Source: Hillin, Robert W., 1st Lt. Air Corps, Squadron Historian. “War Diary of 758th Bomb Squadron (H).” Historical Records, 459th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 304th Wing, 15th Air Force, U.S. Army, 10 June 1944. Albert F. Simpson Historical Research Center, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. Reel B0607, Microfilm 1196-1203.
W A R D I A R Y
758TH BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON (HV)
MAY 1944.
1 May 1944
No mission today.
Lts. MacNamara, Dunn, Hasely and Lenk and S/Sgts. Hunkler, Garideo, Donovan, Taylor, Arsenault and Robson left for a four day rest at the Isle of Capri. These men were the first from our Squadron to take advantage of this rest camp.
Private Adrian J. Furlong was assigned and joined our squadron, and was assigned to the transportation section as a mechanic.
Lt. Reimers, our special service officer, announced that tryouts would soon be held for an all-star squadron soft ball team to compete in an intra-group league.
Cpl. Shear began the publication of a squadron news sheet, carrying items of squadron personalities and events.
2 May 1944
No mission.
Private William D. Horton, of our communications section, was transferred to the 122nd Bomb Squadron.
In what was probably the best ball game played to date, in the intra squadron competition, Headquarters defeated Engineering by the score of 2 to 1. M/Sgt Davis, pitcher for the losers, hurled a fine game allowing only 3 hits and no earned runs, both HQ runs coming as the result of an error, the only one committed by the Engineers.
3 May 1944
Sgt. Lester A. Clark, our classification clerk, was transferred to Wing Headquarters. Sgt. John Clemmons was assigned to our squadron and replaced Sgt Clark.
No other change.
-1-
(War Diary, 758th Bomb Sq, May 1944)
4 May 1944
No mission today.
Lt. Munson and his crew joined our squadron, returning from Corsica, the base to which they had been flown by the PBY that had rescued them at sea, after ditching their ship on 29 April 1944. Except for their mental unrest, they were none the worse for their experience.
Cpl. Carl Brown, from our armament section, was transferred to the 485 Bomb Gp.
F/O Kenneth Poulson, hospitalized since the crash of Lt. Jones’ plane on 25 April 1944, was released from the hospital and rejoined our squadron.
5 May 1944
Ten of our planes took off with other planes of this group to bomb oil installations and marshalling yards at Ploesti, Rumania. Tremendous explosions and flashes of fire followed the bombing, and huge columns of smoke were seen rising from 200 miles away, indicating splendid results.
Because of crew sickness one of our planes returned early, before reaching the target. The other nine, however, reached and hit the target.
Maj. Lee, our commanding officer, inaugurated publication of our squadron’s aircraft performance in an attempt to reduce the number of early returns and thereby increase the tonnage of bombs dropped on enemy targets. His plans called for a daily publication of our plane performance. A thermometer-like graph indicating our performance, with ten ships over the target on each mission equaling 100%, was also erected.
Lt. Munson and his crew were sent to the rest camp at the Isle of Capri. Captain Vernon and Lt. Hillin, our S-2 officers, accompanied them.
Sgt. Robert Bogie, hospitalized since the crash of Lt. Jones’ ship on 25 April 1944, rejoined our squadron.
6 May 1944
Ten of our planes took off to bomb the marshalling yards and military installations at Campano, Rumania. Results were believed to be good. Severe flak and bitter fighter resistance was encountered. One of our ships failed to return.
Because of mechanical trouble two of our planes returned early. The other eight reached and hit the target.
– 2 –
(War Diary, 758th Bomb Sq, May 1944)
6 May 1944 (cont)
Lt. Leland L. Sears was piloting the ship which failed to return from Today’s missions. While over the target, approximately one minute to bombs away, a direct hit of flak severed the left wing from number one engine out. The plane immediately went into a spin and fell downnward. When last seen the plane was burning badly. No parachutes were seen to emerge from the plane.
Beside Lt. Sears, the crew of the missing ship was composed of: 2nd Lt. Alfred H. Johnson, copilot, 2nd Lt Gordon S. Landis, navigator, 2nd Lt. Franklin M. Merriell, bombardier, T/Sgt George Skrba, engineer, Sgt. Dayton Vols, radio operator, William C. Ward, Waist gunner, Robert R. Jennings, nose gunner, Harry B. Mohring, Jr., tail gunner and Elmer D. Speelman, ball turret gunner.
7 Mar 1944
Ten of our ships took off on the squadron’s thirty fourth (34) mission to bomb thhe marshalling yards at Bucharest. All ships reaches, hit the target and returned safely, although moderate to heavy flak was encountered.
Sgt. Judge A. Marin, another member of the crew which crashed on 25 April 1944, was released from the hospital and rejoined our squadron.
Lt. Warren, our operations officer, flew up to Naples to pick up Lt. MacNamara and the other men who left for the rest camp at Capri on 1 May 19444. On the take off on to return trip to Naples, they had a very narrow escape from a serious crash. The runway at the field was a very short one and only though a splendid display of skill was Lt. Warren able to lift the plane into the air at the extreme end of the runway. It was later learned that he was the first pilot to successfully take off in a B-24 from that particular field.
8 May 1944
An ugly rumor was making the rounds that our outfit was soon to be returned to the states. Of course, it was just another one of those “tissue issues.” But, strange as it may seem, a lot of the men believed it to be true.
No mission. No other change.
-3-
(War Diary, 758th Bomb Sq, May 1944)
9 May 1944
No Mission. No other change.
10 May 1944
Our planes took off on a scheduled mission but they all returned early as the weather closed in obscuring the target completely.
Lt. Munson and his crew returned from Capri. Lt Pool’s crew, the next scheduled for a rest, left today for the Isle.
11 May 1944
General Order number 416, Headquarters Fifteenth Air Force, was published today awarding the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lt. Earl A. Lilley for accomplishing the extraordinary achievement of safely piloting his crippled aircraft home from the bombing of the aircraft factory at Bad Voslau, Austria, on 23 April 1944.
In the words of the citation, Lt. Lilley received his award “For extraordinary achievement in aerial flight, as pilot of a B-24 type aircraft. Disregarding the faulty operation of one (1) engine, Lt. Lilley remained in formation and successfully bombed the objective. Immediately subsequent to the bomb run, the faulty engine caught on fire and two (2) additional superchargers became inoperative. Realizing the necessity of decreasing his altitude, Lt. Lilley displayed great professional skill and sound judgment in diving his crippled aircraft from an altitude of twenty-two-thousand (22,000) feet; pulling out at an altitude of three-hundred and fifty (350). With this display of coolness and courage, Lt. Lilley successfully evaded enemy fighters. Flying at a scant five hundred (500) feet, Lt. Lilley skillfully maneuvered his aircraft over three-hundred (300) miles of enemy territory and safely landed at his home field without injury to his aircraft or crew. By this extraordinary achievement as witnessed by a high degree of professional skill, coolness and sound judgment in the face of great odds, Lt. Lilley has reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.”
No mission was scheduled for today. Something ‘big’ was evidentely in the offing. Intense plans seemingly were being made for tomorrow’s mission. All crews were restricted to the camp, and ordered to attend an important briefing to be held late tonite.
Everyone was speculating on the implications. Some even had tomorrow as the opening date of the invasion. Excitement and expectancy seemed to be everywhere.
-4-
(War Diary, 758th Bomb Sq, May 1944)
12 May 1944
The expectancy engendered by the excitement of yesterday is evidentely justified. For TWO MISSIONS WERE SCHEDULED FOR TODAY.
Thirteen of our planes took off on the morning mission to bomb enemy communication lines at Sterria, Italy with excellent results. Little flak and no fighter opposition was encountered.
Three of our ships returned early because of mechanical failure. The other tren reached and hit the target, returning safely.
Immediately upon landing, our crews were rushed up to the squadron area ad quickly fed, then tranported to the group briefing room only to discover that the afternoon mission had been cancelled.
13 May 1944
A plane from one of the other squadrons crashed on take-off, blocking the runway and only allowing seven of our ships to take off on today’s scheduled mission. They bombed the railroad yards, north of Bologna, Italy, with poor results. Slight flak was encountered. One of our ships failed to return.
Lt. Melvin R. Jones, who had piloted the ship which crashed on 25 April 1944, was piloting the plane which failed to return. It was somewhat of a mystery as to why he dropped out of formation. The ship had not been damaged by enemy actioin and when last seen was evidentely in no trouble, as indicated by all four props turning.
Besides Lt. Jones, Lt. James F. McConologue, Lt. Richard Lins, Pvt John Detora, Sgt Gustave Cedurburg, S/Sgt William Conner, S/Sgt Earl Sekora, Sgt. Daniel Knots and Cpl John D Pearce were the crew who were listed as mission in action.
14 May 1944
Ten planes took off on our squadron’s thirty seventh mission to bomb the enemy airdrome at Reggio nell Emillia, Italy. No flak or fighter were encountered, and results of today’s bombing were excellent. In fact, the results were so good that they brought a commendation from General Twinning.
All ten of our planes reached and hit the target, returning without incident.
-5-
15 May 1944
No mission was scheduled for today.
Lt. Simpson and his crew took their turn to visit the Isle of Capri for a four day rest. Later we heard that they were unable to cross the channel between Naples and Capri, for the Nazis had bombed and made the harbor unnavigable by dropping mines. Similar circumstances allowed Lt. Poe and his crew to enjoy a few extra days at the rest camp.
Two new combat crews joined our squadron. One was piloted by 2nd Lt. John Kale with 2nd Lt Kevin F Stephens as copilot, Lt Quentin E Cadd as navigator, 2nd Lt. Richard M. Simmons as bombardier and with Sgts Anthony G. Buccini, Osborn D Ashford, Robert R. DeJongh, Bernard Miller, Edwin H. Thomas and Willard A Campbell.
The other crew was piloted by 2nd Lt. Andrew G. Waler with 2nd Lt. Joseph J Kern as copilot, 2nd Lt John A McGrane as navigator, 1st Lt Walter J Mikolajek as bombardier, and with Sgts Ralph Stine, Dwight P. Blubaugh, Jack B. Wright, Philip A. Cochran, Eugene W. Bartio and Lowell B. Shiverdecker.
The latter crew, just over from the States, had a little pup which they had picked up in Atlanta, Ga., as a pet. The mere fact that this pup came from the states soon established her as the favorite pet of the squadron.
16 May 1944
No mission was scheduled. No other change.
17 May 1944
No mission. N/C.
18 May 1944
Ten of our planes took off on our squadron’s thirty eigth mission to bomb the Redeventa oil refinery at Ploesti, Rumania. Our ships were escorted by P-38s and P-51s but no enemy aircraft was encountered, although the enemy did send up a heavy barrage of flak. Results were obscured by overcast. One of our ships, piloted by Lt. Brownell, failed to return.
Lt. Brownell’s ship was last seen after the target on the route home. His ship, although seemingly under control, lagged behind and dropped out of sight in the heavy overcast.
Lts. Brownell, Newton Baughman, Glenn O’Neal, Richard S Sheehy, Sgt John B Carroll, Sgt Robert J Siorois, Sgt John Mattern, Sgt James Mortimer, Sgt William P Wheland and PFC Vitus I. Crandall were listed as missing in action.
-6-
(War Diary, 758th Bomb Sq, May 1944)
19 May 1944
Ten of our planes took off this morning to bomb the marshalling yards at Leghorn, Italy, with undetermined results. Slight but inaccurate flak was encountered. No enemy fighters rose to challenge the run. One of our planes returned early, because of mechanical failure, the other nine reached and hit the target, all returning safely.
F/O Cole and 2nd Lt. Weaver, two of our first pilots who had expressed a desire to be taken off of flying status, were released from assignment and transferred to the 15th Air Force Personnel Replacement Center.
20 May 1944
Lt Poe and his crew were the next to be sent to the Isle of Capri for a rest of four days.
S/Sgt. Cooper, his waistgunner, certainly was missed for he is the star pitcher of the enlisted men’s ball club. And, what a great hurler he was. The form he displayed in our first games indicated that our team would definitely be a contender for the championship of the Group.
No mission today.
21 May 1944
M/Sgts Maggiancald, Blanchard and Woods, section chiefs of our Armament, Engineering and Communications sections respectively, returned from Naples whhere they had accompanied their Officers on official business. Their trip to and from Naples isn’t of much news value it itself. But, the boys picked up a Fiat truck, vintage 1914, and returned driving it the entire distance. The truck was later put to good use as a bus and hauled the men from Hq building to the line, relieving our strained transportation section which was unable to function efficiently because of the lack of equipment.
No mission. No other change.
22 May 1944
Eleven of our planes took off to bomb the harbor installations at Spezia, Italy, approximately 150 miles south of Genoa. All eleven ships reached the target and returned safely. Results were not regarded as good. Inaccurate flak and no fighters was encountered.
Maj. Lee commended the personnel for their splendid performance in sending eleven ships over the target, the best record to date.
No other change.
-7-
(War Diary, 758th Bomb Sq, May 1944)
23 May 1944
Lt. Simpson and his crew returned from Capri.
Lt. Womack’s crew were sent to the Isle as the next in line to enjoy the rest period.
The Capri rest period certainly was producing splendid results, for our crews seemed to return completely refreshed, browned to a healthy shade and in the best of spirits.
Ten of our ships took off to bomb German troop concentrations at Marino, Italy. Very little flak and no fighters were encountered. Although obscured by clouds, results were believed to be good. One ship returned early because of mechanical failure, the other nine however reached and hit the target, returning safely.
24 May 1944
Due to the lack of available co bat crews, only nine ships were scheduled to take off on today’s mission to blast the enemy airdrome at Munchenburg, Austria. Two ships returned without reaching the target. One because of mechanical failure, the other because a crew member became sick. Incidentally, air sickness seemed to become quite prevalent. Most of the combat crew men attributed this sickness to our noon day meals which always consisted of C rations… hash, chili, etc.
Severe flak on today’s mission was encountered, but all of our planes returned safely. Results were unobserved.
M/Sgt William J. Steil, was recommended for the Bronze Star Medal. The basis for the recommendation was the splendid record he had compiled in sending his aircraft up on thirty (30) consecutive missions without a single early return. None once, during this period, had his ship failed to meet a scheduled mission or been grounded because of improper maintenance.
25 May 1944
Ten of our ships took off to bomb the Bincenza airdrome in northern Italy. All ten ships reached and blasted the hell out of the target. No enemy opposition was encountered. All planes returned safely.
Orders were received promoting six of our first pilots to first lieutenant. Lts Lilley, MacNamara, Morin, Oleson, Plemons, Poe and Womack were the officers sporting new silver bars.
-8-
(War Diary, 758th Bomb Sq, May 1944)
25 May 1944 (cont)
Lts Morin, Johnson, Cummins, Kreager and T/Sgts Trull, Allen, S/Sgts Little, Holden, Whitford and Savage were the first crew to receive orders sending them back to the States on the 15th AF rotation plan. It was a happy event, and although some of us were a little envious, we were all glad to see them get such a fine break.
26 May 1944
Ten of our planes bombed the railroad yards at Chambray, France, with excellent results. No enemy resistance was encountered, and all of our ships returned safely.
1st Lt. Edward H Kirsh was assigned to our squadron as the bombariering officer replacing Lt. Kreager who was going home on the rotation plan.
S/Sgts Werner and Phillips, members of Lt. Munson’s crew which had crashed at sea, were broken and transferred out of the squadron for their refusal to fly.
27 May 1944
Nine of our planes participated in the bombing of the airdrome at Montpelier, France, with good results. Moderate to intense flak and a few enemy fighters were encountered. All of our planes returned safely.
Sgt. James Scartelli, one of our tail gunners, escaped serious injury when the safety glass shield in his turret deflected the shrapnel from a flak burst. It was a narrow escape for the gunner.
28 May 1944
Eleven of our ships took off to participate in the bombing of the marshalling yards at Verchelli, Italy. Nine ships reached and hit the target, and returned safely. Results were unobserved.
Lt. Hugh D. Graham, taking off on his first mission as a first pilot, crashed on take off, killing eight of the crew and seriously wounding the other two. Lt. Graham, Lt. Reimers, Lt. Breen, Lt. Slusser Sgt Skubel, Cpl Pavolich, Sgt Sutton and Sgt Alvord were teh men who paid the supreme sacrifice.
S/Sgt Bogie and Sgt Martin, who had just been release from the hospital after being injured in the crash of Lt. Jones’ ship on 25 April 1944, were again injured. It was feared that Bogie, severely burned about the eyes, would lose his sight. Sgt Martin was expected to recover.
-9-
(War Diary, 758th Bomb Sq, May 1944)
29 May 1944
Our planes took off on two missions today, one morning and one in the afternoon, to bomb enemy troop installations in Yugoslavia. Results on both missions were good. No enemy resistance was encountered and all of our planes returned safely.
Maj. Lee again commended the men for their splendid performance. His commendation read: “Today’s first mission marked the end of another five missions. The performance rating percentage was raised to a new high. For, during the last eight (8) days nine (9) missions have been completed with good results. It is with pride that I commend all men for the splendid showing of the past week.”
S/Sgt Ernest P Bunger, of our sheet metal department, and Corporal Alfred P Kimball, of the communications section, were recommended for the Bronze Star Medal for their exceptional devotion to duty.
30 May 1944
Another mission was scheduled for today sending ten of our planes over the Nazi airdrome at Wells, Austria. All ten ships reached and hit the target. Direct hits on hangers and smoke rising to 10,000 feet indicated good results. No enemy opposition was encountered. All of our planes returned safely.
No other change.
31 May 1944
Our planes took off on another mission, capping the month with a top performance of participating in eleven combat missions during a period of ten consecutive days.
Today’s target was an oil field at Ploesti, Rumania. A smoke screen prevented clear observations of the results, but they are believed to be good. As was expected, intense flak and fighters were encountered, but all our ships returned safely.
Equalling the performance of our combat crews, our Enlisted Men’s team and Officer’s team were both holding down the top position in their respective soft ball leagues.
No other change.
end.
– 10 –
William VanSickle 