12th Air Force, 57th Bombardment Wing

321st Bombardment Group

History: February 1944

The following is a compilation of the 321st Bomb Group’s individual Squadron War
Diaries. They have been transcribed word for word, from the Squadron Histories
provided by the Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA), Maxwell Air Force
Base Alabama. At the end of each Squadron’s daily entry, the individuals cited in the
entry are identified by full name, rank and duty, in alphabetical order. The day’s entry
begins with the Tactical Operations Statement, from the United States Army Air Forces
(USAAF) Chronology, for the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO).

A/C: Aircraft sk: sick

A/D: Aerodrome abs: absent

Assg: Assigned XC: Cross Country

BC: Bomber Command S.O.I.: Standard Operating Instructions?

CAVU: Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited E/A: Enemy Aircraft

Demo: Demolition SC: Flight

E/M: Enlisted Men L/V: Large Vehicle

F/L: Formation Leader - Flight Leader IP: Initial Point

FO: Flying Officer B.R.L.: Ballistic Research Laboratory

Frag: Fragmentation L.S.T.: Landing Ship Tank

Ltr: Letter POE: Point of Embarkation

L/S: Landing Strip M/V: (some kind of water vehicle/boat?)

M/T: Motor Transport (Truck) L/G: Landing Ground

M/Y: Marshalling Yards A/F: Air Field

Repl: Replacement T.O.T: Time Over Target/Time On Target

R/J: Railroad Junction (road junction?) C.O.: Commanding Officer

RR: Railroad C.P.: Command Post

R/Y: Railroad Yards L.O.T.: ? see 447th, 2 May

S.D.: Special Duty C.A.: ? see 447th, 8 May

SO: Special Order A.A.: Anti-Aircraft (Artillery)

GO: General Order

Sq: Squadron R/B: Road Bridge

Sqdn: Squadron RR/B: Railroad Bridge

Q.M.: Quarter Master S.A.P.: Semi-Armor Piercing

Trfd: Transferred T.O.: Technical Order

TD: Temporary Duty P.B.S.: 447th, 2 June ?

D.S.: Detached Service RON: Remain OverNight

PDI: Pilot Direction Indicator PX: Post Exchange

S/E: Strategic fighter T/E: Tactical fighter

VOCO: Verbal Order of the Commanding Officer

NATOUSA: North Atlantic Theater of Operations USA

SWA: Seriously Wounded in Action LWA: Lightly Wounded in Action

O.D.: Officer of the day C.Q.: Charge of Quarters

N.C.O.: Non-Commissioned Officer GP: General Purpose

Tuesday, 1 February 1944

USAAF Chronology: MTO Tactical Operations (12th AF): In Italy, B-25s bomb the
Albano Laziale road junction; P-40s bomb Cori, while A-36s hit Poggio Mieteto and P-
47s attack the station at San Valentino; fighters cover the Anzio battle area. Detachment
of 91st Fighter Squadron, 81st Fighter Group, operating from Capodichino, Italy with P-
39s, returns to base at Montecorvino Airfield. During Feb 44, HQ 81st Fighter Group and
93rd Fighter Squadron transfer from Castelvetrano, Sicily to Montecorvino Airfield with
P-39s. During Feb, ground echelon of 417th Night Fighter Squadron, Twelfth Air Force
(attached to RAF No.337 Wing) transfers from Ghisonaccia to Borgo, Corsica; air
echelon is at La Senia, Algeria with Beaufighters.

445th BS War Diary: Balmy, spring-like weather prevailed today and there were 5
training flights scheduled besides the combat mission. Sgt. Flynn, bombardier who
returned to the Squadron recently after having been shot down by enemy fighters off
Greece, left today for the trip back to the United States. The men enjoyed a delicious
supper of spaghetti and meat balls. Arrangements have been made to have movies in the
Squadron area twice weekly. Tonight, “International Squadron” with Ronald Reagan
was shown to the men near the mail shack.

Flynn, Thomas H., Sgt, gunner

446th BS War Diary: A big mail call with plenty of V-Mail gave morale a big boost. A
successful mission was flown and seven lucky combat men got their “going home”
orders: Lt. Brady, Lt. Pappas, Sgts. Barber, Haasch, Houghom, Kaney and Pilcher.

Barber, Otis C., Sgt, gunner Brady, Joseph A., Lt, pilot

Haasch, George F., Sgt, radio-gunner Houghom, Sgt

Kaney, Oscar J., Sgt, gunner Pappas, William J., Lt, bombardier

Pilcher, Byron E., Sgt, gunner

446th BS Mission Summary: Squadron Mission 170

TARGET: Albano Road Junction, Italy. DATE: 1 Feb 1944

Type of Bombs: 1000 lb. Demo. 446th Planes: 6

Lt. Tapper led the formation. Bombs fell in area south of town, and some hits reported
along east edge, and north part of town. Large oil fire observed southeast of Albano.
Flak was slight to moderate, heavy, generally inaccurate. No fighters. Lt. Morris was a
spare, and returned early.

Morris, Meade L., Jr., Lt, pilot Tapper, George G., Lt, pilot

447th BS War Diary: Mission today to Albano, R/J., Italy. 6 of our ships took part.
Plane no. 181 returned with all the bombs. Our element was lead by Lt DeMay who
saved the day when the lead box of six went off to the left and bombed the wrong town.
Lt. DeMay’s bombardier had picked up the correct target and he ignored the course of the
lead six planes and made his own bomb run with the second flight of 12 planes following
him. Result of bombing good. 1st Lt. Saiers trfd to U.S. per Ltr. 12th AF dated 1 Feb
1944. T/Sgts O’Mara and Mellado were on the same order. 2Lts. Wiginton, Murray,

Tuesday, 1 February 1944 (continued)

Martin, S/Sgt. Reynolds, Sgt Rogowski, Pvt. Edwards assg this sq. Feb 1, 1944, SO 23,
Hq 321 Bomb Gp. Cpl M.G. Stahl trfd to 12th Bomber Command.

DeMay, Kenneth C., Lt, pilot Edwards, Earl W., Pvt, gunner

Martin, Wayne R., Lt, bombardier or Martin, William H, Jr., Lt, pilot

Mellado, Ricardo, T/Sgt, gunner Murray, Richard E., Lt, pilot

O’Mara, Robert M., T/Sgt, gunner Reynolds, Frank J., S/Sgt, gunner

Rogowski, Edmund W., Sgt, gunner Saiers, Edward L., Lt, navigator

Stahl, Melvin G., Cpl, intelligence Wiginton, J. Maurice, Lt, pilot, operations

448th BS War Diary: Mission 166 (207) At 13:40 23 planes off to bomb Albano R/J and
dropped 82 x 1000 bombs from 10,500 feet at 15:00. 3 planes holed and all returned at
15:40. Bombs fell in area S of town between main road and secondary road and carried
across main road SE of Junction. Some hits along E edge of town and some in N part of
town. One crew identified place bombed as Castel Gandolfo. Large oil fire observed SE
of Albano. 10 -15 M/T heading towards Rome 10 miles NW of Valmontone, 25 - 30
M/T’s heading S from Palestrina to Valmontone. Flak: Heavy, slight and accurate.
Weather: Slight haze 15 miles. F/L: Freeland.

Freeland, Levi Z., Jr, Capt, pilot

Wednesday, 2 February 1944

USAAF Chronology: MTO Tactical Operations (12th AF): Major General Gordon P
Saville becomes Commanding General, XII Air Support Command. In Italy, B-25s
attack the Marino road junction and A-20s bomb Norma; A-36s and P-40s bomb villages,
road junctions, trucks, trains, parked aircraft, supply dump, and the Viterbo road during
several fighter-bomber missions; P-40s on patrol over the battle areas attack Cisterna di
Latina and Formia. 23rd Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 5th Photographic
Reconnaissance Group, transfers from San Servero, Italy to Alghero, Sardinia with F-5s.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

321st BG: Mission NO: 208 Date: 2 Feb 44 NO A/C: 36

Squadrons: 445-8 447-10

446-10 448-8

Target: Albano Road Junction (F-882483)

Time Up: 1105 T.O.T.: 1230 Time Down: 1308

Axis of Attack: 2° Height: 11/11,500 ft.

Planes Lost: None Planes Holed: 12

Bombs Dropped: 127x1000 lb. .1 & .025 fusing

Route: Base to M-9570 to L-8990 to target to G-0879 to G-2882 to base.

Weather: Enroute: 6/10 cirrostratus at 18,000 ft. 7/10 stratocumulus tops at 4,000 ft.
on west side of mountains. Breaking to 3/10 40 miles south of target. Visibility—Hazy,
15 miles. Target: 3/10 stratocumulus at 4,000 ft. Visibility: Hazy, 15 miles.

Return: 6/10 cirrostratus at 18,000 ft. 5/10 stratocumulus at 4,000 ft on the

west side of the mountains

Flak: 1st two flights reported slight to moderate, heavy, fairly accurate; last flight
reported intense, heavy, accurate at target. 12 heavy guns pinpointed at 1 mile N of
Genzano. Heavy guns reported all around target area.

Enemy Air: Two FW-190s above formation at target, chased by Spitfires.

Claims: None

Results: Crews reported target area well covered with main road jct. cut north and S. of
junction. Many bursts in town of Albano. E. of town hit at road junction.

Observation: Three miles S. of Gioia di Marse 8 M/T heading N. 13/15 M/T heading
N. towards Avezzano. Within 5 miles of Gaeta Point two ships, one appeared to be
passenger type—300 ft. long other a small warship. Both stationary.

Flight Leaders: Lt. Bounds, Crowell and Vallery.

Photos Taken.

Signed: SERGIUS P. NEPRASH, 1st Lt., Air Corps, Ass’t Gp. S-2 Officer.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wednesday, 2 February 1944 (continued)

445th BS War Diary: Cold winds snapped the warm spell and winter weather again
stepped in. A warm sun tempered the weather somewhat in the afternoon, however. Lt.
Maxwell D. Hinsley, a copilot, was wounded today by flak. He lost quite a bit of blood
and, although the wound was very painful, it is not regarded as being serious. There was
a training flight today to swing a compass. Major Percy D. Register, former Operations
Officer with a bombardment training center in Telergma, was assigned to the Squadron.
Another movie, “The Knew What They Wanted”, starring the late Carole Lombard, was
shown to the men in the area tonight.

Hinsley, Maxwell D., Lt, pilot Register, Percy D., Maj, pilot, Operations Officer

446th BS War Diary: Aroused by the early mission whistle to find that the take-off was
to be around noon. The mission was successful. Sgt. Eddie Anderson has a scare on his
fiftieth mission as flak breaks the plexiglass in his bombardier’s compartment.

Anderson, Edward J., Sgt, gunner

446th BS Mission Summary: Squadron Mission 171

TARGET: Albano Road Junction, Italy. DATE: 2 Feb 1944

Type of Bombs: 1000 lb. Demo. 446th Planes: 10

Lt. Bounds, 447th Sqdn. led the formation. Target area reported well covered. Many
bursts in town of Albano. East of town hit at road junction. Flak was slight to moderate,
heavy, fairly accurate, reported by first flight. Intense heavy, accurate at target, reported
by last flight. Twelve planes holed.

Bounds, Thomas C., Lt, pilot, 445th BS

447th BS War Diary: 10 ships took part in raid on Albano R/J, Italy. Result of bombing
excellent. The bombs of the first flight all hit in one concentration covering the assigned
target. The bombs of the second flight were more widely scattered. Flak was fairly
accurate, heavy guns all around target. We lead the formation, with Lt. Bounds and
Major Sampson in the lead plane, and Lt. Windler as bombardier. Lt. Olson, plane 181,
returned with its bombs, bomb sight stabilizer gyro went out. S/Sgt. Milan assg this sq.
per SO 14, Hq Pers Repl Center B. 17 Jan. 1944. S/Sgt. L.B. Iverson dy to abs sk hosp
L/D (hosp unknown). The following men trfd to US: S/Sgts. Szcpanski, Dunlap, Cook
and Sgt. Ludtke.

Bounds, Thomas C., Lt, pilot Cook, Gerritt C., S/Sgt, gunner

Dunlap, Woodrow, S/Sgt, gunner Iverson, Lewis B., S/Sgt, gunner

Ludtke, Foster R., Sgt, gunner Milan, William R., S/Sgt, engineering

Olson, Robert C., Lt, pilot Sampson, Raymond D., Maj, pilot

Szcpanski, Leonard A., S/Sgt, gunner Windler, John H., Lt, bombardier

448th BS War Diary: Mission 167 (208). At 11:05 36 planes off to bomb Albano R/J
and all dropped 127 x 1000 bombs from 10,000 feet at 12:30 and all returned at 13:08, 12
planes holed. Crews reported target area well covered with main road cut N and S of
Junction, many bursts in town of Albano. E end of town hit a R/J. 8 M/T’s seen 3 miles
S of Gioia di Marse, 15 M/T’s heading N toward Avezzano. Flak: Heavy, intense,

accurate, 12 guns pin pointed N of Genzano. Weather: 3/10ths Strato Cumulus at 4,000
feet.

Thursday, 3 February 1944

USAAF Chronology: MTO Tactical Operations (12th AF): Medium bomber missions
are all aborted. In Italy, A-36s hit roads and other targets S of Rome, destroying or
damaging numerous trucks and bombing the towns of Sezze and Fondi as U.S. ground
forces meet strong resistance in their drive toward Cassino; P-47s hit Manopello and
railroad facilities at Sulmona; and fighters patrol the Anzio area. HQ 332nd Fighter
Group and 100th Fighter Squadron arrive at Montecorvino, Italy from the US with P-39s,
first mission on 19 Feb.

445th BS War Diary: There was a big mail call today and many of the men were
“snowed under” by a large number of letters. The men out on the line witnessed a crack-
up involving three P-38s. The first had its elevator clipped off while buzzing the field
just in front the second one. The first spun into the ground and burned. The second was
forced to make a crash landing. The third P-38 nosed over on its landing.

446th BS War Diary: Mail call. Beautiful weather here but too cloudy over the target.
Lt. Abraham and Lt. Strom reach 50. Major Hunter joins us and Sgt. Bob Tressler goes
to XII Bomber Command at Naples.

Abraham, Frank W., Lt, pilot Hunter, William C., Maj, pilot

Strom, Ernest M., Lt, pilot Tressler, Robert G., Sgt, intelligence

446th BS Mission Summary: Squadron Mission 172

TARGET: Viterbo M/Y, Italy. DATE: 3 Feb 1944

Type of Bombs: 100 lb. Demo. 446th Planes: 6

F/O Sowder, 448th Sqdn. led the formation. Complete overcast at target. All planes
returned to base with bombs. No flak. Six ME-109’s 12 minutes inland on course, but
did not attack. Lt Kerr was a spare, and returned early.

Kerr, John C., Lt, pilot Sowder, Tony K., Lt, pilot, 448th BS

447th BS War Diary: Six ships participated in a raid on the Viterbo M/Y. Due to a solid
overcast all ships turned back when approximately 2 minutes from target. No bombs
were dropped except 2 salvoed their delayed action bombs. They encountered no flak or
fighters. We had one spare that returned. The following enlisted men were transferred;
PFC John Callaghan to the 2nd Replacement Depot., Pvt. S.S. Schulman, to the 62nd
Service Group. The following men were assigned to this organization per XII Bomber
Command: 2nd Lts. R.N. Swanson, W.F. Heitman, F.E. Abbott, G.B. Nelson, R.E.
Thomas, S/Sgt. C.W. Currier, S/Sgt. R.C. Cooper, T/Sgt. M.O. Williamson, S/Sgt. J.B.
Shields, Pvt. C.M. Richards and Sgt. D.E. Braden. Each officer received a copy of
censorship regulations, which was prepared by Captain R. W. Manly.

Abbott, Fred E., Lt, pilot Braden, Don E., Sgt, turret-gunner

Callaghan, John, PFC, communications Cooper, Raymond C., S/Sgt, engineer-gun
Currier, Charles W., S/Sgt, engineer-gunner Heitman, William F., Lt, pilot

Manly, Robert W., Capt, intelligence Nelson, George B., Lt, bombardier

Richards, Charles M., Pvt, turret-gunner Schulman, Seymour P., Pvt, personnel

Thursday, 3 February 1944 (continued)

Swanson, Robert H., Lt, pilot Shields, James B., S/Sgt, radio-gunner

Thomas, Robert E., Lt, navigator Williamson, Myles O., T/Sgt, radio-gunner

448th BS War Diary: Mission 168 (209): At 10:35 24 planes off to bomb Viterbo M/Y
but were prevented from dropping bombs by complete overcast over target. All planes
returned at 13:35. 8-10 SE unidentified A/C seen on Adriatic Coast near Ancona. 6 ME-
109’s seen but did not attack. Large concentration of M/T in small town of Fermo.
Weather: Complete overcast. F/L: Sowder.

Sowder, Tony K., Lt, pilot

Friday, 4 February 1944

USAAF Chronology: MTO Tactical Operations (12th AF): In Italy, weather
prevents all medium, light and fighter-bomber missions; P-40s and Spitfires maintain
patrols over the Anzio area, where a strong German counter-offensive had been launched
during the night of 3/4 Feb. Detachment of 414th Night Fighter Squadron, 63d Fighter
Wing, operating from Ghisonaccia with Beaufighters transfers to Borgo, Corsica;
squadron is based at Elmas, Sardinia.

445th BS War Diary: The day was cold and windy, very disagreeable, but an all-out
training program was laid out for the new crews. Six ships were sent on a practice
bombing mission flying in regular combat formation. A gunnery mission was also flown.
A plane was scheduled to fly to Naples today but it was forced to turn back due to a
weather overcast. Many of the men are taking advantage of the big farmhouse next to the
Squadron area to take their laundry in and have it done up par excellence. It rained very
hard tonight. Sunny???Italy.

446th BS War Diary: Another sunny day in the morning, with inclement weather
threatening in the afternoon. Training flights were made and we had a small mail call
late in the day, mostly letters.

446th BS Mission Summary: No Missions

447th BS War Diary: Mission cancelled due to weather. Sgt. Harry Wanner was taken
to the 61st Station Hospital.

Wanner, Harry, Sgt, armament

448th BS War Diary: No Entry

Saturday, 5 February 1944

USAAF Chronology: MTO Tactical Operations (12th AF): In Italy, B-25s bomb
Terni marshalling yard, and A-20s hit the Lanuvio and Piedimonte areas. P-40s and A-
36s hit road junctions at Cisterna di Latina, Vetralla, and Velletri, bomb the towns of
Vetralla, Ardea, and Villa Santa Lucia degli Abruzzi, and attack motor transport at
several points, including areas N, NE and SE of Rome. 58th, 59th and 60th Fighter
Squadrons, 33rd Fighter Group, begin a movement from Cercola, Italy to India with P-
40s.

445th BS War Diary: There were two combat crew meetings today, one for pilot flight
and element leaders and one for all bombardiers. General Weather cooked up an unusual
dish for the men today and before the day was through, the men experienced rain, snow,
hail, high winds, lightning and thunder. Several of the tents in the area buckled under the
hard thrusts of the wind. The hunting expedition witch set out for deer in the mountains
around San Giovanni two days ago was forced to return today due to heavy snows in the
mountains. The hunters were Lts. Lowman, Humphrey, Craig and Lower. Net result for
the hunt was two crows, one goat and no deer. Fresh baloney was served for supper and
it was keenly enjoyed by all. The bad weather played havoc with the energizer and the
lights were faulty all evening.

Craig, Harry W., Lt, armament Humphrey, Malcom R., Lt, supply

Lower, William C., Lt, personal equipment Lowman, Robert S., Lt, intelligence

446th BS War Diary: Rain and wind all day. Mail call.

446th BS Mission Summary: No Missions

447th BS War Diary: Mission cancelled due to weather. The following officers and
enlisted men were relieved from assignment and reassigned to personnel center No. 1
A.B.S. for transshipment to the U.S.: 1st Lt J.G. Boyle, Jr., 2nd Lt. R.A. Knodle, T/Sgt.
H.H. Dexter, S/Sgt. T.R. Fiorello, S/Sgt. H.J. Manning and Cpl. A.H. Smith. Morning
report for week ending Feb. 5: Officers 62: E/M 263.

Boyle, Joseph G., Jr., Lt, bombardier Dexter, Harold H., T/Sgt, gunner

Fiorello, Thomas R., S/Sgt, gunner Knodle, Robert A., Lt, pilot

Manning, Hillard J., S/Sgt, gunner Smith, Argyle H., Cpl, gunner

448th BS War Diary: No Entry

Sunday, 6 February 1944

USAAF Chronology: MTO Tactical Operations (12th AF): In Italy, B-26s bomb the
Orte marshalling yard while B-25s hit the Frascati road junction; A-20s bomb the
Campoleone railroad station and the town of Roccasecca; P-40s bomb Cisterna di Latina,
Santa Lucia (near Campoleone), Cori (and nearby road junction) and Atina; A-36s hit
San Stefano al Mare, Cisterna di Latina, Frascati and Albano Laziale, and strike
numerous vehicles, railroad cars and other targets of opportunity on armed
reconnaissance missions N and S of Rome. A German counteroffensive against the Anzio
beachhead and on the Cassino front forces an Allied withdrawal. HQ 12th Bombardment
Group (Medium) and 81st, 82nd, 83rd and 434th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) begin
a movement from Gaudo Airfield, Italy to India with B-25s. HQ 33rd Fighter Group
begins a movement from Cercola, Italy to India. HQ 350th Fighter Group transfers from
Sardinia to Corsica; 345th Fighter Squadron based in Sardinia begins operating from
Corsica with P-39s.

445th BS War Diary: The bad weather continues with high winds and low temperatures.
The Red Cross served doughnuts to the men in the area this afternoon. There was a hard
snowstorm at night but it didn’t last long. During these very cold days, the men stay in
their tents most of the time, hugging the stove and occasionally getting some “sack time”.

446th BS War Diary: Another rainy day. Lt. M. T. Holloway joins us as S-2 officer.

Holloway, McGlon T., Lt, intelligence

446th BS Mission Summary: No Missions

447th BS War Diary: Mission cancelled due to weather. 1st Lt. M.T. Holloway relieved
from assignment and reassigned to the 446th Bomb Sq. as of Feb. 2. 1st Lt. D.R.
Chinnock relieved from assignment and reassigned to the 33rd Fighter Group. After he
was transferred he picked up his promotion to Captain. Sgt. E.G. Holm has been taken to
the 61st Station Hospital. Lt G.G. Baker absent in hospital.

Baker, Gordon G., Lt, pilot Chinnock, Donald R., Lt, communication

Holloway, McGlon T., Lt, intelligence Holm, Edward G., Sgt, engineering

448th BS War Diary: No Entry

Monday, 7 February 1944

USAAF Chronology: MTO Tactical Operations (12th AF): In Italy, B-26s bomb the
bridge approach S of Manziana; B-25s hit the Viterbo marshalling yard and, in support of
US Fifth army troops, bomb the town of Cisterna di Latina as the enemy counterattack
begins in the Anzio area; A-20s hit Piedimonte and the road junction and railway station
at Campoleone; A-36s hit San Stefano al Mare and nearby railroad siding, Pontecorvo
and Belmonte in Sabina, plus several targets of opportunity and targets in support of
ground forces in the battle areas; P-40s attack an observation tower at Littoria, trucks at
Villa Santa Lucia degli Abruzzi, Campoleone, a railroad gun, the Sezze railroad yards,
Cisterna di Latina and gun positions in battle areas. Fighters encounter heavy aircraft
activity over the Anzio battle area and claim 16 shot down. 302nd Fighter Squadron,
332nd Fighter Group, arrives at Montecorvino, Italy from the U.S. with P-39s; first
mission is 17 Feb. Detachment of 346th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group, based in
Sardinia with P-39s, begins operating from Sidi Amor, Tunisia.

445th BS War Diary: And still the inclement weather hangs on. This afternoon, a heavy
snow-storm blanketed the area. A delicious chicken dinner (supper to certain fellows)
was enjoyed by all. The area is full of slush and mud as a result of the constant
precipitation lately. Sgt. Hetland, veteran engineer gunner, gave a lecture to some new
gunners on the hydraulic, mechanical and electrical system of the B-25. There was a
discussion held at the Operations tent for new pilots who formerly flew B-26’s. After the
lecture on the B-25, a proficiency test was given to them. It’s now Captain Strenger, if
you please. A new crew arrived today.

Hetland, Arthur M., Jr, Sgt, engineer-gunner Strenger, Marshall C., Capt, pilot

446th BS War Diary: PX was held at 3:30. Snow fell last night and again this
afternoon. Lts Abraham and Strom and Sgts Ramirez and Carstens leave for Hq. XII BC.

Abraham, Frank W., Lt, pilot Carstens, Clarence H., Sgt, gunner

Ramirez, Zenon, Jr., Sgt, gunner Strom, Ernest M., Lt, pilot

446th BS Mission Summary: No Missions

447th BS War Diary: No mission – weather. Usual squadron duties. A year ago today,
the ground echelon got orders to embark. From the railroad station we marched to the
ferry carrying barracks bags in addition to full field equipment. The ferry made its way
across the harbor to Staton Island where we boarded the USS Elizabeth Stanton for a
voyage across the Atlantic.

448th BS War Diary: No Entry

Tuesday, 8 February 1944

USAAF Chronology: MTO Tactical Operations (12th AF): In Italy, B-25s bomb
Cisterna di Latina; B-26s hit the Siena marshalling yard and warehouses, and a railway
bridge NE of Civita Castellana; A-20s bomb Piedimonte; A-36s attack gun positions near
Ausonia, tracks between Rome and Orte, and the town of Veroli, and fly strafing and
bombing sweeps in the Anzio battle area against motor transport, gun positions, road
junction E of Cisterna di Latina, and the town of Pontecorvo; P-40s hit Roccasecca,
Castello, Caprile. Piedimonte, Aquino and other targets, including a supply dump and
gun positions; P-47s bomb Atina; Desert Air Force (DAF) fighters (US and RAF) destroy
a large number of trucks near Sora. 301st Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group, arrives

445th BS War Diary: Flight Officer Vallery, one of the hard-luck pilots in the Squadron,
had another bad break today. He was the lead pilot of a formation with bombed the Orte
marshalling yards. Before he reached the target, his left engine caught on fire and he was
force to feather the prop and leave the formation. Before he landed at Termoli, the
nearest friendly base, his other engine acted up but he got in safely, thanks to some
excellent piloting. Lts. Neumann, House and Wilson were promoted to Captain today.
Major Register flew his first mission today and was co-pilot to F/O Vallery. It was and
auspicious start for the Major. Four planes formerly with the 12th Bomb Group were
assigned to the Squadron today. The weather remains very cold. There was quite a large
mail call this afternoon.

House, Robert M., Capt, pilot Neumann, Robert H. Capt, operations officer

Wilson, Charles B., Capt, pilot or Wilson, Victor H, Lt, pilot)

446th BS War Diary: Sgt Guzauskas, an aerial photographer, and Sgt Helisek finish
their big fifty.

Guzauskas, Frank, Sgt, aerial photographer Helisek, Paul A., Sgt, gunner

446th BS Mission Summary: Squadron Mission 173

TARGET: Orte M/Y, Italy. DATE: 8 Feb 1944

Type of Bombs: 1000 lb. Demo. 446th Planes: 6

F/O Vallery, 445th Sqdn. led the formation. Target area covered by clouds, no bombs
dropped. One report of light, heavy, inaccurate flak. Two ME-109’s reported east of
Gioia. Came out of sun from above, but did not attack. Lt Hurley was a spare and
returned early.

Hurley, John R., Lt, pilot Vallery, Dean B., Lt, pilot, 445th BS

447th BS War Diary: Six ships participated in a mission over Orte M/Y, but due to a
heavy overcast our ships did not reach the target. No bombs were dropped. No flak or
fighters encountered. Lt. Stephenson led the flight. The following officers have been
promoted to Captain: 1st Lt. Henry W. Stephenson, 1st Lt. Kenneth L McFadden, 1st Lt
Harry A. Fraser, Jr., 1st Lt. Robert C. Olson and 1st Lt. Kenneth C. DeMay. The
celebration was comparatively restrained because the bar is down to one bottle of Pesca.

Tuesday, 8 February 1944 (continued)

Under the provision of Army Regulation 615-5, the following named men of the
organization are promoted to the grade of Private First Class: Pvt. George F. Murray, Pvt.

John C. Jablonsky, Pvt. James W. Austin, Jr., Pvt. Delbert D. Davis, Pvt. William H.
Pierce, and Pvt. Robert H. Gillies. Cpl. Strait was slightly injured due to a turret
accident. A meeting was held, at about 2030 hrs, in the E/M’s mess hall for the enlisted
men who applied for Air Corps Cadet. Captain Robert W. Manly gave a brief summary
on current events, and regarding commanding officers in the different theatres.

Austin, James W., Jr., Pvt, gunner Davis, Delbert D., Pvt, gunner

DeMay, Kenneth C., Lt, pilot Fraser, Harry A., Jr, Lt, pilot

Gillies, Robert H., Pvt, gunner Jablonsky, John C., Pvt, engineering

Manly, Robert W., Capt, intelligence McFadden, Kenneth L., Lt, pilot

Murray, George F., Pvt, engineering Olson, Robert C., Lt, pilot

Pierce, William H., Pvt, gunner Stephenson, Henry W., Lt, pilot

Strait, Daymond E., Cpl, gunner

A/C No. 695

Stevenson, Henry W. “Steve”, Capt

Edwards, Lyle L., 2Lt

Rye, Wayne T., Jr., 2Lt

Deane, George J., 2Lt

Cooper, Raymond C., Sgt

Wilson Leo W., S/Sgt

Blalock, Joe T. Sgt

None

447th BS: War Diary of: Stephenson, Henry W. "Steve", Capt, pilot (mission 59)

TARGET: Orte M/Y 2:10 No bombs dropped

Plane 695: Lt. Stephenson, Lt. Edwards, Lt. Rye, Lt. Deane, Sgt. Cooper, S/Sgt. Wilson,
Sgt. Blalock

“No bombs dropped due to solid overcast.”

Blalock, Joe T., Sgt, gunner Cooper, Raymond C., Sgt, engineer-gunner

Deane, George J., 2Lt, bombardier Edwards, Lyle L., 2Lt, pilot

Rye, Wayne T., Jr., 2Lt, bombardier Stephenson, Henry W. "Steve", Capt, pilot

Wilson, Leo W., S/Sgt, gunner

448th BS War Diary: Mission 169 (210). At 12:40 24 planes took off to bomb Orte
M/Y, 12 x 1000 bombs salvoed by 1st element. One engine F/L went out, first tree planes
first flight turned back. But rest of formation went on but could not see target due to
cloud cover in immediate area. Convoys of from 20-30 M/Ts are seen near Navelli and
Rieti and Civitella.

Wednesday, 9 February 1944

USAAF Chronology: MTO Tactical Operations (12th AF): In Italy, B-25s and B-
26s, in close support to US Fifth Army forces, attack motor transport and troop
concentrations in the Campoleone area while A-20s blast another troop concentration to
the W; P-40s hit Cisterna di Latina and gun positions; A-36s and P-40s pound
concentration points of a counterattack against the Fifth Army beachhead in the Anzio
area, strike along the main Fifth Army front, and attack the villages of Piedimonte and
Aquino and gun positions near Cassino and Ausonia. HQ 87th Fighter Wing transfers
from Nouvion, Algeria to Caserta, Italy.

445th BS War Diary: High winds and steady rain forced a cancellation of the mission
today. Two new gunners were assigned to the Squadron. Luxury rations were distributed
to the men around noon in the enlisted men’s mess but inclement weather forced a
postponement after only a few men were taken care of. Lt. Underwood, Bombing
Officer, was promoted to Captain; Lt. Paduana, Navigation Officer, received a similar
promotion. Breaded pork chops for supper were enjoyed by all.

Paduana, Joseph A., Lt, navigator Underwood, James H., Lt, bombardier

446th BS War Diary: A rainy day all day—and very cold. Plenty of mail arrives. Our
operations officer, Lt. Tapper, makes captain along with Lt. McClelland.

McClelland, Alva L., Lt, pilot Tapper, George C., Lt, pilot

446th BS Mission Summary: No Missions

447th BS War Diary: No mission due to weather condition. Cpl Harry D. Kitchen, Jr
was taken to the 61st Station Hospital.

Kitchen, Harry D., Jr, Cpl, transportation

448th BS War Diary: No Entry

Thursday, 10 February 1944

USAAF Chronology: MTO Tactical Operations (12th AF): Light and medium
bomber missions are aborted because of bad weather. In Italy, P-40s and A-36s support
an unsuccessful attempt of the US Fifth Army's 1st Infantry Division to stem an attack in
the Carroceto area; P-47s fail to locate their target (Sora) and drop bombs on targets of
opportunity. 347th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group, based on Corsica with P-39s,
sends a detachment to Capodichino, Italy.

445th BS War Diary: Luxury rations were distributed to the men this morning. The
APO number was changed to 650 today and that, together with the notice on the bulletin
board informing the men to requisition helmets and pup tents, added fire to the rumors
about moving to India. A plane was sent to Guado landing ground to pick up a newly-
assigned aircraft but it was forced back due to engine trouble. Two flights were made to
Termoli to fly parts up to make a necessary engine change on plane 550, the one in which
F/O Vallery made his emergency landing two days ago. Hamburgers were served for
supper tonight.

Vallery, Dean B., Lt, pilot

446th BS War Diary: Inclement weather—no mission. Lt. Drotis goes to XII Air Force.

446th BS Mission Summary: No Missions

Drotis, Ray L., Lt, personnel

447th BS War Diary: A mission was scheduled, but cancelled due to the condition of
the runway and taxi strips. Crews left to pick-up new planes from the 12th Bomb Group.
The following E/M have been promoted to T/Sgt. as per special order of Feb 8th: S/Sgt.
Leslie E. Bower, S/Sgt. Otis W. Moomaw, and S/Sgt. Robert J. Boyd. The following
E/M have been promoted to S/Sgt. as per special order of Feb. 8th: Sgt. Andrew Zacharya,
Sgt. Arthur Schwartz, Sgt. Leonard T. Payne, Sgt Joseph J. Parisi, Cpl. William W.
Stewart, Sgt. James H. Grant, Sgt. Henry E. Orzynski, Sgt. Allen Evans, Sgt. Kenneth M.
Duncan, and Cpl. Edward E. Hale. Six enlisted men have been assigned to this squadron
from the 12th Bomb Group per order of Feb 8th: PFC Robert P. Biscailuz, Pvt. Charles H.
Cousens, S/Sgt. George E. Durking, T/Sgt. Julius W. Ikner, S/Sgt. Charles D. Noyes, and

Sgt. Leland H. Smith.

Biscailuz, Robert P., PFC, armament Bower, Leslie E., S/Sgt, engineering

Boyd, Robert J., S/Sgt, gunner Cousens, Charles H., Pvt, armament

Duncan, Kenneth M., Sgt, armament Durking, George E., S/Sgt, gunner

Evans, Allen, Sgt, bombardier Grant, James H., Sgt, gunner

Hale, Edward E., Cpl, photographer Ikner, Julius W., T/Sgt

Moomaw, Otis W., S/Sgt, gunner Noyes, Charles D., S/Sgt, gunner

Orzynski, Henry E., Sgt, gunner Parisi, Joseph J., Sgt, photographer

Payne, Leonard T., Sgt, gunner Schwartz, Arthur, Sgt, gunner

Smith, Leland H., Sgt, gunner Stewart, William W., Cpl, bombardier

Zacharya, Andrew, Sgt, gunner

448th BS War Diary: No Entry

Friday, 11 February 1944

USAAF Chronology: MTO Tactical Operations (12th AF): No Tactical Operations.

445th BS War Diary: It was rainy and very windy most of the day. No mission was
scheduled and a number of enlisted Men and Officers took off on a hunting trip in the
mountains around San Giovanni. They returned late a night after a fruitless hunt. Two
deer expeditions by Squadron personnel have both proved fruitless and the current box
score is no runs, no hits, no deer.

446th BS War Diary: Mail Call in the afternoon.

446th BS Mission Summary: No Missions

447th BS War Diary: Mission cancelled due to weather condition. A copy of the
summary on censorship regulation, prepared by Captain Robert W. Manly, was
distributed to all enlisted men. 2nd Lt. Graham K. Muirhead, bombardier on Lt. Baxter’s
(plane which was hit on 26 October 1943 over Salonika, Greece and who then was
interned in a neutral country), returned to the squadron from interrogation.

Baxter, Lt, pilot Manly, Robert W., Capt, intelligence

Muirhead, Graham K., Lt, bombardier

448th BS War Diary: No Entry

Saturday, 12 February 1944

USAAF Chronology: MTO Tactical Operations (12th AF): In Italy, B-25s attack gun
positions at Campoleone and the surrounding area; B-26s hit Cecina; A-36s hit aircraft
and trucks on the landing ground and in the area near Fahrica di Rorila, attack troops in
the area, bomb gun positions SW of Roccasecca, and hit the towns of Fondi and Lanuvio;
P-40s attack Gisterna di Roma, Sezze station and road junction, Cori and gun positions
NW of Atina. HQ 61st Troop Carrier Group and 14th and 15th Troop Carrier Squadrons
begin a movement from Sciacca, Sicily to England with C-47s. HQ 62nd Troop Carrier
Group and 7th Troop Carrier Squadron move from Ponte Olivo, Sicily to Brindisi, Italy
with C-47s.

445th BS War Diary: There was a meeting for all engineer-gunners today and Sgt.
Hetland gave a lecture on the electrical system of the B-25. The men who took part in
the deer hunt yesterday offered the excuse that “poor weather prevented good hunting”.
They were roundly razzed by many of the men – all in good fun of course. There was a
mail call today and steak was served for supper. An excellent double feature movie was
shown in the enlisted men’s mess at night. “Flight for Freedom” with Rosalind Russell
and “Andy Hardy’s Double Life” were the shows. Very cold weather made it very
uncomfortable for the few men who turned out to see the movies.

Hetland, Arthur M., Jr., Sgt, engineering

446th BS War Diary: Beautiful day. PX and two mail calls shoot the morale skyward.

446th BS Mission Summary: No Missions

447th BS War Diary: Mission was cancelled due to weather condition. The following
officers and E/M were relieved from assignment, and reassigned to the Personnel Center
No. 1 for transshipment to the U.S. per orders dated Feb. 11, 1944: 1st Lt. Ernest P.
Dusek, 1st Lt. Harold K. Paiton, 2nd Lt. Lloyd G. Anderson, S/Sgt. Anagar E. Clausen,
and S/Sgt. Robert E. Armstrong. Cpl. Robert C. Stokes was taken to the 55th Station
Hospital. 2nd Lt. William A. Bryant has been taken to the hospital. A showdown
inspection, took place this morning, of all clothing and equipment. Morning report for
the week ending Feb. 12: Officers 59 E/M 267. A meeting of all section-heads was
called by Major Sampson in order to discuss plans for another move.

Anderson, Lloyd G., Lt, pilot Armstrong, Robert E., S/Sgt, gunner

Bryant, William A., Lt, pilot Clausen, Anagar E., S/Sgt

Dusek, Ernest P., Lt, pilot Paiton, Harold K., Lt, navigator

Sampson, Raymond D., Maj, pilot Stokes, Robert C., Cpl, gunner

448th BS War Diary: No Entry

Sunday, 13 February 1944

USAAF Chronology: MTO Tactical Operations (12th AF): In Italy, B-26s bomb the
Bucine viaduct; B-25s and A-20s support Fifth Army forces N and E of the Anzio
beachhead, blasting an ammunition dump and troop and vehicle concentrations; P-40 and
A-36 fighter-bombers give support in the same areas, hitting troop concentrations, a
railway tunnel, buildings, vehicles, a supply dump, and gun positions. Units moving
from Sicily to England: HQ 52nd Troop Carrier Wing from Agrigento; HQ 314th Troop
Carrier Group and 32nd Troop Carrier Squadron from Castelvetrano with C-47s.

445th BS War Diary: Lt. Frey, co-pilot on the plane which was shot down by enemy
fighters off Greece on Oct. 8, returned to the Squadron tonight. He was in the same crew
with Sgt. Flynn. It was clear today but very cold and the mission was cancelled. There
was a large mail call this afternoon and most everyone cashed in with at least a few
letters. Spaghetti and meat balls was served for supper, the outstanding meal of the day.

Flynn, Thomas H., Sgt, gunner Frey, Ernest Z., Lt, pilot

446th BS War Diary: Snow in the morning. Two mail calls.

446th BS Mission Summary: No Missions

447th BS War Diary: A mission was scheduled, but cancelled due to weather condition.
Cpl. Clifton W. Cooper has been transferred to the 421st Signal Co. per special order #38
from the XII Air Force. Cpl. Patrick H. Holland has been reassigned to the squadron
from Personnel Center 7B. Cpl. Robert D. Leon, who was interned in a neutral country
after a raid over Salonika, Greece on October 26 in the same plane as Lt. Muirhead, has
returned to the squadron for interrogation.

Cooper, Clifton W., Cpl, communications Holland, Patrick H., Cpl, engineering

Leon, Robert D., Cpl, photographer Muirhead, Graham K., Lt, bombardier

448th BS War Diary: No Entry

Monday, 14 February 1944

USAAF Chronology: MTO Tactical Operations (12th AF): The Twelfth Air Force
loses several of its operational units, the 12th Bombardment Group (Medium) and 33rd
and 81st Fighter Groups being moved to India, and the 52nd Troop Carrier Wing and its 4
groups being sent to England. In Italy, B-25s bomb the Perugia marshalling yard, A-20's
hit Grottaferrata; A-36s attack guns in the Pontecorvo area, railway yards at Civita
Castellana and Frosinone, motor transport near Genzano di Roma, airfield at Furbara, and
Ferentino railway station, some of the missions being in direct support of the US Fifth
Army main front; P-40s bomb and strafe troop concentrations N and E of the Anzio
beachhead, scoring hits on tanks, motor transport and guns near Cisterna di Roma, Cori
and Rocca di Papa; P-47s hit Colleferro and dump at Valmontone; P-40s score direct hits
on a vessel and fuel dump in the Rogoznica area. 92nd Fighter Squadron, 81st Fighter
Group, begins a movement from Capodichino, Italy to India.

445th BS War Diary: Another plane was assigned to this Squadron from the 12th Bomb
Group. Another flight was made to Termoli to take more parts up to plane 55o and to
check on its condition. There was a test flight flown and a flight went to Guado air strip
to ferry a newly-assigned plane to the Squadron. Today is St. Valentine’s Day and some
of the men received very nice valentines from the wife, and sweetheart, in a very large
mail call today. Pork chops was the meal of the day served at supper.

446th BS War Diary: Successful mission and mail call. Lts. Boulton, Brown, Hinderer,
Rigling, Riordan, and Topham, and Sgts. Leahy and R. W. Smith get their travel orders.

Boulton, Richard E., Lt, pilot

Brown, John R., Lt, bombardier or Brown, Aud W., Lt, pilot

Hinderer, Robert H., Lt, pilot Leahy, Richard P., Sgt, gunner

Rigling, Samuel, Jr., Lt, pilot Riordan, Roland C., Lt, pilot

Smith, Roy W., Sgt, gunner Topham, Arthur H., Lt, pilot

446th BS Mission Summary: Squadron Mission 174

TARGET: Perugia M/Y, Italy. DATE: 14 Feb 1944

Type of Bombs: 1000 lb. 446th Planes: 9

Lt. Col. Schwane led the formation. Concentration of bombs on east end of yards,
believed to have cut choke points. Track to Foligno cut between choke point and bridge.
Some bombs fell north and some south of the yards. Flak was heavy, moderate,
inaccurate to accurate. No fighters. Third flight of twelve, Lt Bsharah leading returned
early. Unable to find target, or formation.

Bsharah, Phillip, Lt, pilot Schwane, Henry H., Lt Col, pilot

447th BS War Diary: Nine planes and crews of this squadron were scheduled to
participate on a raid of Perugia M/Y in Italy. Lt Langston in 997 crashed on the take-off
when the left tire blew out. No one was injured, but the plane was a total loss. The rest
of the planes completed the mission. The AA was intense, heavy and accurate. Several
planes were slightly damaged. No E/A attempted to intercept. Captain Myron Gale has
been promoted to Major as of Feb 12th. 1st Lt. Edward F. Becker has been promoted to

Monday, 14 February 1944 (continued)

Captain as of Feb. 12th. The following E/M have been transferred to the 340th Bomb
Group: Sgt. Don E. Braden, S/Sgt. Charles W. Currier, S/Sgt. J.H. Keller, S/Sgt.Dana H.

Craig, S/Sgt. George E. Durking, and Sgt. Julius W. Ikner. Pvt. Buford L. Williams has
been assigned to this squadron per order of the 12th A.F. dated Feb 12th. S/Sgt. Theodore
M. Fisher has been assigned to this squadron per order of the 12th Bomb Group dated
Feb.10th. Sgt. Harry Wanner has been transferred to Detachment of Patients, 61st Station
Hospital. Cpl. Harry D. Kitchen was discharged from the 61st Station Hospital and
returned to the squadron. Lt. J.J. Nowakowski forgot to open Bombay doors over the
target. Lt Graham K. Muirhead left on orders for U.S.

Becker, Edward B., Capt, bombardier Braden, Don E., Sgt, gunner

Craig, Dana H., S/Sgt, gunner Currier, Charles W., S/Sgt, gunner

Durking, George E., S/Sgt, gunner Fisher, Theodore M., S/Sgt, gunner

Gale, Myron, Capt, executive Ikner, Julius W., Sgt,

Keller, J.H., S/Sgt, gunner Kitchen, Harry D., Cpl, transportation

Muirhead, Graham K., Lt, bombardier Nowakowski, Joseph J., Lt, pilot

Wanner, Harry, Sgt, armament Williams, Buford T., Pvt, armament

448th BS War Diary: Mission 170 (211). At 12:20 36 planes off to bomb Perugia M/Y,
third flight returned early and 3 others returned early. 21 planes dropped 69 x 1000 and 6
x 1000 delayed bombs from 10,500 feet at 14:00. All down at 15:30, 8 planes holed.
Concentration of bombs on E end of M/Y believed to have cut choke point, tracks to
Foligno cut between choke point and bridge. Smoke covered E end of M/Y after bombs
dropped. Some bombs in fields N and S of yards. 50-60 M/T’s on bridge near Todi, 10-
12 MT’s on road 30 miles S of Rieti. Flak: heavy, moderate and inaccurate. Weather:
CAVU.

Tuesday, 15 February 1944

USAAF Chronology: MTO Tactical Operations (12th AF): In Italy, B-26s and B-25s
bomb the Monte Cassino Benedictine Abbey in support of the New Zealand Corps
assault to establish a bridgehead across the Rapido River S of Cassino; other B-26s bomb
the railroad at Monte Molino and marshalling yard at Montepescali; A-20s attack motor
transport, roads and road junction in the Albano Laziale area and NW of Valmontone; P-
40s bomb concentrations near Cisterna di Roma and dumps in the Valmontone and Rocca
di Papa areas; A-36s hit concentrations N of the Anzio beachhead, strafe trucks and
barracks in the Frosinone-Rieti areas, bomb the Tiburtina and Trastevere marshalling
yards in the Rome area and hit buildings N of Velletri. Units beginning a movement
from Sicily to England with C-47s: 29th Troop Carrier Squadron, 313th Troop Carrier
Group, from Trapani/Milo Airfield; 36th and 37th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 316th Troop
Carrier Group, and 62nd Troop Carrier Squadron, 314th Troop Carrier Group, from
Castelvetrano. 91st Fighter Squadron, 81st Fighter Group begins a movement from
Montecorvino Airfield, Italy to India.

445th BS War Diary: Luxury rations were distributed to the men from 10 A.M. to 2
P.M. The enlisted men’s mess hall was disassembled today in preparation for an
impending move and it was mighty cold eating out in the open tonight. The supper
consisted of fresh stew and was enjoyed by all. Nine enlisted combat crew members
were transferred to the 340th Group, two of our planes being designated to ferry them to
Pompeii where that Group is located. Plane 550 arrived back from Termoli. Capt.
Neumann, Operations Officer; Capt. Lord, Engineering Officer, Sgt. Lockwood and Sgt.
Arceneaux flew up to Guado to have a look at our new base.

Arceneaux, Sgt Lockwood, Patrick B., Sgt, engineering

Lord, Robert O. Jr., Capt, Engineering Officer

Neumann, Robert H., Capt, pilot, Operations Officer

446th BS War Diary: Mission to Cassino, Italy

446th BS Mission Summary: Squadron Mission 175

TARGET: Cassino Abbey, Italy. DATE: 15 Feb 1944

Type of Bombs: 1000 lb. 446th Planes: 2

Capt. DeMay, 447th Sqdn. led the formation. One element claimed direct hits. Others
reported target well covered. Much smoke came from Abbey. Two bursts seen on
northeast slope of hill and some west of target. Due to cloud layers over base, formation
was split, with result that only twelve planes dropped bombs. Flak was heavy, intense,
accurate at target. Three fighters were seen at target, but did not attack. Lt. Kerr did not
take off because of bursted oil line. The following ships returned early because of
weather: Capt. Cooper, Major Hunter, Lt. Brellenthin, Lt. Morris, Lt. Herbert, Lt Walker
and Lt. Dickson.

Brellenthin, Harold R., Lt, pilot Cooper, Paul T., Capt, pilot

DeMay, Kenneth C., Capt, pilot, 447th BS Dickson, Gale M., Lt, pilot

Herbert, John J., Jr., Lt, pilot Hunter, William C., Maj, pilot

Kerr, John C., Lt, pilot Morris, Meade L., Jr., Lt, pilot
Walker, Dale F., Lt, pilot

Tuesday, 15 February 1944 (continued)

447th BS War Diary: Corporal Robert D. Leon was transferred to Personnel Center No.
1 for transshipment to the U.S. Mission was to the monastery at Cassino. 9 of our planes
participated. Capt. DeMay lead this mission. Flying conditions were very difficult.
Several planes got lost in the clouds and some loaded up with ice and had to fall out since
we have no de-icing equipment on any of our planes. The first flight lead by Capt
DeMay hit the target. 7 of our planes and 2 of another squadron made up the first flight.
The second flight thought we bombed the wrong target. They held their bombs. The
447th, single handed, destroyed the monastery and won the praise of TBF noted below.
All heavy groups and the 340 missed the target but got pictures of our damage. No
planes were lost and no one was badly hurt. Lt. Edwards’ plane made a single engine
landing at Pompeii but returned to the squadron later in the day.

DeMay, Kenneth C., Capt, pilot Edwards, Lyle L., Lt, pilot

Leon, Robert D., Cpl, photographer

448th BS War Diary: No Entry

Wednesday, 16 February 1944

USAAF Chronology: MTO Tactical Operations (12th AF): In Italy, B-25s bomb the
Orte marshalling yard and attack the Campoleone area; B-26s bomb San Stefano al Mare
and hit the area near the Perugia railroad bridge, a bridge N of Orvieto, a factory near the
Marsciano bridge and a bridge at Albinia Station; A-20s, with RAF and South African
Air Force (SAAF) Baltimores and Spitfires, hit concentrations in the Anzio battle area;
A-36s bomb the Rome/Tiburtina and Rome/Ostiense marshalling yards in the Rome area;
P-40s attack Monte Cassino Abbey, pound tanks, trucks, and troop concentrations along
the US Fifth Army front, and hit the towns of Fondi and Roccasecca; fighters over Anzio
encounter increased air effort in conjunction with an all-out ground offensive against the
Allied beachhead. 61st Troop Carrier Squadron, 314th Troop Carrier Group, begins a
movement from Castelvetrano, Sicily to England with C-47s.

445th BS War Diary: Most of the sections are packing up in preparation for the move to
Guado air strip. Some of the planes are being ferried up to the new base with the line
personnel accompanying them. Luxury rations were again distributed to the men today.
Steak, potatoes and gravy were the highlights in this evening’s supper.

446th BS War Diary: Sgt. Harry Green and Sgt. Skill fly their 50th.

Green, Harry M., Sgt, gunner Skill, Donald H., Sgt, gunner

446th BS Mission Summary: Squadron Mission 176

TARGET: Orte M/Y, Italy. DATE: 16 Feb 1944

Type of Bombs: 1000 lb. 446th Planes: 7

F/O Sowder, 448th Sqdn. led the formation. Bombs widely scattered on both east and
west side of yards. Some bombs reported across middle of yards and on both north and
south choke points. Eight unidentified aircraft seen. Thought to be hostile, but did not
attack. Flak was heavy, moderate and accurate. Seven planes holed. Lt. Brellenthin was
a spare, and filled in, completing the mission.

Brellenthin, Harold R., Lt, pilot Sowder, Tony K., Lt, pilot, 448th BS

447th BS War Diary: Six of our planes participated in a raid on Orte M/Y. Bombs fell
widely scattered both E and W of yards. However, bursts were reported across middle of
yards and on both N and S choke points, along W side of yards, and on tracks running W
of N choke points. A copy of the following teletype from T.B.F. appeared on the
squadron bulletin board: From: T.B.F. TO: 321 Bomb Gp. “Ground observers
witnessing attacks on Monte Cassino today unanimously agree that of all attacks,
including four B-17 groups, the medium stole the show. Congratulations to all
concerned.” S/Sgt. Douglas M. Barnett as taken to the 61st Station Hospital. Lt. Beal
lead an advance eschelon to our new field, Gaudo L/G.

Barnett, Douglas M., S/Sgt Beal, Joseph L., Lt, executive

Wednesday, 16 February 1944 (continued)

448th BS War Diary: Mission 171 (213). At 10:36 24 planes off to bomb Orte M/Y and
dropped 79 x 1000 and 3 x 1000 delayed bombs at 11,000 feet at 12:10. All returned at
13:50, 7 planes holed. Some widely spread bombs scattered on both E and W side of
M/Y, however bursts reported across middle of M/Y and on N and S choke point along
W side of yard and on tracks W of N choke point. 50-60 M/Ts at Terni, 10-12 at
Avezzano, 40-50 at Magliano M/Y. Flak: Heavy, moderate and accurate from Sarra,
Isola and Alvito. Weather: 5/10th Strato Cumulus, at 9000. F/L: Sowder.

Sowder, Tony K., Lt, pilot

Thursday, 17 February 1944

USAAF Chronology: MTO Tactical Operations (12th AF): In Italy, B-25s bomb the
Campoleone and Lanuvio area, B-25s hit dumps SW of Rome and N of Anzio, and also
hit guns nearby; A-20s blast a dump and troop concentrations in the Anzio area; P-47s
bomb dumps near Valmontone; A-36s hit Carroceto, concentrations SE of Rome, and a
railroad underpass and a factory N of Anzio; P-40s blast enemy transport, guns, and
assembly areas N of Cisterna di Latina, trucks N of Anzio and N of the beachhead
battleline, railroad stations at Campoleone and Carroceto, and bivouac areas, dumps, a
factory, and bridge in the battle area; this entire air effort (the heaviest to date in support
of troops) is aimed at helping prevent a breakthrough at the beachhead, where the
Germans are committed to a full-strength counter- offensive; A-36s bomb Monte Cassino
Abbey in the only air action on the US Fifth Army main front. Detachment of 23d
Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 5th Photographic Reconnaissance Group,
operating from San Servero, Italy with F-5, returns to base at Alghero, Sardinia.

445th BS War Diary: The sections in the Squadron continued to pack up their
equipment for the move to Guado. Weather conditions were very poor for flying but tow
attempts were made to take off for a mission designed to aid the hard-pressed Allied
troops who are presently fighting off determined German attacks. The planes took off for
the mission in early afternoon and due to poor visibility, this Squadron’s flight was lost.
It eventually landed at the new base at Guado. The combat crews in these ships stayed at
the new base overnight, sleeping in the Group Operations building and drawing blankets
from Quartermaster. An advance party was sent by truck to Guado. It consisted mostly
of line personnel. Two more planes were ferried to Guado. The majority of Squadron
personnel are still at Vincenzo and they enjoyed the hamburger supper very much.

446th BS War Diary: The move in the new base in the Salerno area begins. We fly two
missions.

446th BS Mission Summary: Squadron Mission 177

TARGET: Troop Concentrations one mile south of Albano. DATE: 17 Feb 1944

Type of Bombs: 20 lb. Frags. 446th Planes: 6

F/O Vallery, 445th Sqdn. led the formation. Scattered hits reported through entire target
area, with some bursts behind gun positions firing towards beach-head. Only the second
flight dropped their bombs. The first flight turned back and landed at Gaudo L/G because
of weather. Flak was heavy, slight to moderate, inaccurate. One plane holed. No fighters.

Vallery, Dean B., Lt, pilot, 445th BS

447th BS War Diary: Five of our planes participated in a raid on enemy troops at F-
875452. Scattered hits were reported through entire target area with some bombs bursting
behind gun positions firing at beachhead. Other hits reported on small buildings in area
and on road running N/W. Preparations are being made for our departure to a new base.

Thursday, 17 February 1944 (continued)

448th BS War Diary: Mission 172 (214). At 13:55 24 planes off to bomb troop
concentration at F875452. 12 planes dropped 742 Frags at 15:30 from 11,000 feet. 12
planes returned at 17:30 and 12 planes down at Guado A/D. One plane hit. Scattered
hits reported through entire target area with some bombs bursting behind gun positions
firing toward beachhead. Other hits reported on some small buildings in area and on road
running NW. Flak: slight to moderate inaccurate at target, also heavy, moderate accurate
flak from Albano to coast. Weather: 4/10th Cumulus at 8,000 feet. F/L: Stokes.

Stokes, George M., Lt, pilot or Stokes, Lewis S., Capt, pilot

Friday, 18 February 1944

USAAF Chronology: MTO Tactical Operations (12th AF): In Italy, A-20s hit a
troop concentration near Piedimonte; XII Air Support Command P-40s and A-36s fly 17
missions in support of US Fifth Army troops resisting the German counter-offensive
which reaches its deepest penetration into the Anzio beachhead on this day; objectives
include tanks, vehicles, gun positions, troop concentrations, and a railroad underpass
along the Anzio-Albano Laziale axis; fighters over Anzio successfully intercept air
strikes on the beachhead; New Zealand troops capture Cassino Station. HQ 321st
Bombardment Group (Medium) and 445th, 446th, 447th and 448th Bombardment
Squadrons (Medium) move from Vincenzo Airfield to Gaudo Airfield, Italy with B-25s.

445th BS War Diary: A number of the men moved up to Guado air strip today. The
area there is beginning to take shape. The mess hut is erected and there are a few
pyramidals springing up. Four planes were sent to ferry combat personnel to Guado, and
a few more aircraft arrived at the new base which is situated about 10 miles south of
Battipaglia, some two miles from the Tyrrhenian Sea which can be easily seen in the
distance. A mission was flown today, the men taking off from Vincenzo and landing a
Guado. Due to bad weather conditions, Lt. Wetherbee nearly got lost on his way back
from the target. The thick overcast made flying very hazardous. The planes with landed
at Guado yesterday returned to Vincenzo today with some of the Officers going along.
The combat crews with were left slept in the Group Operations building and also in the
Armament and Engineering buildings on the line. Trucks from the Service Group aided
in the movement. One of the trucks carrying Capt. Underwood and some of his
equipment met with an accident near Ariano Irpino and the Captain was force to stay
overnight at that town.

Underwood, James H., Capt, bombardier Wetherbee, Dan A., Lt, pilot

446th BS War Diary: Lots of mail—more moving to Guado L/S in Salerno region, a trip
of 90 miles.

446th BS Mission Summary: Squadron Mission 178

TARGET: Campoleone Station Area, Italy. DATE: 18 Feb 1944

Type of Bombs: 20 lb. Frags. 446th Planes: 6

Capt. Cooper led the formation. Target had a 0/10 coverage. Airplanes took off from
Vincenzo and landed at Guado. No flak. No fighters.

Cooper, Paul T., Capt, pilot

447th BS War Diary: Nine planes were scheduled for a mission on Compolione Station
Area. No bombs were dropped due to complete coverage of target. Planes landed at
Gaudo L/G. 2nd Lt. William A. Bryant was taken to the hospital. Sgt. E.G. Holm and
PFC John C. Jablonsky were taken to the 61st Station Hospital. Most tents were struck
and they and the bulk of the personnel left by plane and truck for the new base. Lt.
Haynes took off from Vincenzo on a shuttle trip found his nose wheel was twisted. He
flew in the traffic pattern until he transferred baggage to the tail and then made a
successful landing on his tail.

Friday, 18 February 1944 (continued)

Bryant, William A., Lt, pilot Haynes, Eldon R., Lt, pilot

Holm, Edward G., Sgt, engineering Jablonsky, John C., PFC, engineering

448th BS War Diary: Mission 173 (215). At 11:55 24 planes off to bomb Campoleone
Station area but weather prevented dropping bombs. All planes down at new base at
14:25. No observations. F/L: Stokes.

Stokes, George M., Lt, pilot or Stokes, Lewis S., Capt, pilot

Saturday, 19 February 1944

USAAF Chronology: MTO Tactical Operations (12th AF): Colonel Peter S Rask
becomes acting Commanding Officer of the XII Troop Carrier Command (Provisional)
until its disbandment on 5 Mar 44. In Italy, B-25s blast troop concentrations to the N of
Anzio beachhead; A-36s and P-40s keep troops, tanks, and motor transport in the
beachhead battle area under attack, flying 200+ sorties in 20+ missions as an Allied
counterattack turns the tide of battle; fighters maintain control over the N part of the
battle area.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

321st BG: Mission NO: 217 Date: 19 Feb 44 NO A/C: 24

Squadrons: 445-6 447-5

446-6 448-7

Target: Troop concentration at F-9037

Time OFF: 1500 T.O.T.: 1615 Time Down: 1707

Axis of Attack: 358° Height: 11,000/11,500’.

Planes Lost: 1 crash landed at Pompeii, burned, crew safe Planes Holed: 17

Bombs Dropped: 1542x20 frags.

Escort:

Route: N-1914 to L-694 to target, break left cross coast to F-6445 to F-4030 to base.

Weather: Enroute and Return: 6/10 altostratus at 15,000’. Vis. Hazy, 15 miles.

Target: CAVU with haze.

Flak: Heavy, intense, accurate from target to coast, barrage and tracking. 4 guns at

F-8834

Enemy Air: 6 ME-109’s seen at target 1000 feet below formation heading S., one was
black and another mottled yellow colored.

Claims: None

Results: Crews report excellent coverage of target area. Some bombs carried across
road N. of pinpoint.

Observation: None

Flight Leaders: Capt. Freeland and Capt. Strenger.

Number of Sorties: 24 Photos Taken:

Signed: S. P. Neprash, 1st Lt., Air Corps, Ass’t Intelligence Officer.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Saturday, 19 February 1944 (continued)

445th BS War Diary: Some of the sectional tents are beginning to take shape. The
Statistical tent was erected and the framework and flooring for the Operations-S-2 tent
was set up but it was too windy to put the big wall tent up. Two missions were flown
today, both to the beachhead at Anzio and both were very “rough”. Two planes were lost
on the morning’s mission and several of the combat crews were shot up by the intense
flak barrage. The returning crews from the missions today were greeted by a blonde,
lovely Red Cross girl distributing doughnuts. Some more of the ground personnel came
up by truck today but poor weather conditions prevented and planes or crews to proceed
to the new base. A brick building which is to be the Officer’s Club is being constructed
in the area.

A/C No. 42-32321

A/C No. 42-87448

Strenger, Marshall C., Capt

Tarmichael, Arthur J., 1Lt

Charville, Leighton D. “Danny”, 2Lt

Sharp, Kenneth R., 2Lt

None

Kauric, William J., 1Lt

Maughan, George W., 2Lt

Donagan, J B., S/Sgt

Weaver, D. W., Cpl

Ehler, Leon J. H., S/Sgt

Wilson, John P., T/Sgt

Forbes, Robert W., S/Sgt

Reddy, John E., S/Sgt

None

A/C No. 41-12129

A/C No. 42-64527

Gifford, Frank, 1Lt

Wetherbee, Dan A., 1Lt

Russell, Lawrence L., 2Lt

Shynshka, Lubomier P., 2Lt

None

Fischer, Sigmond M., 2Lt

Monk, William, 2Lt

Souders, Walter E., 1Lt

Chambers, Jimmie, Sgt

Cross, Vassil W., S/Sgt

Lysowski, R. A., S/Sgt

Stein, Louis, T/Sgt

Tarr, Charles F., Jr., S/Sgt

Beaudware, Leo J., S/Sgt

None

A/C No. 42-87445

A/C No. 42-87440

Newkirk, R. R., 2Lt

Thomas, John J., 2Lt

Coale, Julian R., 2Lt

Schiff, Frederick, 2Lt

None

Ferney, W A., 2Lt

Paul, V. L., 2Lt

Isbell, Everett N., Cpl

Thibodeau, Leo J., Sgt

Maddox, Richard L., T/Sgt

Woogerd, Warren G., T/Sgt

Henrich, James G., Sgt

McClary, Louis E., Sgt

Petter, J. M., Sgt

None

Saturday, 19 February 1944 (continued)

446th BS War Diary: The squadron suffered a disastrous day when one of our ships was
lost on the first of two missions. Lt. Brellenthin was pilot of the ill-fated plane that
crashed in the water off the Anzio beach-head. Lt. Burgess was co-pilot and the other
crew members were T/Sgt “Spike” Kendall, S/Sgt. Bedwell, S/Sgt Blake, S/Sgt Motika,
and S/Sgt Parrish. Two other of our ships were severely damaged beyond repair. S/Sgt
Martin was hospitalized because of a flak wound. This was our first day of operation
from the new base.

Bedwell, Joy L., S/Sgt, gunner Blake, Charles H., S/Sgt, photographer

Brellenthin, Harold R., Lt, pilot Burgess, Robert P., Lt, pilot

Kendall, Charles C., “Spike”, T/Sgt, radio-gunner Martin, Edward F., S/Sgt, gunner

Motika, John F., S/Sgt, engineer-gunner Parrish, William W., S/Sgt, gunner

446th BS Mission Summary: Squadron Mission 179

TARGET: Troop Concentration at Map Ref. F-9037 DATE: 19 Feb 1944

Type of Bombs: 20 lb. Frags. 446th Planes: 6

Capt. Frazer, 447th Sqdn. led the formation. Target area reported well covered. Two
planes were lost and one missing (Lt. Brellenthin and crew). Flak was heavy and light,
intense and accurate. Fourteen planes were holed. Groups of 6/8 to 15/20 E/A attacked
in pairs after leaving target. ME-109’s, FW-190’s and one ME-210 and Vacchi 202
reported—ME’s in majority. Most attacked from rear, and some ME-109’s attacked near
the target after dive-bombing. Seven ME-109’s and two FW-190’s destroyed. Two ME-
109’s probably destroyed. Lt. Brellenthin and crew missing. A report from a British
hospital ship states that the plane crashed into the water on one wing, to avoid hitting the
vessel. A life boat was lowered, but only one survivor was picked up, S/Sgt Parrish, who
was unconscious, and despite artificial respiration never gained consciousness. Lt Hurley
crash-landed at home base with the hydraulic system shot out and one rudder shot away.
S/Sgt E.F. Martin was hit in the leg by 20mm shell fire and was hospitalized. Major
Hunter came back with one rudder shot away. Lt. Walker was a spare, and returned early.
Claims:

S/Sgt Mowry, M.L.S. (Michael) Eng-Gunner 1 FW-190

S/Sgt Leary, Edward M. Radio-Gunner 1 ME-109

T/Sgt Fontenot, V.L. Radio-Gunner 1 ME-109

S/Sgt Thomas, Patrick Gunner 1 ME-109

S/Sgt Brawn, Jean H. Eng-Gunner 1 ME-109 (probable)

S/Sgt Brandoff, Daniel Gunner 1 ME-109

Brellenthin, Harold R., Lt, pilot Frazer, Harry A., Jr, Capt, pilot, 447th BS

Hunter, William C., Maj, pilot Hurley, John R., Lt, pilot

Parrish, William W., S/Sgt, gunner Walker, Dale F., Lt, pilot

Saturday, 19 February 1944 (continued)

A/C No. unknown crashed in sea

Brellenthin, Harold, R., 2Lt

Burgess, Robert P., 2Lt

None

Bedwell, Joy L., S/Sgt

Motika, John F., S/Sgt

Kendall, Charles C., “Spike”, T/Sgt

Parrish, William W., S/Sgt

Blake, Charles H., S/Sgt

446th BS Mission Summary: Squadron Mission 180

TARGET: Troop Concentration at Map Ref. F-9037 DATE: 19 Feb 1944

Type of Bombs: 20 lb. Frags. 446th Planes: 6

Lt Freeland 448th Sqdn. led the formation. Excellent coverage of target area reported.
Flak was heavy, intense, accurate from target to coast, barrage and tracking. Six ME-
109’s were seen but did not attack. Lt. Herbert crash-landed at Pompeii. One engine was
hit coming off the target, and the prop had to be feathered. On the final approach for the
landing at Pompeii, the other engine gave out, and a dead stick landing was made. The
crew got out safely, but the plane burned. Lt. Reynolds, bombardier of another plane,
was hit in the face by shattered glass.

Freeland, Levi Z., Jr., Lt, pilot 448thBS Herbert, John J., Jr., Lt, pilot

Reynolds, Laverne E., Lt, bombardier

A/C No. 42-64547

A/C No. 41-30000

Dickson, Gale M., 1Lt

Kerr, John C., 1Lt

Hawkes, Leon R., 2Lt

Ritger, Frederick C., 2Lt

None

Franklin, Arthur E., 2Lt

Wotkowicz, Frank J., 2Lt

Gawrada, Gabriel P., 2Lt

Schreiner, Lester B., Sgt

Franc, John A., S/Sgt

Cohen, George, T/Sgt

McArdle, John R., S/Sgt

Samsel, John C., S/Sgt

Ciach, Stanislaus, Sgt

None

A/C No. 42-64509

A/C No. 42-32446

Walker, Dale F., 1Lt

Bsharah, Phillip, 2Lt

Othick, Ronald R., 2Lt

Church, Edwin A., 2Lt

None

Turner, Allen B., S/Sgt

Reynolds, Laverne E., 2Lt

Hanley, James, Jr., S/Sgt

Britton, William W., Jr., Sgt

Youngblood, Woodrow W., S/Sgt

Todd, Alfred J., T/Sgt

Velarde, Servando J., Jr., S/Sgt

Schultheis, Thomas R., S/Sgt

None

Tissier, Rene G., Cpl

Saturday, 19 February 1944 (continued)

A/C No. 41-121760

A/C No. 42-64520 (Crashed at Pompeii)

LeClair, Edward R., 2Lt

Herbert, John J., 2Lt

Hodges, Richard E., 2Lt

Vivas, Frank Paul, 2Lt

None

Rice, Sumner W., 2Lt

Mayo, Jack D., 2Lt

Clickner, Albert H., S/Sgt

Clay, Donald W., Sgt

Leary, Edward M., S/Sgt

Green, Salem M., S/Sgt

DeBari, Dominick R., S/Sgt

Lorentson, Edward H., Sgt

None

447th BS War Diary: Two missions were scheduled for today on enemy troops at F-
9037. The first mission took-off at 0820 hours with six planes participating. Lt Baker in
plane 493 was shot down over the target by flak. Lts. Mims, McCaleb, S/Sgt. Zacharya,
S/Sgt. Mathews, S/Sgt. Oransky, S/Sgt. Blass, and PFC Austin were all wounded and all
planes were hit sufficiently to warrant a few days repair. Both Lt. Ryherd and Lt.
Edwards landed at friendly fields, Pomigliano and Cerecola respectively, at Naples to
discharge the wounded men on their planes. Lt. Edwards’ ship was badly shot up and
may be salvaged. The target area was reported well covered with one string seen
crossing the river just S of R.R. Other bombs along R.R. tracks. The following crew in
plane 493 was shot down over target: 1st Lt. Gordon G. Baker, 2nd Lt. Harvey A. Dean,
S/Sgts. Allen Evans, Paul S. Baringer, James M. Crowell, and T/Sgt. Otis W. Moomaw.
The plane was hit in the left engine just after the target. It made a 360 degree turn to the
left and then straightened out on a course of about 30 degrees toward Rome. It crashed
and exploded about F-6555. From one to four chutes were reported seen. The second
mission for the day took-off at 1500 hours. Five planes participated and the crews
reported excellent coverage of target, which was the same point, with some bombs across

road N of pinpoint. Capt. McFadden was flight leader. A convoy of trucks with
personnel and equipment left our Foggia base (Vincenzo) for our new base (Gaudo L/G).

A/C No. 493 shot down

Baker, Gordon G., 1Lt

Dean, Harvey A., 2Lt

None

Evans, Allen, S/Sgt

Baringer, Paul S., S/Sgt

Crowell, James, M., Jr., S/Sgt

Moomaw, Otis W., T/Sgt

None

Three of our planes 775, 546, and 413 were lost while on shuttle service between
Vincenzo and Gaudo. As yet no detailed information has been secured. Lt. DeMay in
775 has not been found. Lt. Bryant in 546 crashed just east of our runway at Vincenzo
near the 57 Station Hospital. He had turned back from the flight to Gaudo when
instrument conditions developed and had come in for a landing but may have been cut

Saturday, 19 February 1944 (continued)

out by a P-38. He pulled up, mushing along trying to gain flying speed and then spun in.
It is probable that one engine cut out. Two men, Sgts. Harris and Keech were alive and
taken to the hospital. Sgt. Keech died soon after but Sgt. Harris who has a fractured skull
seems to have a chance to pull through. Lt. Toltzman in 413 exploded in air and crashed
into Lake Lesina north of Foggia. All aboard were killed. Capt. Olson was also on this
shuttle flight. He had trouble when his plane iced up over the mountains. His plane went
into a spin but he was able to pull it out and return to Vincenzo.

Austin, James W., Jr., PFC, gunner Baker, Gordon G., 1Lt, pilot

Baringer, Paul S., S/Sgt, gunner Blass, S/Sgt,

Crowell, James, M., Jr., S/Sgt, gunner Dean, Harvey A., 2Lt, pilot

Edwards, Lyle L., Lt, pilot Evans, Allen, S/Sgt, bombardier

Harris, Jack J., Sgt, or Harris, Price F., Sgt

Mathews, William E., S/Sgt, gunner McCaleb, Harold G., Lt, bombardier

McFadden, Kenneth L., Capt, pilot Mims, Nathan, Lt, pilot

Moomaw, Otis W., T/Sgt, gunner Olson, Robert C., Capt, pilot

Oransky, Jarrold S., S/Sgt, communications Ryherd, Fred E., Lt, pilot

Zacharya, Andrew, S/Sgt, gunner

A/C No. 775 shot down

A/C No. 413 shot down

DeMay, Kenneth C., Capt

Toltzman, William J., 1Lt,

Allender, Darrel W., Cpl

Orfila, Frank T., T/Sgt

Kaiser, Jacob, Jr., Sgt

Atkinson, Elmer S., Sgt

Pearson, Stanley O., Sgt

Brandt, George F., Sgt,

Lee, James P., Cpl

Edwards, Earl W., Pvt

Cooper, Raymond C., S/Sgt

Nowakowski, Ollie D, T/Sgt

Cheatle, Walter J., Sgt

A/C No. 546 shot down

Bryant, William A., 2Lt,

Keech, Ray K., Sgt

Seery, Edward B., T/Sgt

Eckenrod, Garnet M., S/Sgt

Duval, Kenneth F., Sgt

Wildman, William G., Cpl

448th BS War Diary: Mission 174 (216). At 08:20 24 planes off to bomb troop
concentration 200 yards N and S of F9037 and dropped 1162 Frags at 09:45 from 10,500
feet. 14 planes holed and 2 planes shot down one by flak and one by flak and E/A and
one plane missing (one plane down in water approximately 41° 40’ N and 12° 15’ E 3 or
4 persons seen in water, dingy dropped by another plane, one plane show down about
F7550 three chutes seen from some plane). Plane that landed in water piloted by Lt.
Annear, crew: Kuykendall, Zinkand, Morris, Tudor and Nesbit. Three officers were

Saturday, 19 February 1944 (continued)

picked up by English crash boat 182. To date word has been received that Sgt. Tudor is
in Allied Hospital, not word of Morris and Nesbit. Target area well covered with one
string observed crossing bend in river just N of F9037 and S of RR. Saw bombs along
RR tracks just W of target. Groups of 6-8 and from 15-20 E/A reported over and after
leaving target attacking in pairs. ME-109’s, FW-190’s, one ME-210 and MA-282
reported. Most attacks from rear and one tactic was for one plane to come from 6 o’clock
level, hanging back while another dove from 7 o’clock, from above. Some Me’s attacked
after diving. Group claims 7 Me-109’s destroyed 2 FW-190’s destroyed, 2 ME-109’s
damaged. In 448 Sgt. Mauder claimed 2 ME-109’s, Sgt Coleman one, Van Cura one and
Chosta one FW-190. Flak: Heavy, intense and accurate from bomb line to target and out
to coast, barrage type. Weather: CAVU at target.

Coleman, Warren H., Sgt, gunner or Coleman, Smith B., Sgt, gunner

Chosta, Louis, Sgt, gunner Kuykendall, James W., Lt, pilot

Mauder, Charles J., Sgt, gunner Van Cura, Edward W., Sgt, gunner

A/C No. unknown shot down

Annear, Warren R., 2Lt

Kuykendall, James W., 2Lt

None

Zinkand, Willard T., 2Lt

Morris, Raymond A., Sgt,

or Morris, Raymond J., Sgt

Tudor, Goldburn H., Sgt

Nesbit, Andrew L., Sgt

None

448th BS War Diary: Mission 175 (217). At 15:00 24 planes off to bomb troop
concentration at F9037 and dropped 1542 Frags from 11,000 feet at 16:50. 23 returned at

17:07, one crash landed at Pompeii and burned; crew safe, 17 planes holed. Excellent
coverage of target area, some bombs carried across road N of pin point. 6 ME-109’s seen
heading S but did not attack. Flak: Heavy, intense and accurate. Weather: CAVU with
haze. F/L: Freeland.

Freeland, Levi Z., Jr., Lt, pilot

446th BS Additional Narrative: On February 19th the 446th Squadron suffered one of its
most disastrous days of combat. On the first of two missions a plane piloted by Lt.
Harold R. Brellenthin failed to return to its home base. Word finally reached the
squadron that the plane had made a water landing off the Anzio Beach-head and that only
one body had been recovered. According to a report sent by a hospital ship anchored off
the beach-head, the plane had winged over in order to avert a crash with the hospital ship,
the plane being at so low an altitude that a fatal crash resulted. It was apparent to the
pilot that such action would have to take place in order to avoid endangering the mercy
ship and that the fate of the crew was sealed with Lt. Brellenthin’s brave action. A
launch was sent from the hospital ship and the body of Staff Sgt. William W. Parrish was
the sole member of the crew recovered from the water. Artificial respiration failed to

Saturday, 19 February 1944 (continued)

revive the soldier. Other members of the ill fated plane were: Lt. Robert P. Burgess, co-
pilot, S/Sgt John Motika, engineer, S/Sgt Joy Bedwell, turret gunner, T/Sgt Chas. C.
Kendall, radio-gunner, S/Sgt. Chas Blake, photographer, and S/Sgt William W. Parrish.

Bedwell, Joy L., S/Sgt, gunner Blake, Charles H., S/Sgt, photographer

Brellenthin, Harold R., Lt, pilot Burgess, Robert P., Lt, pilot

Motika, John F., S/Sgt, engineer-gunner Parrish, William W., S/Sgt, gunner

Kendall, Charles C., “Spike”, T/Sgt, radio-gunner

Two of our ships were seriously damaged by flak on this day. A ship piloted by
Lt. John R. Hurley, of Houston, Texas, was “tail-end Charley”, and immediately after
“bombs away” Lt. Hurley felt his ship lurch badly and knew that it had been hit. Fighters
closed in following this event and attacked from the rear and sides. In the ensuing action
a 20 mm shell burst in the pilot’s compartment, causing plexiglass to scatter throughout
the compartment and fragments of glass struck both Lt Hurley and his co-pilot, Lt. Jas.
Chudars in the face. Extreme difficulty was experienced in flying the ship after this and

the fighters kept coming in. S/Sgt Mowry poured several hundred rounds of 50 caliber
ammunition into an attacking fighter and swore that he hit it, but couldn’t verify his claim
because of another fighter’s nearness. Upon circling the home field, Lt. Hurley
discovered that his hydraulics was out and that the landing gear would not come down, so
a crash landing was made with the wheels partly lowered and the bomb-bay doors open
slightly. The ship was found to have been hit in 400 places and the rudder cable was cut
and there was a large hole in the elevator.

Chudars, James E., 1Lt, pilot Hurley, John R., Lt, pilot

Mowry, Michael L., S/Sgt, gunner

Another of our ships, this one flown by Lt. John J. Herbert of West Orange, N.J.
got into dire circumstances. Flak had knocked one engine out and the ship was trying to
keep aloft until an emergency field could be reached. When the co-pilot, Lt. Frank Vivas
of Honolulu, Hawaii, tried to lower the landing gear it was discovered that the hydraulic
system was “out”. The engineer, Sgt. Clay said to circle the field while he hand cranked
the gear to the down position. Just at this moment the second engine coughed and the oil
pressure dropped sharply. Lt. Herbert quickly feathered the prop and lined the ship on
the runway. Everyone held their breath and waited for the crash. The landing was a
beautiful one until one prop dug into the earth, ripping the engine from the nacelle.
Gasoline was sprayed all over the fuselage and friction quickly ignited the gas. As the
ship came to a sudden halt, the crew members piled out hurriedly through the pilot’s
escape hatch and watched the ship burn completely.

Clay, Donald W., Sgt, engineer Herbert, John J., Lt, pilot

Vivas, Frank Paul, Lt, pilot

Sunday, 20 February 1944

USAAF Chronology: MTO Tactical Operations (12th AF): In Italy, B-26s hit troop
concentrations along roads in the Vallalta area; B-25s hit dumps and assembly areas at
the N edge of the Anzio beachhead, and A-20s bomb a troop and motor transport
concentration SE of Carroceto; A-36s and P-40s hit troops, trucks and tanks NE of Carroceto,
bomb the town of Fondi, a factory E of Carroceto, the town of Piedimonte, and hit guns and
targets of opportunity along the N line of the beachhead; an Axis attempt to achieve a
breakthrough is decisively defeated in the center of the salient created by a counter-offensive and
their efforts end.

445th BS War Diary: Today was clear and rather cold but the wind died down a little
and it was possible to erect more tents in the area. The Operations-S-2 tent was erected
and several pyramidals went up. Poor weather conditions between the new base and the
old prevented bringing up more combat crews. Two missions were flown today both
having as their target strategic points in the beachhead. With the poor flying conditions,
with the same crews flying 4 missions in two days, and with the intense flak barrages and
fighter attacks encountered during these missions, the combat crews are very tired and a
bit discouraged. Some combat crews arrived today but there were no pilots included and
they are what is badly needed at the present.

446th BS War Diary: Lt. Phillips finishes his missions

Phillips, Lowell G., Lt, navigator

446th BS Mission Summary: Squadron Mission 181

TARGET: Road, 7 miles SSN of Lanuvio, Italy. DATE: 20 Feb 1944

Type of Bombs: 20 lb. Frags. 446th Planes: 5

Capt. Strenger, 445th Sqdn. led the formation. Good coverage reported, particularly in
northern half of target area. Small explosions and considerable smoke in area. Flak was
heavy, intense, fairly accurate. Seven planes were holed. No fighters. Lt. Walsh turned
back with turret out of commission.

Strenger, Marshall C., Capt, pilot, 445th BS Walsh, George F., Lt, pilot

446th BS Mission Summary: Squadron Mission 182

TARGET: Four Miles SSW of Lanuvio, Italy. DATE: 20 Feb 1944

Type of Bombs: 20 lb. Frags. 446th Planes: 6

Capt. Cooper led the formation, which turned back because of bad weather.

Cooper, Paul T., Capt, pilot

447th BS War Diary: Two missions were scheduled for today. The first mission took
off at 0840 hours on F-898350 and F-890381, troop concentrations near our beachhead
lines, with five planes participating. The entire first element did not drop its bombs when
the flight leader’s Bombay doors wouldn’t open. Good coverage was reported,
particularly in N haft of area. Small explosions and much smoke. Some hits W of target.
Two reports of bombs dropping in allied territory. Capt. Stephenson was flight leader.
The second mission took off at 1340 hours with 6 planes participating on raid at F900385

Sunday, 20 February 1944 (continued)

F902379, F905389, and F907384 on troop concentrations. The target was completely
covered with clouds, therefore the entire formation returned with bombs.

Stephenson, Henry W., Capt, pilot

A/C No. 695

Stevenson, Henry W. “Steve”, Capt

Button, Ervine J., 2Lt

Rye, Wayne T., Jr., 2Lt

Deane, George J., 2Lt

Ford, Leonard W., Sgt

Wilson Leo W., S/Sgt

Blalock, Joe T. Sgt

None

447th BS: War Diary of: Stephenson, Henry W. "Steve", Capt, pilot (mission 60)

TARGET: F-898350 F-890381 2:10 Frags

Plane 695: Lt. Stephenson, Lt. Button, Lt. Rye, Lt. Deane, Sgt. Ford, S/Sgt. Wilson, Sgt.
Blalock

“Good coverage reported. Small explosions and much smoke seen. Two reports
of bombs dropping in allied territory.”

Blalock, Joe T., Sgt, gunner Button, Ervine J., 2Lt, pilot

Deane, George J., 2Lt, bombardier Ford, Leonard W., Sgt, engineer-gunner

Rye, Wayne T., Jr., 2Lt, bombardier Stephenson, Henry W. "Steve", Capt, pilot

Wilson, Leo W., S/Sgt, gunner

448th BS War Diary: Mission 176 (218). At 08:38 18 planes off to bomb road at
F898350, F890381 and dropped 1014 Frags from 10,000 feet at 09:55. One plane
returned early and 17 returned at 10:50, 7 planes holed. Good coverage reported
particularly in northern half of target area with strings on both sides and across roads.
Small explosions and considerable smoke in area. Some hits W of target road, two ships
report few bombs dropped early possibly on our side. Flak: Heavy, intense and accurate
just inside enemy lines. Weather: CAVU

448th BS War Diary: Mission 177 (219). At 13:40 18 planes off to bomb F900385,
F902379, F905389, F907384 but did not bomb as target completely overcast. All
returned at 15:50.

Monday, 21 February 1944

USAAF Chronology: MTO Tactical Operations (12th AF): In Italy, B-25s bomb
Orte marshalling yard, and B-26s hit Imperia docks; A-20s pound troop concentrations
near Campoleone, along with P-40s and A-36s which also hit a fuel dump, tank and truck
concentrations, and gun positions in the area; fighter-bombers also bomb and block the
Itri-Gaeta road. 100th Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group, moves from Montecorvino
to Capodichino, Italy with P-39s.

445th BS War Diary: This date marks the first anniversary of this Squadron’s arrival at
the port of Oran in North Africa – one year on foreign soil today. Today’s mission was
to bomb the Orte marshalling yards. It cost this Squadron one plane – Lt. Newkirk and
his crew – to attacks by enemy fighters. Sgt. Cecil F. Carson, turret gunner in the
Squadron claimed a Focke Wulf 190 in the battle between the B-25’s and about 8 Focke
Wulf 190’s. The orderly room tent is now set up completely and more pyramidals are
springing up around camp. A plane was sent to Cairo to take Lt. Kauric, bombardier, and
Sgt. Reddy, gunner to a school at Ballah, Egypt. Lt Kauric will brush up on bombing
while Sgt. Reddy with learn more about aerial gunnery in a 30 day course. A number of
Officers and enlisted men went along for the ride. Two of the B-25D’s were transferred
out of the Squadron. Hamburgers were very much enjoyed for supper tonight.

Carson, Cecil F., Sgt, turret gunner Kauric, William J. Lt, bombardier

Newkirk, R. R. 2Lt, pilot Reddy, John E., Sgt, gunner

446th BS War Diary: No Entry

446th BS Mission Summary: Squadron Mission 183

TARGET: Orte M/Y, Italy. (Alternate) DATE: 21 Feb 1944

Type of Bombs: 1000 lb. 446th Planes: 6

Lt. Olsen, 447th Sqdn. led the formation. Due to cloud cover over primary target, Spoleto
M/Y, the alternate target was bombed. First flight’s bombs were over for the most part.
A few hits were reported near north choke point. The second flight reported good cover
on middle and south of M/Y’s, and on R.R. south of M/Y’s. Flak was heavy, slight and
inaccurate. Three FW-190’s followed the first flight, one being very aggressive, but did
not attack. Lt. Walker was a spare, and returned early.

Olsen, Robert C., Lt, pilot, 447th BS

447th BS War Diary: Nine of our planes were scheduled to participate in a raid on
Spoleto M/Y's, but due to cloud coverage the alternative target at Orte M/Y was bombed.
Good coverage was reported on middle and S end of M/Y and on RR S of M/Y. A few
hits seen near N choke point across road N of Orte and over the town. In the raid the two
flights were separated. The first flight bombed on an axis of about 220 degrees while the
second flight circled and hit the target on an axis of about 40 degrees. 2nd Lt. M.B. Bastin
has been assigned to this squadron per order of XII Bomber Command dated Feb 15th.
The remainder of the 447th personnel and equipment arrived at our new base. A year ago
we landed at Mars-el-Keber, a few miles from Oran.

Bastin, Melville R., Lt, pilot

Monday, 21 February 1944 (continued)

448th BS War Diary: Mission 178 (220). At 08:30 24 planes off to bomb Spoleto M/Y
but bombed alternate of Orte M/Y and dropped 73 x 1000 and 10 x 1000 delayed bombs
at 10:38 from 10,000 feet. 23 returned at 11:43 and 12:10. One plane shot down (445th)
by E/A, at F5995 no chutes seen and plane seen to hit ground and explode. Due to cloud
cover over primary target the alternate was bombed. First flight bombed last on an axis
of 275° second flight bombed at 45° and reported good coverage in S end of M/Y and on
RR S of M/Y. First flights bombs over for most part a few hits reported near N choke
point across road N of Orte. 3 FW-190’s followed first flight after leaving target one
aggressive came up from rear to attack at 6 o’clock; one flew under element from head on
coming up from rear and flew parallel with formation for two miles. Weather: 4/10th
Cumulus. F/L: Stokes.

Stokes, George M., Lt, pilot or Stokes, Louis S., Lt, pilot

Tuesday, 22 February 1944

USAAF Chronology: MTO Tactical Operations (12th AF): In Italy, B-25s bomb
Foligno marshalling yard and Montalto di Castro railroad bridge, and B-26s attack
Albinia Station railroad bridge; A-20s hit the area E of Campoleone; P-47s strike troops,
gun positions, and a road junction N of Carroceto, roads near Roccasecca, and the town
of Campoleone; A-36s hit guns NW of Carroceto and the town of Formia; P-40s attack
guns SE of Campoleone.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

321st BG: Mission NO: 221 Date: 22 Feb 44

NO A/C: 24 (11 returned cloud coverage prevented forming with other flight)

Squadrons: 445-4 447-7

446-9 448-4

Target: Foligno M/Y. (13 planes bombed)

Time OFF: 0940 T.O.T.: 1130 Time Down: 1315

Axis of Attack: 310° Height: 10,500’.

Planes Lost: None Planes Holed: None

Bombs Dropped: 44x1000 (.1 & .025). 7x1000 delay.

Escort:

Route: Base to N-1814 to M-9632 to M-9563 to H-2038 to B-4008 to B-2063 to Foligno
to A-7698 to A-7668 to B-4008 and retraced course to base

Weather: Enroute: 8/10 stratocumulus-base at 6,000, tops at 9,000 with light icing in

clouds – from base to Naples. Clear on into target .

Target: 4/10 stratocumulus, tops 8,000’. Visibility 15 miles.

Return: 7/10 stratocumulus from target to within 40 miles of field.

8/10 on into field. Visibility – 10 miles.

Flak: Few light bursts at target.

Enemy Air: None Claims: None

Results: Several strings of bombs across center of M/Y. Few hits just north of south
choke point. Possible hits on cavalry barracks. Heavy concentration of bombs just east
of center of yards.

Observation: 40/50 freight cars in M/Y at Spoleto. Small train at Coculla G-8280.
Tracks on snow covered highway between Spoleto and Terni showed results of heavy
traffic. Several trucks observed headed toward Terni.

Flight Leaders: Lt. Bounds & Capt. Freeland.

Number of Sorties: 13 Photos Taken:

Signed: James O. Jackson, 1st Lt., Air Corps, Ass’t Intelligence Officer.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tuesday, 22 February 1944 (continued)

445th BS War Diary: The remainder of the Squadron arrived today and the move is now
complete. They arrived both by truck and plane. The dispensary was set up today in the
form of a wooden shack built by the Medics with the assistance of Sgt. Stanford, the able
carpenter in the Squadron. Squadron supply distributed cots this afternoon to those who
did not have one. Everyone in the Squadron now has a cot of his own

Stanford, Hirman P., Sgt, Carpenter

A/C No. 42-32321

A/C No. 42-64659

Strenger, Marshall C., Capt

Russell, Lawrence L., 2Lt

Coale, Julian R., 2Lt

Schiff, Frederick, S/Sgt

Miller, Edward A., 2Lt

None

Monk, William, 2Lt

Miller, Robert J., Jr., S/Sgt

Connelly, Frank N., Sgt

Jones, Robert, C., Sgt

Heinbaugh, James C., S/Sgt

Wells, Joy E., S/Sgt

Carson, Cecil F., Sgt

Wells, Joy E., S/Sgt

None

A/C No. 41-13179

Thomas, John J., 2Lt

Charville, Leighton D. “Danny”, 2Lt

None

Castle, Roy V., Cpl

Hawkins, Vernon L., Sgt

Woogerd, Warren G., T/Sgt

Hunt, Jerry E., S/Sgt

Abrams, Samuel, Pvt

446th BS War Diary: Sgt Jim Hanley flies his 50th. Lt. Springer makes Captain and Lt
Levine joins us as assistant S-2 officer.

Hanley, James, Jr., Sgt, gunner Levine, William E., Lt, intelligence

Springer, Luther B., Jr., Lt, navigator

446th BS Mission Summary: Squadron Mission 184

TARGET: Foligno M/Y, Italy. DATE: 22 Feb 1944

Type of Bombs: 1000 lb. 446th Planes: 3

Lt. Bounds, 448th Sqdn. led the formation. Several strings of bombs fell across center of
yards. Few hits were seen just north of choke point. Heavy concentration of bombs just
east of center of yards. A few light bursts of flak at the target. No fighters. Eleven
planes returned early because cloud coverage prevented their forming with other flight.
The following 446th planes returned early: Lt Morris, Lt. Dickson, Lt. Walsh and Lt.
Bsharah.

Bounds, Thomas C., Lt, pilot, 445th BS Bsharah, Phillip, Lt, pilot

Dickson, Gale M., Lt, pilot Morris, Richard P., Jr, Lt, pilot

Walsh, George F., Lt, pilot

Tuesday, 22 February 1944 (continued)

A/C No. 21-32446

A/C No. 43-3483

Kerr, John C., 1Lt

Hurley, John R., 2Lt

Smith, Randell L., 2Lt

Chudars, James E., 2Lt

None

Green, Harry M., S/Sgt

Turner, Allen B., S/Sgt

Franc, John A., S/Sgt

Jacob, Elmer A., Jr., Pvt

Orechia, James R., T/Sgt

Bove, Anthony P., S/Sgt

Thornton, Edward P., Sgt

Fiebelkorn, Earl C., Sgt

None

A/C No. 42-32429

Hunter, William C., Maj

Wallace, Robert D., 2Lt

Jaksic, Francis R., 2Lt

Nicklaus, George E., 2Lt

Hanley, James, Jr., S/Sgt

Youngblood, Woodrow W., S/Sgt

Velarde, Servando J., Jr., S/Sgt

None

447th BS War Diary: Seven of our ships participated in a raid on the Foligno M/Y’s.
Several strings of bombs hit across center of yards. Few hits just N of S choke points.
Possible hits on cavalry barracks. A heavy concentration of bombs just E of center of
yards was also reported. At the assembly over the field the leader of the mission and
most of the first formation ran into icing conditions and returned home. Lt. Bounds lead
the second flight composed of 7 of our planes and 3 of the 448th over the target. There
was a tremendous concentration of bombs just short of the M/Y. 4 bombs hit the tracks.
The following crew was assigned to this squadron per order of the XII Bomber Command
Capt. Glannin A. Cloward (P), 2nd Lt. Calvin B. Christian (CP), 2nd Lt. Robert M. James
(Bd), Sgt. Albert Wise (EG), S/Sgt. Walter J. Bilski (RG) and Sgt. Julius Sabo (G).

Bilski, Walter J., S/Sgt, radio-gunner Bounds, Thomas C., Lt, pilot, 445th BS

Christian, Calvin B., Lt, pilot Cloward, Glannin A., Capt, pilot

James, Robert M, Lt, bombardier Sabo, Julius, Sgt, gunner

Wise, Albert, Sgt, engineer-gunner

A/C No. 41-12930

A/C No. 42-64694

Banks, Herbert J., 1Lt

Davidson, James C., 2Lt

Swanson, Robert H., 2Lt

Murray, Richard E., 2Lt

None

Nelson, George B., 2Lt

Lundmark, Norman J., 2Lt

Koecher, Robert W., S/Sgt

Fisher, Theodore M., S/Sgt

Hubert, L. G., S/Sgt

Reynolds, Frank J., S/Sgt

Bushnell, Jordan L., Sgt

Blalock, Joe T., Sgt

None

Tuesday, 22 February 1944 (continued)

A/C No. 42-64695

A/C No. 41-13175

Bounds, Thomas C., 1Lt

Wiginton, J. Maurice, 2Lt

Button, Ervine J., 2lt

Mims, Nathan, 2Lt

Thomas, Robert E., 2Lt

None

Windler, John H., 1Lt

Konchinsky, Herman, S/Sgt

Beckhart, Maurice H., S/Sgt

Gillies, Robert H., PFC

Chatters, Aubrey W., S/Sgt

Matthews, William E., S/Sgt

Orzynski, Henry E., S/Sgt

Payne, Leonard T., S/Sgt

None

A/C No. 41-13181

A/C No. 41-30557

Davies, Robert G., 1Lt

Alger, LeRoy , 2Lt

Schnoebelen, Orval L., 2Lt

Heitman, William F., 2Lt

Mathewson, Merton K., 2Lt

None

Adcock, Leonard E., 2Lt

Martin, Wayne R., 2Lt

Biscailuz, Robert P., PFC

Ford, Leonard W., Sgt

Orloff, Sidney , S/Sgt

Williamson, Myles O., T/Sgt

Roberts, E, S/Sgt

Bean, Robert W., Sgt

None

A/C No. 41-30538

Tompkins, Howard D., 2Lt

Speer, Marvin L., 2Lt

None

McCormick, Donald P., 1Lt

Escher, Carl S., S/Sgt

Carlson, Carl M., S/Sgt

Mayhew, Wesley B., Jr., S/Sgt

None

448th BS War Diary: Mission 179 (221). At 09:40 24 planes off to bomb Foligno M/Y
and dropped 44 x 1000 and 7 x 1000 delayed from 10,500 feet at 11:30. Eleven returned
early and 13 down at 13:15. Several strings of bombs across center of M/Y few hits just
N of S choke point, possible hits on cavalry barracks, heavy concentrations of bombs just
E of center of yards 40-50 freight cars in Spolata M/Y, several M/T going towards Terni.
Few flak bursts at target. Weather: 4/10th Strata Cumulus. F/L: Freeland.

Freeland, Levi Z., Jr., Lt, pilot

Wednesday, 23 February 1944

USAAF Chronology: MTO Tactical Operations (12th AF): In Italy, P-40s hit a gun
position N of Campoleone and patrol the Anzio area. Weather prevents other operations.

445th BS War Diary: A continuous downpour today caused a cancellation of the
mission. Some training flights were also cancelled. The two other B-25D’s were
transferred out of the Squadron. 8 enlisted and 5 Officer combat crew members left
today for rest camp at the Isle of Capri. These were the crews which were flying
missions so steadily during the crisis on the invasion front and it is a well-deserved rest
for them. There were meetings for the bombardiers, navigators and gunners today. In the
afternoon, Capt Nuemann, Operations Officer, made a weather flight to check the
conditions in the air. They were not very favorable. The fried chicken which was served
for supper was not very tender and there wasn’t enough to go around. The stew which
followed tasted much better.

Neumann, Robert H., Capt, pilot, Operations Officer

446th BS War Diary: Lt. Walker and Lt. Dickson make first lieutenant.

Dickson, Gale M., Lt, pilot Walker, Dale F., Lt, pilot

446th BS Mission Summary: No Missions

447th BS War Diary: Mission scheduled but cancelled due to weather conditions. 1st Lt.
John R. Piasta has been assigned as communication officer to this squadron from the 57th
Fighter Group as of Feb 18th. T/Sgt. Edward C. Ennis has been relieved of assignment
and reassigned to the Personnel Center No. 1 for transshipment to the U.S. A large wall
tent was erected for the S-2 and S-3 department jointly. A small wooden structure was
also constructed to be used as an E/M’s kitchen.

Ennis, Edward C., T/Sgt, radio-gunner Piasta, John R., Capt, communications

448th BS War Diary: No Entry

Thursday, 24 February 1944

USAAF Chronology: MTO Tactical Operations (12th AF): In Italy, B-25s attack
Canino landing ground, but clouds prevent accurate bombing and most bombs fall W and
SW of the main target area; A-36s attack airfields at Littoria, Guidonia and Marciglialia.
P-47's hit motor vessels and tug off Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia and targets of opportunity
inland.

445th BS War Diary: The weather today was warm by comparison with other days.
Luxury rations were distributed to the men today from 2 P.M. to 4 P.M. There was a
navigator’s meeting held today. Sgt. Ellison, a turret gunner, gave a lecture on gunnery
to all gunners in the enlisted men’s tent. Capt. Underwood conducted a bombardier’s
meeting in his tent. On a routine transition flight, Lt. Wetherbee was force to make and
emergency landing at Pompeii due to the fact that his nose wheel wouldn’t come down.
He made a tail-down landing and the crew members reported that it was a perfect landing
under the circumstances. A plane was then sent up to ferry the crew back.

Ellison, Clyde, Sgt, turret gunner Underwood, James H., Capt, bombardier

Wetherbee, Dan A., Lt, pilot

446 BS War Diary: No entry

446th BS Mission Summary: Squadron Mission 185

TARGET: Fabrica di Roma L/G, Italy. DATE: 24 Feb 1944

Type of Bombs: 20 lb. Frags. 446th Planes: 6

Capt. House, 445th Sqdn. led the formation. Bombs generally fell short to the south of
the target. One fire seen 200 yards south of east landing strip. No flak no fighters. Lt.
Le Clair was a spare, and returned early.

House, Robert M., Capt, pilot, 445th BS Le Clair, Edward R., Lt, pilot

447th BS War Diary: Six of our planes participated in a raid on Fabrica di Roma L/G. It
was reported that bombs fell short to the S of the target. Several strings fell near W end
of E L/S near S dispersal area. One fire was seen approximately 200 yards S of L/S.
Capt. Olson led the flight. Photos showed that all bombs hit 4.3 miles south of the target.
Three large wall tents were erected to be used as a mess hall for the enlisted men. Five
officers and 9 E/M have left for the rest camp at Capri.

Olson, Robert C., Capt, pilot

448th BS War Diary: Mission 180 (222). At 10:00 24 planes off to bomb Fabrica di
Roma L/G and dropped 1352 Frags at 12:05 from 9,000 feet. 21 returned at 13:50 and 3
returned early. Bombs generally fell short to S of target. Several strings fell near W end
of L/S near S dispersal area one fire seen 200 yards S of L/S. 20 planes seen on ground
at target. Weather: 7/10ths Alto cumulus.

Friday, 25 February 1944

USAAF Chronology: MTO Tactical Operations (12th AF): In Italy, P-40s attack
guns and troop concentrations E of Campoleone and in the Carroceto area; A-36s bomb
the towns of Terracina and Sperlonga and roads in the area; P-40s also maintain patrols
over Anzio.

445th BS War Diary: A mock mission was scheduled for today but bad weather forced a
cancellation. Group has announced that on every fourth day instead of scheduling crews
for a combat mission, they will fly a mock mission. It rained most of the day and was
very windy at night. Very good meals were served today. Elbow macaroni was served at
noon and it was pork chops for supper.

446th BS War Diary: No entry

446th BS Mission Summary: No Missions

447th BS War Diary: A scheduled mission to Spolita L/G was cancelled because of
weather. A practice mission to Crotone L/G was scheduled and briefed, but cancelled
because of weather. It was reported that Capt. DeMay’s plane may have been found in
the mountains east of Salerno. It has now been determined that the crews of the three
planes lost on 19 February were as follows” #775, Capt. K.C. DeMay, Cpl D.W.
Allender, Sgt. J. Kaiser, Sgt. S.O. Pearson, Cpl. J.P. Lee, S/Sgt. R.C. Cooper, #413, 1st
Lt. W.J. Toltzman, T/Sgt. F.T. Orfila, Sgt. E.S. Atkinson, Sgt. G.F. Brandt, Pvt. E.F.
Edwards, T/Sgt. O.D. Nowakowski and Sgt. W.J. Cheatle. #546, 2nd Lt. Bryant, Sgt.
R.K. Keech, T/Sgt. E.B. Seery, S/Sgt. G.M. Eckenrod, Sgt. K.F. Duval and Cpl. W.G.
Wildman. Cpl. William H. Pierce has been transferred to this squadron per order of XII
Bomber Command Pvt. Charles E. Hiltabedal and PFC John L. Sullivan have been
assigned to this squadron and placed on S.D. with headquarters, 321st Bomb Group.

Allender, Darrel W., Cpl, engineering Atkinson, Elmer S., Sgt, engineering

Brandt, George F., Sgt, engineering Bryant, William A., Lt, pilot

Cheatle, Walter J., Sgt, engineering Cooper, Raymond C., S/Sgt, gunner

DeMay Kenneth C., Capt, pilot Duval, Kenneth F., Sgt, armament

Eckenrod, Garnet M., S/Sgt, armament Edwards, Earl W., Pvt, gunner

Hiltabedal, Charles E., Pvt, communications Kaiser, Jacob, Jr., Sgt, engineering

Keech, Ray K., Sgt, armament Lee, James P., Cpl, transportation

Nowakowski, Ollie D, T/Sgt, engineer Orfila, Frank T., T/Sgt, engineering

Pearson, Stanley O., Sgt, engineering Pierce, William H., Cpl, gunner

Seery, Edward B., T/Sgt, engineering Sullivan, John S., PFC, communications

Toltzman, William J., Lt, pilot Wildman, William G., Cpl, armament

448th BS War Diary: No Entry

Saturday, 26 February 1944

USAAF Chronology: MTO Tactical Operations (12th AF): Weather limits operations
severely, but P-47's hit shipping N and S of Velaluka, Yugoslavia. 379th Bombardment
Squadron (Medium), 310th Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Philippeville,
Algeria to Ghisonaccia, Corsica; they have been operating from Gambit, Libya with B-
25s.

445th BS War Diary: Another mock mission was scheduled today but poor weather
conditions forced a cancellation. Lt. Griffing, Group Weather Officer, gave a lecture on
weather flying today in the Squadron S-2 for all pilots. “Radio Navigational Aids
Available in Italy” was the subject of a lecture given today in the Group briefing room at
which our pilots, navigators, bombardiers and radio operators attended. Steak was served
to the men for supper and it was enjoyed by all. There was a mail call today.

Griffing, George W., Lt, Weather Officer

446th BS War Diary: No entry

446th BS Mission Summary: No Missions

447th BS War Diary: A mission was scheduled, but cancelled due to weather conditions.
The following E/M have been promoted to the rank of T/Sgt. per order dated Feb. 23rd:
S/Sgt. Orrick G. Libby, Sgt. Roy G. Pearson, Sgt. Edward G. Holm. The following E/M
have been promoted to the rank of S/Sgt. on same order: Sgt. Newton E. Lilley. The
following E/M were promoted to rank of Sgt.: Cpl O.W. Morris, Cpl. R.C. Stokes, Cpl
G.S. Thomason, and Cpl G.L. Steele. The following E/M has bee promoted to the rand of
Cpl on same order: PFC D.D Davis, PFC J.H. Meehan, PFC J.H. Hatcher, PFC R. N.
Gillies, PFC J.W. Latshaw, PFC R.E. Morrisey, and G.F. Murray. Sgt Roy H. Bartram
has been reduced to the grade of Pvt. Per special order VOCO dated Feb. 23, 1943. A
meeting for all flying personnel was held at 1330 at Group Operations. A lecture was
given by Lt. Bradley of the “A” force on Escape of combat men when captured. A
meeting for all combat Radio Operators was held at 1430 at Group Operations. A lecture
was given by Lt. Peasta, followed by a general discussion among the men themselves. A
meeting for all combat enlisted personnel was held at 1530 in the enlisted men’s mess. A
lecture was given by Captain Robert W. Manly for fifty minutes on aircraft identification.
Discussion on types of aircraft used in the theater, their recognition features, and recent
improvements. A flash recognition test was given. Discussions of recent trends and
improvements in enemy aircraft in armament and mechanics. A meeting of all combat
radio operators was held at 1640 by Lt Peasta.

Bartram, Roy H., Pvt, gunner Bradley, James L., Jr., Lt, pilot, 446thBS

Davis, Delbert D., Cpl, gunner Gillies, Robert H., Cpl, gunner

Hatcher, James H., Cpl, armament Holm, Edward G., Sgt, engineering

Latshaw, Jack W., Cpl, transportation Libby, Orrick G., Sgt, engineering

Lilley, Newton E, Sgt, armament Manly, Robert W., Capt, intelligence

Meehan, William J., Cpl, armament Morris, Olney W., Sgt, armament

Morrisey, Raphael E., Cpl, gunner Murray, George F., Cpl, engineering

Saturday, 26 February 1944 (continued)

Pearson, Roy G., Sgt, engineering Peasta, John R., Lt, communications

Steele, George T., Sgt, engineering Stokes, Robert C., Sgt, gunner

Thomason, Glenn S., Sgt, engineering

448th BS War Diary: No Entry

Sunday, 27 February 1944

USAAF Chronology: MTO Tactical Operations (12th AF): In Italy, A-36s attack
Littoria and Guidonia Airfields and Ladispoli dock area; rail cars NE of Rome are also
attacked; P-40s follow up with a raid against Littoria and hit trucks and other targets in
the area; weather prevents other operations by the Twelfth Air Force. 4th Troop Carrier
Squadron, 62d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Catania to Ponte Olivo, Sicily with C-
47s.

445th BS War Diary: Again the mock mission scheduled for today was postponed due
to bad weather conditions. It rained most of the day. Major Register presided over a
meeting for all gunners today. The discussion included gunnery in general,
improvements and suggestions for future training. Major Register also spoke on venereal
disease. There were 5 transition training flights made and Lt. Hatcher was “checked out”
on single engine landing.

Hatcher, Leon F., Jr., 2Lt, pilot Register, Percy D, Maj, pilot, Operations Officer

446th BS War Diary: Early whistle, then no mission. A small mail call.

446th BS Mission Summary: No Missions

447th BS War Diary: A mission was scheduled, but cancelled due to weather condition.
One hour and 40 minutes training of formation, navigation and transition was
accomplished by this squadron. 2nd Lt. Harwood Beebe and Everette D. Langston have
been promoted to the rank of 1st Lt.

Beebe, Harwood, Jr., Lt, pilot Langston, Everette D., Lt, pilot

448th BS War Diary: No Entry

Monday, 28 February 1944

USAAF Chronology: MTO Tactical Operations (12th AF): In Italy, B-25s attack
Canino landing ground, but clouds prevent accurate bombing and most bombs fall W and
SW of the main target area; A-36s attack airfields at Littoria, Guidonia and Marciglialia.
P-47's hit motor vessels and a tug off Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia and targets of opportunity
inland.

445th BS War Diary: Once again the mock mission was scheduled and once again it
was cancelled due to weather conditions. The Squadron was notified that Captains
Larson and Bonus and Sgt. Krause had received the Distinguished Flying Cross. Capt.
Larson is now Group Navigational Officer; Capt. Bonus is back in the States following
his completion of 50 combat missions; and Sgt. Krause is in a hospital back in the United
States still recuperating from wounds received on the July 10th mission when the planed
in which he was flying as tail gunner made a water landing in the Mediterranean. There
were transition flights in the morning while P.D.I, formation and two test flights were
flown in the afternoon. Rumors about moving were circulated today. The gunners were
busy cleaning all their guns in preparation for and inspection by representatives of the
12th bomber Command. Steak was served for supper tonight. The men in the Squadron
attended the movie “Stage Door Canteen” at Group in the evening and it was enjoyed by
all.

Bonus, Robert M., Capt, pilot Krause, Gerald C., Sgt, engineering

Larson, Harold W., Capt, Navigator

446th BS War Diary: Promotions posted included T/Sgt ratings for Leary and H.E.
McArdle, and S/Sgt stripes for Ciach, Fiebelkorn, and Brandoff. Plenty of mail.

Leary, Edward M., T/Sgt, gunner or Leary, Gwynn M., T/Sgt, gunner

Brandoff, Daniel, S/Sgt, engineering Ciach, Stanislaus, S/Sgt, gunner

McArdle, Harry E., T/Sgt, gunner Fiebelkorn, Earl C., S/Sgt, gunner

446th BS Mission Summary: Squadron Mission 186

TARGET: Canino L/G, Italy. DATE: 28 Feb 1944

Type of Bombs: 20 lb. Frags. 446th Planes: 6

Lt. Col. Schwane led the formation. Of three planes bombing, two report hits on L/G or
near L/G. One to east of target area. Flak was heavy, slight, inaccurate. No fighters. Lt.
Dickson was a spare, and returned early.

Dickson, Gale M., Lt, pilot Schwane, Henry H., Lt Col, pilot

447th BS War Diary: Six of our planes participated in a raid on Canino L/G. The
formation went over the target area without seeing the target because of cloud cover.
They then made a 360 degree turn and went back again. Some planes identified the
target and dropped their bombs. Accurate bombing was impossible because of the 7-8/10
overcast, which extended from about 6000 ft. up to about 10,000 ft. The bombs were
short of the target. None of our planes dropped and bombs. There was a slight amount of
heavy inaccurate flak at the target, and moderate heavy inaccurate from Civitavecchia.
No enemy fighters were seen but the Spit escort was seen milling around behind the

Monday, 28 February 1944 (continued)

formation as though they were in a dog fight at the target. Capt. Fraser and Lt. Banks
flew planes 759 and 553 to Catania, where 759 is to be left.

Banks, Herbert J., Lt, pilot Fraser, Harry A., Jr, Capt, pilot

448th BS War Diary: Mission 181 (223). At 10:30 18 planes off to bomb Canino L/G.
3 dropped 216 Frags at 12:05 from 9,000 feet. Of 3 planes bombing 2 report his on L/G
or near L/G one to east of target area. Flak: Heavy, slight inaccurate. Weather: 6/10th
coverage.

Tuesday, 29 February 1944

USAAF Chronology: MTO Tactical Operations (12th AF): In Italy, B-26s bomb the
main and satellite airfields at Viterbo and several targets of opportunity along the W
coast; B-25s bomb troops and gun positions W of Cisterna di Roma while A-20s hit
concentrations to the S; P-40s and A-36s strike at troop concentrations along the N
perimeter of the Anzio beachhead; other P-40s hit barracks and railroad yards at Littoria
and a tank concentration S of Cisterna; P-47's (with British aircraft) hit Giulianova
railway station and shipping off Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia; fighters maintain patrol over the
Anzio beachhead.

445th BS War Diary: The rainy weather continues and the combat mission was
cancelled. The crews had already reached their planes in preparation for takeoff when
word came through that the mission was cancelled. The crews got a good soaking
coming and going in the rain and the cancellation of the mission elicited many well-
directed curses at the higher-ups. Lt. Kelly, Communications Officer, was promoted to
Captain; Lt. Johnson, Armament Officer, was also promoted to Captain; Flight Officer
Vallery was promoted to 2nd Lt; 2nd Lt. Noel was made a 1st Lt; and 2nd Lt. Monk was
promoted to 1st Lt. The plane from Cairo returned today with a few bottles of liquid
sunshine. The “booze” arrived just in time for pay day today. Between liquor, excess
money and gambling, they were having quite a time of it today. There was a meeting for
all Squadron Bombing Officers at Group this evening. Fresh ham was enjoyed by all for
supper tonight.

Johnson, Stanton W., Capt, Armament Officer Kelly, John E., Capt, Comm Officer

Monk, William, Lt, pilot Noel, William H., Lt, pilot

Vallery, Dean B., Lt, pilot

446th BS War Diary: Lt. Fetterly, Lt. Davison and Sgt Guzauskas receive their travel
orders. Pay day again!!!

Davison, William R., Lt, pilot Fetterly, Orville D., Lt, pilot

Guzauskas, Frank, Sgt, aerial photographer

446th BS Mission Summary: No Missions

447th BS War Diary: A mission was scheduled, but cancelled due to weather condition.
A physical inspection and pay call were the main events of the afternoon. Capt. Kenneth
L. McFadden, 1st Lt Everett D. Langston, 2nd Lt. Wayne T. Rye and S/Sgt. Mathew S
Tudor returned from D.S. at Casablanca. Morning Report ending Feb. 29: Officers = 59
E/M = 243.

Langston, Everett D., Lt, pilot McFadden, Kenneth L., Capt, pilot

Rye, Wayne T., Jr., Lt, bombardier Tudor, Mathew S., S/Sgt, gunner

448th BS War Diary: No Entry

February 1944

445th BS War Diary: Additional Information for February 1944

1. As of February 29, 1944, the assigned personnel in the Squadron was:
Officers: 59 Enl. Men: 270

2. As of February 29, 1944, the Squadron Commander was Lt. Col Bailey C. Cook.
3. On February 17, an advance party consisting mostly of line personnel was sent by
truck up to the new base at Guado. On this date, this Squadron’s flight of 7 planes
were unable to reach Vincenzo after flying a combat mission and were forced to land
at Guado due to poor weather conditions. A number of these men remained at Guado
while the next day the planes were ferried back to Vincenzo with a few Officer
combat crews. On February 18, more ground personnel were sent to Guado by truck
and planes (3) with their crews which participated in today’s mission landed and
remained at Guado. Some of the combat crews were sent up to Guado by truck on
this date. On February 19, more ground personnel arrived by truck but poor weather
conditions prevented the ferrying up of combat crews by plane. More ground and air
personnel arrived on February 20 but continued low overcast and weather prevented
bringing up more combat crews. On February 21, more ground personnel arrived and
on February 22, the move was complete with ground and air personnel moving up to
Guado by truck and plane.
Cook, Bailey C., Lt Col, pilot, commander

JAMES E. NICKERSON,

Captain, Air Corps,

Squadron Historian.

February 1944 (continued)

446th BS War Diary: Additional Information for February 1944

1 March 1944

446th BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON NARATIVE HISTORY FOR FEBRUARY 1944

A. Original Unit

1. 446th Bomb Sqdn (M), 321st Bomb Gp (M) AAF

2. Organized August 1, 1942

3. Columbia Army Air Base, Columbia, S.C.

4. Activated at Barksdale Field, La. June 23, 1942

5. Personnel obtained by transfer from other units, training schools and replacement
centers.

B. Strength, Commissioned and Enlisted:

1. 1 February 1944 69 Officers, 267 Enlisted Men

2. Net Increase None None

3. Net Decrease 3 Officers, 11 Enlisted Men

4. 29 February 1944 66 Officers, 265 Enlisted Men

C. Stations permanent or temporary of unit or parts thereof:

1. None

D. Commanding Officer in important engagements

1. Perugia M/Y, Italy

2. Canino L/G, Italy

3. Lt. Colonel Henry H. Schwane

E. Losses in action:

1. 2nd Lt H.R. Brellenthin (Harold R., pilot) 5. T/Sgt C.C. Kendall (Charles C, gunner)

2. 2nd Lt R.P. Burgess (Robert P., pilot) 6. S/Sgt J.L. Bedwell (Joy L., gunner)

3. S/Sgt W.W. Parrish (William W., gunner) 7. S/Sgt C.H. Blake (Charles H., gunner)

4. S/Sgt J.F. Motika (John F., gunner)

F. Former or present members of the Squadron who have distinguished themselves in
action: Air Medals were presented to the following:

1. M/Sgt L.D. Killam (Lloyd D., comm.) 8. S/Sgt E. Roulier (Edward T., gunner)
2. S/Sgt J. Hanley (James, Jr., gunner) 9. S/Sgt L. Raffloer (Louis A., Jr., gunner)
3. S/Sgt P. Thomas (Patrick, gunner) 10. Sgt F. Friscia (Frank L., gunner)
4. S/Sgt S.J. Velarde (Servando J., Jr., gunner) 11. Cpl H.E. Olson (Harold E., comm.)
5. S/Sgt H.M. Green (Harry M., gunner) 12. Pvt R. Osterman (Raymond, comm.)
6. S/Sgt D. Skill (Donald H., gunner) 13. Pvt W.E. Smith (Wade E., transport.)

G. Campaigns: Complete data in attached mission summaries.

February 1944 (continued)

447th BS War Diary: Additional Information for February 1944

February marked the end of our first year on overseas duty. However of the
original combat personnel, only one, Major Sampson, is still with us. A few of the
original replacements are left but all of the B-25G crew members have gone and even
some of the replacements who joined us in October at Grottaglie have left. Our ground
personnel are still more or less intact although all sections are under strength.

Sampson, Raymond D., Maj, pilot

The weather was against us during the month. A mission was scheduled every
day and on three days were scheduled to fly two missions and on two days we flew two
missions; but on half of the days the crews would be briefed and then told to stand-by and
later told that the mission was cancelled. Consequently we got the impression that we did
very little flying even though we flew 17 missions in 29 days which was a much better
record than many of our months in Africa. We didn’t lose a day of flying even when we
made the long move from Foggia to Paestum.

The month also established a record as our most disastrous. We lost 4 planes one
from enemy action and 3 from accidents on the shuttle trip in connection with our move.
In all we lost 5 officer, 6 combat enlisted men and 14 ground enlisted men.

The process of rotation continued. Six officers and 13 enlisted men were sent
home and 24 new crew members came in.

Our new location, Gaudo L/G sees us located in tents with storage tents for an
enlisted men’s mess and the German barrack which the officers use for a mess and a club.
We are just west of the plane parking area and just on the northern outskirts of Paestum
with its ancient Greek sea wall and ruined temples. There are snow covered mountains
on all sides except the west where the Tyrrhenian Sea comes right up almost to the
runway. It is a beautiful spot and we all hope we will not move soon.

Missions Flown: 17 Sorties Flown: 113

Bombs dropped (weight): 226, 200 lbs Planes lost: 5

Enemy Aircraft Destroyed: None Enemy Aircraft Damaged (in air): None

Squadron planes #123 and #930 completed their 100th mission.

February 1944 (continued)

448th BS War Diary: Additional Information for February 1944

The month of February began cold, rainy and dismal, the field for most part was
in operational and the consequent lack of work caused time to hang heavy on everyone’s
hands. New crews came in and the last of the “Old Guard” departed leaving behind them
the perennial ground crew to carry on the work of the 448th. February 8th dawned grey
cold and forbidden and brought with it many thoughts of a similar dawn one year ago
when the Elizabeth C. Stanton slipped silently from New York harbor. Despite the
dismal weather many of the personnel thought thankfully over their experiences of the
past twelve months. There had been many discomforts on the long road that stretched
from “Mud Hill” to Foggia” but few would trade their experiences which had been
gained on the Continents of “Africa” and “Europe” for those that would have been their
lot had they remained in the States. Many wondered where they would find themselves
on February 8, 1945.

Although the field prevented missions against the enemy it did not prevent many
frequent trips to the city of Foggia and Red Cross Clubs were constantly crowded with
the familiar faces of the 448th. Movies were shown in the Officers Club almost nightly
and liquid refreshments in both the Enlisted Men’s and Officer’s was available. Fresh
meat no longer became a rarity but was almost a daily event on the menu. The Enlisted
Men’s Club was finally completed and table and benches were install and through the
efforts of Sgt. Stegner, as heat was supplied which added greatly to the comfort of all the

men. Although work progressed slowly on the stone building being constructed for
squadron little hope was held for its completion in time for the 448th to use its facilities.

Stegner, John E., Sgt, duty soldier

Although the early part of the month saw few missions accomplished many took
off to bomb enemy communications near the Anzio beachhead. However the ever
present clouds prevented these missions from accomplishing their purpose. It soon
became evident that the Group would either have to suspend operations or move to a new
location. On February 14 the anxiously awaited move was announced and greeted with
the usual “jibes and bitches”. Visions of tents without floor boards deep in the mud of
Italy crossed everyone’s minds. Major Bell allayed these fears by announcing that all
flooring that could possibly be taken would be moved. On February 15 Lts: Stannard and
Marrich packed their expansive equipment and departed for the new base, Guado
Landing Strip on the beaches of Salerno. Meanwhile the promised avalanche of trucks
that were to move the squadron dribbled into the squadron area in twos and threes. Each
tent occupant packed his belongings and in convoys of nine and ten departed across the
mountains to the new area by the Mediterranean. As the weather did not permit, little
ferrying was done by aircraft consequently most of the men had ample opportunity to see
the beautiful snow capped mountains that made Italy such a difficult country to conquer.
Upon their arrival at the new base the men were surprised and delighted to discover that
the 448th had a large “mansion” at their disposal. The Baron, a gracious and obliging “Ex

February 1944 (continued)

Fascist” opened wide the portals of his domain and began immediately to take in
washings for his many women vassals. The “Baron’s Mansion” was a huge stone
building consisting of three floors, Parts of which dated back to 1810. After much
discussion it was decided to have the Kitchen an