JULY 1944

1. Non operational. The password is Regulation. The usual Saturday inspection was held this morning. Lt Husted and T/Sgt LaVert went to turret school. Lt Herrington went to the rest home.

2. The password is Party. The regular monthly officers party was held this evening commencing at 20.00 hrs. Girls from shows and theatres in London were invited and also girls from nearby towns as well as guests of the officers.

3. Lt Bonham, Eilenburg, Grover and Sherburn left this organisation to return to the States for combat in another theatre after completing their tour in the ETO. The password is careful.

4. The mission planned for today was to attack the railroad bridge over the Loire River just west of Tours, France. Our group did not bomb because of 10/10th cloud. Six crews from our squadron participated: Lts Klare, Sunderland, Martin, Durbin, McGregor and Webb. Flak was meagre and inaccurate and no enemy aircraft were encountered, thus all ships returned safely.

The Ordnance Co. on the field put on a display of fireworks in celebration of Independence Day. The show lasted about half an hour starting about 23.15 hrs. The password is Genoa.

5. Non operational. Lt Coffman was transferred to the 12th Replacement Control Depot to await orders to return home. Lt Matty and Sgt Wilamowski left for a 30 day furlough in the States then return to this unit for another tour of combat duty. The password is Cigarette.

6. The target for today was the construction works at Rely, France. Strike photos show a good pattern of bombs in the target area and the reports are that the bombing was excellent. No flak was encountered in the target area and enemy air opposition was nil. Our pilots were: Lts Martin, Morgan, Sunderland, Roth, Webb, Cann, Durbin, Davis and Cupernall.

Dr Bernard Cohler (Medic) left for a 7-day period at the rest home.

7. Capt Winter flew in the lead ship of the lead group of the 1st "B" Combat Bomb Wing to attack the armaments factory at Leipzig. Taking part were: Lts Webb, Durbin, Cann, Guy and Quinn. The crews reported excellent bombing results.

Two more new combat crews were assigned today: 2nd Lts  Arthur W. Bailey, Maury Hill, Stanley L.  Smolen, Robert A. Heinrich; S/Sgts Jeremiah J. Lubeley, David F. Smith; Sgts Richard  Stone, Francis C. McGiven, Raymond B. Mitchell, Lyle L. Brinis.

2nd Lts William J. Rendall, John Wolfe, Albert Stampe, Chester R. Hilton Jr; S/Sgts Ollie  F. Hagemeier, Jacob Kaluza, Ernest Rizel, Darrell Hamilton, John Lira, Aaron Haller.

The enlisted men of these crews were give an indoctrination lecture.

8. The construction works at Rely, again was the objective for six aircraft of this squadron; Lts Davis, Sunderland, Sutherlin, Morgan, Rivett and Quinn.

The regular Saturday morning inspection was made of all sites today.

9. Non operational for this squadron, however other units of this group attack St Omer airfield, France.

10. The missions planned for today,  a construction works at Fleurs, France, and the railroad bridge at Etaples, were both scrubbed.

11. Capt Morton Joyce, the Station Air Inspector, made an inspection of all areas, including the Supply Room, Mail Room and Orderly Room. Capt McNeill and crew returned after 30 days at home.

The mission for today was to Munich. There was a complete undercast on the entire route, and bombs were dropped by PFF method with unobserved results. Flak was inaccurate but intense while no enemy air opposition was met. Our pilots were: Lts Cupernall, Webb, Reseigh, Sunderland, Quinn and Sutherlin.

The partial payroll and supplemental payrolls were received for payment.

12. The mission for today, was again Munich, when nine of our aircraft took part: Lts Rivett, Quinn, McGregor, Sunderland, Klare, Cann, Reseigh, Webb and Davis. Bombing was done by PFF and only parts of the town were observed at the time the bombs were away. Flak was moderate to intense but no enemy aircraft were seen.

All crews were paid for the month of June.

13. We bombed Munich again for the third day straight. Again it was by PFF method, however some ships bombed visually and the bombs dropped approximately in the centre of the city.  Those who took part were: Lts Cupernall, Klare, Sunderland, Cann,Quinn, Devenish, Rivett, Morgan and Webb. Today was special for Lt Cann, who finished up.

14. Non operational. Lt Col Fitzgerald and Lt DeSantis made an informal  inspection of Site 6. The barracks and area were generally fair.

15. The mission planned for Merseburg was scrubbed. Unusual Saturday morning inspection of Sites, 1, 2, and 3. Barracks and area are in satisfactory condition.

Two combat crews were assigned: Lts McLendon Stallings, Joseph Grobe, Charles Cutter, Robert Cotton; Sgts Irwin Glaser, Orly Merritt, Frank Hermance, George Olliges, William Sederwall, Jack Booth.

Lts Kenneth Nashold, John Dutt, Regin Ginn, Perry Daws; Sgts William Galligan, Tony Gennaro, Richard Lindsey, Jack Ross, Victor Wunker, Alexander Pine.

16. Aircraft of this squadron bombed Munich today, the target, an aero engine factory, was hit by PFF method and results were unobserved. Taking part were: Lts Sunderland, Davis, Webb, McGregor, Reseigh, Devenish, Durbin, Morgan and Guy.

Lt Sunderland's crew just managed to reach a field in this country after the mission. The fuel supply was very low and two engines were out.

Lt McGregor had to ditch due to a shortage of gas, but through skillful manouvering and foresight he landed near an Air-Sea Rescue boat in the Channel. The landing was perfect and no one was injured. The crew had ample time to leave the plane which remained afloat approximately half an hour.

17.  S/Sgt G., a combat crewman was tried by court martial for larceny. He was found guilty of taking a watch from the White Hart Hotel, Great Yeldham, just down the road from the base, and sentenced to be reduced to the grade of private, and to be confined to hard labour for six months and to forfeit $40.00 per month for a like period.

The following personnel are newly assigned to the squadron: 2nd Lts Alton D. Copeland, James Ausmus, Edward A. Dvorak, Robert J. Crooks; Sgts Jack C. Dixon, Thomas Hills,  William   Turk, Milton S. Fruchy, Cpl Morris G. Phillips, Sgt    Claud Mullins.

18. Lt Col Fitzgerald and Capt Winter in #594 led the formation today on a mission to Peenemunde, northern Germany. Other pilots were: Lts Webb, Cupernall, Guy, Sunderland, Devenish, Reseigh, Morgan and Durbin, made up part of the lead group. Strike photos showed a heavy concentration of bombs on the experimental establishments. No enemy aircraft were encountered and all our ships returned safely.

Pfc Engelke, AWOL since 1 July, returned to duty this date.

19. Leading the high group today was Capt McNeill and Lt Sluyter on today's mission to attack Lechfeld airfield, Germany. Other pilots being: Lts Bailey, Klare, Devenish, Val Luewen, Morgan, Quinn, Durbin, Guy and Reseigh. Excellent results were reported.

Pvt Charles Thompson was assigned to this squadron. His brother Logan was a combat crew member of this squadron and has been MIA since the Bordeaux mission on 19 June.

20.  The objective of today's attack was an aero engine factory at Dessau, Germany. The pilots of this unit were: Lts Quinn, Devenish, Rivett, Klare, Davis, Reseigh and Bailey, who were led by Capt Moore and Lt Cupernall. Lt Quinn landed at Woodbridge, Suffolk and returned to the base about 16.30 hrs. His radio operator S/Sgt F. Bare sustained a slight hand wound from flak, which was moderate to intense at the target. 

Pfc Diehl received a Special Court Martial for being AWOL for 11 days. He was sentenced to three months hard labour without confinement, three months restriction, $40.00 fine for three months and reduced to Pvt.

21. Today's target was Schweinfurt. Those taking part were: Lts Reseigh, McGregor, Morgan, Bailey, Durbin, Klare and Quinn. All returned safely with no casualties.

  Capt Silva, M/Sgts  Barnett and Hooper were awarded Silver Stars for their outstanding work servicing aircraft on the line. Lts Bradner, Putnam and Conly were awarded Distinguished Flying Crosses by Col Leber at the officers club.

22. Non operational. The usual Saturday morning inspection was held and the barracks and sites were in a satisfactory condition.

23. Non operational.  Pfc Ergelke was court martialled for being AWOL for 18 days. He was sentenced to be restricted for three months; to forfeit $40.00 per month for three months and to be reduced to the grade of private.

24. Capt McNeill led our squadron of 13 ships to attack tactical targets three to six miles west of St Lo, France, in support of  the ground troops in that sector. The primary was attacked with good results. No enemy aircraft were encountered, the only flak being at the target and that was only moderate, causing no damage to our ships. They were flown by: Lts Herrington, Quinn, Rivett, McGregor, Davis, Bendall, Sunderland, Klare, Bailey, Scurlock, Guy, Morgan and Reseigh. This was the largest number of crews yet sent by the squadron for a mission.

25. Again St Lo was the target, with Capt McNeill up front once more. Flak was meagre over the target and no opposition from enemy aircraft. Once more there were 13 of our ships taking part: Lts Quinn, Morgan, Klare, Sutherlin, Sunderland, Rivett, Bendall, McGregor, Devenish, Bailey, Reseigh and Scurlock.

Today was gas alert day. All men carry gas masks from 08.00 to 17.30 hrs. It is worn on the face between 09.00 and 09.30 hrs. Ann announcement was made over the tannoy to familiarize all personnel with gas symbols.

26. The mission scheduled for Berlin today was scrubbed.

Two new crews were assigned today: Lts Frederick Miller, John V. O'Connor, Stanley Wirt, Pearlman Perry; Sgts George Varnum, Robert Henthorn, Gerald Cook, Edward Kausak, Michael Medzic, Rudolph Roderick.

F/Os Everett Worrell, Alex Strohmayer, Everett Fabry, Joseph Schmitz; Sgts Galen Predmore, George Wulff, Donald Braun, Raymond Pennington, Charles Steigmeyer, Leo Wieglow.

[11/18/2002: Everett notes that Schmitz was actually a Lt and Wulff was a S/Sgt]

27. The mission planned today for Munich was scrubbed.

All enlisted men received a Venereal Disease and an Article of War lecture at the station theatre. Lt Cupernall's crew went to a rest home.

28. The squadron was led by Capt Moore and Lt Sluyter, helped to form the low group in the formation of  the 1st  "B" Combat Wing. We furnished ten ships, to attack the synthetic oil plant at Merseburg, Germany, bombing by PFF method, results being unobserved due to 10/10th overcast. No enemy aircraft were encountered although flak was moderate to intense over the target. Our pilots were: Lts Bendall, Devenish, McGregor, Morgan, Quinn, Klare, Sutherlin and Reseigh and Parkman (535th).    

S/Sgt Edward P. Limbeck and Sgts Neil, Thomas, Crozer and Larson were interviewed by a reporter from Nebraska. The correspondent was visiting the base and interviewed men from his home state.

29. The target for today was the same as yesterday, Merseburg. Lt Col Fitzgerald led the 1st "B" Combat Wing, bombing again using PFF method. Breaks in the cloud were encoutered over the target area. Flak was intense but inaccurate, however no enemy aircraft opposition was met. Our pilots were: Lts Sluyter, Quinn, Klare, Reseigh, Davis, Devenish,  Guy and Morgan, while Capt McNeill and Lt Bryce were deputy lead.

The regular Saturday morning inspection of the sites was held.

30. Non operational. There was a large attendance at all our services. Lately the attendance has increased tremendously, especially  in the numbers of combat crewmen.

31. The target today was the motor factory seven miles north west of Munich. Bombing was done visually but smoke and clouds prevented results being observed. No enemy aircraft were encountered but accurate  flak was moderate to intense in the target area. Participating: Lts Morgan, Devenish, Quinn, Reseigh, Bailey, Rivett, Davis, Guy, Sutherlin and Webb.


The combat crew personnel and ground personnel's payroll, including flying pay amounted to over $20,000 while the non combat personnel's payroll was about $15,000.

The strength of the squadron was 108 officers and  463  enlisted men.

The following is a list of awards presented to the combat personnel: 12 Distinguished Flying Crosses to: 1st Lt William H. Beardon, 2nd Lt Palmer Bradner, 2nd Lt George W. Conly, Lt Col John E. Fitzgerald (for superb achievement as commanding officer); 2nd Lt Harold C. Jennings, 2nd Lt Robert T. Martin, 2nd Lt David Schwartz, 2nd Lt James W. Sneed Jr, S/Sgt Wallace D. Anderson, S/Sgt Marshall R. Blom, T/Sgt Hessle B. Buck, S/Sgt John T. Cunningham, T/Sgt Vancle E. Dykes, Sgt Albert F. McGlinsey, S/Sgt Albert B. Shank.

Purple Hearts went to:  1st Lt Henry B. Matty, S/Sgt Daniel F. Flicek; there were also 71 Air Medals and 108 Oak Leaf Clusters.