December, 1943

1. Getting off to a fast start for the month of December the 534th furnished six aircraft on the first raid of the month to bomb the chemical works of I. G. Farbenindustrie, situated on the banks of the Rhine, in Leverkusen, Germany.  Produced here are a wide range of products, particularly poison gases.  Since the factories employ over 20, 000 of the cities 50,000 inhabitants, Leverkusen is soley dependant on the factories operation.  Flying in and loading the Composite Group of the 1st Combat Bomb Wing was Major D.E. Kunkel, Jr., Sqdn C.O.  Using the “A” flying team as his crew Major Kunkel took off but was forced to return, due to mechanical difficulties, while the Group was forming over the field.  Taking off in another “Fort” he caught and led the formations over the target.  A/C and crews that made a successful run on the target are Lts. Silvernale, Schomburg, Hytinen and Major Kunkel with Lt. Tucker as his copilot.  Bombs were released over the target area but none of the crews were able to observe hits as target was well hidden by cloud cover.  Fighters were numerous and S/Sgt. James E. Baker is credited with knocking out a Nazi A/C.  Flank was intense, as Lt. Hytinen will testify.  Heavily damaged and running out of fuel he had to crash land in a field near Allhallows, England.  The pilot, copilot and the bombardier were reported as injured.  Forced to abort on this raid, for the first time in over 20 missions, was Lt. Niederriter and his crew.  Lt. Miller was also listed as an abortive.  All other ships landed safe at base at 1411 having taken off at 0807.

2-4. Usual garrison duties.

5. After 3 days of non-operational weather the skies cleared long enough for A/C of this squadron to be airborne and on their way to the target.  Today’s objective is the C.A.M. ball bearing works located at Bois Columbes near Paris.  By knocking this plant out a serious blow could be dealt the G.A.F., since this factory is supplying German military requirements. Flying high squadron in the Group’s formation, the Forts hunted the target.  A solid overcast prevailed and following the practice of not dropping explosives on enemy occupied territory unless the objective is pin-pointed all bombs were returned to base.  Today’s operation netted the youngest pilot ever to fly as a first pilot with this squadron his 25th bomber mission.  1st Lt. Donald J. Rutan buzzed the field as his tour of duty in this theatre was ended.  Before being checked out as a first pilot he flew co-pilot to Capt. Dexter Lishon, now MIA, and participated on most of the squadron’s toughest missions.  To date he has received the DFC, three Oak Leaf Clusters and the Air Medal.

Combat Crewman of this squadron transferred in grade and assigned to the 532nd this date:

6. Capt. Robert O. Fricks of the 534th, who completed his tour of duty, is appointed Station Training Officer.

7. Following listed Officers and Enlisted men are assigned to this squadron for Combat duty:

11. Emden, Germany’s nearest port open to Allied bombings was the main objective on this raid.  Six Fortresses of this sqdn took off to bomb the North Bank of the Ems (difficult to read) estuary – terminal port of the Ems – Jade and Dortmund Ems Canal.  Flying low squadron of the Group’s formation the Forts found clearly visible the German port and dropped their loads.  A smoke screen was evident and results were difficult to determine.  No combats were reported although around 80 E/A were reported seen.  These seemed to be getting ready to attack and did attack stragglers from other formations.  Pilots and crews that took part on this one are Lts. Hagarty, Mickow, Petroski, Silvernale, Canelake, and Wilson.  1st Lt. Daniel D. Hagarty of A/C 0732 (The Green Hornet) finished up his tour of operations as a bomber pilot today.  After buzzing the control tower three times in a row he landed his ship and proclaimed he was ready to start escorting the boys over in a ’47.  He has previous fighter experience as he served with the RCAF in Canada.  Already assigned to a prominent fighter Group in this theater he will receive training in the P-47 before he goes on to combat status again.  Lt. Hagarty holds the Air Medal and three Oak Leaf Clusters.  He will receive his DFC shortly.

13. Bremen, Germany’s second largest port was designated as the target for today’s mission.  Main objective was the Dechimag Submarine and Warship Yards.  Major D.E. Kunkel, Jr., Sqdn C.O., lead the 381st’s formation over the target again.  Flying in the lead squadron with Major Kunkel were Pilots Niederriter, Kuhl, Silvernale, Caneflake and Larson. There was little or no fighter opposition though flak was present and intense as ever.  Official reports on bombing were “Unobserved”.  All A/C landed safe at this station having taken off at 0905 hours.  In general the mission went well.

14. Today an expectation became reality as combat crews filed to the briefing room and were briefed on their target. Berlin, Germany was designated for the first time since this organization has become operational.  With everything in readiness and out to the respective ship the crews were recalled as the mission was scrubbed.  They were re-briefed on the often bombed city of Bremen.  However, this too was scrubbed.

16. Taking off at 0845 hours, six of our ships piloted by Lts. Schomburg, Petroski, Silvernale, Niederriter, and Michow were to go to Bremen, Germany.  Flying high squadron, with Lt. Schomburg as squadron leader, all of our A/C bombed the target.  Results again being reported as unobserved.  E/A opposition was weak and AA fire was meager except at the target where intense fire was encountered.  Mission was termed a success.

20. This trip to Bremen our squadron furnished 8 A/C.  Flying high squadron in the 381st’s contingent, our A/C bombed successfully the designated target. Fighters were numerous as Sgt. C. Lieske receives credit for a Nazi fighter destroyed.  Sgt. J.E. Dwyer is credited with an E/A damaged.  Flak was intense as ever and an effective smoke/screen was used.  Lt. Michow returned early with all bombs aboard.  Today’s trip to Bremen proved costly as A/C 845 with Lt. Canelake and crew are missing in action.  Lt. Niederriter reported that he observed this s hip to leave the formation about 50 miles off the English coast on the route back.  The A/C was apparently in trouble but not other reports have been received. Those participating on the raid are as follows: Lt. Petroski, and Lt. Canelake.  Lt. John Kuhl did a magnificent job in bringing his Fort “Whotdat” [42-37754] to a landing when his right landing gear refused to be lowered.  He circled the field for over a half an hour while crewmen tried to lower the damaged gear.  Failing, he decided to let  ‘er in on the belly. “He couldn’t have done a better [job] with both wheels”, were comments of all that witnessed the landing. Listed are members of A/C 845 – Missing in Action.

22. Leading the 381st’s contingent on the raid to Osnabruck, Germany were 5 A/C of this squadron.  Main objectives were the marshalling yards and the railway stations.  Due to heavy cloud cover the results of the bombing were unobserved.  Fighter opposition was strong but AA fire seemed inaccurate and moderate.  All A/C returned to base safe as mission was described as a success.  Forts piloted by Lts. Kuhl, Wilson, Miller, Larson, and Mickow participated.  Combat crews listed below were assigned this date for duty.

24. Aimed at Ski Sites and constructional works, believed to be rocket emplacements, in the Pas de Calais and Cherbourg, France area, bombs were hurled by this squadron’s ships early today.  Taking off at 1100 our 3 ships flew with the 535th in a nine A/C formation.  Bombs were dropped and combat crews were of the belief that their target was hit.  None of the ships experienced fighter opposition as reports of excellent fighter support came in.  AA fire was intense and ships returned with slight flak damage.  Forts piloted by Lt. Myers, Mickow, and Petroski.

With the Xmas spirit in the air, Officers and Enlisted personnel joined in a squadron party held this afternoon in the Day Room.  Beer flowed freely and snacks of crackers, cheese, and hot dogs were consumed in great numbers.  As usual a grand time was had by all present.

25. Xmas Day – Non Operational.  Preparations for the Xmas dinner have been going on in all mess halls.  Xmas music coming over on the tannoy system while all personnel enjoyed a hearty Xmas meal and commented, “the best since arriving here”.

28. Order to load A/C of this squadron and others of Group to bomb the Airfield of St. Jean D’ Angley in France.  However mission is scrubbed.

Combat crews listed below assigned this date for duty.

30. Eight aircraft and combat crews of this squadron participated on an operation over enemy territory today.  With Lt. Tucker leading the squadron in the high Composite Group (flown with the 91st Gp.) our Forts went over Ludwigshafen, Germany to bomb the I.G. Farbenunustrie Chemical works on the west bank of the river Rhine.  Results of bombing were again unobserved.  Flak was heavy and accurate as A/C 732, 832, and 078 received battle damage.  None was serious.  Those flying this sortie were: Lt. Tucker, Lt. Kuhl, Lt. Mickow, Lt. Silvernale, Lt. Petroski, Lt. Larson, Lt. Schomburg, Lt. Niederriter.  On this mission   eight combat crewmen completed their tour of operations in this theater.  Heading the list was Capt. Harold Stralser, sqdn Navigator.  Others were: Lt. R.J. Niederriter, Lt. Carocari, Lt. Darst, S/Sgt. I. Backman, T/Sgt. P. Spillman, S/Sgt E. Evans, and T/Sgt. William Savage.

31. Flying low squadron in the Group formation our Forts took off to bomb the Airfield at Cognac/Chateau Bernard on the outskirts of Bordeaux, France.  No reports on the mission as A/C landed at other bases owning to bad weather over the field.  A/C will presumably return to this base in the morning.

During the month awards were presented to combat crewman that had come through with outstanding achievement during tour of ops.  Those presented awards are listed below:

At the months end the strength of the squadron stands at a total of 409 Enlisted men and 91 Officers.  Promoted this month from 1st to Captain were Lts. Debolt and Stralser.