HEADQUARTERS 450 TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H) APO 520 U.S. ARMY

20 MAY 1944

SUBJECT: Historical Records

TO: Commanding General, Fifteenth Air Force, Attention: Historian (through channels)

1. Unit history of the 450 th Bombardment Group (H) for the period 1 April to 1 May 1944.

            A). The present designation of the unit is 450 th Bombardment Group (H), 47 th Wing, 15 th Air Force, United States Army.

            B). Changes in Organization.

            1). No change in designation of unit.

            2). No Transfer of Units.

            C). Strength, commissioned and enlisted.

            1). Month of April 1944.

                        A). At Beginning:       1999

                        B). Increase:                  14

                        C). Decrease:                  0

                        D). At End:                 2013

            D). Manduria, Italy, #25, Army Air Base.

            E). No movement of organization in April.

            F). Campaigns

                        1). Italian

                        2). Duration: From 2 January 1944, still in progress.

            G). Operations

                        1). The housing problem assumed great importance in the view of the oncoming hot weather. Both group and squadron mess halls and day-rooms got on the way to completion. The main officer's club at the group area seemed a bit far from the squadron areas, so each organization began erecting its own club with very successful results. All indications point to bath club and day room for each squadron.

                        2). The sanitation program has kept apace of the expansion of all organizations in the area. Latrines, running hot and cold water and showers have been approved by the flight surgeon. It looks as though any man can have a comfortable shower any day of the week. In anticipation of Malaria mosquitoes, all beds have been provided with nets, and repellent lotion has been distributed and installed everywhere.

                        3). An outdoor theater is being constructed by group Special Service in order to obviate the necessity of the long and dusty trip to Oria. Transportation will hail this move as a great saving on its vehicles. The boxing matches in the local ring are proving a great factor towards entertaining the men on Sunday nights. There are less numbers going to Manduria to get in trouble.

                        4). The group averaged almost a mission per day during the month of April with 28 combat missions and 596 sorties.

            H). Loss in action

                        1). None

            I). Awards

                        1). Colonel John S Mills 0-17106, group commanding officer, was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action against the marshalling yards of Ploesti, Rumania on April 5, 1944. Lt. Colonel Robert R Gideon Jr 0-22064, Deputy Group Commander, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement against the marshalling yards in Budapest, Hungary on April 3, 1944.

For the commanding officer:

Arthur L Campa

1 st Lt, Air Corps,

Group Historian

450th Bombardment Group (H) War Diary

1 April 1944

The weatherman wasn't fooling despite it being April Fool's Day. The usual continuous rain soaked the camp and added to the waters of "Lake Manduria". The mission took up most of the early hours at the GHQ but bad weather made the take-off impossible.

The 723rd Squadron put on a skit at the Group Officers Club with great success Good humored criticism, diatribes and pointed quips are good sources of laughter and the parties concerned take it in their stride.

2 April 1944

It was Palm Sunday today, but it was not palms the 450th took to the Daimler-Puch Engineering Works at Steyr, Austria. Church went on as usual with quite good attendance. A few replacement crews reported at HQ today.

3 April 1944

There are signs in the air of approaching Spring. The rain is beginning to let up and old sol is showing his face. Officers and enlisted men in front of headquarters are playing catch and their talk of baseball and softball is livening. The Group is entering into volleyball with great enthusiasm. Colonel Mills and Lieutenant-Colonels Gideon and Price were out today for a good workout.

4 April 1944

Everyone is hurrying to get their houses finished. Lieutenant Campa decided on a touch of old New Mexico on his house by building Southwest Pueblo Style. The whole of Italy is being scoured for materials and furniture. The Day Rooms and Messes are beginning to look like permanent establishments.

5 April 1944

Good weather continues and so does flying. The boys are hitting the big ones lately which means a few losses for the 450th, but the photos also tell the story. They all want to see the photos. The Group is still going to Oria for picture shows. The Ploesti mission today shook up the group with heavy losses.

6 April 1944

After yesterday's mission to Ploesti, the Group decided to take a rest in which to patch up its battle scars. After an early squall, the day turned out to be very pleasant. A formation in front of Group Headquarters awarded Silver Stars, Distinguished Flying Crosses and Purple Hearts to nine men. It was a good day to take off for Leece and Brindisi. The British Officers Club has been excellent host to Group Headquarters Officers. Nice meals; drinks not bad, and we are all learning to sing "Lili Marleen".

7 April 1944

This was one of those days that makes you believe there is truth in the slogan "Sunny Italy". The weather called for a dip in the ocean and many officers and enlisted men of Group Headquarters drove out after the day's mission had been successfully put away as past history. Major McKamy from S-2 tried to get a suntan and ended up with a sunburned bald head. Is he touchy!

8 April 1944

Saturday nights are a calendric occurrences in the combat theater. Someone inquires: "What day of the week is this?", and after much conjecture someone fingers out the answers: "Why it's Saturday!" Today it was that kind of Saturday, and since the weather over the Adriatic turned back our bombers. The evening's entertainment at the club was well attended. The 720th Squadron did a very commendable job under the direction of Captain Robinson. The approaching Easter toned the jokes and skits down to a medium of respectability.

9 April 1944

Easter Sunday in Italy. The day was calm and clear. We gathered by the runway flanked by impressive bombers on all sides. A choir sang a couple of selections to the accompaniment of a few instruments and an organ. Men in combat have lost a great deal of their sentimentality. The usual appeals of death, agony and suffering are the order of the day so the chaplains must appeal to the peaceful life instead. This Easter Service was brief, commemorating an event that was responsible for our occidental civilization. Many wondered if our civilization was so exemplary after all. What about Pax Romana on the Appian Way?

10 April 1944

The weather was N.G. so the mission was cancelled. The Group has come to realize that bombing is not an everyday affair. A few Merchant Marine Officers in evidence, part of the crew of the S.S. Henry Baldwin who helped to convoy the 450th from America. They were guests at the Groups Headquarters' Mess. 

11 April 1944

Another mission called because of bad weather. Colonel Rush arrives unexpectedly for an inspection. Group Headquarters was busy at this early hour of the day and was pronounced satisfactory. We are beginning to think that the door guard at the S-2 Rooms is stationed there to guard against "surprise inspections". Not a bad idea Major McKamy. Major Thorpe, Group Medic still warns the men that VD in Italy is more virulent, and urges caution, restraint and cleanliness.

12 April 1944

Wiener-Neustadt was the target, the briefing was at dawn and chow as even earlier. The Group P.R.O. and his photographer was trying to get some shots for publication during the briefing. Many articles and stories about the group are beginning to appear in home town papers.

A USO Show at Oria took the minds off combat for a couple of hours tonight. The sweet young thing could not play the accordion but she got a big hand.

13 April 1944

"Oh What a Beautiful Morning" could well be the theme song today. The Groups morale has picked up considerably with the improvement in weather.

The War Room is the place where was news lectures are featured once a week as a Group function. The speakers are from S-2 in rotation. The attendance is excellent and the lectures well prepared. 

14 April 1944

Ole Sol was bashful today and hid in the clouds. New combat crews coming in regularly report to Group S-2 for assignment. When asked by Group P.R.O. what they think of their assignment they answer: "This base is in swell shape. We expected mud, tents and no buildings. Jesus! They even have a swell Club and regular Messes!" 

15 April 1944

Weather changed today. The Italian Masons are coming in by "Squadras" to work on Group and Squadron Buildings going up. The area is a veritable real estate addition. Each squadron is trying to outdo the other in quality and quantity. All troubles eventually find their way to Group Headquarters where diplomacy, tact, and a lot of talking in Italian seems to settle all accounts.

16 April 1944

"Gene", the Group Officer's Club attendant, caretaker and interpreter, approached Major Donovan this morning emerging from breakfast. "Excuse me, sir. I have a question, please. I have noticed that many officers say "he don't like it."  "Is this English or American usage"? Major Donovan, trying to suppress a smile, answers: "Why no Gen, it's simply incorrect usage."  "I thank you very much sir." Gene is a permanent fixture around the Club. A former university professor with nothing but contempt for the wine-drinking population of southern Italy and a hatred for Fascism; came to the Group in search of work and fount it. Engenio Micote is well-read in Latin and Greek as well as English and American contemporary literature. Group Officers and enlisted men working at the Club regard Gene as an unusual person. His one desire is to go to America where he can spend the rest of his life studying undisturbed, taking his daily gymnastics and cold shower.

17 April 1944

The Group Headquarters Officers and men were having their turn at putting on a show at the Club. The show reached its peak when a terrific shock shook the building. At first everyone thought it was part of the show, but it was soon disclosed that an explosion had taken place. A fire was burning high in the air. "Air raid!" someone cried and then the rush started for the shelters. A B-24 exploded on the line killing tow men. The quick work of the linemen saved others from destruction.

18 April 1944

Construction work continues in the area. The latest is a boxing ring wherein to test the fistic might of any available contenders. An outdoor showplace is predicted. Chaplain Stevens is to supervise its construction as acing Special Service Officer.

19 April 1944

Funeral services were held in Bari for the crew of the "Paper Doll". The ship exploded in mid-air taking the lives of Lts. Scott and Basmania. Lt. Basmania had completed his 50th mission and was on the way home. Tough luck.

20 April 1944

Coca Colas are now part of the rations issued at camp. With the rise in the thermometer, the good ole cokes are a relief. Some claim they mix well with Cognac, whatever that is.

21 April 1944

In the absence of enough American USO Shows on the road, a few Italian Shows are pinch-hitting. Their type of humor is quite different from ours, but their music is well known. The "cuties" aren't exactly light and slender. Someone said there was food shortage in Italy. There girls did not evince it.

22 April 1944

Some of the enlisted men Day Rooms are beginning to open. The Group Surgeon claims that the increased entertainment on the base keeps more men at camp and out of trouble in the villages. There are other Day Rooms coming up.

23 April 1944

Boxing is inaugurated at camp. There is much booing, shouting and yelling. Good clean fun. The thriller of the evening was between a colored MP and a member of the English Ack-Ack unit who out-pointed the darky.

24 April 1944

Ploesti again! Still in the big leagues so it must be serious. Plenty of excitement around 0400 when 22 Halifaxes with Polish crews had to land on our field. What with linguistic difficulties and training differences, it was a hectic morning for the boys in the tower. Sgt Loomis had to be called out of bed and he did a job of bringing them in that won him the C.O. commendation.

25 April 1944

There is considerable speculation in Group Headquarters regarding the proposed show starring Marlene Dietrich. Whatever she had to show, the boys wanted to see. Unfortunately, the lady was ill and could not oblige. Nothing but routine.

26 April 1944

Nothing of importance today. The weather was N.G. and everyone was sober.

27 April 1944

Weather still bad. Everyone, including the Historian, bored.

28 April 1944

Word got about that Winter overshoes have arrived. They will come in handy in the heat of the South Pacific next December. The Group is thinking of a victory in Europe by next Xmas. The enlisted men are getting a bit weary of Vini and Bambini.

29 April 1944

Now that Group buildings have been put up, the question remains what to do about roofing. Also what about crushed gravel. Some of the enlisted men are given a truck and the day off. By evening they returned with a good load of crushed gravel and concrete tills. Nobody knows where they found it and they are too bashful to tell.

30 April 1944

Pay Day again. Ho Hum! These Italian Lire remind us of the paper money used in bookkeeping sets at home. A few wagers over "high card" are getting about with the circulation of Pay Day Lire.