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 - March 1944




HEADQUARTERS 722 BOMB SQ (H)

450 BOMB GP (H)

U. S. ARMY APO 520

 

10 April 1944

 

SUBJECT: Historical Record.

 

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

 

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

 

                        a. The present designation of the unit is the 722nd Bombardment Squadron (H), 450th Bombardment Group (H), 47th Bombardment Wing (H).

 

                        b. Changes in Organization.

 

                                    (1) None.

                                    (2) None.

                                    (3) None.

                                    (4) None.

 

                        c. Strength, Commissioned and Enlisted

                                                                                                Enlisted Men              Officers

 

                        (1) a. At beginning                                        369                             74       

                             b. Net Increase                                           16                                5

                             c. Net Decrease                                          -                                  -

                            d. At End                                                    385                             79

 

                        d. Station, Army Air Base, Manduria, Italy

 

                        e. Movements. None.

                       

                        f. Campaigns. None.

 

                        g. Operations.

 

                                    (1) Number of Missions  9  Sorties  86

 

                                    (2) Principal targets that were located in Austria, Bulgaria, Northern Italy, Southern France with aircraft factories, A/C Bearing Plants, submarine facilities, airdromes and Marshalling Yards as the objectives.

 

                                    (3 & 4) An important mission took place on 19 March 1944. The target was the Steyr Watzergerwerk Ball Bearing Plant, Austria. The formation did not reach Steyr and dropped their bombs on the secondary target, Graz, Austria. The results of the bombing was a good concentration of bombs hits on factory buildings located in the Southwest corner of Graz. There was one large fire started and all of our aircraft returned safely to base. On the 28 March 1944 that portion of the target, Mestre M/Y, assigned to our group was squarely hit with a concentration of bombs across the aiming point. A large fire was visible in the center of the aiming point indicating the destruction of oil and gasoline cars and the entire area was covered with smoke. 

 

            h. Commanding Officer in import operations. None.

 

            i. Losses in Action.

                        Mission, Toulon submarine Pens, France, 11 March 1944

 

                        2nd Lt Frank A Brusek                       S/Sgt Eugene DiGiovanni

                        2nd Lt Wm. R. Wright Jr.                   S/Sgt John A. Blaszczak

                        2nd Lt Strathie, Arthur R                    S/Sgt Roy M. Gaertig

                        2nd Lt Frederick W. Wheary S/Sgt Thomas F. Gamble

                        S/Sgt James M. Reese                    T/Sgt Edward J. Sullivan

 

                        Mission, Rimmini M/Y, Italy, 24 March 1944

 

                        Capt Clay Bullis                                 2nd Lt. Joseph D. Anderson

                        2nd Lt Wm. J. Schmidt                      2nd Lt. Albert W. Cox

                        2nd Lt Joseph F. Tubes                     2nd Lt. John P Dowiak 2d

                        2nd Lt Joseph E. McCahill                2nd Lt. Michael Grofik

                        S/Sgt Milton W. Petry                       T/Sgt William A Bock

                        S/Sgt George H. Ford                      T/Sgt victor Heinselman

                        Sgt Robert T. Greene                       S/Sgt Aubrey A. Clark

                        Sgt Joseph Proscia                          S/Sgt Roy Caudill

                        Sgt Camillio J. Nizzard                     S/Sgt George B. Sanders

                        Sgt John H. Webb                             S/Sgt Carl W. Thomas

 

                        1st Lt. James C. Stripp                      T/Sgt John A Lockwood

                        2nd Lt James M. Ryan                       S/Sgt John J. Visosky

                        2nd Lt Richard F. Kava                     S/Sgt Theodore H. Erickson                       

                        2nd Lt John W. Taylor                        Sgt      Joseph L Lenoir

                        S/Sgt Robert E. Glenn                      S/Sgt Alphonse Dominiski

 

            j. Those who have distinguished themselves. None.

 

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

 

                        For the Commanding Officer:

 

                                                                                                JULES J. L. HESSEN

                                                                                                2nd Lt., Air Corps

                                                                                                Squadron Historian

 

1 Incl – War Diary



722nd War Diary for Month of March 1944

 

1 March 1944

 

            The first day of the month was started off without a mission. The weather was threatening and the runway in bad shape. The Special Service Division has a movie at the Oria Theatre. "Thank Your Lucky Stars" was the title of the picture and everyone thanked theirs for having movies.

 

2 March 1944

 

            The sun was shining was very bright – but no mission. The new Commanding General of the 47th Wing, Brigadier General Atkinson, replacing Brigadier General Ridenour, visited the 450th War Room. The mission for the following day was planned in there.

 

3 March 1944

 

            "The target for today is Viterbo A/D, Italy" said the S-2 briefing officer and the first mission of the month was on its way. On the take-off, Lt. Isbell and entire crew were killed due to a crash. Their ship burst into flame immediately after leaving the ground. As yet the cause of the crash has not been determined.

            The target was not bombed due to a complete undercast and all the bombs were fed to the fish in the Taranto Bay.

            The U.S.O. put on a show in the afternoon and evening at the Oria Theater. The customary wolfish yells, barks and howls were heard when the GI audience saw the woman singer clad in here white evening gown. All had a good time or at least had pleasant dreams.

 

4 March 1944

 

            The mission scheduled for today was Breslau, Germany. The crews were starry eyed when they saw the red string going all the way to Breslau. Colonel Mills led the formation but he entire group returned to the home base just an hour after takeoff.

            In the afternoon formation flying was practiced. Group personnel have the appearance of "old timers" in this overseas game. Some "griping" has been overheard from the officers counsel…it seems as if they were asked to donate another $5.00 for their palatial club.

            A squadron of the 451st Group moved in to the base to operate from here due to the unserviceability of their field.

 

5 March 1944

 

            Today was a day spent in leisure. There wasn't any mission. The weather was wet and warm and the sky completely overcast.

 

6 March 1944

 

            Briefing for the bombing of the Lavariano A/D, Italy, took place with full expectation that it would be called off due to weather conditions. Sure enough a little while after briefing was completed the mission was cancelled.

 

7 March 1944

 

            Todays mission #33 was a failure. The target was the marshalling yard at Certaldo, Italy. The planes were loaded with 10 X 500 G.P. bombs, Capt. Beth, Lts. Brusek, Maddus, Caldwell, Word, McLaughlin, Stripp, Bruner, Sharff were the crews that participated. Most of the bomb hits were observed to have hit outside of the town with a few hitting in the town. The customary smiling faces that is so evident after completion of a mission well done was not present today.

 

8 March 1944

 

            The crews were briefed to bomb the Arezzo M/Y, Italy. The mission was "scratched" soon after due to very adverse weather that put the runway in a unserviceable condition. A full house was present at the movie in Oria to see "Top Man."

 

9 March 1944

 

            The fact that the squadron was settled down already is well evident. The Squadron Mess Hall is nearing completion and the 722nd will be the first Squadron to have completed their mess hall. It was a very cold day today and combined with a steady rain.

 

10 March 1944

 

            Once again the crews were briefed to bomb Toulon, France, but adverse weather conditions caused it to be called off. Major Snaith, The Group Operations Officer, held a lecture on formation flying for the flying officers. A practice mission was flown during e afternoon. There was an excellent turnout for the movie at Oria's Theater. The film was entitled "Is Everybody Happy" with Ted Lewis and his band.

 

11 March 1944

 

            The combat crews were briefed at 0615. This was the 34th Group Mission and the target for today was the submarine repair facilities at Toulon, France. More than 30 tons of demolition bombs were dropped in the area. The results weren't too good. Most of the bombs swept through the town. The Squadron's EM Mess Hall is almost completed and the other squadrons are starting theirs so as not to be too far behind.

 

12 March 1944

 

            No mission today – the "weather man" wasn't in favor. All relaxed and were either to be found at "home" or at work. Church services were held at 1000 for Protestants here at the base and at 1100 in Manduria for Catholics. There was a large crowd at both services.

 

13 March 1944

 

            Another mission was scrubbed; this time before the crews were briefed. We were scheduled to bomb the Gorzia Airdrome in northern Italy. The rainfall has been very consistent and it is absolutely evident that this is the rainy season. The runway at the present time is very muddy. "Presently Lily Mars" was shown today in the theater at Oria.

 

14 March 1944

 

            The target for today was going to be Sofia, Bulgaria. There was no briefing because the mission was called off early this morning. It was raining early this morning, heavy and consistent, helping to make the runway more muddy. Lt. Chronister, the Group Photo Intelligence Officer, reviewed previous missions and priority targets with the officers at a meeting this morning. The Group basketball tam came back from Foggia. On this date they lost out in the finals but played good ball and "should have won". During the afternoon it rained. Everything was quiet due to no mission. Old Sol came out for a few minutes during the afternoon but only for a few minutes. In the evening a training film was shown to all navigators in thwart Room.

 

15 March 1944

 

            Today a standby was observed but no mission was planned. Runway in very poor condition, but it appears to be drying up quite rapidly. The sun was out in full strength this morning but it rained during the afternoon. The movie that was shown today at Oria was "Princess O'Rourke" starring Olivia DeHaviland and Robert Cummings.

 

16 March 1944

 

            Mission scheduled for the Budapest/Tokol Airdrome in Hungary. Before the briefing, however, it was "scratched" due to the very consistent rains. Colonel Mills, the Group Commanding Officer, gave a lecture to the pilots and co-pilots in the S-2 War Room about a new type of formation flying.

There was a choir practice in the Chaplain's office tonight. This was the first one and the turnout was very good.

 

17 March 1944

 

            The target for today was the airdrome at Schwechat, Vienna. The Germans assemble the 219's here and possible HE 280 jet propelled aircraft. The alternate target was the industrial sector of Vienna. Due to the weather being very poor, the bombs were not dropped on the briefed target. Some of the men dropped on coordinates while others picked out targets of opportunity along the way. This mission as a whole was unsuccessful. Today was St. Patrick's Day but all the color and gaiety was lacking. Major General Twining and his staff visited the War Room this afternoon.

 

18 March 1944

 

            Today was the first beautiful morning we have had for a long time. The target for today was the Lavariano landing strip near Venice in Northern Italy. The crews were up bright and early for briefing. The hips carried a load of fragmentation bombs. The mission was a success. Most of the planes dropped their bombs directly on the target area but some fell on the edge of the target. At 1325 the planes returned and the crew members hurried to get on the line for doughnuts and coffee, served by the American Red Cross.

 

19 March 1944

 

            The mission scheduled for today was the aircraft factory at Steyr, Austria. The primary target was not hit due to heavy undercast and there is a question as to whether Graz or Klagenfurt was hit.

 

20 March 1944

 

            Todays briefing was to no avail! Briefing took place at 0630 and the mission was cancelled at 0710 hours. There was a Group practice formation flight this morning. The boys landed, ate lunch, and were soon off again on another practice mission.

 

21 March 1944

 

            Another day without a mission due to inclement weather. Later in the day the weather cleared up and a practice mission was flown. The 62nd Service Group presented a strictly GI show at the Oria theatre entitled the "Stage Door Latrine". It was enjoyed by all, "Gloria from Oria" became the new character of the area.

 

22 March 1944

 

            No mission today again due to very cloudy and stormy looking weather. A lecture was given to the new crews by the Intelligence Section this morning. "The Song of Bernadette" was shown at the movie today and the attendance as usual, was excellent.

 

23 March 1944

 

            An important early briefing was held this morning. The target was to be Steyr, Austria. The planes took off but returned early due to very bad weather. A constant steady rain poured all afternoon and the old Italian mud is coming back. New crews were given their indoctrination course today by S-2 and S-3.

 

24 March 1944

 

            The target for today was the ball bearing works at Steyr, Austria. The weather in this vicinity was very poor and all believed that the mission would be called off. However the planes did take off. The second attack element turned back after passing Monopolie and the first attack element went on to bomb the alternate target. There was a U.S.O. show (stage) and movie today at Oria. The squadron was well represented and it was enjoyed by all.

 

25 March 1944

 

            Briefing took place this morning but the mission was called off. It began to rain early in the morning and there was intermittent showers throughout the day.

 

26 March 1944

 

            The mission planned for today was Steyr, Aurstria but it was cancelled due to bad weather. It seems as if the sun shined as often as it rained this could be called "Sunny" Italy.

 

27 March 1944

 

            No mission was scheduled for today. The bombardiers were lectured to by Capt. Kaecker and Lt. Chronister on the primary targets listed for the XV Air Force. There was a movie today in Oria. "Madame Curie" starring Greer Garson was shown.

 

28 March 1944

 

            The 39th Group mission took place today. The target was the marshalling yards at Mestre, Italy. With the weather perfect for bombing the boys really hit the target with excellent results. Train cars, tank cars and a chemical plant were shattered with bombs. All were quite jovial after the landing over the triumph.

 

29 March 1944

 

            The target for today was the Bolzano marshalling yards in northeastern Italy. Once again the results were excellent with the target being well covered with bomb bursts. There was a movie at the theatre in Oria. The movie today was a "A Guy Named Joe" starring Spencer Tracy.

 

30 March 1944

 

            Todays mission was briefed to bomb the railroad yards at Sofia, Bulgaria. Our planes dropped more than 30 tons of demolition bombs on the target. Bomb strike photos showed strings of bombs across the chokepoint at the end of the marshalling yards, south and southeast part of the city, and also hits on installations in the city. All in all the mission was a success and another feather was put in the 450th bonnet. Colonel Mills presented the Air Medals to those officers and men who had flown 5 or more missions.

 

31 March 1944

 

            The last day of the moth went by without a mission. Old Sol hid behind a wall of clouds and let the rains caused some more mud. The Group was entertained by a "topnotch" stage show, John Garfield, Eddie Foy and 3 other screen starlets put on a show at the theater in Oria. The crowd was terrific and everyone enjoyed the show. After the stage show John Garfield returned to the balcony to see the movie that he was starred in "The Fallen Sparrow". Everyone is looking forward to some more excellent shows like this one. And so ended another months operations of the 722nd Bombardment Squadron in this theater. Another month ended and another month nearer peace.

 

                                                                                                                        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