JULY 1944

1. The first morning of the month dawned wet and miserable, while heavy grey clouds made a complete overcast. Rain drizzled down intermittently throughout the day.

Major Marvin D. Lord, on temporary duty with this squadron was transferred to the 91st Bomb Group; Capt Milton F. Tarr was notified his promotion from 1st Lt became effective from 25 June.

2. Men at this station had their first close-up view of a robot bomb today when it passed over the base early in the afternoon. The bomb landed in a wheatfield near Clare, three or four miles from the base. No one was hurt and no damage was caused by the explosion.

It was overcast, with heavy humidity, this morning. Clouds began breaking up at noon and during the afternoon and evening there was occasional sunshine.

No operational alert was called; Seven combat officers left for the 12th RCD casual pool; 1st Lt Chester Hartman was on detached service.

3. Weather was grey and humid again today. At about 8am there were slight signs that the skies might clear but a complete overcast had set in by 9am. There were short gusts of rain throughout the day, thus no operational alert was called. At about 10.00 hrs a red alert signal was given that a buzz bomb was approaching the base, but it crashed so far away that the explosion could not be heard.

Captain John W. Bruning was assigned to the 1st CBW on detached service for 30 days; Sgt Herson was reduced to Pvt; S/Sgt Robert K. Ray was assigned to the squadron from Station #172 Snettisham.

4. Bright and clear, the anniversary of America's Independence Day proved an excellent day for bombing.  Seven ships of the 533rd took part in the 381st attack on the La Riche Airfield, near Tours, France. Flak was light and no enemy fighters were encountered. Bombing results are believed to be good.

Our squadron bombers were under the command of Capt Milton F. Tarr and Capt Karl Franek who flew in the lead ship, the others being: Lts Anderson, O'Dell, Palmer, Wilson, Huber and Masterson. All returned safely with no casualties.

5. Sloppy weather prevented any operation.A heavy overcast filled the sky through most of the day, clearing a little as the evening drew near.

6. Robot bomb bases at Rely, France, were pounded by our bombers today, nine from the 533rd taking part in the attack, when little opposition was encountered. Flak was light and the Luftwaffe again failed to put in an appearance.

Capt Karl Franek commanded the squadron's force again today, flying in the ship piloted by 1st Lt John E. Wezowicz. Other pilots were: Lts Palmer, Masterson, Pearce, Nelson, Huber, Wilson, O'Dell and O'Black.

S/Sgt Robert K. Ray on temporary duty, not to exceed 60 days at 12th RCD casual pool; Cpl Hugh Bracken from duty to detached service in London; Pfc Baze promoted to Cpl, effective 1 July.

7. Taking off in driving rain, 11 ships of the 533rd participated with other squadrons of the 381st under the leadership of the station commander, Lt Col Harry P. Leber, to attack the Eral Works at Leipzig, Germany. Because of the heavy overcast  bombing results were unobserved. There were no losses or casualties, and the sun was shining brightly when the bombers landed back at base.

Pilots for today were: Lts Winters, LaPierre, Huber, Pearce, Carroll, Nelson, Masterson, Palmer, O'Black, Usher and Henderson.

2nd Lt  Irving Taxel and Cpl Hugh Bracken returned to duty from detached service in London.

8. Six aircraft of the 533rd participated today in an attack on robot-plane bases at Coubronne, Rely, France. Bad weather and heavy contrails made aiming difficult, but results are believd to be good. Light flak and no enemy opposition was encountered.

The 533rd ships were flown by: Lts Wezowicz, with Capt Tarr as lead, Palmer, Wilson, Henderson, Pearce and O'Dell.

1st Lt Dean P. Lawson and Sgt Samuel Johnson were assigned from 1st Bomb Division HQ; S/Sgt Trotti, a gunner who has finished his tour, was released from duty today and attached to the 1142nd MP Co., as a member of the alert detachment; T/Sgt Walker, also a former gunner, was released from the 1142nd MP Co., alert detachment and transferred.

9. Today six of our aircraft and six from the 534th took part in an attack on St Omer airfield, France. The 12-plane formation of the 381st was led by Capt Milton F. Tarr of this squadron; bad weather hampered the operation and bombing results have yet to be ascertained. Moderate flak was encountered and no enemy aircraft were seen.

Other 533rd pilots were: Lts Henderson, O'Dell, Palmer, Pearce and Wilson.

Capt Paul A. Snyeri  was assigned today from 1st Bomb Division HQ; 1st Lt Charles Eager was transferred from this squadron to the 534th; and 2nd Lt Guy H. Goodman, Jr, was transferred from the 534th.

A new crew assigned was: 2nd Lts John W. Berkley, Robert W. Baker, August F. Kaemper, Anthony Stancampiano; S/Sgts Thomas J. Hammer, Hector G. Tencich, Sgts James P. Morgan, Frank K. Gunderson, Kenneth D. Lingbloom and William Goudeket.

10. Cloudiness, with alternate sunshine and rain, characterized the morning. By mid-afternoon the skies had almost completely cleared, but the mission called for Etaples, France, was scrubbed.

The following promotions and transfers were: Capt Henry Bonneau left for detached service in London; S/Sgts Gilberts, Lawson, Shields, Calderon, Schwartz and Gordon to T/Sgts; Sgts Brady, Perrone, Davis, Rich and Weir to S/Sgts; S/Sgt Black re-classified from 911 to 663; 1st Lt Hartman returned to duty from detached service at Station #112 Bovingdon; T/Sgt Klein returned to duty from detached service at RAF Kirkham, near Preston, Lancs; S/Sgt Shepherd returned to duty from the casual pool at 12th RCD, Lancashire; 2nd Lt Speck to 1st Lt.

11. An attack on Munich was carried out today over 10/10th cloud cover by the Eighth AF, when 18 ships of the 381st took part, but none from the 533rd.

Capt Henry W. Bonneau to duty from detached service in London.

12. Munich was blasted again today, 36 aircraft of the 381st taking part in the operation, ten from this squadron taking part. Lt Col Conway S. Hall, group air executive was leader, flying in a 533rd ship 42-97771-J, with Capt Carl M. Clark as his pilot. Bombing was carried out through a heavy, grey undercast by PFF. Flak was moderate but accurate, no enemy aircrfat were encountered had we had no losses. A second mission planned for Fresnoy, France, was scrubbed.

Apart from Capt Clark, our pilots were: Lts O'Black, Weaver, LaPierre, Usher, Winter, O'Dell, Melomo, Pearce and Masterson.

Captain John Tutsock returned to duty today from detached service at the anti-gas school at Rollestone, near Salisbury; T/Sgt Lutz and S/Sgt O'Donnell left on a 7-day furlough; Pvt Paterno was promoted Pfc.

13. Another attack was carried out today against Munich. Shortly before 07.00 hrs a 534th ship lost the use of two engines shortly after take off, crashed on the LNER railroad tracks half a mile south of gate #2 and exploded. Three 500lb bombs went up in the explosion, demolishing the aircraft and killing all but the pilot and co-pilot, Lts Houston and Scruggs, who had been thrown clear.

Ten bombers from this squadron took part in the operation, which was successful despite a 9/10th undercast and heavy flak. No fighters were encountered and all returned safely.

Today's pilots were: Lts Weaver, Carroll, LaPierre, Fenton, Pearce, O'Dell, Masterson, O'Black, Winter and Huber.

Pvts Westendorf and Bliss left for the air gunnery school at Station #172 Snettisham.

14. Weather was fair and  clear  at  dawn, but  clouds  began to appear at 10am and from noon until darkness the base was completely overcast. A mission planned for Merseburg, Germany, was scrubbed.

Promoted from 2nd  Lt to 1st Lt today were: Calhoun, Farley, Nelson, Palmer, Robinson, Sims, Thompson, Usher and Winter; 1st Lt Calhoun, 2nd Lts Weaver and Heineman and F/O Kennedy left for rest home, as did S/Sgt Williams.

A new combat crew arrived today: 2nd Lts George Stevens, Frederick Hollendorfer, Raymond Wieloszynski, Otto Daye; Sgts Salvador Saporito, Richard Sullivan, Frank Porter, Leland Graham, Roy Capshaw and Antonio Berardi.

S/Sgt Huber and Sgt Harris were reduced to Pvt; Sgt Johnson was transferred to the 91st BG, Bassingbourn; T/Sgts Tarling and Sones, S/Sgts Turner, Valente and Gass left for detached service at Spetchley Park (? Bletchley ?).

15. Inclement weather prevented  operations again today; 2nd Lt Duncan left for detached service at 1st Bomb Division; Transferred to the 12th RCD Casual Pool, at Station #591 Washington Hall, Lancs., today, were: 1st Lts Gilpin, Holland, Holmes and Speck.

16. Ten bombers of the 533rd took part today in another attack on Munich, with Capt Karl Franek in charge. Heavy contrails and dense undercaste  made use of PFF bombing necessary. Flak was again heavy, but no enemy fighters were seen.

Our pilots for today were: Lts Wezowicz, Nelson, Hunber, Usher, Pearce, Fenton, Rolin, Masterson and Carroll.

17. Bad weather again prevented operations today. Lts Winter, Thompson, Cagwin and Wilson were transferred to the casual pool at 12th RCD.

Three new crews were assigned today from the 8th AF Replacement Depot, Station #594, Jefferson Hall, Staffordshire: 2nd  Lts Guy D. Ogle, Harry L. Goetz Jr., Roy E. Boyle, Frank L. Deborger; Sgts William L. Greenburg, Joseph F. Timmins, Howard H. Hazen, Paul L. Grim, Edward H. Eble and Dale E. Williams.

2nd Lts Kenneth L. Orcutt, George F. Graebener, Corydon W. Coombs, Harry L. Delaplane, Jr; Sgts Thomas M. Guilfoyle, Francis X. Hrehocik, Cpls Angelo J. DeMarco, Marshall N. Collins, Ralph E. Kennedy and Henry L. Johnson.

2nd Lts Joseph H. Steinwinter, Francis J. Strein, John E. Crowley, Joseph J.  Delmarmol; Cpls John L. Lemon, Daniel A. Adair, Morrill W. Lurrey, William G. Hiney and Jackie J. Nichols.

18. Ten bombers of the 533rd  took part today in an attack on the German experimental station at Peenemunde, on the Baltic Sea. Europe was completely cloud covered, except for a few small breaks at Peenemunde itself.  The formation met moderate, inaccurate flak, but the ship piloted by Lt O'Black is missing in action, believed to have landed safely in Sweden.

MIA crew:1st Lt Frank R. O'Black, 2nd Lts Robert C. Karch, Francis J. Treanor, Herbert Higginbotham; T/Sgt Eugene N. Beck; S/Sgts Wesley K. Rich, Oliver E. Brown, Bernard G. Fridberg and Sgt William Rich.

F/O Kennedy was commissioned a 2nd Lt today by S.O. #189; T/Sgt Lutz and S/Sgt O'Donnell returned to duty from furlough; T/Sgt Pantazelos reduced to Pvt.

19. Today nine ships of this squadron took part in bombing a German training base at Lechfeld. The attack was carried out in clear weather, allowing visual bombing and good results were achieved. No fighters were met and flak was only encountered in the target area.

Captain George K. Sandman led the formation with Capt Clark as his pilot. Other pilots were; Capt Tarr, Lts Nelson, Palmer, O'Dell, Usher, Fenton, Pearson and Huber.

Two new crews were assigned: 1st Lt John Proctor, 2nd Lts James Grey, Sidney Gordon, Alfred Guidotti; Sgts William Boyington, Charles Janis, Walter L. Doremus, Dewitt Fontanet, Harry Hoover and Frank Mizer.

2nd Lts Nelson Schein, Lawrence Hales, Douglas Greaves, John Evans; Sgts Earle Bassett, Travis Groft, William Dangerfield, John Keffer, Chester Peters and Robert Tyler.

Capt Henry Bonneau left for London on detached service; 2nd Lt Wetzel left for detached service at the 302nd Dispensary, Station #101 High Wycombe; T/Sgt Meyers left for a seven-day furlough.

20. An attack in perfect weather was carried out today against ab enemy aircraft engine factory at Dessau, Germany. Bombing results were good. Flak at the target was heavy but no enemy aircraft encountered.

Capt Karl Franek  led the nine 533rd ship with Capt Milton F. Tarr as his pilot, who completed his tour of operations as did T/Sgt Lester J. Lariviere, flying in the same ship. Other pilots were: Lts Pearce, Nelson, LaCouture, Pearson, LaPierre, Masterson, Huber and Rolin.

T/Sgt Burbank left on furlough.

21. Col Harry Leber, 381st commander,  led the group's formation to Schweinfurt, the fifth attack carried out against this city from this base. Weather was good and bombing results appeared to be excellent. Flak at the target was heavy but no enemy fighters appeared to defend the much-bombed Schweinfurt. There were no losses.

Participating for the nine 533rd ships were: Lts Carroll, Nelson, Palmer, Masterson, Rolin, Pearce, LaCouture, O'Dell and Huber.       

Promotion to 1st Lt was confirmed  for 2nd Lt Carroll.  

22. Grey clouds overhung  the base today, accompanied by chilly winds and intermittent rain. No operations were scheduled. Promotion for 2nd Lt James H. Mattison to 1st Lt was announced; Capt Bonneau returned from detached service in London.

23. Bad weather forced another stand down today. Rain fell at regular intervals throughout the day. S/Sgts Darwin J. Davis, John Dragan and Philip P. Griffee  were transferred to the 381st BG today; Sgt Wakerley reduced to Pvt; Sgts Van Wieren and  Rump were promoted to S/Sgts.

24. A mission in support of a breakout drive to be launched by American troops in the Cherbourg peninsula was carried out against St Lo, France today by bombers of the 381st, some 54 aircraft took part in the operation and none were lost. Bombing was done by 14,000 ft, visually low for B-17s.

The 533rd contributed 13 aircraft under the leadership of Capt Kark Franek, who flew with Lt Sal Melomo, the others being: Lts Fenton, LaPierre, Usher, Carroll, Pearce, Palmer, O'Dell, Weaver, Stevens, LaCouture, Pearson and Rolin.

T/Sgt Nunn and S/Sgts Conklin, Jones and Carl who had been on temporary duty at the 12th RCD, returned to the squadron for duty; Sgt DeBoer, Paskewicz and Skroh were transferred to the 323rd Bomb Group, a Ninth AF outfit at Earls Colne, about 15 miles way, just through Halstead, Essex Co.

24. A mission planned for Berlin today, was scrubbed.

Pvts Westerndorf and Bliss, who left to attend the air gunnery school at Station #172 Snettisham, returned today for duty; Pvt Michel, who has been on detached service at 1st Bomb Division HQ, was transferred today to HQ & HQ Squadron, 1st BD.

26. A mission planned for Munich today was scrubbed. Meantime from the 12th RCD came another combat crew:  2nd Lts Joseph D. Nelson, Charles R.  Prenatt, Donald K. Adams, William P. Rudisill; Sgts Minor W. Stowe, Paul E. Parkes, Cpls Shelby W. Cook, Leo V.  Krainz, Harold A. Mourning and Robert J. Sharp.

A rash of re-classifications hit the squadron today; from 056 to 055 were Cpls McManus and McCarron; Re-classified from 521 to 590  were: Pvts Bilderbeck, Dean, McMullen, Manfre; Pfcs Ice, Johnston, Smith and Marconi; from 682 to 685 were: Sgts Franklin and Weirich.

27. No mission today.

28. A mission was carried out today against the synthetic oil plant at Merseburg, Germany. A solid undercast made PFF bombing necessary. Flak at the target was moderate and no enemy fighters were seen.

Nine ships of the 533rd took part, the pilots being: Lts Nelson, Carroll, Weaver, Masterson, O'Dell, Fenton, Usher, Pearce and Stevens.

Sgt DuBois and Cpl DePriest left for detached service at Greenham Common, Berks.; T/Sgt Meyers returned from furlough; the following left on detached service:  Lts Palmer, Lane, Bonar, Mattison; T/Sgts Larkin, Zeiler; S/Sgts Clark, Newell, Perrone and Smiley. 

Promoted from Cpl to Sgt were: Boyington, Dangerfield, Fontanet, Hoover, Keffer, Mizer, Peters, Taylor, Collins, Adair, DiMarco, Hiney, Johnson, Kennedy, Lemon, Lurrey and Nicholas; Sgts to S/Sgts: Delligatti, Elsted, Vaughn, Dyson and Harris; S/Sgt to T/Sgt: Black.

Re-classifications included: Sgt Martin from 553 to 958; M/Sgts Howard and LeFaive, T/Sgt Stapp from 752 to 750; Sgt Rantilla, Cpl Orgel and Pvt Pestana from 755 to 756; S/Sgt Stern, Cpl Lucker and Pfc Borys from 807 to 805; 1st Sgt Burns from 585 to 502; M/Sgt Bell, S/Sgts Black, Miller and Nelson from 663 to 911.

29. Cloudy weather and heavy smoke pot haze made PFF bombing technique necessary again to day at Merseburg. Ten squadron bombers took part in the operation and all returned safely, the pilots being: Lts LaPierre, Pearce, Weaver, Stevens, Masterson, Huber, Pearson, Berkley, Fenton and LaCouture.

Sgt Paul E. Schenk and Pvt Allen J. Mayeaux joined the squadron today; T/Sgt James E. Black was transferred to Lincoln AAB, Nebraska; The group presidential citation came through today.

30. Bad weather prevented an operation today. Captains Clark and Tarr were transferred to the 12th RCD casual pool, Lancashire; WOJG Joseph Nutt left for detached service; 2nd Lt Gittleman returned from detached service at Station #112 Bovingdon.

31. An attack was carried out today on the BMW aero motor works at Allach, Germany. Clouds towering up to 27,000 ft hampered the operation, while solid undercast  held all the way across Germany to the target, where several holes were found. A quick change from PFF to visual bombing technique was made and good results were achieved. Flak at the target was only moderate and no enemy fighters were encountered.

Participating today were: Lts Melomo, Nelson, Carroll, Rolin, LaCouture, McMullen, Pearce, Stevens and Person (who is missing in action).

MIA crew: 2nd Lts Jack B. Pearson, Joe L. Proctor, Alfred H. Guidotti, Sidney H. Gordon; Sgts Dewitt Fontanet, William E. Boyington, Harold M. Hoover, Frank S. Mizer and Charles G. Janis.

Sgt Erich E. Wegner was assigned today.