323rd Dailies from 1942 - 91st Bomb Group (H)

Dailies of the 323rd Squadron

1942

Transcribed by Nancy Perri

323rd DAILY REPORTS 1942 Prepared by Capt. Alexander H. Bright

15 April 1942 - 91st Bomb Gp. (H), AAF, activated, per General Order #31, 3rd AF, under authority contained in General Order #34, Hqs. AFCC, April 15, 1942, at Harding Field, Baton Rouge Louisiana.

16 May 1942 - 323rd Bomb Squadron (H), AAF, activated at MacDill Field, Tampa, Florida.

18 June 1942 - Squadron transferred to Army Air Base, Walla Walla, Washington. Left MacDill Field, June 22, 1942, and arrived destination June 26, 1942, per Special Order #169, paragraph 24, Hqs. AAB MacDill Field, dated June 18, 1942. This was a permanent change of station and squadron was
released from assignment with 3rd Air Force and reassigned to 2nd Air Force.

16 August 1942 - Squadron moved to Pendleton Air Base, Pendleton, Oregon, per Administrative Order #4, Hqs. 91st Bomb Gp (H), Army Air Base, Walla Walla, Washington.

18 August 1942 - Squadron returned to Army Air Base, Walla Walla, Washington, per Voco, Hqs. 91st Bomb Gp (H), Army Air Base, Walla Walla, Washington.

24 August 1942 - Squadron divided into Air and Ground Echelons:
Air Echelon      38 Officers     47 Enlisted Men
Ground Echelon   17 Officers    257 Enlisted Men
Ground echelon transferred to Fort Dix, New Jersey, per Special Order #46, dated August 19, 1942. Departed from Army Air Base, Walla Walla, Washington at 1430 hours, August 24, 1942 and arrived Fort Dix, New Jersey, at 0330 hours, August 28, 1942. The Air Echelon left the Army Air Base, Walla Walla Washington, at 1100 hours, August 24, 1942, for Boise, Idaho. This was a permanent change of station for both the Air and Ground Echelons.

4 Sept. 1942 - Ground Echelon departed Fort Dix, New Jersey for embarkation, N.Y.E.P. at 2100 hours, arriving at embarkation point at 0330 hours, per letter File No. 370.5, Hqs, Fort Dix, New Jersey.

5 Sept. 1942 - Ship left Embarkation Point at 1445 hours.

11 Sept. 1942 - Ship arrived at Debarkation point.

12 Sept. 1942 - Disembarked at 1100 hours and proceeded via rail to Thrapston, England and then via motor convoy to Kimbolton Air Base, Kimbolton, England, arriving at 0330 hours, 13 September 1942.

14 Oct. 1942 - The ground Echelon arrived at new Station, Bassingbourn, England.

15 Oct. 1942 The Air Echelon arrived at Prestwick Scotland, per Special Order #263. Hqs. AFB, Dow Field, Bangor, Maine, dated September 23, 1942. From here they proceeded to Bassingbourn, England, to join the Ground Echelon.

16 Oct. 1942 - About three (3) practice operational training missions were conducted, as weather permitted, between the time of our arrival in England and our first active mission over enemy territory on November 7, 1943.
323rd DAILY REPORTS Cont'd.

16 Oct. 1942 cont'd.
Makeup of our nine (9) Combat Crews as follows:

DELTA REBEL No. 2 (#42-5077)

George Birdsong      (P)
Joseph Reynolds      (CP)
Ernest Miller        (N)
Robert Abb           (B)
Eugene Remmell       (E)
Steven Perri         (AE)
Harry Kulchesky      (R)
Buzz Byrd            (AR)
Henry Carter       (TG)
Randy Petersen       (UG)

EAGLES WRATH #41-24524)

Charles Giauque      (P)
Edward Lethers       (CP)
Larry Ott            (N)
William Butler       (B)
James Jones          (E)
Keva Sumergrad       (AE)
Herbert Corl         (R)
Lloyd Mahan          (AR)
Lyle Taylor          (TG)
Walter Wawrzynek     (UG)

VERTIGO     (#41-24547)

Martin McCarty       (P)
Robert Rand          (CP)
Robert Duggan        (N)
Louis Briglia        (B)
John McCormack      (E)
Philip Cardin        (AE)
William Dunnavant    (R)
George Engle         (AR)
Robert Trent         (TG)
Forrest Lehew        (UG)

PENNSYLVANIA POLKA (#41-24544)

Alan Bobrow          (P)
John Sanders        (CP)
John Roten         (N)
Norman Andrews       (B)
Paul Bass           (E)
Arthur Sullivan      (AE)
Cyril Curb           (R)
Lewis Fredricks     (AR)
Robert Card         (TG)
Richard Wirt         (UG)

CAREFUL VIRGIN (#41-24639)

William Clancy       (P)
John Gladstone      (CP)
Harry Ackerman      (N)
Jack Fisher          (B)
Kenneth Heron        (E)
William Wheeler      (AE)
Adam Taliercio       (R)
Michael Olexa        (AR)
Henry Streets      (TG)
Joseph Conley        (UG)

LIL AUDREY    (#41-24523)

Joseph Yuravich      (P)
Robert Shaw          (CP)
Byron Bennett      (N)
John Bell            (B)
Clarence King        (E)
Thaddeus Kusowski    (AE)
David Hatch          (R)

James Farrar (AR)

Richard Shumard (TG)

Alvar Platt          (UG)

STUPEN-TAKET (#41-24549)

Lawrence Dwyer       (P)
John Evins           (CP)
Charles Maas         (N)
Dean Bohlen          (B)
Ford Cowherd         (E)
Carl Hunter          (AE)
James Thompson       (R)
Marshall Miller      (AR)
Joseph Alvey         (TG)
George Fournier      (UG)

TEXAS BRONCO (#41-24589)

Eugene Ellis        (P)
Kenneth Futch        (CP)
Howard Dunham        (N)
Marvin Beiseker     (B)
Rodney Demars        (E)
Anthony Gaeta        (AE)
Edward Corrigan      (R)
Nathan Floyd        (AR)
William Howard       (TG)
Russell Gillian      (UG)

PANHANDLE DOGIE (#42-25570)

William Anderson     (P)
James Lee            (CP)
Everett Clinard      (N)
Lyle Karnath         (B)
Robert Marrer        (E)
Lavern Senn          (AE)
Rex Barker           (R)
Anthony McCauley     (AR)
Herman Odegard       (TG)
Richard Flint        (UG)

7 Nov. 1942
On this date the first operational mission against the enemy was carried out by the 91st Bombardment Group (H). The total effort was fifty-six (56) Fortresses of which our Group supplied fourteen (14) ships from the 322nd and 324th Bombardment Squadrons. Lt. John H. Roten, Navigator, participated as navigator for one ship, and S/Sgt. Steven J. Perri, participated as ball turret gunner and assistant aerial engineer on another ship. No ships or complete crews of this Squadron participated in this mission. Objective was the enemy Submarine Base at Brest, in occupied France. Lt. Col. Stanley T. Wray, Group Commander was leader of this Mission. Results: Because of scattered clouds, which partly obscured visibility of target, the results were not observed. However, photographs of the targets reveal that considerable damage was done.

8 Nov. 1942:
Four (4) ships and complete crews of this Squadron participated in Bombing mission against and enemy Airdrome and Dispersal Area at Abbeville, in Occupied France. Strong enemy pursuit was encountered and Flak from enemy A.A. was heavy. However, our bombers were escorted by a Squadron of Spitfires, which aided materially in protecting them from the enemy pursuit planes. This was what is known as a Diversion raid, the main attack being against the enemy Locomotive and Steel Works at Lille, in occupied France. Lt. Everett L. Clinard Jr. was quite seriously wounded, and was hospitalized immediately after landing. Lt. Lyle G. Karnath, Bombardier, was seriously wounded, being hospitalized immediately after landing, due to wounds received on account of Flak. Lt. Clinard was a Navigator and Lt. William M. Anderson was his pilot. Their ship was severely damaged, and Lt. Eugene B. Ellis, Pilot of another ship, seeing Lt. Anderson lose formation, dropped back to aid him and escorted the injured ship and crew safely to the home base. The enemy, doing his best to bring this ship down, failed on account of the skill and teamwork of our crews. Clouds made observation of results of this mission difficult. S/Sgt. Howard, flying in ship #589, was officially credited with destroying one (1) enemy plane, FW-190.

9 Nov. 1942:
As part of an effort of forty-four (44) ships, thirteen (13) from the 91st Bombardment Group (H), two (2) ships and complete crews of this squadron, pilots Lt. Charles R. Giauque and Lt. Martin W. McCarty Jr., participated in a Bombing mission against Enemy Submarine Docks and Pens at St. Nazaire, in occupied France. Due to our skill in making approach to vicinity of target, the enemy was taken by surprise and failed to get his Pursuit Planes in action against us. However, Flak from the ground defenses was quite heavy. A shell exploded in bombardiers compartment of Lt. McCarty's ship, fatally wounding Lt. Louis B. Briglia, Bombardier, who expired during the night, after ships had returned to their Base. Sgt. William W. Dunnavant was severely wounded in action and his ship severely damaged. Ships landed in Exeter, Southwest England, for purpose of refueling. Mission was quite successful.

10 to 14 Nov. 1942:

Ground school and training activities were conducted for the combat crews and maintenance personnel. During this time special emphasis was given to organizing the ground defenses for this field.

14 Nov. 1942:
Primary target for the bombing mission was the Enemy Submarine Base in La Pallice in occupied France. Visibility being difficult there, ships went to St. Nazaire, an alternate target, to bomb warehouses and submarine facilities of the enemy. Result of the raid: Bombs were seen bursting on objective, and it is believed mission was quite successful. Only three (3) enemy fighters were encountered. Six (6) ships of our Squadron took part with the following named officers as pilots: First Lieutenants Clancy, Dwyer, Yuravich, Birdsong, Ellis and Bobrow.

15 to 17 Nov. 1942:
Ground school and training activities were conducted and four (4) enlisted men joined the Squadron ground personnel from a replacement center on November 17th.

17 Nov. 1942:
In a bombing mission against Submarine facilities of enemy at St. Nazaire, in occupied France, six (6) ships in this Squadron participated. Considerable enemy action was encountered. Direct hits were seen on the target and many fires were started. Our bombing was from an altitude of 19750 feet. T/Sgt. King, in ship #523, was officially credited with destroying one enemy aircraft, FW-190.

18 Nov. 1942:
Bombing mission was carried out against Submarine Pens and Docks at La Pallice, in occupied France. Very little enemy action was encountered. Due to bad weather conditions over the target area, some bombs were dropped on alternative and last resort targets at St. Nazaire and Lorient, in occupied France. Our Squadron had four (4) ships taking part in the raid with the following named officers as pilots: Lieutenants Clancy, Yuravich, Dwyer and Birdsong.

19 to 21 Nov. 1942:
Squadron engaged in training activities and ground school.

22 Nov. 1942:
Bombing mission against enemy Submarine Docks and Pens at Lorient in occupied France. Both main and alternate targets were so obscured by overcast that no bombs were dropped. All ships returned safely, having encountered but little enemy resistance.

23 Nov. 1942:
Bombing mission to St. Nazaire, over occupied France. Weather conditions were very bad. No results could be ascertained. Enemy pursuit quite active. Only one (1) ship of this Squadron, Lt. McCarty as pilot, participated. Two (2) ships from 91st Bomb Group (H) were missing.

24 to 30 Nov. 1942:
Squadron engaged in training activities and ground school. Seven (7) enlisted men were assigned and joined the ground personnel on November 30th.

1 to 5 Dec. 1942:
Squadron engaged in training activities and ground school.

6 Dec. 1942:
Bombing mission against Locomotive Works of enemy at Lille, in occupied France. Raid was considered quite successful, although considerable enemy activity was encountered. Six (6) planes from our Squadron took part with the following named officers as pilots: Captains Yuravich, Dwyer, and Clancy and Lieutenants Bobrow, Anderson and Giauque. Staff Sergeants Alvey and McCauley more officially credited with destroying one (1) enemy aircraft each, both aircraft being FW-190's.

7 to 11 Dec. 1942:
Squadron engaged in training activities and ground school. Lieutenants Ellis and McCarty were awarded the Air Medal and Lieutenants Clinard and Karnath were awarded the Purple Heart. Lieutenant Briglia awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, posthumously.

12 Dec. 1942:
Bombing mission against concentration point for enemy aircraft at Romilly, in occupied France. Raid was considered unsuccessful, as there were 10/10 clouds over target, although some bombs were dropped on or near the alternative target, the marshaling yards at Rouen, France. Sgt. Flint, flying in ship #007, was officially credited with destroying one (1) enemy FW-190.

13 to 19 Dec. 1942:
Squadron engaged in training activities and ground school. An A-20 ship #AL-441, was assigned to this squadron for purpose of Tow Target flying.

20 Dec. 1942:
Two (2) ships of this squadron, piloted by Captain Yuravich and Lieutenant Bobrow, participated in a bombing mission over concentration point for enemy aircraft at Romilly, in occupied France. One (1) FW-190 was shot down by S/Sgt. Sullivan, Ball Turret Gunner, flying in ship #544. Raid considered quite successful.

21 Dec. 1942:
Staff Sergeants Alvey, McCauley and Howard were awarded Air Medals.

22 to 29 Dec. 1942:
Squadron engaged in training activities and ground school.

30 Dec. 1942:
Bombing mission against enemy Submarine Pens and Docks at Lorient in occupied France. Major Paul D. Brown, Commanding Officer, was in the leading ship. Other pilots were Captains Dwyer and Yuravich and Lieutenants Birdsong, Giauque, Anderson and Ellis. All ships returned to the Base but some were badly damaged. In ship #525 Captain Yuravich and Lt. Shaw, pilot and copilot respectively, were severely injured. S/Sgt. Shumard, tail gunner, also seriously injured. Lt. Fisher, Bombardier in ship piloted by Captain Clancy, was severely injured in the leg. Captain Bright was observer in ship #523. Due to the skill and judgment of Lt. Shaw, copilot, and T/Sgt. King, Aerial Engineer, the ship was kept in formation and landed safely at the home Base. S/Sgt. Howard was also slightly injured.

Considerable activity by the enemy was encountered and our Squadron was officially credited with fourteen (14) enemy planes destroyed, as follows: Lt.'s. Miller and Ott, T/Sgts. Remmell and Marrer, S/Sgts. Kusowski, Shumard, Perri, Cowherd and McCauley, one (1) each FW-190. Lt. Dunham, T/Sgts. Demars and Jones, S/Sgts. Farrar and Mahan, one (1) each ME-109. This mission was fairly successful.

31 Dec. 1942:
Squadron engaged in training activities and ground school.