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HEADQUARTERS 721ST BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON (H)
450TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H)
APO 520 U. S. ARMY
10 February 1944
SUBJECT: Historical
Records.
TO: Commanding
General, Fifteenth Air Force Attention: Historian (through channels).
1. Unit
history of the 721st Bombardment Squadron (H) for the period 3
January 1944 to 1 February 1944.
a.
The present designation of the unit is 721st Bombardment Squadron
(H), 450th Bombardment Group (H), 47th Wing.
b.
Changes in organization.
(1)
None
(2)
None
(3)
Captain Howard A. Davis.
(4)
Major Doyle J. Clark, Executive Officer.
1st Lt. Henry (NMI) Spitz,
Adjutant.
Capt. Charles S. Bowman, S – 2.
Capt. Gordon T. Colley, S – 3.
2nd Lt. Elbertt A. Whitt, S
– 4.
c.
Strength, commissioned and enlisted.
(1)
Month of January.
Enlisted
Men Officers
(a)
at beginning 397 90
(b)
net increase
(c)
net decrease 8 4
(d)
at end 389 86
d.
Station – Army Air Base, Manduria, Italy.
e.
Movements – None.
f.
Campaigns – None.
g.
Operations – The Ground Echelon of the 721st Bombardment Squadron
(H) consisting of eight (8) officers and one hundred eighty-seven (187)
enlisted men arrived at Manduria, Italy at 0800 hours, 3 January 1944 where they
joined the seventy-eight (78) officers and one hundred twenty-four (124)
enlisted men of the Air Echelon. For "Sunny" Italy the weather was very cold
and the ground muddy. Instead of finding warm barracks with bunks, the men had
to pitch pup tents and sleep on the ground. The thought wasn't a cheerful one
but the men looked around for what dry, level spots they could find. After the
first night most of the men agreed that although the ground was hard, the
tenets, at least, were warm. Hot showers seemed to be a thing of the past as
there were not facilities on the base. However, they were available in the town
of Manduria. When the men first arrived it was necessary after standing in a
long chow line, to use whatever conveniences they could find such as barrels,
lumber-piles, or the ground to place their mess kits because no tables nor
benches were provided. The medics were at first using the hut and facilities of
the 331st Service Squadron. This was necessary because, although
they had their own tent and equipment, they did not have adequate supplies. On
the 4th of January, our second day, all of the sections have started
operations, Intelligence and Photography, rather than having a tent of their
own, worked in conjunction with Group Headquarters. The combat crews were
awaiting their first mission, while Engineering, Armament, Communications, and
Supply were beginning their first full day of work. Operations and the Squadron
Headquarters were busy finding lumber and building chairs, tables, desks,
bulletin boards, etc., as were all other departments in order to set up their
headquarters, As the first week ended, life for the Squadron was beginning to
settle down to a daily routine. Some of the more ambitious men of the Squadron
who had some free time built stone huts to take the place of their pup tents.
The men were finding it easier to get around the area now that it had dried
considerably. The Squadron activities were more or less confined to the
preparation and execution of the daily mission.
On the afternoon
of January the 4th a Squadron meeting was held. The Squadron
Commander addressed the men telling them that he realized how conditions were,
and asked the men to continue to work together in the manner in which we had
done at Alamogordo, including, the continuance of military courtesy between the
officers and men. We were warned of the high rate of venereal disease in Italy
and told of the eight o'clock curfew in the towns near here – Oria and
Manduria. The Commanding Officer also mentioned that transportation had been
arranged so that we could attend movies in Manduria. The PX was opened in the
afternoon of January 5th. The men had thought they had sweated out
long lines! Few lines were much longer than that one with men waiting to buy their
weekly supply of cigarettes (no more than seven packages to a man) candy, gum
and the other commodities which were available. The next week found a new
location for the PX but the same long line and the same "rationed" supply.
However, during the next week the men were issued ration cards and the Squadron
was divided into two sections for PX day. The ground crew went in the morning
and the combat crew members during the afternoon. Dry cleaning service was
arranged by Our Squadron and free laundry was provided. While civilians in the
States waited weeks for the return of their laundry ours was back in two days.
Transportation to the movie sin Manduria was discontinued. The reason was
because the theater was being used by other organizations in this area and it
was too small to accommodate our Group also. However, Special Services arranged
for movies to be shown outdoors. This is a temporary set-up until negotiations
are completed so that a theater in Oria can be used. The Group provided
transportation to Oria on the 31st of January so that the men might
attend a show put on by the movie comedian, Joe E. Brown. The men were able to attend
church each Sunday. Catholic services were held in the town of Manduria while
Protestant services were held on the base conducted by Captain Paul M. Stevens,
the Group Chaplain. After waiting for more than a month and a half the men were
paid on 20 January 1944. The morale of the men was not exactly at its highest
on the day of their arrival here at Manduria. The ground was thick with mud and
the idea of living in pup tents was not a happy one. Most of the men could not
seem to get enough chow and to go back for seconds, although they were not
supposed to, was almost a necessity. But, as the rain stopped and the area
began to dry, the mess personnel being better organized and serving better
chow, with "mail call" becoming a regular event, and, with the PX opened (even
if it were only once a week), the morale of the men improved and the feeling of
a better organized squadron began to be felt among them.
(1)
Number of missions 18, Sorties
165.
(2)
The targets of the important missions flown this month were located in northern
Italy and Yugoslavia. Airdromes and marshalling yards were the objective.
(3)
Following is a description of the important missions:
Thirteen
(13) planes from out Squadron participated in the mission on 14 January 1944.
The target was the town of Mostar, Yugoslavia. The results: A good target –
well hit! Thirty (30) tons of bomb load were dropped on the target while the
remaining nine (9) tons were dropped over an area south and southwest of the
town of Mostar. Only one (1) of our aircraft was damage. Plane #188, flown by 1st
Lt. Jack W. Graham, developed mechanical difficulties and received a direct hit
by flak over the target. While over the target, the number two (2) propeller
governor ran off and the propeller could not be feathered. It continued to
windmill causing sever vibration of the plane. The number three (3) engine then
received a direct hit by heavy enemy flak, caught fire, and its propeller could
not be feathered. The number four (4) supercharger caught fire, but, despite
the desperate condition of the plane, Lt. Graham chose to try to reach friendly
territory rather than make his crew subject to capture by the enemy. In the
face of constant loss of altitude, and extreme mechanical difficulties over the
Adriatic Sea, Lt. Graham gave the members of the crew the option of bailing out
over the water or remaining with the plane. It was known that should the plane
reach Italy it would not have enough altitude to permit escape by parachute.
With the plane dangerously low and only a few minutes of flight remaining, with
only one engine functioning, Lt. Graham quickly chose the best possible place
in the rugged terrain for a landing. With extra ordinary skill he crash landed
the plane which resulted in minor injuries to the members of the crew. In this
landing Lt. Graham suffered a lacerated scalp and a broken left arm. All
members of the crew suffered shock and bruises. Lt. Graham and Lt. Feltenstein
were trapped in the cockpit for two hours after the landing. Even though he was
injured and while trapped in the plane, Lt. Graham directed the crew in the
extinguishing of a fire in one of the engines which threatened total
envelopment of the plane and which endangered the life of Lt. Feltenstein and
himself. All members of the crew are to receive awards later, and Lt. Graham
has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
The mission
on 16 January 1944 was the airdrome at Ossopo, Italy. There were no photographs
over the primary target, but harbor installations and the town area were well
covered by bomb bursts. Nine (9) of our planes took part and their load of
12-500 lbs. demolition bombs each were dropped over the area. None of the crew
members were injured nor were any of our aircraft damaged.
On the
mission flown 18 January 1944 our Squadron was represented by eleven (11)
planes. The target was the marshalling yards at Pisa, Italy. Twenty-two and
one-half (22½) tons of bombs were hit directly on the target. One plane
jettisoned his bomb load of 10-500 lb. demolition bombs twenty (20) miles north
of Brindisi and another jettisoned their entire bomb load in the Adriatic Sea.
None of our aircraft were damaged nor were any of our crew injured on this
mission.
The
marshalling yards at Arezze, Italy was the target for the mission flown on 22
January 1944. A very heavy concentration of hits on the target was claimed by
observers. Workshops, train sheds, And warehouses were hit. A number of hits in
the town area were seen. Twelve (12) of our planes were on the mission carrying
a total bomb load of thirty (30) tons of demolition bombs; twenty-seven and on
half (27½) of which were dropped on the target and the remainder brought back,
2nd Lt., Gordon J. Salingers's plane was reported missing, but has
been located at Reggio, Italy. Other than Lt. Salinger's accident none of our
aircraft were damaged nor were any of the crew members injured.
Ten (10)
planes from our Squadron were represented in the mission flown January 24,
1944. The target was the Sofia/Vrazhdebra Airdrome; however, the secondary
target, the marshalling yards at Skolpje, Yugoslavia was bombed. It was hit
well in the town area, railroad yards and the airdrome. The total tonnage of
five hundred (500) lb. demolition bombs was thirty (30) tons. Of this amount
six (6) tons were brought back, six (6) tons were jettisoned in the Adriatic
Sea and fifteen (15) tons were dropped on the target. While on this mission 2nd
Lt. Leslie J. Paul pulled out of the formation before arriving at the target.
One of his gunners, Sgt. Corbett E. Robertson, was hit by a 20 m.m. shell. He
landed at Nice, Italy in order to get first aid for Sgt. Roberson who died a
few hours later. In the plane piloted by 2nd Lt Wade H. Williford
one crew member suffered injuries when he was hit by a piece of a 20 m.m. that
went in the side of the ship. He was S/Sgt William E. Larcy who was hit in the
left leg muscle. The plane was also damaged with holes on the side. The
hydraulic system was knocked out, and the AC power shot out. The plane of 2nd
Lt. Thomas A. Scott was damaged also. The hydraulic system was knocked out, the
bomb-bay doors were shot up, two engines were shot out, and the brakes would
not function. Although the plane was damaged landing, Lt. Scott received many
compliments on the fine way in which he brought the ship in.
Nine (9) of
our planes participated in the mission flown 27 January 1944. The total tonnage
of bombs carried was twenty-seven (27) tons. Twenty-four (24) tons were dropped
on the target, installations at Istres Le Tube Airdrome, France. The remaining
bombs being unaccounted for because the aircraft is missing. The plane piloted
by 2nd Lt. Frederick H. Wandell was hit by flak over the target and
exploded. Six parachutes were seen to open from the plane near the coast line
just south of the target. No word has been received from any of the crew as
yet.
The target
for the mission on 30 January 1944 was aircraft and dispersal areas at Udine,
Italy. Eight (8) planes flew on this mission. Three of our aircraft received
minor flak holes. Sgt. Alvah W. Snitehurst was the only crew member injured. He
received wounds in the leg and hand from 20 m.m. cannon. The total of bombs
dropped was eight and one half (8 1/2) tons of fragmentation bombs. One plane
returned with its entire bomb load.
The
Squadron flew its 18th mission 31 January 1944. The target was the
airdrome at Aviano, Italy. The results of the bombing could be classified as
good. Seven (7) of our planes participated carrying a total bomb load of
twenty-one (21) tons all of which were dropped on the target. There were no
injuries to any of the crew members. However, our aircraft did receive a few
minor flak holes. Two of our planes were scheduled for the mission but returned
early bringing back their bombs.
With the
ending of January the Squadron had completed eighteen (18) missions. The men
were all working together and the results from the bombings had definitely
improved. So with the beginning of February it could be honestly said that the
Squadron was a well organized one, determined to do their very best and to
cooperate to the utmost.
h.
The Squadron Commanding Officer, Captain Howard A. Davis, participate in eleven
(11) missions during this month four of which were classed as important
missions. These were as follows: The raid on Mostar, Yugoslavia, 14 January
1944; the mission flown to Ossopo, Italy, 16 January 1944; the mission flown to
Istres Le Tube, France, 27 January 1944; and, the raid on the airdrome at
Aviano, Italy, 31 January 1944.
i.
Losses in action.
(1)
On the mission flown 24 January 1944 to bomb the Sofia/Vrazhdebra Airdrome in
Bulgaria the following named enlisted man was fatally wounded by enemy
aircraft. The pilot of the plane dropped out of the formation and landed at
Nice, Italy in order to secure first aid for the injured man. However, he died
a few hours later.
S/Sgt
Corbett E. Roberson 18184782
(2)
On the mission to bomb the airdrome at Istres Le Tube, France, 27 January 1944,
the ship piloted by 2nd Lt. Frederick H. Wandell was hit by flak and
exploded over the target. Six (6) parachutes were seen to open from the plane
near the coast line just south of the target. Members of the crew were:
2nd
Lt. Frederick H. Wandell 0-681486
2nd
Lt. Tilmen A. Morken 0-689331
2nd
Lt. Edward H. Lovvorn 0-690460
2nd
Lt. William C. Goldberg 0-747661
S/Sgt
John R. Demyan 3254988
S/Sgt
Kenneth E. Ziehlke 16144881
S/Sgt
Henry B. Price 38387453
Sgt
John J. Palmich 12154102
Sgt
Albert H. Brose 14078451
Sgt
Robert L. Snyder 33496094
j.
Following are the name of the members of the 721st Bombardment
Squadron (H) who have distinguished themselves and the engagement for which
they received their reward.
Purple
Heart
1st Lt. Jack W. Graham 0-799916 For
injuries received while on the raid on Mostar,
Yugoslavia, 14 January 1944.
Sgt. William N. Flanagan 11032200 For injuries received while on
the raid on Mostar,
Yugoslavia, 14 January 1944.
Sgt. John V. Goldthwaite 11085588 For injuries received while on
the raid on Mostar,
Yugoslavia, 14 January 1944.
Sgt. Alvah W. Snitehurst 34406563 For injuries received while on
the raid on Aviano,
Italy, 31 January 1944.
Distinguished
Flying Cross
1st Lt. Jack W. Graham 0-799916 For
his aggressive undertaking and initiative under
difficult, perilous conditions while on the mission
to Mostar, Yugoslavia, 14 January 1944.
(3)
During this month four combat crew members have received credit for destroying
enemy aircraft. They are as follows:
S/Sgt David L. Almada 1902972 ME 109 Mission:
Sofia, A/D Yugoslavia, 24 January 1944.
S/Sgt Joseph R. Bury 12185278 ME 109 Mission:
Sofa, A/D Yugoslavia, 24 January 1944.
S/Sgt Armond (NMI) Miller 12190952 ME 109 Mission:
Aviano, A/D Italy, 31 January 1944.
Sgt Harold E. Askins 35567639 ME 109 Mission:
Aviano, A/D Italy, 31 January 1944.
(2)
The war diary of this unit for the period 3 January 1944 to 31 January 1944 was
submitted at an earlier date.
For
the Commanding Officer:
Robert
S. Ogozalek
2nd
Lt., Air Corps,
Squadron
Historian
3 January 1944
The ground echelon of the 721st bomb squadron, consisting of 7 officers and 188 enlisted men, arrived at Manduria, Italy at 0800 where they joined the flying echelon of 74 officers and 124 enlisted men. The weather was very cold and the ground very muddy and wet from recent heavy rains, which made everyone wonder where the term "Sunny Italy" originated.
Instead of warm bunks and barracks waiting for them, they had to pitch pup tents on the drier spots of ground and the wet ground replaced cots for resting purposes.
4 January 1944
After the first night, the men agreed that the tents were much warmer then the windowless buildings that they stayed in for three days in Bagnoli, Italy. They also agreed that the ground was more comfortable to sleep on then the marble floors at Bagnoli. The cooks "turned out" hot meals which were welcomed after eating cold "c" and "k" rations. Much to everyone’s disappointment, no hot shower could be found, but were encouraged upon finding that they could be had at the quartermaster in Manduria. Everyone was certainly cheered to learn that the quartermaster in Manduria, did laundry free of charge and gave two-day service.
All of the sections began operations. Intelligence and photography became combined with the group S-2 and photography respectively. The other sections established themselves in tents. The medical section had to use the facilities of the 331st medical station until their tent could be erected and until their supplies arrived. Everyone was busily engaged in a search for lumber, nails, and everything else with which they could build chairs, tables, etc.
1st Lt. Joseph king, of the communications section, was confined to the hospital on this date.
5 January 1944
The men were all beginning to feel acquainted with their new location and were now able to find their way around. The first PX was opened today. This was a long line to be sweated out, but almost everyone joined in the long procession to get the rationed supplies that were available, which included 6 packs of cigarettes, 1 pack of gum, 1 bar of candy, and a number of other items.
Later in the afternoon, Captain Davis called a meeting of the squadron and told them of the conditions with which they could expect to meet, that the squadron had worked together as a well-organized unit at Alamogordo, and that he hoped that it would continue to do so, including the continuance of military courtesy between all men and officers. We were warned of the high rate of Veneral Disease present in this country and were told of the 8 o’clock curfew in the nearby towns of Manduria and Oria.
6 January 1944
Laundry was turned in on the morning of this day, which was a welcome service to the whole squadron for it had been more then a month since that service had been available. Dry cleaning was arranged, with service three times weekly.
7 January 1944
Preparations for the first mission were begun. The preparation for the briefing and the preparation of the planes for the mission was begun. Everyone was enthused over the fact.
8 January 1944
The briefing of the first mission was held early today. The Mostar airdrome in Yugoslavia was to be the target of the first mission, to be carried out by the 721st bomb squadron and the 723rd bomb squadron. The 721st squadron was represented by eight planes flown by: Colonel Mills, Captain Davis, Lt. Clark, Lt. T.A. Scott, Lt. Graham, Lt. Wolcott, Lt. Cannon, and Lt. Helmberger. Lt. Anderson was scheduled to fly but did not join the formation because of difficuLty with the left landing gear sticking. A total of 24 tons of bombs were carried by the 721st bomb squadron and dropped from an aLtitude of 19,000 to 19,500 feet. The target was not sighted in time to get a good bombing run on it, and all bombs fell to the right of the target.
No enemy aircraft were encountered on this mission, but flak was encountered over the airdrome, accurate and of moderate intensity. All aircraft returned with light damage by flak, but no crew members were injured. Lt. Helmberger’s ship received a hole through the nose turret; Capt Davis’s ship had two small flak holes elevator; Lt. T.A. Scott’s ship was hit by flak in the left wing flap; Capt. Colley’s ship had flak holes in the wing and the tail; and Lt. Wolcott’s ship received one piece of shrapnel through the nose turret, which hit Lt. Leebody on the side of the face, though it caused no injury because of his oxygen mask. He is now saving this piece of shrapnel as a souvenir. This mission was escorted by p-38 fighters from the 82nd fighter group.
9 January 1944
Life for the squadron was beginning to settle down to a daily routine. Some of the more ambitious men of the squadron who had a little more free time, started building stone huts. The 721st bomb squadron did not participate in the mission on this date, but proceeded in readying it’s plane for the missions that were to follow.
10 January 1944
Only one plane of the 721st bomb squadron took part in the third mission on 10 January 1944. This plane was flown by Colonel Mills. Lt. Wade H. Williford started on this mission but was forced to turn back 10 miles west of the field after the takeoff because of an object hitting the windshield in the pilot’s compartment causing it to break.
The target for this mission was the marshalling yards at Skopolje, Yugoslavia. This was a group mission and was escorted by p-38’s from the 82nd fighter group. Colonel Mills’ plane dropped three tons of destruction, but the hits were not satisfactory as they hit south of the central siding in the marshalling yard.
Heavy flak, of slight intensity and accuracy to aLtitude, was encountered over Durrago, Albania on route in and route out, but no flak was encountered over the target. No enemy aircraft were encountered on this mission and all aircraft and personnel returned safely.
11 January 1944
No operational activity on this date. Weather was cool.
12 January 1944
No operational activity on this date. Weather was cool.
13 January 1944
Another group mission was flown on this date, and the 721st bomb squadron was represented by 10 aircraft. The target for this mission was the airdrome at Perugia, Italy. The aircraft on this mission were flown by: Colonel Mills, Capt. Davis, Capt. Colley, Lt. Waste, Lt. Wandell, Lt. Scott, Lt. Williford, Lt. Hartman, Lt. T.A. Scott, and Lt. Paul. These planes carried a total of 25 tons of demolition bombs. Visibility over the target was very poor due to haze and clouds, and all bombs were jettisoned in the Adriatic sea. The group was escorted by p-38’s from the 82nd fighter group.
Heavy type flak was encountered over Assissi, Foligno, and Val-Fabbrica, which was accurate, but of moderate intensity. The first of enemy fighters were encountered on this mission and were me-109’s. They followed Lt. Williford’s plane at 2,000 yards, but did not attack. Lt. Haggerton was an early return, but had to land at a nearby field because of an obstruction on the runway. He returned to this base later in the afternoon after the obstruction was removed. Minor damage was suffered by one of our aircraft by the enemy fighters, flown by Lt. Paul. The damage to his plane was the windshield, cowling on no. 3 engine, and the loop antennae. All planes returned safely from this mission.
Lt. M.W. Emch received cuts on the face and f/o P.J. McGinnity received cuts on the fingers and face. These were the only crew injuries, and were the first eligables for the purple heart awards of this squadron.
14 January 1944
squadron activities were more or less confined to the preparation and execution of the daily missions. There had more no more rain, and the grounds and landing strip had become dryer and harder which had caused the necessity of scraping and packing the landing strip at night to keep it in condition to be operational for the planes.
another mission took off on the morning of this date and the 721st bomb squadron was represented by 13 planes flown by; Capt. Davis, Lt. Clarke, Lt. Wolcott, Lt. Haggerton, Lt. Wandell, Lt. Hervey. Lt. Waste, Lt. Reno, Lt. T.a. scott, Lt. Salinger, Lt. Hartman, Lt. Helmberger, and Lt. Graham. This was another group mission and the target was the town of mostar, yugoslavia, used as a headquarters by the germans.
this squadron carried a bomb load of 33 tons. The town of mostar was well covered by direct hits. Flak was encountered and seven of our aircraft were damaged, including two tail turrets. The 82nd fighter group furnished the escort of p-38’s. The fw-190’s were encountered, and a dogfight between a p-38 and an fw-190 was witnessed by the crew on the plane flown by Capt. Davis.
plane #227, flown b Lt. Graham, developed mechanical difficuLties and received a direct hit by flak over the target. While over the target, the no. 2 propeller govenor ran off and the propeller could not be feathered, and continued to windmill, causing severe vibration of the plane. The number 3 engine then received a direct hit by flak, caught fire, and it’s propeller could not be feathered. The number 4 supercharger caught fire, but despite the desperate condition of the plane, Lt. Graham chose to try to reach friendly territory rather than make his crew subject to Capture by the enemy.
in the face of constant loss of aLtitude and extreme mechanical difficuLties over the adriatic sea, Lt. Graham gave the members of the crew the option of bailing out over the water or remaining with the plane. It was known that should the plane reach italy, that it would not have enough aLtitude to permit escape by parachute. The crew chose to remain with the plane and did so. With the plane dangerously low, and only a few minutes of flight remaining, with only one engine functioning, Lt. Graham quickly chose the best possible place in the rugged terrain for landing. With extraordinary skill, he crash-landed the plane which resuLted in only minor injuries to the members of the crew. In this landing, Lt. Graham suffered a lacerated scalp and a broken left arm. All members of the crew suffered shock and bruises.
Lt. Graham and Lt. FeLtenstein were trapped in the cockpit for two hours after the landing. Even though he was injured and while trapped in the plane, Lt. Graham directed the crew in the extinguishing of a fire in one of the engines, which threatened total envelopment of the plane and which endangered the lives of himself and Lt. FeLtenstein. This was a fine example of courage and good flying. All members of the crew are to received awards later, and Lt. Graham has been recommened for the distinguished flying cross.
sgt. Flanagan and sgt. Goldthwaite received purple heart awards on this date. Sgt. Flanagan received minor leg wounds and sgt. Goldthwaite received minor hand wounds.
15 January 1944
on this date, another group mission was carried out and the 721st bomb squadron contributed 9 planes to this mission flown by: col. Mills, Lt. Williford, Lt. Harvey, Lt. Helmberger, Lt. Clarke, Lt. Salinger, Lt. T.a. scott, Lt. Hartman and Lt. Cannon.
the planes of this squadron carried a total of 27 tons of bombs. The target for this mission was the marshalling yards at prato, italy, but it was never located and all bombs were jettisoned in the adriatic sea. This mission was escorted by p-38’s of the 82nd fighter group. No flak was encountered or enemy fighters and all planes and crews returned uninjured. No early returns weree reported on this mission.
Lt. Anderson was admitted to the hospital on this date.
16 January 1944
The 721st bomb squadron again took part in a group mission over the enemy territory on this day, being represented with nine planes, which were flown by: Capt. Snaith, Capt. Davis, Lt. Wandell, Lt. Hartman, Lt. Waste, Lt. Reno, Lt. T.a. scott, Lt. Helmberger, and Lt. L.b. scott. The target for the day as the airdrome at ossoppo, italy. None of our planes bombed the airdrome, but bombed the aLternate target, which was zara, yugoslavia, with excellent resuLts. Direct hits were scored on harbor installations, one ship and one bridge. 27 tons of bombs were dropped by this squadron on the aLternate target.
light flak as encountered, moderate to slight in intensity. The group was attacked by 35-40 fw-190’s, but none of our aircraft were damaged by flak or enemy aircraft, nor were any crew members injured. There was no fighter escort on this mission. Everyone was in fine spirits when the landed as this mission as a real success and there plenty of photographs as proof of this precision bombing.
Lt. Bowman, head of the s-2 section, received his appointment to Captain as of 25 november 1943.
17 January 1944
on this date, the marshalling yards at arezzo, italy were the target and the planes started on this mission at about 0930. Capt. Davis, Lt. Clarke, Lt. Haggerton, Lt. Hartman, Lt. L.b. scott and Lt. Wolcott were all early returns. They carried 15 tons of bombs and all were jettisoned in the adriatic sea. Lt. Williford, Lt. Cannon and Capt. Colley completed the mission, carrying 7 ½ tons of bombs. The target was never sighted and they dropped their bombs in the adriatic sea, also. There was no fighter escort, no flak was encountered, and no encounters with enemy aircraft. The group was not given credit for this mission.
18 January 1944
the warbirds of the 721st squadron again spread their wings and took part in the group mission in the morning on this date. The target for today was the marshalling yards at pisa, italy. The planes that completed the mission on this date were flown by: Capt. Davis, Lt. Reno, Lt. Williford, Lt. L.b. scott, Lt. Waste, Capt. Colley, Lt. Wandell, Lt. Salinger, and Lt. Wolcott. Lt. Cannon and Lt. Clarke were "early returns" due to mechanical failures. Both planes jettisoned a total of 3 tons of bombs in the adriatic sea. The nose wheel jammed on the take-off on Lt. Clarke’s ship. The wheel was not straight and would not retract. They repaired it while in flight so that it would be safe to land on it.
planes from our squadron dropped a total of 22.5 tons of bombs on the target with excellent resuLts. Direct hits on the target were scored by all aircraft. The group was escorted by p-38’s from the 82nd fighter group. Some flak was encountered near the formation, but no enemy aircraft were encountered. None of the aircraft were damaged and all planes and crews returned to the base safely.
19 January 1944
on this date, 8 men were put on m.p. duty on detached service, to be on duty in the surrounding area.
on this date, our squadron was represented with 11 planes on the tenth mission of this group. The planes were flown by: Lt. Helmberger, Lt. Haggerton, maj. Snaith, Lt. Clarke, Capt. Colley, Lt. Wandell, Lt. Gallagher, Lt. T.a. scott, Lt. Walcott, and Lt. L.b. scott. This mission left early in the morning, and the primary target was the airdrome at perugia, italy. The 449th group, who was leading the group on this date, apparently did not turn inland on course and threw the 450th group off course. The 450th group bombed the aLternate target at iesi, italy which was also an airdrome.
flak was seen coming from the airdrome at iesi, italy. It was of heavy type, moderate, and inaccurate. The 82nd fighter group furnished the p-38 escort on this mission, and there were no encounters with enemy aircraft. This squadron dropped a total of 27.5 tons of demolition bombs and all hit target except for 7.5 tons of bombs. All planes and crews returned safely without injury.
20 January 1944
the 11th mission of the group was carried out on this date, and the target for this mission was the airdrome at guidonia, italy. The planes of the 721st squadron were flown by: colonel mills, Captain davis, Lt. Williford, Lt. Waste, Lt. L.b. scott, Lt. T.a. scott, Lt. Haggerton, Lt. Harvey, Lt. Wolcott, and Lt. Reno. This squadron dropped 12 tons of fragmentation bombs on the target. The target was difficuLt to find as it was covered with snow, but hits were scored on runways and dispersal areas. Flak was encountered over the target area, and was a heavier type than encountered heretofore, probably being 105m.m.
the p-38’s of the 82nd fighter group again escorted this group on this raid. There were no encounters with enemy aircraft on this mission. All planes returned to the base. Lt. Scott’s plane had a few flak holes in it. Lt. Waste’s ship had a small flak hole in the tail turret. Colonel mills’ ship had flak holes in the wings and a gas line. Lt. Harvey’s and Lt. Reno’s ships had minor flak holes. Lt. Haggerton’s ship had flak holes in the fuselage, wings, tail, and ball turrets, bomb bays and the #3 engine.
this was the squadron’s first pay day overseas and all were paid for the month of december, 1943.
21 January 1944
the planes of the 721st squadron again spread their wings to take part in the 12th group mission to this date. The target was the marshalling yards at prato, italy. The planes from the squadron were flown by: Capt. Davis, Lt. Paul, Lt. Cantrell, Lt. Haggerton, Lt. Harvey, Lt. Wandell, Lt. Cannon, Lt. Reno, Lt. Helmberger, Lt. T.a. scott, and Lt. Gallagher. Lt. Salinger was an early return, being forced to return because of a defective fuel pump. 12 ½ tons of bombs were dropped in the target area by this squadron, but resuLts could not be observed due to an overcast. 2 ½ tons were jettisoned in the sea, and 12 ½ tons were returned to the base.
the 82nd fighter group furnished the p-38’s as the escort on this mission. No flak or enemy fighters were observed on this mission. All aircraft and personnel returned to the base safely.
22 January 1944
on this day, the 721st squadron participated in the 13th mission of this group. The target for the day was the marshalling yard at arezzo, italy. The planes were flown by: Lt. Salinger, Lt. L.b. scott, Capt. Colley, col. Mills, Lt. Wandell, Lt. Cannon, Lt. Paul, Lt. Haggerton, Lt. Helmberger, Lt. Reno, and Lt. Walcott. Lt. Clarke started on this mission, but became ill and was forced to return. He brought 2 ½ tons of bombs back to the base. 27 ½ tons of demolition bombs were dropped on the target. A heavy concentration of hits were claimed on the target, but observation was limited because of clouds.
Lt. Salinger’s plane was reported missing, but has been located at reggio, italy. All other planes returned safely and undamaged. The group did not have a fighter escort on this mission. This mission was in support of ground forces who were establishing a beachhead at anzio, italy.
heavy flak, slight, and inaccurate, were encountered over the target. Pictures taken on this mission developed well, but resuLts of bombing were partly obscured by clouds.
23 January 1944
this squadron participated on the 14th mission of the group on this date. The primary target was two landing strips 10 miles east of rome and the secondary target was the airdrome at rieti, italy. The primary target was completely overcast, so the secondary target was bombed. The planes were flown by: maj. Gideon, Capt. Davis, Lt. Williford, Lt. Gallagher, Lt. Hartman, Lt. Reno, Lt. T.a. scott, Lt. Wolcott, Lt. Waste, and Lt. Helmberger. Lt. Paul was and early return and brought his bombs back to the base. Lt. Gallagher’s ship had electrical failure in the bombing mechanism, and bombs fell just past the target. This squadron dropped 30 tons of demolition bombs on the target.
there was no fighter escort on this mission and no encounters with enemy aircraft. Heavy flak was encountered, moderate and inaccurate. Capt. Davis’ ship had two flak holes in the #4 engine. Lt. Wolcott’s ship had flak holes in bombay and cowling. All other aircraft returned undamaged.
24 January 1944
early on the morning of this date, another group mission took off and the 721st squadron was again represented. The planes on this mission were flown by: Lt. Helmberger, maj. Snaith, Lt. Harvey, Lt. Paul, Lt. Williford, Lt. L.b. scott, and Lt. Haggerton. They dropped a total of 21 tons of bombs (demolition). This was the group’s 15th mission. Capt. Davis and Lt. T.a. scott were early returns. Capt. Davis brought his 3 tons of bombs back to the base and Lt. Scott dropped his in the adriatic. The primary target for this mission was the sofia-vrazhdebra airdrome, bulgaria. The primary target was covered by clouds, so the group went on to the secondary target, the marshalling yards at skolpje, yugoslavia and bombed there. The target was well-covered by hits which included the town area, m/y, and the a/d.
the group’s fighter escort was p-38’s of from the 82nd fighter group. Heavy flak, moderate, and accurate was encountered. Me-109’s were encountered and attacked by them. Sgt. David l. Almada, on Lt. Haggerton’s crew, claimed one me-109 shot down in flames. Lt. Scott’s plane received a 20 m.m. shell in the bombay, knocking out the hydraulic system. He also had two engines shot out, and had to feather one of them.
since the hydraulic system was shot out, the plane had no brakes. He pulled out of the formation and headed back to the base. The engineer and bombardier, a the risk of their lives, raised the bombay doors manually for the landing. All of the crew went in the tail of the ship for landing in order to make the tail drag to stop the plane after landing. This was a very good landing considering the condition that the plane was in.
Lt. Williford came in with his hydraulic system shot out, radio shot out, and one injured gunner, s/sgt. Larecy, who was hit in the leg by a fragment of a 20 m.m. shell. Lt. Williford "buzzed" the control tower upon arrival for landing instructions since he could not communicate by radio. His bomb bay doors were hanging, also, but despite all of this, he also made a successful landing.
Lt. Paul pulled out of the formation before arriving at the target. One of his gunners, sgt. Roberson, was hit by a 20 m.m shell. He landed at nice so as to get first-aid quickly for sgt. Roberson.
sgt. Roberson was given two blood transfusions but died soon after the transfusions. He was awarded the purple heart post – humously. This was the first death in our squadron from combat operations.
as for the life in the squadron, it was running along in the same routine except for numerous dynamite blasts that made everyone run for sheLter from the flying rocks and also made it necessary to make patches in a few tents. This blasting was necessary to make the latrines.
25 January 1944
there was no mission on this date and eveyrone was busily enguaged in repairing the planes and preparing for future missions.
26 January 1944
life continued the same in the squadron on this date. There was no mission on this date, also. First out-ddor movie held on side of hangar for the entire group.
27 January 1944
another group mission took off on the morning of this date and the target for this mission was the istres/le tube airdrome in france. The planes of this squadron were flown by: major gideon, Lt. Wandell, Lt. T.a. scott, Lt. Hartman, Lt. Cannon, and Lt. Waste. This was the 16th group mission.
this squadron dropped 18 tons of bombs on the target and all bombs landed squarely on the target – the hangars, administration buildings and barracks. A grop of p-47 fighters went ahead of the bombers to strafe and interceptors before they could leave the ground. The bombers were escorted by p-38’s from the 82nd fighter group. The group later received a commendation from general twining forf the success of this mission.
heavy flak, intense and accurate was encountered over the target. Lt. Wandells plane was hit by flak over the target and exploded. Six parachutes were seen to open from the plane near the coast line just south of the target. This was the first plane of this squadron to go down over enemy territory. All other planes returned safely. The bombardiers glass on major gideons plane was cracked and Lt. Waste’s plane received a few small holes from flak. This wsa the only damage to our aircraft. No enemy planes were encountered.
28 January 1944
another group mission took off on the morning of this date – the 17th mission. The target for today ws the marshalling yards at ferrara, italy. The planes on this mission were flown by: Lt. Harvey, Lt. Reno, Lt. Helmberger, maj. Snaith, Capt. Colley, Lt. Haggerton, and Lt. T.a. scott. This squadron dropped a total of 20.5 tons of bombs on the target. The rack on maj. Snaith’s ship mal-functioned and he was forced to bring 3 bombs back. Not all bombs hit in the marshalling yards, as some hit in the town area.
there was no fighter escort on this mission. All planes and personnel returned safely from this mission. There were no encounters with enemy aircraft and there were no planes damaged.
life in the squadron went on in the usual manner with everyone enjoying the warmer days and the improved chow.
29 January 1944
the 18th group mission took off on the morning of this date. The planes of the 721st bomb squadron were flown by: Capt. Colley, Capt. Davis, Lt. L.b. scott, Lt. T.a. scott, Lt. Williford, Lt. Cannon, Lt. Paul, and Lt. Hartman. The target for this mission was the marshalling yards at siena, italy, and this squadron dropped 24 tons of demolition bombs. The bombs were dropped in the target area on e.t.a through a solid undercast. ResuLts could not be ascertained because of the clouds.
there was no fighter escort on this mission. No flak or enemy aircraft were encountered and all crews and planes returned without injury.
30 January 1944
on the morning of this date, the 19th group mission took off loaded with fragmentation bombs for the udine airdrome, italy, which was the target. The planes of this squadron were flown by: Lt. Wolcott, Lt. Helmberger, Lt. Reno, Lt. Waste, Lt. Gallagher, Lt. Haggerton, Lt. T.a. scott, and Lt. Clarke. This squadron dropped 18.4 tons of bombs on the target. Hit were observed on adminisration building, barracks, hangars, and runways.
the fighter escort was p-38’s from the 82nd fighter group. Flak was encountered over the target – heavy, accurate, and of moderate inensity. Between 10-15 enemy aircraft consisting of me-109’s, fw-190’s and Italyan aircraft were encountered and were attacked by them just after the formation had rallied after passing over the target. All planes returned safely, but sgt. Snitehurst received leg and hand injuries from a 20 m.m. shell in Lt. Helmberger’s ship. This plane had approximately 10 20 m.m holes in it upon landing.
the life in the squadron continued very much the same, but there was a marked increase in attendance at the church service on the morning of this date.
31 January 1944
the 721st again put a number of planes in the air on the morning of this date in the 20th group mission. The planes were flown by: Capt. Davis, Lt. Cannon, Lt. Haggerton, Lt. L.b. scott, Lt. Reno, Lt. Hervey, and Lt. Hartman. They dropped a total of 21 tons of bombs on the target. Lt clarke was an early return and brought his bombs back to the base. The target was the aviano airdrome, italy. Bomb photos showed that the area was well-covered with hits on the administration building, north hangar, and the southwest part of the landing ground.
some flak was encountered – heavy, medium to intense, and accurate. All aircraft returned safely but with minor flak holes. There was no fighter escort on this mission. Five to six enemy fighters made four attacks on the group formation. Sgt. Harold askins, of Lt. Hartman’s crew; sgt. Charles t. Wernett, of Lt. Hervey’s crew; and sgt. Miller of Lt. Reno’s crew, all claimed one fighter to have been downed by each.
the outstanding squadron activity of the day was the movement to the theatre in oria, where joe e. Brown, the screen and stage comedian, made a personal appearance.
Robert S. Ogozalek
2nd Lt., Air corps
Squadron historian
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