533rd Bomb Sq.
381st Bomb Group (H)
WAR DIARY
Submitted by Pvt John Haggerty
NOVEMBER 1944
1. The month began with a stand down for the group. Four combat officers and five EM left for rest home; 2nd Lts Day, Graebener and Stultz promoted to 1st Lts; other promotions: S/Sgts to T/Sgts: Ellingham, Groft, Hines, Itokazu, Knowles, Owens, Schlom and Staszko; Sgts to S/Sgts: Adair, Carden, Collins, Dangerfield, Freeman, Morin, Phillips and Whitaker; Cpl George Harris to Sgt; S/Sgt Kellner was re-classified from 901 to 505 and Cpl Hill from 060 to 405.
The following were released from the squadron and sent to 70th RD casual pool for return to the States: T/Sgts Alphonse T. Molis, Harry Hoop Jr., Louis S. Kalmar; S/Sgts Casimir G. Palermo, Andrew J. Amato, Walter E. Fields and John J. Panarese. All had completed their combat tours.
2. One of the greatest air duels between the Luftwaffe and the Eighth Air Force took place today, but the 381st were idle, having a stand down. News reports say that 208 German fighters were destroyed by American bomber gunners and fighters today. Main target of the bomber attack was a synthetic oil plant at Merseburg. The weather was clear and warm.
Sgt Nelson and Pfc Punches returned to duty from DS at Station #102 Alconbury; Four combat officers and five EM returned from rest home and 23 ground EM left on furloughs.
3. Chill, drizzling rain this morning forced a scrub on a mission to Hamburg. No noteworthy events took place during the day.
4. Nine 533rd aircraft took part in a PFF attack on Hamburg today, with CO Col Harry P. Leber, Jr. flying in the lead ship of the Air Division, Capt Ewing S. Watson as his pilot. Flak at the target was heavy but inaccurate, while bombing results were unobserved due to 10/10th cloud. No opposition was encountered and all ships returned safely.
Our pilots today were: Lts Rolin, Tolchinsky, Nolan, Bigham, Hollendorfer, Johnson, Goldin and Long.
Two new crews were asigned today: 2nd Lts Erich F. Ruf, Carl J. Oppenheim, Stanley Stanowicz; T/Sgts Marvin J. Powell, George D. Quick, Lawrence S. Russolino, S/Sgts Roy E. Henthorn, Stanley H. Miskovsky and David B. Wallace.
2nd Lts Paul J. Illig, Harvey B. Riga; Sgt Gordon K. Garcia, Cpls Patrick M. Keenan, George Carmichael, Joseph J. Francis and John J. Roach Jr.
5. The 533rd put up ten bombers, one borrowed from the 532nd, for today's attack on the marshalling yards at Frankfurt. Briefed for a PFF job and visually; lead elements used the instrument process, but low and high squadrons bombed visually when large holes opened in the clouds just above the target. Crews reported large fires and thick clouds of smoke, flak at the target ranged from moderate to accurate, but no enemy aircraft seen.
Our pilots today were: Lts Orcutt, Roush, Bigham, Berkley, Winsor, Kinney, Steinwinter, Nelson, Long and Goldin.
F/O Noel R. Corder was assigned today; S/Sgt Nick Van Weiren was transferred to the 70th RD casual pool; Capt Smyeri returned to duty from DS at RAF Kirkham, and T/Sgt Beard left for DS at the same place.
6. Nine bombers and crews of the 533rd took part in an attack on oil refineries at Hamburg. Capt Jim Tyson, 535th operations officer, led the formation. Weather was excellent until the formation approached the target, when a 6/10th cumulus cloud cover built up.
The lead ship bombed PFF, as briefed, but the rest of the group bombed off the lead ship's wingman, a ship forced to salvo its bombs after being hit by flak. Results were unobserved. Flak at the target was moderate, but accurate and a 535th ship was knocked down. No enemy fighters were encountered while our bombers were protected by a powerful escort.
Today's pilots were: Lts Roush, Nelson, Nolan, Tolchinsky, Winsor, Long, Kinney, Rolin and Fenton.
T/Sgt Greathouse returned to duty from DS and Station #102 Alconbury, and Sgt Nicholas left for DS at the same place; S/Sgt Charles S. Tsouros was transferred to the 70th RD casual pool.
7. Today was non-operational for the group. 1st William R. Jones, having completed his tour of operations, was transferred to the 70th RD casual pool; S/Sgt Nelson returned to duty from DS at the Burtonwood Repair Depot.
8. There was no combat operation again today, but the group took part in a practice mission; F/O Griggs was commissioned a 2nd Lt.
9. Nine 533rd planes and crews took part in today's tactical bombing mission in support of General patton's Third Army at Ouvre-Chesny/Nord, in France. Bombing was by PFF through an 8/10th undercast. The targets were enemy heavy gun batteries and fortifications. Flak at the target was meagre and inaccurate and no enemy fighters seen. Allied fighter escort was very strong. We lent one of our ships to the 535th.
Pilots participating were: Lts Masterson, Bigham, Nolan, Gotthardt, Carr, Nelson, Roush, Long and Riza.
"Blythe Spirit", Noel Coward's smash London stage hit, was performed here twice today by the original cast. Weather was cold and windy, with occasional breaks in the clouds and spots of sunlight.
S/Sgt Doremus was promoted to T/Sgt; Sgts to S/Sgts: Bailey, Davis, Hafner, Nichols, Sprouse and Whitesell; Cpls to Sgts: Bergemeister, Conery, Schmidt, Walsh, Carmichael, Francis, Keenan and Roach.
Four officers and three EM returned to duty from the rest home; T/Sgt William P. Chin, who has completed his tour, was transferred to 70th RD casual pool; 1st Lt Pearce left for the rest home and 22 EM returned from furlough.
10. Col Leber led the group again today, aboard a 532nd ship with Capt Ewing Watson as his pilot. The mission was an PFF attack on Cologne carried out in the face of moderate flak. Bombing results were unobserved. Eight 533rd ships took part.
A 535th bombardier, 1st Lt Leroy Drummond was killed today, when a bomb fell on the nose of his ship from one above. It failed to explode but crushed the unfortunate airman.
Back at base Cpl John J. Corley, 533rd ground crew was killed early this morning when he was hit by a truck on the perimeter track. Corley was walking to chow when the accident took place.
Pilots participating were: Lts Steinwinter, Riza, Rolin, Johnson, Goldin, Gotthardt, Carr and Privett.
11. Weather was overcast this morning and no mission took place. Armistice Day was quietly observed here today, with the majority of me wearing imitation red poppies sold by British Legionaires.
Four combat officers and five EM returned to duty from the rest home; four other officers made the opposite trip; Sgts Marston and Paez left on furlough; Pfcs Diffendorfer and Davis were promoted to Cpl and Sgt Reich to S/Sgt.
12. No operation was carried out today. Pvt Richard Sims was assigned to the squadron.
13. Non-operational. The following men, having completed their tour of operations were transferred to the 70th RD casual pool: T/Sgts George Meyers, Charles W. Gilberts; S/Sgts George L. Cullum, Walter J. Doremus, Frank V. Wessell, Rafuede and Sgt Charnowski. Pfc Dougan left on furlough.
14. Non-operational. 2nd Lt Treadwell left for TD with the 15th Air Force at Foggia, in Italy. The following are promoted from 2nd Lt to 1st Lt: Carr, Evans, Hilmes, Hollendorfer, Kinney, Riseman, Roush and Scoones.
15. Non-operational again. Sgt Nichols returned to duty from DS at Station #120; Four combat officers and five EM left for rest home.
16. Ten squadron bombers took part in today's tactical mission in support of General Simpson's Ninth US Army. The formation bombed from seven to 20 miles ahead of our lines in the Duren-Eschweiler area, near Aachen. The explosives were dropped by PFF through a heavy undercast, flak was meagre and all ships came home safely with only slight battle damage.
Today's pilots were: Lts Privett, Orcutt, Nelson, Long, Steinwinter, Tolchinsky, Hollendorfer, Johnson, Goldin and Nolan.
Convicted by special court-martial, Pvt Gustavo D. McMullen was sentenced to be confined to hard labor here for six months and to forfeit $25.33 a month for a like period.
Sgts Martson and Paez returned to duty from furlough; Sgt Louis A. Porter was assigned to the squadron; 1st Lt Fred Masterson, 1st Lt William Bigham and S/Sgt Donald C. Herman, having completed their tours of duty, were transferred to the 70th RD casual pool; Capt Henry Bonneau left for DS at Audley St, London.
17. Rain started falling about midnight last night and continued through to morning. A stand down was called for the group.
18. There was more rain this morning accompanied by another stand down order, then weather cleared somewhat during the afternoon.
The following were promoted to captain: 1st Lts John A. Fenton, Purvis W. Runyan; five officers and five EM returned to duty from the rest home; Capt Bonneau returned to duty from DC in London; Pfc Dougan went on furlough; M/Sgt Bell left for DS at RAF Kirkham.
19. Non-operational. Weather was clear at dawn, but by 17.00 hrs a cloud front had appeared and light rain fell.
T/Sgt Beard returned from DS at RAF Kirkham; T/Sgt William S. Rump, on completion of his tour, was transferred to 70th RD casual pool; Capt Bonneau left on furlough.
20. Non-operational. Weather was fair but the group remained on stand down. Cpl George Kovel was assigned to the squadron.
21. Nine crews and eight ships of this squadron took part in a PFF attack on the synthetic oil plants at Merseburg, the formation led by 535th CO, Major Ike Taylor.
Weather was good until the Forts were about 75 miles from the objective, then high cumulus clouds made formation flying difficult and the bomb run was considered satisfactory. Bombing results could not be observed, flak was moderate but accurate. One 535th gunner was slightly wounded.
Pilots for today were: Lts LaCouture, Winsor, Kinney, Rolin, Long, Baker, Roush, Nolan and Carr.
Cpl Gene Kelly returned to duty from furlough, as did 22 EM; Capt Purvis Runyan was transferred to 70th RD casual pool.
22. Non-operational again today. Call for donations of "C" type blood was announced today over the tannoy. Donors, all of them ground men, received do'nuts, coffee and whisky for one, in exchange for one pint of blood. Lt Healey, 533rd exec., and his clerks battled all day long getting men to hospital for blood donation. The result of their efforts was that the 533rd and 535th tied for top honors in number of donors.
Cpl Lazzareni left on furlough; four officers and five EM left for rest home.
23. Non-operational. No change.
24. T/Sgts Bentley and Bowman left for TD on the continent; three EM left on furlough; four officers and five EM returned to duty from rest home; some officers, formerly listed as MIA are assigned to the 70th RD casual pool, and attached to this squadron on TD not to exceed ten days.
25. The target for today was the I. G. Farbenindustrie oil plant at Merseburg, when nine 533rd ships and crews took part in the operation, under the command of Capt Ned Renick, 533rd operations officer. Bombing was by PFF and the final target was the secondary objective. Flak was heavy but inaccurate.
The pilots were: Lts Berkley, Carr, Roush, Privett, Kinney, Tolchinsky, Goldin, Riza and Johnson.
The following men are listed as missing in action. 1st Lt Dale P. Winsor, 2nd Lt William G. Pettitt, S/Sgts Daniel A. Adair, Everett P. Coats and Robert H. Harper; the following men formerly reported MIA, are returned to duty and attached to the 70th RD: 1st Lts Gene Weisser, Morton Yolofsky, 2nd Lts Francis Treanor, Herbert Higginbotham, S/Sgts Oliver Brown and Wesley Rich; 13 ground EM left on furlough; 1st Lt John T. Wegrsyn transferred to 532nd ; 2nd Lt Elbert W. Hiller was assigned from Station #102 Alconbury; Pvt James Bilderbeck was re-classified from 835 to 405.
26. Fine, clear weather with plenty of sunshine gave promise of visual bombing today as the group took off for an attack on a railroad viaduct near Altenbecken, north-east of Paderborn on the northern border of the Ruhr Valley. Group C.O. Col Harry P. Leber, led the mission, with Capt Ewing S. Watson as his pilot.
According to Col Leber, weather over Germany was clear until the Fortresses neared the objective. Then heavy cloud covered the target, and Major William Fullick, group bombardier, was forced to resort to instruments. He described the results as "poor". Flak was meagre at the target.
Other pilots on this mission were: Lts Nelson, Coombs, Pearce, Goldin, Baker, Gotthardt, Steinwiner and Rolin.
The men reported as MIA yesterday returned to duty; T/Sgts Bentley and Bowman returned from TD on the continent.
27. Drizzling rain this morning was accompanied by a stand down order. Lt Riza and crew reported MIA two days ago and in London and will return to the station today.
Pvt James Bilderbeck was released from the squadron and transferred to 381st HQ; Sgt Bernard Fridberg, formerly MIA, is assigned to 70th RD and attached to this squadron for a period not to exceeed ten days; S/Sgt Robert J. Sharp was transferred to the Army Hospital Plant, APO 204; the following men, formerly of this squadron, were released today: 1st Lts Arthur Bailey, 2nd Lts Francis J. Treanor, Herbert Higginbotham, Robert H. Irwin, S/Sgts Wesley Rich, Oliver Brown.
28. Non-operational again today. Two officers and three EM left for rest home; those men formerly interned in Sweden and returned recently are assigned to the 70th RD and attached to this squadron for a period not to exceed ten days, Capt Bonneau and S/Sgt Toole returned to duty from furlough.
29. Our group led the Air Division to a 10/10th PFF bombing job on the oil refineries at Misburg today. Ten crews took part, one flying a 535th ship. Flak for our formation was light. Bombing results could not be observed and no enemy fighters seen.
Participating were: Lts Orcutt, Steinwinter, Pearce, Baker, Privett, Johnson, Carr, Coombs, nelson and Goldin.
30. Eight 533rd ships and nine crews took part on an oil storage depot at Zeitz, a small city near Merseburg. The lead was taken over by the 533rd with Capt John A. Fenton after Major Ike Taylor 535th commander was forced to turn back 15 minutes before reaching the target. Bombing was PFF and results were not observed. Flak was heavy, but all our ships returned safely. News reports say that 56 American bombers were lost to flak today.
The pilots were: Berkley, Nolan, Privett, Tolchinsky, Riza, Goldin, Pearce, Baker and Coombs.
Three officers and five EM left for rest home today; Sgt Reader left for TD at RAF Melksham, Wilts., S/Sgts Robert G. Hilt, Theodore H. Matthews, Bernard Fridberg and T/Sgt Philip Nichols left the squadron for the 70th RD casual pool; 2nd Lts Kowalski and Nelson were promoted to 1st Lts; W/O j.g. Joe Nutt, was commissioned 2nd Lt today.
> December 1944