You can Search the 450th Website from here Enter Your Search Criteria and click on the Magnifying Glass


Home Page «
Contact Us «
Terms of Use «


Current Newsletter «
Film & Books «
Reunion Pictures «
Site Updates «


Main Roster «
POW's «
Escape Statements «
Cemetery Listings «
Orders «
TAPS «


450th History «
Missions Flown «
S2 Reports «
Pilot-Bombardier Reports «
Operational Analysis «
Navigator Logs «
Aircraft Pictures «
Accident Reports «
M.A.C. Reports «
Crew Pictures «
Ground Personnel «
Veteran's Biographies «
Unidentified Personnel «
Veteran's Stories «
Target Pictures «
Maps «
Miscellaneous Pictures «
Newspaper Articles «
47th Wing Documents «
331st Air Service «
1st C.C.U. «


Current Guest Book «
Archived Guest Book «


Search Page «
Links Page «

 


HISTORICAL RECORD - February 1944




HEADQUARTERS 722 BOMB SQ (H)

450 BOMB GP (H)

U. S. ARMY APO 520

 

March 10, 1944

 

SUBJECT: Historical Records.

 

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

 

            1. Unit history of the 722nd Bomb Squadron (H) for the period 1 February 1944 to 1 March 1944

                        a. The present designation of the unit is 722nd Bomb Squadron (H), 450th Bomb Group (H).

 

                        b. Changes in organization.

 

                                    (1) None.

                                    (2) None.

                                    (3) None.

                                    (4) None.

 

                        c. Strength, Commissioned and Enlisted.

                                    (1) Month of February

                                                (a) At beginning – 475

                                                (b) Net Increase -   -

                                                (c) Net decrease -   35

                                                (d) At end      -        443

 

                        d. Station – A/B Manduria, Italy

 

                        e. Movements – None

 

                        f. Campaigns – None

 

                        g. Operations

                                    (1) Number of Missions – 10; Sorties – 118

                                    (2) Principally attacks on M/Y and A/D in Northern Italy, target at Anzio Beachhead, and fighter production targets in Southern German.        

                                    (3) & (4) The "Big Three" in missions for the month of February were carried out on the latter part of February. On the 25 February 1944, we were part of a Wing formation of five (5) heavy bombardment groups. The target for the day was the Prufening Messerschmitt Aircraft Assembly Plant at Regensburg, Germany. This was a target of high priority and of prime importance. Its destruction mollified a large percentage of enemy single engine fighter production. By reconnaissance photographs it was proved that the target was completely destroyed. Two of our crews were missing, Lt Gillespie's crew and Lt Retzlaff. The only report that the returning aircraft could give concerning these planes was that they fell out of the formation. The numerous fighters and flak installations were keeping them to busy. On 23 February 1944, the target was the important Aero Engine Works at Steyr, Austria. Approximately fifty (50) fighters attacked the formation between the IP and the target and our Squadron came through it all without a loss. The target was hit but the results were not considered too successful. On 22 February 1944, the target was the Obertraubling Aircraft Factory, Regensburg, Germany. In spite of fighter interception and hindrance of cloud cover the group placed fairly good hits on the target. F/O Vanderkamp's crew were missing in action from this mission.

 

                        h. On 22 February, Major Orris, Commanding Officer of the Squadron was leader of the Second Attack Unit of the Group, the target was the Obertraubling Aircraft Factory, Regensburg, Germany. In spite of fighter interception and hindrance of cloud cover his unit placed fairly good hits on the target.

 

                        i. Losses in Action – Officers and Men.

                                    22 February 1944 Mission: Regensburg, Germany.

                                    Missing in Action:

 

                        F/O Vanderkamp, Walter P.                    S/Sgt Berardi, Vito A

                        2nd Lt Kraus, Philip                                      S/Sgt Wood, Adam E

                        2nd Lt Coyle, Charles                                   S/Sgt Springer, Louis D

                        2nd Lt Prohm, William J III                             S/Sgt Shatzer, George

                        S/Sgt Musich, August L                                 S/Sgt Drury, Paul R.

 

                                    25 February 1944  Mission  Regensburg, Germany

                                    Missing in Action:

 

                        2nd Lt Gillespie, Bernard J                               T/Sgt Martin, David J Jr

                        F/O Rzatkowski, Francis S                               Sgt Klinshaw, Benedict L

                        2nd Lt Retzlaff, Willie R                                   S/Sgt Champagne, Alcide J

                        2nd Lt Parrish, William A                                S/Sgt Brazzle, William

                        2nd Lt Cooke, Harold L                                 S/Sgt Grad, George G

                        2nd Lt Ryezek, John J                                  S/Sgt Vance, Arthur R

                        2nd Lt Nisobinki, Edward J                                S/Sgt Kemp, Fred B

                        2nd Lt McClure J C                                       S/Sgt Booth, William J

                        S/Sgt McClallan, Lucius W                                Sgt Flora, Raymond W

                        S/Sgt Wilch, Herbert N                               S/Sgt Greinert, Hugo L

 

                        j. Members who have distinguished themselves.

 

                                    Award of the Purple Heart:

 

                                    Andrew A. Anzo, S/Sgt

                                    Wounds – 14 February 1944, Mission to Verona M/Y

 

                                    Hermann, Edward F S/Sgt

                                    Wounds – 14 February 1944, Mission to Verona M/Y

 

                                    Jack M Perkins, T/Sgt

                                    Wounds – 14 February 1944, Mission to Verona M/Y

 

                                    Walter S Johnson, S/Sgt

                                    Wounds – 29 February 1944, Mission to Steyr, Austria

 

                                    Melvin C Hellen

                                    Wounds – 29 February 1944, Mission to Steyr, Austria

 

                                    Award of Distinguished Flying Cross

 

                                    William Brazzle, S/Sgt

                                    Joseph T Atterberry, S/Sgt

                                    Harold J Saperstein, S/Sgt

                                    Charles R White, S/Sgt

                                    David J Martin, S/Sgt

                                    Woodrow W Tatman, S/Sgt

                                    Anthony J Vola, S/Sgt

                                    Morris Spector, T/Sgt

                                    Lucius W Spector, T/Sgt

                                    Charles P Lehman, 1st Lt

 

                        The above named men were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on the 25 February 1944 on a raid on the Prufening Messerschmitt Aircraft Assembly Plant Regensburg, Germany.

 

            2. Enclosed is the War Diary of this unit for the period 1 February 1944 to 1 March 1944.

 

                                    For the Commanding Officer:

 

                                                                                                            JULES J L HESSEN

                                                                                                            2nd Lt, Air Coprs

                                                                                                            Squadron Historian

 

1 Incl – War Diary



WAR DIARY

722ND Bomb Sq (H)

 

10 March 1944

 

            The first two days of the month of February there was very little activity. The weather was wet and it was hard to believe that we were in "Sunny Italy".

 

            On 3 February, the first operational mission of the month was flown. The planes of our Squadron that participated were flown by Lts Anderson, Caldwell, Nolte, McLaughlin, Ferry, Sharff and Flight Officers Weathermon and Word. Our Squadron Commander, Major Orris led our formation. A total of 27 tons of Demolition bombs were dropped by this Squadron. A solid undercast prevented bombing the primary target and all planes bombed Stimigliano M/Y. No accurate observations as to hits were made and no photos were available. Flak was heavy, of slight intensity and inaccurate. There were no enemy aircraft encountered and the mission was flown without a fighter escort. All planes and crews returned to the base safely.

 

           Due to the wet weather and the consequent unserviceable condition of the runway no missions were flown on the 4, 5, 6 and 7 February. In the afternoon of Sunday 6 February, the Squadron and the remainder of the Group personnel drilled in the rain for 45 minutes. This drilling for Officers and Em was prompted by the apparent lack of military courtesy and customs of the service. It is needless to mention that a decided improvement was forthcoming.

 

            On the 8 February, fragmentation loads, 20 clusters of 6 frags, were carried to an enemy airdrome at Tarquinia, Italy. Undercast skies caused difficulty for observation and bombing.

 

            A stage show was held in Oria for the Group personnel on 9 February, the third stage show since our arrival to this area. It was a show featuring Italian talent. The singing and dancing girls were especially well received.  

 

            A mission was planned to attempt to support the ground troops on the Anzio Beachhead on 10 February. The objective was to destroy enemy supply stores at Valmontone, Italy. Due to a solid undercast bombing was prevented and bombs were returned to the base.

 

            The 11, 12 and 13 February found the weather wet and cold and consequently no missions were run. On the 14 February we returned to Verona M/Y Italy. The planes of our Squadron were flown by Lts Caldwell, Brunner, Sharff, Gillespie, and Anderson and F/O Word. Major Orris, our Squadron Commander, led the formation. Six planes dropped approximately 30 tons of demolition bombs and one plane returned early. All of our aircraft returned safely to the base but a number of men suffered from frostbite. All members suffered from the cold that was recorded as being 60% below zero, fahrenheit. 

 

            The officers were subjected to a very welcome changed on this date. The squadron officers started to mess with the Squadron. They found the food better prepared by the squadron cooks then it had been in the Group Mess.

 

            The weather was again wet and cold on the 15 February and there was no squadron activity. The Target attacked on 16 February was the Marshalling Yards at Pontasieve, Italy. Our planes were flown by Lts Dawkins, Anderson, Nolte, Maddus, McLaughlin, Ferry, King, Stripp, Retzlaff and F/O Weathermon. Our Squadron led the group with Colonel Mills in the lead ship. 120 X 500 GPS were dropped on the target and one plane jettisoned 12 in the sea.

 

            For the 17 February the mission was directed against the Marshalling Yards at Marino, Italy. The bomb load was 12 X 500 General Purpose Bombs. Ten planes dropped bombs on the target area and one plane returned early.

 

            For the 18, 19, 20 and 21 February, the weather continued to be bad with a low overcast and missions were not flown. Classes were held in the S-2 "War Room" on Armament and Ordnance on the 19 February. These classes were for the combat personnel and were conducted by officers of the Fifteenth Air Force. The EAME Theatre ribbons were issued on 20 February to the Squadron personnel. On the 21 February the first group of combat men went to rest camps at the Isle of Capri and San Cesario.

 

            On the 22 February the group made its first raid into Germany. The planes of our Squadron participating were flown by Lts Stripp, Retzlaff, Nolte, Gillespie, Maddus, and Flight Officers Weathermon and Vanderkamp and were led by Major Orris. The target was the Messerschmitt Assembly Plant located at the Airdrome near Regensburg Obertraubling, Germany. This Squadron dropped 21 tons of General Purpose Bombs. Broken undercast made observation difficult but photo reconnaissance showed good coverage on the target. Sgts Melvin Hellem and Walter Johnston were hospitalized due to flak. F/O Vanderkamp's plane was missing in action. This was a very important mission and was also the longest mission the Group had flown. There was no fighter escort on the trip up and enemy fighters were encountered in the target area.

 

            The second in the "Big Three" of February came on 23 February. The target being the Aero Engine Works at Steyr, Austria. The planes of our Squadron were flown by Lts Nolte, Maddux, Caldwell, King, McLaughlin, Sharff, and F/O Word and Weathermon. The eight planes dropped over 90 X 500 GP's on the target. Enemy fighters jumped the formation about 15 minutes after target time, but all of our planes returned safely to the base.

 

            After relaxing on 24 February, the last raid of February was an excellent one. Lt Col Gideon, Deputy Group Commander led the Wing and Group on this mission to Prufening Aircraft Factory at Regensburg, Germany. Col Gideon received the "Silver Star" for his gallantry and leadership in action on this very successful raid.

 

            The planes of our Squadron were flown by Lts Maddux, King, Brusek, Caldwell, Stripp, McLaughlin, Gillespie, Retzlaff and F/O Word. The bomb load was 12 X 500 GP's for this ME 109 Plant. Nine planes of ours were over the target. Lts Gillespie and Retzlaff planes went down over Yugoslavia. More than 40 tons of bombs were dropped on target and observations as well as photographs showed excellent results.

 

            There weren't any missions on 26 and 27 February. The weather was very wet causing the runway to be in an unserviceable condition, On the 27 February we became known as the "white tailed boys" in a German propaganda broadcast. Thus the White Tailed Liberators became our trademark on this date.

 

            On the 28 February a Group formation was held and the entire personnel was assembled for an address by Colonel Johns S. Mills. Col Mills first read some notes of commendation received from General Eakers, Spaatz and Atkins. The Colonel said we would put more white on the tails to make the Hun squeal louder.

 

            The 29 February proved to be nothing but an extra day due to adverse weather.

 

                                                                                                            JULES J L HESSEN

                                                                                                            2nd Lt, Air Corps

                                                                                                            Squadron Historian



 




If any information is being used out of context or if you would like to use some of this information, please contact the Webmaster

Terms of Use and Disclaimer Statement

Copyright © 1999 - 2024, Mark Worthington & the 450th Bomb Group Memorial Association