DIARY OF MEDICAL DETACHMENT – STATION #167

JULY 1943

1 July 1943 – The  82nd  Headquarters and HQ Squadron establishment arrived from Station #109 today, with one medical officer, one medical admin officer and eight enlisted men. This squadron will replace the 312th Service Group HQ squadron, which is moving out.

Roster:

• 1st Lt George J. Pease – Medical Officer
• 2nd Lt Joseph V. Fick – Med.  Admin Officer

Enlisted Men:

• Sgt Joseph Hannigan
• Cpl John Divite
• Cpl Joseph McLancon
• T/5 Marvin Butler
• T/5 Estes Holms
• Pvt Charles Hoehn
• Pvt Henry Trusky
• Pvt Anthony Giordano.

Seven EM were promoted one rank.

3 July – The 312th Service Group HQ Squadron departed today. Transferred to 4th Wing.

Roster:

• Capt Lee M. Scholnik – Dental Officer
• 1st Lt N.C. Fessler – Medical Officer.

Enlisted Men:

• Sgt Donald A. Lockwood
• Cpl Milton O. Patterson
• T/5 Clarence G. Warman
• Pfc Arthur W. Reder
• Pfc Edward H. Standal
• Pfc William H. Sharitz
• Pvt Brian F. Karlovich
• Pvt Martin R. Prendergast
• Pvt Joe E. Coleman

4 July – One plane was lost in today’s raid to Le Mans, France, (7th) and the following crew members it carried are MIA. The remainder of aircraft and crews returned safely.

MIA 533rd W/42-29928

6 July – Bicycle accidents have been responsible for many minor injuries, also occasional serious injuries, requiring evacuation to a hospital, in past several weeks. The frequency of accidents is increasing almost beyond reason.

Lt Col Wright, Major Stone and Capt Sutton, HQ. Eighth Air Force Medical Dept. visited the base. Questions asked regarding progress and problems of Station #167 were asked and answered. Crash room inspected. Col Wright called on Col Nazarro before leaving station.

About 10.30 hrs many enlisted personnel began reporting to hospital with history of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. This continued on and off until about 24.00 hrs with a total of 25 to 30 cases. History of illness beginning about 14.30 hrs to 16.00 hrs, and associated with severe nausea and diarrhea more characteristic.

Thorough investigation of food problem at the Consolidated Mess for the noon meal was investigated. The meal consisted of Beef and Vegetable Stew, which was carrot and no evidence of spoilage existed; string beans, also canned, spinach and potatoes, steam cooked. There seemed to be a rumor of an addition of a small quantity of sausage (canned Vienna style) which were added at the last minute. The sausage was supposed to have been previously opened, whether this is actually the case, and when the can was actually opened is a problem to which no satisfactory answer is available.

7 July – All patients have come through their trouble in good shape. Except for two cases  who seemed pretty well exhausted, there were complicating factors. No history of other possibilities regarding the food problem exists. Possibilities of dirty mess kits or faulty washing have been considered, also possibility of dirty containers used in serving food. No conclusions have been deduced, as the facts do not seem to bear out any single possibility or clue.

It has been decided to make entries of early sanitary inspections, whether of any scope or not, to have some idea of the condition of various places over a period of time. So little is being done to remedy the situation it is pitiful.

Site #6. Enlisted combat crew site ablution is very dirty. Paper and dirt are littered over the floor, toilets have not been scrubbed and no basins are present for washing. There is no hot water because no coal is available.  Some coal shortage exists, and it seems that coal for heating water was removed by personnel living on the site for heating huts. Fuel sufficient for heating huts is not available at this time. Explanation for dirty conditions of huts and ablutions is that brooms, brushes, etc., are not available.

Site #3. Washroom has no hot water for same reason as above.

Site #7. Has no hot water as the containers have not been set up.

Communal Site. The bath house has very little hot water. Temperature of water was 80 degrees. Many of the showers are leaky, and it is presumed that much of the hot water leaks out as large quantities are being used. Showers are dirty and have not been scrubbed satisfactorily at any time.

10 July – Eighth raid of the group took place this morning over the outskirts of Turin, Italy. Target was so obscured, no bombs dropped. Major Schnabel accompanied group on mission.

11 July – Today Major Schnabel left to attend school at the Eighth Air Force Provisional Medical Field Service School, Station #101. He expects to be gone approximately two weeks. Captain Bland, 535th surgeon, was appointed acting group surgeon in his absence.

13 July – A Medical Board interview was held this morning  to determine the sanity of Pvt WRR, 330th Service Squadron.

Members of the Board: Capt Milton H. Bland – president; Capt Louis G. Ralston – recorder; Capt Ralph M. Wymer.

Decision: 1 Sane; 2 Impression – constitutional psychopathic state; a pathological liar.

14 July – At approximately 00.30 and 03.30 hrs today, air raid alarms were sounded throughout the base. Enemy aircraft flew over and dropped bombs in the vicinity of this station, however, no bombs actually dropped on our base. The medical detachment assembled at the station hospital both times prepared for the emergency that night.

The ninth raid of the group took place this morning, destination being: Amiens-Glisy, France. One plane is Missing in Action.

MIA 535th R/42-30011

One 533rd BS plane exploded en route to the target – exact cause as yet unknown. This plane was flying over Rattlesden, Suffolk Co., when the explosion occurred. Six members of the crew were killed instantly, the other four members of the crew were blown out and parachuted to safety. These men were immediately removed to 12th Evacuation Hospital, Botesdale, near Diss, Norfolk Co., for treatment.

Two of the men, Potts, were put in quarters, and Hanna returned to full duty.  The other two, Hamm and Cappel, were kept at 12th Evacuation Hospital for treatment.

Capt Bland went to Diss immediately with two ambulances to get the remains of the six deceased men. The party arrived back about midnight and the bodies were put in the morgue.

Exploded 533rd BS Q/42-3223

Major Renter, Dental Surgeon, Eighth Air Force, arrived today to visit the station. He seemed quite satisfied with the dental surgery being done at this station, however he felt that another dental surgeon was necessary.

15 July – Capt Pease took the bodies of the six deceased to Brookwood American Military Cemetery today.

16 July – The planes took off on their 10th mission today, destination: Hanover, Germany. There were no casualties, however.

18 July – Major Schnabel returned this date, and assumed command of the medical detachment. He was attending school at the Eighth Air Force Provisional Medical Field Service School, Station #101, for the past week.

19 July – Approximately 30 men, mostly from the new Military Police  organization just arrived and a few from  two bomb squadrons, reported attacks of mild diarrhea. No patient was seriously ill or suffered any particular discomfort. Symptoms were characterized by a moderately urgent diarrhea of some five to six times. No admissions were made to hospital. No sequels were present.

Lt Cohler surveyed the situation and felt that the meat brought in on the afternoon of 17th July and used at the noon and evening meals of the 18th was responsible. This meat comes frozen in 40lb packages and requires several hours to thaw out even after unwrapping. Hence it is felt that this is probably not the source, therefore a check of other possibilities brought no clues.

At approximately 14.30hrs today a red air raid alarm was sounded. Personnel of the medical detachment were already at their emergency first aid shelters rehearsing the medical defense plan, since a `dry run’ had been scheduled for the time. The white signal was given at 14.50. There was no enemy activity over this station.

20 July – The afternoon mail brought a report of water samples, taken July 7, from 1st Medical General Laboratory. Report states specimen was two days in transit, not potable bacteriologically, test reveals evidence of fetal contamination and colony count is very high.

Inquiring into the nature of collection revealed that the sample was obtained from the Consolidated Mess and no attempt was made to sterilize the tap before sample was taken. This, together with the delay in transit is believed to be the cause of the difficulty.

Thorough inspection of all mess halls was done earlier in the day. In general it is felt that a slight relaxation of efforts to maintain cleanliness has occurred. In general all waste containers were quite dirty, both inside and out, and no effort has been made for several days, at least, to wash them at all. Three containers at the Consolidated Mess were of such long standing that fermentation had taken place. Proper authority has been advised of this situation on several occasions. During past several days the weather has been mild, and hoards of flies are present at every mess hall. Fly spray is not available, and fly papers available in insufficient quantities.

In the officers mess, many personnel with long, dirty fingernails were found. The latrine was dirty, and vegetable and flour sacks were found on the floor. Requests were made to place these sacks on elevated platforms.

In the combat mess the store room floor was sloppy and the room dirty. Pot and pan room was very untidy, and several containers were very rusty. Latrine was very dirty.

At consolidated mess many personnel were found with long fingernails with such dirt beneath. One man serving meat was spearing the slice with a fork and washing it off with a rather dirty thumb. Garbage containers were very dirty, three with fermenting material, and hoards of flies hovering about the outside of the dirty containers. Many smoked hams, unwrapped, were piled in a sink, which happens to be in a room used as a storeroom.

21 July – Thorough investigation of the water and sewage disposal systems has been made and there is no evidence or reason to suspect there has been any breakdown in the system. Water lines have previously been tested to 80lb per square inch and have found to be adequate. The supply comes from an artesian well on the base and is not chlorinated. The system is overtaxed in that it is almost impossible to keep up with the demand. If the tank is filled during the night, and the pump operated continually during the day the demand is met, but the tank will have about one foot of water remaining at the end of the day.

There is a considerable particulate material running in the water at all times, and usually a light brownish color. It is felt that the supply from the well often becomes so low that a washing of the well bed occurs causing the discoloration and inspiration of the foreign material. A new well has been dug and pump house is now being erected. Pumping equipment is not available however, and a delivery date is yet uncertain. Additional samples of water have been submitted.

A board of officers was convened under the provision of Section VIII, AR 515-360, consisting of: Lt Col Ralph G. La Rue, AC – president; Major Garfield P. Schnabel, MC – medical officer; Capt Morton D. Joyce; appointed 19 July, by Par. 4, SO #27. HQ. Station 167, to determine and investigate whether or not Pvt WRR, 330th Service Squadron, should be discharged prior to expiration of his term of service. Board adjourned pending reports of psychiatrist, which was thought advisable in this case.   

22 July – Additional water samples have been taken during the last few days and one sent to 1st Medical Lab., and the other to 121st Station Hospital, Braintree. Further investigation has not discovered any information that would lead to suspect      difficulty arising from the water supply. Sewage disposal plant is working satisfactorily. Direct contamination is not thought to be a possibility as the well is on the highest portion of the base and well drained, and the disposal plant on a decidedly lower elevation and far from the water supply.

The Clerk of Works advised that the water supply is from an artesian well. At present it is not chlorinated. A purifier, softener and chlorine have been ordered, and that a delivery date has been established. No difficulty or illness has arisen since the receipt of the water sample report.

24 July – Lt Chadwick, MC, 1st Wing, made an inspection of mess halls and other storage. Recommendations – none. Consulted regarding water supply problems and no recommendations other than thorough investigation of system and testing of additional samples.

Board of Officers mentioned in entry of 21 July, reconvened to consider psychiatrist’s report and disposition of case of Pvt WRR. Psychiatrist reports finding of constitutional psychiatric state, inadequate personality and criminalism. Board recommend discharge under provision Section VIII, AR G15 – 360

The group participated in combat raid over enemy territory, the southeastern coast of Norway, Heroya, placing 21 ships in the formation. There were no abortions and 20 ships returned with no injured personnel. Lt Jones 535th BS failed to return. Information received later in the day via radio, indicated the ship landed in Sweden and the crew interned. The aircraft is known to have suffered considerable damage.

MIA 535th BS T/42-3217

25 July – Group participated in raid over Hamburg, Germany, in which three ships failed to return, all from the 532nd BS. Capt Alexander’s ship was seen to turn back from a point described as being deep in German territory; Lt Moore’s plane was damaged, and part or all the stabilizer shot away. Whether crew members bailed out or not is not sure; Capt Owen’s ship was hit between #1 and #2 engines and seen to burst into flames. The smoke seemed momentarily to disperse then burst out again, involving the greater portion of the wing. It was believed the crew bailed out.

One crew  member,  S/Sgt Warren G. Heintz, a 532nd radio operator, returned in a critical condition, the result of anoxia. The same difficulty was experienced by the ball  turret  gunner and his oxygen system, and the RO was trying to help him out by passing bottles of OS. During the proceedings, the RO lost out and became himself, the victim of lack of oxygen. Upon arrival at the base, the patient was cyanotic, breathing shallowly, with weak pulse and unconscious, oxygen administrated improved his general condition. His hands were very cold, but not believed frozen. He was hospitalized.

MIA 532nd BS E/42-30013

MIA 532nd BS Q/42-29976

MIA 532nd BS /42-30153

26 July – Another raid was conducted over Hamburg, Germany, having a different target within the city area than in yesterday’s engagement. Twenty two planes took off, four spares returned and two aborted, plus 16 returned. No ships were lost.

Lt Sidney Novell, a 535th BS navigator, was struck in the astero-medial surface, left thigh, 6” below inguinal ligament, cutting the artery and vein and extending upward into the thigh towards inguinal  ligament, by piece of flak 2” long by 3/8” to ½” diameter. Patient lived out short time.

Lt Lester, a 532nd  bombardier, had his fingers frost bitten, the result of a break in the plexi-glass of the nose. This is not considered serious. Lt Roraback, a 534th navigator, was struck in face and eyes by plexi-glass from the nose. No damage to cornea was found, but there was severe bruising. Patient’s condition considered satisfactory.

27 July – T/Sgt Heintz, injured on 25th is gradually improving. It seems as if his speech is a little thick, which may be due to bruising of the tongue, and for cerebral involvement. The tongue shows some bruising on the tip and adjacent sides, and it is not known whether this is the result of freezing or biting. Several areas of the face and forehead have evidently suffered mild frostbite or suffered some bruising during his fall.  Nothing   of  any importance. Lt Roraback’s condition is satisfactory, and he is comfortable.

28 July – The group participated in a raid scheduled to go to an installation near Kassel, Germany. The combat wing commander aborted the wing before the target was reached and the planes returned. There were no casualties.

Report of water sample sent to 121st Station Hospital, Braintree, collected 22 July, came this date. Reported potable bacteriologically.

29 July – Physical inspection of the command was conducted this date.

The group participated in a raid conducted over enemy territory at Kiel. Two members of Lt Tucker’s 534th BS crew were injured. S/Sgt James R. Klingenberger suffered a wound of the lateral surface, right leg above the ankle, while Sgt Grover S. Bonsall suffered a penetrating wound of the lateral surface right leg, 62 below knee joint and an abrasion of the right elbow. Both patients were injured as the result of an exploding 20mm cannon shell, and both were hospitalized at 121st Station Hospital, Braintree. Neither are considered critical.

One ship crash-landed at Snetterton Heath with mechanical difficulties and some ship damage. All planes have returned. One crew  member  suffered a frost bite of face, 2nd degree.

30 July – The group participated in a raid over Germany in which Kassel  was bombed, the group leading the combat wing. Upon return, personnel reported very heavy enemy action from flak and fighters, and an examination of our planes certainly substantiated this. Two planes returned with feathered props, one with a tire blown out by cannon fire and one with the hydraulic system shot up and no brakes. One ship failed to return and one crew  member was slightly injured.

MIA 532nd BS A/42-3100

This raid was the sixth in seven days for the group, which is the heaviest operational schedule ever maintained. I feel the men have withstood the strain well and while very tired, are definitely not jittery. They need a rest and change now. Subsequent events will tell the story. The loss of the 532nd squadron commanding officer was a blow to this squadron particularly. I believe that they will be adjusted to the loss in a short time, however, they must have realized that some squadron CO would be next, sooner or later, if they continued to participate in raids. Probably the reason it did not happen before is because the frequency of participation has been regulated by official order.