January, 1944

1. Non Operational Usual garrison duties.

2. Non Operational. Usual garrison duties.

3. Mission is called to attack the Chemical Works of I.G. Farbenindustrie on the east bank of the river Rhine in Laverkusen, Germany.  However the Field Order was cancelled and the mission is scrubbed shortly after midnight.

4. Kiel, Germany, one Germany’s foremost northern seaports, is designated target for the day.  Eight aircraft of the squadron took off at 0745 to attack the submarine yards and harbor installations there.  All Forts made a successful run on the target and the returning   crews reported bombing results as apparently good since billows of smoke were seen to arise from the target area.  AA Fire was encountered and our aircraft sustained minor damages.  Enemy air opposition was weak as only 8 to 10 FW 109’s were observed.  None of these attacked the formations.  Pilots and crews that took part off to make this attack as follows: Lt. Tucker in the lead ship with Lt. Col. Hall the Gp. Leader, Lt. Silvernale, Lt. Dorrington, Lt. Larson, Lt. Miller, Lt. Wilson and Lt. Mickow.

5. Six Fortresses of this organization were airborne at about 0845 to bomb the airfield at Parkay/Meslay near Tours, France.  Returning crewmen stated that bombing results were good.  Many bursts were seen just north of the MPI.  Enemy fighters attacked the formations and drew heavy fire from the many “fifties”.  Sgt. Chester Norton received credit for a Nazi fighter destroyed.  Pilots of the A/C that made a run on the target are: Lt. Schomburg as squadron leader, Lt. Kuhl, Lt. Miller, Lt. Dorrington, Lt. Wilson and Lt. Henry.

6. Slated to go to the coast of France to smash military installations there the squadron’s aircraft missed the opportunity as the operations for the day were scrubbed.

7. Target is designated as Ludwigshafen, Germany.  Produced there are dyestuffs, chemicals and synthetic rubber.  This squadron put up 7 Forts but only six crossed the target as Lt. Schomburg was forced to abort due to mechanical difficulty.   Bombs were released over the ta r get area but hits were not observed due to a complete undercast.  Enemy opposition was ever present.  During the running battles – S/Sgt. William E. Abbot knocked down an enemy aircraft.  Lt. Wilson and crew are reported missing in action for our first loss of the year.  Lt. Wilson’s ship, A/C 078-M, was last reported with No. 1 engine smoking and going into clouds under control.  Four fighter aircraft attacking at time.  No chutes seen to go out.

Those MIA are listed as follows:

This operation marked the 25th bomber mission for T/Sgt. Harry Lease.  To date Lease holds the Air Medal, 3 Oak Leafs and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

8. Mission is planned to attack the City of Brunswick, (Braunschweig) Germany.  Produced in this city are bomber component parts and a number of other aircraft components.  This operation was scrubbed as weather was reported not suitable for flying.

9. Non Operational.  Usual garrison duties.

10. Non Operational.  Usual garrison duties.

11. With Capt. A. F. Briggs and Lt. Tucker flying in the lead ship and leading the Group, six of our Forts took off at 0800 for an attack on the Ago aircraft assembly factory in Oseheraleban, Germany.  Crewmen reported bombing as good.  Much smoke and flame was seen to arise from the target area after bombs had hit.  As usual the Germans threw everything at the formations.  Many fighter attacks were experienced and our gunners received credit for destroying three and damaging one Nazi aircraft.  1st Lt. Kempker, Sgt. Elbert R. Casey and S/Sgt. Robert G. Tichy received credit for the damaged. Crew captains that took their aircraft to the target area: Capt. Briggs flying lead ship with Lt. Tucker, Lt. Haushelter, Lt. Rogers, Lt. Schomburg, Lt. Henry and Lt. Larson.  We suffered the second loss of a crew and ship this month when Lt. Larson and crew failed to return from this operation.  Cause for loss is yet undetermined. Listed below are those reported MIA.

12. Non Operational. Usual garrison duties.

13. Non Operational. Usual garrison duties.

14. Today’s target is designated and then scrubbed.  The target was to have been the military installation in the Pas de Calais area – Crosiette, France.

15. Again set to hit aircraft component plants and aero – engine works the Forts stayed on the field as the operation was scrubbed. Targets are located in Gotha, Germany.

What had been rumored for days turned to a fact today as Major D.E. Kunkel, Squadron Commander, was transferred to Group Hqs. As Group Operations Officer.  Capt. Arthur F. Briggs our Operations Officer was named successor to Major Kunkel.

Upon his transfer to Group, Major Kunkel was promoted to Lt. Colonel.  1st Lt. Wayne G. Schomburg succeeded Capt. A. Briggs as Squadron Operations Officer.

16. Non Operational. Usual garrison duties.

17. Non Operational. Usual garrison duties.

18. Frankfurt, Germany is named “target for today”.  It is the vital industrial, commercial and financial center of S/W Germany.  This operation was scrubbed.

19. Constructional targets in France are named for t his operation.  Scrubbed as bad weather sets in.

20. The same target as yesterday was ordered.  This too was scrubbed.  Two new combat crews were assigned for duty with this organization.  Listed are Officers and Enlisted men of these crews:

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21. For the third time in as many days this target is designated for attack.  At 1030 this morning combat crews were brief to bomb military installations of St. Adrian, France. Capt. Arthur F. Briggs, Squadron Commander, lead “B” Group over the target.  Flying in the lead ship with Capt. Briggs was Lt. A. F. Tucker and the squadron’s “A” team.  Others that participated are: Lt. Schomburg, Lt. Henry, Lt. Dorrington, Lt. Mickow, Lt. Kuhl and Lt. Rogers.  All crews made as many bomb runs as were necessary for good bombing.  10 Fortresses dropped bombs on the target with excellent results.  Though some flak encountered there was no enemy air opposition and no combat claims were made by the gunners.  Finishing their tour of operations on this one were 1st Lt. Dolphus Rowan, T/Sgt. Guy F. Phillips and S/Sgt. Herman J. Soucy.  All three men held the same awards – these being the Air Medal, 3 Oak Leafs and the DFC.

22. Non Operational. Usual garrison duties.

23. Non Operational. Usual garrison duties.

24. Six of our aircraft were to go on an operational mission to Frankfurt, Germany.  Soon after crossing the enemy coast they received word to abandon the mission and return to base. All A/C landed safe at this base and all bombs were returned.  Crews that took off to participate are: Lt. Schomburg, Lt. Henry, Lt. Dorrington, Lt. Mickow, Lt. Rogers and their respective crews.

25. Non Operational. Usual garrison duties.

26. Due to weather an operation which would carry our Forts to Frankfurt was scrubbed.

27. The constructional works located south of Belleville En Caux are to be attacked.  Word received that the operation was scrubbed.

28. Non Operational. Usual garrison duties.

29. Six Forts took off at 0730 to attack the industrial and commercial centers of Frankfurt, Germany.  Of the six ships that took off only two bombed and returned to base.  Lt. Henry and Lt. Haushalter were forced to abort due to mechanical difficulty.  A/C and crews of Lt. Mohnacky and Mickow are missing in action.  Causes of these losses are undetermined.  Anti-Aircraft fire was heavy and many fighter attacks were encountered along the target and back.  Listed are those missing in action:

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30. Six planes participated on an operation over enemy territory today.  Penetrating deep into Germany our A/C went to Brunswick to attack the Bomber components works located there.  All ships bombed with results being unobserved.  Many fighters attack and our gunners received credit for destroying three Nazi planes and damaging two.  T/Sgt Donald B. Carr, Sgt. Walter McFadden and Sgt. Roger Roy received credit for the E/A destroyed.  2nd Lt. Mike W. Buchabaum and S/Sgt. F. Cassiday were credited with the damaged.  Lt. Silvernale was squadron leader on this raid. Other A/C were piloted by Lt. Kuhl, Lt. Dorrington, Lt. Harlin, Lt. Rogers and Lt. Haushalter.

31. It’s to be Frankfurt again.  This time it’s scrubbed due to unfavorable weather.

Promotion of Officers ranged from 2nd Lt. To 1st Lt. Those promoted are: Lt. McCurthy, Lt. Petroski, Lt. O’Sullivan, Lt. Bass and Lt. Mickow.  T/Sgt. William F. Vance, former gunner, was commissioned a 2nd Lt.

As the month closes the standing strength of the organization is: (difficult to read) 345 Enlisted men and 78 Officers.