DIARY OF MEDICAL DETACHMENT – STATION #167

JUNE 1944

2 June – Twenty four aircraft from this command took off at 09.15 hrs with the designated targets 50mm gun emplacements just south of Boulogne, France. Bombing altitude was 22,000 ft and bombing by PFF with 10/10th undercast, so results are unknown. All ships landed safely back at base, not encountering flak or enemy fighters.

Later in the day 12 aircraft were dispatched at 17.30 hrs with the target the marshalling yards just south of Paris. The bombing was visual through a partial overcast and it is thought to be good to excellent. Bombing altitude at briefing was 22,000 ft but the actual altitude was 19,000 ft. Major Halsey led the group. There were no killed or wounded and all ship returned to base at 2300 hrs

This was the first time the group participated in more than more raid in a day. The same crews and ships did not fly the two missions.

3 June – Six aircraft from this command took off at 12.30 hrs with the target designated a gun emplacement on the French coast, south of Boulogne. The mission was by PFF, with no flak or fighters encountered. All ships returned safely to the base with no killed or wounded, while bombing results are as yet unknown.

5 June – Thirty nine aircraft from this command took off as part of a complete combat wing with 13 planes in each group. The target was the coastal defence area near Caen, France, 2 ½ miles off the French coast. Briefing was scheduled unexpectedly at 04.00 hrs when a cold front lifted. Take off was to be 05.30 hrs but delayed 50 minutes because the bombs were not loaded. All the ship carried 500 lb armour piercing bombs which was the first time this type of bomb has been carried.

Col Fitzgerald led the lead group with Lt Farr leading the high group and Lt Jones the low group. Bombing altitude was 25,000 ft and the air temperature minus 32 degrees centigrade. The I. P. was near Le Havre and the fighter escort was good. No flak or fighters were seen, while bombing was visually.

The only objects noted was a convoy of about 25 German trucks heading south. The second best job of the season was done by Lt Bailey who finished up. Lt Townsend also buzzed. Strike photos showed the bombing results as excellent. All ships returned safely to base and there were no killed or wounded.

6 June – Today is D-DAY!!!!! This is the day we have all been waiting for. We were gotten out of the sack at 00.30 hrs this Tuesday, and alerted for enemy action. Everyone on the base was under arms, tense and excited. The station defence was out in force and most of us were afraid of trigger happy defence boys that we were of enemy action. Briefing was at 01.00 hrs for pilots only and the target was secret. The crews stationed in the ships and did not know the target until the engines had started.

The group put up 48 ships on two different missions, the first group hitting coastal targets from 15,000 ft by PFFF and the targets were just north of the Cherbourg area. Crews reported large numbers of invasion craft and small naval ships. No hostile action other than enemy gunfire from the coast was seen. The radio reported intense shelling of the Le Havre area and allied paratroops landing from the Seine estuary and north to the Dunkirk-Calais area.

Warnings were issued to the civil population of occupied countries by General Eisenhower giving instructions about what to do and what not to do. We are all standing by at the moment for the anticipated counter invasion and there is to be another briefing later in the day. The irony of it all is that the invasion had to occur on my day off. It sure is rough in the E. T. O.! Today we received another dentist, making a total of three. His name is Capt Cyril  E. Stavincha. A dental technician, Cpl Richard Miller has been assigned to us also. Also of some interest is the fact that the medical department, which was disarmed by the Geneva Convention, when alerted came out with all kinds of weapons, including a pocketful of rocks!

7 June – Thirty three aircraft from this command led by three PFF ships attacked an airfield just north of L’Orient, France, which is on the south shore of the Cherbourg Peninsula. Despite the PFF lead, the bombing was visual and many German aircraft were taking off from this field when bombs were away. Hits were seen and it is thought the bombing results were good. The flak over the target area was fairly intense and accurate and as the second group made a 360 degree they went over some more ships in the harbour of L’Orient and caught some more flak. All the ships returned safely with the exception of one. There were no killed or wounded.

Lt Martyniak, 534th flying #238, “Our Captain”, was seen to ditch and his position was reported by ten of our aircraft and acknowledged and received by the ground sector about 20.30 hrs. He reported that he had lost two engines and did not have sufficient power in the other two. He also reported his position, altitude and air speed until he was within 100 ft of the water.

Lt Fick and Sgt’s Bassett and Johnson attended a meeting of the division Medical Administrative Officers and Chief Clerks at the conference room, 1st Bomb Division. Recent changes in the preparation and submission of medical department reports were discussed and they were advised of pending changes.

8 June – Thirty six aircraft from this group took off at 04.30 hrs with the target a bridge near Tours, France. The weather was poor and assembly was delayed but finally made at 25,000 ft. Let down was made to 20,000 ft which was the bombing altitude. The target was wiped out. All ships landed safely back at base, with no killed or wounded.

Lt Martyniak and crew were picked up at 06.00 hrs this morning and were reported by a naval hospital near Knightsbridge, Balsham. Apparently they were none the worse for their experience. They arrive back at base by plane about 17.00 hrs.

10 June – This command dispatched 36 ships which took off at 04.30 hrs for a target designated as troop installations in the Boulogne area. The bombing was visual from 22,000 ft, with bomb loads consisting of two 2,000 pounders. All ships returned safely to the base and there were no casualties.

11 June – Briefing was at 02.00 hrs with take off at 04.30 for the 19 aircraft dispatched for an airfield at Beaumont-le-Roger, France, about 30-40 miles behind the invasion front. Bombing was done from 15,000 ft. The target area was the only area that was completely overcast and bombing was by PFF. Results were not observed. A few bursts of flak were observed in the Granville area upon return. No enemy action was encountered and the friendly fighter support was good. There were no killed or wounded.

Yesterday the author flew down to Stony Cross, the airfield just south west of Southampton and met some glider pilots who had gone over on D-Day. They had various souvenirs with them and when one was asked there was the hole was in the helmet he had, he replied: “There ain’t no hole in the helmet, I shot him between the eyes!”

He said he shot a lot of Germans there and most of the rest of them were dead. He stated that after his glider had landed, he could see other gliders overhead, hear a few bursts of flak, wait a little while and the inevitable crash followed. The glider pilots said that most of the gliders crash-landed because what they had been briefed on as hedgerows turned out to be tall trees with the top branches clipped off to make the aerial photographs appear like a hedge.  I found he was glad he was a glider pilot, but his occupation would not seem to be too desirable from the standpoint of personal safety.

As we flew over southern England most of the forests were filled with tanks, trucks, jeeps, and other army vehicles as well as the personnel. All the airdromes and every flat strip of land was covered with aircraft of all types and description including large numbers of gliders. The port of Southampton was crammed with ships of all sizes and types and on every road and railroad there were long convoys and trains conveying equipment to the harbour area. The weight and amount of equipment defies description, but it is tremendous.

12 June – Briefing was at 02.00 hrs and take off at 03.00 hrs, following a party at the officers’ club. It was pretty short cut and two officers had to be admitted to sick quarters and two had to be relieved from flying for non-operational reasons. The designated target was an airfield near Rheims, France, for the 36 aircraft dispatched. The group bombed from 15,000 ft visually and the results were good.  Flak was light and a number of enemy aircraft were seen. There were no killed or wounded. They did not fly over the invasion area and nothing was seen before their return around 10.15 hrs.

14 June – Briefing was at 01.45 hrs and take off at 04.00 hrs for the 38 aircraft set to bomb a target at Melun, south east of Paris. Bombing was at 21,000 ft and outside air temperature minues 19 degrees. There were no PFF ships, bombing was done visually with good results, Major Halsey and Capt Winter leading.

Lt Reese and Lt Tarr almost did a piggy-back with another ship. Lt Tarr’s #1 engine was feathered and #2 was windmilling and after he landed the prop fell off and went through the wing, fuselage and horizontal stabilizer. Only one flap was working on the side the engines were on. He had no radio communication, no instruments, hydraulic fluid had to be pumped by hand and he had to land because of lack of air speed almost hitting another ship. Flak was moderate and accurate over the target and a few caught it on the way home.

S/Sgt Fred A. Taylor, 532nd  waist gunner, was killed in action, hit severely by a 20mm cannon shell. His body was taken to the American Military Cemetery, Cambridge, in the afternoon.

15 June – Forty eight aircraft from this command were dispatched at 06.00 hrs with the target designated as an airfield at Merignac, near Bordeaux, France. Bombing altitude was 23,000 ft, done visually with results thought to be good. There was inaccurate flak over the target area and no enemy aircraft were seen. One ship was confirmed as missing in action. All others returned safely to base with no killed or wounded.

MIA 534th M /42-38009

However all eventually made it back and returned to base.

Today a medical board, consisting of: Major Ernest Gaillard Jr – president; Capt Milton H. Bland – member; Capt Louis G. Ralston – member; Capt Bernard E. Cohler – member; 1st Lt Joseph V. Fick – recorder and Lt Col Michael P. Teitelbaum – consultant, convened to determine the mental status of Cpl RWM, 533rd BS. He was found to be a constitutional psychopathic inferior. It was recommended that he be held accountable for his acts.

16 June – We had a little excitement this morning for an unwelcome change. During the night, Cpl RWM, whose sanity we have been investigating,  jabbed himself in the left hand with a stick and a pencil which he said was a suicide attempt, which we doubt. He remained in sick quarters overnight and pulled the old gag of climbing out the latrine window when the guard was standing at the door. He took off across a pea patch and it looked for a while as if he had made good his escape.

The author was surprised at the fortitude shown by the individual and admittedly a bit amused at the consternation  of the military police from whom he had escaped before. However, the amusement was cut short when the author found out the responsibility was his as much as the military police. Not being an alarmist, the author called out the Station Defense, Home Guard, civilian police and as many men of the squadrons could supply. The area was searched and after about two hours the prisoner was returned. Captain Porter, the CO of the military police, was with me and I don’t believe I have seen him so happy.

To add further to our misery, someone stole an American ambulance from the front of Station Sick Quarters late last night and within 45 minutes had wrecked and abandoned it. We are carrying out a search for the driver. The damage is estimated at about $300.

18 June – Fifty four aircraft took off at 04.15 hrs with the target designated as an oil refinery in Hamburg, Germany. The combat wing was led by Col Shackley and the composite group by Capt Armstead. Bombing was by PFF. The flak was intense but no enemy fighters were seen.

A German convoy of about 50 ships was seen in the south of the Elbe River, while all our aircraft returned home safely, two with feathered props. The crews and when briefing was held before 03.00 hrs it seems to affect them much more than later briefing. Four hours sleep seems to be less sleep than is beneficial to the individual.

19 June – Fifty one aircraft from this command took off at 04.15 hrs with the target designated at Merignac airfield, near Bordeaux, France. The briefed bombing altitude was 21,000 ft but because of poor weather, the group, led by Col Hall, had time to climb to 26,000 ft then let down to 24,500 ft for their bomb run. The weather was overcast everywhere except in the target area. The bombing was done with good results. One ship aborted which broke the record of 25 consecutive missions without an abortion. There were no killed or wounded on those ships that returned, but a 532nd ship is missing

MIA 532nd E/42-107088

20 June – Approximately 40 aircraft took off from this command at 04.00 hrs with the target again designated as Hamburg. The bombing altitude was 24,500 ft, and bombing done visually. All ships returned safely to this base except one, while three others had a wounded man aboard.

They are: 1st Lt Beverley W. Lessenger, 532nd pilot. Diagnosis: 1. Wound, severe, perforating, left knee, entrance medial slightly above patella and medial to knee joint, 1 ¼” x 1” , course of wound exit immediately infra patella and 2” x 1 ½”, and through knee joint. Caused by flak, high velocity.

2nd Lt Ira A. Hipperman, 532nd navigator. Diagnosis: 1. Wound, penetration, left eye, centre of cornea, severe. Caused by flak, low velocity.

2nd Lt Ernest D. Hyser, 534th navigator. Diagnosis: 1. Wound, penetrating, mild, right wrist, lateral side, base 5th metacarpal, ½” long. Caused by flak.

No enemy fighters were encountered, while fighter support was good. Flak was intense over the target area and the dock area was hit.

MIA 533rd /43-37612

21 June – Briefing was at 02.15 hrs and take off an 04.45 hrs, the target being Berlin for the 38 ships of this command, with the route high over the North Sea. Bombing altitude was 27,000 ft and outside air temperature minus 39 degrees Cent. Bomb was done visually and results were thought to be good.

The group was led by Major Halsey and deputy lead was Capt Armstead, while the composite group was led by Lt Reese. Large numbers of enemy fighters were encountered near the I. P.  and their attack was persistent. They were mostly the ME 420s which fired rockets and then came on in. The group led by Lt Reese encountered a large number of JU 88’s, most of which were shot down.

Three ships are missing in action and three men were wounded: Lt James P. Chisholm, 535th navigator, who received a lacerated wound, irregular, aboout 5” long of the left cheek and neck, severe. Caused by flak.

2nd Lt Peter Kowalski, 533rd pilot. Diagnosis: 1. Wound, lacerated left jaw, severe, inferior angle 3” long. 2. Abrasion, middle phalanx. Mild, index finger, left hand.

Cpl Adelbert A. Wszolek, 533rd ball turret gunner, suffered the following: 1. Wound, lacerated arm, triceps region, moderate severe. 2. Wound, perforating of cornea, right with opacity of lens, severe. Caused by fragments of exploded 20mm cannon shell.

There were two other minor injuries, and after treatment returned to duty.

MIA 532nd J/42-31980

* Toggler

MIA 533rd V/42-38194

MIA 534th P/42-97174

Three ships landed without hydraulics and two used parachutes to slow them down after they had landed. Lt Schobert’s ship had a failure of the hydraulic system as he was taxiing around the perimeter track and he crashed into  a fence near the bomb dump. Several ships had feathered props and battle damage to a number of ships is fairly heavy. Most of the damage was encountered by flak and fighters over the target. The flak was intense and accurate.

The morale of the crews is lower that it has been for many months. This is due to the decreased number of passes and the decrease in rest home facilities, the frequent change in the definition of an operational tour by higher command, the large number of mission flown in a comparatively short time and the fact that many of the crew members are simply fatigued.

We have had an increase in the number of cases that we have seen here showing anxiety reactions and feel that after today’s mission the number we will see will be increased. Higher command a short time ago issued orders concerning pass and leave policies and at the same time issued operational orders which preclude carrying them out. It is felt that if some remedial action is not taken, the number of crew combat failures we have, will increase.

About 15.00 hrs M/Sgt Thomas F. Walsh Jr., 533rd, entered his plane after the mission and found a .45 cal. automatic in the ship that had been left there by a gunner. He accidentally discharged the gun and shot himself through the right leg. His diagnosis is as follows: 1. Wound, perforating, moderate severity, right leg, medial aspect; wound of entrance 3” below lower end of patella, wound of exit lateral and 3” lower than the site of entry. He was brought to station sick quarters by ambulance and the evacuated to the 135th Station Hospital.

22 June – Thirty six aircraft from this command took off at 10.30 hrs to hit installations along the coast in the Pas-de-Calais area.  Three separate groups were sent, 12 in each, with bombing altitude 25,000 ft. Due to overcast over the target area the ships returned with their bombs. Flak was light and accurate. There were no killed or wounded but one ship is missing in action.

From information received it seems that Lt Peak received a direct flak hit in front of his ship near the target area. His plane caught fire, one wing fell off, and it spiraled down and crashed. No chutes were observed leaving the plane.  

MIA 534th H/42-07084

23 June – Eighteen ships from this command attacked a tactical target in the Pas-de-Calais area. Bombing was by PFF through a partial cloud cover and bombing results were thought to be good, from the 20,000 ft altitude. All ships returned safely to base with no killed or wounded.

Major Jolicouer, Lts Keating and Rinsky (?) spent the night at the St James Court Hotel in London, and observed many of the pilot-less planes going over head and falling in the vicinity during the night. Shortly after 08.00 hrs one of them fell in the very near locality breaking all the glass out of the windows in their room and a piece of glass fell down and cut Lt Keating in the stomach while he was taking a bath. They reported here about 10.00 hrs suitably impressed.

24 June – Thirty six aircraft from this command took off at 05.00 hrs with the target designated as a railroad bridge near Tours, France. Bombing altitude was 22,500 ft. The bombing results were observed as excellent  and there is no more bridge. One ship was lost after being hit by flak and it was thought that none of the crew got out. Weather was good and fighter support was excellent.

No enemy aircraft were encountered, the remaining ships returned to the base and there were two wounded crewmen.

They are: 2nd Lt Nelson F. Rakos, 533rd navigator: 1. Wound, abrased, mild, 2” medial and dorsal aspect, right foot, just above the longditudinal arch. Caused by flak.

S/Sgt Orval Page, 533rd waist gunner: 1. Wound, lacerated, moderate severity, over first carpo-metacarpal joint (near radial snuff box), right wrist. 2. Wound, lacerated, 1” posterior region, left leg, moderate severity, about 3” above the poplitcal fessa and lateral aspect, caused by low velocity missile.

MIA 534th A/42-102585

25 June – Thirty six aircraft from this command took off at 04.30 hrs with the designated target an airfield  in Toulouse, France. The group was led by Capt Sandman. Bombing altitude was 25,000 ft and outside air temperature minus 30 degrees. The total length of the missions was 10 hours and 40 minutes, which is a long haul. Bombing results were good on one PFF and fair on the other. No enemy fighters were encountered.  Flak was meagre and inaccurate over the target area.

One area over the battle zone had mobile flak guns and several engines were hit due to their accuracy. All ships returned to England, but four landed at another base due to battle damage and shortage of gas. There were no killed, wounded or missing.

28 June – Thirty six aircraft from this command were dispatched at 04.15 hrs to bomb a railway bridge near Fismes, France, north west of Paris. Bombing altitude was 24,800 ft and outside temperature minus 34 degrees Cent.  Bombing was done visually and the target was not hit. There was a heavy overcast in and out.

The flak was meagre and accurate, while no hostile fighters were seen and there was ample fighter support. All ships returned to the base, with no missing or wounded but one man was killed.

Sgt William Warsaw, 533rd tail gunner was killed in action by a direct flak hit which hit off the tail of the ship. It penetrated his neck and perforated the jugular vein.