack the Kerlin/Bastard airfield in France. Sevens crews took part: Lts Cupernall, Guy, Thomas, Sluyter, Dussault, Martin and Rivett.

A great number of bomb bursts were seen on the runways  and buildings, and some enemy aircraft taking off were destroyed. Reports of the invasion are very vague yet. The password is Co-operate.

8. The target for today was a railroad bridge over the Loire River six miles east of the center of Tours, France. Strike photos show that the bridge was squarely hit. Those taking part were: Lts Klinksiek, Doyle, Guy, Bradner, Rivett, McGregor, Martin, Herrington and Sutherlin.

9. The password for tonight is Courage. All the planes are grounded because of bad weather. Invasion forces meeting stiff opposition from the enemy according to reports.

10. A gun emplacement in the Boulogne area at Hardelot was attacked today by aircraft of this squadron. Participating: Lts McCrory (PFF), Eilenberg, Rivett, Bradner, Dussault and McGregor.

The password is Thermometer. The supplemental payrolls were paid to all ground and combat crew men today. Five enlisted men on Lt Davis' crew arrived and were assigned to this unit at 20.00 hrs.

11. The mission today was an attack on an airfield at Beaumont Le Roger, on the French coast. Seven of our pilots took part: Lts Klinkseik, Eilenberg, Bradner, Guy, Sluyter and Dussault, while Klare flew with the 533rd.

The password is Anniversary. The officers club had an anniversary in celebration of our first anniversary on this base. Sgt Jurgensen was awarded the Bronze Star by General Gross.

Another new crew was assigned today: 2nd Lts: Warren C. davis, Gayle C. Bromander, James B. Richmond,  Frank L. Kleinwechter Jr; Sgt Frank W. Grown Jr, S/Sgts  Thomas E. Comish, John A. Dufek, Sgts William H. Kline, John W. Burkhalter, Paul W. Hege.

12. The Field Order today designated the target as the Lille Nord airfield near Lille, France, with Lt McCrory in the lead aircraft of the high group in the 1st "A" Combat Wing, others being: Lts Durbin, McGregor, Klinkseik, Bradner, Rivett and Cupernall. Bursts were seen west of the MPI on industrial areas.

The second mission of the day was to be the railroad marshalling yards at Juvisey, France, but was scrubbed. The password is Success.

13. The mission for today was scheduled to attack an oil refinery at Emmerich, Germany, but was called off.  The password is Lucky. Ten combat crew members were given an orientation lecture.

New crews assigned were: 2nd Lts Allen W. Webb, George Gomez, John W. Hayes, Earl S. Grossnickle; S/Sgts Roy C. Robbins, Landon L. Grisham; Sgts Jack S. Pabrick, Joseph H. Nadhjsky, William C. Burt, Adolph M. Gonzales.

2nd Lts Lloyd Sunderland, Donald Roberts, F/O Arthur Sherman, 2nd Lt Edward Grazul; Sgts Lloyd Burns, Troy Shelley, Ernest Young, Arthur Veach, James Norden, George Formanek.

14. The target attacked today was the Melun/Villaroche airfield, France, this squadron making up the low group of the 1st Combat Bomb Wing. Leading was Capt Winter; Lts McGregor, Rivett, Klinkseik, Guy, Klare, Martin, Durbin and Eilenberg.  We hit the lead group's MPI with good results.

S/Sgt Frederick A. Taylor, waist gunner was killed in action, hit by a 20m. cannon shell, and buried at the American Military Cemetery at Cambridge.  The password is Hesitate.

15. Our commanding officer, Lt Col Fitzgerald, with Capt Winter, led the 1st "B" Combat Wing to attack the Bordeaux/Merignac airfield in southwest France, when 12 of our aircraft took part. Other pilots were: Lts Rivett, Bradner, Klare, Thomas, McGregor, Cann, Klinkseik, Sutherlin, Cupernall, Guy, Martin, Sluyter. Results were excellent on the briefed MPI. The password is Lucky.

16. The mission today was to hit the oil refinery at Brux, Czechoslovakia, but was scrubbed.

An orientation talk was given to the officers of Lts Webb and Sunderland's newly assigned crews. The squadron personnel attended a moving picture and lecture by medics on "Louse Control."

17. The proposed mission for today was scrubbed. Lt Col Fitzgerald left for a seven day leave at a rest home, and in his absence Capt Winter assumed command. Lt Husted went to Sighting and Harmonization School for one week. Some 28 members of the squadron attended the funeral of S/Sgt Fred Taylor at Cambridge.

The password is Water.

18. Our squadron today helped form the lead, high and low groups in the 1st "A" Combat Bomb Wing, which attacked the dock areas in the city of Hamburg. Heavy flak was encountered but all aircraft returned safely, flown by: Lts Cann, Melomo, Rivett, Dussault, Guy, McGregor, Durbin, Klare, Thomas, Bradner, Klinkseik, Martin and Cupernall.

Another new crew joined the squadron today: Lts David Morgan, Francis Mousseau, Lawrence Weston, Robert Dewhurst; Sgts John McKay, Walter Triplett, Paul Keller, Leon LaForgia, William Pfeifer and William Thompson.

19. The missions scheduled for Homburg, Germany, and Fiefe, France, were both scrubbed. However a mission was run to Merignac, Bordeaux airfield, led by Lt Moore, in the low group of the 1st "B" Combat Bomb Wing, comprising 13 of our aircraft. The bombing results were excellent.

Others taking part were: Lts McGregor, Cann, Massaker, Sutherlin, Dussault, Cupernall, Durbin, Klare, Guy, Bradner, Sluyter and Doyle, the latter missing in action. In #088, he was last seen in the target area and had been hit by flak. It spun down and exploded with no chutes seen.

MIA crew: 2nd Lts John B. Doyle, Julian Prokopovitz, F/O Richard H. Richards, Lt Bernard S. Leavitt; S/Sgts Charles  E. Harker, Gordon W. Wise; Sgts Logan A.  Thompson, Robert  J. Helman and Robert  T. Matthews.

Ordnance and Armament enlisted men taken off all details in order to have as many men as possible in those departments working on their jobs. Planes returned from first mission and were loaded for a second, but it was scrubbed at the last moment. The password is Peanuts.           

20. The target for today was an oil refinery on the docks area at Hamburg, where hits were made on the MPI in nearby industrial areas. Eight of our ships were damaged by the heavy flak, the pilots who  took part: Lts Klinkseik, McGregor, Durbin, Guy, Bradner, Klare, Dussault and Sutherlin.

There was an enlisted mens dance at the Aero Club. The password is Location. 

21. Nine of our crews took part in an attack on Berlin, flying in the high group of the 1st "A" Combat Bomb Wing. Flak was intense over the target and our formation was attacked by 75-80 enemy aircraft in the area of Breslau, resulting in many claims. This was the largest daylight attack on the German capital to date. Taking part were: Lts Davis, Klare, Durbin, Cann, Cupernall, Guy and Dussault, who is missing in action.

This aircraft, #980, was seen to have an explosion in the right wing, and went down under partial control, with the chin turret  on fire. One man bailed out of the forward escape hatch, while another crew reported that they saw three chutes.

MIA crew: 2nd Lts Roger L. Dussault, Bernard Segman, Valerio Magnabasco; S/Sgts Ralph H. Holcolm (toggler), Elmer C. Meier, Wendell B. Lawing; Sgts Howard C. Corum, Alonzo L. Ehler Jr, John H. Mahar Jr.

22. Lt Irving Moore of this squadron led the "A" Group in the 1st "B" combat Wing to attack a switching power station at Tingry, France. Excellent results were reported as there was only meagre flak encountered and no enemy air opposition. Other pilots taking part were: Lts Sunderland, Rivett, Bradner, Martin, Davis, Webb, Klare and Herrington.

Another new crew was assigned today, less bombardier and navigator: Lts Roy Quinn, William Stewart; Sgts Frederick Bare, Herbert Dubberstein, Francis Riley; Cpls Richard Snyder, Arthur Nolte. 

23. Six of our aircraft today helped form the group which attacked a ski-site at Bachimont, France. Bombing was done by PFF and results were unobserved. Meagre flak was encountered and no enemy opposition. Our pilots were: Lts Guy, Martin, Sunderland, Durbin, Klare and Davis.

The password is Report.

24. The target for today was a railroad bridge over the Loire River, two miles west of Tours, France. Bombing with visual with excellent results reported. Capt Winter led our formation with Lt Sluyter; others were: Lts Martin, Davis, Webb, Sutherlin, Sunderland, Rivett, Klare, Durbin. No enemy air opposition was encountered but flak was meagre to moderate.

The regular Saturday morning inspection of all sites was held today.Lt Col Fitzgerald returned from the Stanbridge Earls rest home, resuming command from Capt Winter who took over for seven days, who in turn left for the rest home.

25. The aircraft of our squadron flown by: Lts Moore and Thomas in the lead, with Lts Davis, Cupernall, McGregor, Guy, Sunderland, Whitehead, Durbin, Rivett and Webb. The target was the Toulouse/Francazal airfield, where the bombing results were fair, although there was no air opposition and flak was inaccurate. The password is Variety.

26. The mission planned for today was scrubbed, it was to have been the aero engine factory east of Munich. Lt Husted returned from school, the password today being Destiny.

27. Non operational today, but a new crew was assigned: 2nd Lts Charles Reseigh, David Rautio, F/O Maryan Winiski, 2nd Lt Paul Smith; Sgts Leon Kaplan, John Nushy, Herbert Penner, David Greiner, Max Bair, Alvin Bacon.

28. The target for today was Fismes railroad bridge, France. No enemy air opposition was met and the flak was inaccurate. The enlisted men on Reseigh's crew were given an indoctrination lecture. The password is Minnie.

29. The mission scheduled for today was to attack the JU 88 assembly plant at Leipzig. Nine of our aircraft took off, but were forced to abandon operations due to weather. However, Lt Herbert G. Cann managed to join another wing and proceeded to the target to drop his bombs. Others involved were: Lts Webb, Klare, Bradner, Sunderland, Rivett, Guy, McGregor, Herrington.

The payroll money for the enlisted men was received, counted and put into envelops this afternoon.

30. The mission planned for today to attack the aero engine facory at Allach, near Munich was scrubbed.

It was payday for the officers and EM; Capt Winter returned from the rest home; the password is Camel.


Eight officers were promoted to 1st Lt this month: Eilenberg, Worthen, Bonham, Brown, Evans, Cupernall and Sutherlin.

The following returned to the Sttes for a 30 day furlough, after which they will return for a second tour of operations: Lts Klinkseik, Fairbanks, T/Sgt Beall, McDonnell, S/Sgt Sanders and Padgett.

Another new crew was assigned, less a bombardier: 2nd Lt Robert Devenish, F/O George Van Leuwen, 2nd Lt John Weidenbach; Sgts Devereux Thomas, Herbert Goldberg, John Foltz, Lloyd Carlton, Cpls Robert McPheeters, Harold Brown.

The following is a list of awards: nine Distinguished Flying Crosses to: 2nd Lr Palmer Bradner, 1st Lt Gottfried Klinkseik, 2nd Lt Dale McCrory, T/Sgt Charles E. Halvey, S/Sgt Cecil L. Lowry, S/Sgt Larry W. Lynch, T/Sgt Jerry J. Petska Jr, S/Sgt Roy C. Sanders Jr, S/Sgt Albert B. Shank. The Purple Heart went to 2nd Lt Ira K. Zipperman, along with 61 Air Medals and 33 Oak Leaf Clusters.