March, 1944

1. Non Operational. Usual garrison duties.

2. Major A.F. Briggs, squadron command, and 2nd Lt. Silvernale led the Group and the 1st Combat Wing to the Alfred Teves  piston ring factory in Frankfurt, Germany today.  All A/C unloaded their bombs in the target area with bombing results being unobserved as cloud cover prevailed.  Intense and accurate Anti-Aircraft fire was encountered at the target.  Enemy aircraft did not attack our formations and none came close enough for identification.  Listed are pilots who took their ship and crew to the target and safe back to base:  Major Briggs, flying with Lt. Silvernale, Lt. Kuhl, Lt. Miller, Lt. Hytinen, Lt. Henry and Lt. Muchway.

3. Today’s target was designated and briefed as the ball bearing works of Erkner, Germany—just 16 miles East of Berlin.  Due to unfavorable weather conditions a target of opportunity was bombed.  Oldenburg, Germany was the selected target.  Owing to a cloud cover 11 A/C bombed on PFF.  Flak was moderate to intense at the target area.  Few E/A were observed and there were no claims.  This mission proved costly to this organization as Lt. R.H. Rogers and crew are missing in action.  No reports as yet on reason this A/C went down.  Leading the squadron today was Lt. Miller.  Others participating were Lts. Kuhl, Henry, Muchway, Hytinen and Rogers.  Listed is crew MIA:

4. Today’s target was re-named as Erkner ball bearing works.  Again bad weather kept the formations from penetrating deep in to bomb the primary and a target of opportunity was attacked.  This time it was Dusseldorf, located in the Ruhr Valley.  10/10ths could cover prevented observations by returning crewmen.  Meager inaccurate fire encountered on the way to the target, while intense accurate AA fire was reported from the target area on the formation.  No e/a encountered and no claims for today’s raid.  Lt. Muchway led the squadron which consisted of pilots Henry, Haushalter, Dickey and Sellers.  Lt. Miller of this organization led the low sqdn of the Composite Grp.

5. Non Operational. Usual garrison duties.

6. Briefed target on this day was Erkner, Germany – ball bearing works located East of Berlin.  However the six “forts” of this quadroon bombed, along with others of the group, the Berlin area.  Though, briefed for this target many times it was the first that our ships loosed bombs on the Reich’s capitol city.  There was intense and accurate flak at the target area and many single and twin engined enemy aircraft to oppose the formations.  Claims for Nazi fighters destroyed were put in by S/Sgt. E.W. Thompson and S/Sgt. J.H. Puckett.  Both received credit for one each enemy aircraft damaged.  Flying in the high squadron in the composite group and led by Lt. R.H. Miller were Lt. Henry, Lt. Kuhl, Lt. Hytinen and Lt. Haushalter who is at present listed MIA.  Lt Haushalter (A/C B – 1553) was seen just before the I.P., south of Berlin, with a fire in the cockpit.  His ship is reported to have peeled off the formation and leave, seemingly under control, and have three chutes go out.  Listed are crew members of A/C B – 1553:

Winding up their tour of Operations on today’s mission were 1st Lts. Milton J. Haas and Robert M. Kempker.  To date Lt. Haas holds the Air Medal, Purple Heart, 3 Oak Leaf Clusters and the DFC.  Lt. Kempker holds the Air Medal, 4 Oak Leafs and the DFC.

7. The ball bearing works of Erkner, Germany were designated as target for today.  This mission was scrubbed prior to take-off.  Another Field Order in designating Gutersloh A/F and A/D of Germany as the primary. This too is scrubbed.

8. After five briefings and attempts to bomb the works at Erkner, today’s mission proved to be a success.  Six ships bombed the target with little opposition.  There were no enemy fighters and flak was moderate.  Bomb results were good as shown by strike photos.  Crew reports stated excellent conditions at target area.  No enemy aircraft claims and no losses suffered.

The accidental death of Cpl. Michael J. Babines occurred, in line of duty, today.  Interment in the American cemetery in Cambridge with full military honors.

9. The aircraft bomber assembly plant of E. Heinkel in Oranienburg, Germany is designated as the primary target.  Assembled here are He 177’s.  This target is located just north of Berlin.  Target area was bombed with results being unobserved due to cloud cover.  There was intense anti-aircraft fire but no fighter opposition.  There were no claims and no losses.  Those participating are listed below: Lt. Hytinen, Lt. Freese, Lt. Kuhl, Lt. Muchway, Lt. Williams, Lt. Dickey, Lt. Myers and Lt. Miller.  1st Lt. Edward A. Klein completed his 25th bomber mission over enemy occupied territory this date.  He holds the Air Medal, 3 Oak Leaf Clusters and the DFC.  S/Sgt. Asa R. Burch and T/Sgt. George M. Lemos also completed their tour of duty.  Both men hold the Air Medal, 3 Oak Leafs and the DFC.

10. Non Operational. Usual garrison duties.

11. Non Operational. Usual garrison duties.

12. Non Operational. Usual garrison duties.

2nd Lt. C.C. Myers appointed 1st Lt. 1st Lt. Nunamaker, Sq. Ordnance Officer, transferred to 1775th Ord. As Commanding Officer.

13. Wizernes, France – constructional works located 2 and ¾ miles South West of St. Omer is briefed as today’s target.  Mission is scrubbed before take-off.

14. Same target as yesterday briefed.  This too is scrubbed.

15. Non Operational. Usual garrison duties.

16. Nine aircraft of this squadron attacked the A/F at Lechfeld (Nr. Augsburg, Germany).  Bombs were dropped in the Augsburg area on PFF aircraft since this area was covered by heavy cloud.  Flak at target was meager.  E/A did not attack our formations.  Those participating on this raid: Lt. Muchway, Lt. Freese, Lt. Dickey, Lt. Dorrington, Lt. Rayburn, Lt. Williams, Lt. Hytinen, Lt. Myers, and Lt. Ackerman.  Finishing his tour of Operations on this one was S/Sgt. John E. West.  To date West holds the Air Medal, 3 Oak Leaf Clusters and the DFC.

17. Two targets briefed for today.  These being the Fighter A/C assembly plants at Augsburg, Germany and the Aero engine works in Frankfurt.  Mission is scrubbed.

Two new combat crews were assigned this squadron for duty this date.  Listed below are crews assigned:

18. Mission is called to bomb the Aero Engine and aircraft components parts made in Frankfurt, Germany.  This Field Order cancelled.  Another order in designating target as the A/C assembly plant hangers in Oberoaffenofen (Nr. Munich, Germany).  Leading 1st Combat Wing on this raid was Lt. Miller and Lt. Schomburg.  Others flying were Lt. Williams, Lt. Kuhl, Lt. Hytinen, Lt. Meyers, Lt. Rayburn, Lt. Dorrington, and Lt. Ackerman.  Crews returning reported bombing results as excellent.  There was light e/a opposition and light flak.  No claims or losses suffered.  Mission termed a success.  Squadron Leader Robert Miller finished his tour of operational duty today.  Lt. Miller holds the Air Medal, 3 Oak Leaf Clusters and the DFC.

19. Non Operational. Usual garrison duties.

20. Briefed target was Frankfurt, Germany.  Due to cloud cover the industrial area of Mannheim was bombed instead of designated target.  Bombing results were unobserved.  There were no claims and no casualties suffered.  Pilots that flew: Lt. Henry, Lt. Kuhl, Lt. Myers, Lt. Rayburn, Lt. Dorrington, Lt. Williams, Lt. Ackerman and Lt. Schomburg with Lt. Hytinen.  Major A.F. Briggs with Lt. Silvernale led the CBW formation there and back.

21. Non Operational. Usual garrison duties.

22. Lt. Hytinen led the Squadron to the Berlin area today.  The briefed target was Oranienburg, Germany.  Bombing results were observed through a break in the clouds as good.  Strikes were seen in the built up area of Berlin.  No enemy fighters were encountered but intense accurate flak was thrown up at the formation all along the route.  There were no losses, claims, or casualties.  Others flying today were Lts. Freese, Dorrington, Rayburn, Myers, Kuhl, and Ackerman.  Lt. Hytinen wound up his operational tour of duty today.  He holds the Air medal, Purple Heart, 3 Oak Leafs and the DFC.

23. Werl Airfield and Air Park was to be attacked by “Forts” of this organization today.  However, a target of opportunity was attacked.  This target being the industrial center of Ahlen, Germany. Bombs were observed   to burst on a selected MPI in the center of the factory area.  No E/A attacks on our formation.  Lt. Dorrington led the squadron which   was composed of Lt. Kuhl, Lt. Freese, Lt. Henry, Lt. Ackerman, Lt. Rayburn, and Lt. Myers.

Today’s operation marked the end of 2nd Lt. Elliott F. Hofkin’s tour of duty.  Lt. Kofkin holds the Air Medal, 3 Oak Leaf Clusters and the DFC.

24. With Lt. Dorrington leading the Composite Group and five other A/C rounding out the formation, they bombed the industrial areas of Frankfurt.  Scheduled to bomb Schweinfurt, 10/10ths cloud cover prevented them from doing so.  Bombing results were unobserved due to heavy undercast.  No E/A attacked formation and flak was moderate.  Others flying with Lt. Dorrington leading are Lt. Kuhl, Lt. Breese, Lt. Henry, Lt. Rayburn, Lt. Myers. 

Three ground crewmen of this squadron left for the United States under sealed orders.  These being M/Sgt. Percy E. Casey – Line Chief, M/Sgt. Rudy A. Herdin - Armament Chief and Sgt. Theodore E. Cason – Air Mechanic.  All men had at least 3 years service.

25. Non Operational. Usual garrison duties.

26. The large synthetic oil plant located at Bohlen, Germany is to be the primary target for today.  This mission is scrubbed.

During the day another Order is received designating the constructional works of Marquise/Minoyesoues, France as the target. Bombing results were reported as excellent since visibility was good.  No e/a encountered or observed.  No losses suffered.  There was little flak and the mission was describe as “near perfect”.  Crews: Lt. Muchway leading the squadron composed of Lts. Kuhl, Freese, Dorrington, Maurstad and Williams.  1st Lt. David A. McCarthy completed his tour of Operations this date.  He holds the Air Medal, 3 Oak Leafs and the DFC.

27. St. Jean D’Angely Airfield was attacked with excellent results.  Leading the high group were Lts. Schomburg and Silvernale.  Lt. Kuhl, Lt. Freese, Lt. Williams, Lt. Dorrington and Lt. Rayburn, Lt. Myers and Lt. Henry were others that took part.  Results of bombing were reported with bursts square on the MPI.  No E/A or anti-aircraft fire encountered by this group.  1st Lt. Happy NMI Hendryx completed his tour of Operations today.  He holds the Air Medal, 3 Oak Leafs and the DFC.

28. Reims/Chapagne A/F, France was attacked today.  Bombing results were again reported as excellent, crews having seen bursts on the target.  Flak at target was moderate.  No e/a opposed.  Listed are crew captains that took their a/c and crews to target and then safe to base: Lt. Williams, Lt. Dorrington, Lt. Kuhl, Lt. Henry, Lt. Ackerman, Lt. Freese, and Lt. Myers.

29. Lt. Dorrington, Lt. Ackerman, Lt. Kuhl, Lt. Hesse, Lt. Myers and Lt. Freese took a full load of bombs on their ships to bomb the A/C and A/C factory at Brunswick (Waggum), Germany today.  Bombing was unobserved.  Meager anti-aircraft fire encountered and E/A opposition was fairly strong.  There were no claims.

30. Oberpaffenhofen, Germany and Ludwigshafen, Germany are designated as targets for today.  Mission is scrubbed.

31. An accident over the field today took the lives of Capt. Ph.H. Stull – Sq. Engineering Officer, Lt. Schomburg – Sq. Operations Officer, T/Sgt. Charles Carter – Combat Crewman, T/Sgt. Norman F. Wilson – Combat Crewman, T/Sgt. Donald Carr – Combat Crewman and Pfc. McLean – Ground Crew.  Interment was held in the American cemetery in Cambridge.  A large number of Officers and Enlisted men attended the services.

Total strength at the end of Month – 363 Enlisted Men, 68 Officers.