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WAYNE ALLEN - ROBERT J. TOEPPE
CAPT. WAYNE ALLEN’S WAR DIARY
1943-45
Wayne B Allen
1st Lt AC 0-854874
445th Bomb Group APO 634
1943
Nov 6 - Joined the B-42 Prov. Base HQ & Air Base Sq, Maj Penley commanding at Biggs Field Tex.
Nov 15 Monday 2 pm Departed Biggs Capt. Hupp Commanding. Arrived at Camp Miles Standish Friday Nov 19 and was put in command. 200 Enlisted men and 16 officers.
Nov. 27 Sat. Took a pass to Boston. Saw Bunker Hill and town. Stayed at Coppler Square Hotel.
Nov 28 Sun. Went church in Kings Chapel.
Dec. 2 - B-42 Selected as the advance unit and left Miles Standish and boarded the Susan B Anthony at Boston. 550 ft long, carried 2500 troops and originally named Santa Clara of Gray lines. Took part in N Africa shot down 2 planes.
Dec. 4 - Loaded rest of troops
Dec 5 - Sailed out of Boston Harbor
Dec 6 - Picked up rest of convoy. 20 transports, 1 battle wagon the Nevada and 12 destroyers. Made radar contact with subs several times but that was all.
In middle of one night was awakened by frantic whistles and motor stopped. Steering mechanism of ship had gone dead and Susan B Anthony was running wild nearly rammed ship next to us in convoy.
Dec 15 WedArrived in Firth of Clyde at Gorke, near Glasgow, Scotland and disembarked. Saw 1st blackout, was put in charge as train commander for B-42, B-47 and B-48.
Dec 16 Thur Arrived at Sudsbury Station 174. An incompleted heavy bomber base acting as replacement center and got rid of trogs
Dec 20 Mon Visited Colchester on pass. Saw Castle, Bomb craters and (1 block away) shrapnel from the raid that nite {sic}. 3 bombs landed in park. 3 planes shot down. We stayed at Cups hotel.
Dec 22 Wed Went by truck convoy to stone England Officer’s Repl Center. Spent Xmas here. Nice camp, brick barracks. Xmas and following 4 days very uneventful.
Dec 29 Transferred to 2nd Bomb Division, 8th Air Force, and proceeded to Norwich by rail via London. Saw buildings bombed in London. Ipswich was being bombed when we came through and train stopped and completely blacked out.
Dec 31 Assg 445th at Tibenham, Eng. 18 miles So Norwich
Afternoon of New Years Eve saw Norwich Castle and Museum. Castle was 120 ft high on a 100 ft hill, moat all around and drawbridge. Saw dungeons, well, yokes etc. Turkey dinner New Years Day at camp. (Fairly good)
1944
(Jan 1) Castle built 13th and 14th century and a complete wall around the city about 30 ft high and 20 ft thick, 10 miles or so around. Saw bombed areas of Norwich. Cathedral, with 2nd highest spire in England. Museum in castle. Said goodbye to Lt. Don Allen at Horshom.
Jan 2, Sunday Was paid $192 – cash at Ketringham Hall – caught 1’o clock courier to Tibenham. Reported in to Major Frazier, had talk with Capt Spahn. Bedded down.
Jan 3, Monday Signed change of address cards, saw bombsight vault, sperry trainer and hanger. Got acquainted with Lt Wright and Jerry Sommers and Pawls. Spent evening in club. 1 beer.
Jan 4,Tuesday(no ships lost) 300 of our ships took off for raid on Kiel. About 17 completed raid. 250 Libs raided, 72nd, 250 Forts raided Munster. Some flak reported. Enemy fighters sighted but Lightnings chased them away.
Jan 5, Wednesday Our planes left again for Kiel. Dropped incendiaries on residential district. 1 plane didn’t return. 1 plane crashed after crew bailed out. Jerry’s dog died.
Jan 6, Thursday 20 airplanes raided Kiel. One blew up, crew saved. Dropped incendiaries on residential district. Fighters and flak. One plane shot down over France. ME-109’s
Jan 7, Friday 16 planes raided Luffenhaven and 119 was shot up, made crash landing. Killed 4, rest seriously injured. Went to Norwich in evening and met Del Littlerose at Samson.
Jan 8, Saturday No missions today. Practice only. Went to Norwich at 13:00. Shampoo and haircut, iron filament for Spahn’s iron. Supper at American Red Cross. Stopped in at a pub and had some beers, visited Samson. Came home on liberty run bus, froze. (got a silver three-pence) Bed by 24:00.
Jan 9, Sunday Up for breakfast and had fresh eggs. Fixed iron. Boys removed machine guns from plane in hanger. One was jammed and not cleared. Went through 3 steel hanger doors right behind me. I jumped a mile.
Jan 10, Monday Developed a terrific cold. Ground checked Will-er Run B-24-H of 702 with Gibson. Worked on English trainer. Read ‘puzzle for players.’
Jan 11, Tuesday Mission deep today. 22 planes of 445th got over Germany and mission was scrubbed. Lost none. Went Norwich on liberty run, missed bus back. Stayed at A. Red Cross all night.
Jan 12, Wednesday Breakfast and dinner at Red Cross. Shave and shopped in A. M. caught 1:10 train to Tivets Hall. Did washing. (12 hanks) and woolen undies sox.
Jan 13, Thursday (3 good meals) Set up Norden Trainer this p.m. Fell in mudhole. Had about a 40 min air raid. Wind blowing hard. Bed 21:00 with a headache. Jerry Sommers at Norwich.
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Jan 14, Friday >Received telegram from Helen. Gave lecture 3 bombardiers on BSM from 1 to 2. 24 of our airplanes raided rocketgun (clear day) installations off coast, all returned. Evening in club.>
Jan 15, Saturday Lectured bombardiers 1 to 2 pm. Liberty runs evening 6 trucks to Norwich in heavy fog. 2 hours to go 18 mi. in town had to lead trucks on foot practically. Traffic jammed. Saw English-Russian propaganda show. After checking in on Liberty run, at 12 came to party at Officer’s Club. They had civilians and nurses. Rough party. 2 piece orchestra, lots liquor.
Jan 16 Sunday applied for Pathfinder school to Simpson. Slept late. Good dinner. Lectured bombardiers 1 to 2. Took a good hot bath after supper and warmed up in club. Lent Simpson 5#.
Jan 17, Monday Col Terrill reorganizing and 3 BSM officers are to be put in Sq. Armament making 2 Sq Arms. Off. Per Sq.{Squadron Armament making 2 Squadron Armament Officers per Squadron} Looks bad.. Talked English farmer. Wheat sells 75 shilling per coumb (5 bu). Barley and rye 55/s. Plow only half turns soil so that ground takes moisture. Nice horses.
Jan 18, Tuesday No luck on Pathfinder Equip. Turned in a copy of S-1 schematic to Lt. Kirk photo and had 100 copies made. In afternoon made tour of 445th armament shops, with Lt. Deaton. Evening in club with Rawls.
Jan 19, Wednesday Slept late. Dinner and then Norwich. Ordered battle jacket at stone jks in Norwich, to be fitted Feb. 18. Pinks to be picked up 22 Jan. Saw show “Robin Hood at Regent.” Supper at Castle hotel.
Jan 20, Thursday Bombardier class 10 to 11. met Mr. Sam Webber and Mr. T. D. Sloane Tech. Sperry Reps. Dinner together. (They drove new “standard” English car). Dog fights overhead this P.M. Evening in club.
Jan 21, Friday Capt Wimms down to straighten out mess. No agreement. No statements. Worked all night in shop on sights. 32 airplanes raided French Coast. No abortions but poor results because of bad visibility.
Jan 22, Saturday Slept till noon, went to Norwich at 13:00. Got pinks from Stone’s and they look good. Saw show “Bachelor Mother” star Ginger Rogers (very good). Missed liberty run truck. Slept in Red Cross lounge. No train to Tivets Hall until 14:40.
Jan 23, Sunday Up 9:30 and breakfast at A.R.C. Ping pong, a walk in the rain and dinner at A.R.C. Arrived camp 16:00. did my laundry, worked on sights in evening and read first letters from home.
Jan 24, Monday Rec’d footlocker and bed roll, Brig General Hodges inspected vault and field. Took laundry across vale to English lady. Played Peanuchle {sic} in evening in vault. Very rainy.
Jan 25, Tuesday Weather bad. Rainy and windy. Worked in shop on sights and A-5. Bath after supper. Letter from Don Allen, asking I meet him at ARC in Norwich and plot trip to London on 48 hr.
Jan 26, Wednesday Received 3 letters (Helen, Mom and Blaine) Lots of flying around here, but few missions completed because of weather over continent. Every mission scrubbed last 4 da. Met Lt Nelson at BSM. Depot at Watton.
Jan 27, Thursday PM went to Watton with Lt. Kirk in jeep via Norwich and back through Attleborough where we stopped at Gaynor’s cider plant. Cider like champagne and were treated to 2 bottles.
Jan 28, Friday Got up early to go on flight. Flights cancelled. Worked in shop all day. Wrote letters in club all night.
Jan 29, Saturday A.M. Met Lt Clayton (co-pilot 100th GC) Samson and HER. 2 B-24’s (389th) collided while flying formation at 14,000. One exploded, and other spun to ground. Everything landed on or near our field. One plane exploded within 1/8 mile of our barracks, when it hit ground. Most of both crews were killed. Some chutes didn’t open. Our (26) group raided Frankfurt, Germany a P.F.F mission. 1 loss. We had a crash alert PM. I went Norwich and turned in cleaning and got haircut. Formations of 90 ea 2-4’s were visible in every direction. Also formations of Fortresses.
Jan 30, Sunday Nice clear warm spring morn. Shaved and Class A and went to church. As we prayed, we thanked for the beautiful morning, for our loved ones back home and the formations of 24’s rendezvousing overhead shook the building so that chairs danced on a concrete floor. We prayed for the safety of our comrades overhead today they will tear hell out of Germany again. (800 raided Germany)
Jan 31, Mon – checked some airplanes. 532 cracked up on runway, emergency landing. Worked until 2pm. Received letter from Helen. Mission scrubbed.
February 1, Tuesday Worked in vault and most of night on airplanes preparing for mission next day. Lead ship P.F.F. DP was M-2 Sperry. 26 ships formations, 2 boxes.
Feb 2, Wednesday Pd $.16 s for pinks. Went to Norwich with Jerry Sommers. Shopping and couldn’t buy anything for Helen. Evening at ARC and pub and Samson. Jerry got sick on Ganor’s Cider. 6 letters today. Sent $260.00 home.
Feb 3, Thursday Lost 1 plane on raid yesterday. Another came back on 2 engines after throwing everything out. Pilot Lt Miller. Today’s mission scrubbed when over coast.
Feb 4, Friday Instructed bombardiers 10-11 AM. Got on orders to Nordin BSM school in PM. Received some swell letters from home. 18 ships bombed Germany through 10-10th cloud layer.
Feb 5, Saturday 24 ships blasted hell out of an airfield in France (runways, hangers, barracks, oil drums and airplanes destroyed). Instructed bombardiers 10-11 AM. When over, to Old Buckingham in PM in command car and picked up 2 ea S-1 type M-2 sights for 2 S-1 M-1. Big officer’s club dance that night, but I packed in preparation to go to Watton Sunday.
Feb 6, Sunday Moved to Watton. Took 8 men and Rawls and myself to Watton in a recon and truck. Nice day and trip. Good dinner and got settled. Tea dance in club that evening. Danced a couple dances. Rest of evening Rawls and I drank scotch.
Feb 7, Monday School at 08:00. Didn’t do much today. Men got shifted out to tent city, no lights, coal or floors, but plenty blankets. School is held in big mission hut. Studying B-1, C-1 pilot.
Feb 8, Tuesday Played some basketball in gym while waiting for school to start. Went to Norwich in evening after a good afternoon in school. School in gym now.
Feb 9, Wednesday Full 8 hrs of school today. Saw show “Somewhere I’ll find you” in lounge of officer’s club at Watton.
Feb 10, Thursday Full day school. Learned C-1 bridge circuit. Evening in officer’s club. Played ping pong and pool. Heard good radio program from States. Weather very rainy and cold.
Feb 11, Friday Went to Ketteringham Hall, drew a jeep through Maj. Rogers from Lt. Irish. Saw Sgt Keen about 445th situation. Basketball and reels on C-1 in PM. Saw Capt Coller about transferring to ASC at Watton to replace Capt Herrington. Eve, read very good book “Jeeves” by E.P. Wodehouse, also a movie.
Feb 12, Saturday Class until noon. Lt Charley Northcutt and I went to Norwich by bus from Watton, stayed at ARC overnight. I got my trench coat, pinks and shirt from archelle Serre cleaners and left short coat. Haircut. We visited Samson Hercules in evening. Pubs had only low grade bitters. Charley got sick.
Feb 13, Sunday Cold snappy morning. I arose and went to church at the cathedral alone. 2nd tallest spire in England. Archway inside 4 stories high, ½ blocks long. {he has drawing of cross, 2 rectangles intersecting} each way choir and organ at intersection of 4 wings. Impressive services. 19 letters that afternoon.
Feb 14, Monday A cold and sore tongue. Classes all day. Show “High Explosive” at club in evening. (We were raided Sunday nite A fire and bombs in vicinity of Watton.)
Feb 15, Tuesday Classes all day. Wrote letters and studied in evening. No raids today.
Feb 16, Wednesday Sick with a cold. Stayed home until mid afternoon. Solved the case of the stolen mess kit from John Dane by another BSM Boy
Feb 17, Thursday School all day. Instruction has been by Zephron Marsh of Honeywell and Sgt John Dane. Arny Tannco of Honeywell has been making arrangements.
Feb 18, Friday Took final test on C-1 pilot. Got a 94. Sperry Technician Bob Lyons says he can get me transferred to Watton. Going to work it through Maj. North. Bid goodbye to Zef Marsh and Arny Tannco (Honeywell).
Feb 19, Saturday Rode to Norwich in AM in my jeep. Nearly froze. Light skim of snow. First this winter and seems local. Got cleaning and turned some in. Rode on down to Tibbenham {sic}and got on wrong road and lost. Found Capt Blanchard had been killed on last raid. Capt Spahn co-piloted back. One ship lost. All the 701st planes were shot up badly. Never will forget how I made their eyes bulge with Indian stories and how I hung a rustler and a man who fooled around with my wife.
Feb 20, Sunday After staying at American Red Cross all night, went to church at St Peter’s Church of England. Tea dance at club in PM. I danced 2 dances with Mae and Kay (2 old Red Cross ladies) and made them very happy.
Feb 21, Monday Our group lost a plane today. Met Mr. Breed and Mr. Eager of Norden. 1st day Norden BS classes in Teco building.
Feb 22, Tuesday Norden BS classes all day. Norwich was bombed tonite {sic} and 2 planes shot down close to Watton. London raided heavily.
Feb 23, Wednesday Classes.
Clutch went out in my jeep. Had ear ache at night. London raided again. Red Cross club hit.
Among 130 men was Maj Evans,
Feb 24, Thursday Classes – saw Bob Lyons and he has everything arranged for my transfer but Col. Terrill’s consent. Our group lost 13 planes out of 26 today. 130 men. [Gotha raid]
Feb 25, Friday Went to Tibbenham {sic}by truck. Learned of yesterday’s tragedy. Col. Terrill refuses to transfer me. Ate dinner, came back and got shots in arm. ARC all night.
Feb 26, Saturday Did shopping. Went through Norwich Castle. Show at night. Stayed ARC. Met 1st Lt. John Moller. First English officer with whom I’ve been acquainted. Seems jolly good chap. Played chug a lug with him; drinking beer. Then spent evening flicking in and out of latrines. Johnny Moller has quite a repertoire of card tricks.
Feb 27, Sunday Show in evening. Went out to Mr. and Mrs. Miller’s home. First British home I’d been in. Mr. Miller showed me his Sten gun. .35 cal 8 in barrel. {7 fancls} and grooves automatic or semi automatic. Clip holds 35 rds and feeds from side.
Feb 28, Monday Classes on Norden Bombsight. I practically did instruction.
Feb 29, Tuesday Classes on Norden sight. Washed in evening. Helen and Johnny called me at 24:00, got me out of bed. Quite a surprise.
March 1, Wednesday Got paid 42 lbs. Norden Bombsight class. In afternoon went to Tiffenham. Sgt Gibson drove me in my jeep. 7 letters from Helen. Col Frazier promised to see Col Terrill about my transfer again. Here’s hoping. Wrote Helen in evening.
March 2, Thursday Norden BS classes until 11pm. Received telephone call 22:30 PM to meet Johnny in Norwich Friday.
March 3, Friday (saw show in Norwich in evening and stayed at ARC) Finished Norden BS school, shortly after noon. Rode to Norwich in jeep with Arny Tannco and met Johnny. Gave him 2 cartons Camels and was invited out to Wymondham Tuesday.
March 4, Saturday Snowed 3
in. last night. First snow this winter. Met Tanneo at 10:00 and rode to London. Stopped at p-47
fighter base for dinner. Arrived London
3 PM. Finally found place to stay at Weleck Service Flats.
March 5, Sunday Breakfast in bed if we wanted. Went through Westminster Abbey. Lunch at Park Corner. Had 2 whiskeys with landlord while waiting for Arny and then return trip. Stopped at P-47 base for supper.
March 6, Monday Signed jeep
over to Zephron Marsh. Got weapons carrier and brought 4 men and myself back to
Tibbenham. Our group returned from
March 7, Tuesday Mission scrubbed. Rainy.
Got new telescopic cable for M-9 Norden of lead ship. It was broken over
March 8, Wednesday Sent 25 on
March 9, Thursday 24 planes
raided
March 10, Friday Took noon liberty run to Norwich. Fitted battle jacket to be finished April 11. Got short coat. Met Johnny and Helen in evening. Also Don Allen and we all went to Sampsons.
March 11, Saturday Arny
Tanneo came around about 10 O’clock. Went to London with him. 5 of us in jeep. Arny,
Frank, Bill, Bob Avery and myself. Had dinner at P-47 base. London
about 3 PM. Cleaned up in Arny’s room in Park Lane Hotel. Went to PX on
March 12, Sunday Had swell dinner at Junior Officer’s mess in London. Rode subway from Marble Arch to Liverpool Station. Listened to soap box orator in Hyde Park (world famous). Honeywell meeting. Supper at Grosvenor Hotel. Home again.
March 13, Monday up early.
Fresh fried eggs. Arny brought Bill Burgroff to our base. Bill and I in PM took
command car to Metfield, Station 366 and we got super charger control off of
B-24-J-343 which crash landed after returning from
March 14, Tuesday Worked on Minn Honeywell supercharger mockup all day. Bath at night. Big air raid started at 22:00. Lots of ack!ack!, several planes shot down. Bombs dropped all over vicinity. Searchlights were beautiful. I stood on top of mission hut and watched.
March 15, Wednesday Worked on mockup supercharger control. Wymondham and road to Carrick house very beautiful. Pretty base.
March 16, Thursday Worked on mockup in AM. Went Norwich on liberty run and then to Wymondham and to Carrick House. Johnny wasn’t there as he had expected me Tuesday. Met Maj. Clayton (Clay) and 3 captains. Had supper with them and several stiff drinks.
March 17, Friday Most of day at ARC. Train to TivetsHall in PM and worked on mockup.
March 18, Saturday Worked on mockup all day. Rec’d box of candy, razor blades, hair oil, shaving cream. Spent evening around fire eating candy. Lt. Letzler, King and Smith talked of their mission. They were over Germany 10-10th clouds, didn’t drop bombs, everyone got lost and came straggling home.
March 19, Sunday Sgt. Buist and I went to church in our work clothes. Good turn out. Chaplain Minga gave a good sermon. Worked on mockup in PM. Fried chicken dinner.
March 20, Monday Worked on mockup. Mr. Burgroff didn’t show up. Raid that night. AA batteries put to quite a barrage. Searchlights were beautiful.
March 21, Tuesday Lt. Max Jones took me to Norwich in command car via 2nd Div HQ. I went out to Wymondham via bus to Carrick House warming. Lots of liquor. Met Brig. Smith and 3 full Col. Unnumbered [sic] majors. High old party after brass left. Johnny got sick and went to bed.
March 22 (Wed. in Norwich snow) I went in the operations room (ops) and watched during an alert. Plot every bandit on the board. Telephone contact in batteries. Wireless to phone again. (got to bed 5 AM Wed morning at ARC)
March 23, Thursday Ships lost over Germany and badly shot up though none lost. Bombs brought back. Everyone frowned off.
March 24, Friday Worked on mockup and finished it. Works OK. Reverse fields on constant speed motor on S-1 to drive turbo governor and regulate speed by rheostat.
March 25, Saturday Went to Norwich in PM and got cleaning and haircut. Mr. Burgroff and I went on tour through castle again, supper at ARC and then saw Army stage show “Skirts” presented in “Royal Theatre” Norwich by 29 enlisted GI of 8th Air Force and the Flying Yanks band. Very good.
March 26, Sunday (mission scrubbed) Went to picnic (ARC) on edge of Norwich to ARC [American Red Cross] Clubhouse. Row boats on the smooth wide river and a beautiful morning. Fried chicken dinner and played ball and cards on PM.
March 27, Monday Meeting all
BSM officers at
March 28, Tuesday Built a rate end mount for Norden Bombsight maintenance. Installed and switched sights in several ships. Worked until 4 AM. Mission scrubbed.
March 29, Wednesday Scrubbed. Slept late. Started C-1 autopilot mock up. Received 3 letters from home, 2 from Helen and 1 from Blaine. Saw P-38 crash and explode.
March 30, Thursday Mission scrubbed. Got top {?} mock up of Plywood for C-1.
March 31, Friday Scrubbed.
Got paid 47{pounds?}, caught 1 o’clock train at Tivets
Hall to London. Got room at
April 1, Saturday Group
raided Ludwigshafen and hit Switzerland. I slept late at 105 in
London, spent
about $100.00 on clothes at QM PX on
April 2, Sunday Breakfast in bed. Nice soft beds with down satin comforters. Big dinner at French restaurant “Ketters.” Picture in PM Missed 10:20 train for home because of cabs. Stayed at Simond Hotel.
April 3, Monday Walked around London till noon, ate at Officer’s Mess at Grovesnor House Xcross {sic} from Hydes Park. Caught 1 PM train back. Wrote letters in evening.
April 4, Tuesday (Bad Weather Stand down) Worked on C-1 Mock up. Rained all day. Ground personnel in 2nd Div all restricted indefinitely. Looks like invasion. Tell us it is it. Col Terrill held meeting and announced it.
April 5, Wednesday Stand down. Took command car to Watton and got parts for mock-up. Stopped at Hethel and looked at C-1 mock and A-5.
April 6, Thursday Stand down – Bad weather. Letter from Joe and he is in E. T.O. Also from Helen, and both mothers. Wrote letters in evening. Rained hard all day.
April 7, Friday (Good Friday) Stand down – bad weather. Loaded some 2000 lb bombs (4 per airplane). Worked on C-1 mock up. Discussed organization of B.S. Dept. Asked for job in Armament. Col says maybe.
April 8, Saturday Big mission today. 36 planes from our group raided Brunswick with at least 300 others. No losses in our group. Enemy fighters and ours had a hell of a battle. Lots of planes blown on both sides. Lots of the bombers down. Worked on mock-up – watched take off. Dance in club in evening. Every one got drunk. Col Terrill and Maj Stewart, Col. Frazier all there.
April 9, Sunday Good bombing results. 30 planes from our group went on raid 150 miles east of Berlin. 14 aborted. (11 planes put down in Sweden, 4 went down with all 4 engines running) Very good Easter dinner. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, ice cream and choc. Cake
April 10, Monday Worked on C-1 auto pilot mock up. Wrote letters in evening. 30 of our planes raided airfield in Belgium. 1 box didn’t drop bombs (box of 16 planes)
April 11, Tuesday 30 planes of our group bombed JU-88 plant in Central Germany. Good results. No losses. Some enemy fighters encountered and shot down. Enemy raid last night. Crash alert.
April 12, Wednesday 26 planes raided Central Germany. 4 shot down by enemy fighters. Joe didn’t meet me at Bell Hotel in Norwich. 4 letters from Helen. She has bought 160 acre farm. Paid $4000.00 for 160 acres. Paid down $1237.00, leaving balance of 2763.00 (sic) and $763.00 in account.
April 13, Thursday (Obberpfaffenhen) 18 planes raided Munich. We lost 4. Lt. Harry King’s first mission as 1st pilot. He had to drop his frag. bombs through bombay (sic) doors. Fighters jumped him and his men shot 2 down. Lt. Miller and crew got 30 missions completed. Everyone celebrated in club.
April 14, Friday Stand down. Worked on mock-up and ground checked airplanes. Getting planes in shape for raid tomorrow. Armament put a new tail turret in 571 in 8 hr. Frag bomb from plane above fell on tail turret but didn’t go off. Didn’t hurt gunner, but smashed turret all up.
April 15, Saturday Moved into mission hut with Capt Crandal, Lt. Ehart, Lt. Peters. The hut is called the “Downbeat” and has inside latrine and running water. We have a radio and card tables. Big stove in center of room. I worked until 12 PM. Stand down.
April 16, Sunday Slept late. Took 2 spills on bicycle getting to dinner. Very good dinner. Fried chicken and mashed potatoes. Worked all afternoon.
April 17, Monday No mission – rain. Took command car, Buist and Levine and went to Watton, Shipton P.X. and old Buckingham on business. When got back Marsh took me to 17 base and we saw C-1 auto-pilot in link trainer.
April 18, Tuesday Administrative work in Sq. {squadron} Mr. Eager and Jack Bried had dinner with me at our mess. 24 planes raided near Berlin. No losses. We were raided 1 AM to 4 AM. Bombs were dropped in neighborhood. They made walls of hut shudder and kept me awake. Could hear large numbers of enemy planes overhead. No one got up. 2 sight malfunctions in 701 on Tuesday’s mission, but they still hit target.
April 19, Wednesday 28 planes
raided 15 mi north of
April 20, Thursday 28 planes raided near Calais. We lost one plane. 2 crash landed. All were badly shot up. (426 – 553). Flak was rough. I was O.D. {officer of the day}. Up all night. 3 crash alerts. No bombs.
April 21, Friday Officer of Day till noon. In PM took Burgroff, Reggan, Snee and component man to Horham (17 base) and got C-1 autopilot and tail turret out of 426; B24 from which nose turret was [s]hot off over turret. Gunner fell with turret. Bombardier lost eyes to flak and nearly fell out. 2 engines shot out. Plane crash landed. Hayes went in tail turret on this plane. While working on this ship saw a B-26 plunge to earth. 2 chutes, a fighter 1 chute. Later saw a B-17 plunge to earth with no tail. Plane was coming straight toward us. Exploded ¾ mile away, flames going 1000 ft high. 2 chutes.
April 22, Sat: {sic} 24 planes raided Ham Ger. late P.M., 2 lost, we saw 6 planes shot down by German fighters which followed them back. Planes landed without lights and 2 came in simultaneously (11pm)
April 23, Sunday Slept late: 6:30 mission scrubbed as all our planes are badly shot up day before. Wonder any got back. Many had 200 flak holes. Lots of crews were wounded.
April 24, Monday 24 planes raided Augsburg, 1 lost. Worked on C-1 mock up. Played volley ball {sic} in evening. Received letter from Helen and Blaine dangerously ill, heart attack. I’m worried too.
April 25, Tuesday (crash alert last night) 24 planes raided a town in Germany, no losses. 500# bombs. C-1 pilot mockup running. Letter from Helen – Blaine is better. Wrote letters in evening. Mail censorship is quite a job.
April 26, Wednesday 26 planes raided Ruhr. No losses. Nice day. I worked on C-1 mock up and planes. Volley ball {sic} in evening. Wonderful weather and beautiful around B.O.Q.
April 27, Thursday (A-5 pilot burned up in 438 by single Ø inverter) 2 missions in one day. 2 losses in AM, none in PM. We worked hard all day. Lt. Ofner bombardier on 619, used my new bombsight. I worked all night installing new Aileron Ser?? in 619.
April 28, Friday Slept to noon. Worked on 438 and got it OK. Stand down – overcast. (2 missions scheduled for tomorrow) Played baseball 700th officers vs an enlisted team and won 12-9. I caught.
April 29, Saturday 12 planes
raided
April 30, Sunday Postmaster asst. most of day. 12 planes raided Berlin. No losses. Fried chicken and ice cream again today. Ralph came out 43 lbs short on pay roll. I bought $100.00 money order to send home.
May 1, Monday I worked on C-1 mock ups. 18 planes raid rocket gun emplacements in AM, 12 raid North France in PM. 3 planes badly shot up in AM. No losses. We played baseball in PM and won 8-7.
May 2, Tuesday Chem. Warfare lecture in AM 2 hrs. Worked on C-1 mock up. In PM found short on B. S. in 073 and fixed malfunction. Had replaced 4 intervolometers.
May 3, Wednesday 2 hrs Chem Warfare. Censored all the mail. Took 1 PM liberty run to Norwich and got cleaning. Town very beautiful. Flowers and trees all in bloom.
{stuck in top margin of page above Thursday, May 4, 1944 – FM-21-40-Chem Warfare}
May 4, Thursday Mission recalled. 2 hrs Chem Warfare. Worked on C-1 mockups rest of day. Show “Higher and Higher” – Frank Sonatra {sic} on post.
May 5, Friday Stand down – rain. 2 hrs. Chem Warfare. Worked on C-1 auto pilot mock up. Saw show “Mystery of Morgan’s Creek” on post. Harding and Spahn made Maj. Jones, Groves Capt.
May 6, Saturday Worked all day. Had dance in Officer’s Club in evening. Lots of girls. “E”, Crandal, and I spent most of evening in hut after we had cleaned up. I went over when they served ice cream and got ice cream for us all. Met Alan Kern while at the club. He is in 703rd Sq. A navigator. A-5 was supposed to have caused mission failure but finally found pilot had hit A-5 release button.
May 7, Sunday Went to church with Ehart. Chaplain Minda presiding. Sent Helen and Mom Mother’s Day cablegrams. Good dinner. Flew on 619 in PM on test flight. Everything O.K.
May 8, Monday Finished C-1 mock up. Worked all day. Lectured 1 hour to bombardiers on C-1 pilot. Looks like we are going to India for sure.
May 9, Tuesday Morning raid recalled, PM raid scrubbed.
May 10, Wednesday 30 ships raided airfield in France. No losses. Joe phoned but couldn’t get me. We had Sq meeting for base defense vs. para troops. Big scare.
May 11, Thursday 30 ships raided marshalling yards of Friedrickshoven. 1 lost of 703rd. I flew in 810 with Capt Bell and checked A-5. We also dropped 70 bombs. Worked until 2AM on 571 and 810 flare guns.
May 12, Friday 30 ships mission no losses. Jerry, Brown and I rode our bicycles to the far side of the field, lay on the beautiful green grass and bright sunshine and watched planes take off over us.
May 13, Saturday 12 planes went on mission, all returned. Afternoon mission scrubbed. Two P-51 pilots were forced down here. They live in tents on their base and are very strict. Col. Howard is their C.O. and they like him very much. One pilot wolfed the nurse, the other talked with us in the hut all evening.
May 14, Sunday Stand down. E, Crandel and I went to church. Good dinner. Ping pong in club in PM, we cleaned up the hut. Got one of the fellows new radio. We are our own orderlies now. Met Earl Coleman in mess in evening and we spent evening talking over old times.
May 15, Monday Stand down – rain. Capt. Plurius told me I was being assigned to 702nd to take over Armament. I also was appointed investigating officer on General Court Martial of James R Jennings, gunner on combat crew who failed to fly 3 days in a row.
May 16, Tuesday Mission scrubbed. I worked on court marital case. Sgt neglected to fly 3 days in row because he said his back was sore. Facing general court martial.
May 17, Wednesday Finished court martial investigation. E, Crandel and I went to Norwich and I sent $140.00 home. Saw show “Standing Room Only.” We had very good time. Saw museum again. Transferred to 702nd on S.O. 126, {sign} 14 17 May 1944. HQ AAF Station 124, APO 558.
May 18, Thursday Took over as 702 Armament Officer. Met my men. Sgt Hirsh section chief. I stepped into best section in group. I like the setup.
May 19, Friday 36 plane raid, no losses. 4-P-51’s set down here and one ran off runway and smashed up landing gear. Colored engineers were working on taxi strip. (Joe missed train and stayed all night.)
May 20, Saturday Joe called me at 8:30 from Norwich and said he would be out at 10:00. Met him at HQ. We ate at officer’s mess. Talked for hours. He seems in good health and content. Took him through a B-24 J&H. Met King, Letzler and Smith and took Joe up on a flight in 000. We buzzed several fields, checked A-5 and played in clouds. I was liberty run officer in evening (11 truck convoy)
May 21, Sunday Sent out 36 planes no losses. Took Joe to train at Tivets Hall at 10:00 and then went to church on post with Bob Slusher. Chap. {Chaplain} Minga preached very good sermon. I met planes and work on line.
May 22, Monday (sent out 24 planes no losses) We all wear steel helmets, gas masks and carbine or pistols everywhere we go from now on. I wired flare guns in 340 (Winn with page). Worked on line with “Deacon.” Traded carbine for a .45 pistol and shoulder holster.
May 23, Tuesday 30 plane mission; no losses. Saw B-24 and 17 boneyard at Pullham. Terrific piles of skeletons represented many lives also. Mammoth hanger of British bombs at Pullham crash alert last night. Bombs dropped near and parachutists also believed dropped. Base on complete alert.
May 24, Wednesday In AM a B-17 and P-47 collided at 20,000 above our field. I watched them come fluttering down. All but 3 bailed out. The B-17 had no tail and came nearly straight down. Landed 2 miles west. Bombs exploded too. Morning see hundreds of 4 engine bombers forming.
May 25, Thursday We all wear steel helmet, gas mask and side arm with ammunition 24 hrs a day now. Hard to get used to.
May 26, Friday Stand down. Raining. Had a “stand to” alert about midnight last night, and we all raced to our posts in the darkness, where we remained a couple hrs.
May 27, Saturday 24 planes raided Germany no losses. Nothing much to do all day. I’m assistant base defense officer now. Means I crawl to top of tree at post II and spot enemy in case base is attacked. Armament has been furnishing men to operate top turret in airplanes on all “red” alerts. Combat gunners do it now.
May 28, Sunday I checked planes before take off and after. I went to Catholic Mass, as I was too late for Protestant services.
May 29, Monday 28 planes raided deep in Germany. 1 lost. All shot up by flak. 1 landed using parachutes for brakes. Ralph, E and I took pictures in afternoon of planes.
May 30, Tuesday
Striped status board. 32 planes raided east of
May 31, Wednesday Loaded 3 ea 2000 lb bombs on 8 airplanes. Ordnance let 3 drop and broke 3 racks in 3 different ships. Pulleys broke in roof of bombay, bomb fell and broke hoist. 8 ordinance men were injured during night.
June 1, Thursday Stood down. 3000 lb bombs left on after planes had carried them over France and brought them back, unable to find target.
June 2, Friday 26 planes raided cast, gun emplacements, dropped P.F. 2000 lb bombs, 4 per plane. No losses. A couple barely cleared fence at end of runway.
June 3, Saturday 12 planes raided coast gun batteries. No losses. I worked in shop. Went to critique on last 8 missions in evening.
June 4, Sunday Slept late. 28 planes took off at 4 PM, returned at 11PM in rain. No crashes. Lots of flares shot up. 6 planes didn’t get home.
June 5, Monday 6 planes came back from other fields. Low overcast all day. No mission. Mission scheduled for 01:00 hr in the morning. 36 airplanes. Flightplans call it D-Day. Boys put a dummy in Ehart’s bed (very realistic).
June 6, Tuesday I was up all night last night. 36 planes took off at 2:20. Frags and demos. 6 plane formation. Ground shook by swarms of B-24’s overhead in moonlight.
June 7, Wednesday 16 planes took off at 5:30. 12 planes took off at 11:30. 28 planes took off at 16:30. Pilots report channel full of barges and warships.
June 8, Thursday 3 missions today. No losses. Difficult to spot target.
June 9, Friday 2 missions, no losses, but most of ships brought bombs back unable to find target. 23,500 ft to get over clouds.
June 10, Saturday Stand down. Rainy weather, even the birds were walking. News sounds good from the beachhead. We had a friendly game of blackjack in barracks in evening. Shilling limit at start between Ralph, E, Evans, Bob Slusher and I. “E” was very lucky, at last we were betting pounds, and came out even.
June 11, Sunday Went to church (Chap. Minga) 1 mission, no losses. Some ships couldn’t drop bombs. Worked on line.
June 12, Monday Up early. 2 missions. 700th lost a ship, one of pilots I flew with once before. He stalled out on crash landing in England. Lt. Tarbell gave me some trouble today.
June 13, Tuesday A mission today. No losses. I developed my first film, came out pretty good. Printed some, not so good, in Camera Club laboratory. Put – Put had tendency to remain feathered.
June 14, Wednesday Clouded in. Lt. Sullivan was woke {sic} in night by a big rat crawling over his face. He grabbed it by the body and yelled and threw it on the floor. Pete turned on light and saw it scamper off into corner. .Looks like rat trouble.
June 15, Thursday A raid today. “E” hangs paper in his dreams while a sleep {sic}. Larson flys {sic} airplanes and crawls up on my dresser to make it more realistic. Plants his feet in my face.
June 16, Friday no raids. Lt. “Parson” Larson had bad dreams. He is pilot who finished 30 missions. I woke in night and thought rat was in my face. It was Larson’s foot, and he was sitting on my dresser. HE NEVER WOKE UP.
June 17, Saturday 2 raids no losses. 2 of 3 ships on one raid had rack trouble. I managed to buy a 100 ft roll of film from Lt Kirk for 1 lb. Enough film to take 1080 pictures. We played a friendly game of blackjack in barracks in evening.
June 18, Sunday Major Martin and I fired our pistols on the range. Major Martin fired a 32 out of possible 35. Church. Chap. Minga officiating. Worked in PM in shop. Lt. Sullivan reports pilotless planes raided Ipswich.
June 19, Monday 2 missions. No losses. I received the wedding ring from Helen. Volley ball {sic}in evening. A crash alert in night. Pictures from Helen – really swell. Yum! Yum!
June 20, Tuesday 3 missions today. 701st lost a ship, on which crew had 31 missions. Our 343 made a crash landing. All our ships shot up badly. One group lost 23 planes (492nd GP).
June 21, Wednesday 45 planes on raid today. One struck tree on takeoff and tore off wing tip, made crash landing with no nose wheel. General Doolittle visit. Pilotless planes bomb London every 20 minutes. Believe casualties quite heavy.
June 22, Thursday I was OD today. Up all nite {sic}. No mission. Rainy. Salvaged parts from Lt. King’s ship. He made a crash landing 3 engines, no ailerons, 6 ft off one wing, no nose wheel, a bomb load, no casualties.
June 23, Friday 28 plane raid. No losses. 6 of 7 of my ships had to partially salvo & I found out why. Should save some trouble. Worked most of night.
June 24, Saturday 2 missions. Worked all day and quite late. Had party in the club. We played blackjack until almost 2 P.M. I broke even.
June 25, Sunday Didn’t go to church today. Worked all afternoon.
June 26, Monday Mission today. E ask {sic} me if I’d like to come back to 700th. I don’t care one way or another. I’d probably get a captaincy that way.
June 27, Tuesday 2 missions. Capt. McCoy asked Col. Terrill to transfer me back to take over his Armament. Col. Terrill disapproved of course.
June 28, Wednesday Had 2 bombs hang up in bomb bay. 1 on each airplane. One crew kicked theirs out. Another brought theirs back. Only shackle holding. Plane landed with bomb fused and unpinned awaiting only a jar to set it off.
June 29, Thursday 073 came back badly shot up. {arrow drawn to 073 with note “none of crew hit} 7 fuel cells shot but hydraulic systems shot out. Holes in fuselage. Racks shot up. New station, B-2, shackle, salvo bar etc.
June 30, Friday 1 mission, lots of flak. No losses. I drew up plans for my gun racks.
July 1, Saturday No mission – rainey {sic}. Worked in shop. Ralph and E went to town and got back about 10 PM. We had had about 4 alerts and told them flying bombs had dropped in the vicinity. Told them how the motor sounded when it cut out. Then we had another red alert and rest of us rushed out. Ralph and E ran out in pajamas and steel helmets.
July 2, Sunday Church, Chaplain Minga officiated. Beautiful morning. Planes came back and brought bombs back. 28 planes in all. Sgt. Hirst and I went rabbit {sic} hunting with .22 rifles and got 5. We must have seen 100 but they scampered into holes.
July 3, Monday Rainey {sic} – no mission – worked in shop. In evening we fried the 5 rabbits in my office. They were very good.
July 4, Tuesday {through July 5, Wednesday} Went to Norwich on 24 hr pass. I took in cleaning. Shopping. Bought Helen a nice bracelet, and a coin bracelet. Then a show and in evening a wiener roast at Red X Club. A dance at the club latter {sic}. I danced once or twice. Stayed all night at Red X club. Shopping and picture taking Wed AM then home.
July 6, Thursday No losses day before. Consequitive {sic} raids 4-5-6. One gunner (nose turret) today had piece of flak through cheek into mouth. Missed his teeth and he spit it out. Said it was hot.
July 7, Friday Big dance at the club. Lt. Letzler made Captain. We all had drinks on him and then made a nuisance of ourselves by cutting in on other fellows dancing. Especially cut out Lt. Sommers.
July 8, Saturday Up early. Shallow raid in France. Really hit target. No losses. 2nd mission cancelled. Susan B. Anthony was sunk during the invasion. I came across on this boat. This was only transport lost. I was very angry at Helen for no good reason. Wrote a nasty letter for which I was immediately sorry.
July 9, Sunday Church to Chap. Minga. Developed and enlarged about 150 pictures in the (Ralph and I) afternoon. They came out very good. (In Lt. Coleman’s supply room dark room).
July 10, Monday London is catching hell from the flying bombs and the British no longer make light of it. Children and non-essential women all being evacuated.
July 11, Tuesday Stand down rainy. Ralph, Pete, Erroll and I bought enlarged {sic} for 23 lb from Duffy at North Pickenham. Several crash alerts.
July 12, Wednesday Mission today. All out raid on Munich 48 planes. 3 failed to return. Joe called from Leichester. Several crash alerts. Flying bomb landed near Watton. We jokingly say, “compass was out.” Beds all jumped on the floor.
July 13, Thursday 42 planes raided Munich. No losses. Dropped incendiaries leaflets and G.P. Lost lots of bombay doors. New crews.
July 14, Friday Worked in shop in AM. PM went on liberty run to Norwich. Saw show “Journey to Tobio.” Dance in Red X in evening. Took Kay and Beryle’s picture.
July 15, Saturday Up early. Stand down. Worked in shop. Ammo dump at Metfield blew up. Smoke rose thousands of feet high. We were shaken by explosion. Fortunately only 5 were killed. About 24 airplanes ruined. Craters big as farms. {sic}
July 16, Sunday Church Chap. Minga. Ralph and I cleaned up our new photo lab. 36 planes raided Saabruchen, Ger. and knocked hell out of target. No malfunctions.
July 17, Monday 36 planes raided Ger. no losses. Worked in shop all PM. They seem to have filled T.O. and I can’t promote Hirst or Drummond.
July 18, Tuesday 48 planes
raided beachhead behind lines in
July 19, Wednesday 42 planes raided an airfield near Munich. No losses. 702 dropped frags. 445th completely wiped out the airfield.
July 20, Thursday {inserted in margin} Worked in our new dark room last night. 36 planes raided Gotha. 12 from 702. No losses. Knocked hell out of target. Group has 37 planes getting engine changes today.
July 21, Friday Attempts were made on Hitler’s life yesterday. Explosion.
July 23, Sunday Church – new Chap. John Schilling is very good. Big raid today. Seems there is always a large one on Sunday morning.
July 27, Thursday Ralph and I didn’t get on so swell today. Line jeeps and weapon carriers cannot leave perimeter now.
July 28, Friday No losses. Ehart came back from school in Scotland tonite {sic}. Major Harding flew him back. He was full of energy as hell and so excited he couldn’t read his letters.
July 29, Saturday Big raid. – 2 losses. One crew was on their 35 and last mission.
July 30, Sunday Church – Chap. Schilling. No losses today. Lots of hard work.
July 31, Monday Cloudy and rainy. Bad flying weather but planes flew.
August 1, Tuesday Planes made 3 passes over target. Nearly ran out of gas. One dived in form pattern. 604 didn’t get home.
August 2, Wednesday No losses today. Capt. Finly, Brown and I went down to 604 (Fearless Fosdick) where it landed in a wheat field about 10 miles from Cambridge. Brought back some parts.
August 3, Thursday No losses today. Took B engineers, and 4 amores 2 ½ ton truck. Went down to 604, again; took a dentist on into Cambridge in PM and took pictures of the famous university. Ate dinner and supper at P-51 base at Bottenham. Ice cream.
August 4, Friday I went in for Capt. Lt. Fischer went in also. They took my orders. No losses on raid today.
August 5, Saturday 45 plane raid. No losses. Lots of flak damage. Lt. Allan Hein finished. Boys in sq are buying some bootleg liquor from English, supposedly gin, but very poisonous and have to court martial Humphries. I was liberty run officer, saw G.I.-rodeo {sic} in football stadium in Norwich.
August 6, Sunday {Notes in margin above date – Lots of malfunctions lately} Church Chap Shilling {sic}. 48 plane raid. No losses. I changed a Flight chief. Removed Noble and put Nacek in. A B-17 was abandoned and cruised around in circles over field for over hour before crashing 20 mi. away.
August 7, Monday 28 plane raid. Brought bombs back. No losses. Volley ball in evening (as usual). Install flare pistols in planes nose today.
August 10, Thursday {Notes in margin above date – Saw 2 movies in town}Went on 24 hr to Norwich. Tried to buy something for Helen and my anniversary. Couldn’t buy anything.
August 11, Friday Saw another movie and returned to base. Lost 237 today on mission. Boys went down and salvaged some parts from it.
August 12, Saturday No losses today. Wrote long letter to Helen in evening. Rough day in shop today.
August 13, Sunday Church and Chap. Schilling. Up all night last night loading 2000 lb bombs. 48 planes raided island fortress off coast of St. Milo. Perfect results knocked hell out of stubborn Germans.
August 14, Monday Cariied 2000 lb bombs on 45 planes. 2 ea B-17’s collided right close to our field just before take off. 3 men got out. We all saw planes crash. Rough on moral {sic} before take off.
August 15, Tuesday (New invasion of Southern France) 45 plane raid on Germany air field. No losses. I had all nav {navigators} and bombardiers out to shop and checked them out. Hundreds of planes, American and British, roared over all day.
August 16, Wednesday Last night 3 of my men ({Blanchette, W. S. Smith, Torries}) put out fire in one of our airplanes loaded with bombs. Save plane and all parked in area.
August 17, Thursday {notes in margin above this date - Made Capt. today as of Aug. 15 – 44. Big party in Hayes barracks.} While I was putting flare pistols for bombs away signed in 340, Capt. McClure {sic} came out and told me I was Capt. Hayes, myself, Fisher, Brent, made it and Sullivan made 1st.
August 18, Friday I borrowed a set of bars from McClure and a set from Ehart. Boys can’t get used to calling me Capt. yet.
August 19, Saturday No mission – worked around shop.. Blanchette, Smith, Torres, and Spelloya received a group citation. Spend evening in the club. Alan Hein was playing his bugle and another fellow the piano. Everyone grouped around.
August 20, Sunday Bad weather. Church – Chap. Schilling. Worked all afternoon. Ate too much supper. Head ache – bed early.
August 21, Monday Bad weather. Ping pong in evening. Bill Burgroff and I tried to develop pictures but developer no good.
August 22, Tuesday Capt. McCoy made major (C.O. 200th) Bad weather. Ehart and Crandal moved out. Lt. Harry King and I developed film and printed pictures quite late at night.
August 23, Wednesday A new invasion at Bordeaux. Bad weather. Mission scrubbed. Coleman and I went to Norwich, saw a show, met Littlerose and went pubbing. Erroll and I missed liberty run and caught train.
August 24, Thursday {notes in margin above this date – Paris – Fell to French. Bulgaria surrendered.} 36 ship mission. First mission in about 6 days. Furlows are starting again. Everyone happy. Buzz bombs are very bad in London. ½ London has moved out.
August 26, Saturday Worked all day. Dance in Officer’s Club. Got pretty wet out.
August 27, Sunday Church – Chap. Schilling
August 29, Tuesday Worked in shop. Worked on camera intervalometer for Lt. Kirk at base photo
August 30, Wednesday Capt. Hayes and I took command car to Thorpe Abbot 100th Bomb Gp. Saw Jack Marsh. Inspected B-17’s with A-4 releases.
August 31, Thursday {notes in margin above this date – Got paid.} Went to Norwich in PM, saw a show “Follow the Boys,” stayed at A.R.C. all night. Had a buggy ride, 1 horse 4 wheel carriage.
September 1, Friday bought speaker for my radio. Saw Jack Marsh, got shave, saw show “Princes O Rourke” {sic} Worked in shop from 6PM to 12:30PM {sic}. (Package from Helen)
September 2, Saturday Slept late, cleaned up and worked in shop PM. Birthday today. Today I’m 26 yrs. Makes me feel old.
September 3, Sunday Church to Chap. Schilling
September 4, Monday {notes are written under this date but are written for September 6, Wednesday} I was OD on 6 Sept and found a Pvt. Cromley asleep on post 7 exit to bomb dump. Picked up his carbine, then returned and woke him, relieved him and reported him
{date of September 5, Tuesday crossed out, notes written through
blocks for Sept 5 and Sept 6, Wednesday}
The jewelry store we visited in Edinburgh
was; Wilson & Sharp Ltd. Diamond Merchants and Goldsmiths,
September 7, Thursday Today is the big day. 2 years of married life and I hope I have many more. Wrote Helen a letter. Got my birthday present from Helen, a swell Romson cig. Lighter.
September 8, Friday 2 telegrams from Helen for our anniversary. I hope she got my roses. Heavy raids today.
September 9, Saturday Met Ralph and E at breakfast and they have arrangements made to fly to Preswick tomorrow on 7 {?}day leave. I’m going. Am rushing furlow through. Ralph had special orders cut. I loaded 6 rolls of film in evening and packed. We had 2 mid air collissions {sic} today. 2 planes got back, one minus a nose turret. None hurt in that plane.
September 10, Sunday Arose at 6 AM, finished packing, cleaned up, ate breakfast. Jeep to plane “Tennessee Dottie” and Major Harding flew us to Preswick. Dinner at Adamson House, PM strolling in Ayr along firth and beach. (above) {meaning notes written in margin} Ralph and E and I took 6:30 PM train for Glasgow, but I left rain coat in station at Preswick and had to catch next train back from Glasgow. Nite {sic}at Adamson House.
September 11, Monday Arose 9AM, breakfast in consolidate mess, Scotch girl KP’s, bus to Glasgow, dinner at ARC in Glasgow, train to Edinburgh and got a room in Caledonian Hotel . Supper there (County bar) (Princess Ball room)
September 12, Tuesday Arose 9AM, breakfast Caledonian went shopping, interesting story in jewelry store, bought Helen deers foot, dinner at Bimms, Castle in PM, castle gardens and open air dance, supper Caledonian, Lt. Max Miller and I took taxi around town, ended up at La Palace dance hall.
September 13, Wednesday Arose 9AM. Ralph, E, Max and I went through zoo, ate dinner at restaurant at zoo. PM, E, Max and I went to matinee. Danced with a Miss Jessie Drysdale. Show in evening.
September 14, Thursday Arose at 9 AM at Caledonian, went shopping and got scotch cap and hankies. Ralph, E and I were taken through city chambers by Lord Provost William {?} Darling and Lady Darling. Signed his book, he gave us pamphlets, saw palace. I saw bridge across firth of Forth in PM. Saw a show in evening {notes in margin above this date}.
September 15, Friday Arose 9PM {sic}, packed, checked out and E and I went to Glasgow. Show in PM, burlesque show in evening, and we stopped in for last of dance at La Cardo Dance Hall.
September 16, Saturday Arose 8AM, cancelled trip to Loch Lomond because of weather. Went to La Cardo dance hall in PM and watched dancing. Met Lt. Jack Grimm and he came along. Danced with a Helen Monro in evening. Ralph went on to Prestwick to do shopping at a black market and got some Scotch yarn. We lolled around the Bersford Hotel, talked and drank with Jack Grimm.
September 17, Sunday Arose 9AM, breakfast, called E, packed and we caught train to Preswick. I had a cold starting. Met Ralph and dinner at Adamson House. Met Major Harding and was flown back to 124 in Z for Zebra. Cruised 190 MPH – 1 ½ hr trip by air, that took 24 hr by train.
September 18, Monday Slept till noon with cold. Big dinner and shop in PM. We are non-operational now, hauling freight to France. Land and unload. Boys report that girls in France are beautiful.
September 19, Tuesday Slept late, severe cold. Felt better in P.M. 12-B-17s forced down here. (120 men to find beds for). Weather bad.
September 20, Wednesday Meeting of all officers in base theatre today. Col Jones discussed behavior of officers in the club, drunkenness and fighting.
September 21, Thursday {notes in margin above this date – Flying bombs in vicinity} 3 plane per sq. raid today. One plane dropped prematurely. When he put racks in “select” bombs all went out, due to parachute wedged against arming lever on S-sight.
September 22, Friday 6 plane raid (Sq) today. Lots of flak – no losses. I got my cleaning in Norwich this morning. Blackberries are ripe in all the hedges now.
September 23, Saturday Worked all day. In evening got a 6 X 6 truck and took about 18 officers to 389th at Hethel to dance celebrating their 200th mission. Glenn Miller, Bing Crosby and Dianna {sic} Shore were supposed to be there, but none of them arrived. Terrible crowd, bad music.
September 24, Sunday {notes in margin above this date – Flying bomb landed 5 mi. south of Norwich, close to highway. } Church this AM, Cap Schilling. Weather very rainy and bad. Tea down at club in PM. Base orchestra played. Big turkey dinner to which officers brought their guests.
September 25, Monday 48 plane raid on Kassel, Ger. All of 8th Airforce hit it. We had no losses. Flying V-1 bombs fell near the field today. Tonite {sic} one made mission huts jump.
September 26, Tuesday 30 planes raid from group, 10 from 702. No losses. I went liberty run. Saw 2 shows, “2 Girls and a Sailor” and “Pin up Girl.” Several flying bombs fell. {heavy underlining under that sentence unlike any other underlining in diary.}
September 27, Wednesday We sent 38 planes from Group on raid on Kassel, Germany. 702nd lost all 11 of the planes it sent. 28 planes lost from Group. All to fighters. Group overshot target, no fighter escort.
September 28, Thursday {notes in margin above this date - (We put up a 12 plane mission)} Major McCoy, my old C.O. in the 700th went down. There were few survivors from all the planes. We got 22 new planes into the group today.
September 29, Friday We put up a 24 plane mission. A buzz bomb landed 2 mi. from field last night. Really shook the buildings.
September 30, Saturday 8 buzz bombs (V-1) went over between here and Norwich last night. One went directly over the field about 11 PM. Sounded almost as loud as a B-24 flying low, but a pulsating noise.
October 1, Sunday Church in AM, Chap Schilling had a very impressive service. Took communication. Meeting of Armament Officer’s at 1:30 PM on new system. Gunners clean their own guns.
October 2, Monday A busy day. 36 plane mission. Preparing new set up. Several buzz bombs landed near field. Was liberty run Off. {sic} tonite {sic}. Saw show.
October 3, Tuesday 39 plane mission. 1 loss from our Sq. I was witness on the Pvt. Cromley General Court Martial this P.M. Charged with asleep on post. Got 3 yrs, dishonorable discharge.
October 4, Wednesday We are busy pulling ball turrets and modifying the new airplanes. Checking out new crews. Lectures nearly every night.
October 5, Thursday Rockets have been falling in the territory for the last few days {arrow pointing from rockets to these notes in the margin – mostly around Norwich, some quite near}. You can’t hear them coming. No air raid warnings, just the sudden explosions.
October 6, Friday 36 planes raided Germany. 123 had a premature release, 7 miles short and nearly all dropped on it. It was P.F.F. with smoke bombs in D.L. Personnel malfunction on 123.
October 7, Saturday We sent out 43 today. 13 from our Sq completed mission and we were nearly wiped out when we lost the 11 planes in one raid. Saw about 3 wings of Libs come over field at once. Must have been 500 Libs in one formation. Sky was full. Ground rumbled (5000 raided Ger)
{notes in margin above October 8, Sunday written in with a line drawn through them. Describe October 7th happenings – We sent out 43 today. No losses. Papers say 5000 Allied planes raided Reich today. (we saw large formations.)}
October 8, Sunday (Scrubbed) Church – Chap Schilling. Worked on line in PM. Several buzz bombs fell near field. Dance in Officer’s club in evening. Lots of girls. Boys had a Red X girl in our barracks.
October 9, Monday I heard a buzz bomb coming during night. Motor is sort of a pulsating sound. I lay in bed and listened to it getting louder. Motor cut out and about 2 seconds later explosion rocked our hut.
October 10, Tuesday R.A.F. went over so thick last night that it looked like the whole sky was moving.
October 11, Wednesday No
mission. Order came in to rebelt all ammo on all planes immediately. It’s 1 round troar, to every 4
October 12, Thursday 36 plane mission. New Gunnery program started. Gunners clean own guns. Lots of bitching but all went quite well. Several gunners had trouble installing guns.
October 13, Friday Mission scrubbed, rainey {sic}. Joe Allen called, meet him at Grovesnor House 6 PM Sunday. 2 flying bombs came right directly over our hut about 10 PM not more than 100 feet high. Landed not far away. The noise terrified everyone on field. Another came over at 3 AM.
October 14, Saturday 2 separate missions today. 36 planes in all. Lots of flak and planes all shot up. No losses. Stag party in club in evening. Boswell Sister’s dance and did a strip tease. A couple others danced. Poor show. Major Martin made Lt. Colonel.
{notes in margin above October 15, Sunday – Worked very hard all last week.}
October 15, Sunday Overslept
missed – B – fast. {sic} 10:00 train to London,
missed dinner, met Joe at 6:00 PM at Grovesnor House Hotel. Went tea dance same
hotel in PM. Joe and I talked lots, got adjoining rooms. Missed supper because
Sunday nite {sic}. Dance at Covent
October 16, Monday Monday PM shopping in OM PX and goodbye to Joe. I caught 10PM train to Norwich, arrived 3AM. I stayed at A.R.C. train out to base next morning. Broke as I had spent all my money in OM in London on boots and winter clothing.
October 18, Wednesday Worked.
October 19, Thursday Worked.
October 20, Friday Worked.
October 21, Saturday Worked AM on line. No missons. Barely caught liberty run to Norwich. Got hair cut, and cleaning. Saw a show, dance at Sampson in evening. Stayed all nite {sic} at A.R.C. Lt. King, and Hahn, Capt. Hayes, Brent and Ruth also went to dance.
October 22, Sunday Returned from Norwich early AM in time for church. Chap. Schilling. Worked on line in P.M. Big supper and tea dance in Officer’s club. I went after supper and danced a little.
October 23, Monday Worked all day. 24 plane mission. Armament Officer’s meeting about reclassifying gunners 611 to 612. Two RAF mid air collission {sic} over field and blew up.
October 24, Tuesday {24 plane mission written in and then crossed out} Scrubbed. Show down inspection of EM and I had to inspect 2 barracks, Ordinance and Armament.
October 25, Wednesday (Col tried to drop football for opener) 2 separate missions (24 planes) Football game on base. Our base played 453 (Old Bench). We won 20 – 6, Lt. Joe King big star. Cokes and hot dogs were served.
October 26, Thursday Worked all nite {sic} last night. Loaded 9 planes with 2000 lb bombs. Counted money in Finance Office this AM. Mission took off 10:45.
October 29, Sunday No church services in AM. Dance at Officer’s Club in PM and evening. Everyone quite drunk and Lt. Sculhuvan left.
October 30, Monday Big day. Floats and parade and then big foot ball game in the afternoon. Cokes and hot dogs. We played Wymondham and won 12-0.
October 31, Tuesday Final exam in the Gas School and I got 100%.
November 6, Monday {notes written in and scratched out, notes are for Oct 30. Gas school AM. PM we had a big parade and floats. Very good. Football game later, just like in the States. We won.}
November 8, Wednesday Up all night last night installing 2000 lb shockles in 8 ships. Target was concrete emplacements around Metz, and we missed a mile.
November 9, Thursday Mission scrubbed today. There was a buzz bomb exploded about 2 miles north last night. Hut really jumped.
November 10, Friday 7 plane mission from our Sq. We lost one plane, 577. 701st had one crash on approach. We had a football game this P.M. Seething and won 12 to 0.
November 11, Saturday 2 plane mission from Sq. I caught 10 AM train to London with Capt Finley. Had trouble getting room. Got a hair cut, shampoo, hair tonic, supper, bathed and went pubbing. Observed Piccadilly Junction on Sat. nite {sic} with 2 other officers. Observed commanders.
November 12, Sunday Slept late. Breakfast in bed. Got room at Grovesnor House. Show in PM. Lana Turner in “Our own Private Affair.” A.R.C. dance in evening. A V-2 rocket landed near and really shook things.
November 13, Monday B fast in bed. Tried to shop at OM P.X. No luck. Hired cab and toured all London getting pictures. Returned base in PM
November 14, Tuesday Mission scrubbed. Rainy. Worked all day. Liberty run officer to Norwich at night – got wet, but saw show – Dr. Wassek.
November 15, Wednesday One year today since I’ve seen Helen. No mission – slept late. Worked in PM, show in evening in club. Capt. Hayes flew with 2000 lb bomb mounts today new tips.
November 27, Monday Sq. sent out 5 planes today. No losses. Had to check all of {sic}
November 28, Tuesday Worked on K-8 sight and location of armament shocks. Checked out gunners and bombardiers in PM. Got very wet this AM.
December 12, Tuesday Sent 6 planes on raid. 583 did not return. Crashed up in France.
December 15, Friday Mission scrubbed. Rotten weather. Worked on gunners, instruction.
December 16, Saturday Mission scrubbed. We started of 200 mission and 1 yr. anniversary party. We opened the 18 gal barrel of beer in my shop at 10 AM. We all got stinko. Our football team “Tibenham Big Reds” played a 1st Division team and won 24 to 0. Dances all over base. Everyone drunk. I went to bed at 12. Sober.
December 17, Sunday Everyone getting over the party. Fairchild Tech. Rep. William (Bill) Hazly’s drove me to London in his “Woolsey” English car. “United Nation” tea dance at Grovesnor House.
December 18, Monday I slept late at Eccleston. Shopping at quartermaster. Saw V-2 (rocket) damage on Oxford Street. Wiped out a block. Show late PM.
December 19, Tuesday Slept at Eccleston. 8:30 AM the car was supposed to be finished. Limeys got it done at 11:00. Got lost getting out of London. Very foggy. Got to base at 4 PM.
December 20, Wednesday Mission recalled Monday. Tuesday they made instrument take off in 10-10th fog, 0 ceiling. One cracked up. None returned this base.
December 21, Thursday {notes start in margin above this date} Planes grounded Wed. and Thursday because of the fog. Men were at bases all over England. We just didn’t have any aircraft. Germans breaking through into Belgium but we can’t do anything.
December 22, Friday Bad weather. Foggy. Even bicycles grounded. Germans still going in Belgium. I got 6 letters from home. Rumors that I’m going into Infantry.
December 23, Saturday The break-through in Belgium seems very serious. Our Gp could only send 10 on the mission. 702 sent 2. All our planes started coming in from all over England. Sgt. Hirst and I went over to 231st hospital and saw Sgt. Drummond. Broken collar bone Infantry casualties.
December 24, Sunday {notes start in margin above this date} 8th airforce sent up 2200 heavy bombers. 2nd Division put up over 800 liberators. Our biggest day in E.T.O. Old Buckingham put up 63 (453). We put up 47. 702 Sq put up 14. 1 abort. No losses. Target was Marshallham Yards just behind front of break through.
December 25, Monday 702 put up 10 today. 445 Gp put up 36 in all. I opened my packages from home last night. Very happy. Everything I could want.
This starts the 2nd diary of Major Wayne Allen
{Notes on inside cover} Wayne B. Allen Capt AC
{Notes on 1st page} Purchased 16 April 1945
Brighton Sussex England
OER – 2111 classification
{with arrows drawing from the following numbers up to the 2111 numbers}
- Not recommend {sic} Reg. Army {arrow drawn to the #2 in 2111}
- Recommended Reserve {arrow drawn to the 2nd #1 in 2111}
- Wants Reg. Army {arrow drawn to the 3rd #1 in 2111}
- Wants Reserve {arrow drawn to the 4th #1 in 2111}
{Notes on back of 1st page}
Barrack 9W – Sept 44 to June 45
Capt. Benjamin W. Finly
4953 Virginia Ave.
Kansas City, MO
1st Lt. John Allen Reed
6401 Sagamore Road
Kansas City, MO
Capt. Arne M. Mars
4053 Doris Ave
Detroit, MI
1st Lt. Frederick A. Jacobi
5000 Independence Ave
New York 63, NY
1st Lt. Basil C. Ashcraft
Moccasin, Montana
1st Lt. Chester D. Ingraham
Mount Pleasant St.
North Dillerica, Massas
Capt. Steve NMI Loyzin
Coventry, Conn
January 1 We had a big party in the club the night before and a dance. We were all sleeping late. Planes took off on mission on instruments, as it was so foggy you couldn’t see 50 feet. Wings were all iced up with frost. One of our planes didn’t get off, crashed at end of runway. Plane burned, but all but navigator got out. Bombs (1000 lb) exploded, raining bomb casings on our hut, and practically knocking us out of bed.
February 10, Friday Went to Norwich in PM and got my cleaning from “Archile Serries” cleaners and bought a note book. Stayed all night at A.R.C. Took a bath, cleaned up and early to bed.
February 11, Saturday Caught an early fast train to London, arrived just before noon, ate dinner at Grovesnor House Hotel Officer’s Mess. Decided to stay in London overnight, and spent all P.M. finding a room. About 5PM a woman overheard me inquiring for a room in the “Cumberland Hotel” and fixed me up with a room in her boarding house. (37 Belgrave Road, Westminster, S.W.I) Mrs. E. A. Wheatley. This used to be Queen Marry’s {sic} home. It was very nice. Saw a show in the evening.
February 12, Sunday Breakfast in bed. Shaved and caught 10 AM train for Kirkham near Blackpool. Arrived at Kirkham at 4 PM. English children carried our luggage in push carts out to R.A.F. base (2 miles) for 25 6 d (50¢). We checked in at Kirkham RAF base, caught truck to Wharton depot 5 miles and got rooms and supper. Had wonderful supper. Caught 8 PM train to Blackpool, Sunday night and nothing but pubs open. Walked around, had a beer, noted that Blackpool was very beautiful, caught 11PM train back to Wharton.
February 13, Monday Up at 6 A.M. Very good breakfast, caught bus at 7:30 for Kirkham School. Electrical Theory 8 AM till 10AM. Tea at the R.A.F (not F F I {sic} 10 to 10:30. School 10:30 to 12:00. Caught bus to Wharton at 1200 for dinner. Back at 01:30. School 01:30 to 03:00, 15 minute break and school until 5 PM. Caught bus back to Wharton for supper. This was schedule every day, 5 days a week. Club at Wharton very nice. Parachute ceiling, ping pong table and bar, radio, lounge chairs and private mess all in the one building.
February 14, Tuesday Electrical Theory on Emerson and Martin again today.
{he goes through diary writing in the days of the week on the top left margin of the day}
February 27, Monday Caught 9 AM train to London (Lt. Bob Baker and I) . Arrived London about 2 P.M. Got room at 105 Glouchester, the 445th boarding house. Spent evening having a few beers in the Piccadilly Hotel, then went to “The New Nut House” 96 Regent St. W. I. a club for an hour or so. It was quite a place. Cartoons all over the wall.
February 28, Tuesday Caught morning train back to Tivets Hall.
March 17 9 planes this sq. completed mission. Carried 44 ea 100 lb GP and 2 – 500 lb incend.
March 18 10 A/craft {sic} took off. 9 completed mission. 319 aborted, engineering carried 52 ea 100 lb bombs
March 19 6 aircraft this Sq. completed mission Carried 10 ea M-17 (500 lb incend)
March 20 3 planes this Sq completed mission Carried 12 ea 500 lb G.P.
March 21 9 planes this Sq. completed mission. 12 ea 500 G.P. bombs on each plane
{he draws a line under 12 ea 500 G.P. bombs on each plane for separation}
P.M. mission dispatched and 2 aircraft this Sq. completed this mission. 16 ea 500 lb G.P. bombs. {he draws another line under 16 ea 500 lb G.P. bombs}
March 22 Bad day. 8 aircraft this Sq. dispatched. 5 completed mission. 319 and 743 aborted for engineering. 375 accidently salvoed through bombay doors over Channel, when navigator tried to open bombay doors with “lock salvo handle”. 2 of the 5 aircraft completing mission had rack trouble. They did hit Germany. 52 ea 100 lb bombs carried each A/C. I had meeting after supper of all bombardiers and navigators to straighten out troubles and stop malfunctions. 2 hrs.
March 23 7 aircraft this Sq. completed mission 4 ea 500# G.P. ea A/C. No particular troubles today. In P.M. we started loading bundle of cargo (ammo, gasoline, K-rations, wire, grenades etc) onto the A/C. It came in by truck this A.M. from Watton. The Group is sending up 27 planes, leading the 2nd B.D. and thus the whole mission flying cargo to be released and dropped by parachute X Cross the Rhine in airborn D-Day invasion. 19 bundles per airplane. 12 on racks, 4 out ball turret wells and 3 out hatch escape.
March 24 9 A/C this Sq. completed mission dropping their cargo of supplies from 100 ft above ground, X Cross the Rhine to support airborn invasion. Lt. Col. Fleming was shot down over Germany by small arms fire. He was at one time my C.O. and a really good fellow. Gp. Executive Officer. Col. Martin took his place / plane. 24 ea B-24’s were lost on this raid. 227 and 466 made an afternoon mission. Carried 52 ea 100# GP and propaganda bombs.
March 25 7 A/C completed mission Carried 24 ea 250 lb G.P.
March 26 No mission
March 27 No mission
March 28 No mission
March 29 No mission
March 30 10 ea Aircraft this Sq. completed mission Carried 24 ea 250 G.P. per A/C
March 31 10 ea Aircraft this Sq. completed mission Carried 12 ea 500 G.P. per A/C
April 1 No mission
April 2 6 aircraft this Sq. completed mission. Carried 240 frags per airplane. 6 ea in a cluster, 2 ea clusters per rack.
{notes for April 3 written in on April 2nd page}
April 3 No mission
{he realized he wrote notes for April 3 on April 2nd date, so crosses off April 3 and writes in April 4}
April 4 12 ea aircraft this Sq. dispatched. 2 aborts. 10 completed mission. Carried 10 ea M-17 500 lb incendiary bombs. They burst at a certain altitude and spread 110 ea 4 lb incendiarys {sic} over a wide area.
April 5 {crossed out date April 4 and written in April 5} 13 aircraft completed mission (this Sq.). Bombs were not dropped as they could not find target.
April 6 {crossed out date April 5 and written in April 6} 8 aircraft this Sq. completed mission. Carried 10 ea M-17 incendiary bombs.
April 7 {crossed out date April 6 and written in April 7} 8 aircraft this Sq. completed mission. Carried 12 ea 500 # G.P. Fighters hit us today. Group lost some ships. 592 had linkage shot out. Lt. Johnson brought plane back. We were having practice formation for salute the ground Monday when planes came home through overcast. Straggled in shooting flares.
April 7 Back page
April 8, Sunday 11 aircraft completed mission. 12 ea 500# G.P. bombs
April 9, Monday 9 aircraft completed mission. Carried 25 ea 250 GP bombs
April 12, Thursday Roosevelt died at his residence in Warm Springs, Georgia. A severe shock to everyone
April 13, Friday “Annie McFanny” had the top turret out. Boys had been working on it for 2 days, so I went out all P.M. and finally found trouble at 9 P.M., so didn’t go on pass as planned. Boys worked late installing 2000 lb racks.
April 14, Saturday 10 ships from Sq. carried 2000 lb bombs. Target – Sub pens near Bordeaux. I caught 8:30 train for London. Got room at 105 Glouchest {sic}Place, shopped in P.M. at Officer’s Sale’s O.M. on Oxford Street. Got a pair of greens. Got a haircut and shampoo near Piccadilly Circus. Supper and bed early.
April 15, Sunday {margin notes (fire bombs on mission – Bordeaux)} Slept late at 105 Glouchester Place. Breakfast in bed. Bathed and shaved. Good chicken dinner at Grovesnor House Officer’s Mess. Got low quarter shoes at O.M. Officer’s Sales on Oxford Street. Went through St. Paul’s Cathedral. 5th Largest in world. Dome 385 ft high on inside. Beautiful. Took some pictures out front. Took 3:48 train to Brighton England. Summer is on at Brighton on the South Sea. Trees leaved out, flowers in bloom, warm to hot. Beach is open and I got some pictures. Supper at “Jimmies” (sausage and chips, beer). Dance at “Regent.” 4 girls to each man – but not me.
April 16, Monday Fresh fried eggs, toast, butter, jam, tea for breakfast at my hotel (Emery). 8 s. Spend morning on the beach watching limey soldiers remove mines from the beach. More pictures. Enjoyed a strawberry sunday {sic} at a soda fountain, just like home. (purchased diary). Went in the ice rink and watched some girls taking skating lessons. They could really skate. Show in P.M. Lunch in restaurant. Girl threw me a box of matches, upset her water glass and I upset my chair backwards trying to catch them. 10 mo. old girl sat on my lap and helped eat my supper. Train home.
April 17, Tuesday 4 ships on mission near Nurmberg, Ger. No {something}. Shot skeet in the evening. Hurst, Drummond, Harrison, Coley and Capt. Tarbell. Got up at 5 AM at A.R.C. in Norwich to make last leg of journey home. {he has written ‘yesterday’ in the middle of the page with a squiggly line underneath it with the following notes – (spent 2 hrs in St. James park, next Buckingham Palace while waiting for my train. Very beautiful.)} Also visited a pub “Dirty Dicks” while waiting train. Just like name – really dirty – dead cats etc.
April 18, Wednesday Gas mask day. 8 ships on mission – carrying news that 453rd Gp at Old Buckingham is packing to go home. Here come our ships buzzing the field, first time in months. I set off 3 flares in poud by Armament shop this P.M. Had to shoot them with carbine to get them set off. Smoke flare, incendiary and silver. A ship firing red flares. Trouble today. False alarm – milk run. We received the presidential citation.
April 19, Thursday No missions – no targets left. 13:00 class on 1st and 2nd echelon maintenance of vehicles. 14:00 to 18:00 gave 8 gunners oral quiz. 3 letters from Helen today. Nice ones. They all are good however. Volley ball after supper. Calm, still, clear warm summer like evening. Marvelous country this time of year.
April 20, Friday Fish day today and we always do at least one meal. A mission today 9 planes from this Sq. {he drew a squiggly line} Smilly and Blanchette built me a very nice chair for my office last night. Wood frame. Upholstered. {another squiggly line} We were briefed on another cargo mission today. 12 packages in bombay, 5 in ball turret well, 3 near camera hatch. All to be dropped by parachute again, from low level. Mission scheduled for Monday 23rd push to come. Our part scrubbed this P.M.
April 21, Saturday Terrific thunder storm in night. Lightening {sic} knocked out base transformer, thus no lights. No mission today. Capt Paul Hayes was liberty run officer and I went along as assistant. We went pubing {sic} in Norwich. Hit about 10 pubs. Ended up in the “Wolfpack”. Evening notable for Paul’s sudden necessity for urination right on a main st. We hit an alley (really just the rear of apartments) and Paul cut loose. Two girls came around corner in moonlight and Paul guided inside pants.
