October, 1943

2. With Major David E. Kunkel, Squadron Commander, leading the Group’s 19 Aircraft, six of the 534th’s Fortresses were dispatched and took off from this base at 1315 to attack the Port areas of Emden, Germany.  This target is important in view of the fact that it is the terminus of the inland waterways of the Reich.  It is also a vital naval and ship building center.  The target was attacked successfully with little opposition.  All aircraft dropped their bombs but the crews were unable to report observations as there was a 10/10 cloud coverage.  The pilots, with their crews, that took part are: Major D. E. Kunkel Jr. – flying lead ship with Capt. Robert Fricks, Lt. J. Loftin, Lt. W.G. Schomburg, Lt. Yorbe, and Lt. D. J. Rutan.

A second mission for today is planned against the Aircraft Component Works, makers of FW 190 parts, at Kassel, Germany.  This mission was scrubbed prior to briefing.

4. Capt. C. Ohl, Capt. D. Lishon, Lt. Yorba, Lt. R. J. Niederriter, Lt. J. L. Loftin, and Lt. D. J. Rutan, with their respective crews, took off from this base at 0830 to attack the City of Frankfurt, Germany.  Our crews reported bombing as “good” to “fair” – with smoke and fire seen coming from the heart of the city.  AA Fire was reported as moderate to intense.  Enemy fighter opposition was reported as very strong. The fighters encountered were chiefly FW 190’s and Me 109’s.  The crews saw plenty of action and managed to get in some good shots.  Officially credited with one each enemy aircraft destroyed are: 1st Lt. Harold Stralser – Bombardier and Sgts. Nick Rossi, and Daniel A. Vine – Gunners.  Credited with one each enemy aircraft damaged are T/Sgt. Joseph C. Nader and S/Sgt. Robert R. Boylan.

5. Promoted this date from 2nd Lt To 1st Lt are Lts Donald J. Rutan and Richard J. Niederriter.

7. Target for today is the submarine and warship building yard in the center of Bremen, Germany (Port Area).  Aircraft did not take off and this raid was scrubbed before crews were briefed.

8. Heading the 534th’s contingent of Forts to the submarine and ship building yards of Bremen, Germany was Capt. Dexter Lishon.  Others that took part were the crews of pilots Miller and Niederriter, who also piloted their ship over the target.  Bombing results were reported as unobserved, though all aircraft dropped their bombs within the target.  The boys told of the stiff fighter opposition encountered along the way and the heavy flak thrown up at the formations.  Bombardier Stanely J. Czerney, 2nd Lt was officially credited with the destruction of one enemy aircraft on this raid.  This mission proved costly to us as we suffered the loss of A/C 722 with Captain Dexter Lishon and crew.  Cause, time and place of this loss is unknown.  Those listed as missing in action are:

9. Six of our Fortresses took off at 0803 to participate in the longest raid yet.  This time it was Anklem, Germany.  Today’s target is the important Arado Aircraft Components factory located just off the center of the town.  Bombing results were reported as good.  Crews stated that they had a good bomb run and observed the mean point of impact to be saturated with bursts.  AA Fire was moderate on way in, becoming intense over the target.  Again the Germans threw up everything they had in fighters.  Our crews stuck by their guns and accounted for 5 enemy aircraft destroyed, 2 probably destroyed and 3 as damaged.  Those receiving credit for destruction of e/a are: S/Sgt. Clyde C. Draa, S/Sgt. G. J. Tappero, S/Sgt. A. C. Schnitzler, T/Sgt. CW. Hartnett, and T/Sgt. Poyner H. Spillman.  S/Sgt. Robert Tichy and Sgt. Jone E. West got the “probables” and 2nd Lt. Robert M. Kempler, T/Sgt. Mel T. Wilson and S/Sgt. Robert Tichy received credit for one each “damaged.”  For the second day in a row we suffered the loss of an A/C and a crew.  A/C J—958 with Lt J.L. Loftin and crew are reported missing in action.  Cause, time and place of loss are still unknown. The pilots, with their crews that participated on this mission are: Lt. D.J. Rutan, Lt. Miller, Lt. Yorba, Lt. Schomburg, and Lt. Niederriter.  Listed below is crew missing in action:

10. Combat Crewman assigned for duty with Squadron this date are:

Today’s mission is planned against the important center for Rail and waterway communications, Munster, Germany.  Col W. Dunlop led the Group, flying with Capt. R. Fricks and crew.

Our Squadron put up 5 A/C of the Group’s total of 8.  Those Aircraft that crossed the target reported bombing results as “good”. Weather was clear over the target areas and bombardiers had no difficulty in picking up the aiming point.  Following pilots and their crews participated: Capt. Robert Fricks, Major D.E. Kunkel, Jr. with Lt. Niederriter, and Lt. Schomburg.  Lts. Yorba and Miller were listed as abortives.

11. Today’s target is to be the Port area of Emden, Germany.  Again it’s the important naval and ship building center that is to be hit.  However, the mission is scrubbed before briefing.

13. The same mission to Emden, Germany is briefed to the crews.  Forming high squadron of the group’s 18 A/C the 534th put up six Forts for this raid.  However, all aircraft were recalled and it goes down in the books as an abortive mission.  Cause: 9/10 overcast and an estimated 1500 yrds visibility.

14. Total destruction of Schweinfurt was the order at today’s briefing. Lying in the center of the town are the Kugel-Fisher Ball Bearing works.  In these works are manufactured more than 2/3 of all Europe’s output of ball bearings.  Five Fortresses of the Squadron were airborne at 1035 and on their way to the all important target.  Only four made crossing of the target as Lt. Miller of A/C 832 landed at Bradwell Bay, England.  The crew was reported as safe.  However all ships did not return to this base safe.  Lt. Yorba – A/C 903 was reported going down on fire after crossing the target and   1/3 of the way back.  Six chutes were seen to open.  Those that returned reported that bombing results were fair.  The Fortresses were under almost constant attack by enemy fighters for more than two hours.  Planes of all types were in the air against them.  Flak too was very thick.  Gunners made claims of 2 e/a destroyed and three damaged.  Receiving credit for the e/a destroyed are S/Sgt. Charles R. Raglin and S/Sgt. Dean F. Sword.  Credit for those “damaged” goes to 2nd Lt. George D. O’Sullivan who got two.  The other “damaged” belongs to S/Sgt. Leroy C. Weaver.  Pilots and their crews that took off:  Capt. C. Ohl, Lt. Niederriter, Lt. Schomburg, Lt. Miller (abortive) and Lt. Yorba (MIA). 

Those missing in action:

17. Today’s target is to be the railway and manufacturing center of Duren, Germany.  No specific factory or an MPI was designated.  All that was required was to plaster the town well.  Mission is scrubbed prior to briefing.

18. Duren, Germany is again named as the target.  Due to adverse weather conditions this mission was again scrubbed.

20. For the third time in four days the same mission is planned.  The 534th furnished one A/C, flown by Lt. Miller, of the Group total of 8.  These 8 A/C flew as high squadron of the 306th Group.  Crews of these aircraft were briefed at point of take-off and not by this Group’s S-2.  Fighter opposition was meager as only 5 – 10 enemy aircraft were reported.  Fortresses did not bomb due to weather conditions.  All bombs returned to base.

21. After pounding targets in Germany for all of this months operations, a target in France was named.  Target is to be the Gnome and Rhone Foundry and Stamping plant on the River Seine.  At this plant are manufactured special castings and stampings required in the production of Aero-engines.  It is vital in maintaining the German Air Force on the Western Front.  Five A/C of this squadron flew high squadron in the Group of 18 ships.  Pilots and the crews are: Major D. E. Kunkel, Jr. – flying with Capt. C. Ohl, Lt. Hagarty, Niederriter, Lt. Schomburg and Lt. Miller. Take off was 0540 and the group was forming over the field when they were recalled.  All A/C landed safe at 0646.  Recorded as an abortive mission.

Combat Crewman assigned this date for duty:

22. Entire Combat Crew assigned this squadron for duty:

23-29. Ground school, test flights, and practice missions took up most of the time as adverse weather conditions hampered operations over enemy occupied Europe by Flying Fortresses.  Heavy fogs were common and the field was closed out on several occasions.

30. The target is designated and 5 crews of this squadron were briefed for the first time since the 21st of the month.  This time they were out to hit the transportation center of the Ruhr Valley, Gelsinkirchen, Germany.  As soon as the Aircraft took off and began forming over the field they were recalled.

31. A number of Officers and Enlisted Combat Crewman completed enough sorties, shot down enemy aircraft and accomplished other deeds of valor that merit awards.  However, none of the various medals, oak leaf clusters, etc. were presented this month.

Strength of personnel for the squadron stands at 49 Officers, 1 Warrant Officer, 1 Flight Officer and 352 Enlisted Men.