99Th Bomb Group Historical Society

� . ,·, ---�-� �·.,,41� ·.� THE 99th Bomb Group Historical Society

NEWS LETTE·R

Vol. 9 No 3 May. 1 1989

SOCIETY OFFICERS, 1989-1990 PRESIDENT BILL SMALLWOOD VICE-PRESIDENT - FRED HUEGLIN TREASURER - WALTER BUTLER HISTORIAN - GEORGE F. COEN SECRETARY - H.E.CHRISTIANSEN EDITOR - GEORGE F. COEN THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

I am honored to be writing as your new president, and am well aware of the fine traditions established by my predecessors. We now have in place a group of officers and directors who will work to continue these traditions. Astrong word of thanks is extended by all of us to Joe Kenney

I am honored to be writing as your new president, and am well aware of the fine traditions established by my· predecessors. We now have in place a group of officers and directors who will work to continue these traditions. A strong word of thanks is extended by all of us to Joe Kenney for his leadership over the past two years. Also retiring directors Rex Greathouse, Mike Yarina, and Joe Kenney have our thanks.

The reunion in McAllen, Texas in February was highlighted by the visit to the Confederate Air Force Show at Harlingen. Although thousands were in attendance, members of the 99th had the special opportunity to make a personal inspection of a B-17 parked inside a hangar. Mounting a stepladder fixed to the nose hatch Ninety Niners, some with their•wives, worked theirr way through the fuselage, to the accompaniment of occasional grunts and wheezes, of this plane that, for many, had once served as a home away from home.

Jeff Waguespack is to be commended for doing a fine job in hosting this reunion, and for the smooth way in which activities moved along. As usual Harvey Jennings and his crew kept the hospitality suite in full swing. Was that Harvey on the dance floor performing a tango during the musical portion of the banquet? 3

uet According to Jeff's preliminary report the attendance at the banq It's seeing three of our tTErrbers viewing a photo album, all three so deeply absorbed in dinner totaled 262 persons, while 220 attended the Air Show at Harlingen. that album that they were completely oblivious to anything else including the flash from Chris Christiansens' carrera as he caught that touching rroment. IN March, when Nancy and I paid a visit to our son and grandson It's Chris Christians·en with his great interest in this Group. He 's not only a great in Denver, we motored down to the Air Force Academy. In visiting the library photographer but he is our next host at HtmStville, Alabama. Chris and I have shared a t an there I was shown a collection of memorabilia from S alag Luft III, a Germ e u nUiber of missions together. prison camp in World WarII. It is quite comprehensiv .and.sho ld be of particular interest to anyone in our Group who spent time in Sagan, Poland It's observing the well run hospitality room with Harvey Jennings always at hand to or Moosberg, Germany. manage that part alcng with the very able help of Bob Bacher. It's having Fred Matvias step up and tell ITE that he and Mary carre all the way from ] There is plenty of time between now and the reunion in april, Bradford, PA just to see me. This was a great experience! Fred and I were good friends 1990 in Huntsville, Alabama. As you know Chris Christiansen is hosting forty-five years ago and after this fine retmion between two old friends, that friendship this affair and also is serving this year as the Board's Secretary. To again will flourish. those of you who live within a reasonable dista�ce of Hunts�ille I'm sure Chris would welcome your assistance in the reunion undertaking. I could go on and on- about these personal experiences but let's look at the dedication Sincerely of Jim Sopp with his articulate and well presented slide presentation at our ltmcheon Bill Smallwood tTEeting. The treirendous arrmmt of workand oovious thought was put into this program and we are all indebted to our avn Jim Sopp for that program. A copy of his verbal presentation and a resume' of the order in which the presentation was made is attached. No one can think of this group without rernanbering the contributions of its' past Presi­ dents and their contributions. George OJen with his two tenns, Bernie Barr with his two And from Past-President Joe Kenney: tenns, Joe Cliance, Lew Boatwrig}:lt with their terms, all making unusual and dedicated contributicns of tine and effort, and the giving of themselves for the bettenrent of the GREErlliG3! organization and of their continueing help and suggestions to the Board ·� D: rectors in their capacity as Ex-officio, non voting, marbers of the Board. Another fine Reunion has been completed.and this one at McAllen. Texas. Jeff and I.Dis Wague�pac� mdertook a massive project and accomplished this by therrnelves since we have Che of the significant things during this· fine Reunion was our visit to the Confederate no �9 rs in the McAllen area. We all know what this entails as did Jim Flex and his Air Force. It was unfortunate that it was cold and blustery but we did see an air shris with their gracious considerations. It's Bernie with his deep and always present interest in the Group and always the well thoug}:lt out suggestions made to the very real benefit of the organizaticn. It's Jim and Margaret Smith as they just arrived speaking first with one 99' er couple and then us and saying, "This is great� I've seen two of you guys and already I'm feeling better!'' It's Roy and June Baker, fine friends. Roy and I share an incredible "encotmter" over Villaorba, Italy en that fateful March 18th, 1944 day. It's Walter �d Giristine. Butler, Walter in his quiet and efficient ITEI1I1er and this is 'What IT'.akes him the splendid Treasurer and the one who lends his ,valuable assistance to the publishing of the 99th Bulletin. lliristine with her dry and subtle hurror is Price­ less. Ahd it's Julius and Anita HorCMitz, such great friends to us. 4 5 FIFTEENTH AIR FORCE FIFTEENTH AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATION POST OFFICE BOX 6325 POST OFFICE BOX 6325 MARCH AIR FORCE BASE. CALIFORNIA 92518 MARCH AIR FORCE BASE. CALIFORNIA 92518 13 March 1989 George Coen Page 2 PRESIDENT PRESIDENT 13 March 89 Murray A. ByNater Murray A. Bywa:s'. Mr. George F. Coen Brig. Gen.. USAF Ret. Bng Gen .. USAF ?e: 2908 Aliso Drive N.E. the 15th. I hope Charles's letter doesn't mean that I have TREASURER failed in the area that counts the most, for without harmony, TREASURER Albuquerque, NM 87110 Roben G. Smith none of our other goals are possible. We have obviously made RobertG. Smith Colonel. USAF Ret. Colonel. USAF Re-. Dear George: mistakes, but always from ignorance or inattention and never CHAPl.AIN purposely with the intent of favoring any group or rank. CHAPLAIN Rev. Eugene E. Parker Rev. Eugene E PM,ec Greetings from all of us at the 15th Association. Hope that all Our Board of Directors has nine members - four are officers and is well with you in Albuquerque. Please give my personal SECRETARY SECRETARY regards to Bernie and Joe. Charline B. GaJdOS five are enlisted (one from the 99th). Our Association Charline B. GaJdOS membership is 72% enlisted, 26% officer, and 2% civilian BOARD OF GOVERNORS BOARD OF GOVERNORS I received my copy of your newsletter this week and noted the (widows). The most active and supportive of our formally James H. Doolittle organized groups - the ones who send encouragement when we fail jar.ies H. Doo11r: " letter from Charles Boggs which was evidently written in late Gen.. USAF Ret. Ce .. lJSAF Ri:t. October 198 7 after the Colorado Springs Reunion and which was Leon w. Johnson and appreciation when we succeed - is the 31st Depot Repair Leen 1N. JrJr1n.50,- General. USAF Ret C2cera1. USAF R;: Squadron which is almost all enlisted. We even attempt to critical of the 15AFA and the reunion. I received a similar William K. Martin ,- balance our "War Stories" in the Sortie - air battles, aircraft \"V1:i1am K. Marti . letter after I returned from the reunion from someone Lt. Gen.. USAF Ret. �t. Gen.. USAF P=: {possibly Charles - my filing system can't locate it). I would Jack J. Catton maintenance stories, and "R&R" escapades. Jae, J. Catton General. US!\F Ret. Ge�Hal. USAF Re:. appreciate equal time in your next publication to share my Paul K. Carlton Last month we presented a trophy to recognize outstanding Pau: K. Carlton reply to that letter and in the process to Charles and your General. USAF Ret. General. USAF Re: readers. w111,am F. Pitts leadership for last year in the Fifteenth Air Force active \\'1!!iZHn F. Pitts Lt. Gen.. USAF Ret. force and it was presented to a sergeant. L: Cen.. USAF Re: Bryan M. Shotts ory3o M. Shot:s The Fifteenth Air Force Association is not "arranged for Lt. Gen.. USAF Ret. ct Gen . USAF ;;,: Regarding our Colorado Springs Reunion: the letter writer Colonels and Generals". If that was or is Charles's perception James P. Mullins Ja..ies P. Mullin; General. USAF Ret. stated that he felt pushed aside by someone he "believed was a G'::""t";fdl. us:..F R�: - or anyone else's - I personally and publicly apologize for John J. l.-lurphy Colonel". I explained that our Association is made up of all jo�n J. Murph, the appearance since I am essentially responsible for the day­ Lt. Cen .. USAF Ret. Lt Gen . USAF. Ret types of people - most exhibit a heart-warming spirit of to-day affairs of the Association. When we founded the James E. Light.Jr. James E. Light. J'. Association, our ONLY goal was to serve the interest of dll the Lt. Cen .. IJSAF camaraderie regardless of rank - a few (officers and enlisted) Lt. Gen . USAF men and women who served and are serving in the Fifteenth Air are pains-in-the-ass! BOARD OF DIRECTORS BOARD OF DIRECTORS F<:ffce, to preserve their heritage, and to share that heritage Robert E. Kimmel Robert E. K1mrr.e, with the young men and women who are fol lowing in their Colonel. USAF Ret. Other criticisms of the reunion were va 1 id and for that reason, Colonel. USAF R et. footsteps - and that remains our only goal today. Frank Kurtz we have selected a reunion site for '89 which wil 1 solve most of Frank Kurtz Colonel. USAF fF RN arrangements - larger national type organizations have the Lt (fll.. IJSAF Fi-.;: 15th or etc. etc. etc. I have been acutely aware of the dangers resources and staff who can plan for any site. Our solution for and the potential destruction of our goals and values by these the 1989 reunion in Las Vegas is to plan, arrange, coordinate, divisions and have worked with some urgency to prevent them in and conduct the reunion with our directors and volunteer staff here at March AFB. That was the primary reason we selected a site within a day's drive from March. - GUARDING A HERITAGE - DEFENDING TOMORROW - - GUARDING A HERITAGE - DEFENDING TOMORROW - 7 6

FIFTEENTH AIR FORCE FIFTEENTH AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATION POST OFFICE BOX 6325 POST OFFICE BOX 6325 MARCH AIR FORCE BASE. CALIFORNIA 92518 MARCH AIR FORCE BASE. CALIFORNIA 92518 George Coen Page 3 PRESIDENT George Coen 13 March 89 PRESIDENT '.iurray A Bywater Page 4 ':.1g. Gen . USAF Ret. Murray A. Bywater Bng. Gen .. USAF Ret. 13 March 89 TREASURER TREASURER �Obert G. Sm1tn Our 1989 Las Vegas Reunion is planned for 13-17 August and we ::1onel, USAF Ret. have approached solving some of our Colorado Springs problems Robert G. Smith as follows: Colonel. USAF Ret. George, I am "up to my ears in all igators" as we pl�n this CHAPLAIN reunion, write the Sortie, answer mai 1, etc. so I didn 't mean CHAPUUN �ev. Eugene E. Parker a to write this much , but just wanted to be sure that our friends (1) "Not enough time to visit" - "two many planned activities" R':'v. Eug'?r.� E. Pa:-1-". r in the 99th know that we appreciate them, have enjoyed personal SECRETARY "need more time to visit over a drink" etc. The Las Vegas 1 SECRETARY relationships over the years , and want to do al we can to keep :�arl1ne B. GaJCOs Reunion will have more optional time than previous reunions. Charline B. GaJdos our fraternal bond strong. BOARD Of' GOVERNORS Two of the four nights are free nights and we have arranged to BOARD OF GOVERNORS ...:imes H. 0o(':i:�1e have the complete Riviera Convention Center space with All of us are getting older and the opportunities to find old >o .. USAF Re: control led access for our attendees where they can gather to James H. Oool1rtle Gen.. USAF Ret friends and meet and reminisce are fleeting much too fast. It .2,n w. Johnscr. escape, reminisce, share hosp .tal ity, or swap war stories -we :�rieral. USAF Ri:r i Leon W. Johnson would be a great tragedy if we let the imperfections of men rob plan museum displays, a combat theater, memorabilia room, PX, General. USAF Ret. :.,11,am K. Mart.1;""1 us of these precious last days when we can enjoy the .: Gen .. USAF cl;;!. etc in this area to encourage visiting. William K. Martin Lt. Gen.. USAF Ret. • �ck J. Canon friendships and camaraderie that was forged when we won the :e0eral. US.ti,F R?t. Jack J. Canon "big one" • Gt?n�ral. USAF Ret. o;ul K. Carlton (2) "Banquet seating was confused, not controlled, etc. " The -� "1era1. USAF Ret. Riviera facil ities are the best we have ever had. Seating and Paul K. Carlton General. USAF Ret. We are making arrangements with the hotel staff to keep friends .•:,!llam F. Pitts security will be handled by the experts. While the banq et .:. Gen .. USAF Ret. � Wt!11am F. Pitts from the same Bomb Group on the same floors. All that will be program will have "pomp and ceremony" , flags and bands , we will Lt Gen .. USAF Ret. :-,an M: Snorts necessary is return the reservation form (next Sortie) to .:. Cen .. USAF i'lcr. also have professional entertainment with stages , band Bryan M. Shorts 11 Lt. Gen .. USAF Ret . indicate friends that they want to be near and the hotel wi .. ,:mes P_ Mul';r s stands, etc. located to provide good views from al l parts of .:2r;�ra1, USAF R::L James P. Mullins make necessary arrangements. Pre-registration forms and the room • General. USAF Ret. ..Jrln J_ Murpt'(\ detailed reservation and schedu le information will be .:. Gen .. USAF Ret. John J. Murphy Lt. Gen .. USAF Ret. provided in the next Sortie (end of April). George , we hope �ames E. Ltgm. Jr (3) "That general talked too long." Except for words of �:. Gen .. USAF welcome, introductions, and recognitions, there will be NO James E. Light. Jr. that you , Joe, Bernie, and many of our other friends in the 99th Lt. Gen .. USAF will join us this year in Las Vegas - we like you! !. BOARD Of'DIRECTORS speeches or speakers at the banquet and no head table which BOARD Of' DIRECTORS �:�ert E. K1rnrr.,::! should discourage extemporaneous discourses. It now appears :..)lone!, USAF Ret. Robert E. Kimmel In comradeship , that we wil l have al 1 past commanders except General Dool ittle Colonel. USAF Ret. 0-ank Kurtz . ;) :01or.el. us:..F Ret. in attendance ( and he is sti 11 a possibility) • The past �ran�. Kurtz ·� r:;,·' Colonel. USAF Ret. "�f�· I •. _ :;nnW. Lee commanders wi 11 be seated at indi vidua 1 Group tables seattered ; Jlonel. USAF R e.r. in al l parts of the room. John W. Lee �Obert G. Smith Colonel. USAF Ret. C.E. Ben Franklin :01t.;nel. USM· i-il·t Robert G. Smith Colonel. USAF Ret. Executive Director _f-onar

- GUARDING A HERITAGE - DEFENDING TOMORROW - 9 8 We furnish here the 1989 McAllen reunion roster in . the pious hope 15apr89 Dear Ben ; that it will print legibly. · .Jr.,hn F ..geo It is always good to hear from you, and we thank you for writing. Frur:!< : ! . ;., Grnhan, fi(?!'U;�;e J. P. 8-':i Pr.•dr;i·.-;,:n (1;uest of Fr..inceg 1 � i:, ,\ nh,nf y r,,,vi ,, job it is to keep the 15th Air Force Association rolling along. 1 J 7 G!"P,, t �:(•U,,t· !':ex L. Ptdtr·!;tr, Henry 6/l Aver·i.lJ t.loyd S, :,b We do indeed appreciate the outfit, and your efforts on its behalf, t1,s G,...cel•:1 .Jo�Joptr 154. Peters James S. 107 Ayr·es IAngdon F, 0 and the reunions are a great pleasure. r. f-;bck 129 Peterson Puul M. l'i 13:v::i·,,"t' p,_,!:)r>:--!: 14 Hc1t.kent>erry D,,nald K. 101 Reese CL1rt is l,J , ' R,,ker Ruy W I do have one suggestion. The seating arrangements could have 72 Hager Jrnr.es S. 15 Rfigcr·t Dwight G: t:)s Ruket· a set of bold signs above the bulletin board so that one could make Roy W. 65 Hansen Les 134 Re;,;.:o John Ru-r R. his way to the proper list without an extended search. I may have ,ire S. 5,3 Hut.ch Oc,ribld F.. �-, • ! ,; I Jc,hn R. a few more suggestions along that line before the reunion. D. C'. !i,J)'(:�; J;,mes H 106 . n,:, Kc>ai't y l- 1,;r ;< . i With best wishes george ·n s,,1 Vi ncrr,t A. Wm. W. 130. Henderson- Jr·. ,.·, · Sc:r,roc!r·r· f I t uri K. ", i Ri,'rtllT :·h:wl,.:, - Willfnm··w. 7 Hender:<:!0n·,· .rr - 5/ ·-.,;('/1"' df1l1(:().t /·�, R i ·:d e:, �!:, L-11·:· 1 , · ' r ,;J . f<'.V. 123 He:nke Al Ri lh,wi C:1,w ',,·. . ii. 59 llenke Harn l d �!. 132 Bilhor? Charle� H. 1:.,, j ,\ 158 Htrrrrflnsen V. J. In the Feb 1989 issue of the Disabled American Veterans ' Magazine 78 B1::ick D. R. J,Jrr,, !�fli. ( ['.:i.l J ) kl, Hi J l l,;r];-11: C.D. Boggs placed an announcement that there would be a meeting of 67 Blackmon Dte 0. % Smith .James I.. Hirie1. <,j dr:fy (. 1 the 99th Bomb Group Association, Northwest Chapter, in May. This 28 6lokernore, T W i. .l l i;,.,: '3 :, 9 5omrr;er· f e J t R'ii..l,ard . 0 W2rrP.r, "Puu 1 • is to let you know that the Board of Directors of your 99th Bomb 6/, H,x,v, r· , Jr·. 6.3 Sopp - 0. J. (Jj,r,) 2 $': fll;:, nl:f,nhei'r, · rbr·i:,u <· r :Jule:�, Group Historical Society has not sanctioned a Northwest Chapter and 8.3 Hor·ow it;, 160 �;nnrrnw J. 1-J it has not received a request to approve one. This seems to be a K6 Hue lmniel v. area to meet informally and to enj oy themselves - lunches - l.9 Br'own Howar·d E. ffJ �.tcehr /1 , l en �J. 73 Jenkin�, ErJg,:,r· r dinners - etc., but when it is an unapproved organized event with 116 Buck Sic!r,o f.". l?. Saernnicht Alvin M. 93 Jerrrting�; H,ir'VfY T. national publicity which would distract from the one annual reunion 9.3 B11lkdey Peter· G. ·1 Id · · Suemnicht Alvin M. of our organization- it is not a 99th Bomb Group event ! I 48 Judge, Jr·. "h0ma,, G. U,O c;,_;9: 1;·ur· 13 Rt,t _i er· l-lc1lter· H. .fohri LET US ALL MEET IN HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA NEXT YEAR AND HAVE A REAL lW Kr,\i� ,h j .1.4-z-:--�But rer· 1fiHt�r. .H ) �; ·1 :)�,i n�-J('r [ i lsworti1 r. REUNION ! WE SHOULD ALL STICK TOGETHER-NOT SPLIT AND DIVIDE ! ->2 Kaufm;in Nut ma, : f, 110 Canc:ig.lia Gene A. ,� .3 laormi t:i! S:im f. 2'J �J· 11u 111: ,n J<.•Sf'�,h 164. Carlock John D. 1;c, T u,ne,:st,n Ge_orge MAKE YOUR PLANS NOW FOR OUR TENTH ANNUAL REUNION TO BE HELD IN ALBUQUERQUB 162 Kellsh·om K.,rn,,)H1 -131 Carnes Rex A:· <:t4 c:rrei] 1 /1. D. ' 1 NM IN 1991. It was in 1981 that we held our first Reunion of the 95 Kenney Joe C. I 'i Curne::, Rex A ,.-1� h•."J1-�.,.1?n r,.-,1.n.li! o. reorganized 99th BG. 103 Kinard Wm. C. (Bi J l) 49 Ceppnrulo A. J. r 0:)ri;;! -,, D. i· . 35 King .fohn E. The 99BGHS Officers and Board members have always encouraged 100 Chance .Jt'. Joseph H. 2f, lot h Juhn (�. 8? formation of local or regional chapters. There are a number of services 30 Chris U anser Howard 4 Trapuzz,Jno .JoM P. 16 Knipp /\rt G. of assistance available which they will be pleased to provide. 99 Chur1:ley Ernest (Perk) 133 Tri>pU':.?i:tnp .J9..�Q..P •. 156 John J, ( Jim l Si\llcev--e I 11� 139 Church Wrn. P. Koehne 22 Trc;/ Fred l. . 20 Kotowski John P. 1 n Giurcl, tH ll irnn P 145 Troy Fred l. 14.3 John P. f',,':l"J/C.l l Kotowski J•J(J �.. Barr, Boatwright, Butler, and Coen 91 Kuhn Dean C. ARTICLE XII--CHAPTERS 1.?.6 Coen George F. l?? ll1'th: r.,-orw· 88 Livermore Fred 8':1 lJdrrl 61 Col lier· Nowlin D. · ·�harles W. 121, Magee ·1orton G. .1 157 Courtney Ray C. 7"., 1�1:r-:,eck oseph 99 BGHS members may form chapters (state or local area) for social purposes 104 Marlow Edilli)nd O. 138: ·· ·cwry tours J. SH. 1,ner·W, l.. B . provided: (1) A prerequisite for Chapter Membership is current membership in 155 Maseth Edmond E. 'J Cour·y Loui•, J. .1 1 \Jcrtz the 99 BGHS and (2) Program and a�tivities are not in confl ict with the 99 41 Mattson Vince 140 Wertz 1. a11u :?1 Crawford Victor N. Al 108 · Mtitvic.s Fr·ed . outiS sp, ,-, purpose. ,144 · trawrord ·vtctor N. 1 :,o Wi ldi Rr.1bert A. 128 McAtce Har·vey f� . 3/i Cr01.,1 James, W. .38 Wi lkirson Charley­ 56 McKinney Ro: r. . WillitlmS-· Local committees formed for the purpose of creating 99 BGHS Chapters must 4.1 Dahl Eldon H. 70 Mar9us p .. 74 Meux Bii 1 draft proposed Charter or Articles of Incorporation and proposed bylaws. Irwin 55 �!i l liams Marcus D. 57 Mitchell Carl D. these drafts must be submitted to the 99 BGHS Board of Directors for approval WiH,ur 146 · Wi llir. Joe J: 113 Moore Edward M, before further organization actions are undertaken. Simc,n lt.7 Will is Ri(.;harcl J. 48 Morat · Johrr B. 119 o,�;1 in ·· Richard [. 54 lJ(orth'tngt(,n Roy H. 120 Morton R. E. Upon inactivation, the residual effects of a chapter (funds, property , 81 Punn Mox US Ynrina ' Mike historical documents and artifacts, etc.) must become the property of the 42 Nicholson Clrdr·e 99 87 Ounn Sam 1�7 Os b6r-ne, luM BGHS. 161 O'Donnelly · James V. 11 10 LETTERS PETE BEZEK, March 12, 1989 Dear Bernie.- e Walt r; on First , [one of ] our Historical Society and .. of the original some of my friends at McAllen knew I had two heart attacks ation, then 99ers to go to Africa with General Upthegrove has left us . I talked with Friday the 17th. I was in the hospital on the 22nd on medic e pm. and at Pe te and Lois twice be fore Laure l and I left for Texas and he was very on Fri day thP 24th a heart cathe terization was complet d at 2 e ed m up ill. He had the same lung problems that I have ...H e entered Wright­ arteries. Before th y open � I was in .surgery. 3 blocked . ,After 3� hours Pat on the morning we l e ft for Texas. 3 pm. e try angio-plastic balloons e said .he want d to ee later on . the h art MD ed·. a success. Thr days s , I was pronounc . d am do i ng Pete was a real joy to have on our Dayton Reunion committee. and 13 balloon trie di e d fiith in Go . I e The miracle o� m e fo s e e e e e e Monday I was hom . � ��� n:�t bulle tin so thos llc H really repres nt d the nlisted man's point of view. W becam good e eorge put this in e d e e e e e e e well. Can you hav G ad to have seen you a� McAllen fri n s as a r sult of th committe and I will miss his r fr shing diff r nt s� & k eep well. Gl e can see I am OK. God ble point of view of the Air Forc . other old-timers. Many , many thanks for the picture of the three of us at the podium as well as the take care Jim Flex in the Sheraton. Of all the speeches I've made in over 40 years of a business life I'll never forget my last one . I suppose it's an accumulat ion of age , too many pills, the emotion of the event and Torn Garnrn 's recent death. . e All contributed to stopping me dead in the water. Both you and Laurel Jim Flex report d: on Saturday , Apri1 Bth reacted in a wonderful spontaneous manner which allowed me to regain my I am quite composure. To say the least the three of us created a theatrical finish e est on March 5, and ed the Str ss T e e Thank you , I pass Jim to th business lunch on. Hello. e well. The family says I don't know who took the picture of us but pleas thank him for me and tell him I'll treasure it the rest of my life. Hope to see you , from all of your in Alabama. Give our best to Doris. Ji·m, and to the family our best wishes to you, best regards ge o comrades. Jim Sopp - ,�r 11/10/88 Dear Walter, Enclosed is my check for 1989 dues. I also want to take this opportunity to say what 13 February 1989 a wonderful job all you men are doing. Sorry I could not attend any reunions as i had 3 heart attacks in the past several years, and finally wound up having triple by-pass ASSOC/A TION OF FORMER PRISONERS surgery. Now I am beginning to feel much better. OF WA R IN ROMANIA 1077-B Blackshear Drive Best of luck and a happy and healthy coming New Year to all. Decatur, Georgia 30033 Sincerely, Harry Koskoff Dear George: I have just finished reading your Jan�y newsletter and I thoroughly enjoyed it. You really put out a Walt , I wonder if you can help me with information as to how I great newsletter. can obtain a film of a mission I flew in 1944. This was the invasion of Southern France , August 15th, beach head 261. I flew as co-pilot to Maj or I noticed you listed Rev. Barry D. Henderson deceased Christensenin the lead plane. We had a group photographer that took action from my roster. That is in error·. -Barry is still movies in th e airand as we landed. There were generals and other high­ alive and kicking here in Atlanta. Just thought ranking officerst"'o greet us. This would be great on VCR. that I had better mentioned it to you so your readers Thanks Sheltz will know better. 118 Longvue Df� Wethersfi eld CT 06 109 Take care now and keep up the good work. So long for now. Best wi shes; HOT OFF THE PRESS! RAY SCHWANBECK AND JO BEVERLY WERE MARRIED ON SATURDAY , THE EIGHTH OF APRIL 1989 IN DALLAS TEXAS AND WILL MAKE Roy B. Meyer THEIR HOME IN PHOENIX, ARIZONA Major, USAF, Ret. Sec/Treas. 12 13 THE MARCH FIELD MUSEUM FOUNDATION 49 ','!arr.rick Drive Shalimar , FL. 32579 26 March, 1989 Mr. George F. Coen 2908 Aliso Dr . N.E. Albuquerque, NM 87110

Dear Trigger, MARCH AIR FORCE BASE, CALIFORNIA 92518 Ruby and I were sorry to miss the McAllen reunion but we had a (714) 655-2138 conflict. We won't miss many -- Bill Holt might zap me . &OARD or TRUSTtt.s Mr. George Coen JAMt.s I'. MULLINS Oenual. USAr Rd. 99th Banh Group Historical Society My reason for writ ing is two fold. rormer Commander. ArLC Chairman 2901 Aliso Drive NE HOWARD H. (TIM) HAYS r:dltor I l'ubllsher Albuquerque, NM 87110 First. With regard to Dick Valleaus• letter on page 11 of the P�ss C.nterprlx JACQUt.s S. Yr:AOr:R March 1, 1989 newsletter, his report on that mission is quite !'resident, r:.L. Yeager construction Company Dear Mr. Coen: 28 March 1989 accurate with one exception. Major Orance had assigned me to WILLIAM r. l'ITTS. u. Oen .. USAr Rd. that crew to fly their first thirteen and my last thirteen mis­ rormer Commander, 1, Ar RICHARD A. IIURl'r:r; Ieference the article on the March Field M.lseum and Museum Fbundation sions. After we were hit over �e ssina , Joe Trentadue and I U. Oen. USAr 1 Commander 15th Ar published in March 1989 issue of your organiz.ation s publication. decided that we had best get on the ground., Comiso , Sicily ap­ r:x-Ofnclt>Member HONORARY TRUSTr:t.s peared to be our best bet. We weren't really sure who owned JAMt.sH.DOOLlnLr; General. USAr Rd. While we appreciate your supp:,rt and the exposure of the Museum to your the airfield and we were really uncertain about land mines but CURTIS r;. Lr; MAY General, USAr Ret. general rrembership, we also think that the infonnation provided to your we were out of options! Mitch and his crew followed us in and LWN W. JOHNSON General. USAr Rd. nembership srould be as accurate as possible. Several changes have been returned us to our base . It isn't often a person is glad to see JACII J. CATION General. USAr Rd. rrade in our rrembership fees (to incltrle a graduated scale for Life a "Bad Penny" . How hairy even after all these years. WILLIAM II.MARTIN u. Oen. USArRd. Memberships ) • I have enclosed a copy of the current fonn for inclusion in FAUL II.CARLTON Oeneral. USAr Rd. your next publication. Second. Nith regard to the elusive Andy Collins and his letter IIRYAN M. SHOTTS U. Oen. USAr Rd. on page 8 of the same issue . I would be very interested in his JOHN J. MURl'HY u. Oen. USA!' Rd. Regarding the article that was re-printed fran the November 1983 Air Force recollection of that ill-fated mission. I will never forget that JAMt.sr;. LIOHT. JR. experience. Gear down landing at night in the Sahara -- how hairy! U. Oen. USAf Ret. Magazine, several iterns need to be clarified. First, the current director IIOAROor MANAOtRS of the M1seum is SMSgt Stephen P. Corrlos , USAF. Secorrlly, because of We didn't realize how lucky we were until the next morning when ROllr:RTI. PIANALTO 11 11 u. Col. USAr Rel. problems encountered with artifacts loaned to the Museum, the Air Force we found our aircraft to be too close to the gigantic grain stor­ President 11 11 NORM THORNHILL will not accept artifacts 0n loan. Sh:mld anyone desire further age pits built by the Bedouins. We returned to base that morning l'lrst Vice rresldent CURTIS r:.OAllt.s. JR. infonmtion on donating T1E110rabilia, they srould contact the Museum without any further incidents except for a few glances at the U. Col. USA!'Rel. Second Vice !'resident directly . Lastly, artifacts accepted by the M.lseum becx::ne prcperty of the fuel gauges: rRANIILYN OILr: u. Col. USAr Rd. US Governroont. Neither the MJseum (as an Air Fbrce function) nor the Treasu�r rRr:o A. 11or;vr;R Foundation (a non-profit, private corp:,ration ) can assess a dollar-value to Best regards and see you in Huntsville . Maj. USAf Rd. A�st. T�a�mrcr rrerrorabilia for tax-deductible purposes . It is the resp::msibility of the ROlltRT rlTCH Maj. USA!' Rd. donor to obtain valuation estlllBtes for tax purp:>ses. Secretary IIOARD Mr:Mllr:RS 1 11 DAVID L. ANDRr:ws. r:D.D. 1 As ever, RICHAl'I.D D. IIUTLr:l'l We rope that you will be able to publish the current, ungarbled 'I.Ord in Col. USAr Rd. WILLIAM r;. r:NOtL your next publication so that your rrembership has the true picture. THOMAS H. Or:RZtL Lt. Col. USAr Ret. , � ROllr:KT r;. HUMMr:L. l'HD. .,..,..,.,.-- RICHARD LtMIRr; .Again, thanks for your interest and supp:,rt of the March Field M.lseum and I 13-- TOM LORlltr:R _.,(./LI OLADSTOMr; R. MAC Ll':AM the Museum Foundation. u. Col. USAr Rd. sur; MITCHr:LL rr;rr;R MUTH Terry Barton WALTtR l'A RIIS MAROr:SAVA.Or; r11r;D SAOr:R Col. USAr Rd. Dear Terry;· THOMAS II.Sl'lr:L JACIISl'ORLr:or;R Fredric Arnold, the author of DOORKNOB FIVE TWO gives a graphic CHRIS TAllr:R , • Col , USAF, Retired CAROL UHLr:R description of a landing at Biskra. He has furnished the 99th a copy of LORr:nzVICTOR Executive Director HANs wr:11r;R his log which confirms my suspicion that· the landing was indeed on May DAVID t. ·Wr:LLS March Field Museum Foundation Col. USAr Rd. SID WOODS 3rd. Arnold gave the P-38 to the arabs in exchange for a feed of probable r;xr;cunvr; DIRr:CTOR JOHN r. l'LOOD dogmeat. geo u. Col. USAr Ret. FUTURE FOR THE PAST HOMORARY Mr:M6r:R-IIOARD or MAMAOr:Rs A r;vr;LYM I'. IIRlr:R - 0 :::, 0 ;;() � � '< a. 3a, � iil i ii] !3: c 3 'g \Ci(Jl1 CD - � g: -l :?. � ;;;- :t � � jt"'li t"'l > '"7C1., ...>,., •i � 3 ,...,,> - a -o 3:: ••;ff a,� "O ....., :,:, � o I:o , ·'• ,,... I � ;C' :t ! i :::2 "'":) ; ' g· 3:: i!' i i§;:p li "TI : ; � ]� 0 1 o ;:i '.:: iI 3 ·o. 0 a, :::z �! [ :- o D ; � Y � ' 3 �0 ::i 0o-<� < g en I :J � � :l C ro 3' � ! � J>.3 0. (l) ::s Cll(/) --j � i»'" 3 Q>�0 cr-.n:;- < Cl> -· � m =r § i. 3:: S!: O' ll> m m � .; � "' 2'��3·;�·::,"'� 0 (', ca I �"'�'° ? � -< ; :: o:::r::,ll> § I � ;; Q) :::r::i � a o "< Q.l · o -� �� o c 2. FLIGHT LINE 8:<> r- C � m-c _ � m � m� YoI" � a, :::;: ':j' � m Boeing 8-47, Stratojet o iii � ::iC o.� <05· 1»5.m ci Access by US,.F bus only. a> .:::rc - ,5l _ Boeing PT-13, II Trainer Bell P-59, First U. S. Jet Bus tour. 1 PM Weekdays First SAC all Jet Bomber � I 1»>� =. :::r ::..::,,, WW . > o" 1»o� m mc 2 PM, Saturday Sunday 3 N I � . & � J� g_ 'C � CD �53 _::i o g:::::;;r� Stinson L-5. \/1/W II liason Bell P-39, WW II Fighter Boeing 8-52, Stratofortress "' o co - 3 � ::i :::rmc !!!. O 6ih'�-c5�a.m�ii:::.i 3::, Boeing KC-97, Air Refueling '""g. � 8. c ::, __ 1» o a.Q.g I � �3 � 8 m ::T� c-:::r Korea,, .am o !Q.:!!16-·o&� ��" Republic F:84c. Lockheed, C-60, light I-' ro�o War Fighter Transport, WW II � �JI' 2a.. -§. � ll> Northrop F-89, Air Defense McDonnell-Douglas Fighter, Post Korean War A1-E, Viet Nam Attack Bomber Republic F-105, Fighter - Bomber, Viet Nam War Northrop A-9, Attack AJC Only 2 built Grumman SA-16, General Purpose Amphibian, 1950's Douglas B-26, light Bomber WW II, Ko'tea, and Viet Nam

McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Boeing B-17, Famed Flying Fighter, Viet Nam Fortress, WW II

A/C ADJACENT MUSEUM Republic F-84F Post North American B-25 °'°' Korean War Fighter Miichett-To yko Raiders d, Bell UH-1F Helicopter North American F-100 8�ing 8-29, Superfortress j � North American F-86, Korean . First Supersonic Fighter WW II and Korea War Fighter �i NorthAmerican AT-6, WW II Piasecki HU-21 Helicopter, � Tr ainer Arctic Rescue ��! McDonnell F-101 Air Defense \JlOU10 ::I1 Fighter, 0000 � ���� 11 Martin Titan Missile

MARCH FIELD MUSEUM MARCH f1EI.D l'IUSWl'IniE f'OVNDATIOl'I ' The March Field Museum was dedicated by MARCH AJRfORCf: MSC Lt. General James P. Mullins on December l LD CALlfORNIA92518 19, 1979. This began the formal effort to cap­ ture the contributions which the people and � - �IJ'B units of March Air Force Base made to the �� evolution of alrpower. � . .- � ... - . . • - . ··- � The Museum building was constructed in M "'""�.-,_,..,. . ... October 1931 as a quarter master ware­ house. In May of 1940 the building became the base commissary as the build-up began for World warII. The Museum and its aircraft serve as the center of emphasis for aIt historical program much wider in scope. is hoped that a The !'larchf'lelo ,-,..-um Foundation seeks tofurther the pur· larger, more permanent facility can be con­ poses of the Air force Museum. This group of military and civilian structed in the near future. It would be more supporters serves as a philanthropic corporation in the dev,:lop­ visible and accessable to the public. Such ment and expansion of the museum facilities. a museum would serve as the Air Force Museum of the West and feature all Air 11lefoundation, a lax-i!Xemptnon-profit corporation, receives. holds. Force history. and administers gifts from individuals. organizations. corporations. fo undations. and philanthropies. Today our goal is to portray the March AFB past, showing the technologies and skills used. We do this so that present and future TheFoundation's Immediate Goal is to build an expanded. nota· generations will be inspired to continue the ....., ble facility with donated funds. Only by the cqnstruction of a larger, values and traditions which have become Ul pennanenthome. freely a,ailable to the public. will it bepossi ble to hallmarks of the United States Air Force. preserve and present priceless aviation artifacts ror the American public in the west. Th� Museum displays over 30 aircraft and missiles,both inside and outside. The inside To help presentin a worthy manner for future generations thestory display area is largest in Fifteenth Air Force. of the military and civilian aviation lour groups are welcome.With prior notice a history of the United States. the movie titled, "TheMarch Field Story" can be foundation seeksmonetary dona· 655-3725.presented. Our telephone number is, (714) lions which aretax-deductible.

WORLD WAR 11

1931-1941

1945-1969 1927-1931 41RCRAFl 1969 - PRESENT l

ENTRANCE=:J AFUT URE FOR THE PAST ,!,, MARCH AFB, CA 92518 16 17

. . P S If any of the Group happens to be passing through Jackson , stop OaTv 0111JaoK.aoN. T•• ••••n111 and give me a call. 38302 Work: 901-425-8432 DEPARTMENT OF POLICE - P. O. BOX 2687 E. B. ALDERSON Home : 901-422-6032 Chief of Police Would you see that Walter Butler gets my due s to be an associate member. Thanks again .

Dear Joe; Welcome to the Group.

02-23-89 Your letters brings baclc memories of a stay in the Jackson City Jail. It �as about 1936 one cold December night when you all allowed a cold teen-ager to roost there one night, and I do thank you for it. George F. Coen With best wishes 2908 Aliso Dr. NE george Albuquerqe , N. M. [f 87110

Dear Mr. Coen, 2700 Ridgeway Drive I had heard my Father ruid Mother talk at great length about Reedsport OR 97467 the 99th reunions. When I found out that it was going to be in Dear Walter; Thank you for sending me the newsletters and application to join McAllen , Tx. and a trip to the Confederate Air Force , I had to make the 99th BGHS. I only found out that the society existed when attending the trip ruid see and meet all the· fine people they had spoke "'.... . the 50th anniversary of the B-17 at Seattle . Another member (Bob Mack) gave me an address in Albuquerque NM to write about joining Am I glad I did. (probably yours ) but my application and check were evidently lost It was a great pleasure to me et these fine people at last . by USPS and my checkbook has been out of balance by $15.00 for a long time. (Sept. 1986). Everyone associated with the Group treated me as if I had been I was in the 348th Squadron as Operations Officer from Feb 1944 part of the Group. to August 1944 completing my 50 missions. I previously served a tour in the South Pacific with the 19th It was fascinating to set and listen to the "War Stories" told Bomb Group in 1942. I returned to the States from my first tour by these men. as passenger on a "Bernie Barr". Is he the same B.S.Barr on your roster living in Albuquerque? I'm looking foward to seeing enveryone in Huntsville , Al. in April I married my wife of 48 years in Albuquerque when the 19th BG 1990. Until then thanks for a real pleasurable time . was stationedthere before WWII. sincerely Bill Lorence Respectfu 2':� Dear Bill ; ��e�Cepparulo Yes , you have come to the right place. We look forward to printing your story too. Jackson Police Department Welcome to the Group. george Jackson , Tn . 38301 19 1 8

BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE 99 BGHS , 1989-1990

McAllen Texas DEAR OLD BUDDY, GEORGE F COEN: FEB 1889 All terms four years I AM SADDENED BY THE BELIEF THAT YOU ARE RIGHT AND I AM WRONG ABOUT THE IMPORTANT QUESTION OF HOW LONG IT TAKES A FLAK SHELL TO REACH FROM THE GROUND TO US. THEY NEVER HIT US , ANYWAY, OR Elected 1986 DID THEY? YOU SAID ABOUT 28 SECONDS TO GET TO US AT 27 THOUSAND Charles Miller 11 Cass Av e. , At lantic IA 50022 FEET. I SAID 40 SECONDS TO GET TO US AT 25 THOUSAND FEEL I WAS EXACTLY RIGHT--USING NEWTON 'S SECOND LAW----EXCEPT I Richard w. Dempsey 60 Rob in Circle Stoughton MA 02072 FOR THREE THINGS : NEGLECTED AIR DRAG .(SINCE I DON 'T KNOW HOW TO HANDLE IT ), AND I ASSUMED THAT THE MAXI MUM HEIGHT OF THESE LOVELY LITTLE FLAK FRIENDS OF OURS WOULD BE OUR ALTITUDE--THEY MAY HAVE FLOWN FASTER AND J"UST IGNITED AT THE ALTITUDE THAT THEY Elected 1987 THOUGHT WE WOULD BE. AND I �S SUMED THAT OUR GOOD GERt1AN FRIENDS ter NJ 07020 WERE FIRING FROM SEA LEVEL. Fred c. Hueglin 18 Massa Lane Edgewa EITHER _,RF THESE THREE ERRORS THAT I MADE WOULD HAVE MADE THE Kenneth Kellstrom 2337 B ave., Laguna Hills CA 92653 TIME LONGE�. I EXPECT THAT YOU WIN. BUT EVEN IF IT TAKES A FEW MINUTES-·-! WOULD LIKE TO TURN AWAY. YOU STAY ON COURSE????

LEAVE OFF THIS STORY. UNLESS YOU THINK THAT THE 98 BG Elected 1988 LETTER IS A LITTLE HEAVY ON BOMBER STORIES AND A LITTLE SHORT OF Beach FL 33069 witz 3507 Oaks Way , #911 Pompano YOUNG FRISKY FIGHTER PILOT STORIES: (I AM THE HERO ). Julius Horo ONE NICE SUNNY DAY OVER GERMANY, I NOTICED Tl,.JO FW 180S ille VT 05037 DIVING FROM ABOUT 25 OR 30 THOUSAND ·FEET. TOWARD THE DECK. llwood Hartland Rd ., P.O.Box 177 Brownsv Bill Sma OVER GERMANY. AFTER SOME QUARRELLS. THEY AND ME .

Elected 1989 I PURSUED THEM, .TO THE DECK. WHAT WERj:: THE ODDS? THEY NM 87110 WERE TWO . I WAS ONE, BAD. THEY WERE OVER GERMANY. TEN MILES TO Coen 2908 Aliso Dr .NE Albuquerque George F. AN AIRPORT . I HAVE TO GET TO ENGLAND--.AB OUT 300 MILES AWAY. I 4520 Panorama Dr. Huntsville AL 35801 HAD · LOST MY FLIGHT MEMBERS. WITH THESE BAD ODDS, WHY WOULD I DO H.E.Christiansen A SILLY THING LIKE THIS? I THOUGHT THAT I SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE AN 504 John F. Waguespack 1423 Tulip Ave . McAllen TX 78 ADVANTAGE, OR ELSE DON 'T PLAY. I DID HAVE AN ADVANTAGE. I I,JA..S ON THEIR TAILS. 692 N. Abbe Rd . Elyria OH 44035 Robert J. Bacher AND LOTS OF LOW CLOUDS. A PLACE TO HIDE. I NEEDED IT. I WOULD NEVER HAVE GONE TO THE DECK WITHOUT IT. I DID SHOOT DOWN ONE OF THEM. THEN I FLEW UP INTO THE CLOUDS. WIJH A LITTLE PAST PRESIDENTS NOT PRESENTLY DIRECTORS MORE GUTS, I MIGHT HAVE CLOBBERED THE- OTHER 190--DIDN 'T HAVE Old Mission MI 19673 THEM. Joseph H. Chance p.O.Box 59 ON A LATER NE Albuquerque NM 87109 BUT MISSION, FLAK DID ME IN. AND I WAS SUCH A Bernice Barr 7413 vista del Arroyo NICE GUY. Corrales NM 87048 BUDDY W�TERVa.Pt· BECKHAM. Lew Boatwr ight Star Rt., Box 1443 Lander WY 82520 Joe Kenney 950 McDougall

end Dear Walter; I am not sure that we bomber boys should listen to you Little Friends . our mommas don't let us play with roughnecks - we were committed to Peace, for which the B-17 was well designed . We dropped leaflets which stated "WE ARE YOUR FRIENDS" . Since the leaflets also showed which cities were no longer safe for habitation , and since I assume that the Axis evacuated them all, we were able to destroy all of the military targets with no loss of life at all to the enemy . Logic is Logic, that 's all I say� george 20 21

3 January 1989 Dear George --- Please hold the press ! I have been looking at the plane list which I have been diligently working on for the past few weeks and have decided that is not the way to go . I agree with some of the early comments we have received that it is rather confusing . I hope you will not print any of the previous lists I have sent . I am keeping the previous list current only for reference purposes . I am enclosing two new lists which I have reworked . The one with known serial numbers is more readable, factual, and as historically correct as I can make it. The original aim was to include names of sources so that members could write to them for info , pix, etc. It has just 30 March 1989 become too unwieldy and confusing. So the new list will include only Ser. nrs. , names if known, Squadron , short history of the aircraft , and Dear George -- the name of the pilot on the crew who was known to have flown the plane. Of course, many pilots flew many different planes but I have listed only It was nice seeing you again at McAllen. Had a fine time and was those whose names have appeared in the War Diaries or from the few able to see a few I hadn 't seen since 1944. I am sending an updated loading lists that I have acquired. In the case of the plane being MIA, plane list. It probably has about 100 or so more changes than the crash landed, or crashed , I have attempted to list the entire crew. last one I sent . I picked up quite a bit of info from the fellows at And as briefly as possible, I have tried to list what happened to McAllen . Also O'Connor sent me quite a bit of data. The only thing the members, i.e. POW , KIA, evaded, etc. Normally , the entire crew about this list that I haven't solved yet are which a/c sans Tokyos will not , for various reaso ns, be listed. were received from the 97th when they took all our Tokyo equipped a/c on 14 Nov 43 . Will do some research on that. Believe I have I think what I have done will result in a far more professional sorted out most of the planes that were xferred to the 97th and the product and be more amenable to the membership. The second list will early model Gs that were sent to the 2nd BG on 28 Mar 44. There are have the names of those planes for which the serial numbers are not over 300 planes on this list. Still to come are those B- 17Gs that known. In looking at them, there are several clues but no hard evidence were assigned later in 1944 and in 1945 . I saw in the NL there was to tie them to a serial nr. Example : I suspect that Hunter's Answer may a #651 listed that was MIA at Brasov on 4-7-44. That should have been be one of the planes that Frank Hunter flew . Also Earthquake McGoon is 851 and the ser. nr. is 2102851 which was assigned to the 346. One the name of one of the planes we acquired from the 483rd BG . I found of the other problems which may be difficult to solve is the that only one Sqdn of the 483rd named their planes after characters assignment of the planes to the right Sqdn . This w�s caused by many from - Al Capp. I am keeping NL, WD , and sources in this list for planes "filling in" to fly with other Sqdns . But give me time and reference purposes. When a nr. is found , it will be added to main list. I will probably figure that out. I found the name "Princess No No" and it goes to 2107000 which was Will be attending the Dayton Hamvention the last week of April MIA at Ploesti on 15 May 44. It now appears that the 483rd BG brought in Dayton . After that I am off to the Archives in Washington to do about 65 or so new a/c to Italy and we got 45 (at last count) of them. a bit more research . Carl Mitchell had only identified 25 planes being transferred from the 483rd. Also found out from a couple of load lists 1 have that Glittering touch, Gal flew a few combat missions before going to the 5th Wing as VIP a/c Gen . Lawrence. I have a list of some 90 planes that were in the 99th if in Sept 45 but I won't include any of them in the list until I see how many flew combat. None of them are on the present list I have compiled. II Dear Dick; I know there are errors still in the list but hope to eventually I We appreciate your work on the Plane Roster. We have not had time get them taken care of. I will keep working on this and by summer I to check the plane list, nor do we expect to have much time in the should have a more comprehensive list available. near future, but we will let you know when we can publish the revised roster so that members may submit further items. �� e you in McAllen, Thanks again best george �i ck (Dra,·11) 22 23 WE E I THE S B G N QUADRON DIARIES. we have all four Squadron Diaries Fe.bll.ua. 11.y 2, 79 88 in our files. geo - Atlantic, Iowa 50022 Sheet No, 1, War Diary, Three Hundred Forty Eighth Bombardment Squadron. Ve.alt Ge.oJtg e.: Months of Sept 1942 to Sept 1943. Prepared by GEORGE E. HUTCHISON, Captain, Air Corps Have. a pin on me.. I :think you aJte. inde.e.d e.n:ti:tle.d :to DAY EVENTS War Diary it. Ple.a.6e. ge.:t :the. notice. :to me.mbe.Jt-0 in :the. up-coming 1942 Ne.w-0 le.:t:te.1t. I have. a whole. batch 06 pin-0 :to mail but Sept 6 e.e.l :that the.1!.e. could 6 e. e.JtJtoJt-0 due. :to my -0:tupidi:ty . What I 26 Three Hundred Forty Eight Bombardment Squadron Activated. can you e.xpe.c:t uJtom a Woll.nou:t lawye.Jt? will -0hip a-0 many 30 Squadron formed at Walla Walla, Washington. Combat Crews at Boise, Idaho for a-0 I can upon Jte.ce.ip:t 06 con6i1tmation-0 and oJtde.ll. :the. bal- first phase training. ance.. Nov will notice. 6inally had :to ll.e.-0 01t:t :to buying bubble.­ 15 Squadron leaves Walla Walla, Wash upon completion of second phase of training. You I I I pack-0 . The. package.-0 :tll.le.d :to build we.Jte. :to heavy. 17 Arrive at Sioux City, Iowa for third phase of training. have. a li:t:tle. :ticke.:t :to put in e.ach pack :to cove.It :the. co-0:t 26 Squadron enjoys Thanksgiving Day Dinner. Talk by Major Whitmore, Commanding 0 6 :the. bubble. pack and po-0:tage.. Officer, highlights program Dec Thank.-0 601t :the. le.tie.I!. and con:te.n:t-0 . Lo ok-0 ve.1ty good :to 3 Inspector General inspects Squadron. me.. Only one. que.-0 tion, what caa-0e.d :the. dll.op 61!.om 1100 :to 25 Squadron holds Christmas party and dinner in mess hall. 900, i-0 :thi-0 be.caa-0e. 06 na:tull.al at:tll.l:tion 06 ouJt me.mbe.ll.-0 ? I ce.Jt:tainly hope. no:t. Oil. i-0 i:tdue. :to nonpayment 06 due.-0 1943 b y -0 ome. ? Jan 2 Air Echelon leaves for Salina, Kansas. 2 Ground Echelon leaves Sioux City and arrives at Mitchell, South Dakota with temperature at 20 below zero. 7 Squadron takes five-mile hike in 10 below zero weather. Feb 5 Squadron undergoes gas mask inspection 14 Squadron officers hold Valentine Day party at Gun Club. 20 Squadron moves to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. March 19 Leave Oklahoma City, Oklahoma for Staging Area. 21 Arrive at Camp Kilmer, N.J. 24 Squadron goes to Ft Dix for rifle and pistol record fire. 29 Squadron takes hike and bivouacs in open field on rainy night. April 23 Leave Camp Kilmer, N.J. and board ship at Brooklyn for overseas. 29 At sea. May 2 Two submarine scares. 3 Another alert. 5 fransport loses convoy during night due to rudder trouble. 8 One of two engines blows up at 3: 07 AM. -· 1 • ,._7 e DItv"' 11 Africa sighted. ,-, 12 Arrive at Oran. • _) / /1''1 0 1.v·· (. :.__:_ : 23 Leave Oran • ;..-(- . / 25 Arrive at Navarin and rejoin combat crews. . ' /I, .._ ' ' ' l \ ' June 14 Lord Tincher, British Air Commander and General Jimmey Doolittle address group. 4u.fr41,4 "' �HAW C.�./il�G�E July Vd�N .:,; 5 Thirty-one men in squadron shot down during raid over Gerbinni, Sicily. Only two hi, /.S I ? "" ? C.Q e..KSo, J ultimately returned and five known captured by enemy. .'., rt, ' • .Tu "".- 3 W°A/� N' ·' ' &r•. GA ��"'"' " At1S',S E. ., "'"�/r/ll'NI'}- 25 L4 G.I. TRAINING, EXPERIENCE Sept NOW WORTH SCHOOL CREDIT 2 7 Entire crew of Lt John Saraberis, pilot, missing after raid on Bologna, Italy. Men who plan to return to school can earn academic credit while still in service, not Major Whitmore and entire crew, on their 50th mission and 50th mission of their only for satisfactorily completing courses offered through the facilit ies of the United Flying Fortress bail out near home field when plane became so seriously damaged States Armed Forces Institute, but also for a wide variety of military graining and during raid over Foggia, it became unmanageable. experience. 17 Lt Col Whitmore leaves squadron. Capt Robert Elliott becomes new Commanding Even your basic training has an educational value, in the opinion of leading American Officer. educators. 5o have the various courses offered by Army and Navy scho ols, Army and Navy specialized training, and actual experience handling a Service job. HERE •'ns USAF! officials and leading American educators have devised certain guides and procedures designed to assure every serviceman a fair evaluation by U.S. schools and VOL 1,1 No., 12 1 A il 45 i Published Weekly by the I and E and Special Service Section, Hg, 99th Bomb Group (Hr colleges of his military training and experience and of rff-duty educational studies. Servicemen are urged to make application while still in service, because the action of THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS schools and colleges on their applications will provide a guide to the courses or studies And dish out our doom. they should pursue through USAF! or in off-duty classes in order that they may resume their Twas the night before Christmas The target is told, And all through the Group education after their return to civilian life at the most advanced level possible. The first six rows faint - See Capt Trent, Gp. I&E Officer for further details. The Wheels and the Big Wigs For Lo and Behold! Were grinding out Poop. VIENNA it AIN'T !! FRAGS The bombers were parked on their hardstands with care, The brain has slipped up, 346 Waiting for Armament My poor achin' back! Soon to be there. We're bombing a place The 99th participated in a bombing raid of Berlin, so what? Do you know that the The flyers were nestled That tbrows up no flak ! "Rocket" not only got to Rome, but also got BACK? At the helm on this history-making trip All snug in their beds; So it's back in the truck was Capt John "Orville Wright" Keschmeir. Said the Capt on his retu rn, "It wus nuttin." •• While visions of milk runs And off to the line; ••The most tragic thing that ever happened to this Sq. took place the other night. Our Danced in their heads. The road is now smooth, wee-known [sic] mixologist, Vernon D. (YD) Adams had just returned from Barletta with a new When out of the darkness And the weather is fine. shipment of likkor [sic]; he, with a Eytie helping, lifted a huge demijohn of gin out of There came quite a knock; The crew is at Station, the jeep. And my dear friends, what the hell do you think happened? Right. $200 worth of We cursed the O.D. The check list is run; gin went spilling into the ground ! There is absolutely no truth in the report that some of And looked at the clock. The engines run smoothly , the more convivial members of the squadron got down on their knees and licked up the potent "Briefing will be in two hours," he said. As we give 'em the gun. gin. It so happened that none of them were around ••••(t 's getting so that the Time marches on and the minutes fly by ; Then suddenly the pilot volleyball games down on the line are winding up in near riots. Every time Mo Goldman So it's out of the sack and make with Calls in despair; plays, the game, gets a bit wilder, rougher, noisier. Good old Mo, what would we do the flying. "Look at the Tower ! without him? (Don't answer that question) •••• We rush to the mess hall They just shot a flare!" 347 Quick as a flash We dashed to the window We eat cold powdered eggs With a heart full of dread; Mul ta guys are happy, multa guys not so happy as a result of this TOY deal. And hideous hash. The pilot was right, Forty-five days at home is definitely not to be sneezed at. Congratulations and lots of Then the long bumpy tide The_ darn thing is R �D! luck to you fello ws due to go on that first list. I sure wish I was on it, or on the To the Group Briefing Room, So it's· back to the sack second, or on the thi rd, etc. I wonder what steps you have to qo through to get Where the Big Wigs preside And we sweat out our fate, citizenship papers for Foqqia ••••Welco me back to Sgt Marco, our first TOY returnee. Our For there's a practice formatiol vanity is hurt--he didn't miss us while he was home ••••Welcome back to Cpl Ralph At a quarter past eight. Imperata on his return from his honeymoon. He looks peaked but satisfied. He recommends married life heartily--especially the first week ••••Our softball business is booming with the diamond being occupied just about every available moment. As a matter of fact, Any man wanting to umpire softball and baseball games in the evening, contact Cpl Sgt Grassl was dragging the infield, or at least he was trying to and not being very Gunstella, Orange 9. Will be paid. successful. He started one morning and was chased by a game starting and it's been that "CORNZAPOPPIN" way since. TO PLAY HERE TUESDAY 348 The �SOs 1 atest _ variety show , "Cornz apoppin," will toast the 99th' s Theater-goers That big smile with the man behind-it these days is just Hinton Smith, better known as Tuesd�y with a sparkl�ng cast of entertainers from stage, screen, and radio. The emcee No. 1. Yes sir, the great Engineering Lottery was finally held, and Hinton is all set for spot is handled _by B�lly Berry. Billy hails from the west coast, where he was featured in 45 days back in Ole Miss. Right on his heals are Ralph Ocheltree and Artie Shaw ••••Is some _of the leading night clubs, hotels, and theaters in a novelty song and dance comedy sit true that Lucky Chuck Nunnley is looking for men to keep him company in the Army of r?utlne • Pat Mo_r �n, Hollywood_' s outstanding "knock-down-and-drag-out" double and former Occupation? We hear S/Sgt Tucker was the first to volunteer ••••Pat Patterson drew for c�rc�s clown, exhi?it� the best _ in comedy �crobatics. For glamour, the show presents Steffensmeir as Steff was in Rome. Pat pulled No. 7 for himself and 71 for Steff. Wotta Si�rid Lasman, � ingin� songs in the sentimental manner which wowed her Stork Club and Pal! required reading for all medics is Harry Massy's new book, "The Ace in the Hole, or Rai�bow Room audiences i� NY�. Others in the cast are as equally outstanding. check the Show Me the Way to Go Home." ••••Just when we were ready to join Lt French in the States , movie schedule for curtain times. he turned up here. We're glad to see him back, but he sure spoiled a lot of good rumors •• • If you haven't seen the redecorated EM Club, you've really missed something. Incidentally, those gals on the walls of the bar and the murals in the card room are the work of S/Sgt Lyn Fox, and are damn good too. 26 27 416 INQUIRING REPORTER This week we welcome back Capt William Brake, who is to be our new Operations Officer. "DO YOU EXPECT TO OWN A JEEP AFTER THE WAR?" •••Th e much discussed Thomas O'Shea is soon to be crowned Tent Chief at a formal Nope. I just can't see myself necking in the back seat of a jeep. ceremony . All who attend must wear Class A uniform, battle jacket, all decorations, PFC RUSS TRAMSTEIN?: awards, stripes, service ribbons, insignia and gravy spots •••.•Spring is here and with SGT WILLIAM McCARLY: I should be seen riding in a jeep? It's a Packard for me, complete its coming, all the sack artists are forsaking their "Homes" to cavort dn the Sqd. baseball with chauffeur. diamond. Now that I thing of it, that's the only time of the year one sees Nie T/SGT JOHN MOORE: Whuzzat? And be the laughing stock of Roslindale? Smiechowski. as yet, Al Slatnick is still bed-ridden , but where is life is hope ••• • Thanx to you Headquarters lads for starting the ball rolling in the drive to collect a few PFC RODECKEP: Cripes no! You can't plow with a jeep. bucks to buy Sgt Mccarley a toupee for his hairless, egg�shaped noggin ••••THE PAYOFF OF PFC DAVE RITTENHOUSE: I want nothing that will remind me of the army. THE WEEK--Sgt Joe Martorano is turning down TDY because he is afraid of losing his· citizenship ••••Woe is me! CPL JOHN KOBI: Yeah, I want a jeep. You giving 'em away? Hq. MOVIE SCHEDULE Game night last Tuesday proved to be rather successful for a first time. Be there MONDAY 2 APRIL WEDNESDAY 4 APRIL this Tuesday at 1900 and try your luck at one of the ten-odd games. Frank Freer succeeded "GIRL RUSH" with "MASON GOES TO RENO" with ANNE SOUTHERN & JOHN HODIAK in copping the $25 War Bond Bingo prize this week, even though Febesh, Gebbart, and Spry FRANCIS LANGFORD & VERA VAGUE & fought tooth and nail. Congratulations to PAP EMERICH! For hours "5 by 5" sweated it 1800-346, 348th, & Ord. 1800-346th, 348th, Ord. out , but [Coffee?] finally came through and made him the proud papa of six beautiful 1930-347th, 416th, & Hq. 1930-347th, 416th, & Hq. tiny pups. "Five's" TUESDAY 3 APRIL THURSDAY 5 APRIL CHAPEL CHIMES "CORNZAPOPPIN" USO SHOW "G.I. MOVIES" 1800-0ne showing only. "TAKE YOUR CHOICE" 1800-347th, 416th, & Hq. 2000-346th, 348th, & Ord. SATURDAY 7 APRIL Karl Marx said that man was an animal--an eating animal . To understand his behaviour "CAROLINA BLUES" with you must understand economics. To make him happy you must give him a full dinner pail. To KAY KYSER & ANNE MILLER attain �orld peace you must assure him that he may continue to eat. If he cannot eat, he 1800-347th, 416th, & Hq. will be troublesome; if he eats, he will be content. 1930-346th, 348th, & Ord. Charles Darwin said that man was an animal--a struggling animal. Survival and dominion are his chief objectives. Let man get power and he will be happy. He will not be Sports for Sports content just to eat ; he must also dominate. His lust for power is more primeval than his Softball: Hq. took over Ord. 10 to 7 the other day to prove the first defeat was no appetite for food. Let him be boss, let him feast on the plaudits of men around him, and mistake. However, Ord. is still skeptical and is· coming back for more Tuesday. The 347th he will be content. and the 348th teams are also going to try their hand at' beating Hq. this week. Good Sigmund Freud said that man was an animal--a breeding animal. His sex hungers are practice for the tournament which starts the 10th. prior to any other lust. Give man full and uncurbed expression in sex and he will be Over at the 348th, the backstop is up, the diamond graded and plans are being made for happy. Deflect or sublimate that passion and man becomes unmanageable. Give his biology an intra-squadron league of six teams--four combat and two ground personnel. The cream of free rein and his problems are solved. the crop will be used to form the two squadron varsity teams. Aristotle said that man was an animal--a reasoning animal. Give him knowledge and he Basketball: In the 346th C-Ration league, Joe Cantly' s "Short-Bursts' continue to whip will behave. Educate all men in the good life and they will live the good life. A man everything in sight. They took over Goldman's B-Batteries" i� a rough and tumble misbehaves because he does not know better. Develop his mind and his life will be game--Basketball a la 346th. Ryan's "Long Delays" took Kavenaugh' s "Gin 'n Juices" in a game featuring the grunting, groaning and cracking-at-the-seams of John "Red-Nose" controlled and content. Kavenaugh. When John started to perspire, damned if it wasn't cognac that came pouring out But Jesus said man was a son of God--made in the likeness of God himself, with instead of sweat. infinite capacities for development from a creature '' a little lower than the angels" to the heights of fellowship with the Father. Sidelights: Seems to us that the 346th has something over the other Sqds. They're the only ones with a basketball league of their own. Good idea for· the other Sqds. to follow TAKE YOUR CHOICE!! up. Incidentally, they're open to all challengers--anyone want to .take a crack at them? Speaking of challenges--no one has come forth to take up the 348th's volleyball team. CHURCH SCHEDULE Protestant: Sunday 0800-347th; 0845-0rd. ; What's the matter--scared? Hq. wasn't, but after two drubbings they'll stick to ping pong. Catholic: Sunday Mass 0930-348th; 1015-416 Perhaps the 348th will take up the 346th in basketball if they consent to a volleyball game 0900, 1030, 1230 too. What say Corky? ••••The Group baseball team got in their first licks last week and Wed. & Friday: 1830 are shaping up well. There are about three good men for every position so Lt Mullis should have no trouble in turning out a championship team ••••This spring weather has everyone in an .athletic frame of mind--even Sgt Jake Axelrod. He's looking for some wrestling competition--someone yo�ng, full of life, about 5 ft. 6 in., weighing about 125 lbs. and not too expensive. 28 -29 NEWS FROM HOME "SOLDIER'S CIVIL RIGHTS" TO BE EXPLAINED TACOMA, WASH: Mayor Harry Cain bet his pants that Tacoma would out-collect 4 neighboring Guest Speaker to Discuss Marital Problems cities in a recent paper drive. Tacoma came in 4th and the other mayors came around to Tuesday evening, 10 April 1945, at 1930 hours, in the 346th EM Mess, Mr. Garfield R. collect. But Mayor Cain fixed them--he joined the army. Drennan, ARC, will talk on "Soldier's Civil Rights." Mr. Drennan, for sixteen years a (As smart as a fox eh? Ha! )--Ed. lawyer in Kentucky and Tennessee, will discuss suits that might be brought by and against AKRON, OHIO: While fighting a fire at a rubber plant here, Fireman Art Fink decided to men in the service--w ith special emphasis on marital problems. If you' re having legal cleanse his false teeth by holding them in front of the hose nozzle. Alas, his clippers difficulties or anticipate any , it would be wise to hear what "The Judge" has to say . Al were whisked away into a scrap of burning rubber nearby. Fellow firemen retrieved them, squadrons invited. sooty and battered, but smiling bitterly. Batter Up (Shades of Joyce Dale) On Tuesday, 10 April, Col Schwanbeck will toss in the first ball to open officially SAN FRANCISCO: Two lady street car conductors were arrested here recently on similar the softball tournament. An officers and EM team from each squadron, playing twice a week, charges. One had blasphemously bawled out a passenger. Another had slugged a passenger in will compete for the championship of the 99th. If those individuals who have borrowed the nose when asked to stop the car. (What if he really asked her for something?) gloves, bats, and balls will return them to the Special Service Officer in each squadron, INDIANAPOLIS: "Well, here I come," said a burglar as he climbed out of a coal chute after the players may have enough equipment to carry on successfully. ransacking a department store. He thought he was talking to his partner. But when he got FRAGS outside he found a cop was holding the chute door open. (Bet he held the cell door open too) 346 Add one more ribbon to the already be-medaled, manly , hairy chest of Art Porter. Every time Art wins another award, the startling news appears in the Bangor Times. Art's home is in Maine not India). awarding of the Good Conduct Medals t'other day , HERE 'TIS Brogan not only showed up, but he shaved for the event. So to Brogan goes the award of the Vol. II No. 13 week--a five dollar bar book for daquecento lire ••••The medals were distributed by Brig. 9 A ril 45 Published Weekly by the I and E and Gen. John "Baby Jack" Beaver, who made a very impressive sight in his Civil War fatigues. Special Service Section H 99th Bomb Group H The awarding of the �agerly-sought medal was preceeded by a parade led by Col Mathew Duka FORT RETURNS ON ONE-AND-A-HALF and Lt· Col M. Goldman, ably assisted by �� j.g. Howie Brown. In the reviewing stand were On the 6th of �pril, Lt Jewell N. Graft, 416th pilot, brought back his Fort on "little Angelo Esposito, Pasquale Gri�, Enrico Russo and Pasta Fazzula. Goldman and his platoon more than 1 1/2 engines." Here's his own true variation of the "Wing and a Prayer" theme: put on a most unusual demonstration. The good Col gave his snappy platoon four consecutive "We were about 15 minutes away from the target when troubles really began. An oil leak "flank" movements and 23 of his men wound up in the chow line •.Col Duko's platoon was not developed in #3 and blew a valve so I had to feather it. We had to drop back from the lane to be outdone however, The Col had his men in a beautiful formation, heads erect, chests box to number four box position; then #2 cut out on us and it had to be feathered so we out and they· were all in step. At this juncture, the Col momentarily turned. his head and, headed for the Adriatic. On top of thi� trouble, the bomb-bay doors wouldn't clos:. The sad to relate, before the flustered Col could give the order "to the rear", 18 of his men turbo cut out next and the engi�e beg�n to smoke plenty. Had to drop the bombs in fell into the Off �er's latrine. Officer's latrine or not, it still stank!! the Adriatic and head for home. It was impossible to feather #1 because of the wind over 347 the home field, so I landed with an intact #4 and a poorly functioning #1 engine." The war must be nearly over for both our favorite privates, Isaac Havens and Harris BOMBER LOSSES LIGHT (Buzz) Folstein, have been promoted to Private First Class ••••Amer ican whiskey went on sale in our bar for the first time with each man being entitled to ounces of the real . _ London (CNS)--An average of less than 2 of every 100 bombers dispatched on combat mission by the U.S. Stratic Air Forces in the European and Mediterranean Theaters during stuff, and most of the men consuming the entire ration the first tw'a,i ights, with Larry 1944 were lost to enemy action, the War Department has announced. Hastings using beer as a chaser. Chuck ·and his boys were at the club to make hop with the jive on Tues. night ••••Capt Monro"'e"G'ross, S-2 Officer, left for the US on Friday and MISCELLANIA we hear that he may soon be a civilian again. George, What are those things? c It's full Colonel Raymond V. Sechwanbeck now when one refers to our omman ct·ing 348 Officer--Congrats, Col.! Sixteen lucky officers and E.M took chances for two bucks and won War Bonds in the . Copies �f "The Night Before Christmas" parody are available in the Hq. Special Service great master raffle. The enlisted men's pot furnished enough cash to buy eight $100 Bonds Office and will be furnished on request. while the officer's kitty netted two $100 Bonds, six $10 Bonds and a $4 cash prize. Capt It's possib�e! Ca�t Milton Gross, 347th S-2 Officer, had his application approved for Kem cleaned up in the officer's raffle to the tune of $14. He took the changes, including a DISCHARGE and is on his way to the USA for final action on same. No. 134, and won two prizes. The raffle was part of the Easter Bond Drive and helps us to almost double our $6,000 quota ••••Payday was Grand Opening Day for the new Officer's It's true what they say about the ���� New projector, new screen. One can actually see and hear the show now. Club. A lot of work has been put into the new building by Lt Hamer , Lt O'Neill, Lt Dowyngaert, Lt Neary and several others, and they can be really proud of it. The ��- bar is equal to anything back in the States, and the squadron and AAF insignia done in stone are real works of art. The club still isn't completed, for plans call for an addition which will double its &ize ••••A swell cartoonist has turned up among the combat men. Cpl Milo Muirhead is responsible for the cartoons on the walls of the EM club's recreation room. Watch out, Bill Mauldin!! 30 31 416 INQUIRING REPORTER . . He r Ye! Hear _ Ye! CHALLENGE TO ALL SQUADRONS! ! ! Our numoer one rumor "WHAT'S THE STRAN GEST MEAL YOU EVER ATE?" 1n1 t l a /s a as a monger whose re Thom O'She ( Ii $% I), h as the exact a s s ' a d y we un i goin to de p art for homel nd--and he dares a ny other S�ua a LT DANIEL NERO: One of my buddies loved to eat ice cream with catsup. Guess he was nuts. . dron _ L trine Orderly to equal his feit ! •••.We a ell hat ur Flying Fool lS s he r Must ard's the thing to go with ice cream as any fool c an plainly see. � i Murtaugh con idering setting up his cot at the roub e w arking b a bar too much �ck nd forth ••••If you guys want to see s a as s a a a ome f st stepp ing J�it t er b u9s ' CAP KERMIT J. MACK: One morning in , I w erved combin tion of come up to Oper tions some night and a s a · ---- ? c tch "Solid" Yate nd his d anc1ng p ar t ner "Zoot1e" potatoes , tomatoes , and oil for breakfast. Willi.s ct- th e corners'.• • • .Wha a 0 �?� t m de Cookie of the Armament Section cut all that fuzz it? ff h1 in . • • .Ark our Sharman s CPL JOYCE DALE In Africa, I t, ad "goosh-goosh" made from--ugh--how· did I ever eat Billing ley (Al Bragiol to yous e) for his terri fic c t h a a .:. el jigger gin s _ � �tf ���. �� ��:\ / :����= -double rum:-plu some Vino a a a as s a s a ��;;� sh��� w::L _t�e t h ! SGT HAROLD FRUTCHY: Me t nd veget ble. h h is the tr ngest di h I ever h d. I've never Hq. been able to figure wh at the stuff is made of, and I'm afraid to gue ss. CPL WALLY YOUNGREN: The meal we h ad on the Edmond B. Alexander. Remember, stew and h ard Berman, Dent, and Saarp were the lu�ky men thi s month t aking the three $100 War boiled eggs? offered on the p ay d ay r a a Bonds ffle. Wh t irony--Berman and D en t s a thous and a �1:�a the t wo guy who m ke a s s s month ( o th b o tu s ) at crap a a a CAPT GEORGE TRENT: A deliciou Coon , Kentucky meal. Hot chitluns, pre erved turnip , a nd poker• C pt Sweeny nd Mathae (spelled with n "e3") won $30 �s l a blood pudding, pig fries, s konk cabbage fried in po s sum grease, creamed dog B on w e Crater nd Allev took a s 0 ------s s c re of the $25 one There, s a wee� tory to tell abo�t the Bingo g ame last w�ek. collards ; biled 'taters and lucious po'k chops , natchly. s Frenchy of the Mota� Po�l got P.O .'d 1 rd and swapped with P a as . :: ppy Vigen. W his face red when Pap proceeded to win three :tr�. g ames on that very sa�e a c rd_ ! However, French won the $25 War Bond a di d � .19t ye�l too much. • • a prize nd .G me night this Tuesday--prize for the· winners in ONCE IN A LIFETIME casino, pinoccle, etc. 7 p.m. poker bridge ' ' NAPLES (CNS)--With 16 year s service indicated by the gold braid on his sleeve, CPO CHAPEL CHIMES Charles W. Tuttle, USCG, of Salem, Mass , looked like a pretty important person to attendants of the San Carlo Opera House here. They escorted him to the Royal Box, where he PLANT A SEED sat in lone splendor while the crowd speculated about his identity. Before the night w as , a French writ er, h as told how , who conquered over, the spotlight � as on him and the Chief obliged by st anding �p and bowing while the Morraco was [wa�l�k�i-n-g-]�t�h -r-o-ugh the rorests of the country when__ h_e __c-am- e to a place where many audience of 3000 applauded him. of the giant cedars li ad been destroyed by a terrible storm. The turned to his Sports for Sports assistant and said, "You will h ave to place new cedars here." ----- The man laughed and said that it took two thousand years to grow cedar. Softball: The big tournament st arts this Tues d ay and many of the teams got in a few those that had been uprooted. "Two thousand years" said the Marshal, "Then we must begin pre,-se ason practice games. Hq. took ove-r the 348th Officer's team 5 to 4 in a well-pl ayed at once." game and next day blasted Ordnance 16 to 10 to show that their two previous victories over Ord. were not mis takes. Somehow or other, the 347th E.M. team got their signals crossed a a as s The storm th t is sweeping over the world tod y h de truction and forgot that Hq. was s upposed to have THE team. They w alloped the Hq team 9 · to 4 the s a a as s s a s a in it w ke. A civiliz tion which h been thou and of ye r in the m king has been d ay after they h ad done the s ame thing to Ord. L ast Thursd ay night, the 348th EM beat a s s well-nigh destroyed, nd the ta k of reconstruction will not be ea y. If a new world order their officers 10 to 9. Lefty Guido and hurled for the EM while Lt Scott w as s a s a i ever to be erected bove the ruins, then �e mu t begin t once. The place to take hold on the mound for the officers. And so ends our practice games--from now on it ' s for blood! is where you are with the people at h and. The time to st art is now ! Basketball: The most spectacular event of the week was the astounding fact that the 346th a a s If the world looks dark now--it is better to light a c ndle th n to cur e the Eng finally won a basketball g ame in the C-Ration League. Yes , Beaver's "Spark Plugs" a ss a a a a d rkne . you re a builder of tomorrow. Find something thqt you c n do to m ke it whipped O' Toole' s "Pencilpu shers " but this victory by no means too.1< them out of last a a a · better d y th n tod y. place--they're s till there-- Ryan's · "Long Delays" took over an officer' s team in a CHURCH SCHEDULE Protest ant: Sunday very well-pl ayed g ame. The experience and age of Ryan's men were too much for C apt Welborn's boys , but perhaps they'll do better the next time. Catholic: Sunday Mass 0800-347; 0845-0rd; 0900, 1030, 1630 0930-348; 1015-416 News from Home a 1100-346; 1830-Hq. Wed. & Frid y 1830 WEST BROOK, ME: Harold Brinkerhoff w alked into the Westbrook police station to get warm which w as OK with the cops. But then he m ade the mistake of st anding directly under a poster which offered an award for his arrest on a burglary charge. P.S., he's still in the MOVIE SCHEDULE pokey. MONDAY 9 AP RIL WEDNESDAY 11 APRIL "NOTHING BUT TROUBLE" with SAN FRANCISCO, CAL: Californians drank 16 million gallons of liquor during 1944 statistics "DEVOTION" with disclose. Roughly, that's 296 highballs for every man, woman, and child in the state. IDA LUPINO & OLIVIA DE HAVILAND LAUREL AND HARDY 1800-346th, 348th, & Ord. 1800-347th, 416th, & Hq. s·T. LOUIS: Ordered to "share-a-ride" _with neighbors ir'I his car, a local resident won 1930�347th, 416th, & Hq. 1930-346th, 348th, & Ord. repeal of the order from his r ation board when he explained that his car w as a--g arbage truck. SATURDAY 14 APRIL "THE PRINCESS SAG HARBOR, L.I.: Mrs �daline Judd celebrated her 100th birthday with this observation: RSDAY 12 APRIL AND THE PIRATE" with THU " BOB HOPE and "Don't you worry about the bobby sox kids. This t alk of juvenile delinquency caused by the "G. 1. MOVIES . VIRGINIA MAYO g only war is poppy-cock. The children were worse in my time than they are today. 1800-0ne showin 32 33 KANSAS C!TY: While Ernie Mehl was attending a mo vie, someone broke into his auto and stole o nothing but a d g bone. "WEARY WILLIE" NEW YORK: Police were baf fled when they captured a suspected jewel thief here. They knew COMPLETES HUNDREDTH he had $4 00 in sto len "ic e'' on his p erson, but they couldn't f ind it. Finally, one ° Wh en l d "855" settled. onto the runway at Tortorella recently, it had just r eturn�d enterprising detective poked under the man's toup ee and there, nestled against his egg-bal d f o one hundredth trip o ver enemy t arge t s "Weary Willie" is the oldest combat s h l. p dome, discovered the missing "rocks." r m its � . _ a no in operatio n f o r the 34 th Squa r s c r d o f 96 combat h ours has been an w_ , � . � �\3 t ; : r s o of es pp es o o g e _ 7 � good run in spite f an inoperative BROOKLYN, U.S.A. Mu ry Martin ha nce the healthi t a etit in this fam us b rou h. enviable on , and on today s mission, _ t i 1 m d o Bec ause of it , h e i s facing a jail sentence on a charge o f eating $16.60 worth o f steak, turbo-super-charger on one of the engines. turkey, salami , and chopped chic�en liver in a local cafeteria, then welching on the check. . Capt Sumner W. Pe t erson, . w h O pl.· 1 0 ted the "Weary" one past its century mark, said, " Old · BROOKLYN, NORTH AMERICA: William Moore tossed a littl e p ar ty for 72 friends in his 2-room Willie is a smooth handling plane and perfo rmed well t o day in spl.t e o f h is· c ombat age; o r r o s of h ors h owever his weariness is apparent bec ause one of the en g ines cut out just before the Br oklyn apartment. The soi ee b oke up at 2 a.m. n the complaint t e neighb when ' · po lice arrested all the guests on charges o f disturbing the p eac e and h eld Hos t Moore in landing p eal-off and when t�e c�-p i�ot, Lt J oe R o 11 er, attempted to f eath er the p rop, the $500 on a c har ge o f violating the a l coholi c bever age control law. "All I tlid,".he feathering button fell o ff 1n hrs fingers. " complained with righteous indignation, "was charge my guests $.25 admission and $.25 for a . . On the g r ound after the landing , 855' s cr�w chief , .T/Sgt A. T. N iso a o zed o e o o c r � b ttl f my h me-made bla kber y wine. r r e s r s �� ��� i� [� the engine failu e, and rema ked that th engine_ wa a e a h -re b u1 j �b at � failure should be no reflection against "Willie" himself. HERE 'TIS En ineerin Offi c er , Capt Joe Chanc e, s tated, " It . h as no t as y et been officially Vol. II No. 15 determi�ed when §55 will be retired. It,.has been a good ship and has retur ned 'batter ed r o Published Weekly by the Special er c 22 A 45 but n t beaten' from many rough targets. S vi es and I and E Section H 99th Bomb G roup H Lt C o l A.w. Schroeder , deputy group commander , flew thi vete!an plane on its maiden SAN FRANCISCO PARLEY � voyag e back in May 1944, and also ch ose to lead th e b ox 1n w h ich i t was flying its TO BE "TIPPED-Off" AT 99TH hund,�edth mission. r r In o de t o pave the for o l way a m re inte ligent interpretation of e s coming San sco o fe ce what happ n at the Franci C n ren , a man who has made s c s Members of other. s quadrons may remember "Weary Willie" �y the inscribed name nd the r a pe ial tudy of p lans for a W o rld � Secu ity Org anizatio n will s s f l l h h of di cuss that subject on the eve o f o f r picture o Willie's o d hound dog and of Wi lie imself urrying f to the weeds w1th his Charles r o the C n e ence. It's Sgt Ma key , 463rd B mb Group, w hose e s f s talk will be giv n in the Briefing pant at hal -ma t. Tuesday, 24 Apr il. Room at 1930 NEW LOCATIONS We s h o uld all take an e res activ inte t in the happenings at o o f r T here's no f r this m ment us Con e ence. Special Service and I&E Of :ice--F irst F loor, Podere No. 8, Hq. ine way to get a background for fo s sc s e llowing it di u sion and decisions than ee f att nding this Tuesday nite $ession. by Gp Engin ring--Hq Sub Of ice Air Inspector--Former Spec Serv o ffice SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT B.J., the Natch Repair Man--Gp Or d D:f Wo uld f r s G roup M ot or Poo l--At last out o f its mud hole or dust bowl, depending on the season, and the O fice s, 1 t & 2nd Lts. who t raded 1 pistol at the . of 18 Apr 1680th Ord S&M the afternoon into a beautiful new setup 1n the Hq area. 1945 get in touch with Capt Weidner , Group c of r Ordnan e ficer, no later than 24 Ap il 1945. FRAGS PSYCHOLOGY CLASS TO START 346 A course in General c o r Psy hol gy, no mally u sed in th f r h On Thursday night the G r oup band p l aye d f o r th e b oy s in the ,EM club and a very f s o e ou th year of igh s chool or · ir t year f colleg e, will be offe s the oy 1 g ' f c e e red oon, Meeting s will be held once e r d · th th many fans o Bob "Hep at" Schni d r, weeks on Friday e h a we k fo ten o nights in th C apel Tent near the Outdoor t =�� m":n : �;·��: m i:. ;:\.!�\����n=": �::�\u;\ef r: the night was o r· i r Y• o o Thea er. t � ��� ��� : Pvt Raym nd H ugh, 347th Squadron, s r c e f .: will be the in t u tor. In o rder to regis for minor part in the affair--well, x�ept or Ryan_ and Cavanau g this class , y ou must co c ter nta t Capt trent, Group I&E Officer, N otary 13. Linklat er--whew ••••Fri day was a w1ld day her e rn the area, alm�s::ver. man in the The textbook is o o Life." "Psych l gy and It is a s o co c out fit found that he needed a haircut in order to look sweet for Satur day ' s f o�mation and of ho o urvey f basic n epts and theories p syc l gy; cover s s ubjects such a s : o c o e f o f s s r s o s o e Fact rs in Development, Mo tivations o inspe ti n. The lin in r nt o Han en' ba ber h p wa as long as n� 1·in that L uie L arning, thinking , s , Emoti ns, Per onality and Individual Di fferences, ce ever got. l ou g p A e l e o � ;ew no g ins lmploy s c Intellig en , Vocational and � ment P y hology, Psycho log y and o r s : �t � � �=� ��� r�� ��= c�� p�; !� � ;i:�: o� f r Nervous s S cial P oblem , The Form and Functioning of t ? e : i d ���n �����i� R �� :speciall� o Sy tem. the ��� - 0� ��dio ��e other night. ...Joe Corcor looki �8 2 th; � 7s ��/ � �;:t� Put of : ��:=� at least 10% your o f s o e s o o . 0 i�t!"t"h e pay in War B nd allotments; o c o thi m nth. H want t celebrate--the ro re . • • • • :1� y u an't go wrong . . . on that ! column in the group softball league on Fr iday night when Bob Bi lmae1r of To e P tch ed a 5 _ � �� J shuto ut wh ile his 'team mates backed him up with 13 (count t�em run agar e 16th EM Our o fficers defeated the 348th o ffi cers 3 t o O that same n'1 gh t • : ow , w� a t rank in th� 346th infield! 35 34 347 Chapel Chimes

Th a HOW ARE YOU LIVING? . �nks lot to "Art�e" Kunz and Mike P assinisi for the swell job they're doing r pa a a a b l a a � i�ti�g the � y room. Nice work fell s ••••Arr ividerci to Bill Hampton. He finished When Robert Louis Stevenson w s dying of tu ercu osis on S moa in the Pacific oce n, his mi sions a a a one of the minor irrit ations of his life was a sour-visaged missionary who hovered over him � this p st �eek nd will be he ding home soon. One of the original ground men, he decided to fly th� big a like the avenging angel. One day, he sent him the cheerful note: "Mr. Stevenson," �e 1 ones nd now he's done. Give our best to dear old Bahston ••• .Seems a a b wro a a a a there s minor scand l a out some simon-pure (?) character one of the last Rome te, "you h ve not got long to live. I would like to come nd t lk to you s to one in bunch, and some a d anger of dying." Stevenson wrote that in that case, he didn't want to see him, but that signorin who insisted on throwing her arms about'him and c a lling him "Ahrry." a he would be g lad · to welcome tiim if he would t alk to him " as to one who is in d anger of The best p rt of the whole thing w as that this signorina w as one of those haract rs that use a a a livin � � broom t night for transport tion; a ·lovely little girl. Tch, Tch y��t puts a new twist on things · doesn't it? In d anger of living. Arent we all? Ahrry. • • a a a a .The softb ll se son h s begun lready and the 347th Officers are right up with There are real and great dahgers of living; the d anger of becoming a stuffed shirt; the the league leaders an a a a ? the 347 EMs re bre thing hot nd heavy on their necks. Keep it up d anger of becoming mostly a stomach or a desire or an appetite. The danger of becoming a fel l as and a a a a m ybe we 11 h ve n all 347th pl y-off season ••••Some ,character sort of funnel in which the chief end of man is to keep the liquor running downward. u� at Hq. a a a b w nted to �now wh t I me nt y s aying in last week's col umn, "Some signorina mis�ook a a Then there are the chief dangers of living such as: the danger of missing the biggest S/Sgt H stings for cow." Look fel ler, ain't you ever been around?--Wasn't bad h aving those a a prize of life that of coming into relationship with God, in sonship and obedience; the d mes--! me n the USO girls out here the other night. Wh at comes as a reward for being such a good little Sqd. danger of desfroying your own character and happiness; the danger of merely existing r ather 348 than living life. Mark Twa in's little daughter once said to him, when he was having a triumphal tour of You weren'. t dreaming when you heard . "�ut-two-three" at six o'clock in the morning l ast Europe, "You'll soon know everybody except God, won't you, Papa?'' She had something there! a a a ba a a . week. It w s Just few of the more mbitious com t boys who speci lize in e rly rising There is also the d anger of l iving and h aving no real part in the struggle to make a (purely volunt_ary, of course). For further det ails, see O"perations ••• • Luckiest man in better, finer world. That is too big a show to miss. camp wa� Dave Rittenhouse who st arted with four bucks one evening and ended up by cleaning "How are you living?" hous in two games. But he's not much good for a touch--he's already sent most of the � profi_ts home • •••A new attraction was added to the EM club's S aturday night 99TH MOVIE SCHEDULE WEDNESDAY 25 APRIL parties--GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRL?! (Yes , there were actually three of them). Even the great MONDAY 23 APRIL "NIGHT OF ADVENTURE" with �heel C�eel was lured by their charms and tore himself away from the Officers b at to "FLAME OF THE BARBARY COAST" with TOM CONWAY investigate. W a �t Kottman did all right by himself too••• • In case any of you chow JOHN WAYNE; 1830-347th, 348th, & Hq. hounds don't �now_ it, both clubs now serve sandwiches in the evening--free! And the mess 1830-346th, 416th, & Ord. 2000-346th, 416th, & Ord. hall has running ice water--we never had it so good! Sort of wish our softball teams could 2000-347th, 348th, & Hq. do as well though. We've had some pretty tough luck, losing games in extra inning play by one or two runs. But the tournament isn't over by any means and we still aim to be on top when it's over. Turning in some of the equipment would help the team--they're playing with SATURDAY 28 APRIL old gloves. "STEP LIVELY" with THURSDAY 26 APRIL,0 GEORGE MURPHY & (hold your breath girls) FRANK SINATRA Headquarters "G. I. MOVfES 1830-346th, 416th, & Ord. The lucky boy at Bingo this week wa13 good old (when he brings mail, @ff$@1f$9ti w;hen he 1830-0ne snowing only 2000-347th, 348th, & Hq. doesn't) Frank Swinden. The $25 War Bond prize added to the few hundred he's picked up at FLAGELLA MOVIE SCHEDULE the crap t able, will help complete the house he's furnishing ••••Welcome home to Capt THURSDAY & FRIDAY 26, 27 APRIL--1400 & 1900 a a l a SUNDAY & MONDAY 22, 23 APRIL--1 400 & 1900 Sentous--back from civiliz tion, Pfc. Freeman who fin l y got tired of h ving nurses "Experiment Perilous" - Hedy L amarr pampering him all the time, and to our new Chaplain who I'm sure will find the 99th a group "Going My Way" with Bing Crosby to his liking ••••Guess most of you know by now that Specia l Service h as a new TUESDAY & WED. 24, 25 APRIL--1 400 & 1000 SATURDAY & SUNDAY 28, 29 APRIL--1 400 .& 1900 home---almost completed. Wh at they're still missing is some of the equipment that h ad been "To Have and H ave Not" _ Humphrey Bogart "Eve Knew Her Apples" with Anne Net.les borrowed in their other office-baseball gloves and sneakers. Certainly will help the . ball WEDNESDAY 25th--1 900-Boxing Bouts - no picture SATURDAY 28 APRIL--1400--Western Variety with Ken Card teams along if they h ad better gloves to play with. Not that they're doing badly mind you. P icturet at 1500 Considering that we h ave so few men to pick from we've done a bit of all right and it won't surprise anyone to see the EM team take first place in this tournament ••••T.he EM Club Committee has nominated some men for the next officers of the club and b allots will be Sports for Sports coming out this week. Give the matter some thought for the committee is damn important. Softball: Baseball, and more softball--that's the setup at the 99th these days. The Group And while we're at it, let's give the old [ones?] a vote of th anks for the great job softball team got off to a fine start by trouncing the 734th M.P. Comp any 15 to 2, which is they've done. a nice way to treat M.P.s . A large crowd c ame out to see our boy� play the 301st Bomb Group and were treated to one of the best games ever pla�ed in these p arts. Coming from behind, the Diamondbacks tied up the g ame in the sixth inning and held their own until the 8th when the g ame w as called off on account of darkness. Some outstanding batting and fielding were contributed, by Hunsburger and Curry, who certainly r ate around these p arts for their brilliant play. Our boys go against the 463rd tonight, and we're looking forward to a bang up g ame. 37

The Group softball league is going on in fine style with some mighty close games During the month of May, 1945, which saw the end of the war in Europe, the taking place. The 346th E.M. went on the rampage (wonder if last week's column had Ninety-Ninth Bombardment Group did not participate in any operational flights. Flying was anything to do with it) and slaughtered the 416th E.M., 13 to O in the most decisive defeat held to training flights and the like. Although no operational flights were made, the of the tournament. Bader surprized everyone (but themselves). by tripping the 347th Officers 7 to 2 after they had nosed out the 348th Officers 3 to 2 in a nine inning game Group flew eight �aily missions carrying supplies to Allied forces in the Udine area of two days before. northern Italy. Ordnance won the sweetest victory of all by boating the Hq. team 9 to 1. During the month, the .Group initiated an aerial tour of targets the Group bombed in Sideli hts: We do have to take off our hats to Ordnance (in fact get down on our knees and southern Europe for the ground personnel. The 1400-mile, eight-hour flight was over such J grovel for winning four straight games to beconie sole holdel," of first pla�e. Ord. was th.e targets as Bologna, Milan, Munich, Linz, and Venice. team that everyone used to kick around in practice games. The played 8 practice games and The Group's athletic program was put into full swing during the month. Two softball lost all of them but the experience proved valuable for when the tournament started and the leagues were organized and other activities carried on. money was on the line, they came through with some sweet ball playing. The team that During the month, the following changes were made in the staff personnel of Group really is red in the face is Hq., who beat Ord. three times in practice games and then lost Headquarters: Lt Col Allen W. Schroeder, Deputy Group Commander, was replaced by Lt Col 8 to 1 in the tournament. SHAME ! Dale L. Anderson, who was C.O. of the 416th Sqdn; Maj. Philip M. Philips, Intelligence STUFFF 'N THINGS: One of Broadway's show girls met Leo Durocher and admitted the handsome Officer, was replaced by tapt Gregory F. Steobel; Capt Harold T. Whitlock, Chaplin, was diamond he wore, a present for winning the pennant for Brooklyn. The gal 's boy friend replaced by Capt James B. Sadler ; and Capt Paul H. Franklin, Jr., Operations Officer, was turned to her, indicated her own big diamond ring, and said, ''Now, Honey , show Mr. Durocher replaced by Capt George F. Brodie, Jr. what YOU get for playing ball. Presentations were held and Col W.E. Whitson presented Bronze Star Medals to the following men: Capt Kenneth V. Weidner, Maj . John A. Sarosy, Maj . Philip M. Philips, M/Sgt w L w L Roy C. Parris, Cpl Joyce L. Dale, M/Sgt George T •.Love, T/Sgt Frank C. Freer, and S/Sgt Ord. 4 0 416 EM 2 2 Troy Ingram. Hq EM 3 1 Radar 2 2 347 Of. 3 1 416 Of. 1 3 HIGHLIGHTS IN 346TH SQDN HISTORY 346 EM 2 2 Hq. Of 1 3 May 12, Maj Walter Hamberg, Jr., succeeded Maj Raymond J. Kane, Jr., as Squadron 346 Of. 2 2 348 Of. 0 4 Commander. May 13, Capt Sumner W. Peterson assumed duties of Squadron Operations Officer, and on May 22, 1st Lt Louis L. Dual was assigned as Squadron Bombardier. Three Bronze Star Medals and twenty Distinguished Flying Crosses were awarded during the month. Baseball: The Group baseball team, after two weeks of practice, came out from under the HIGHLIGHTS IN 347TH SQDN HISTORY wraps and played their first practice game. If the 6 to 3 boating they handed the Foggia Eagles is any indication, · it looks like we are going to have quite a team. Sunday will see Maj Paul D. Buckholtz replaced Maj Hutton as Squadron Commander on May 3, and Lt James the first game being played against the 734 MPs down at the 416th--SEE YOU THERE. Seacord replaced Capt Larry Stusser as Adjutant. Fourteen D.F.C.s were awarded during the mont� and five Bronze Star Medals. The officers' softball team won a group tournament and News from Home the EM1s were second. The War Departmen� , through the NATOUSA, I & E· Section, made a survey KNOXVILLE, TENN: State Highway patrolmen stopped a small coupe on a local highway. Inside in t�� Squadron to get a cross-section of the men's opinion on various questions and conditions. Many changes were made in the enlisted personnel. The recreation program was was a man and a woman--and 432 pints of bootleg gin. (Things are tough back there--can't expanded. even get in an evening of light drinking without somebody bothering you. Ed.·) HIGHL IGHTS IN 348TH SQDN HISTORY NEW YORK: Bill Ontville, a · pale lad of 16, established a world's record last year. He saw 705 movies. "Most of them," says Bill, "were lousy." (A prospect for the 99th) Capt S.D. Ken was made Squadron Executive Officer in addition to his duties of SAN FRANCISCO: "Hello, short and smooth, let's rip a hip," a teen-aged bobby-soxer said to ' Squ�dron Adjutant, replacing Maj R.L. McMillan on May 22. Capt W.E. Scott, Op�rations Cpl Bill Peterson shortly after his return from the Pacific. Bill looked at the girl Officer was promoted to Major on May 16. Twenty-seven D.F.C.s, two Soldier's Medals,a nd blankly, then replied: "JToxa ng yassase soocic shigets ! " The bobby-soxer retired in twelve Bronze Star Medals were awarded during the month. The Officers' and EMs ' clubs confusion. "All I said," laughed Bill, "was lots of and no work--in Japanese." observed VE day with free drinks and sandwiches. Approximately fifty enlisted men of the ground personnel returned to the States. in SAN FRANCISCO: Sam Hall ford was arraigned a local court on a charge of beating his HIGHLIGHTS IN 416TH SQDN HISTORY wife. "Y'ou can't jail me," he told the judge. "I'm going to be drafted on Tuesday ." "O.K ." the judge replied. "But if you're rejected, I want you to come back here so I can Capt William J. Brake was named Squadron · commander on May 29, replacing Lt Col Dale L. give you 6 months in jail. (What would you Take?) Anderson, who was designated Deputy Group Commander. Capt Merrill M. Moore was named Squadron Operations Officer; 1st Lt Frank P. Leone as Adjutant to replace Capt Rufus ______._ __ MASS:_ BAsil Traskor is 47, jobless, divorced, and the father of 3 children. He advertised in the local newspaper for a wife, explaining that he was so busy minding his Sizem�re, who was m�de Squadron Executive Officer. The physical training and I&E programs were introduced. Eight D.F.C .s and four Bronze Star Medals were awarded in the month. babies that he had no time to go a-wooing. Fifty women answered the ad, including grandmothers, school teachers, career girls, school girls, and one Black Bay divorcee, who II said she had 2 cars and 2 country estates. Traskor has not made up his mind yet. (Are OPERATIONS SECTION they kidding?) . �\.J� ing May , flying ope� ations were held to training flights, including local "' . . _ _ . tranoition, _ practice bombing �issions; ?r�ctice wing, squadron, and group formation flying; gun�er� flights; a�d pathfinder tr� 1ni�g. Ground instructions included G-training, navigation, and bombing lectures; engineering school and C-1 instructions. 38 39

A s erie s o f aeri a l tours w e re st arted the later part o f the month, s ix ships fly ing t l n d e e e t o ation , ound personnel over t argets of the Graup in northern I a y, Munich, Li z, an th Br nn r oo s eo-training, C-1 instruc i ns, navig gr · O t h e r training included ground sch l in G Pass area. e e ineering and b ombing l ect ur s. o t e li t e d ing personnel to rest camps in or near Naples , R ome , ng R u in f gh s wer ma e carry e e d over f ormer e e t i e e lo ed o e l t for the group's p rsonnel was continu _ and Pisa. F errying flilghts w ere made to Gioia, as w r fligh s carry ng r -d p y The pro gram f a ria ours _ o e ee o e e used in this operat i n b tw n 1 e o e e e e t e o t et it t e t . A t ot al o offr t y- B n -17s wer p rs nn l to r plac m n d p ts. arg s h by h uni e e e camp n e se e and skelt n [ s ic] cr ws. R gular r st June and 9 June , e ach carryi0 g t n pas ng rs � ie ds e es Rome, an d Pisa. fl ights also were made to f l n ar Napl , e i JUNE '45 i i d e d e p l ay d e _ person ne l wer carr ed from Many ships w er e f e rried t o G c a an many r - oi l June saw many changes in the personnel o f the 99th Bombardment Group in both o fficers p nts in Ita y. n l t d e t e l e o o i t o t d e it t e a d en is e m n as h re-dep oym nt pr gram f h gh p oin men c n inu� . D sp e h SQUADRON HISTORIES reshuffling o f the personnel , activities o f the Group continued. Aerial s ight-seeing tours were scheduled, rest camp quot as were filled, the school program opened and inter-squadron HIGHLIGHTS OF 046TH SQUADRON HISTORY: sport s were on as usual with so ftbal l ta�ing the spotlight in the lat t er. MANY changes w er e made in offi c e r p erso nnel of t he squadro n i n June , includ ing: F l y ing o p e rat ions in June were held t o rout ine training flights and the usual flights Executive officer, Capt Griffith vice Maj Kusterer; Adjut ant , L t McNabb ·vi ce Capt Masters· to rest camps and other transportation dut ies. Flight Surgeon, Capt Banick vice Capt Hughe s; Engi n eer, Cap t Jones v i ce Capt Chance ; Armam e n t ,, L t Malan vic e Capt Brock; Gunne ry, L t N e l son vice Cap t Kirkendall · o e t e p e o e o p t e e e ia to o o e M r han 400 of th rs nn l t ok ar in the rubb r-n ck a r l ur f n rth rn o i io t n e t i d e so ent t s ie Ital y, southern Germany and western Austria. It enabl e d m en of b oth t he air and gro und C mmun cat ns, Cap Cu ningham vic Cap R chmier; an P r nal Equipm ' L Gold t � v ice Lt Smith. e chelon who contributed directly or indirectly to the missions against the enemy to see at first hand the resul ts of these strategic bombings. An intensive program was b e gun to imp r o v e and consolidate t h e living area of the personnel . Eleven men were [chosen] to attend the Army University at Florence . The opening guns of t h e scho ol camp aign w er e fired by the I&E Section during the month. F acts and figures o f the program were presented, and a survey made o f the course s HIGHLIGHTS OF 347TH SQUADRON HISTORY: o f st udy mo s t d esired by the personnel. A unit school is to be set up on the base on the Change s in p e rsonnel o f t h e squadron in June were outstanding, a nearly 100 percent result s of the survey. Applicat ions also were rece ived for the Army E ducat ion Study Center turnover being made. Principal officer change� were: Adjut ant , Cap t H.H. Heady vice Lt at F l orence. F i v e hund r ed and s ev enty, o r app roximately 25 p erce nt of t h e gro up's James Se aco r d ; Engineering, Capt 0.0 . Gri ffit h v i c e Capt W.E. Henry; Armament, Lt H.M. personnel signed up for the four-wee k courses offe r e d. Most pop u l ar subje ct s of t hose o el i e o t e e t o ffered were Business Administration , Mathematics , and F oreign Languages, in that order. P w l v c Capt J.J. Sanb rn; Intelligence, L C.D. Yankau r vic Cap H.J. Blum. t e t s o o t e s e ie t e o d Late in t h e mont h, Spe c i al Servi c e s made a c all for musician s , actor s , and During_ h sigh - �eing tours, ne crew f h quadron f rr d h c mman ing general o th e merican occup at ional forces at Linz, Aust ria to Paris, t h e crew r emaining over entert ainers in hopes of producing a home-t alent show and entert ainment . � � night in t he French capit al . The training program for combat personnel was continued and High-p oint men had t heir ho pes o f going home built up several t imes in the month as practice missions and format ions flown. The EM so ftball t eam led the group l e ague at the lists were compiled and then canceled but final ly most o f the men were on their way · t o t h e end o f the month. The I&E program was well underway and 15 men were sel ected t o att end the STATES. Many new men were assigned to the group as repl acements in June. Army Univers ity at F lorence. Changes in Group Headquarters st aff personnel included: A squad ron l ibrary w as open ed wit h more than 300 volumes. The squadron building a t n e t t e n e o t e t o t eon progr m go u d rway wi h h grou d being broken 25 Jun f r h firs f he enlisted Surg : e t e t e l e Maj. Will iam M. Shubery vice Maj Frederick Coehns m n's hu s. On Bronze S ar m da was award d. HIGHLIGHTS. OF 348TH SQUADRON HISTORY: Engineering o fficer Capt herbert A. R ooney, Jr. vice Capt R ichard O. Mi3rsten The following changes in st aff personn el w ere made in June: Armament, Capt D.B. e _ io t l o Armament o fficer T pper �ic� Cap� Wagner; Communicat ns, L P.J . Po it vice Lt R.G. Carrota; Gunnery, Lt R. . Gil.liarn vice L t C. . Fre nch ; Intelligence, Capt F.J . Mont alto vice Capt K.J . Mack; Capt james J. Thomas vice Capt C l arence .H. R owl and � � , Adjutant, Lt B.R. Elder vice Capt S.D. Kern; Sup ply , Lt N. Horochena vice Lt P. Bohe nek; II Personal Equipment , Lt E.S . Hodges vice F/0 C�L. Marshall. OPERATIONS SECTION . The EM C l ub elec ted n ew offi cers and h el d a beer party in June. Fifteen men were assigned to the Army University at Florence under the I&E program . Two Bronze Star medal s June s aw a c o n t inuation of t he training sched u le o f the 99th Gro u p . Gunne ry, were awarded in t he month. formation, local transition and pathfinder training flights were made . HIGHLIGHTS OF 416TH SQUADRON HISTORY: June 26 saw the first of the weekl y 5 th Wing bombing problems with a simul ated attack on th e Bo l ogna-Rome railroad· bridge. (A secondary t arget was the T orni marshall ing yards.) Changes in squadron st aff personnel inc luded: Executive Officer, Maj B.C . Bowman vice e t l d tio i it o et e to Th 99 h, f ying in thir posi n w th 24 of s B-1 7s, t ok off at 0700 and r urn d Capt R.E� Sizemore; in�elligence, Capt J.M . Jackson vice Lt B.A. Dieatrick; Supply, Lt M.E. its base at 1200. An e scor t . o f f ighter s c o vered. t he f o rmation of b ombers aga i nst a Baker vice R.M. Shapiro; Adjut ant, Capt H.C. Richards vice Lt Frank L eone· Surgeon Capt ' ' s imul ated attack from oth er fighters. Gunners rece ived val uable t raining in tracking the P�J. Daugherty vice C apt J.F. Hattenbach. attackers with empty guns . The gro up we n t in o ver t h e primary t arget in f ormat ion o f The I&E p rogram is w ell unde rway and 15 m e n have been sent to the university at squadrons in train, taking aerial photographs to simulate dropping o f bombs. Florence. Combat personnel received scheduled training. Much interest w as shown in t he I athletic program. A bui lding program also was started.

I 41 40

11 JULY 45 The men of the Group were assigned to the 11C-2 tour which included stops at Lugano, Lusern, Interlaken, Bern, Zurion, and Lacarno. Seven full days were spent enjoying the The 99th Bombardment Group (H) in July entered upon a program of expanded building, scenic beauty of this neutral country. Overnight stops were made at the best hotels. Only preparing for a long stay at its present base. The construction of living quarters, complaints were: not enough money or time. Glowing accounts of the trip were related by remodeling of group and squadron installations was well underway by the end of the month. the returnees. Group Headquarters added to its mess hall; I&E remodeled farm buildings near the line Group Special Services organized a group ban� under the direct�on of Lt Kinard in area for classrooms ; and the Squadrons were erecting tuffa block living quarters for July. Two men were sent to the Central Music School in Rome by the section. personnel and improving club and other installations. Entertainment for the month included a U.S.O. show at the open air theater and sixteen In the 347th Squadron, the housing program called for the construction of four rows of movies. Approximately 600 attended each movie. fifteen houses each for the enlisted men and two rows of eight houses each for officers Much new athletic equipment was obtained and distributed to th� squadr�ns. Th� Group living quarters. Thirty-five of the EM houses and one of the officers ' had been completed hard and softball leagues were in full swing and PT programs were being carried out in all by the end of the month. The building program was going ahead at the rate of one house squadrons and headquarters. One officer and one enlisted man were assigned to attend the every six hours. PT school at Rome. The skyline of the 348th Squadron was taking shape as the new 48-man enlisted men's A new supply ·of games (bingo, cards, etc.) were distributed to the a ious clubs of barracks was completed. Officers were making an addition to their club house. � � _ the group. A handicraft shop also was opened where the �ersonnel may participate in belt Building received a slight setback at the end of the month, especially the light type weaving, clay modeling, airplane modeling and metal working. as tents and latrines, when high winds swept over Torterolla flats , leveling several In the field of sports, the 347th Squadron's Wiffle Birds won t�e Gr�up _ e�l�ste� ffien 's headquarters and squadron installations. softball tournament while the 416th Squadron's Hubbas copped the officers division in the Building materials have been salvaged from the bases of group[s] moving out , scavenger second tournament of the season. third tournament is now underway. Five men of the 99th A _ parties making daily trips seeking lumber, tuffa blocks and plumbing material. Many items participated in the Allied track and field meet at Bari the first of the month. The Wiffle of furniture also were acquired to make life more bearable for the personnel. Among Birds were runners-up in the 5th Wing softball tournament. additions to facilities at the group headquarters was a new pipeline carrying running water A lively turnover in personnel continued in July as �ore men were re-deployed, many to the mess hall. men going over the 85 point mark as belated battle-star credit was given . Group strength The roaring winds also wrecked communication lines and commercial electric lines as of July, 1945, was 345 officers and 1615 e�listed men: As of �1 July, · 19435, there were serving the group. Rapid and efficient repairs by the communication section restored 370 officers and 1679 enlisted personnel. This was a gain of 89 in the month. service in short order. A week before the wind storm, practically every telephone line to the squadrons from group headquarters was burnt in two when an Italian farmer set fire to Principal changes in staff officer personnel in July included: his field through which the line passed. The RAF fire department put the blaze out and Lt Col Dale Anderson, deputy group commander, returned to the US on TDY to attend service was restored within a few hours. the Command and Staff School at Ft Leavenworth, Kan. .The group medical detachment continued its malaria control program in July. giving the Capt Edward A. Schmuck was appointed Group intelligence officer vice Capt Ernest F. Baldwin, Jr., who returned to the States. Lt R. Stringield was assigned as Group second DDT spraying to all installations and oiling nearby streams and ponds. A new metal photo-interpreter officer. roof was installed on the group dispensary. In the 348th Squadron 1st Lt Sammuel C. Meele became intelligence officer vice The S-4 section started its annual inventory in the month. A showdown inspection and Capt F.J. Montalto and Capt Robert W. Schuets became oper tions of icer ice Maj W lliam E. '. � � _ marking of all clothing and equipment of enlisted personnel also was accomplished in July. Scott. In the 416th Squadron Capt Hamilton Hass was assigned� as intelligence officer vice A weekly news summary of events in the pacific area was begun, the briefing being Capt J.W. Jackson. In the 34�th Squadron, 1st Lt Guy Otwell was appointed intelligence officer vice Capt David W. Woodard. given each Thursday evening before the GI movie. Public relations released 1000 hometown stories in July on the Group's assignment to the occupational air force in Europe. OPERATIONS During July, the I&E section of the Group made final plans for Tortorella Institute of Technology, the unit school. A survey of study plans was made and analyzed. More than Operations in July of the 99th Bombardment Group (H) consisted of routine training flights and transportation flights, carrying personnel to �est camp and for change of 1000 textbooks and other equipment were obtained for the school. � stations and the movement of supplies and ferrying of ships to other fields. Farm buildings and· other .installations near the line area were remodeled into six and 21 night take-offs. A classrooms, a study hall and library. More will be added later. A total of 685 daylight take-offs were made in July day-by-day report of flights follows : In addition to the unit school set-up, I&E conducted a weekly orientation program and off selected students for the army schools being run at Florence. Sixty-five students were A/C off Training A/C Transport 1 July 1 2 sent to the University s·t udy center for a four-week course; and thirty-one- to the II 2 7 21 University of Florence for a three-month course in the artistic, cultural, economic, and II 4 1 14 social aspects of 1 taly, past an·d present. II 5 29 19 II 6 Rest camp quotas were filled in July, the group personnel enjoying the relief from the 6 15 II heat and dust of the base at the various army and air force recreation centers. The 7 11 13 opening of the special Service Swiss Leave tour was very popular with the personnel. 8 " 1 6 9 II Thirty-one enlisted men were chosen from the 99th B.G. to represent the 15th AAF on the 19 15 first tour. 11 22 10 II" 11 32 4 42 43 II 12 II 14 5 o o 13 It is imperative that we establish some fair meth d f selecting students for the II 19 15 o o o o c n submit 14 Florence school--and set up a pri rity r ster s that when a qu ta is given we � 12 29 o o o o secti n heads. 15 " 18 the names with ut questi n from those with a l w pri rity rating--or from � II o is by no means an easy assignment. 16 How to select the deserving men in order f their merit II 27 4 17 o o o o o take precedence over high school II 25 10 Sh uld a man with tw r three years f c llege 18 o o o or two t o complete their require ents II 12 24 graduates r undergraduates wh need nly a subject � 19 o o s been doing correspondence ark have a higher II 25 7 for dipl mas? Sh uld an applicant who ha � o o o o eas be a 20 II 12 13 priority than ne wh has never enr lled in a USAFI course? Should time vers 21 o o go regardless o f his job, or should we send onl �hose who II 11 3 deciding fact r? Sh uld a man � _ 22 o ons should be sincerity o f purp s , qualifications II 1 8 we can spare? The important c nsiderati � � 23 o himself o f the opportunities at the s_cho l, II 24 14 that will ensure a student's ability t avail ? 10 o o o n a prio rity 24 II 9 and general worthiness. These are n t easy things t determine and rate 25 13 II 14 scale. 26 II 16 7 27 You Can Help Select II 12 12 o are going t o 28 " 8 20 During this pr·esent week, the I&E fficers and enlisted men in the Group 29 o Some basis for selection will be determined, subject t o II 5 meet and thrash out this pr blem. 30 o o oup Commander. On that basis, then, each man will be reconsidered II 11 6 the appr val f the Gr _ o ota will [be t old a 31 9 4 and given a priority rating. Those liable to be ch sen for the next qu week or two ] ahead o f time. With this system, their section heads should be prepared t o [replace them] fo r the term. It will not be an easy job--so if you have ideas on �he HERE TIS [subject by all means] make them known. Pencil a n ote by Thursd ay to the Group I&E Office Vol 3, No . 3 1 July 45 and [give it t o y o ur] mail man--o r see y o ur Sq. o fficer. DON'T JUST SIT [and Published Weekly by the Seecial Service and I&E Sections 99th Bomb Graue (H) 1 o o now. basis J F or the sake o f fairness we need t c nside: ever� angle � LIBRARY WEEK it probably [will not for a priority rating will be determined this week. Once determined, o o way later on. An attempt is being made t o establish a good library system in each squadron. The change]. Speak now or expect no sympathy if it rubs y u the wr ng Council Books--excellent and varied reading matter--are coming in regularly but are o ften FRAGS left unused in o ffices and living quarters. This week let's c·o ncentrate o n a house-cleaning project in so far as books are concerned. Take them t o the S-2 o ffice s o 346th that the I&E Officer can make them available to everybody in an organized manner. You'll o league, it was j st Nope we d on't. have an alibi for having lost the Group s ftball � find m ore and better b o oks available this way than you will by "hoarding" them in your o came. Our very fine the break� and the other guys were there t grab them when they tent. Hq personnel bring yours to the Special Service Office. o of the attler , nd, 1�t Sgt Grassl of the 347th , has profited greatly by the l sses � ; frie tak n p oor O T oole s "BRAIN TRUST" FOR SURE THIS WEEK and O'Toole. The boys from the 347th might just as well have � o and �e Ju t saw the end of pocketbook while they were at it. Old man Miller made a f rtune_ � The I&E Section let Special Service steal the show last Thursday and postponed its o fine at the 34 th the last game. Some people have all the luck ! ••••Everything _ is g ing � scheduled "Brain Trust" so that men could swoon from "The Vo ice." There sho uldn't be any o o o , Brother, th t line Repple Depple, the only squawk from the b ys is the l ng ch w line, and � competition this week--so don't fail to be in the Group Theater at 7:30 Thursday opening, 5 o They take t�eir mess goes almost out to Manfredonia. Some o f the boys have a _ go d syst�m. July, for the interesting and informative session with some Foggia area quiz kids. There st grab the skillet and kits down to the beach, and when they have finished bathing, they Ju _ will be a panel o f five members, most of whom you have heard over the radio , including an o I h ard a guy , JUS jump int o the chow line ••••Can you beat the netve of some pe ple? � _ � ARC lovely and Lt Obrentz, 346th. --Just before the G.I. Movies--Don't F orget . getting sick o f eggs. this mo rning griping abo ut the fresh eggs. He said @11$in�I, I'm o a cyclone, as most LEAGUE WINNERS That big cloud of dust in the c ombat area the ther night was not o orth and T oth. fellows tho ught--just a little fracas between the � in our ut fit--Farnsw , It ain't p ositive, but the Whiffle Birds in the EM So ftball league have virtually o o o (and do n t laugh, With b o xing glo ves, o f course ••••It 's. time t g t work now sowed up the pennant while the mighty Hubbas from the 416th have definitely stolen the o o o o I am y o ca ), so maybe I'll be back next week with m re po p. I h pe n t. If ? � � crown in the Officers' race. For details, turn to the "Sports Page." Zwerdling Se ti n Eight . find me at 42nd St., Co. A, 346th Repple Depple. Come on replacement ! Or : � o Zwerdling . Hell, HOW WOULD YOU SELECT A STUDENT or S omething--make like a bullet and get me out f this plac e! !!!!H uh? TO ATTEND THE UNIVERSITY AT FLORENCE? leave him here, he's happy in the service! On Saturday past, 62. men of the 99th got off t o the first term of the Army E9ucation 347th Study Center at .Florence. Our quota was the largest in the Wing--given out on the basis o f o ang" had u returning fro m Venice, I expected t find that all the "old g. the number o f applicants fro� each Group. There was only a short time (a matter o f less (i9f any) that left--i�;tead, I walked into a building program that leaves but little doubt than an hour) in which to select the 62 men from the o ver 600 applicants. Naturally, o oug� another at least part of the 99th will have the opportunity (or misf rtune) to wade thr careful c onsideration c o uld n o t be given everybo dy . Each unit seemed to have used a o amoozrn." Who siege o f Italian mud. T o quo te a popular comic str�p " Confoos_;v,' b¥f n t different method o f selecting--questioned by many who did not g o , and also questioned by o _ , 15 had would have thought so many new men would still be c ming in? Quite recentl), about those of use who made the selection. o y t o use the annex o f the Mess hall for a d rmatory. Why? We had the tents but somebod turned in all the tent stakes t o the Qu artermaster! Why is it that every time our ball team l oses a game (which isn 't s o very often) Zwerdling always the rest is illegible. 44 45 348th We find God in hell, i n the hel l o f t his war, in the noble s acrificial acts �hich war has brought forth . These marks o f a love that s eeks not is own , and doe� �ot hes itat e t o Jus t to pro v e to y o u that his c ountry (Editor's error; don't blame Mac) � produce ris k a n d to give its l ife as a ransom for others, are sparks of the divine. God and the som e t h i n g b esides windy , d usty d ays, here's a quote from t he J an . 28 issue of "HERE divine traits o f love an d h eroism an d u nselfishness are not abse nt from t he ran ks o f t he 'TIS"--"Late flood news: If the rains don 't stop before the end o f the month, according t o armed forces, and mean can find God in hel l in them. reliable repo rts, s upplies a r e t o b e [delive r ed?] t o the 348th by air. This system i� already b eing used succ essfully by the 416th.: Wonderful country , Italy!! There's always Me n fin d G o d in t he dark and grim loca le of war by enlisting i n his cause, the l arge s o much t o loo k forward t o ! • • • • A s k Steffensmeier what went on at the Lymie camp one cause of h elping him bring in h is kingdom of righteousness. night last week between 1130 and 0230 . And don't let him forget t o tell you about Join es' If y ou fee l, as men m ay w ell l t h at t�e p lace you are in resembles h ell, t hen now handmade shorts ••••Th e building b oom i s on again. Tufa b lock piles are springing up fee , remember that ''Though I m ake my bed n hel there and you can find him. all over the area--makes us think of the spring o f '44. This time , the barracks r umo r is i l," God is s n o rumor, s o we hear. • • • The first batch o f schoolboys packed up and got off t o a good Church Schedule for 1 July thru 8th PROTESTANT· Day Room Devotional start l ast week, with an 0430 H-h our. By now , they shoul d b e crammin g it in up t h ere in CATHOLIC: Weekday M ass: 6:45 347th · 8 .00 F loren ce . Ther e ' s a lot of inte rest in t he n ew u n iversity, and it's a d arn g o od Am, Chaplain Rice, Hq Ch apel 8:45 opportunity to l earn something now or do some brushing up. Confession be fore Mass. ���th = 9:30 416th Sunday: 8:00 & 10:30 416th _ 10:15 346th _ 11:00 Oh Fran kie !!! - t hen that gorgeous hunk of stuff called Jinx--Say, i sn 't this Foggia Briefing Room: 7:00 PM getting q uite social??? Howeve r, I don't think it was necessary for Benjamin to get to the JEWISH: Cha pel T ent: 19 00, 3rd Flagella in the A.M•••• Tru e , all the boys are quite h ungry for American ! W e coul d give three loud '' "to o ur o fficers ' t eam--the boys won the championship--b ut MOV IE SCHEDULE wher e the hec k did they get th e n ame ??? Our tw o Jimmies i n the Orderly FLAGELLA an Room--putting out an S.O.S. for that stuff that g oes down so smoooooth! !! Make it a OF YOU" - Dennis Morg 3rd July - "THE VERY THOUGHT p o i n t t o be at the E .M. Bar w hen Mustaugh, Greene and get th e "office" that they MON/TUES, 2, n an herne 2 a d 7 PM -L oretta Young, Bri A u - "A NIGHT TO REMEMBER" WED/THURS, 4, 5th J ly . 2 nd 7 PM _ A nn Baxter, J ohn Hod iak UNDAY . DINNER FOR A SOLDIER" are lea n o e n 6, 7th July - "S vi g f r the N w Cou try. ILLEGIBLE o ooo an FRI/SAT: ne ce S o m y w fa s around h ere how about each e e a l le a jok r w aring itt c rd with h is n ame o n--let 's an get to know each other. 2 d 7 PM ILLEGIBLE SUN, 8th July - "BUFFALO BILL" - J oel McCrea , M aria O'Hern HQ: ILLEGIBLE 2 a nd 7 PM Chapel Chimes 99TH BOMB GROUP MOVIE SCHEDULE FINDING GOD IN HELL MONDAY, 2 July "IT'S A PLEASURE" (Technicolor) The Psalms record th is striking phrase , "Though I make my b ed in hell, behold t hou art THURSDAY , 5 July Sonj a Henie, Michael O'Shea there" (Paul · 139:8). That is a striking lin e. If millions o f p e ople are to find God G.I. MOVIES: 2030 : O ne Showing 1900 - 347th , 348th , & Hq. t o day , it is in h e ll that they must find h im, for that i s where they are , in the hell 2045 - 346th, 416th & Ord. SATURDAY , 7 Jul y creat ed by war. But how can a man fin d G od i n h ell , in the environm ent of e vil, whe re "FRISCO SAL" e n ee e h nearly ev rythi g s ms to d ny im? W[DNESDAY, 4 July Suzanne Fost er, Turhan Bey "SAN DIEGO, I LOVE YOU: The a n s wer is t h at men h ave foun d G o d i n the most desperat el y evil and unpromising 1900 - 347th, 348th , & Hq . ·Louise Allbritton , J ohn Hall l s a co e e e l e on he o a o e a s se o 2045 - 346th, 416th, & Ord. p ace nd nditions. J sus did. H evid nt y f lt t cr ss m m nt ry en f 0 lonel ne as sho s o s o h a o s n h l e 190 - 346th� 416th, & Ord. i ss , wn in hi w rd , "My G d, w y h st thou f r ake me?" But s ort y aft r 2045 - 347th, 348th, & Hq . he found God, even on the cross, for he said, "Int o thy hands I c ommit my spirit .'' An men are finding God amid the evil , t he slaughter and the death of this war. Sports for Sports We fin d h im whe never we have the conviction of our souls t o God. No e vil situation o e o e n e ea it look s as th ugh th can an h e he s l a e n l e ll D four games t b made up i th EM L gue, ch ge t at. A soldi r in t Fir t Wor d W r narrowly miss d bei g hit by a bu l t Softba : espite coul lo e o o o here is a way that they d � (Hark which too k o ff hi s tin hat. A buddy thought to make a joke of it, "But suppose your head, Whiffl e Birds have copped t p hon rs. H. wever, t D s a e a game y et t o make up with the an d n ot y our hat, had been shot off. Wh at w ould you have done then?" Quickly, the soldier y e R attl e rs in the 346th): � Boid h v s en s ers c an weight enough salt n e o n e e nevery-say-die Office Boy . If th p cil pu h a sw red,"I'd have said, 'G od morni g, God." H had the id a! G.I.-ravaged-but- . e a e o e h will have ti d with the on the tail of the W.B.s to eek out win-- , y u'� ri t--they e a n o e l n h h e n n o n h has a o e a an at with all the W m y fi d G d in h l , i t is war, in t at w fi d his judgme t n si , w ich e o place. And· you know w� a� l ff fik th t me s--wh Rattl rs f r first o o caused this war. War is a vivid il lustration o f that simple but severe truth, "whatsoever o e he h�i e s c an be b e at--if y u d n't dinaro a round just after pay-day and p k r. T � rfl Bird a man soweth, that s hall he also reap." It ue o n ons a ell Sow greed , hatred, o a e o e coals this week--4 to O. is tr f ati s w . be lieve it ask t�e last:place Fubar� wh r k a e o e en e o a e a l e a a a as een e l n from his ggr ssi n, indiff r c t justice, nd th h rvest wil b w r, s it alw ys h b . na a ll blish d n e � :�:: _�=�t;: Zw rd i g gets back Fi l st ndings wi be p� on a ee c for the week w ere : Electr s g oofing-o ff "de al" at the B a r� Tr c: M � • Other s ores n a e o e m a de up ar e : e o .6-Pe �icans 1 ; B rr � 5 0 d nee 3 G m s t b 11-offic B ys 3; Rattlers s n o s elican s, ·whiffle Bird , and F l ak Catche r s v s Sho rt Circuits; a d t�e ��� ic ; � y: v P Barracks. 4b 47 There will be another tournament: Details next week. Hubba! Hubba! Hubba!! Hail the mighty 416th ! Even if the War Wearies win the two games still to made up, they cannot oust the first-place Hubbas. They clinched the tourney Tuesday, February 27 this week by trouncing the War Wearies decisively--9 to 1. The only other game played was Shot down Augs - 1:30 p.m. Captured--Gerhinger--Moser--Kogut--Hunter--Jones--Krulock. In a close and hard fought (almost literally) game between the Wheels and Hamburg Homs. Th� truck to Luftwaffe 262 field. Interrogated and searched. Nite in jail . latter won 7 to 6. Wednesday , February 28 ENLISTED MEN'S LEAGUE OFFICERS I LEAGUE Up at four a.m . to R.R. Station. Long wait. Rode all day. Noon at Menningen. rode all w L w L w L nite to German U.S .O. at 3 a.m. March 1 for barley and coffee. Met Russians. Whiffle Birds 7 1 Barracks 3 5 Hubbas 8 1 2 5 2 Thursday, March 1 Rattlers 7 Short Circ. 3 War Weary 6 Slept 2 hours in sheep manure box care---�n train again--noon--went new. ULM. rode on train Electrons 6 3 Ordnance 3 6 Hamburg H 6 3 until 10 p.m. to Stutgart. Suppose to eat but didn't stop. ------,------Flak Catchers 4 3 Office Boys 2 4 Eagles 3 4 _.,...,.._,-- -=-= � 5 Arrived next �.m. at H berg. New heid in a.m. Walked to m1l1tary college. Stayed Pelicans 3 Fubars 2 7 Wheels 3 6 there all day, Sweat out big air raid. Boarded train in afternoon. Rode all nite • Scrubs 0 10 Friday, March 2 Baseball: O'Toole of the 346th issues a challenge to all baseball teams. If you can Arrive Frankfort 3-a.m. Went to hole under RR station . Left at 4 a.m. Received meat and organize a team, give the 346th a ring--and some competition. The Ord. Section will bread-- first meal. No cigs. Took trolley to Oberusel. Sweat Box , more search, more probably call first, for they have a team in the process of organization. There is questions--cold, solitary confinement , .poor food. baseball equipment. If there are any questions, call the Spec. Serv. Office. Track Meet: Right Saturday, March 3 now in Bari we have five men participating in the Allied Track and Field More questions. Pulled out for shipment. Met Moser, Bill Jones, Robie on ahead of us . Meet for the 99th . T/Sgt Deimer, 346th, shot put; Pfc Catalano, 346th, 100 yd dash ; Pfc Also met Grant McLaughlin and stayed in collection area all Saturday nite and Sunday . Heller, 346th, high hurdles; Pfc Zwerdling, Hq., shot put; Pfc Mills, 347th, broad jump. Let's wish 'em luck. cold. No food. First cigs from bull durham. Sunday, March 4 - Left Oberkusel in rain to Frru1k to Wetzler and Dulag. Sweat out , strafing anrl bornb inq. LAW OFFICES >..f" Cl(\e PAUL T. SORENSEN, 1966 JOSEPH T. RILEY, J975 Monday , March 5 EDWARD C. FA.AMER, SR., 1975 O'TOOLE, JOHNSON, KNOWLTON, RAYMOND J. ENGLE, 1982 Dulag luftat 2 a.m. Stayed ir, cold room until 8 a.m. Then shower, Rerl Cross ciqs and ROLF, GRAFTON & EKLUND first meal. Met Bill, etc. again. ROBERT 0. EKLUND OF COUNSEL 175 WEST APPLE AT FIRST, P.O. BOX 786 EDWARD A. GAAFTON Wednesday , March 14 MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN 49443-0786 G. THOMAS JOHNSml CYRUS M. POPPEN a.rn. GEORGE W. JOHNSON HAROLD M. STREET Left Dul ag for Neuremberg. Marched to New Weil. Stayed in box car until Friday 616/722-1621 MICHAEL M. KNOWLTON really sweat B-26 bombing formations and fighters. POW on cars, over 400 men in all• THOMAS J. O'TOOLE h FOSTER 0. POTIER Major Campbell in charge. Had Red Cross parcels. Ate wel l. IJndcr may passing throug MICHAEL L. ROLF Frankfort , Wurzburg and Sweinfurt. Arrived camp Sunday, March 18. December 4, 1987 STEVEN J. BAKER CHRISTOPHER L K!;LLY Notes on Neuremberg Camp JOHN C. SCHAIEfi Communal mess. No bombing . Made knives . Slept on floor in barracks. Food not too good. Mr. Victor "Fab" Fabiniak except Reigert. Influx of POW from Hamrnersberq and their 2310 E. Roll ca.Lls. Whole crew in camp Liberty �tudy of freedom and re-c2oture. Stayed at Neuremberg until Wedne�day , April �th. E�st�r Ve rmilion, OH 44089 Sur1day Mass. Dear Mr. Fabiniak : Wednesday , April 4 Left at 2 p.m. Dive bombed and stopped at Feust. , men ki.l led. 3 wounded. Al l damned Your inquiry with regard to J. S. "Jerry" Knowlton was forwarded scared. Cal Goode in charge. Aedded down in woods about 7 p.m. Goud camp. Good meal to my mother in Florida. from Red Cross parcel. Second alert. Thursday, April 5 My father died several years ago. He lived a happy , productive , Breakfast 5 a.m. On road at 8 a.m. At noon saw bombing of Neuremburg. Rumored it fell useful life following his r�leasc froM POW camp. shortly afterward. Marched until 9 p. m. -��eat out chow line at Newmarket until 12 midnite. Heavy rain and cold. Left Newmarket at 2 a.m. in rain. Marched all nite in I am sending to you a typed copy of the POW camp notes tnQt mv rain. Averaged total of 28-32 km from start to stop at Pollen. father kept on toilet paper. They may be of some inte �n st to Friday , April 6 your group. I notice that your name is listed along \v it.h nthcr�; had to on the last page. Short 4 hour halt in wet woods. Stopped at 6 a.m. Ate big meal. Just made bed and move on. Walked with wet heavy packs north 15 miles to Buknqries. Got another Red Cross parcel for two of us. More rain. Got slice of bread. Slept in Catholic church 150 men crowded. Cold and hard. Saturday, April 7 Walked 24 kno to this castle. Bedded down in barn at 11 p.m. Very long wait. Very tired and weary. 48 Sunday, April 8 36 hour layover. Beautiful day . Good food . Dried our clothes, washed sox . Should clean POW. Front must not be very close or we would be moving. Smoking French cigs, taste like up. Made butter and golden syrup. Slept snow plow. cigars. Called troupe 7. Every fellow here has a real horror story to tel l. Wish I cou1 d Monday , April 9 list all of them. Now nearly 7:30 p.m. and almost time to roll in. Have food enough for Covered 22 km to Neustadt at Daneau River. Saw road block and pillboxes in construction. a week if necessary. Bridged mine bedded down in barn at small town 2 kno beyond Neustadt. Both Bill and I very tired. Bill Sunday, April 15 's ankle getting bad and my right arch about shot . Ate a meal of fried spuds, m. Name of this town is Neudermehstal�t. Mostly Hungar ians. Nearly all steak, cocoa, bread and jam. Up at 7 a� Catholics . Many shrines to Mary. Mass and communion at 7:15. Beautiful old c�urc� . Tuesday, April 10 Stations run in reverse order. A German officer to communion. There are 908 of us in this . Luncl1 made spam, Breakfast at 7 a.m. Coffee, bacon, bread. oatmeal and raisins. We dropped town·. 12 P-38s overhead at 11 a.m. Breakfast of cereal ar.d toast out to join al l heavily ar ed. Each sick list. Start.ed these notes. Scotty Snedean joined us . Stayed in Grebbenflaten al l potatoes . Noticed quite a few Hungarian S.S. storm troo�s around_ � day and nite. had individual tank buster. Wonder what it means. Artillery fire seems heavier today south and west . 48th day down . Wednesday, April nearby all to Got G. l.s and cramps. Ruff nite. Loaded on ox carts. Received French parcel. P--strafed Monday, April 16 have moved 60 of the more sick and lame train 11 a.m. Mulhauser1. 2 p.m. left Mulhausen. 3 p.m. arrived Siegenburg. 5 p.m. stayed 49th day a POW. 6th day at this place. Today they may move us but no one knows for sure. To� ay at smal l farm outside uf Siegenburg. Reautiful, rol ling well. cared for land. Sie genburq a by truck about 20 km south of here. Told me big_�-.--- has been a lazy sunshiny day . Breakfast of oatmeal and toast and coffee and bread pudding Lunch of pea soup. Supper macaroni and meat--cake and cocoa. Many heavy High Spots at Dulag at 10 a.m. _ d at 3 p.m. Hit targets NE and SW. We bel ieve NE target 210s heading for Jolly stark. bombers overhea bombings. Nite fighters. Meal and ciqs. Fire in Bil.l's room. 2nd shower. . Wonder if they got any . Trading has been better today. 1/4 cake G.l. �oap Met Max our squadrons Little and Paul Klimko. Walks on perimeter. Rain and cold. Floyd Nispers. for 3/ 4 swan and 1/4 coffee can cocoa. Bill also got some potatoes for 2 cigs. Germans at Bill Ca l.l . Father McGowan. First letters home. Also telegram. Rombing of 7 p.m. Latest news. We are due to leave here at 7:30 a.m. and so to bed at 9 p.m. Nitzlar. Left Reigert at Dulaq. Strafing attack by P-47 on way to New Wail. Brewing center. Several large breweries. As a result whole coL1ntryside raises hops . Hops require Tuesday, April 17 50th day. Up at 6 a.m. Best breakfast yet . Hash brown potatoes , baco;-, and eggs, toast, a hiqh , special ly constructed trellis--wonder why so many. Churrhes have Mos lem influence _ ja parcel. Very in architecture? young boys wear topcoats, Bavar ian leather short pants. Everyone works m and coffer.. On the move 1 km at 8 a.m. Received a french or Belg.:.an _ _ good. Cake, �ookies, honey butter, candy, oatmeal , meat, peas, meal , b�scuits, cigarettes farms. Cirh healthy and husky. Houses neat as a pin. Al I ren,uve shoes before enterinq und tea. Also 1/5 loaf of German bread. Stopped until 11 a.m. due E.,qo 11 km and receive homes. Hoad blocks and slit trenches. All dong road. 2 p.m. h�avy bombing a-11around us � more food and a few dogs. Today is _grand, warm sunshine. Stomach and foet are We guess it to be front line support. Russians supposed to have cut Wiem-Muinich autoban . _ better. What we need now is a cart. No one seems to be in a hurry , even the Jerries . My Fighting in Hanover and Bremen. Very little news. Reports that army and party are opiriion fa that we are on the road until the end of the war. Pray God it: come,; soon. Left :,p I ittin �CTION I I passed up my chance for a com­ Tuesday, May 8 U.S. Gunner Downs 7 Planes . mission in the army to become a gunner because I wanted to get some Up at 0330. Breakfast of cereal and coffee roll each at 0500. March to truck. A ride of . action, and today I had my hand� ('This· dispatch was written by Meantime one of our _own Fort- !raveled About five tull. al1uut 60 kms to lngalstradt . Flower trees in blonsom. Country side beautiful . s·Ill,�eff Sg+. BenjeminFrencisco, F. Warmer minutes off the. . tar&et resse;; had been :;et on fire. we ! t n over same road we had walked from Nurenburg . Many signs of war , tnwks , tanks , bomb anrl of San a Fortress ran n o a h ow. 11 ng ant1-a1reraft· Toe next two victories 1 didn't I knew every one of our boys who barrage, and commg up through even intend to we t down-w.c had been eating to­ gunner who shot down seven _ claim but the iUn- :,he) l craters. Some towns were no more. Arrival at air strip reveals there are over 2000 their . own flak were more enemyever ners in some llther piane saw thema gether, palling around together and enemy planes in a great �-=rlal pursuit planes than we had llvmg togethu for eight months, I waiting, all ahead of us--and no planes . l figure we' ll be lucky to get out of here by parachuting down. There was a battle over Gerbini, Sicily. seen, It h�d been their �ab!t to lay M .schm!tt only wish I could have gotten esser making a run at our plane for every one of them. Thursday . Sun hot and all of us get sunburned. We are issued 3 K Rations. Into town Monday, his seventh wedding outsideb their flak; until 1t was over, Fortress and I i ked hi h ut today they came right into their f �P �� � We_ looked _on those fellows who (Ingalstradt ) to spenu t.ih� night . What an experience. A feaUler bed . People :;�,,;;;i· when anniversary. This prob11bly was started his ba:/ held h t ge shot 1t out with us today with sort OWfl fire. down unt!l e th • plane . a record kill for a single gunner began to ot mixed emotions. We brespected we tell them war officially over as of 2:00 p.m. today . The GUNS WINKINGa smoke, and he started out of con on one mission. Wt.rmer is a tlrst plane I got shot at _ - U1em for their flying a ility be· trol hke a leaf floating in the breeze. cnuse they Wednesday, former bodyguard of Treasury came in at the start-a Mesrer- are i,art of the Oe�man May 9 GETS 2 MORE air force's Flying Circus. A beautiful dHy. Return to field. Roll call. C-47 start lar,ding at 9:00 a.m. We are all Secretary Morgenthau. . TERRIFIC FIGHT schm!tt peeled off from our right The other. one was making a ru;. · on a ship of ours-the one that was i I thmk we are capable of handling elated. But figure over 100 have land before we wi ll be ready to go ! All who went to town By STAFF SGT. BENJAMIN F. and leveled straight at us with his the until la trouble. The enemy had tor pass �em ifin same way on every mis- have some real stories to tell. Fellows who stayed out here not so happy . JU-87 landed WARMER 111 gun� winking. I winked back 1non it becomes nec ssary, but l the German was 50 yard:, away, and within 50 yards of me so puti e A FLYING FORTRESS BAS!!: IN don think b This is really a into names approximately 200 rounds into him 't they can stand it. Ina yesterday and 3 Jerries surrendered. Ach--Ach guns opened up on them . NORTH AFRICA, July 6.-VP>- then I saw him burst fact, I do_u t if they ever had •·Judie, I kept my word." and . plough down under our Fort- and the last I saw of him he was large field. Every type of Ger plane. But what a Barrenburg the field and Ingalstadt has i worse beating than they received to- That's what 1 want to tell my ress . . I signalled the left waist gun-n n a vertical dive and burning. I n' da�. taken . We have wuited all day rar � plene. Here it is 8:00 p.rn. and we nePrj just 5 mor8 Supo'l·!or court Judrie Ben• ner toif look outn of his windown a d got two more fighters, but did t . fathel', have_ to Ive _Just finished reaclmgn the jamin F. Warmel' of San Bernardino. see the pla e went dow . He time identify them post- planes . That one will be ours. But I guess "we've had it" ! We stay in an ammo dump . 20 tively. n synopsis of a book, '·Quee s Die C11Hr., because I promised to get a '.lOdded yes. Proudly," and it exemplifies per- & 40 mm all over the plaqe. Load group 27 takes off. over They were bothn maki g passes ,at ·\ few planes tor him when r eame Number two and number three ortress d feetly Just how I felt when I saw here. I named gun "The si . T M·l 9,11 d a F behi us, and as they my were dai es wo 0 ma e a banked to mak e a run on her they I two of our Fortressest go down. One Thursday , May . 10 Judie" and it came through today In run together at the Fortress. 1 got had to pass me. They first tried was burning from s em to stern as great shape. one on the , way in. He peeled off three fighters made passes at her. 2 years in army ! Load groups 28, 29, 30 take off. Word has it 50 planes due here about dodging tactics when they sa· w my : I got at least seven planes and I in a roll. Then otheru came on but The! ball turret gunner was still in 2:00 p.m. to be flown to [ Le Havre] the second plane in will be ours. We are 32. Warm, believe I hit and damaged more. b k h' t b t 50 y d na d t n . _ � tracers, but he was too close for me ri! !o and he got all three in We were told before the take-off I �;nel� �� !n ti� belly· !�: e � t on e pass. Every gunner !n nice, da . Bob , Val, Bill and I play bridge. 67 planes landed here yesterday a.m. and ,to miss and he wentn � tha t we were h"ttl1 . ng one of th e exposed it in a �urn. The first plane : do wn be f ore the squadron will verify it. He went he ot t0 t th e pla e _returned in afternoon. Heap much traffic. Gosh, what I wouldn't give for a bath. Primar toughest spots In S1c1ly, and we ac- slid off to the right for approximate- � he was after. down with the Queen her one wa doinn cel)ted at its face value without ly 1000 yards and the pilot bailed / � s g the It Isn't thf. mach!�e alone It says we get a 60 day furlo! Our plane arrives and we are flown to See it aam th n He was Just u d_er - 's losing In our ability to out. The second plane went down ;\ our the combination of the men and confidence tall and s and hooLlng at Cathedral of It is truly beautiful. Arrive at this camp for processing, come through. The warning turned and the pilot also left It. the ship ; °. the machine t,hat make� the Fort- TTo "' ,Y,,a :e��n.�� us ew _en ne o! ress. shower , etc. Val goes to another tent--Bill, Bob and I stay together. Plenty food! out tQ. be a bit of an understate- r_ .8o«h'"' r:;trcrre.-1'.s r • I my !ncendiarle• mad h1m explode ment � .,..,/e' J 111 the air. }{e was number seven. 54 55 The squadron flew B-24s and some B-17s. Except in rare instances it flew by night . Its unwieldy heavy bombers had to fly low and make drops dangerous ly close to stalling speed. And the very features that made targets safe places for Partisans to congregate made them death traps for B-24s in any hands but those of heads-up pi lots. The 885th was "specia.l" all around : special crews traini n g, problems , loads and targets . As an indication of how "speci al" it was, it probably was the on ly four-engined outfit anywhere to have a plane return with a ri fle slug that entered through the top of the wi ng. ITS THRILLING and security-shrouded story began in October, 1943, when the "Special Flight Section" of the 15th Ai r Force, equi pped with three B-17s, flew experimental dropping mi ssions to the Maquis in France from Africa . Mechanics had modi fied the ships at the El Aounia field near Tuni s, painti ng the be llies black, fixing flame dampeners on the exhausts and removing ba ll turrets to install special dropping hatches. Operating all the way across the Mediterranean from Blida, Algeria, the Forts made some successfu l drops, but the cloak and dagger heavies di dn't get into hi gh gear unti l the 885th was activated in March, 1944 , under Col Monro MacClosky, a West Pointer from the MAAF planning staff who had flown on some of the experimental trips from Blida. Eight of the B-24s were added to the squadron's plane power; crews we re obtained on OS from bomb groups and initial know-how was furnished by the British, who had pioneered in the business. CREWS were not trai ned easi ly . Men who cou ld fly heavy bombers in formation over targets in daylight at 20 ,000 feet could not fly single ships into mountainous droppin g zones on the deck at night. Pi lot and copi lot had to be checked on instrument flying, low-speed flying, low-altitude work and bad flying weather. The bombardier, who served as the plane's eyes from his nose perch , had to learn map-readi ng and night contact navigation. The navigator, who worked in a lighted cabin behind the bombardier's blacked-out nose compartment , had to bone up on ce lestial navigation, use of the sextant, dead reckoning. OF NECESSITY , the squadron's forte became navigation. Ski l led navigation that won the "He was mentioned in his borne-town pa.per !" 885th its Distingui shed Unit Citation for the night operations of 12 August, 1944 . Eleven unescorted heavies took off from Africa , on eleven separate mi ssions to France. There was "After bombs were on their wav no moon. Navigation was by instrument, stars , and the rare recognition points that could Yank Over Rome tlown into Rome, one of the boy1 be discerned by the light of the mi 1 ky way . With some of them requi red to fly be low left his waist gun long enough to mountain peaki, all 11 heavies found their targets, successfu lly dropped 18 agents and Dropped Bombs pick up a violin he had borrowed 67 ,000 pounds of supplies and returned to thei r African base. from lhe Red Cross and offered 1 The sh ortest distance from Blida to France was more than 400 mi les. The Ba leari c :·endi!ion of 'Yankee Doodle.' So SHE HAS A REASON TO SMILE-Helen C. Warmer, 'n Grabb ed I ddl Islands furnish�d the only check poi nt and at the end of the trip navigators were requi red wife of Staff Sgt. Benjamin Warmer, looks o,·er lette1·s r· e . history repeated itself-and he fi