With the event of good flying weather, this month paralleled February 1944, but on a more extensive scale. It was a month of much night work since 26 missions were planned during the 28 days period, leaving us two stand-downs for the month. Of the 26 missions planned, 6 of these were scrubbed shortly before take-off, 3 were recalled after being airborne and the remaining 17 were completed. This credits us with an increase of 7 missions over previous the February. If this is the beginning of a period of favorable weather, such as was encountered at this time last year, the same strategic results may be achieved on the enemy’s transportation system as was achieved on the German Air Force.

 

During the month we scheduled 1,695 aircraft of which 1,693 were sorties. Only 1.5% of the aircraft scheduled were classed as “Non-Effective”. An enviable achievement by any standards. We led the Division in percent effective sorties of aircraft scheduled with a large 97.5%. Another enviable record and a tribute to our crews and engineering sections.

 

Only 8 of our aircraft failed to return this month. In this category we were tied for first place with 0.5% failing to return. This record was achieved not by wishful thinking, but by hard work of the Combat Wing Staff and the chain of command below them. The coordination, which General Gross has been striving to install among the section heads, seems to be achieving the desired results.

 

Transportation targets again were first priority targets. Almost every mission was directed against a transportation center. Eight (8) of these vital targets were attacked visually with good results; ten (10) more were attacked by H2X and three (3) by GH with results unobserved. Our only non-transportation targets were synthetic oil refineries at Pelzen and Brux. These were attacked visually with good results. 4,459 tons of bombs were dropped on targets during the month.

 

Social activities reached new low, partially because of the large number of missions, which had to be planned at night. Forty-eight hour passes to Paris were instituted this month. Captain McCarthy and S/Sgt. Gillett were the first of the unit to take advantage of this opportunity. Champagne and Cognac flowed freely. Some difficulty was encountered with the language, but this was quickly overcome through the cooperation of the mademoiselles. The rest of the Officers and enlisted men are eagerly awaiting their venture to the great city. One Officer and one enlisted man will go to Paris every twelve days under the present conditions.

 

The only other sortie of the month was made by Major Dewlen and Captain McCarthy. This time, London was the object of their affection. Interrogation of this mission did not reveal much information so we had to draw to our own conclusions of what happened judging from the war-weary condition in which they returned. These London sorties are only planned once a month because of the high cost of living in the city. You would also have to be a Superman, physically, to withstand such trips.