May, 1944

1. Mission called to attach the Railroad Marshalling yards of Troyes, France.  There was no flak and no enemy fighters.  Target was successfully attacked as crewmen reported results as excellent. Lt. Cronin was leading the lead squadron the composite Group. Rounding out the formation were Lt. Wardencki, Lt. Jones, Lt. Williams, Lt. Peak, Lt. Crossgrove, Lt. Myers and Lt. Ackerman.  Lt. Calon W. Williams completed his 30th mission today.  He holds the Air Medal, 3 Oak Leaf Clusters and the DFC.

2. Non Operational. Usual garrison duties. F/O Freeman appointed to 2nd Lt.

3. Non Operational. Usual garrison duties.

4. 6 crews were briefed to bomb the capitol of Germany today.  Our A/C were airborne at 0615 and were leading the 381st “B” group.  Due to unfavorable weather the formations were forced to turn back at Lowestoft (English Coast) on way out.  Lts. Freese and Dorrington were squadron leaders. Lt. Ackerman, Lt. Jones, Lt. Gardon, Lt. Freeman and Lt. Wardencki participated.

5. Non Operational. Usual garrison duties.

6. The constructional works of La Glacerie, France are today’s objective.  10 A/C of this organization took off at 0530 hours and    proceeded to the target area without incident.  Target was not picked up on the bomb run and no bombs were released. All bombs returned to base.  There was no fighter opposition and only moderate flak fire was encountered over the target area.  Lt. Freese and Lt. Dorrington were leading the squadron and the 381st “A” Group.  Also taking part were Lts. Ackerman, Pendergist, Freeman, Wardencki, Gardon, Jones Whitehead, Crossgrove and Peak.  1st Lt. Jack C. Glazier, bombardier, completed his tour of duty this date.  Lt. Glazier holds the Air Medal, 3 Oak Leaf Clusters and the DFC.

7. The center of the industrial area of Berlin was attacked by 5 A/C today.  Cloud cover prevented crews from observing bomb hits.  There were no fighters and flak encountered was moderate to intense.  Listed are those that participated: Lt. Pendergist, Lt. Myers, Lt. Jones, Lt. Crossgrove and Lt. Peak.  2nd Lt. Edward R. Lambert, navigator, completed his 30th raid today.  Lambert holds the Air Medal, Purple Heart, 3 Oak Leafs and the DFC.

8. Mission to attack the railway marshalling yards of Luxembourg is called.  This mission is scrubbed before briefing and another Field Order is sent in.  The mission [is] to be Berlin again.  The squadron was flying low squadron of the Group with Lt. Jones in the lead.  There were no fighters encountered.  Flak fire was intense over the target area.  Lts. Gardon, Wardencki, Ackerman, Pendergist, and White took off at 0545 for the flight.  There were no claims, no losses and no casualties.  2nd Lt. Crisler appointed to 1st Lt.

9. The A/D of St. Dizier is designated as today’s target. The weather was clear and bombs were dropped “square” on the target.  The results were reported as excellent.  Meager and accurate flak was reported with no reports of enemy fighters. Lt. Cronin led the squadron, which was low of the 381st “A” Group.  Lt Myers, Lt. Peak, Lt. Ackerman, Lt. Murray, and Lt. Crossgrove piloted the other A/C.  1st Lt. Robert W. Reif completed his tour of duty this date.  He holds the Air Medal, Purple Heart, 3 Oak Leaf Clusters and the DFC.

10. Mission of May 10th was recalled due to weather by the 1st Bomb Division when the formation was just six minutes off the Dutch Coast.  A/C landed safe this base at approximately 1000 hours.  We were lead squadron of the Group, which led the CBW.  The squadron Operations Officer, Lt. H.N. Kesley, was flying in the lead ship with Lt. Col. D.K. Kunkel, Jr., Group Operations Officer.  Others flying A/C were Lts. Freese, White, Peak, Dorrington, Crossgrove, Gardon and Murray.  Rotenburg, Germany, 42 miles SW of Hamburg, was to be the target.

11. With Lt. Col. Kunkel, Gp. Operations Officer, and Lt. Kelsey leading the sqdn and group which was leading the CBW, 8 A/C were to bomb military objectives in Sarreguimes, France.  However a target of opportunity was selected and bombed.  Results were reported as fair to good.  Flak encountered was meager to moderate.  Enemy fighters attacked but were driven off after inflicting minor damaged to A/C.  There were no losses, no claims, and no casualties.  S/Sgt. Carroll B. Mount pulled his last raid today as he completed his 30th in this theater.  To date he holds the Air Medal, 3 Oak Leaf Clusters and the DFC.

Assigned for duty with this organization are the following listed Officers and Enlisted men.

12. Six ships of this Squadron attacked the Synthetic Oil Plants of Lutzkendorf, Germany with good results.  Crews reported bombs hitting main buildings and storage tanks.  In the target area meager to moderate accurate flak was encountered.  The weather was good but fighters made no appearance.  The 534th was High in the Group was led by Lt. Williams.  Lt. Peak, Lt. Myers, Lt. Ackerman, Lt. White, Lt. Murray piloted A/C over the   target and safe to base.  No claims, no losses and no casualties.

13. Led by Lt. Freese and Lt. Dorrington, Lts. Wardencki, Whitehead, Williams, Martyniak, Crossgrove, Lt. White and Lt. Pendergist were to attack the Synthetic Oil Plants of Politz, Germany.  However, A/C failed to reach the primary and a target of opportunity was selected.  Bombing results on this T.O. were reported as poor. Stralsund is believed to have been the Target of Opportunity.  E/A reaction for the squadron was Nil.  Meager, inaccurate flak was encountered.  There were no losses, no claims, and no casualties.  1st Lt. Ronald B. Dorrington, and T/Sgt. Robert P. Cowan completed their tour of duty this date.  Both hold the Air Medal, 3 Oak Leafs and the DFC.  2nd Lts. Wallerstein and Gardon appointed to 1st Lt.

Assigned this date for duty are following listed Officers and Enlisted Combat Crew personnel:

14. Non Operational. Usual garrison duties.

15. Mission called to attack the German fighter and bomber base at Orly, France. Mission scrubbed.

16. Mission to Orly A/F again called. Mission scrubbed.

17. Target designated as the A/D at Rotenburg, Germany.  Misson scrubbed.

18. Non Operational. Usual garrison duties.

19. Berlin, Germany named as today’s target.  Leading the squadron was Lt. Cronin. Squadron was also leading the low group of the CBW.  Over the target area A/C intense accurate flak while E/A reaction for the formations was nil.  Both visual and PFF methods of bombing were used and crews reported the results as   good.  Making up the rest of the squadron’s formation were Lts. Jones, Wardencki, Myers, Williams, Peak, Whitehead, Pendergist, Murray, and White.  There were no losses, no claims and no casualties.

20. Though A/C from other squadrons of the Group flew an operational mission this squadron was not ordered to furnish any A/C for today.  2nd Lts. Wardencki and Mineo appointed to 1st Lieutenant.

21. Non Operational. Usual garrison duties.

22. Shipyards and naval base of Kiel, Germany designated as target for today.  7 A/C took off and were led to the target by Major Briggs, Squadron commander.  Crews reported bombing results as good. Moderate to intense inaccurate flak encountered at the target area.  There were no fighters to oppose the formations.  Others flying this mission are listed as follows: Lt. Kesley, Lt. Williams, Lt. Murray, Lt. Wardencki, Lt. Crossgrove, and Lt. Peak.

23. Crews were briefed to attack Woippy Aero engine works.  This target is located near Metz, France.  Primary was not attacked and a target of opportunity was selected and bombed with excellent results.  Homburg, Germany was the selected T.O. Lt. Ackerman, Lt. Gardon, Lt. Martyniak, Lt. Peak, Lt. Harding and Lt. Myers were pilots that participated.  2nd Lt. Williams L Mineo, 1st Lt. Conners C. Myers, 1st Lt. John (NMI) Mikulik, and S/Sgt. Gaston C. Mandeville completed their tour of duty today.  All men hold the Air Medal, 3 Oak Leafs and the DFC.

24. Friedrickstrasse station in Berlin is designated as today’s target.  10 A/C of this Squadron were dispatched and attacked the primary with good results.  Enemy fighter opposition was stiff.  Flak was heavy and the barrage type.  Enemy fighter aircraft were aggressive and numerous passes were made at our formation.  One E/A was claimed as destroyed and another claimed as a probable. Flying in the lead squadron, which was leading the Group and the Combat Wing were Lts. Cronin, Jones Wallerstein, Williams, Ackerman, Martyniak, Peak and Harding.  Lt. Gardon and Lt. Wardencki with their respective crews are listed as MIA when they failed to return from this raid.  Both A/C were hit by fighters in the target area and were observed to burst into flames.  These A/C are believed to have collided after suffering sustained fighter attacks.  No chutes seen out of either plane.  S/Sgt. John L. Ryan and S/Sgt. Lloyd completed their tour of duty this date.  Both men hold the Air Medal, e Oak Leaf Clusters and the DFC.  Listed are crewmen that are MIA:

25. Operational Mission to Nancy/Essey A/F in France.  7 A/C attacked the A/F with bombing results being reported as excellent.  Numerous explosions and columns of smoke were observed soon after target was hit.  Flak and enemy fighters were Nil for our formation.  Those participating on this raid are as follows: Lt. Williams, Lt. White, Lt. Wallerstein, Lt. Ackerman, Lt. Hopkins, Lt. Harding and Lt. Murray.  1st Lt. Lawerence B. Wallerstein, pilot, completed his tour of duty.  S/Sgt. Fredrick W. Perkins finished his this date also.  Both hold the DFC, 3 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Air Medal.

Assigned for duty with the organization this date are the following listed Combat Crewmen:

26. Non Operational.  Usual garrison duties.

27. Seven A/C of this squadron were furnished to the 94th CBW to fly and operational mission to Ludwigshafen, Germany.  The railroad marshalling yards of this city were given as the target.  Lts. Kesly, White Martyniak, Williams, Hopkins and Murray attacked the primary with good results.  Strike photographs show a good pattern of bombs around the M.P.I.  Smoke and explosions make it impossible to determine if the M.P.I. was squarely hit.  E/A reaction for the formation was Nil.  Flak was intense, inaccurate and of the barrage type.  S/Sgt. Kyle B. Wheatley and S/Sgt. Winton K. Hill completed their tour this date.  Both men hold the DFC, 3 Oak Leafs and the Air Medal.  2nd Lt. Pendergist, pilot, appointed to 1st Lt. Major A.F. Briggs, Squadron Commander, on 8 day leave beginning today.  Lt. H.N. Kesley, squadron operations officer, assumes command.

Assigned to the squadron for duty this date are the following:

28. Mission called to attack the Aero Engine works of Dassau, Germany.  Our aircraft failed to reach the primary and attacked tarts of opportunity along the route. Our squadron, flying in the lead Group, attacked the airfield at Brandia/Polenz, Germany with excellent results.  Photos show two of three hangers received direct hits. There was no E/A opposition and flak was only meager and tracking along the route.  Making up the squadron were Lts. Ackerman, Murray, Peak, White, Whitehead, and Martyniak.

29. Railroad shops of Poser, Poland named as the target for today.  Low squadron of the group was our position, which was led by Lt. Peak.  Rounding out the formation were Lts. Harding, Martyniak, Whitehead, and White.  Crews reported that their target was well hit.  A number E/A attacked the formation but were driven off.  There were no claims or casualties.  S/Sgt. Edward L. Serpa and S/Sgt. Warren F. Fields completed their tour of duty this date.  Both men hold the DFC, Air Medal and 3 Oak Leaf Clusters.

30. Led by Lt. Ackerman, Lts. Skoglund, Murray, Pendergist, Houston, Whitehead, Crossgrove and Lt. Harding attacked the aero engine works of Dessau, Germany.  Our squadron was in low position of the lead group of the CBW.  Reports stated that results of bombing were good.  Flak was experienced at the target area and enemy fighters attacked the formations.  1 E/A was claimed as damaged by S/Sgt. J.S. Wilson.  2nd Lt Freeman appointed to 1st Lt.

31. Scheduled to bomb the railroad center of Mulhouse, France our ships failed to attack the primary target due to poor weather.  Targets of opportunity were selected and bombed with results reported as poor.  Targets believed to have been in the area of Florennes, Belgium.  Participating on this flight were Lt. Freeman, Squadron leader, Lt. Jones, Lt. Skoglund, Lt. White, Whitehead, Martyniak, Houston, and Lt. Murray.

Squadron strength at end of month stands at 397 Enlisted Men and 70 Officers.