533rd Bomb Sq.
381st Bomb Group (H)
WAR DIARY
Submitted by Pvt John Haggerty
OCTOBER 1944
1. Non-operational. An unusually dark night brought more buzz-bombs over the field. One was shot down by a fighter and another exploded near Birdbrook, a couple of miles away. Men at the station were given a "blow-by-blow" account of the action over the tannoy, were told the position of the robots and the fact that a fighter was attacking one. The flash of mid-air explosion was observed fully two minutes before the sound reached here.
1st Lt Stewart returned to duty from leave.
2. Nine 533rd Forts were scheduled to fly today in a mission to Kassel, Germany, but a collision on the line between the ships piloted by Lts Schein and Bigham keft only seven operational. Briefed to attack an ordnance plant north of Kassel, "Mickey" operators found their primary covered by 10/10th cloud, so bombs were dropped on the centre of the city. Flak was meagre and no fighters seen.
The lead navigator got off course on the route out and the formation crossed heavily-defended sectors of the Ruhr, meeting stiff flak. All ships and crews, however, arrived home safely. Squadron pilots participating were: Lts Jones, McMullen, Berkley, Steinwinter, Baker, Huber and Nolan.
2nd Lt Adrian G. Lemon was assigned; W/O Joe Nutt and Sgt Smith left on furlough and Cpl Bracken returned; the following EM were transferred to the 381st BG: Cpl Denning and Pfcs Atchison, Byrd and Miller.
3. Last night was clear and we had no buzz-bombs. Seems as if they are now being released only on the darkest nights to prevent destruction in the air by fighters or flak.
Today was a stand down. Rumors are circulating that upon completion of the 200th mission a beer party to end all such parties will be held. Nothing official in this yet, however.
S/Sgts Brown and Matthews left for the rest home; S/Sgt Farr, formerly MIA, was transferred to the 70th RD Casual Pool, Station #509 Stone, Staffs., as was 1st Lt Arnold G. Gittleman; 1st Lt Wegrzyn left on furlough, as did 46 EM, while 1st Sgt Burns and Sgt DeNubilo returned.
4. A mission to Cologne today was scrubbed.
5. Lt Col George G. Shackley, squadron commander, led the group in a successful attack on Cologne today without loss. The objective was covered with heavy clouds and bombing results were unobserved. Flak at the target was moderate and no enemy fighters were encountered.
Col Shackley flew in the PFF ship, 44-8024, with 1st Lt LaPierre as his pilot, the others being: Lts Berkley, Huber, Steinwinter, Orcutt, Long, Bigham and Nolan.
6. A last resort target at Stralsund was bombed by the 381st today after fighter weather-scouts reported the primary at Stettin was covered by 10/10th clouds. The group formation and the Air Division was led by Lt Col Leber, 381st CO, who flew on a 535th PFF ship.
Bombs were dropped on a bridge near a power station on the river. Flak was meagre and no air opposition encountered. Today's pilots were: Lts Pearce, Carpenter, Steinwinter, Roush, Kinney, McMullen, Baker, Orcutt, Bigham and Nolan.
The following Cpls were promoted to Sgt: Andrews, Duran, Lovenson, Bruner, Halstead and Orrall; Pfc Scanlon promoted to Cpl.
7. The 381st attacked Zwickau today. The combat wing was led by Lt Col David E. Kunkle, Jr., group operations officer, who flew on the 532nd PFF ship 44-8010. No fighters were seen and flak at the target was meagre.
Today's pilots were: Lts Pearce, Jones, Huber, Long, Nolan, Bigham, Orcutt, Roush and Baker.
However it was later revealed that Lt Baker's ship was hit by a jet-propelled fighter and the TG S/Sgt Marion O. McIlman bailed out over enemy territory, but the badly damaged ship limped home. They duly arrived back just right for a rest home reservation previously arranged!
Assigned today were 1st Lt Purvis W. Runyan and 2nd Lt John C. Barron; S/Sgt Hardesty returned from DS at Station #102 Alconbury; Cpl Masseroll left for DS at Burtonwood Repair Depot, Warrington, Lancs.
8. A mission scheduled for Brux, Czechoslovakia today was scrubbed.
Tommy Trinder, England's most popular radio comedian, and a group of British stage actors and actresses gave a two hour show this afternoon on No. 2 hangar. In spite of bad weather, a large crowd of GI's and English civilians turned out to view the performance.
A buzz-bomb crashed in Little Yeldham last night, causing minor damage to the village church. The only casualty was a woman shock victim, although the concussion of the blast rocked the buildings on the field.
2nd Lt Stevens and Sgt Drumm left for DS at Station #102 Alconbury; promitions including 1st Lt Robinson to captain; 2nd Lts to 1st Lts were: Taxel, Gotthardt and Wieloszynski.
9. Schweinfurt was the target today, but apparently the important German city is not as well defended as it was last year. PFF bombing through solid undercast was carried out and flak at the target was meagre. No enemy fighters were seen but the biggest obstacle to overcome by our bombers was the dirty weather, however all returned home safely.
Our pilots were: Jones, Kinney, Gotthardt, Huber, Roush, Winsor, Carr, Gardner and Long.
Though today's was the group's 200th mission, official words now says that no celebration of the event will be held to include a beer brawl. Such celebrations at other bases raised too much hell in general and Division has banned the one planned for Ridgewell. Dances will be held, however, at the Yeldham hangar and the Officers Club.
W/O Joe Nutt returned from furlough, as did Sgt Smith.
10. The mission to Bremen was scrubbed in spite of the fact that today is one of the clearest we've had this fall.
Four officers and 11 EM left for rest home, two EM on furlough while 46 EM returned to duty. Cpl Roger W. Martin was transferred to 2912th DTC, in confinement.
11. Today is a stand down. No change in squadron was entered on morning report.
12. The mission to Cologne was scrubbed. Two more buzz-bombs passed over the field last night, but neither crashed near the base.
Mr Maury Maverick, former Mayor of San Antonio an ex-congressman from Texas, visited the base today. He is now vice-president of the War Production Board. During his stay here, he christened a new Fortress, "The Alamo", in honor of the famous Texas citadel. He spoke this evening to officers and enlisted men at the Aeroclub.
1st Lt LaPierre was promoted to captain; 24 EM left on furlough.
13. Heavy fog this morning forced the scrubbing of a mission to Cologne. No change in the squadron was entered in the morning reports.
14. The much-scrubbed mission to Cologne was carried out today at last. Lt Col George G. Shackley, squadron commander led the formation and a five-group task force over the target, the city's marshalling yards. PFF bombing through 9/10th clouds was carried out and results were unobserved. Flak in the target area was from moderate to heavy, and no enemy aircraft were see, and no ships were lost.
S/Sgts Harold Rainey and William L. Spier were transferred to the Zone of the Interior; S/Sgt Stabitz returned to duty from rest home; Sgt Drumm returned to duty from DS at Station #102 Alconbury.
15. Cologne was bombed again today, with the Forts in greater strength than yesterday. PFF bombing technique was employed again today, with unobserved results. Flak was moderate to heavy but no enemy fighters seen.
The ten 533rd ships taking part were flown by: Lts Gotthardt, Nolan, Roush, Orcutt, Bigham, Hollendorfer, Steinwinter, Johnson, McMullen and Winsor. Lt Jones flew the squadron weather ship, No 043.
No change was entered in the morning reports.
16. Fog and rain prevent any operation today. The following officers and EM were transferred to the 70th RD casual pool: 1st Lt N. P. Rekos, T/Sgts M. J. Walters, J. C. Vaughn and S/Sgt E. L Elstad; other scheduled to leave for the 70th RD are: 1st Lt G. H. Goodman, T.Sgt W. S. Gordon, S/Sgt F.W Johnson.
17. Fortresses struck at Cologne again today. The 381st formation was led by Major Isaac Taylor, 535th commander. Bombing was unobserved, flak moderate and no fighters seen, but all ships returned safely, the pilots being: LaCouture, Steinwinter, Nolan, Carr, Kinney, Hollendorfer, Bigham, Riza and Tolchinsky.
No change in squadron according to morning reports.
18. Heavy rain last night, followed by mist and overcast today, forced the scrubbing of a mission to Kassel.
Four combat officers and seven EM returned to duty from the rest home; S/Sgts Grim and Berkowitz were promoted to T/Sgts; the following Sgts were upgraded to S/Sgts: Deaton, Engle, Hrehocik, Logalbo, Redmond and Wyatt; Capt Henry Bonneau left for DS, at Audley St, London; Pvt Joseph J. White was re-classified and transferred to the Zone of the Interior.
19. Nine 533rd Fortresses took part in an attack on Mannheim today. Bombing was by PFF, flak light and no fighters encountered, so all ships returned safely. They were flown by: Lts Jones, Rolin, Steinwinter, Long, Bigham, Johnson, Winsor, Roush and Hollendorfer.
28 EM returned to duty from furlough; Cpl Messeroll returned to duty from DS at Burtonwood Repair Depot, Warrington, Lancs.; Sgt Ed Nelson and Pvt Panchez left for DS at Station #102 Alconbury; Capt Bonneau returned to duty from DS in London.
20. It was a stand down today. 1st Lt Martin Healey, squadron executive officer, was detailed to verify accounts of the station finance officer; the following S/Sgts were promoted to T/Sgts: Hiney, Tyler, Guilfoyle, Norman and Ulrich; Sgt Williams promoted to S/Sgt.
21. Non-operational again. The base 200th mission dance was held tonight in Yeldham hangar. Music, food and beer were good, but the supply of women fell well short of demand. The officers' 200th mission dance will be held tomorrow night at the Officers Club.
22. Non-operational. No change.
23. Non-operational. The following combat men were transferred to the 70th RD: Capts R. G. LaPierre, George H. Robinson; 1st Lts D. P. McMullen, D. J. Gardner, Sgt C. A. Polito.
24. The mission planned for Ludwigshafen was scrubbed. Four combat officers and five enlisted men left for rest home; 20 EM left on furlough; 2nd Lt Robert E. Bryson assigned this squadron from 532nd.
25. The 533rd put up nine bombers in the air for today's attack on Hamburg, but one borrowed from the 532nd, which carried Lt Col George G. Shackley, 533rd commander and formation leader. Bombing was carried out by PFF technique and results were unobserved. Heavy flak met the ships on bombs away, but no enemy fighters were seen.
Today's pilots were: Lts Watson, Nolan, Carr, Rolin, Kinney, Long, Tolchinsky, Roush and Baker.
Three EM and one officer returned from rest home.
26. Ten 533rd bombers flew on an uneventful mission to Bielefeld, flow by: Lts Orcutt, Tolchinsky, Johnson, Winsor, Rolin, Riza, Hollendorfer, Kinney, Nolan and Bigham.
27. The mission to Mannheim was scrubbed after briefing because of bad weather. Four combat officers and five EM left for rest home; 2nd Lt Long promoted to 1st Lt; 1st Lt Stone left for DS at Grosvenor Sq, London.
A new crew joined the squadron today: 2nd Lts Kenneth R. Schmalz, Archie E. Nichols, Jerry Pasek; T/Sgt Lawrence Levington, Cpls George F. Conery, Francis Bergemeister, Gerald R. Schmitt, Harlan C. Van Over and Joseph P. Welsh.
28. Commander of the 535th, Major Isaac Taylor led the group today on a visual attack on the marshalling yards at Munster, during which flak knocked out equipment on the "Mickey" ship, and visual bombing through heavy, unbroken cloud was carried out.
The 533rd put up nine ships, one borrowed from the 532nd . Flak was moderate in the target area, but accurate, nevertheless all ships returned safely. Our pilots were: Lts Carr, Long, Riza, Roush, Gotthardt, Bigham, Baker, Jones and Johnson.
1st Lt Kronick was transferred to 70th RD; Capt Sayer left for DS at RAF Kirkham, Lancs., Cpls Morin and Schnitt were promoted to Sgt and Sgt Keffer was reduced in grade to Pvt and removed from flying status; The following me returned from internment in Sweden: 2nd Lt Robert Karch, Sgts Walden Forke, Coral Highsmith, William Rich, John Molloy, Alfred Paoli; 1st Lt Frank O'Black returned to squadron after reported as missing in action.
29. Non-operational again today. Pvt McMullen set some sort of record today by having his name entered five times in morning report. T/Sgt Greathouse left for DS at Station #102 Alconbury; Sgt Freeman listed as seriously wounded in action and S/Sgt Doremus as slightly wounded.
30. Nine crews of the 533rd, one in a 534th ship, took part in today's attack on the marshalling yards at Hamm. Bombing was by PFF, flak at the target was moderate and no enemy fighters seen. Today's pilots were: Lts Johnson, Roush, LaCouture, Kinney, Baker, Berkley, Hollendorfer, Goldin and Winsor.
2nd Lt Harmer L. Jones was assigned and Sgt Kellner promoted S/Sgt.
31. A stand down order came through last night. Weather today is cold and rainy with little prospect of a break.
1st Lt Stone returned to duty from DS in London; 2nd Lt H. L. Delaplane and S/Sgt F. S. Gunderson and listed as missing in action; four officers and three EM left for rest home while 19 EM returned from furlough and one left on furlough; 1st Lt H. E. Asay and T/Sgt R. R. Moore transferred to 70th RD.
> November 1944