SEPTEMBER 1943

2. Aircraft of this squadron took off on a group bombing mission to Conches, France, but were re-called.

3. In the first bombing mission of the month, over Romilly-Sur-Seine, France, aircraft of this squadron  were piloted by Lts Sample, Clore, Winter. All returned safely and reported results as fair. S/Sgts Robinson and Grayson were credited with one each enemy aircraft damaged and S/Sgt Morrison with one destroyed.

4. The mission planned for Romilly-Sur-Seine, France, was scrubbed.

6. A mission to Stuttgart was carried out  with good bombing results reported. Lts Baltrusaitis, Clore, Hutchens, Sample, Pry, Winter and their crews formed the low squadron of the group.

As per SO No. 73, HQ, Station #167, 1st Lt  Melvin Hecker and 2nd Lt Cornelius Donovan were assigned to the squadron.

7. Lt Lord and Major Hall flew lead on the bombing mission to Brussels, along with Lts Pry, with Capt Briggs, Clore, Hutchens, Sample and Winters. All returned safely with their crews reporting bombing results as good.

8. Lille Nord AF, France was the target for Lts Baltrusaitis, Winter, Sample, Pry,  Hutchens and Clore flew their crews safely home after hitting the target. A second mission planned for today, the S. A. Andre Citroen Engine Works in Paris, but the mission was scrubbed shortly after briefing time.

9.  Mission today for the U-boat base at Bergen, Norway, was scrubbed. It would have been the second mission of its kind to occupied Norway.

13. The following crew have been assigned as per SO No. 81. 2nd Lts Bernard Beckman, Donald Henderson, David Brophy, William Loftin Jr, S/Sgts George Dirling, Joseph Lanza, Harold Frain, Robert Rush, Nick Rossi.

14. The following crew have been assigned as per SO No. 82. 2nd Lts Robert  Remple, Thomas Nelson, Edison Eichorn, S/Sgts Robert Vogelbaugh, John Tully, Edward Meyers, James Rigat, Clayton Boykin.

15. Lt Winter and crew participated today in the mission to Romilly-Sur-Seine.

?17. The target for today was port area of Nantes, France. Due to smoke screens and heavy cloud the primary target was not visible. However and airfield south of the target was bombed. The following pilots and crews took part: Lts Baltrusaitis, Winter, Pry, Sample, Clore and Hutchens.

?17. The mission planned today was to Frankfurt where the target was one of the leading propeller factories, but the mission was scrubbed before take off.

As per SO No. 85, the following crews were assigned: 2nd Lts Charles Wood, Robert Zadnik, Rodney Loft, George Speer, S/Sgts Leo Mack, Abraham Levine, Emmett Smith, Donald Perdue, Paul Leighton, Ralph Rosato.

2nd Lts Irving Moore, Wallace Chappell, Forrest Lane, Mark Schneider, S/Sgts Paul Ellis, Benjamin Dranhoff, William Provonsha, Joseph Clement, Edmond Connors, Ralph Hooper. 

19. Today the mission planned for Nantes, France, was scrubbed.

20. Again the mission planned for Nantes, France, was scrubbed. Captain Marvin D. Lord appointed squadron commander during the hospitalization of Captain Arthur F. Briggs, as per SO  No. 88.

21. Today's target was to be the Junkers aircraft assembly and repair works at Rheim-Champagne, France, but again the mission was scrubbed.

23. Capt Lord and Major Shackley led the group on the mission to Nantes, the other pilots and crews being: Winter, Hutchens, Sample, Pry and Clore. Bombing results reported as good.

24. The mission planned for the airscrew components and non-ferrous metal works at Frankfurt, but again it was scrubbed.

25. Lts Baltrusaitis, Yorba, Clore, Winter, Beckman and Hutchens were the pilots to the mission to attack the Muelan-Les-Bureaux aircraft factory. The group was led by Col Nazzaro, Lt Col Dunlop and Lt Cormany of the 535th, but no bombs were dropped due to unfavourable weather. 

27. Today's target was the port area of Emden, Germany, our pilots being: Lts Winter, Hutchens, Clore, who returned safely reporting the bombing was unobserved.

S/Sgt Billy L. Whittington is credited with one aircraft destroyed and one damaged. Wing evaluated enemy aircraft claims confirmed and gave credit to Sgt Vincent Wandetowski as one aircraft probably destroyed.

28. Today the first mission of its kind for the group was planned. The intended target was the Lutzow, Germany, the pocket battleship, but it was scrubbed before take off.

29. Lt Horr, listed as MIA on the Antwerp mission on June 22, was reported to have been killed in action. September 21 being the date of the report.

30. A total of 15 officers of this squadron received promotion this month as follows: Captains from 1st Lts: Marvin D. Lord and William Baltrusaitis. 1st from 2nd Lts: George T. Kelley, Fred W. Nudell, John L. Silva, Thomas J. Hester, Frank J. Shimek, Jack S. Pry, Elbert F. Hustedt III, George A. Bannon, Martin T. Honke Jr, Arthur L. Sample, Douglas L. Winter.

The end of the month of September  finds the strength of the squadron at 56 officers and 336 enlisted men. This shows an increase  on last month of ten officers and nine EM.