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Cpl. Alton D. Miller
722nd Squadron
Alton Miller Letters
Alton Miller Letters

Dec. 18-44

Today I made my debute on my first mission.  For this, I drew a hot target, Vienna, Austria.  Naturaly my nerves were pitched to the highest point.  The mission was nothing more than any routine flying until we got to the I.P.  From there on to the target it was a barrage of hell.  Flak burst everywhere.

Just before bombs away we had number 4 engine to conk out on us.  That isn't a very pleasant feeling to lose an engine over the target in enemy territory.  We had our bombs just over the target and circled the city until our formation had gone on to the target and was coming back and away.  Then we moved out through the flak to join the formation.  With only 3 engines we could not keep up with the formation.

Our Pilot, 1st Lt. Pillsbury, for that day, called for fighter escort which didn't find us for about 45 minutes.  It was really swell to see them flying along with us.

We made it back ok with only one flak hole in our plane..

Quite an exciting day in my young life.

Alton Miller Letters
Alton Miller Letters

Dec. 25-44

Target for today – Innsbruck, Austria.

Today, my second mission, my nerves were not pitched to quite the tension of my first.

When we got to the target it was the most peaceful looking place I have ever seen.

Located down in a valley completely blanketed with snow, Innsbruck made me think of a peaceful little village back in the states at Xmas time.  Nice and white, smoke rising from the chimneys a picture of perfect peace.

As we came over the target they began throwing flat at us.

When we left, Innsbruck was a roaring torrent of hell.  Smoke and flames leaping up leaving behind us a battle scarred town.

Why they continue fighting when they know it is hopeless is beyond me.  Maybe someday they will learn.

Number two completed only 33 to go.  Only one Flak hole today. We flew in Bachelor Blitz ship was  441.

Alton Miller Letters
Alton Miller Letters
January 8, 1945

For Today:  Linz, Austria

Today the Fifteenth Air Force put up maximum effort 845 bombers all to the same target.

It was the largest number of planes I have ever seen in the air at one time.

It was a beautiful sight all the vapor trail the planes left.  They were crisscrossed something like a checkerboard.

We had an undercast when we went over the target.  That I was thankful  for.  Their shooting accuracy isn't near as good that way.

We dropped our bombs at 26,000 ft.  The flak was reported heavy, but I say it was very little.

Our bomb baydoors, were frozen and couldn't get them closed on one side.  Foolishly, I made an attempt to close them alone just after we left the target.

My oxygen hose came loose from the oxygen bottle and by the time I noticed it I was so weak I couldn't get it back in the bottle.   I passed out on the closed side of the bomb bay.  Without  a parachute.  The bomb bay doors are supposed to give way from a hundred pound of weight.  With my luck it didn't.

My Pilot and Armor Gunner came to my rescue.  They finally got me survived with a walk around bottle and got me back to the flight deck.  I can give my thanks to Will, Charlie and to God that I am alive and well.

 My leg was frostbitten just above the ankle. 

Another mission completed.  Only 32 more to go.  Our Ship was number 954.



Letters Home to Consta Miller Parton

Information courtesy of Zack Magnusson
 




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