1. Flying high spot in the group's formation, this squadron's loss of three Forts did not prove for most crewmen to be a "milk-run" to Leverkusen, for it was all the harder. Listed as missing are Lts Noxon, Hess and F/O Sunde.

Our squadron took the heaviest beating today, losing three of the four group ships down, out of the 26 going over the target. Flak was moderate and a perfect Thunderbolt escort kept the majority of the 70 defending Nazi fighters away from the bombers. No one seems to know when, where or know how our three Forts went down, and all the members of our four returning crews wonder how it could have occurred at all under the circumstances.

Lt Noxon and his crew were just back from a rest-home, with the exception of the co-pilot and navigator, who were not regular members of the crew, were veterans of at least 16 missions. Loss of men like those reminds us of Lt Manchester and his crew on "TS Too" last October.

Solid undercast prevented any clear observation of bombing results, but bombardiers said the pattern was good at "bombs away" and a wide area was well covered with incendiaries and 500-pounders.

The four successful participants were; Lts Jobe, Ridley, Meyers and Crosson.

MIA crews were: 2nd Lts Donald E. Noxon, George Giovannini, Edison Eichhorn, Walter A. Utley; T/Sgt Peter K. Ludwigsen, Toby B. Phillips Jr, S/Sgts John E. Thompson, Harry M. Thompson, Paul T. Mogush and John S. Channell.
2nd Lts Warren C. Hess, Charles L. Smith, David Randle, Robert Wernersbach; T/Sgts Albert J. Gardella, John F. Regan, S/Sgts William M. Macklin, Philip F. Burke, Allen G. Ludwig and Edgar G. Delp.

F/O Harland V. Sunde, 2nd Lts James W. Sweeney, Roger Christiansen, O. D. Tully; S/Sgt William P. England, Sgts Claudio S. Carano, Charles J. Culver, Doyle McCutcheon, Carlton Josephson and John F. Healey.

A total of 27 officers and 42 EM of the 535th took part in the mission; eight men of the ground echelon left on furlough today.

2. Four more EM were granted furloughs today.

3. S/Sgt Joseph J. Walters, MIA on the first Schweinfurt raid, assigned from HQ, Eighth Air Force as of 27th of last month. Sgt Walters walked through France and over the Pyrenees, through Spain, to get to England. His closest escape from capture came during a train ride when two German officers entered his compartment asking for identity cards. A fellow evader, a Canadian, reached inside his coat, and produced, instead of a document, an automatic pistol. He and Sgt Walters threw the Nazis' bodies out of the speeding train.

Sgt Walters is in good health, received good treatment on the continent and actually put on weight during his journey with the Underground. He made the last leg of his trip via a British transport plane, bringing with him a variety of souvenirs including a fez and a bunch of bananas.

Four Pvts were promoted Pfcs today, and one Pfc demoted to Pvt.

4. M/Sgt Edwin R. Myers, first evader from this squadron to return to base, was transferred today to HQ Mitchell Field, N.Y.

5. A factory, in the Paris area was the group's target today. In accord with the current AAF policy on operating over occupied friendly nations, no bombs were dropped when the formation found a 10/10th undercast obscuring their target. No enemy aircraft were encountered, but the Forts met light flak and were officially credited with completion of a mission.

Today the group had its first P-51 Mustangs, along with the old dependable Thunderbolts, for escort. Gunners claim the new, souped-up Mustang is at first difficult to distinguish from the ME109.

Our nine pilots for today were: Lts Crosson, Lane, Urban, Bartlett, Meyers, Smith, Jobe, Ridley and Melomo.

6. One enlisted man left for furlough today; these are eight-day furloughs, with a day of grace added. Many men are taking theirs in Scotland, Bournemouth and Torquay are also considered likely places, but London probably got the heaviest business from this entire base. Only 50-odd miles distant, it offers most in liquor, women, shows and diversions generally. 1st Lt Saul B. Schwartz, PRO, left for DS in London today.

Four more new crews were assigned today: 2nd Lts Rowland H. Evans, (but no C-P), Marion E. Harkness, Irving Kraut; Sgts Melvin Samuels, Delbert D. Rasey, John R. Sasson, Julius E. Rivera, Cpl Hoyt C. Burkhalter and Pvt Julius E. Vargo.
2nd Lts Charles A. Enos, John H. Hallecy, Stanley Holowinski, John M. Deasey; Sgts Buren H. Cook, Kermit P. Sessons, Bud R. Church, Ernest C. Thompson, Robert H. Smith and Cpl Carroll L. Fischel.

2nd Lts Earl B. Duarte, Glen A. McCabe, Cornelius A. Heintz Jr., Russell N. Jevons; Sgts James E. Martin, Howard B. Norris, Cpl Powell H. McDaniel, Pvts Joseph J. Balesh and Albert H. Smith.

2nd Lts James R. Liddle, Gordon D. Baker, Theodore Homdrom, Patrick D. O'Phelan; S/Sgt Robert S. Matcham, Sgts Paul R. Vanderzee, John J. Burke, Kenneth W. Schmitt, Emery Y. Naha and Cpl Clinton S. Word, Jr.

7. 2nd Lt Warren C. Hess, MIA Dec 1, promoted 1st Lt, as of Nov 29.

8. 2nd Lt Patrick D. O'Phelan and S/Sgt John L. Allen to hospital today.

9. 1st Lt Richard L. Tansey, squadron adjutant, promoted captain; other promotions: 2nd Lts William J. Rogan, bombsight maintenance officer and Walter A. Utley, bombardier, to 1st Lts.

10. 1st Lt Saul B. Schwartz returned from DS in London; promotions included: S/Sgt Jo R. Karr to T/Sgt; Sgts Charles H. Berry Jr., Edward H. Sell, William B. Blackmon to S/Sgts; Cpls Joseph J. Balesh, Julius B. Vargo, Clinton S. Ward Jr., Albert H. Smith and Carroll L. Fischel to Sgt; among the ground echelon one Pfc raised to Cpl; four EN returned from and 17 left on furloughs today.

11. For the first time, our ships, 30 groups Forts in all - took off in a snow storm. This was an early morning fall of light, wet flakes that lay in thin patterns until a mid-day sun turned all to slush. Ground crews and combat alike worked to sweep the heavy accumulations of frost from the Forts before the bombers got away.

The target was Emden, Germany. Two ships aborted, Lt Lane from this squadron, leaving 28 to go over the target.
Capt Chapman, with most of his "A" team in "Chap's Flying Circus", led the squadron and what was to have been a composite group. Since the 351st BG was taken out of the 101st Combat Wing this is a composite group, composed of contributions from us and the 91st BG, has resulted in formation complications.

Today was no exception. The 91st's ships failed to rendezvous with ours and consequently this squadron's Forts, plus a few 91st stragglers, went over the target as a small but compact "formation" of 12 bombers. Lt Harold Henslin and crew flew in the spare element of the main group formation.

Flak was heavy at the 535th's altitude but the ships flew through it to drop their incendiaries and 500-pounders across Emden from the middle to the northeast edge, according to returning crewmen's observations. The considered the bombing good. Although the daily papers have been claiming that the Forts, Libs and their perfect Thunderbolt escort destroyed 130 enemy aircraft in all of today's operations, neither of our group formation saw more than a few fighters. This was a particular break for our squadron, in the light of its numerical strength.

As one officer put it, this mission was a "weatherman's success". The only opening in the heavy cloud was exactly over Enden. Our ships flew all the way to the target above a 10/10th undercast, only to find visibility perfect over Emden. After dropping their bombs and observing many explosions and fires, they had the advantage of a cloud cover for the return trip.

Pilots taking part were: Capt Chapman, Lts Smith, Baer, Henslin, Jobe and Bartlett.

13. Today was a PFF workout to Bremen., when 30 Forts took off at 08.30 hrs, and returned 13.50 hrs, without meeting any fighters and encountering only moderate flak at an altitude well below theirs. There was no claims and casualties. One Fort abort, cloud cover was 10/10th and no bombing results observed.
This squadron sent six Forts, the pilots being: Lts Bartlett, Smith, Meyers, Crosson, Henslin and Jobe.

14. 1st Lt Frank Shimek, squadron navigator was promoted to captain, on his return from leave with Capt Dowell. Sgt William H. Bassett, medical department, was transferred to Group HQ; one EM left on furlough and another was transferred out.

A new Fortress, a B-17G with a chin turret, was assigned today, serial 42-31537.

Missions to Bremen and Berlin were scrubbed this morning, The boys are really sweating out the "Big City". They seem to think that, with Gen. Doolittle in command now, a daylight mission to Berlin will come soon. The oldtimers expect, when this happens, something like our "first Schweinfurt", last August.

15. Two EM returned from furlough today.

16. Capt Shimek became the squadron's first combat crewman to finish his tour of duty with today's mission to Bremen, the group's 50th. He completed his tour consecutively, without a single abort. He came to this squadron from the 532nd, as lead navigator, when he had put in more that 20 missions. 1st Lt Stickel will serve as squadron navigator in his place.
Moderate and inaccurate flak welcomed the group on this PFF-led mission, bombing being accomplished through a solid undercast and the Forts returned without casualties and without seeing an enemy fighter. This has certainly been no month for gunnery claims, but an easy one for the gunners. Reminds one of the situation in B-26 Marauders, where a gunner many finish a tour of duty without ever getting a shot at enemy fighters.

Our eight pilots were: Capt Chapman (as deputy group commander), Lts Jobe, Urban, Smith, Henslin, Meyers, Lane and Crosson.

17. 1st Lt Thomas D. Sellers, of Norfolk, Va., co-pilot of "Tinkertoy" on her bloody mission to Bremen in October, today received his Distinguished Service Cross for his heroism in bringing back the shattered Fortress after her pilot, Lt Minerich, had been decapitated and Lt Sellers wounded by an exploding 20mm shell from attacking Nazi fighters.
Lt Sellers received his award, the second highest U.S. military decoration, at the same ceremony at Wide Wing HQ at which 2nd Lt "Red" Morgan received his Medal of Honor.

18. Ten EM returned from furloughs today, and two left the base to begin their's; S/Sgt Henry A. Saveard and Sgt Kenneth D. Shaw, carried as AWOL from furloughs; Sgt Ernest D. Thompson reduced to Pvt as of 16 Dec.

2nd Lts Carl W. Dittus and George A. Hoffman left for the officers' rest home at Semley, Dorset; to the rest home at Southport went: T/Sgts Thomas B. Pitts, and Kenneth D. Lester; S/Sgts Joseph O. Long. Clifford Alley, Eugene R. Eckert, Harold H. Reynolds and Theodore Rij, Jr.

19. S/Sgt Saveard and Sgt Shaw from AWOL to duty today.

20. "Tinkertoy", possibly the best-known Fortress on the field, and widely publicized at home, was one of two squadron ships missing in action today, on a mission to Bremen. Lts Crosson and Lane, and their crews are down on the group's toughest mission in many weeks, the heaviest loss since Dec 1. Reports say "Tinkertoy" was rammed from behind by a German fighter, but no report on "The Rebel" flown by Lt Crosson.

Strike photos show excellent bombing results for this group. Flak was the 105mm stuff, accurate and in large doses in the target area. The Nazi fighters shown no reluctance to come on in through it to get to the Forts. Some 40 or 50 checkered FW190's, flown by pilots our men described as "plenty hot", offered stiff opposition. Also in the fight were MW109 and ME110 rocket throwers.

S/Sgts Phillipuk and Ford are each credited with one e/a destroyed. Sgt Charles D. Middleton was severely frostbitten and hospitalized, the Purple Heart is now being awarded for such cases. None of the gunners think too highly of the idea.

Weather today was VACU, and bombing results probably more than offset total losses. Our four other pilots were: Lts Malone, Meyers, Smith and Urban.

MIA crews: 2nd Lts Dorman F. Lane, John B. Johnston, Everett S. Anderson, Richard Mitchell; S/Sgts John Peanoske, Alphonse Melchiorre, Sgt Henry Cramer Jr., S/Sgt Joseph Fecko, Sgts Willam W. Hrapsky and Frank H. McDonald.
1st Lt Waldo B. Crosson, 2nd Lts James R. Opitz, Edward J. Burke, John J. Curran; T/Sgts John L. Allen, Robert McFarlane, S/Sgts Steve F. Bulsok, Jesse J. Glawson, Norman J. Klima and Robert N. Eloe.

Three new B-17Gs were assigned to the squadron today: 42-39906, -9990 and -3980; "Chap's Flying Circus" is now the sole remaining original Fortress in the squadron, a B-17F.

21. Pvt Wriston A. Thompson confined to the guardhouse; one enlisted man returned from furlough and seven began their furlough.

22. PFF bombing through another 10/10th undercast was the order of things today as the group completed a mission against Osnabruck, Germany. Capt Chapman led a composite group. Perfect P-47 and P-38 escort was provided all the way. Flak was meagre and inaccurate, but about 100 e/a were seen all day, but there were no direct attacks on our squadron, and very few at the group as a whole.

Sgt Wardell completed his DFC mission (20 missions plus one e/a destroyed); Lt Meier was WIA; Sgt Albert Atz flew with a 534th crew.

The 535th sent five pilots: Capt Chapman, Lts Malone, Jobe, Bartlett and Smith, latter in ships from another squadron.

23. Two more new Forts were assigned, 42-37933 and 42-39985, the latter "Bermondsey Battler", in honor of the London suburb, who purchased this a several other Forts with War Bonds. A complete combat record, for publicity purposes, will be kept on the "Battler."

24. Today's mission was talked up as the "Rocket-Gun Coast" effort. Our special target was near Cocove, France. The English papers were full of talk about German rocket guns emplaced along the French coast near Calais.

Capt Dowell completed his tour on "Chap's Flying Circus", the squadron led by Major Charles L. Halsey, new squadron commander, who succeeds Capt Chapman, acting commander and now nearing completion of his duty tour. Major Halsey has nearly two years with the Ant-Submarine Command, in Liberators, to his credit.

Returning crewmen described our bombing as poor. Flak was heavy but there were no casualties, while not one enemy fighter was sighted. The weather was beautiful and the crews came home chuckling over the unusual 45 minutes over France.

Our pilots were: Major Halsey, Lts Malone, Duarte, Urban, Meyers, Enos and Bartlett (in another squadron ship).
The following new crews was assigned today: 2nd Lts William A. Pluemer, Julius K. Schnapp, Edwin K. Stanton, Donald R. Traeger; Sgt Valentine L. DiNicola, S/Sgt Vincent L. DeLucca, Pvt Deverett D. Bickston, Sgts Israel A. Salazar and Wayne B. Pegg.

Pvt Wriston A. Thompson released from arrest and confinement in guardhouse today.

26. Capt Charles W. Dowell transferred to Casual Pool, 12th RCD, Station #591, Chorley, Lancs. 1st Lts Jobe, Stickel, Palas and Sellers left for the officers rest home at Stanbridge Earls; T/Sgts Miller and Tutini, S/Sgts Metzner, Harrington, Treichler and Wood went to the rest home at Bournemouth.

Two new crews assigned were: 2nd Lts James L. Tyson, William J. Doherty, John W. Howland, Frank T. Palenik; S/Sgt Richard C. Jenson, Henry N. White, Sgts Edgar M. Berg, Charles Churchill Jr., Arnold C. Farmer and Robert H. Miller.
2nd Lts Henry J. Hustedt, Keith S. Mauzey, Oral H. Hert, Stanley B. Inglis; S/Sgt Arthur R. Tell, Sgts Leslie J. Hanna, Vito R. Kuracina, Robert C. Pingel, Abelardo L. Rodriguez and Rocco F. Russo.

27. One enlisted man returned from furlough today.

28. A mission to St Jean D'Angely airfield, France, was scrubbed this morning.

Another new crew assigned were: 2nd Lts Charles H. Downey, Donald E. Herdlicka, John D. Hicks, James C. Evans; Sgt Miller P. Chauvin, Pfc Earl E. Matheson, Sgts Adolph V. Carini, Norman E. Phillips, Sammie G. Bird and Pvt Joseph G. Sorbino.

29. Five EM returned from furlough, and eight, including 1st Sgt Charlie Butts, left on theirs.

30. Our group was lucky against Ludwigshaven today, meeting little enemy opposition, while the formation behind us were heavily attacked by German fighters. Excellent P-38 and P-47 escort cover was afforded our bombers on the trip to the target and Spitfires brought them home. We met meagre flak, which increased to intensity and effectiveness as succeeding groups followed us over the target.

The bombing was good. A few German fighters were encountered about 45 minutes from the French coast on the way home. No claims or casualties. Major Halsey flew with a 534th crew.

Participating for the 535th were: Lts Enos, Meyers, Duarte and Smith.

31. The group's ships landed at a variety of bases from the mission against Bordeaux, but Capt Chapman and other squadron pilots landed here at Ridgewell, the former bringing home Sgt Gugenheim, who finished his tour of duty today. He is the first of the squadron's original enlisted combat men to complete 25 missions.

The squadron ended the month with its sixth crew loss, with Lt Duarte and crew listed as MIA, after being seen to turn back for Spain near that border. His Fort was badly shot up in the nose compartment, but all engines were pulling as he turned away. He was attacked twice by FW190's part of a pack of "hot" pilots who hit the Fortress formation near the target area.

Our bombing was reported as fair. Flak was inconsequential and there were no claims or casualties.
Participating today were: Capt Chapman, Lts Smith, Enos and Ridley.

MIA crew: 2nd Lts Earl B. Duarte, Glen A. McCabe, Cornelius A. Heintz, Harry M. Grimball; Sgts Joseph J. Balesh, Jevons, Howard B. Norris, Albert H. Smith, James E. Martin and Powell H. McDaniel.

Sgt Charles H. Berry Jr., gunner, transferred to the 298th General Hospital. 1st Lt Schwartz off to London again on DS.