June, 1944

1. Mission called to attack Synthetic Oil factories in Hamburg, German.  Mission scrubbed before take-off.

2. Seven aircraft of this squadron took-off early this morning to participate on a raid in the area of Bolougne, France.  This target was of tactical value since the primary objective of the force was to destroy the gun emplacements there.  No enemy aircraft encountered, no flak, no claims an no casualties sustained by our crewmen.  Bombing results were unobserved due to 10/10ths undercast.  Lt. H.N. Kesley, squadron operations officer, led the formation, which consisted of A/C piloted by Lt. Crossgrove, Lt. Whitehead, Williams, Skoglund, Lt. Houston, and Lt. Murray.

Three of our crews participated on the second mission of the day.  This too was a tactical target, being the railway fly-over at Palaisenau/Massy, near Paris, France.  Results of bombing were reported as good, though not on the MPI.  Hits were observed in the marshalling yard near the choke point.  There were o enemy fighter attacks and only meager, inaccurate flak at the target was encountered. No claims and no losses.

2nd Lt. Paul F. Mclean, 1st Lt. Forest C. Piatt and 1st Lt. John W. Williams completed their tour of duty this date.  All three hold the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and the DFC.

3. Six A/C of this squadron were dispatched to attack gun emplacements located in Hardelot, just a few miles south of Bolougne, France.  Due to heavy cloud cover the results of today’s bombing were unobserved.  Lt. Ackerman led the squadron, composed of Lts. Crossgrove, Skoglund, Peak, Whitehead and Lt. Houston.

Assigned this date for combat duty are the following named Officers and Enlisted Men:

4. Our squadron did not participate on an operational mission this date, although other A/C of the Group attacked gun installations in the area of Bolougne, France.

Major A.F. Briggs returned to duty from leave this date.  Lt. H.N. Kesley relieved of duty as CO.  Major Briggs assumes command.

5. Lt. Jones led the squadron, composed of nine a/c, on today’s raid to Tailleville, France.  Coast defense installations were to be bombed.  All A/C bombed with results being good.  There was no flak and no enemy fighters were seen.  Lts. Jones, Murray, Harding, Ackerman, Houston, Skoglund, Pendergist, White, Hopkins and Martyniak participated.

1st Lt. Edward (NMI) Molenda and S/Sgt. Robert A. Gannon completed their tour of duty this date.  Both hold the Air Medal with three clusters and the DFC.

6. Field Order is in ordering five aircraft of this squadron, along with others of the Group, to hammer coastal defenses at Ver Sur Mer.  This was the first bombing of the day, timed to proceed, Allied landings all along the invasion coast.  Taking off and under the command of Major A.F. Brigs, squadron commander, pilots Skoglund, Murray, Harding, Peak, Hopkins and Whitehead made their way to their objectives and dropped their bombs.  Events were completely hidden from crewmen by a solid undercast.  Enemy fighter reaction was nil and none reported flak.  There were no claims and no losses.

Taking off only a few hours after the first formations – bombers of our squadron were to attack a vital highway bridge leading into the city of Caen.  However, crewmen found the target covered by heavy cloud and had to return their bombs back to base.  Participating were Lts. Houston, White, and Jones.  To fighters and flak was again nil.

Third mission of day was called.  The railway bridge and highway choke points of Villers Boeage were to be attacked.  Mission scrubbed due to adverse weather conditions over the target area.

1st Lt Paul D. Lear and S/Sgt. Harold (NMI) Hirsch completed their tour of duty this date.  Both hold the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and the DFC.

7. Cracking down on the airfields that might be used by the Luftwaffe against our invasion forces, 9 Flying Forts of this squadron took part in an attack on the German airfield at Kerlin/Bastard, France.  Runways and main buildings were reported as being well hit.  There was no enemy fighter opposition and flak was only meager.  However, flak damage to engines on Lt. Martyniaks aircraft forced him to ditch several miles from Guerney Island just off Cherbourg Peninsula.  It was reported that the entire crew was picked up and returned to England with only minor injuries to some of the crewmen.  All other A/C returned safe to base.  Group leader was Lt. H.N. Kesley, squadron operations officer, who led our squadron, composed of Lts. Peak, Crossgrove, Hopkins, Skoglund and Whitehead to the target and back.

T/Sgt. Carl (NMI) Hempel and T/Sgt. William B. Gledhill completed their operational tour this date.  Both hold the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and the DFC.

8. Returning to the task of destroying tactical targets, our bombers were to hit the steel railway bridge over the Loire river, located 6 miles E. of Tours, France.  Returning crews reported that they had excellent results. Again enemy fighters made no appearance and no flak encountered along the route.  Meager flak was experienced at the target.  Nine Forts participated, with Lts. Jones and Petroski leading the formation composed of Lts. Whitehead, Peak, Crossgrove, Houston, White, Pendergist, Skoglund and Hopkins.  All of our a/c returned safely to base.

S/Sgt. Raymond Castellane and T/Sgt. Hugh F. Riesdorp completed their tour of duty this date.  Both hold the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and the DFC.  T/Sgt. Riesdorph is at present on leave in the States but will return to the squadron for another tour of duty.

Tonight was to have been the night of squadron’s party.  However, it was cancelled due to unexpected operations.

T/Sgt. Robert J. Glancey completed his tour of duty this date.  Glancey holds the DFC, 3 Oak Leaf Clusters to the Air Medal.

Assigned for combat duty this date is the following listed crew:

2nd Lt. W. Hart, squadron gunner officer appointed 1st Lt.  Lt. Hart on detached service to Laredo, Texas.

9. Non Operational. Usual Garrison duties.

From our star reporter comes this conversation – overheard in the Orderly Room:

Major Briggs [534th Sqdn C.O.] – “Where’s Lt. Delchamps? [Sqdn Engineering Ofc]”
Capt. O’Brien – “A.W.O.L”
Major Briggs – “What do you mean?”
Capt. O’Brien – “After Women or Liquor”.

10. Six of our bombers participated, this morning in the attack on the coastal town of Harelot, south of Bolougne, France.  A solid cloud undercast prevented observation of bombing results.  There was no flak at the target and there were no enemy fighters sighted.  All a/c returned safe to base.  Under Lt. Kesley’s command the following listed Officers piloted their aircraft and crews to the target and back: Lts. Houston, White, Gallagher, Crossgrove and Ackerman.

1st Lt. John E. Aikenhead and 1st Lt. Chas E. Ackerman completed their tour this date.  Lt. Ackerman is now on leave in the States but will return to this organization for another tour of duty.  Lt. Aikenhead and Lt. Ackerman both hold the Air Medal with three clusters and the DFC.

11. Though other squadrons of the group went out to attack the A/F at Beaumont le Roger, our unit did not participate.

Listed below are Officers and Enlisted men of a combat crew assigned for duty:

12. Squadron Commander, Major A.F. Briggs and Operations Officer, Lt. Kesley led the 534th’s formation and the lead group of the 1st “A” CBW to blast the airfield at Lille/Nord, France.  This target was reported as being well hit.  There was no fighter interception and no flak aimed directly at our formation.  However, meager flak was reported observed from a distance.  Those participating on today’s mission are Lt. Skoglund, Lt. Whitehead, Lt. Holman, Lt. Crossgrove, Lt. Gallagher, Lt. Peak, Lt. Harding and Lt. Williams.

2nd mission of the day called.  Target designated as the railway marshalling yards of Juviay, (Nr. Paris) Kranoe.  This mission scrubbed before take-off.

13. The Oil refineries of the Deutche Gasolin Co. located in Emmerich, Germany named as today’s target.  Mission scrubbed.

Listed in combat crew assigned for duty with this organization:

14. Lts. Gallagher, Pendergist, Whitehead, Murray, Crossgrove, Houston, and Williams participated on a successful operational mission to Melun/Villaroahe A/F in France today.  Returning crewmen reporting that the target was well hit.  There were many bomb bursts in the hangers and dispersal area.  Flak was meager to moderate, while there was an absence of enemy fighter opposition.  All A/C returned to base.

15. Under command of Lt. Col. Kunkel, Gp Operations Officer, and Lt. Petroski our A/C attacked the airfield the airfield at Bordeaux/Merignae, France.  All A/C made a bomb run; bombed with good results without interception by enemy fighters.  Flak was intense in the target area and a number of bombers returned with battle damage.  Lts. Gallagher, Soale, White, Houston, Harding, Murray, Williams, Pendergist, Whitehead, Skoglund, Crossgrove and Kelly participated.  Lt. Kelly is listed as MIA.  It is reported that flak fire knocked Lt. Kelly’s ship out.

Missing in Action:

T/Sgt. James R. Burns, Jr. and S/Sgt. Lawerence D. Riedinger completed their tour of duty on this operation.  Both hold the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and the DFC.  T/Sgt. Burns will return to do another tour after taking 30 days leave in the States.

16. A single span bridge at Flixecourt/Conde Four, France is designated as the day’s target.  Mission scrubbed.

17. Mission called to attack synthetic oil plants located in Brux, Czechoslovakia, Mission scrubbed.

Assigned this date for duty are the following named Officers and Enlisted Men:

18. Oil refineries located in Hamburg were objectives of the squadron’s Forts this date.  Led by Lt. Petroski and Jones – Lts. Whitehead, Peak, Martyniak, Murray, Harding, Pendergist, Williams, Soale, Houston and Gallagher bombed the prescribed targets.  However, weather conditions prevented accurate observations of bombing results.  There were no enemy fighters.  Flak was unusually heavy and accurate.  All eleven ships returned to base without casualty.  There was some flak damage to several of the a/c.

T/Sgt. Carl Mongrue, S/Sgt John Vieira and 1st Lt. Troy H. Jones completed their tour of operations this date.  After spending 30 days in the States, Lt. Jones will return to do another tour.  All three men hold the Air Medal with three clusters and the DFC.

19. Targets are again to be synthetic oil works.  Destination of bombers is to be Hamburg. Mission is scrubbed.

Second operation of the day ordered. The target is named as the A/F     of Bordeaux/Merginae as the primary.  Under command of Lt. H.N. Kesley and Lt. Col. Hall, as CBW leader, 14 of the 534th Forts, which led the lead group of the 1st “A” Combat Wing, attacked their target in clear weather.  Results were reported as excellent.  Anti-aircraft fire was heavy and accurate, while not a single enemy fighter was seen throughout the entire flight. Those taking part were Lts. Soale, Gallagher, Pendergist, Harding, Skoglund, Whitehead, Carroll, Peak, Williams, Houston, Crossgrove, Kesley with Lt. Col. Hall and Lt. Massaker.

Another target is designated.  This time the primary is to be the constructional works located in the Pes de Calais area of France.  These works are possibly sites used for launching pilotless planes.  This mission is scrubbed.

T/Sgt. Amos g. Roberson, T/Sgt. Edward M. Hart, S/Sgt. Ernesto G. Rodriquez, S/Sgt. Erline (NMI) Feldman and S/Sgt. Kenneth L.  Miller completed their tour of duty this date.  All men hold the Air Medal, with three clusters and the DFC.  Sgts. Roberson, Hart, Rodriquez, and Feldman will return to the organization for another tour of duty.  At present they are on leave to the States.

20. Back to the job of bombing synthetic oil refineries, 10 of our bombers smashed their objectives despite their targets strong AA defenses.  The targets were along the dock-fronts of Hamburg, Germany. E/A opposition was nil.  There were no claims nor losses.  Lts. Massaker, Harding, Peak, Murray, Pendergist, Houston, Williams, Crossgrove and Gallagher participated on this successful operation.

1st Lt. Park Tamplin completed his tour of operations today.  He holds the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and the DFC.

21. Berlin, today was dealt the first daylight attack since the invasion began.  With Lt. Pendergist leading, 10 of our bombers attacked their assigned MPI’s with results being reported as good.  Moderate to intense accurate anti-aircraft fire was encountered at the target.  Enemy fighter attacks were many and very determined.  A number of combats took place and the gunners of this squadron were awarded combat claims as follows:

Crews completing this mission are Lt. Harding, Flint, Williams, Skoglund, Houston, Martyniak, Crossgrove, Gallagher and Lt. Massaker.  Today’s road cost us the lead ship – Lt. Pendergist and crew.  This A/C was last seen in the target area with #3 engine on fire and trailing edge of wing and ailerons afire.  A/C went down under control, did a 180 degree turn and then men began bailing out.  Nine chutes were reported to come out.  Other reports varied.  Listed MIA:

22. Lts. Gallagher, Romasco, Houston, Harding, Massaker, Skoglund, Williams, White Murray and Lt. Peak took part in a raid   on switch and power stations in Abbeville, France.  Crewmen reported results as excellent.  No enemy fighter sighted and flak was meager.  Flak fire destroyed one of our A/C on this raid.  Lt. Peaks ship was last seen in the target area and had been h it by a direct burst of AA fire.  Lt. Peak pulled up above the formation and then started down to the left.  His ship blew up, breaking in half at the ball turret.  No chutes seen.  Listed MIA:

23. Flying in the high squadron’s slot in the group formation and under command of Lt. Whitehead, 6 A/C took off at 1045 hours this morning to attack ski sites in the Pas de Calais region.  This site located at Bachmont, France is possibly used for launching pilotless A/C.  The target was bombed by PFF method, therefore no observations on the bombing.  Enemy fighter opposition was – Nil and flak fire was moderate.  The pilots that participated are: Lt. Gallagher, Lt. Murray, Lt. Massaker, Lt. Houston, Lt. Whitehead and Lt. Williams.

24. Today’s target is designated as the Railway Bridge over the Loire river, W. of Tours, France.  Under command of Lt. Romasco, who was our squadron leader and led the high group in the 1st CBW, 9 A/C bombed visually with good results.  Lt. Romasco led the formation through heavy flak and attacked the primary. Soon after “bombs away” his a/c was observed to receive a direct burst of flak in the radio room. He kept his ship under control until part of his crew bailed.  The a/c then went into a spin, burning and was seen to hit the ground and explode.  Around six chutes were seen to come out. Listed as MIA are:

2nd Lt. Eager appointed to 1st Lt this date.

25. 8 A/C of this squadron took part in an operation to the A/F at Toulouse, France.  Results were reported as poor.  A number of crews reported results as fair.  E/A reaction against the formation was nil.  At the target area, meager, inaccurate continuous following fire was experienced.  Pilots with crews on this raid listed: Lt. Murray, Lt. Houston, Lt. Hollman, Lt. Williams, Lt. Inscho, Lt. Kaurin, Lt. Harding and Lt. White.

26. Mission called to attack the aero-engine works located in Muncheam, Germany.  Mission is scrubbed.

27. Major Briggs, squadron commander, called a meeting of all ground Officers, at five o’clock this date.

Following named officers and enlisted men were assigned this date for combat duty:

T/Sgt. Blackstock and T/Sgt. Martin Charbo of Tech Supply and Squadron Supply transferred in grade to the 86th Service Group for duty.  These men are going to the States for assignment to said organization.

28. Lt. Moore, Lt. Skoglund, Lt. Kaurin, Lt. Inscho, Lt. Gallagher, Lt. Whitehead, Lt. Hollman, under command of Major A.F. Briggs and Lt. Kesley attacked a single span bridge at Fismes, France.  This target was missed.  Hits were observed about 200 ft. to the left of the bridge.  No flak was encountered at the target and was very light along route in and out. No enemy fighters encountered.

29. Leipzig, Germany was to be today’s target.  10 ships of the squadron took off and made their way to assembly point.  However, bad weather hampered assembly and the mission was abandoned.  Lt. Inscho managed to tack onto a CBW that went in to the target and he followed to bomb the primary without observing results.  Lt Inscho and crew receive credit for a mission.

30. Allach, near Munchen Germany, designated as the day’s target.  Scrubbed.

Assigned for duty with this organization is the following listed Combat crew:

As the month ends – rumors are spreading that this organization will be transferred to the States. Apparently this is only wishful thinking as the squadron and group are still operational.

Total Officers and Enlisted personnel strength stands at 429 EM’s and 89 Officers.