Diaries

A mission to the Treviso M/Y was prepared, briefed and canceled. It looked for a while as though this month would duplicate last month for inactivity. For those who work up the missions to have them called off at the last moment is disappointing to put it mildly.

But today was a different matter. For several weeks now the aircraft components factory at Steyr, Austria, has been much in our mind. It has been briefed and canceled; briefed and canceled. In fact late in February the Group actually attacked Steyr. Today the entire Air Force took a resounding crack at this target. We lost three planes as a result of a collision over the target but our results were good and we destroyed twelve enemy aircraft. Capt. John A. Joseph returned from detached service at 15th Air Force.

Milton B. Coon, boss of the EM in the S-2 section, made Master Sergeant. Continuing its heavy attacks on enemy targets the Group hit Budapest, Hungary, and its vital Marshalling Yards. This was in support of the Soviet advance into Rumania, a new turn in our operations. Although flak was heavy, intense and accurate we lost no planes. This made the mission a successful one from the stand point of those who sit and sweat, although our results were only fair. There is a big push on to get mosquito nets up. It seems like everyone is hammering and sawing to out wit ‘Ann’, the name given by the medicos to the Anopheles Mosquito.

What a day this has been! The support of the Soviet Armies continued with a heavy attack on the vital Marshalling Yards at Bucharest, Rumania. Twenty-eight aircraft from this Group were over the target and dropped 70 tons of general purpose bombs. Our results were good but we paid a heavy price. Seven of out planes were lost to the enemy fighters. The fighters hit one box from the 719th Squadron and accounted for five of the six planes in the box. None of our losses are worth a “Gruppe” from the Luftwaffe but since we had to take the losses it is comforting to know the boys took forty enemy fighters and it was warm outside.

Ploesti has been a name to conjure with. The groans were many when the combat crews knew they were to attack this “bugaboo’ of the airman but they hit it well with incendiaries and we had no losses. A factory representative of the Sperry Co. has been attached for rations, quarters and special duty. Lt. Bradley and five of his crew who were lost over Regensburg are back with us. They are filled with tales of their adventures among the Yugoslav partisans. Three others of the same crew are safe and on their way back. One lad was killed in action.

Although so common-place that we never think of it, it is well to set down our associated Groups in this air force. The 449th is one of five bombardment groups in the 47th Wing. The other groups are the 98th, 376th, 450th and 451st. The 98th and 376th are veteran groups which have seen service from El Alamein to Italy. The two younger groups came overseas along with the 449th.

We lost one aircraft in attacking the Mestre M/Y but our results are among the best this Group has accomplished. Bomb strike photographs show as pretty a bomb pattern in the yards as the most exacting briefing officer could ask. Lt. Bradley’s crew, all nine and one posthumously, received the coveted D. F. C. from General Twining at Bari. This crew alone claims fifteen enemy aircraft on the Regensburg mission. An interesting little note was General Twining’s presentation of 15th AF patches to each man.

The weather is rather nasty again. The Group personnel have exhausted their resources in wise-cracking about ‘Sunny Italy’. 2nd Lt. Stewart H. Voloshin was assigned as Group Personal Equipment Officer.

Believe it or not, headquarters personnel now have showers! It is an anti-climax after all the discomfort of being without baths for so long and some men continue to go into neighboring Taranto for their baths. Habit is a compelling thing.

Three more of Lt. Bradley’s crew arrived. What stories these boys will have to regale the hometown with! For once tragedy has shown its brighter side. The small Group officers’ Italian class fathered by Chaplain McNamara is hard at work trying to master the “Eyetie” tongue.

This was another stand-down. The weather is mild again and it seems like spring will soon arrive. Between getting set for malaria and watching the V. D. rate rise, the medical department boys have their hands full. Progress on the EM day room is still very slow. One of the boys remarked it would be ready in time for opening the night before the Group departs for the Chinese Theater of Operations. Someone is not on the ball.

The aircraft factory at Weiner-Neustadt took a pounding today and so did we. We lost three planes; the enemy lost six fighters. Interrogations are now carried on at the ships and at tents set up near the ships for that purpose alone. It is more convenient for returning crews than to travel to Group Headquarters. One casualty of the plan has been the Red Cross doughnut girls; oh, my shattered morale!

Today Budapest-Vecses airdrome caught it. But the thirteenth was an unlucky day for one ship in this Group. Apparently, it was bombed by another B-24 and went down in flames. A series of operas are being offered in Lecce. Many officers and EM avail themselves of the opportunity to hear good music. Spring is still elusive. Each day it seems the weather might be good. Then suddenly the clouds appear and we have rain and cold. Most peculiar.

Publicity to the States finally came through for this Group. We received a copy of the AAF release to accompany the Communiqué for the 8th of April. It described the terrific air battle over Bucharest in which our Group accounted for forty enemy planes. No mission today. PX supplies have improved in variety and quality. Two candy bars, coke, matches and similar items have appeared at the exchange.

Col. Rush, Commanding Officer of the 47th Wing, arrived to meet the aircraft returning from today’s mission against Bucharest M/Y. For once we lost no ships but the target was completely overcast and returning crew members could not say what success we had. Mosquito nets are now being used nightly. Perhaps we are eager. But it does not hurt to be prepared. We understood the mosquitoes attack in formation over here.

The Group attacked Brasov M/Y today. Brasov is an important communication center in Rumania and our attack was in support of the advancing Red Army. We lost three airplanes. The weather is improving again. Now we have another problem. Dust on the landing strip will be troublesome in the coming months.

Lt. Col. Thomas, Wing A-2, was present at briefing this morning. It will cost two dollars for each Group EM and one dollar per attached squadron EM to get the Day Room started. Now that they are after money we hope to see some action. There is a red hot volley ball league in the Group. The various headquarters offices each have entered a team and S-2 leads the league but the other teams are in close pursuit. Two days ago a B-24 shot down a P-51. The P-51 was a casualty to inadequate training in aircraft recognition. To remedy the situation a P-51 was sent over to the base so that the combat crews could get a good look at the fighter. But tragedy struck this plan: Its pilot was “buzzing” the field and crashed into one of the two skeleton dirigible hangars. It was a terrible sight but the pilot never knew what hit him. His manglednbody was found near the flaming airplane.

15th Air Service Command has sponsored a series of operas at Lecce. Various personnel have visited the town to hear these operas. The performance today was “Rigoletto” which was rather well done. These operas compare about to the standard of our U. S. San Carlo company which for many years has toured the States. G. I. enthusiasm is very evident. A Lt. Terry of the British Navy was with us today. He operates off the Island of Vis which is a Partisan stronghold.

Lt. Col. Robert McIlheran returned from the hospital after a joust with yellow jaundice. Although the sun shines almost daily it remains cold at night. With tongue-in-cheek we say the rainy season has ended. Added to malaria we will have dust. When the airplanes take off or land it is impossible to see across the field.

47th Wing Administrative inspector paid the Group a visit today. We hope they are satisfied. A mission was run against the M/Y at Treviso, Italy. Clouds completely obscured the target. We hear the EM day room is well on its way to completion. Tickets are being printed, the bar has been installed and it looks like there will be a gala opening in a few days.

The boys started out on a mission today but were called back after take off. Nearby there is a delightful little Italian town called Martina Franca. It is located about twenty miles from here in the general direction of Bari. Its people are very friendly and the town seems so much cleaner than most Italian towns. Martina Franca has been relatively untouched by the war. It seems strange to walk its streets and see no British or American troops.

The headquarters volley ball league is operating at a fast pace and the games are hard fought. S-2 was toppled from the lead by Major Tope’s S-3 aggregation.

Col. Gent has issued orders that military courtesy and discipline be improved. Unquestionably there has been laxity in this respect. Perhaps it can be attributed to our civilian backgrounds. Few of us are soldiers at heart. Our aircraft hit Schwechat aircraft factory near Vienna. It appears that this Group was the only one to do any substantial damage. We lost two airplanes. Aboard one was Capt. Bailey, Asst. Group Operations Officer. He was a fine chap and his loss is keenly felt. Captain “Art” Swan, C. O. of the 719th Squadron, was seriously wounded by flak over the target. Progress on the EM day room has slowed down to a near halt. After a burst of energy, work has all but stopped. What the exact facts are we do not know but some EM claim it is because of work on a separate officer’s mess. This sort of thing, if true, is bad for morale and, whether true or not, is believed by many EM.

Lt. Col. Robert C. McIlheran was transferred to 47th Wing. Lt. Col. George R. Blase is the new Group deputy commander. Today’s mission was against the Ploesti M/Y. It is quite thrilling to know this Group is helping the Red Army which is now in Rumania. All of our aircraft returned safely. This attack was the fiftieth Group mission.

Today’s mission was abortive. When well on the way to Varese, Italy, the Group encountered bad weather and returned without bombing. Some of the departments have organized softball teams. Those inclined toward athletics have every opportunity to pursue their interests. The Eyeties look with amazement on the effort expended in developing baseball diamonds.

S/Sgt. Robert Damewood was transferred to the 716th Squadron from HQ S-2. Lt. Col. Blase was named Group Air Inspector. After briefing today the mission was canceled when bad weather developed. Although the weather is cold, preparations for the advent of “Ann”, the anopheles mosquito, continue. Prize question of the day is put to Major Patterson by a distressed EM, “Sir, a mosquito just bit me. What shall I do?” There was a riot in Taranto this evening. It involved, Eyeties versus Americans and British. How it started no one knows.

Taranto has been declared off limits by the 15th Air Force. Rumors had it that this action was taken as a result of yesterday’s rioting. Actually, we find there has been a small pox epidemic raging in the town for several weeks. Taranto is the only large city nearby and it has been a convenient spot for relaxation and play. Also its’ British showers were for long the sole means of keeping clean.

The EM day room was opened with a decided bang this evening. From all reports it was a colorful affair. A five piece orchestra was on hand as were five Eyetie girls. The girls were well chaperoned but nonetheless were in great demand. Colonels Gent and Fleischer were on hand. “Eyetie” beer brewed in Naples is now available. Mission today was a milk run according to the flyers. The attack was against the Port of Orbetello, Italy. Results were not too good. Major Cecil Petterson, Group surgeon, went on the mission but not by choice. He claims he was “shanghaied” by Major Tope who flew the ADO ship and suddenly decided to go on the mission.

Toulon Harbor was today’s target. Results are not yet clear, but it should have been hard hit for seventeen groups were over the target. Pity is not to be wasted on the enemy, yet such a tremendous force must be awe-inspiring to the comparative defenseless people on the ground. Several pools have been organized in the Group. These pools are guesses as to the time and place of the second front. Many rumors are current.

Today ends the first year of the 449th Bombardment Group. Tomorrow is its anniversary. No elaborate plans have been made but all members of the organization are conscious of the tremendous changes which have effected every member of the Group during the past year. An attack was made against the M/Y at Alessandria, Italy. One airplane was lost. The strange Italian spring continues to disprove the travel ads. Today was cold and uncomfortable. Many changed into their winter underwear!