12th Air Force, 57th Bombardment Wing

321st Bombardment Group

History: June 1943

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). Available
mission reports, personal mission logs and diaries have also been included.

A/C: Aircraft

NATOUSA: North Atlantic Theater of
Operations USA

A/D: Aerodrome

N.B.S.: 448th 15-21 Jun 43?

A/F: Air Field

NC: Nurse Corps.

AA or AAA: Anti-Aircraft (Artillery)

NCO: Non-Commissioned Officer

abs: absent

OD: Officer of the day/Olive Drab

ALO: Allied Liaison Officer

OLC: Oak Leaf Cluster

Assg: Assigned

OTU: 447th 27 Oct 43?

Azon: Azimuth only (guided bomb)

PAX: Passengers

B.R.L.: Ballistic Research Laboratory

PBS: 447th 2 June 44?

BC: Bomber Command

PDI: Pilot Direction Indicator

BSM: 448th 8-15 Sep 44?

POE: Point of Embarkation

CA: Heavy Cruiser

PX: Post Exchange

CAVU: Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited

QM: Quarter Master

CO: Commanding Officer

R/B: Road Bridge

CP: Command Post

RC: 448th 10 Sep 43?

CQ: Charge of Quarters

R/J: Road Junction

CWS: Chemical Warfare Service

R/Y: Railroad Yards

D/H: Direct Hit

Repl: Replacement

Demo: Demolition

RON: Remain OverNight

DS: Detached Service

RR/B: Railroad Bridge

E/A: Enemy Aircraft

RR/J: Railroad Junction

E/F: Enemy Fighter

RR: Railroad

E/M: Enlisted Men

S/E: Single Engine (plane)

EFM: 447th 16 Sep 44?

SAP: Semi-Armor Piercing

F/L: Formation Leader - Flight Leader

SD: Special Duty

FO or F/O: Flying Officer

sk: sick

Frag: Fragmentation

SO: Special Order

GLO: Ground Liaison Officer (UK)

SOI: Standard Operating Instructions?

GO: General Order

Sq: Squadron

GP: General Purpose/Gun Position

Sqdn: Squadron

I & E: Information & Education

SWA: Seriously Wounded in Action

IP: Initial Point

T/C: Troop Concentration

L/G: Landing Ground

T/E: Twin Engine (plane)

Lox: Liquid Oxygen

TAC: Theater Allied Command

L/S: Landing Strip

TBF: Tactical Bomber Force

L/V: Large Vehicle

TD: Temporary Duty

LOT: 447th 2 May 44?

TLC: 447th 5 Oct 43?

LST: Landing Ship Tank

TO: Take-Off (time) / Technical Order

Ltr: Letter

TOT: Time Over Target/Time On Target

LWA: Lightly Wounded in Action

Trfd: Transferred

MATS: Military Air Transport Service

u/i: 448th 26 Sep 44?

M/T: Motor Transport (Truck)

VOCO: Verbal Order of the Commanding
Officer

M/V: Military Vessel

WT Station: 445th 20 Jul 43?

M/Y: Marshalling Yards

XC: Cross Country

MC: Maintenance Crew

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

For my dad,

Colonel John Fitzgerald, USA (retired)

“Lil Butch”

John T. Fitzgerald, SMSgt, USAF (retired)

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

Tuesday, 1 June 1943

USAAF Chronology: MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO):

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force): No Entry

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force): In the
Mediterranean, an attack by Wellingtons against Pantelleria Island during the night of 31
May/l Jun is followed by Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) P-38's and B-
17's while Northwest Tactical Air Force (NATAF) P-40's attack gun positions on the
island during the day. In Italy, NASAF P-40's strafe seaplane base on Stagnone Island
and P-38's bomb the railroad near Balesrate. In Sardinia, P-38's, B-26's, and B-25's,
bomb Porto Torres harbor, Porto Ponte Romano and Olbia harbor. HQ 47th
Bombardment Group (Light) and it's 84th, 85th, 86th and 97th Bombardment Squadrons
(Light) transfer from Souk-el-Arba, Tunisia to Soliman, Tunisia with A-20's. HQ 319th
Bombardment Group (Medium) and it's 437th, 438th, 439th and 440th Bombardment
Squadrons (Medium) transfer from Rabat Sale, French Morocco to Sedrata, Algeria with
B-26's. HQ 321st Bombardment Group (Medium) and it's 445th, 446th, 447th and 448th
Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) transfers from Ain M’Lila, Algeria to Souk-el-Arba,
Tunisia with B-25's. During Jun 43, the 14th and 53rd Troop Carrier Squadrons, 61st
Troop Carrier Group, transfer from Lourmel, Algeria to Kairouan, Tunisia with C-47's.

445th BS War Diary: Except for a few of the men who acted as guards in the convoy to
Souk el Arba, the entire Squadron personnel was moved by air to the new base. This
evening the Squadron area was set up including the mess hall.

446th BS War Diary: Squadron moved to Souk El Arba.

447th BS War Diary: Our move to Souk el Arba was begun this morning. The motor
convoy got started early. The rest of the personnel and equipment was moved by military
aircraft. Our squadron planes shuttled back and forth between Ain M’Lila and Souk el
Arba until everyone and everything had been transported to the new base. The motor
convoy arrived at the new base about dark. Thus the entire move was made in one day.
Our new camp site is in the middle of a dusty plain. There are wheat fields all around us.
The squadron planes are parked in revetments which were cut in a wheat field by
bulldozers. We are about one mile from the town of Souk el Arba.

448th BS War Diary: No Entry

447th BS: War Diary of: McDuff, Daniel R., 1Lt, pilot:

“On June 1st I did a lot of work. We moved from Ain M’Lila to Souk el Arba, and beside
an hour flight before we started, I made 2½ round trips. We hated to move. At Ain
M’Lila we were camped on grass---here we are in the big middle of what used to be a
wheat field. …and there is nothing on earth any hotter in the summer time than a wheat
field...!”

Wednesday, 2 June 1943

USAAF Chronology: MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO):

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force): HQ 324th Fighter
Group and it's 315th and 316th Fighter Squadrons with P-40's transfer from an unknown
location in Tunisia to Kairouan, Tunisia.

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force): During
the night of 1/2 Jun, Wellingtons of Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) hit
Pantelleria Island in the Mediterranean and drop pamphlets on Naples, Italy. Fighters and
medium bombers hit Pantelleria during the following morning and afternoon. P-38's
attack the airfield at Milo, Sicily while P-40's strafe targets of opportunity in Sardinia.
HQ 12th Bombardment Group (Medium) and it's 81st, 82nd and 434th Bombardment
Squadrons (Medium) with B-25's and HQ 340th Bombardment Group (Medium) transfer
from Sfax, Tunisia to Hergla, Tunisia.

445th BS War Diary: The remaining equipment from Ain M’Lila was brought up to
Souk el Arba today. An old Arab farmhouse that sits at the edge of our dispersal area
was selected by Capt. Nickerson to be our Intelligence, Operations, Tech Supply,
Statistical, Engineering and Parachute office. Under the supervision of Capt. Nickerson,
the enlisted men of these departments cleaned out the old building, burned the floors off
with gasoline and patched the roof. This afternoon the building was occupied by these
various departments and they were ready to work. This evening we were notified that we
had to move across the road. Thirty minutes later, tents began to spring up three-quarters
of a mile from our old area in a wheat field which is to be our new area. Then men
looked like Arabs coming back from market day streaming across the field, barracks
bags, cots, bed clothes and all their equipment slung all over them. One group of men
who possessed a few extra francs hired an Arab and his horse and cart to move their
equipment to the new area. By dark the tents were set up and the men were ready and
willing to go to bed in spite of the fact that they were all aggravated by the latest move
after they were already set up once. But they will be all right by morning.

Nickerson, James E. "Nick", Capt, intelligence

446th BS War Diary: Setting up a camp.

447th BS War Diary: Most of the day was spent in getting our new camp into shape. Lt.
Gale has taken over the management of the mess and the men have all agreed to pay a
little extra each month so that fresh vegetables and meat may be served occasionally.

Gale, Myron, 1Lt,, Executive

448th BS War Diary: No Entry

Thursday, 3 June 1943

USAAF Chronology: MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO):

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force): No Entry

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force): Fighters,
light and medium bombers of the Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) and
Northwest Tactical Air Force NATAF) attack defended positions on Pantelleria Island in
the Mediterranean following a raid on the town area and docks by Wellingtons during the
night of 2/3 Jun. HQ 14th Fighter Group and it's 48th and 49th Fighter Squadrons with P-
38's transfer from Telergma, Algeria to El Bathan, Tunisia. HQ 86th Bombardment
Group (Dive) and it's 309th Bombardment Squadron (Dive) transfer with A-36's from La
Senia, Algeria to Marnia, French Morocco. HQ 325th Fighter Group and it's 317th and
318th Fighter Squadrons transfer with P-40's from Montesquieu, Algeria to Souk-el-
Khemis, Tunisia. The 83rd Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 12th Bombardment Group
(Medium) transfers with B-25's from Sfax, Tunisia to Hergla, Tunisia. The 154th
Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter), 68th Reconnaissance Group transfers with P-38/F-5s
from Korba, Tunisia to Nouvion, Algeria. The 486th, 487th, 488th and 489th
Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 340th Bombardment Group (Medium) transfer with
B-25's from Sfax, Tunisia to Hergla, Tunisia.

445th BS War Diary: No mission today. This morning two loads of crushed rock were
hauled form an English quarry to the new Operations and Intelligence building where it
was spread on the floor to keep down the dust. In addition to this, two large grass mats
were laid on the floor, the walls were painted half way to the roof and bombs were
painted on the wall for each Squadron mission. Below this was painted three ships which
had been sunk by the Squadron and 10 enemy aircraft shot by our gunners. In two days
time the building had been converted from a filthy Arab house to the coolest, cleanest and
most attractive office in the whole Group thanks to the foresight of Captain Nickerson.
The men who did the work are very proud of their accomplishment.

Nickerson, James E. "Nick", Capt, intelligence

446th BS War Diary: Setting up a camp.

447th BS War Diary: A squadron truck was sent to the beach at Tabarka today. This
truck will be sent daily so that the men who have the day off may spend it at the beach.
In the mountains between here and the beach is the resort town of Ain Draham where
there are a number of hotels which serve fairly good meals. The squadron truck usually
stops at one of these places on the way home and the men are able to have a meal out.
Our first replacement crew came in today. They brought a plane with them. Lt. Spingler
was the pilot.

Spingler, Richard H., 2Lt, pilot

448th BS War Diary: No Entry

Friday, 4 June 1943

USAAF Chronology: MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO):

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force): In Italy, B-24's attack
Grottaglie Airfield, leaving hangars and other building in flames. B-24 gunners claim 3
fighters shot down.

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force): During
the night of 3/4 Jun, Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) Wellingtons bomb
Syracuse, Sicily; Catanzaro, Italy; and Pantelleria Island in the Mediterranean, which is
also hit on the following day by fighters, light, medium, and heavy bombers, of NASAF
and the Northwest Tactical Air Force (NATAF). HQ 27th Bombardment Group (Light)
and it's 17th and 91st Bombardment Squadrons (Light) transfer with A-36's from Ras el
Ma, French Morocco to Korba, Tunisia. The 319th Fighter Squadron, 325th Fighter Group
transfers with P-40's from Montesquieu, Algeria to Souk-el-Khemis, Tunisia. The 346th
Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group based at Maison Blanche, Algeria begins
operating it's P-39's from Monastir, Tunisia.

445th BS War Diary: No mission again today. The field here which is situated in a dry,
hot and dusty valley is located between two high mountain ranges. The flies here are
terrible and the water situation for drinking and bathing is rather acute. The men in order
to take a bath go in to the town of Souk el Arba and take a steam bathe in a barber shop
which has been set aside for the Allied forces in the Souk el Arba area. Everyone
appreciates these baths but they would give anything in the world for a good old
American shower.

446th BS War Diary: Setting up a camp.

447th BS War Diary: Usual garrison duties.

448th BS War Diary: No Entry

Saturday, 5 June 1943

USAAF Chronology: MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO):

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force): During the early
morning, Royal Air Force (RAF) heavy bombers, under operational control of the IX
Bomber Command, attack the harbor at Catania, Sicily.

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force): During
the night of 4/5 Jun, Wellingtons hit docks and town area of Pantelleria Island in the
Mediterranean. On 5 Jun, B-25's and P-38's extend the attack on the island, hitting mainly
gun positions. B-17's hit the harbor and shipping at La Spezia, Italy. In Sardinia, B-26's
bomb Porto Ponte Romano while P-38's hit airfields at Monserrato and Capoterra. "A"
Flight of the 15th Photographic Squadron (Heavy), 3rd Photographic Reconnaissance and
Mapping Group transfers with B-17's and F-5's from Algiers, Algeria to Le Kroub,
Algeria. "B" and "C" Flights of the squadron are still in the US.

445th BS War Diary: No Mission today.

446th BS War Diary: Setting up a camp. Group mission 50, Sqdn 42 composed of 12
planes led by Lt. Griffith, who led the Group with Major Schwane as co-pilot. The target
was Pantelleria gun emplacements. Target well covered and flak was intense, heavy, but
inaccurate.

Griffith, Frank J., 1Lt, pilot Schwane, Henry H., Maj, pilot, Commander

447th BS War Diary: Usual garrison duties.

448th BS War Diary: Mission 39 (64): At 15:30 18 planes off to bomb gun positions 6
and 7 on Pantelleria, dropped 50 x 1000 bombs at 16:50 from 8500 feet, returning at
18:10. Gun emplacements hit, some bombs fell short. No E/A observed. Moderate,
heavy, inaccurate flak. Weather: CAVU.

447th BS: War Diary of: Williams, William T., 2Lt, pilot:

“Fly to La Senia in a B-17 to ferry a B-25 back to Sale.”

Sunday, 6 June 1943

USAAF Chronology: MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO):

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force): In Italy, B-24's strike
the harbor areas of Villa San Giovanni and Reggio di Calabria, and ferry slips and
railroad yards at Messina. B-24 gunners claim 8 fighters destroyed. B-25's of 2 groups hit
Pantelleria Island in the Mediterranean.

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force): In the
Mediterranean, Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) Wellingtons hit the
town and docks of Pantelleria Island during the night of 5/6 Jun. The following afternoon,
Spitfires, P-40's, P-38's, B-26's, A-20's, A-36's, and B-25's of the NASAF and Northwest
Tactical Air Force (NATAF) continue pounding the island. The Allied air bombardment
increases and is concentrated on coastal batteries and other gun emplacements as the
second phase of air offensive against Pantelleria Island starts. HQ 310th Bombardment
Group (Medium) and it's 379th, 380th, 381st and 428th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium)
transfer with B-25's from Berteaux, Algeria to Dar el Koudia, Tunisia.

445th BS War Diary: No mission again today. The wind and dust up here is terrible.

446th BS War Diary: Regular combat zone activities.

447th BS War Diary: Usual garrison duties.

448th BS War Diary: No Entry

447th BS: War Diary of: Williams, William T., 2Lt, pilot:

“Hop down to Casablanca, a come back to shoot some landings.”

Monday, 7 June 1943

USAAF Chronology: MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO):

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force): B-25's bomb gun
emplacements at the airfield on Pantelleria Island in the Mediterranean.

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force):
Following a night raid by Wellingtons on Pantelleria Island in the Mediterranean, heavy,
medium and light bombers, and fighters of the Northwest African Strategic Air Force
(NASAF) and Northwest Tactical Air Force (NATAF) pound the island throughout the
afternoon. The 99th Fighter Squadron, XII Air Support Command attached to the 33rd
Fighter Group transfers with P-40's from Oued N'ja, French Morocco to Fardjouna,
Tunisia.

445th BS War Diary: 19 B-25’s (16 of the 445th) took off at 17:10 to bomb gun
positions on Pantelleria. The formation was led by Lt. Bonus, our Assistant Operations
Officer. 54 P-40’s from the 325th Fighter Group were our escorts. The targets were three
different batteries to be attacked by each flight of the formation. The other two flights
were led by Captain Tipton and Lt. Cratin. 48 x1000 lb. demolition bombs were dropped
by the 445th from 8300 to 9500 ft. Lt. Miller made a crash landing shortly after take off
when his oil line broke. Before landing, he managed to salvo his bombs even though he
was a very low altitude on one good engine and a runaway prop. There were no
casualties. The targets were very well covered with bursts and from 7 to 10 guns were
knocked out. The flak was heavy, slight and inaccurate.

Bonus, Robert M., 2Lt, pilot Cratin, William S., 1Lt, pilot

Miller, Gail G., 2Lt, pilot Tipton, William L. "Tip", Capt, pilot

446th BS War Diary: Group mission 51, Sqdn 43 composed of 3 planes led by Lt.
Porter. Target was Pantelleria gun emplacements, but they were not well covered. Flak
was heavy and inaccurate. Group mission 52, Sqdn 44 composed of 3 planes led by Lt.
VanArtsdalen to Pantelleria gun emplacements, 1000 lb bombs were dropped and target
was well covered knocking out 12 or 13 guns.

Porter, Jack G., 2Lt, pilot or Porter, Lloyd A., 2Lt, pilot

447th BS War Diary: Fourteen of our planes participated in a raid on the gun
emplacements along the coast of Pantelleria. Bombing results poor. All our planes
returned safely.

448th BS War Diary: Mission 38 (63): At 12:30 20 planes off to bomb flak positions in
Pantelleria. Dropped 57 x 1000 bombs from 8500 feet at 13:46, returned at 15:10. Three
targets assigned and all three believed hit. Moderate, heavy, inaccurate flak. Weather:
CAVU. F/L: Tipton, Bonus.

Bonus, Robert M., 2Lt, pilot, 445th BS Tipton, William L. "Tip", Capt, pilot, 445th BS

Monday, 7 June 1943 (continued)

447th BS: War Diary of: Spikes, Robert F., 1Lt, pilot (mission 16)

TARGET: Pantelleria 2:30 Plane 371

“Target well covered. Large columns of smoke seen.” Flight leader Lt. Seel.

447th BS: War Diary of: Williams, William T., 2Lt, pilot:

“Ferry another ship to La Senia and RON. Also ferry a different ship back. Here at Sale
when we are not flying formation or ferrying we spend our time in Rabat drinking and
eating in these outdoor ? places.”

447th BS: War Diary of: McDuff, Daniel R., 1Lt, pilot (mission 17)

“From June 2nd to June 7th we got settled in our tents, worked on our ships, and did a lot
of sight seeing. One day I went up to the coast at Tabarka for my first swim in the
Mediterranean. Another I went on the long ride to Tunis and back. It was interesting; I
saw some 10 or 12 U.S. light tanks all shot to hell in the fields around Medjez el Bab.

Most of the other days we had off I had the G.I.’s and I’m sure you know what
that is.

On June 7th I went on my 17th raid. The message was again 1,000 lb. bombs to be
delivered on Pantelleria. Again light, inaccurate flak was encountered---and no fighters.
And it was about this time that this trip---Pantelleria and return—acquired the name,
‘The Milk Run’.”

Tuesday, 8 June 1943

USAAF Chronology: MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO):

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force): Royal Air Force
(RAF) heavy bombers bomb the Messina, Italy ferry terminal. B-25's of 2 groups hit
Pantelleria Island in the Mediterranean, directing their major effort at gun emplacements.

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force): North-
west African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) Wellingtons pound the town and docks on
Pantelleria Island in the Mediterranean during the night of 7/8 Jun. The air offensive
against the island increases during the following day as fighters, light, medium and heavy
bombers of the NASAF and Northwest Tactical Air Force (NATAF) continue to bomb
throughout the day. Naval forces bombard the harbor and shore batteries. Surrender
requests, dropped by airplane, bring no response. In Sardinia, P-38's attack barracks N
of Segariu and the airfield at Villacidro. HQ 47th Bombardment Wing (Medium)
transfers from El Guerrah, Algeria to Souk-el-Arba, Tunisia. The 16th Bombardment
Squadron (Light), 27th Bombardment Group (Light) transfers with A-36's from Ras el
Ma, French Morocco to Korba, Tunisia.

445th BS War Diary: 42 B-25’s (6 from the 445th) took off to bomb gun positions at
Pantelleria at 17:00. The escort was 24 Spitfires. 18 x 1000 lb. demolition bombs were
dropped by the 445th. The bomb pattern was very poor. The flak was heavy, slight and
inaccurate. The Italians certainly aren’t the gunners the Germans are. Everyone seems to
think they are trying to sink this small island. Lt. Fisher was assigned today from 47th
Wing.

Fisher, Carl D., 1Lt, pilot

446th BS War Diary: Group mission 53, Sqdn 45 composed of 12 planes led by Major
Schwane. 1000 lb bombs were dropped on gun emplacements on Pantelleria but target
was poorly covered.

Schwane, Henry H., Maj, Commander

447th BS War Diary: Twelve of our planes participated in a raid on the gun
emplacements along the coast of Pantelleria. Results of bombing could not be observed
because of dust and smoke. All our planes returned safely.

448th BS War Diary: Mission 40 (66): At 17:00 42 planes off to bomb heavy gun
emplacements on Pantelleria. 37 dropped 110 x 1000 bombs at 18:20 from 8000 feet. 42
returned at 19:45. 5 targets assigned, some hits were near or in target area although
smoke and dust partially obscured visibility of 3 targets. Slight, heavy inaccurate flak.
Weather: CAVU. F/L: Veum and Issacson.

Issacson, Clayton M., Capt, pilot Veum, Ole E., Capt, pilot

Tuesday, 8 June 1943 (continued)

447th BS: War Diary of: McDuff, Daniel R., 1Lt, pilot (mission 18)

“On June 8th it was the milk run again. And again it was a milk run. Thousand pounders
again.”

447th BS: War Diary of: Spikes, Robert F., 1Lt, pilot (mission 17)

TARGET: Pantelleria Gun Emplacements 2:30 Plane 371

“Flight leader Lt Seel. No E/A encountered. Mission partly successful.”

Seel, Peter B., Jr., 1Lt, pilot

Wednesday, 9 June 1943

USAAF Chronology: MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO):

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force): In Sicily, B-24's bomb
the landing ground at Gerbini and the airfield at Catania. B-25's hit Pantelleria Island in
the Mediterranean. Fighters escort bombers and fly patrols and fighter sweeps.

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force): Fighters
and medium and heavy bombers of the Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF)
continue pounding Pantelleria Island in the Mediterranean in predawn hours and during
the afternoon.

445th BS War Diary: 27 B-25’s (13 of the 445th) took off to bomb No. 7 gun
emplacement at Pantelleria. 26 P-38’s from the 82nd Fighter Group were the escort. 39 x
1000 lb. demolitions were dropped by the 445th from 9000 ft. The target was well
covered. Only 12 bursts of flak were seen. Tonight for supper we had the old standby—
corned beef.

446th BS War Diary: Group mission 54, Sqdn 46 composed of 11 planes. Major
Schwane led the Group to Pantelleria where 1000 lb bombs were dropped on gun
emplacements. The target was well covered.

Schwane, Henry H., Maj, Commander

447th BS War Diary: Three of our planes participated in a raid on the gun emplacements
along the coast of Pantelleria. One of the guns was knocked out. All our planes returned
safely.

448th BS War Diary: No Entry

447th BS: War Diary of: McDuff, Daniel R., 1Lt, pilot:

“June 9th we sat out.”

Thursday, 10 June 1943

USAAF Chronology: MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO):

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force): B-25's, escorted by
fighters, bomb Pantelleria Island in the Mediterranean. The escorting fighters dive-bomb
targets on the island. Later, Royal Air Force (RAF) heavy bombers attack Reggio di
Calabria Airfield, Italy.

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force):
Following attacks during the night of 9/10 Jun by fighter-bombers, Northwest African
Strategic Air Force (NASAF) and Northwest Tactical Air Force (NATAF) aircraft
(fighters, and light, medium and heavy bombers) maintain all-day attacks on Pantelleria
Island; over 1,000 sorties are flown. The 60th Fighter Squadron, 33rd Fighter Group
transfers with P-40's from Menzel Temime, Tunisia to Sousse, Tunisia.

445th BS War Diary: 38 B-25’s (12 of the 445th) took off at 10:05 to bomb No. 11 gun
emplacement with P-38’s as escort. 36 x 1000 lb. demos were dropped by the 445th. The
target was well covered and direct hits were seen. Also some hits on No. 10
emplacement. The flak was heavy, slight and inaccurate.

On the second mission today, 49 B-25’s (12 of the 445th) went after No. 4 gun
emplacement at Pantelleria. 36 x 1000 lb. demos were dropped from 9000 ft. Dust and
smoke obscured the results. A large portion of the bombs are believed to have fallen in
the target area. Very few bursts of flak were seen. The wind blew like fury today. These
hot strong winds up here are caused by the Siroccos. The hot winds coming off the
Sahara Desert and rebounding when they come in contact with the cool air over the
Mediterranean which is 40 miles north of here causes the windy conditions.

446th BS War Diary: Group mission 55, Sqdn 47 composed of 12 planes led by Lt.
Griffith. 1000 lb bombs were dropped on the gun emplacements at Pantelleria covering
the target very well. Group mission 56, Sqdn 48 composed of 12 planes led by Lt.
Griffith. 1000 lb bombs were dropped on gun emplacements on Pantelleria, but results
obscured by smoke and dust from the island.

Griffith, Frank J., 1Lt, pilot

447th BS War Diary: Our squadron participated in two raids today on the gun
emplacements along the coast of Pantelleria. Fourteen planes went on the first mission,
thirteen on the second. Bombing results were fair on both missions. All our planes
returned safely.

A/C No. 371

A/C No. unknown “Ruff Stuff”

Spikes, Robert F., 1Lt

McDuff, Daniel R., 1Lt

Nixon, Donald O., 1Lt

Thursday, 10 June 1943 (continued)

448th BS War Diary: Mission 41 (69): At 15:50 49 planes off to bomb 4 gun
emplacements on Pantelleria, none returned early. 48 planes dropped 138 x 1000 bombs
at 17:18 from 8500 feet, returned 18:30. NW point of target well covered, large
proportion of bombs fell in target area. Weather: 4/10th cover at target. F/L: Veum,
Stultz.

Stultz, Raymond B., Capt, pilot Veum, Ole E., Capt, pilot

A/C No. unknown

Bates, James P., Capt, Commander

Stultz, Raymond B., Capt

A/C No. unknown

Veum, Ole E., Capt

447th BS: War Diary of: Spikes, Robert F., 1Lt, pilot (mission 18)

TARGET: Pantelleria AA position # 11 2:30 Plane 371

“Target well covered. Ammunition shack blown up. Flight leader Capt Bates. 4
explosions.”

Bates, James P., Capt, pilot, 448th BS Commander

447th BS: War Diary of: Spikes, Robert F., 1Lt, pilot (mission 19)

TARGET: Pantelleria AA position # 4 2:40 Plane 371

“Target believed well covered with bombs. Target covered with dust and smoke.”

447th BS: War Diary of: McDuff, Daniel R., 1Lt, pilot (mission 19 and 20)

“On June 10th “Ruff Stuff” opened up twice to disgorge a total of 6,000 lbs. of bombs on
the navy gun emplacements on Pantelleria. We got up at 6 a.m. and by 12:30 had made
one run. The second run was completed about an hour before dark. Again it was a milk
run…

On those two runs Nixon did the flying over the target since we flew on the left
wing of the lead ship, and for a change I got a good look at the place. It looked like hell.
Every time we dropped those 1,000 lb. jobs, we left a big towering column of dust and

Thursday, 10 June 1943 (continued)

smoke where the target was before. And we were not the only group to hit it. In fact I
hear that darn near every ship that carries bombs carried some on the milk run---and the
place looked it. There were big holes all over the place---and it looked like some giant
had poured a sack of red dust down over the whole thing. It was a wreck and, except for
a few bursts of flak, no sign of life was evident.”

Nixon, Donald O., 1Lt, pilot

Friday, 11 June 1943

USAAF Chronology: MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO):

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force): B-25's attack islands of
Pantelleria in the Mediterranean and Lampedusa Island, Italy. Fighters escort the medium
bombers to Pantelleria Island and fly cover during their bomb runs. After the British 1
Division is landed unopposed, Pantelleria surrenders unconditionally.

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force): An attack
during the night of 10/11 Jun on Pantelleria Island in the Mediterranean by Wellingtons is
followed by morning and afternoon attacks by fighters and bombers of the Northwest
African Air Force (NAAF), in conjunction with naval bombardment of the island. HQ
86th Bombardment Group (Light) and it's 309th, 310th and 311th Bombardment Squadrons
(Light) transfer with A-36's from French Morocco to Tafaraoui, Algeria. The 414th Night
Fighter Squadron, 2nd Air Defense Wing transfers from La Senia, Algeria to Rerhaia,
Algeria. The air echelon is in England training on Beaufighters.

445th BS War Diary: 29 B-25’s (10 from the 445th) took off to bomb No. 7 gun
emplacements and airdrome at Pantelleria. 720 x 20 lb. frags were dropped by the 445th.
The results of the bombing were obscured by the dust and smoke. Two of our pilots saw
the white cross on the airdrome which indicated the surrender of the island.

446th BS War Diary: Group mission 57, Sqdn 49. 3 planes led by Lt. Martin to the
gun emplacements at Pantelleria. Target was fairly well covered by frag bombs. Group
mission 58, Sqdn 50 composed of 11 planes. Capt. Griffith led the Group to Pantelleria
gun emplacements. Frag bombs covered the target very well.

Griffith, Frank J., Capt, pilot Martin, John K., 2Lt, pilot

447th BS War Diary: Fourteen of our planes participated in a raid today on the gun
emplacements along the coast of Pantelleria. Allied ships were observed moving into the
harbor and the white cross of unconditional surrender was seen by some of the crews on
the landing ground on the island. There was little or no resistance encountered by the
Allied landing forces and it is generally conceded that the island was bombed into
submission---the first time in history that a stronghold such as this has fallen as a result of
aerial attack only. Our squadron is justly proud of the part it played in causing the island
to fall. Lt. Burns was scheduled to go on today’s mission but while taxiing out to the
runway his ship hit a covered slit trench, sunk in and one prop was bent.

A/C No. unknown

A/C No. unknown “Ruff Stuff”

Seel, Peter B., Jr., 1Lt

McDuff, Daniel R., 1Lt

None

Friday, 11 June 1943 (continued)

A/C No. 371

A/C No. unknown

Spikes, Robert F. 1Lt

Ashley, Wilson S., 1Lt

A/C No. unknown

Brinkley, Wilton R., 1Lt

Fineman, Ernest, 1Lt

A/C No. unknown

Grantham, Charles H., 1Lt

Jung, Rowland W., 2Lt

A/C No. unknown

Richardson, Robert W., “Rich”, Capt

448th BS War Diary: Mission 42 (71): At 12:00 24 planes off to bomb gun
emplacement #1908 on Pantelleria, one plane returned early. 23 dropped 1470 frags
from 7000 feet at 13:42, all returned at 14:35. Gun emplacement well covered, no flak,
no fighters. Weather: Scattered showers. F/L: Veum, Issacson.

Issacson, Clayton M., Capt, pilot Veum, Ole E., Capt, pilot

Friday, 11 June 1943 (continued)

A/C No. unknown

Issacson, Clayton M., Capt

Veum, Ole E., Capt

447th BS: War Diary of: Spikes, Robert F., 1Lt, pilot (mission 20)

TARGET: Pantelleria AA position # 7 2:30 Plane 371

“Invasion of Pantelleria. Flight leader Lt. Seel.”

Seel, Peter B., Jr., 1Lt, pilot

447th BS: War Diary of: McDuff, Daniel R., 1Lt, pilot (mission 21)

“Today, June 11th, I went out on the Milk Run again for my 21st mission and saw history
in the making. Boats of all sizes were off shore on the west side of the island, the larger
naval vessels steaming around shelling the island; the troop ships at anchor, kicking off
smaller landing barges, some of which were already in the harbor. Black smoke and dust
were rising from the harbor and the town, and from the looks of it, all hell was breaking
loose.

We dropped frag bombs on a hill between the town and the airfield, and came
away uneventfully. The sky was full of fighters---all ours---and the situation in the air
seemed well in hand. We flew calmly on for an instant after dropping our bombs, then
made a long, slow diving turn to the left. We zigzagged slightly just in case someone
might have been aiming a gun at us---but if they were they never pulled the trigger. We
flew unmolested back to the coast and came off about 20 or 30 miles up the coast and
west of the point where we had gone in. And in this section there was another and
probably larger invasion fleet! Transports were disgorging their landing craft,
destroyers were darting abut, and larger vessels (probably cruisers) were going around
in semi-circles and letting go now and then with a broadside toward shore. No one tried
to count the number of vessels in this group because it went out of sight up the coast to
the west as far as we could see. Just off shore we turned west and flew almost parallel to
the coast for quite a while and for as long as we could see it we could see boats off the
shore.

As fast as I or anyone else could tell they were meeting no resistance. But we
rally couldn’t tell very well---all we could be even partially certain of was that there was
no large gun fire form the shore. There were no shell splashes around the vessels of the
invasion fleet.

We came on home and except for the fact that I was leading an element again, the
mission was highly routine.

We got home just shortly before lunch. I just had time to wash my face and hands
and get to the mess tent. After lunch I hit the sack and fell asleep---exhausted. At about

Friday, 11 June 1943 (continued)

two p.m. I was rudely awakened and told we were off on another mission—my 28th (typo-
should be 22)

During briefing I was just about half asleep and it wasn’t until I was out at the
ship and ready to go that I realized we were going after one of the hottest targets in
Sicily: the airfield just to the east of the city of Trapani. (The other hot one is Palermo.)

It was considered highly probable that we would encounter fighter opposition, but
we had an impressive escort---44 P-40’s which we met at their field on the tip of Cape
Bon.

Ours was the lead flight with Richardson leading, Jung on his right and Ashley on
his left. Under his element was Grantham as lead with me on his right and Brinkley on
his left. Behind us came Fineman with six more of our squadron’s ships.

Ashley, Wilson S., 1Lt, pilot Brinkley, Wilton R., 1Lt, pilot

Fineman, Ernest, 1Lt, pilot Grantham, Charles H., 1Lt, pilot

Jung, Rowland W., 2Lt, pilot Richardson, Robert W. "Rich", Capt, pilot

We flew out to the rendezvous with the fighters at an altitude of about 6,000 ft.
and as we left the cape, started our climb to 9500. We were to bomb from 9,000 but we
pick up an extra 500 ft. so that we can dive and gain a little speed going over the target.
We flew wide to the west of the Egadi islands, made a wide circle to the right until we
were well north of the little bay on the tip of the island. Then we turned almost south and
were on course for our target. We dived to gain our speed. Below us I could see a few
bursts of flak---feeling out our altitude. Our bomb bas came open. Falk began to pop
thick and fast---and accurate! Close…much too damn close! The indicator light on my
panel flashed---I could see it out of the corner of my eye. Our bombs were falling. Flak
was getting mighty close to us, and now and then I could hear pieces hitting my ship---
and too often I could feel the ship bounce under me with a jolt that only the explosion of a
flak shell can give it! My bombardier called just as the light flashed the last time:
“Bombs away!” The bursts were thicker now and, if possible, closer. I half closed my
eyes and was too scarred to even hope, much less pray! Suddenly Jung’s ship was hit! I
think I must have seen it as it hit because I can remember seeing everything happen as it
happened. He didn’t even have his bomb bay doors close. His bombs---fortunately for
all of us---had gone, but his bombardier had not had time to close the doors.

I saw a sheet of flame come out of his bomb bay, and simultaneously his wheels
fell to the down position, smoke began to pour out and various and sundry parts came
falling almost directly for me. I subconsciously ducked. Wongy (Jung) pulled out to the
side, trailing smoke and falling slowly. He passed out of sight behind me. We began
some violent evasive action, and while I was trying to decide whether to fall out and try
to cover him or not, I heard the pursuits call to each other that they had a cripple with his
wheels down to cover. That settled it and made up my mind for me. I hung in formation,
giving “The Saint” (Fabling’s ship) all she would take to keep up. The air was full of
calls. I couldn’t make them out, but I did hear Wongy say that one engine was losing oil
and smoking and he would have to feather it. That meant that there was nothing he could
do but go down on the water. With its wheels down, its bomb bay open, and (someone
said later) its flaps down, his ship couldn’t be expected to fly on one engine.”

Saturday, 12 June 1943

USAAF Chronology: MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO):

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force): B-25's, escorted by P-
40's, attack Lampedusa Island in the Mediterranean. The island surrenders
unconditionally, and Coldstream Guards go ashore and take charge

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force): North-
west African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) and Northwest Tactical Air Force (Northwest
Tactical Air Force (NATAF)) fighters, light, medium and heavy bombers hit Lampedusa
Island in the Mediterranean. In Sicily, B-17's and B-26's bomb Castelvetrano,
Boccadifalco, and Milo Airfields.

445th BS War Diary: Twenty four -25’s (12 of the 445th) took off at 13:39 to bomb the
town and adjacent area of Lampedusa. 92 x 500 Demo. Bombs were dropped by the
445th from 9,000 ft. The escort was 12 P-38’s from the 82nd fighter group. A string of
bombs fell through the town, harbor installations, radio building and small boats on
shore. A couple gun emplacements were hit. The men usually make one trip a day into
Souk El Arba to buy apricots which is the only fruit which is ripe in this area now.

446th BS War Diary: Group mission 59, Sqdn 51 composed of 12 planes led by Capt.
Griffith against the town, harbor, and shipping at Lampedusa. 500 lb bombs were
dropped covering the target well.

Griffith, Frank J., Capt, pilot

447th BS War Diary: Fourteen of our planes participated in a raid on the harbor and
town at Lampedusa. Bombing results were excellent. The island surrendered later in the
day, unconditionally. Another new crew and plane joined the squadron today. The pilot
of the plane was Lt. McFadden.

McFadden, Kenneth L. "Mac", 2Lt, pilot

448th BS War Diary: Mission 43 (73): At 13:39 24 planes off to bomb Fort, town and
adjacent area on the island of Lampedusa. Dropped 139 x 500 bombs from 8000 feet at
15:10. 5 salvoed. All planes returned at 16:19. Bombs fell throughout town and harbor
installations, radio building, small boats on shore and gun emplacement. No flak.
Weather: 3/10th cover at 10,000 at the target. F/L: Veum, Stultz.

Lampedusa surrendered this date.

Stultz, Raymond B., Capt, pilot Veum, Ole E., Capt, pilot

447th BS: War Diary of: Spikes, Robert F., 1Lt, pilot (mission 23)

TARGET: Lampedusa Docks and town. 2:30 Plane 371

“All targets well covered. Fire and smoke observed.”

Sunday, 13 June 1943

USAAF Chronology: MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO):

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force): In Sicily, US and
Royal Air Force (RAF) heavy bombers attack Catania and Gerbini Airfields, causing
severe damage to aircraft, runways, hangars, and other installations. Our heavy bombers
claim 5 fighters; 2 B-24's are down at sea.

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force): North-
west Tactical Air Force (NATAF) and Northwest African Coastal Air Force (NACAF)
carry out land and sea patrols and reconnaissance flights. Northwest African
Photographic Reconnaissance Wing covers areas of Sardinia, Sicily, and the Italian
mainland. HQ 3rd Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping Group and it's 12th
Photographic Squadron (Light) transfers with F-5's from Algiers, Algeria to La Marsa,
Tunisia. HQ 82nd Fighter Group and it's 95th, 96th and 97th Fighter Squadrons transfer
with P-38's from Berteaux, Algeria to Souk-el-Arba, Algeria. The 5th Photographic
Squadron (Light), Twelfth Air Force transfers with F-5's from Algiers, Algeria to La
Marsa, Tunisia. The 346th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group which has been
operating it's P-39's from Monastir, Tunisia since 4 Jun returns to it's base at Maison
Blanche, Algeria.

445th BS War Diary: No missions scheduled for today. The men in the squadron of
Catholic faith go to church in Souk El Arba. The priest gives his sermons first in French
and then in English for the benefit of the American soldiers. There is an epidemic of
dysentery going through the squadron. Our medical officer seems to think that it is
caused by flies.

446th BS War Diary: Regular combat zone activities.

447th BS War Diary: Five of our planes went over to the 82nd fighter group today to
help them move to their new base. One plane received two cracked bulkheads when it
was overloaded in the rear and went down on its tail.

448th BS War Diary: No Entry

447th BS: War Diary of: Williams, William T., 2Lt, pilot:

“Finally leave BTC for Telergma. On the way an exhaust stack breaks so we had to land
at Algiers and RON.”

Monday, 14 June 1943

USAAF Chronology: MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO):

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force): No Entry

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force): During
the night of 13/14 Jun, Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) Wellingtons
bomb Messina, Italy. Other NASAF and Northwest Tactical Air Force (NATAF)
airplanes continue patrols and reconnaissance. The Northwest African Photographic
Reconnaissance Wing maintains flights over Sardinia and Sicily.

445th BS War Diary: No mission today. Today at noon chow we were served
doughnuts by a pretty blonde Red Cross girl. After the doughnuts were passed out she
got her plate and went through the chow line with the enlisted men. In spite of having to
stand up and eat off of an oil drum in the boiling sun, she took it like a good soldier. The
men’s moral always seems to jump when there is a pretty face around the area.

446th BS War Diary: Regular combat zone activities.

447th BS War Diary: Two new crews and planes joined the squadron today. Pilots were
Lts. Miller and Gill.

Gill, Paul W., 2Lt, pilot Miller, Benjamin B., Jr., 2Lt, pilot

448th BS War Diary: No Entry

447th BS: War Diary of: Williams, William T., 2Lt, pilot:

“Leave Algiers and land at Telergma where we are assigned to the 321st Bomb. Group.
So we take off to find it. When we finally do get here our crew is broken up and Olson
and I are assigned to the 447-A Squadron.”

Olson, Robert C. "Ollie", 2Lt, pilot

Tuesday, 15 June 1943

USAAF Chronology: MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO):

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force): No Entry

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force): During
the night of 14/15 Jun, Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) Wellingtons
bomb the airfields at Milo, Sciacca, Castelvetrano, and Boccadifalco, Sicily. B-17's, B-
25's, B-26's, and P-38's follow during the morning hours with raids on the same targets
and hit the airfield at Bo Rizzo and radio stations near Marsala, Sicily. Widespread photo
reconnaissance of mainland Italy, Sicily, and Sardinia continues. A detachment of the
12th Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter), 67th Reconnaissance Group begins operating
from Malta with F-5's.

445th BS War Diary: Thirty six B-25’s (8 of the 445th) took off to bomb the landing
ground at Sciacca in Sicily. 64 x 300 lb. demo. Bombs were dropped by the 445th at
9,000 ft. The flak was slight accurate and heavy. Twelve enemy aircraft were
intercepted by the escort and their formation was broken up before they could attack the
bombers. The escort claimed one destroyed. Hits were made on the landing ground and
among the barracks on the south end of the field. The wind blew with unabated fury
today. At times the dust was so bad we couldn’t see a hundred feet in front of us.
Several tents were blown down in the area.

446th BS War Diary: Regular combat zone activities. Group mission 61, Sqdn 52
composed of 11 planes. Lt. Garmon led the Group against the A/D at Sciacca, Sicily.
300 lb bombs covered the target very well. Lt. VanArtsdalen was hit in four places in the
leg and Lt. Connor was grazed over the right eye by flak. The plane flown by Lt.
VanArtsdalen received 440 holes by flak and crash landed at Mateur. T/Sgt. Frank
Friscia and S/Sgt Mencher were injured in the landing.

Conner, Clarence H., 2Lt, pilot Friscia, Frank L., T/Sgt, gunner

Garmon, James M., 1Lt, pilot Mencher, Fred S., S/Sgt, gunner

VanArtsdalen, Charles M., 1Lt, pilot

A/C No. unknown

VanArtsdalen, Charles M., 1Lt

Garmon, James M., 1Lt

Conner, Clarence H., 2Lt

Friscia, Frank L., T/Sgt

Mencher, Fred S., S/Sgt

Tuesday, 15 June 1943 (continued)

447th BS War Diary: Nine of our planes participated n a raid on Sciacca, Sicily.
Bombing results poor. All our planes returned safely. A meeting was held this evening
and the officers and enlisted men asked to vote on whether they would like to contribute
more money each month in order to continue to get fresh vegetables and meat. The
enlisted men voted to contribute five dollars each for the month of June and the officers
voted to contribute ten dollars each. Our food has improved 100 percent since this
system was put into practice and everyone feels that it is money well spent.

A/C No. 371

Spikes, Robert F., 1Lt

448th BS War Diary: Mission 44 (74): At 06:31 36 planes off to bomb L/G at Sciacca,
Sicily. Dropped 264 x 300 bombs from 8500 feet at 08:25. 34 returned at 09:40. Hits
made on L/G some on planes on ground N of field others among barracks S of field.
Escort shot down 1 ME-109. 2 planes hit by flak, 1 crash landed at Mateur. 12 ME-
109’s and 6 MA-202’s came up from the deck and were attacked by escort and were seen
to jettison bombs into water. Intense, heavy accurate flak. Weather: Slight haze. F/L:
Issacson.

Issacson, Clayton M., Capt, pilot

A/C No. unknown

Issacson, Clayton M., Capt

447th BS: War Diary of: Spikes, Robert F., 1Lt, pilot (mission 24)

TARGET: Sciacca A/D 3:10 Plane 371

“Hits on landing ground and olive grove E of barracks. 12 ME-109 and 6 MA-202’s
came up after target but were encountered by escort.”

Wednesday, 16 June 1943

USAAF Chronology: MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO):

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force): No Entry

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force): North-
west African Photographic Reconnaissance Wing continues coverage of areas of
Mainland Italy, Sicily, and Sardinia. HQ 313th Troop Carrier Group and it's 29th, 47th
and 49th Troop Carrier Squadrons transfer with C-47's from Oujda, French Morocco to
Kairouan, Tunisia.

445th BS War Diary: There was no mission today. It was cooler today and the wind has
died down. There are now trucks available to take the officers and men to the beach at
Tabarka each day and to Tunis every two days. Horseshoes and volley ball courts are
being set up by our special projects officer.

446th BS War Diary: Regular combat zone activities.

447th BS War Diary: Usual garrison duties.

448th BS War Diary: No Entry

Thursday, 17 June 1943

USAAF Chronology: MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO):

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force): B-24's attack airfields
at Biscari and Comiso, Sicily.

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force): During
the night of 16/17 Jun, Wellingtons bomb docks and a marshalling yard at Naples, Italy.
HQ 2nd Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 20th, 49th and 96th Bombardment Squadrons
(Heavy) transfer with B-17's from Chateaudun-du-Rhumel, Algeria to Ain M’Lila,
Algeria.

445th BS War Diary: No mission today. A few cases of dysentery and the mail
situation was really bad. We are having a full moon now and the nights are very very
bright. It is a beautiful sight to see the white domes and roofs on the buildings in Souk El
Arba against the black mountains in the background.

446th BS War Diary: Regular combat zone activities.

447th BS War Diary: Local practice bombing missions today for the new crews. A new
plane was assigned to the squadron today. The crew went to another squadron.

448th BS War Diary: No Entry

Friday, 18 June 1943

USAAF Chronology: MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO):

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force): HQ 324th Fighter
Group and it's 314th, 315th and 316th Fighter Squadrons transfer with P-40's from
Kairouan, Tunisia to El Haouaria, Tunisia.

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force): B-17's
strike the Messina, Italy ferry slip and railroad yards while P-38's bomb the airfield at
Milo, Sicily. B-26's and B-25's, with P-38 escort, hit docks and shipping at Olbia,
Sardinia and shipping at Golfo Aranci, Italy. Northwest African Tactical Air Force
(NATAF) and Northwest African Coastal Air Force (NACAF) airplanes maintain patrol
and reconnaissance flights. Northwest African Air Force (NAAF) aircraft claim over 40
aircraft destroyed. The 59th Fighter Squadron, 33rd Fighter Group transfers with P-40's
from Sousse, Tunisia to Pantelleria Island in the Mediterranean. The 429th Bombardment
Squadron (Heavy), a 2nd Bombardment Group (Heavy) transfer with B-17’s from
Chateaudun-du-Rhumel, Algeria to Ain M’Lila, Algeria.

445th BS War Diary: There was no mission today due to unfavorable weather
conditions. Today was a little cooler than usual which was quite a relief. We had a very
good dinner today consisting of steak, potatoes, peas, fresh vegetable salad and beer.

446th BS War Diary: Regular combat zone activities.

447th BS War Diary: Usual garrison duties. Maj. Sampson turned 25 today.

Sampson, Raymond D., Maj, pilot, Commander

448th BS War Diary: No Entry

Saturday, 19 June 1943

USAAF Chronology: MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO):

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force): In Italy, B-24's attack
ferry and railroad yards at Villa San Giovanni, ferries in the Straits of Messina, and the
harbor of Reggio di Calabria.

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force): During
the night of 18/19 Jun, Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) Wellingtons
bomb Syracuse, Sicily. Northwest Tactical Air Force (NATAF), Northwest African
Coastal Air Force (NACAF), and Northwest African Photographic Reconnaissance Wing
airplanes maintain patrols and reconnaissance over areas of N Africa, the Mediterranean,
Sicily, Sardinia, and mainland Italy. HQ 33rd Fighter Group transfers from Sousse,
Tunisia to Pantelleria Island in the Mediterranean. HQ 325th Fighter Group and it's 318th
and 319th Fighter Squadrons transfer with P-40's from Souk-el-Khemis, Tunisia to
Mateur, Tunisia. The air echelon of the 415th Night Fighter Squadron, Twelfth Air Force
with Beaufighters joins the ground echelon at La Senia, Algeria after training in England.

445th BS War Diary: No mission again today. The crews show signs of being restless
from just lying around. The American flag was hoisted today and is flying above the
operations building. As far as we know it is the only American flag flying in this area. A
softball diamond has been constructed at the edge of our dispersal area. This evening we
had a game with the 448th and lost 13-7. The mail finally came through.

446th BS War Diary: Regular combat zone activities.

447th BS War Diary: Usual garrison duties.

448th BS War Diary: No Entry

Sunday, 20 June 1943

USAAF Chronology: MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO):

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force): No Entry

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force): North-
west African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) Wellingtons bomb Messina, Sicily during the
night of 19/20 Jun. The following morning B-26's bomb the airfields at Milo,
Castelvetrano, and Bo Rizzo, Sicily. The Northwest Tactical Air Force (NATAF) and
Northwest African Coastal Air Force (NACAF) maintain patrols, reconnaissance, and
convoy escort while the Northwest African Photographic Reconnaissance Wing
continues coverage of areas in Sicily and mainland Italy. The 12th Photographic
Squadron (Light), 3rd Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping Group transfers with F-
5's from La Marsa, Tunisia to Ariana, Tunisia. The squadron has a detachment operating
on Malta. The 48th Troop Carrier Squadron, 313th Troop Carrier Group transfers with C-
47's from Oujda, French Morocco to Kairouan, Tunisia. The 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st
Fighter Group transfers with P-38's from Chateaudun-du-Rhumel, Algeria to Mateur,
Tunisia. The air echelon of the 111th Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter), 68th
Reconnaissance Group based at Nouvion, Algeria begins operating at Bou Ficha, Tunisia
with P-51's. The 311th Bombardment Squadron (Dive), Twelfth Air Force transfers with
A-36's from La Senia, Algeria to Sale, French Morocco. This squadron is attached to the
Northwest African Training Command and trains A-36 pilots.

445th BS War Diary: No mission today. A few local flights were flown. One officer
and one enlisted man came into the squadron as replacements. This evening a double
header volley ball game was played between our officers and group’s officers. We won
the first game 23 to 21 after which a heated argument between Lt. Hoekam and Lt.
McKeever and Lt. Goldstein of group as to who had the best team. The outcome was a
thousand franc bet on the next game. Again group took a trimming, 21 to 14.

Goldstein, Joseph P., 2Lt, Special Services, HQ 321st BG

Hoekam, Robert D., 2Lt, pilot McKeever, Francis D., 2Lt, bombardier

446th BS War Diary: Regular combat zone activities.

447th BS War Diary: Usual garrison duties.

448th BS War Diary: No Entry

Monday, 21 June 1943

USAAF Chronology: MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO):

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force): In Italy, B-24's attack
the ferry terminal and surrounding areas at Villa San Giovanni, and the harbor area and
railroad yards at Reggio di Calabria. Royal Air Force (RAF) heavy bombers follow up
with raids on the same targets.

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force): In Italy,
Wellingtons bomb Naples during the night of 20/21 Jun. The following day, B-17's hit
the Naples railroad yards, Salerno marshalling yard and trestle, Battipaglia marshalling
yard, and Cancello Arnone air depot. Fighters fly patrol, reconnaissance, and convoy
escort. HQ 61st Troop Carrier Group and it's 59th Troop Carrier Squadron transfer with
C-47's from Lourmel, French Morocco to Kairouan, Tunisia. HQ 480th Antisubmarine
Group, AAF Antisubmarine Command is activated at Port Lyautey, French Morocco to
control Antisubmarine Squadrons patrolling the Atlantic Ocean off Morocco. The 60th
Fighter Squadron, 33rd Fighter Group transfers with P-40's from Sousse, Tunisia to
Pantelleria Island in the Mediterranean. The 317th Fighter Squadron, 325th Fighter Group
transfers with P-40's from Souk-el-Khemis, Tunisia to Mateur, Tunisia.

445th BS War Diary: Thirty six B-25’s (12 of the 445th) took off to bomb the
marshalling yards and power plant at Battipaglia in Italy, about 40 miles south of Naples.
This was the first time that medium bombers have ever hit Europe proper in the
Mediterranean area. Thirty eight P-38’s were our escort. 96 x 300 lb. demolition bombs
were dropped by the 445th from 8,000 ft. The marshalling yards, a transformer and repair
sheds were hit. The hits rendered all approaches useless. Some bombs fell short and
some fell over into the town. Twenty five units of rolling stock were destroyed and
seventy-five percent of the power plant, which was the 445th target, was destroyed. There
was no flak and one JU-290 was probably destroyed b the escort. All ships returned
safely. The crews on this raid saw Mt. Vesuvious and the Isle of Capri. The enlisted
men lost to the officers in a volley ball game – 22 to 20.

446th BS War Diary: Regular combat zone activities. Group mission 62, Sqdn 53
composed of 3 planes. Lt. Bailey led the Group to the RR junction at Battipaglia, Italy.
300 lb bombs were dropped covering the target very well. This was the Squadron’s first
mission over Italy and contrary to reports none of the anticipated flak or fighters were
encountered.

Bailey, Merle H., 1Lt, pilot

447th BS War Diary: Ten of our planes participated in a raid on Battipaglia, Italy today.
The target was the railroad yards. Bombing results excellent. This was the first raid over
to be made on the mainland of Italy by B-25s and Lt. Lingrel who was the bombardier in
the lead ship claims the honor of being the first man ever to pass over the mainland in a
Mitchell bomber. He beat the other men by a nose. All our planes retuned safely.

Lingrel, Paul W. "Big Moose", 2Lt, bombardier

Monday, 21 June 1943 (continued)

448th BS War Diary: Mission 45 (75): At 10:55 36 planes off to bomb RR yards and
rolling stock at Battipaglia. Dropped 288 x 300 from 7000 at 13:47. All returned at
16:00. M/Y, transformer station, repair sheds hit, some bombs in town. One JU-290
fired on by escort and was smoking as it disappeared. No flak. Weather: Clear over
target. F/L: Veum.

Veum, Ole E., Capt, pilot

Tuesday, 22 June 1943

USAAF Chronology: MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO):

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force): P-40's patrol over
Pantelleria Island in the Mediterranean; there are no encounters with the enemy.

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force): North-
west African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) Wellingtons bomb Salerno, Italy during the
night of 21/22 Jun. Northwest African Coastal Air Force (NACAF) Beaufighters sink a
small vessel off E Sardinia. The 7th Troop Carrier Squadron, 62nd Troop Carrier Group
transfers with C-47's from Matemore, Algeria to El Djem, Tunisia. The 415th Night
Fighter Squadron, 1st Air Defense Wing transfers with Beaufighters from La Senia,
Algeria to La Sebala, Tunisia.

445th BS War Diary: No mission today. Everyone who heard the Italian propaganda
broadcast this morning was surprised to hear that sixteen of seventy-two shops which
attacked Battipaglia and Salerno yesterday were shot down by anti-aircraft fire. Of the
thirty six ships of the 310th sent over Salerno, all returned safely and all thirty six of our
group’s ships that attacked Battipaglia returned safely. We were wondering if this isn’t
just a little bit fictitious. An extra special chow was enjoyed by all this evening with
steak and all the trimmings with lemonade for drink.

446th BS War Diary: Regular combat zone activities.

447th BS War Diary: Usual garrison duties.

448th BS War Diary: No Entry

447th BS: War Diary of: Williams, William T., 2Lt, pilot (Mission 1)

“After one year and five months, I finally went on a real bombing mission. We took off at
1055 for our target in Southern Italy, the railroad tracks, transformer, and repair sheds
in Battipaglia, which is just below Naples. The jump across the Med. was made “on the
deck” so we wouldn’t be picked up by “Radar” stations in Sardinia or Sicily. Our
formation of thirty-six B-25s escorted by twenty-five P-38s started to climb to the
bombing altitude when we were about sixty miles off the coast of Italy. At 9000 ft. we
level off and made our turn toward the target. A cloud cover forced us down to 6500 feet
but we crossed the target as planned at 1345. As we came off the target in a diving turn
to the left we ran parallel to the 310th B.G. that had just hit Salerno. (A Naval base
there). B-17s were supposed to have hit Naples at the same time but I didn’t see them at
all. We had no “flak” and no fighters to bother us which was a surprise because we
crossed directly over an airdrome as we came off the target. This was the first time
medium bombardment ever hit Italy.

Wednesday, 23 June 1943

USAAF Chronology: MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO):

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force): Royal Air Force (RAF)
Liberators, under the operational control of the IX Bomber Command, hit the airfield at
Comiso, Sicily. Fighters patrol over Pantelleria Island in the Mediterranean without
incident.

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force): North-
west African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) Wellingtons bomb the town of Olbia,
Sardinia and lay mines in the harbor during the night of 22/23 Jun. Photographic
reconnaissance airplanes continue missions, flying over areas of mainland Italy, Sicily,
Sardinia, Corsica, and the S coast of France. HQ 17th Bombardment Group (Medium)
transfers from Sedrata, Algeria to Djedeida, Tunisia. The detachment of the 12th
Photographic Squadron (Light), 3rd Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping Group at
Malta returns to it's base at Ariana, Tunisia.

445th BS War Diary: No mission today. A few local gunnery training flights were
flown today. A barbed wire fence is being built around the squadron area in order to
keep the Arab peddlers who have been quite a problem for some time from wandering
around through the area. Sometimes it was hard to tell whether we lived here or the
Arab. The picture show “Ball of Fire” was shown in the soccer field just at the edge of
Souk El Arba, across the road from Wing headquarters. Last night a quiz program was
conducted in the Squadron called “Battle of Wits” between the enlisted men and officers.
Practically everyone in the squadron attended. The enlisted men won by a close score
with 84 to 81. After the quiz program the men enjoyed a program of recordings and were
served coffee and doughnuts.

446th BS War Diary: Regular combat zone activities.

447th BS War Diary: Usual garrison duties.

448th BS War Diary: No Entry

Thursday, 24 June 1943

USAAF Chronology: MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO):

There is No Entry for 24 June 1943 in the USAAF Chronology.

445th BS War Diary: Thirty six B-25’s (10 of the 445th) took off to bomb Olbia
Venafiarita air drome in Northern Sardinia. The mission was led by Lt. Walker. Thirty
six P-38’s of the 82nd fighter group were our escort. The field, taxi strip and dispersal
area were well covered. Five fires were seen as the formation left the target. One flak
position was silenced in the northwest corner. Ten to twelve ME-109’s and MA-202’s
with yellow spinners were seen above the target. One was probably destroyed and two
were damaged. After the take-off Lt. Bonus could not get his nose wheel to retract so he
had to come in and land on his tail. It was minor damage to the fuselage beneath the tail
and no one was injured.

Bonus, Robert M., 1Lt, pilot

Walker, James O., 2Lt, pilot or Walker, Robert S., 2Lt, pilot

446th BS War Diary: Regular combat zone activities. Group mission 63, Sqdn 54
composed of 12 planes led by Capt. Griffith. Frags were dropped on Olbia A/D, Sardinia
and coverage was fair. 4 aircraft were destroyed on the ground and one attacking aircraft
was shot down by S/Sgt. Joseph C. Kovis.

Griffith, Frank J., Capt, pilot Kovis, Joseph C., S/Sgt, gunner

447th BS War Diary: Two of our planes participated in a raid on Venafiarita landing
ground in Sardinia. Bombing results good. The formation was attacked by fighters and
one of our gunners, Corp. W. Wilson was accredited with shooting one of them down.

Wilson, Leo W., Cpl, gunner

448th BS War Diary: Mission 46 (76): At 08:10 36 planes off to bomb Olbia
Venafiarita A/D. Dropped 2303 frags from 9000 feet at 10:30. 1 landed at Bizerte, 35
returned at 12:15. Field taxi strip and dispersal area well covered 5 fires seen, I flak
position NW corner hit. 1 E/A destroyed, 1 probably destroyed and 2 damaged. 10-12
ME-109’s with yellow spinners attacked formation over target, 1 destroyed. Intense,
heavy, accurate flak of barrage type. Weather: Slight haze. F/L: Stultz and Issacson.

Issacson, Clayton M., Capt, pilot Stultz, Raymond B., Capt, pilot

447th BS: War Diary of: Spikes, Robert F., 1Lt, pilot (mission 25)

TARGET: Venafiarita – Olbia A/D 4:10 Plane 371

“Fields, taxi strip and dispersal area well covered. 1 E/A destroyed. 1 probable. 2
damaged. Leo Wilson destroyed one ME-109.”

Wilson, Leo W., Cpl, gunner

Friday, 25 June 1943

USAAF Chronology: MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO):

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force): No Entry

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force): North-
west African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) Wellingtons bomb docks and marshalling
yard at Olbia, Sardinia during the night of 24/25 Jun. On the following day B-17's drop
over 300 tons of bombs on Messina, Sicily bombing the marshalling yard, the W and N
part of town, warehouse area and part of commercial quay. The 4th Troop Carrier
Squadron, 62nd Troop Carrier Group transfer with C-47’s from Matemore, Algeria to
Goubrine, Tunisia. The 34th, 37th, 95th and 432nd Bombardment Squadrons (Medium),
17th Bombardment Group (Medium) transfer with B-26's from Sedrata, Algeria to
Djedeida, Tunisia. The 415th Night Fighter Squadron, 1st Air Defense Wing transfers with
Beaufighters from La Sebala, Tunisia to Monastir, Tunisia.

445th BS War Diary: There was no mission today. Some of the men went to Tunis
where they enjoyed the sights of the city and the ancient ruins of Carthage. Also some
slipped into the Kasbah and visited the Palace of the Bay of Tunis.

446th BS War Diary: Regular combat zone activities.

447th BS War Diary: Usual garrison duties.

448th BS War Diary: No Entry

Saturday, 26 June 1943

USAAF Chronology: MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO):

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force): During the night of
25/26 Jun, Royal Air Force (RAF) heavy bombers, under IX Bomber Command control,
bomb Messina, Sicily.

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force):
Wellingtons bomb the Bari, Italy oil refinery during the night of 25/26 Jun. HQ 314th
Troop Carrier Group and it's 32nd, 50th and 61st Troop Carrier Squadrons transfer with C-
47's from Berguent, French Morocco to Kairouan, Tunisia. HQ 319th Bombardment
Group (Medium) and it's 437th, 438th, 439th and 440th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium)
transfer with B-26's from Sedrata, Algeria to Djedeida, Tunisia. The 10th Troop Carrier
Squadron, 60th Troop Carrier Group transfers with C-47's from Thiersville, Algeria to El
Djem, Tunisia. A detachment of the 68th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 44th
Bombardment Group (Heavy) based at Shipdham, England begins operating from
Benina, Libya with B-24's.

445th BS War Diary: No mission today. There were a few local test hops. A frame was
built and canvas was stretched over the top to make a mess hall for the enlisted men and
also as protection against weather and the hot sun. Italian parachutists have been landed
somewhere in this area for the primary purpose of sabotaging aircraft. The guard has
been doubled. Guards were placed around the field and along the runway approximately
every hundred yards.

446th BS War Diary: Regular combat zone activities.

447th BS War Diary: Usual garrison duties.

448th BS War Diary: No Entry

Sunday, 27 June 1943

USAAF Chronology: MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO):

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force): Beginning this date, the
20lst Bombardment Wing (Provisional) the 93d, 44th, and 389th Bombardment Groups
(Heavy) of the Eighth Air Force is attached to the Ninth Air Force for operations. B-24's
hit airfields at Kalamaki and Eleusis, Greece, damaging buildings, runways, and parked
airplanes; they claim 7 fighters shot down. HQ 57th Fighter Group and it's 64th, 65th and
66th Fighter Squadrons transfer with P-40's from Tunisia to Malta.

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force): During
the night of 26/27 Jun, Wellingtons bomb the marshalling yard and port area of Naples,
Italy. The 328th, 329th, 330th and 409th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 93rd
Bombardment Group (Heavy) based at Hardwick, England begin operating from Bengasi,
Libya with B-24's. The 506th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 44th Bombardment
Group (Heavy) based at Shipdham, England begins operating from Benina, Libya with B-
24's.

445th BS War Diary: No mission today. It was unusually hot today.

446th BS War Diary: Regular combat zone activities.

447th BS War Diary: Usual garrison duties.

448th BS War Diary: No Entry

Monday, 28 June 1943

USAAF Chronology: MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO):

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force): No Entry

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force): During
the night of 27/28 Jun Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) Wellingtons
bomb the Messina, Sicily marshalling yards and Villa San Giovanni, Italy. The following
day, B-17's hit Leghorn, Italy, B-25's hit airfields near Olbia, Sardinia and Alghero,
Sicily, B-26's attack the landing ground at Milis, Sardinia, and fighters hit the airfield at
Decimomannu, Sardinia. HQ 60th Troop Carrier Group and it's 11th Troop Carrier
Squadron transfer with C-47's from Thiersville, Algeria to El Djem, Tunisia. HQ 64th
Troop Carrier Group and it's 16th, 17th and 35th Troop Carrier Squadrons transfer with C-
47's from Blida, Algeria to Kairouan, Tunisia. "A" Flight of the 15th Photographic
Squadron (Heavy), 3rd Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping Group transfers with
F-5's from Le Kroub, Algeria to La Marsa, Tunisia. "B" and "C" Flights are still in the
US. The 27th and 71st Fighter Squadrons, 1st Fighter Group transfer with P-38's from
Chateaudun-du-Rhumel, Algeria to Mateur, Tunisia. The 58th Fighter Squadron, 33rd
Fighter Group transfers with P-40's from Menzel Temime, Tunisia to Pantelleria Island in
the Mediterranean. The 66th and 67th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 44th
Bombardment Group (Heavy) based at Shipdham, England begin operating from Benina,
Libya with B-24's. The 345th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group transfers with P-39's
from Maison Blanche, Algeria to Bone, Algeria.

445th BS War Diary: Thirty six ships took off to bomb the airdrome at Alghero in
northern Sardinia. We furnished six spares and they all returned because they were not
needed to fill in. Steak again this evening for chow. The food has improved
considerably this past week. Men working on the line have been ordered not to work out
in the sun during the afternoon and late morning. They are supposed to stay in their tent
and under the wings of the ships.

446th BS War Diary: Regular combat zone activities. Group mission 64, Sqdn 55
composed of 12 planes led by Lt. Bradley. Target was the A/D at Alghero, Sardinia
where frags were dropped. Target was well covered, photos showing 7 a/c destroyed and
3 damaged.

Bradley, James L., Jr., 1Lt, pilot

447th BS War Diary: Twelve of our planes participated in a raid on the Alghero landing
ground in Sardinia. Bombing results good. All our planes returned safely.

448th BS War Diary: Mission 47 (77): At 10:05 36 planes off to bomb Alghero A/D.
Dropped 2400 frags at 12:20 from 9000 feet, all returned at 13:45. Barracks,
administration buildings, hangars and dispersal area hit. 7 E/A engaged by escort over
target at rear formation. Slight, heavy, inaccurate flak. Weather: CAVU. F/L: Bates,
Issacson.

Bates, James P., Maj, pilot, Commander Issacson, Clayton M., Capt, pilot

Monday, 28 June 1943 (continued)

447th BS: War Diary of: Williams, William T., 2Lt, pilot (Mission 2)

“Took off at 1000 with a 36 ship formation of B-25s – 25 P-38s for escort. Target today
was the airdrome near Alghero, in N.W. Sardinia. Little flak and only two or three
fighters. All ships returned safely.”

447th BS: War Diary of: Spikes, Robert F., 1Lt, pilot (mission 26)

TARGET: Alghero A/D 3:40 Plane 371

“Barracks hangars and dispersal area hit. Flak heavy inaccurate.”

Tuesday, 29 June 1943

USAAF Chronology: MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO):

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force): Royal Air Force (RAF)
heavy bombers hit the airfield at Reggio di Calabria, Italy. P-40's patrol the sea off Cap
Bon, Tunisia; there are no incidents.

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force):
Wellingtons during the night of 28/29 Jun raid ferry slips and marshalling yard at
Messina, Sicily. Photographic reconnaissance airplanes cover areas in N and S Italy, E
Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and S France. HQ 1st Fighter Group transfers from Chateaudun-
du-Rhumel, Algeria to Mateur, Tunisia. HQ 320th Bombardment Group (Medium) and
it's 441st, 442nd, 443rd and 444th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) transfer with B-26's
from Montesquieu, Algeria to Massicault, Tunisia. The 12th Troop Carrier Squadron, 60th
Troop Carrier Group transfers with C-47's from Thiersville, Algeria to El Djem, Tunisia.

445th BS War Diary: No mission today. Creamed chicken was served at noon chow
which was delicious and an unusual treat. Dinner for the officers at Hotel Transatlantic
which is situated up in the mountains just outside Ain Draham took place this evening. A
fine time was had by all and they said it was the finest dinner they had eaten since their
arrival in Africa. Blackout tonight and heavy guards continues. No signs of enemy
paratroopers yet.

446th BS War Diary: Regular combat zone activities.

447th BS War Diary: Usual garrison duties.

448th BS War Diary: No Entry

Wednesday, 30 June 1943

USAAF Chronology: MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO):

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force): P-40's fly escort for a
sea rescue airplane 35 mi (56 km) N of Cap Bon, Tunisia.

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force): During
the night of 29/30 Jun over 60 Wellingtons hit the area NW of Cape San Marco, Italy and
the marshalling yard and surrounding area at Messina, Sicily. In Sicily the following
day, B-17's bomb the airfields at Palermo and Boccadifalco, B-25's hit the airfield at
Sciacca, and B-26's strike the airfield at Bo Rizzo. Northwest African Coastal Air Force
(NACAF) airplanes sink 2 schooners off S and E Sardinia and damage a vessel off the W
coast of Italy. HQ 31st Fighter Group and it's 307th and 308th Fighter Squadrons transfer
with Spitfires from Korba, Tunisia to Gozo Island, Malta. HQ 86th Bombardment Group
(Dive) and it's 310th Bombardment Squadron (Dive) transfer with A-36's from Tafaraoui,
Algeria to Korba, Tunisia.

445th BS War Diary: Thirty six B-25’s (12 of the 445th) took off to bomb aircraft on the
Sciacca airdrome. The 445th dropped 864 x 20 lb. frag. Bombs from 10,000 ft. The
visibility was very poor and a number of the crews were unable to see the target. Some
hits were reported on the west and east dispersal areas with a large billow of smoke in the
southeast area. Four enemy aircraft were seen which did not attack. One was destroyed
by the escort. Flak was heavy, fairly intense and inaccurate. Some red bursts of flak
were seen over the target. Twenty four P-38’s acted as escorts. It was pretty hot today.
We got paid this afternoon.

446th BS War Diary: Group mission 65, Sqdn 56 composed of 12 planes. Lt Bradley
led the Group to Sciacca, Sicily. Frag bombs were dropped with poor results.

Bradley, James L., Jr., 1Lt, pilot

447th BS War Diary: Twelve of our planes participated in a raid on Sciacca airdrome in
Sicily. Bombing results poor. Lt. Lungren’s plane developed engine trouble three
minutes from the target and he returned to Tunis on one engine. He landed there safely.
The rest of our planes retuned safely. Lt. Lungren brought his plane back to this base
after repairs at Tunis.

Lungren, Charles D., 1Lt, pilot

A/C No. unknown

A/C No. unknown “Ruff Stuff”

Lungren, Charles D., 1Lt

McDuff, Daniel R., 1Lt

Wednesday, 30 June 1943 (continued)

448th BS War Diary: No Entry

447th BS: War Diary of: McDuff, Daniel R., 1Lt, pilot (mission 22)

“There were 36 ships in the formation, all carrying frag bombs special delivery for the
airfield at Sciacca, Sicily. We hit a few ships, generally speaking, didn’t do so well.

It was on this raid that one of Lungren’s engines went out at the top of our climb
and just over the coast of the island. He turned back, limping for home. Four of our
escort P-38s covered him on the way home. He eventually made it into Tunis on one
engine. He didn’t do such a good job on landing, though. He tore up his nose wheel tire
and did something or other to one of his main wheels, and I understand that he landed
down wind---with a ground speed of something like 180 mph or so. He missed his first
attempt and had to go around---40 ft. off the ground! I can’t say for sure—from
experience—but such stuff as that seems unnecessary. That’s the kind of flying that kiss
people. It’s dangerous!

Lungren, Charles D., 1Lt, pilot

A funny thing happened on our way out. We were to bomb our target after the
310thy---a difference of some 45 minutes in target times. We were just off the Tunisian
coast when the 310th, coming back, flew under us. An ME -109 was trailing them—
probably to spot their field if he could. The poor guy didn’t see us coming and the first
thing he knew he was headed for the big middle of a whole flock of B-25s and P-38s!
You could almost hear his tires squealing as he threw on his brakes and made a quick
turn around. Last we saw of him, he was leading a big whirlpool of P-38s out to catch
him. I never found out if they got him, but his chances were pretty slim!”

June 1943

445th BS War Diary: Additional Information for June 1943: None

446th BS War Diary: Additional Information for June 1943: None

447th BS War Diary: Additional Information for June 1943: None

448th BS War Diary: Additional Information for June 1943: On June 1 at 06:00 a
truck convoy led by Lt. Jantz and carrying the large equipment departed Ain M’Lila
bound for Souk el Arba 185 miles away. At 09:30 that same day the first of the Air
Echelon left by B-25’s on a 45 minute flight to the new base.

Jantz, Lawrence E., 2Lt, supply

After a comparatively smooth trip over very poor roads the motor convoy arrived
at Souk el Arba at 18:00 to find that all the personnel had been ferried over and the camp
was well on its way to completion as far as shelter was concerned. Everyone ate “C”
rations that night.

The next morning started with feverish activity of setting up camp and by evening
the kitchen, the Officer’s Mess and the whole tent area was well set up. Great progress
was reported by Lts: Wallnau and Wonnacott in the set up of their line.

Wallnau, Carl N., Jr., 2Lt, engineering Wonnacott, Robert C., 1Lt, engineering

Everyone relaxed a little at this point and surveyed their new home. They were
located in the midst of a wheat field in the Souk el Arba Valley. The wheat was waist
high and the great cracks in the earth gave mute evidence to the dry desert like condition
of that section of Africa.

The airdrome was about a quarter of a mile from the bivouac area and
consequently eliminated the transportation problem. The field itself was excellent
although the dust became increasingly bad. Water was again a problem as it could only
be obtained in town at a point 2 miles north of the campsite. The decontamination trailer
built by Sergeant Rifkin became invaluable for water transportation.

Rifkin, Harry J., Sgt, transportation

The camp soon began to show its true situation. Flies became very bad and it was
a constant battle between the men and those insects as to who would get the food. This
naturally led to many cases of “GIs”.

The sun beat mercilessly down on the tents and the only relief was the shower Lt.
Brandt constructed soon after his arrival. The Mess Hall was set up at the beginning of
their stay much the same as before except that more fresh food was purchased.

The town of Souk el Arba had been bombed by the Germans and little was left of
interest or worth except a few bombed buildings and many very dirty Arabs. The towns
close by, Souk el Kemis and Beja were in the same condition. However the sea coast
was only 40 miles away and the Prot of Tabarka was soon a Mecca for everyone on their
days off. Tunis was 90 miles away and was only visited occasionally. Ain Draham soon
became a great favorite. Situated high in the mountains, it was a welcome relief from the
hot winds and ever present sun of the camp.

June 1943 (continued)

On June 4th due to a misunderstanding between Major Heinlen and several
members of the combat crews the latter were broken and grounded. Several were
transferred others given detail duties in squadron area.

Heinlen, Clayton H., Maj, pilot, Commander

On June 7th Major Heinlen was relieved of his command and transferred for
medical reasons. Captain Bates assumed command.

Bates, James P., Capt, pilot, Commander

The squadron took an active part in the bombing of Pantelleria and was
immensely pleased when it surrendered on June 11th. Their next target Lampedusa,
which soon gave up. Then came the softening up process on Sicily and Colonel Knapp’s
B-25’s began to pound airdromes, railroad bridges and roads and other strategic points
preparatory to invasion.

Knapp, Robert D., Col, pilot, 321st BG Commander

In the squadron area events went on as usual. However Lt. Marrich, the new
Mess Officer secured an old British Nissen Hut and soon had a fine looking fly proof
kitchen. With Officers contributing $4.00 and Enlisted Men $2.00, the fare was great
improved and despite the heat everyone was in fairly good health. There was no serious
sickness reported. Although ice was not plentiful there was usually sufficient for cold
drinks at meals.

Marrich, Martin K., 1Lt, adjutant

During this period the first replacements to the squadron were received and Lt.
Wonnacott found himself with 24 airplanes to service. There were pilots and crews for
all these ships.

Wonnacott, Robert C., 1Lt, engineering

June 1 – 7 – 43: The following Officers were assigned and joined. 2nd Lieutenants:
Wilt, Wik. The following Enlisted Men were assigned and joined. S/Sgts: Coleman,
Hopkins and Sgt. Hardy. The following Enlisted Men were transferred to Headquarters,
321st Bomb Group, (M), Privates: Holmes, Castle, McEntee, Stokes, Taylor, Turner,
Mahan, Poranda, Schultheis, Tricarico and Zimmer. The above Enlisted Men transferred
for insubordination. At 10:30 hours, June 1, 1943 the squadron departed Ain M’Lila via
air and motor transport to Souk-el-Arba. Arriving Souk-el-Arba 1800 hours, June 1,
1943. Tent area assigned squadron in wheat field. Weather: extremely hot, shortage of
water. Town of Souk-el-Arba severely damaged by bombs. Few facilities obtainable by
troops.

Castle, Roy V., Pvt, gunner Coleman, Seaton L., S/Sgt, gunner

Hardy, Alexander A., S/Sgt, gunner Holmes, Pvt, gunner

Hopkins, Edgar G., S/Sgt, gunner Mahan, John J., Pvt, gunner

McEntee, Peter M., Sgt, gunner Poranda, Michael A., Pvt, gunner

Schultheis, Thomas R., Pvt, gunner Stokes, Oliver O., Pvt, gunner

Tricarico, Jack J., Pvt, gunner Turner, Francis S., Pvt, gunner

Wik, John R., Jr., 1Lt, pilot Wilt, Richard H., 2Lt, pilot

Zimmer, Paul E., Pvt, gunner

June 1943 (continued)

June 8 – 14 – 43: Major Heinlen relieved of Command as Squadron CO, and transferred
to Headquarters, 321st Bomb Group (M). Captain Bates assigned and joined and assumed
Command. The following Officers assigned and joined. 1st Lieutenant Boatwright, 2nd
Lieutenants: Elkins, Ryan, Skeahan, King, Shutt, Clark, Gouge, Anderson and
Edmondson. The following Enlisted Men were assigned and joined. S/Sgts: Marlow,
House, Carnathan, Berry, Schmidt, Sgt. Dovey; S/Sgts: Parrott, Silva. 1st Lieutenants:
Brown, Kneivel, Issacson, Culp, appointed Captains. 1st Lieutenant Delaney transferred
to Headquarters and Headquarters 12th Bomber Command. Usual squadron duties
performed while in camp during this period. Weather: extremely hot. Squadron
participated in the victory over Pantelleria.

Anderson, Andrew H. L., 1Lt, pilot Bates, James P., Capt, pilot, Commander

Berry, Robert A., Jr., S/Sgt, gunner Boatwright, John S., 1Lt, pilot

Brown, Robert H., Capt, bombardier Carnathan, J. D. (i. o.), S/Sgt, gunner

Clark, Paul I., 2Lt, pilot Culp, Merle H., Capt, pilot

Delaney, Edwin F., 1Lt, intelligence Dovey, Joseph, Jr., Sgt, gunner

Edmondson, Howard D., 2Lt, pilot Elkins, Stanley A., 2Lt, bombardier

Gouge, David J., 2Lt, pilot Heinlen, Clayton H., Maj, pilot, Commander

House, Harry H., S/Sgt, gunner Issacson, Clayton M., Capt, pilot

King, James L., 2Lt, pilot Kneivel, Arthur W., Capt, executive

Marlow, Sterling H., S/Sgt, gunner Parrott, Charles G., S/Sgt, gunner

Ryan, Phillip A., 2Lt, pilot Schmidt, Walter I., S/Sgt, gunner

Shutt, Erwin F., 2Lt, pilot Silva, John P., S/Sgt, gunner

Skeahan, Thomas J., Jr., 2Lt, bombardier

June 15 – 21 – 43: No Officers or Enlisted Men assigned or joined during this period.
2nd Lieutenant Bucheneau transferred to N.B.S. 2nd Lieutenant Bruton appointed 1st
Lieutenant. Usual squadron duties performed in camp during this period.

Bruton, John E., 1Lt, pilot Bucheneau, Harry T., 2Lt, pilot

June 22 – 30- 43: The following Officers were assigned and joined. 2nd Lieutenants:
Mayer, Blake, Biener, Ennis, Joli, Scopp, McEvoy. The following Enlisted Men were
assigned and joined. S/Sgts: Moore, Kessler, Sgt. Deal, S/Sgts: Paschel, Kerr, Griffin,
Lyons, Hilton, Sgts: Pudlo, Mintos and T/Sgt. Shaw. 1st Lieutenant Powers transferred
to 23rd Statistical Control Unit. T/Sgts: Boucher, Onstatt, Petty, Shaw transferred to 87th
Fighter Group. Private Koger transferred to 447th Bomb Squadron (M), 321st Bomb
Group (M), AAF. 1st Lieutenant Stultz appointed Captain. Usual squadron duties
performed while in camp. Nothing outstanding to report.

Biener, Martin B., 2Lt, pilot Blake, Thomas L., 2Lt, bombardier

Boucher, Guy F., T/Sgt, communications Deal, Herman L., S/Sgt, gunner

Ennis, John H., Jr., 2Lt, pilot

Griffin, Charles W., S/Sgt, communications or Griffin, Pink C., S/Sgt, communications

or Griffin William G., S/Sgt, engineering

Joli, William H., 2Lt, pilot Kerr, Daniel (NMI), S/Sgt, gunner

Kessler, Clarence J., S/Sgt, gunner Koger, Garlan T., Pvt, ordnance

June 1943 (continued)

Mayer, Brantz (NMI), 2Lt, pilot McEvoy, John C., 2Lt, pilot

Mintos, Frank J., Sgt, gunner Moore, Gordon E., S/Sgt, gunner

Onstatt, Jack R., T/Sgt, gunner Paschel, John W., S/Sgt, turret gunner

Petty, Herman R., Pvt, communications or Petty, Wade H., Pvt, engineering

Powers, Sam L., 1Lt, statistical Pudlo, Alexander A., Sgt, gunner

Scopp, Richard W., 2Lt, navigator

Shaw, David S., T/Sgt, communications or Shaw, Walter R., T/Sgt, engineering

Stultz, Raymond B., Capt, pilot