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| Corporal Arnold Watterson and his bride Ruby Hinkle on their wedding day in April 9, 1943. |
Watterson served two years as part of a ground crew at Grafton Underwood England during World War II. His primary job was "keeping 'em flying." While he initially worked as a mechanic, in January 1944, he was promoted to crew chief and was apparently a very good one- he was awarded the Bronze Star for keeping his B-17 named "The Challenger" flying for 100 straight missions. He remained with the squadron until the end of the war and was discharged in September 1945.
He kept a war diary for most of his time while in England. Most of his entries consist of just one or two lines but give a sense of life for the ground crews of the 8th Air Force. He also took quite a few pictures of friends and life on the base at Grafton Underwood, most of which I have shared with the 384th Bomb Group website which can be viewed here.
Special thanks go to my step dad John Watterson for preserving this diary and photos which paint a fascinating picture of life with the 8th Air Force during World War II.
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| Private Watterson with his future wife Ruby Hinkle upon completion of basic training at Camp Benjamin Harrison, Indiana in June 1942.
June 1,
1943
At sea
somewhere on the Atlantic. Stormed yesterday but OK today. Not sure
of destination but should arrive tomorrow. (Ed. Note: Arnold
Watterson left Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, sailing aboard the Queen
Elizabeth on May 27, 1943 at the Port of New York.)
June 2,
1943
Entered
the Firth of Clyde at 06:00. Dropped anchor at Greenock, Scotland,
welcomed by hundreds of seagulls. Threw overboard everything loose.
(Greenock is downstream from Glasgow.)
June 3,
1943
Boarded
the ferry at 10:00, welcomed at dock by Scottish band. The land felt
very good. Boarded train and rode through prettiest country ever
seen.
June 4,
1943
Arrived
here at 12:15, 20 minute truck ride to camp. Ate chow and to bed by
03:00. Got up at 11:00 and slowly getting settled. Looks like a nice
place. (‘Here’ is Station No. 106, Grafton Underwood Field,
Northamptonshire, England.)
June 5,
1943
Awakened
by alarm at 12:20-no planes seen but gunfire could be heard. Walked
about a mile out to planes, ours not here yet.
June 6,
1943
Removed
de-icer boots, pretty good to be working again. June’s
birthday-poor kid. Getting settled, not much work. (Watterson’s
reference to June is a remembrance of his younger sister who had died
the previous year.)
June 7,
1943
Very nice
day, pulled inspection on 026 (42-30026 B-17F-80-BO “Battle
Wagon”). My ship not here yet, but expect it tomorrow. Raining
hard tonight. Good night for alert.
June 8,
1943
A very
nice day. 036 came in tonight but I haven’t seen it yet (42-30036
B-17F-85-BO, no name). Got our exchange currency tonight and rations,
too late for me to get any. First mail call.
June 10,
1943
Planes
overhead all the time, getting pretty good at a tight formation.
British planes passed over all night long.
June 11,
1943
Worked
some in the A.M., slept in the afternoon. Back mail came in and I got
12 letters. Ruby asks if I still love her- crazy kid. (Ruby is
name of Watterson’s wife.)
June 12,
1943
Guard duty
tonight. Plane flew all afternoon so no work to do. Had lecture on
ground defense-some laugh.
June 13,
1943
First
V-mail from Mom. Washed clothes this A.M., rummaged around wreck this
afternoon. (036 referenced in June 8th
entry had mid air collision over Grafton Underwood on June 12th.)
Another nice day. 005 came in today. (42-30005 B-17F-80-BO
‘Salvage Queen’)
June 14,
1943
Sort of
chilly today but not bad. Received some photos from Ruby-do they look
good. Here’s a kiss, honey.
June 15,
1943
Payday-this
money won’t even fit in my bill fold. Have hopes of going to town
soon. Raining today.
June 16,
1943
Finished
005 today. Out of work again. Expect to get another plane same day.
Think I’ll be assistant crew chief on it.
June 17,
1943
Finished
up 005. Using inflation jacks on P.T.’s (Sgt. Percy T. Francis)
ship. Started plane with oil cooler out-some mess.
June 18,
1943
Got a new
ship-058. (42-30058 B-17F-85-BO, not named, lost in action June 26,
1943). Hope we have better luck this time. Rained all day and night.
June 19,
1943
Nice
day-just about done modifying new ship. All personnel restricted to
post for some reason-mission?
June 21,
1943
Slowly
getting 058 modified. As fast as we add a part, someone takes it off.
Very disgusting.
June 22,
1943
Our first
combat mission, group lost two planes. 005 (Salvage Queen) got shot
up pretty bad, waist gunner hurt, lots of excitement for a change.
Ours didn’t go.
Mission
to General Motors Truck Factory, Antwerp, Belgium
June 23,
1943
Second
mission-no bombs dropped? (Lt. Philip A.) Algar flew our ship-good
shape. The whole field sweats the ships out.
June 24,
1943
Guard duty
last night, armorers woke me at 12:00 to unload bombs. Washed clothes
this A.M., nothing to do. Sure is swell outside, I think I’ll lay
in the sun.
June 25,
1943
Stayed in
the plane all night-early mission. Weather closed in and the planes
came back. Sick as hell in the night-a little better today.
Mission
to submarine pens at Hamburg, Germany
June 26,
1943
Another
mission-058 blew up in air- (Lt. Joseph) Rosio and (1st
Lt. Lykes S.) Henderson (037) lost. No bombs dropped again-everybody
mad as hell-too much sacrificed.
Mission
to Villacoublay Airfield, Paris, France
June 27,
1943
Free-lanced
today-helped (Arthur) Kohn on 026 (Battle Wagon). Everybody calls me
Gremlin- in fun of course.
June 28,
1943
Another
mission- dropped eggs. No opposition. Worked on (Lawrence) Coon’s
new ship, modifying it. Weather still swell.
June 29,
1943
Another
trip but couldn’t see target-guess they’re striking airfields.
Salvoed bombs on 196 (42-30196 B-17F-90-BO ‘Sad Sack’) to see
what caused accident. Someone must be nuts.
June 30,
1943
C2 tonight
so off today. Not many drunks showed up. Lieutenant (Thomas) Davis
spent most of the night with me. Paid today-lots of gambling.
 July 1, 1943
A swell
day-no mission. The replacement crews are doing some flying. Writing
letters now. Heard rumors of getting bomb bays soon.
July 2,
1943
No plane
yet so no work. Spent half a day on the line just laying around. Went
to show-some way to win the war.
July 3,
1943
Still no
work. Everybody in town tonight-big doings. Just reread letters.
Still very much in love-can’t wait to get home.
July 4,
1943
Mission-all
back with a few bullet holes. Tom Wheeler arrived as replacements
seemed good to see him.
July 5,
1943
U.S.
formally took over this field today, parade and flag raising. Some
stuff! Mac and I played snooker in the afternoon.
July 6,
1943
Trading
all our Tokyo planes for old Fs. Beats me-spent afternoon helping
(Crew Chief S/Sgt Jack) Hunter modify his wreck. Eskimo sleeping out.
 April 5, 1944
How time
flies. Barracks to quiet tonight, so I got to rummaging through my
things and found this. Wonder how long I’ll keep it this time. Made
crew chief on January 20, 1944-991, which was group lead ship aborted
because of lack of oil. (SSgt Jack) Hunter demoted to Private and
shipped out. I took his place and had seven missions until ship went
down on 1st Big Berlin. Had charge of night crew until
getting new ship which was no fun. Changed engines on 211 and 222.
Had the hell scared out of me by Lieutenant (Thomas) Davis and his
taxiing-he’s crazy. Get in new silver ship 081-looks like a good
G.I. job 3-12-1944 (42-97081 B-17G-40-BO, Patricia the Bronx
Embalmer, lost in action May 8, 1944). Got in nine missions in March-
no mechanical trouble yet. Lieutenant (Joseph) Corcoran pilot,
Lieutenant (Gilman) Stewart co-pilot, ship named Patricia-the Bronx
Embalmer. April started out rainy and up to now is same- no missions
yet this month but are alerted tonight for the first. Spring is
definitely here. What I’d give to go fishing.
April 6,
1944
Alerted
last night but weather turned bad-no flying all day. Puttered around.
Major (George W.) Harris (546th Squadron C.O.) stopped by
and asked about plane-looked at shack-that is the nuts. Jake got a
new ship. Just heard that Harris went to Captain (Edgar C.) Campbell
and requested I be made Tech. Must have made some impression. Ha!
April 8,
1944
Up for a
mission but scrubbed. No flying all day so just loafed. P.T. (Percy
T. Francis) and I went to Bridgestock in P.M. Two gals fighting over
(David C.) Payne’s peanuts.
April 9,
1944
One whole
year of married life. A hell of a marriage-almost forgotten what my
honey looks like. Up at 3:30 for takeoff at 7:30. Due back at
7:00-weather set in bad, I doubt if they make it home tonight.
Longest mission we ever pulled. Went down on another field-Lieutenant
(George W.) Schock (Pilot of B-17G 740) was lost today-the nicest
fellow I ever met. Hope he’s safe.
April 10,
1944
Our
squadron stood down-short mission. Planes came back at noon.
Lieutenant (Joseph) Corcoran looked very sheepish when I accused him
of F.O. Ship Ok. Made Tech today, so rumor must have been right.
April 11,
1944
Another
long mission-11 hours. Boy have we got work! Two outer panels at
least, Lord knows what all!
April 12,
1944
The poor
thing!! Two wing panels off and one stress plate, no wing tanks
damaged-lucky? Got one O.D. job to put back on. Mission recalled
today.
April 13,
1944
Changed
right hand flap and got right hand panel back on- left hand not
finished yet. A swell day-mission to Schweinfurt again- 545th
and 547th lost 9 planes. We came off lucky-two aborts in
our squadron. Colonel Hewitt stormed all over the place.
April 14,
1944
Plane back
in one piece-now to find the rest of it. No mission.
April 15,
1944
Worked to
12:00 P.M. in rain-finally stood down so off to bed.
April 16,
1944
Finally
getting settled-still have to remove paint from right hand panel.
Mission in A.M. no doubt. Plane seems OK, but never flown since
panels removed.
April 18,
1944
Same as
yesterday. All present in the barracks this P.M. Weather sort of
cloudy.
April 19,
1944
Something
big in the wind-saving 081 for ? Not much doing again today. Mission
this A.M., all returned OK. Raining tonight- flew yesterday for a
change.
April 22,
1944
Scrubbed
two missions and finally took off at 4:30, back at 11:00 P.M.
April 23,
1944
Planes
back ok, worked till 3:00 P.M. and up at 5:30, scrubbed mission
April 24,
1944
Gone 10
hours today-lots of damage, flaps, nose, plenty of sheet metal.
Lieutenant (Bernard J.) Collins finished-was he pleased! Ship caught
on fire upon landing and burned up. What fire fighters we got!
April 25,
1944
Every time
we turn around there’s more holes. Lots to do-at least four days.
Swell weather to work but looks like rain. What I’d give for a good
pass. Invasion can’t be far off-planes all over the sky.
April 28,
1944
Finally
got the ship fixed, another wing panel job. Now have two O.D. panels
on silver ship-sure is pretty.
April 29,
1944
Went to
Berlin today-minor damage. Weather still nice.
May 1,
1944
Up all
night-take off at 3:30. Very pretty to see of the lights in the
darkness. Lieutenant (Bernard J.) Collins came down in P.M. with a
quart of wine leaving for ? tomorrow. Sure was a swell guy. Hope he
makes out ok.
May 2,
1944
Nice day
but windier than I ever saw it. Practice missions in afternoon.
Stocker’s plane crashed yesterday-touch landings.
May 7,
1944
Aborted on
the ground this A.M. The group’s 100th mission, about
the fourth in the E.T.O. to achieve it. Nice today but very chilly at
3:00 A.M.
May 8,
1944
Spent the
night on the line, didn’t go until 4:00 P.M. Just across the
Channel but it was rough-Patricia ditched in the Channel- 3 got out.
Crew from the 547th.
May 9,
1944
Sweated
out (Lieutenant Joseph J.) Corcoran on a 544th ship. Sure
glad to see him back-came taxiing in a whopping. Thirty missions and
not a scratch-in climbing out of the plane he fell off the step. Went
to interrogation with them and almost got drunk! Spent rest of the
afternoon with the crew laying in the sun and talking.
May 12,
1944
Got
another plane today- not very impressed with it. Missing out on lots
of missions.
May 15,
1944
100th
mission party-very chilly out. Picnic lunch which was very good.
May 22,
1944
Three
missions to date and each time shot up badly. Worked until 4:00 A.M.
last night. Now have a wing panel job. Weather is still nice which is
a good thing.
May 27,
1944
(Winston)
Riley and I just back from London. Nothing exciting happened. Got to
daydreaming on the train that I was on my way home in the good old
U.S.A. The countryside was very pretty. All here on the post carry
side arms-paratroopers attacked B-24 base a short time ago.
 June 2, 1944
(Lieutenant
Joseph J.) Corcoran flew in a new ship today-stationed in northern
Ireland.
June 3,
1944
11
missions to date- Lieutenant (David L.) Rucker assigned to ship.
Finished combat crews getting a raw deal- permanent guard duty for
three months and then? Lieutenant (Gilman) Stewart left yesterday-
asked him to write the folks.
June 5,
1944
Leonard
Ulm visited me today. Took time out to visit him and then worked
until 9:00. Went back down at 11:00 and stayed in shack. Something
must be up as we are under orders to shoot anyone not knowing pass
word and wearing arm band.
June 6,
1944
June’s
birthday and also invasion. Had a 5 o’clock mission- three
different groups went out. Too hazy to observe anything according to
pilot. Rained in P.M. and grounded planes.
June 7,
1944
Seems no
different than pre-invasion days-only one mission today. Worked till
8:30 again-seems like we always have something to do.
June 11,
1944
Weather
remains nice. 16 missions to date, short trips now which suits me
fine. Only three of us on crew. 20 planes in squadron. Everyone says
we will be moved by September 1st. We’ll see.
June 17,
1944
Stood down
after going strong since the 6th. Weather remains nice.
Kept pretty busy today and changed starter. Frank Leonard from
Lieutenant (Joseph) Corcoran’s crew is with me now. Al (Kosic) and
Bert (Cullip) still here too. Bob got a ship of his own.
(Lauren
L.) McKinney’s ship wrecked yesterday- evidently tried to take off
with locked controls. He’s lost four and none in combat. Ship and
(Winston) Riley got plenty of flak again.
June 28,
1944
Took off
at 4:00 this A.M. Weather settled in and planes didn’t get back.
(Winston) Riley and I are supposed to go on a 24 hour pass. Raining
cats and dogs so I doubt if we go.
 July 7, 1944
The first
five days of the month were very wet-rain every day. Last two have
been very nice but plane hasn’t flown since June 30th.
Just came from the line (10:00) after sweating (Lieutenant David)
Rucker in. Finished 31 missions tonight in less than two months.
July 9,
1944
More rain
and I am beginning to get nervous from this inactivity. Rumors flying
thick and fast and most agree we’ll leave by September or shortly
after. Can’t describe what its like to dream.
July 10,
1944
Lost two
planes today-collided in mid-air due to air pocket. Only four got
out.
July 12,
1944
Another
long mission-not back until 7:00 P.M. Everything ok. Bombing Munich
in retaliation for Buzz Bombs. Anything goes.
July 13,
1944
Got up at
3:00 for only a spare. Slept rest of the day.
July 14,
1944
Attended a
USO show-pfew! One ballet dancer and the rest opera. Half the crowd
walked out. Very rude.
July 15,
1944
Lieutenant
Rosboro (Pilot/First Lieutenant James Edward Roseborough, KIA, flew
B-17G 42-97273 ‘Aces and Ates’) went down today-next to last
mission-Munich. First crew we’ve lost in 64 missions. First plane
since I lost 081.
July 16,
1944
Made
Master Sergeant today-that’s all!
July 17,
1944
Went to
Calais again-back at noon. No damage.
July 20,
1944
Another
long raid-lots of body damage. One navigator had head shot off. Waist
gunner in mine had broken leg.
July 21,
1944
Engine
change-first on my plane-36 missions. M.E. for tomorrow-my guess is
Berlin-will see.
July 22,
1944
Poor
guess-went out for troop support today- 1500 yards ahead but
visibility poor and brought them back.
July 23,
1944
Same as
yesterday but done some good this time. 500 got one small piece of
flak but it killed the tail gunner.
July 25,
1944
Again
today and back at 2:00-went to show in P.M. (Pilot/First) Lieutenant
(Ben H.) Clements assigned to ship. He’s a redhead with a likeable
disposition.
July 31,
1944
Payday and
our first fog of the fall.
August 1,
1944
Worked
till 1:00 A.M. last night. Got Spam from home today. One of the 544th
planes exploded after take off this A.M.
August 4,
1944
Planes
crashed in the woods last P.M. Too foggy to see field. Same this A.M.
but took off at 9:00 on a 10 hour mission. Experimental works.
August 5,
1944
Rough!
Quite a bit of flak-Hamburg. Got a spar hit but don’t know what
work I have to do. 5 men bailed out of Jake’s ship for no earthly
reason. Hydraulic motor on fire.
August 7,
1944
Pulled our
outer wing panel and main tank. Depot changed mind and said no need
of it! Boy did I swear. Hot as hell today-very nice weather.
August 9,
1944
At long
last have the plane back in one piece. Loaded it for a mission even
before we were done.
August 10,
1944
P.F.F.
ship came back from mission and caught fire in traffic pattern. Four
bailed out- one chute never opened and one other died of
injuries-others ok. Plane landed safely and fire put out.
August 12,
1944
Mission 47
today-510 (42-97510 B-170G-15-VE ‘Satan’s Playmate’) landed in
France for gas. Pilot said women and children swarmed all over the
plane. Down to Bridgestock last night. Marcy says this is the hottest
it has been for several years.
August 16,
1944
Mission 50
on the plane today.
August 17,
1944
Stood down
for a change. Shipping rumors all over the place-maybe the fortune
teller knew her onions.
August 19,
1944
Rain
today-first in a long time. Engine change and a tank to get dropped.
Did we ever get soaked.
August 24,
1944
(Winston)
Riley and I were up to Leeds on a 48 hour pass-pretty nice people.
People seem more friendly than in London.
August 25,
1944
Came back
to two engine changes. The last originals on the ship.
August 28,
1944
Raining
today and very chilly. Gosh, but I hate to think of this winter.
Honestly believe I’ll be home before the first of the year.
 September 8, 1944
Tempus
Fugit shot up again about three days ago, busy ever since. Still it
rains. (First Lieutenant Ben H.) Clements asked how I’d like to fly
back. Boy would I like to surprise the folks some fall day.
September
11, 1944
Lost
Pierce’s ship on the 9th and P.T.’s (Percy T. Francis)
today. Seems more like old times. We didn’t go-engine change.
Allies inside Germany according to the radio-pilots say they are way
in. Who knows.
September
12, 1944
(Sgt
Alfred G.) Clayton’s ship landed on the coast-engine out. Fog in
late this evening.
September
13, 1944
Bob Jones
landed on coast but guess it is a wreck. Only 16 ships on the field
in commission, 7 in our squadron. 501 up for slow time-be ready by
morning.
September
14, 1944
Got up at
4:00 A.M. but no trip, too foggy. 501 up getting more time on the
engine. Interviewed yesterday for some kind of an award. Ho hum.
September
15, 1944
Plane
landed at another field last night and blew a tire. I’d asked to
change them two days ago. Didn’t have any trouble getting tires
today. Ha!
Going on
furlough tomorrow. Notice in previous entry that we may leave by
September 1st-still here. We are building packing boxes
though, supposed to be finished by the 20th. Skippy
visited us today-been in hospital 2 months with ankle he broke in
ball game. Crew from (Howard B.) Pierce’s ship landed inside
Germany but made it back to the field in two days. 6 more missions to
make by the 23rd of month- 200 mission party.
September
22, 1944
Back from
furlough today-London. All barrage balloons moved to coast for Buzz
Bombs.
September
23-24, 1944
Party-stayed
in barracks on 23rd. Rain on 24th-all events
cancelled but nobody working. Women all over the post-no morals
whatsoever. Glad to still be in love with my honey.
September
25, 1944
Mission 60
today. (Harold) Schieble’s plane collided with a B-24 and still
came back to base. (Frank) Presnietz lost his. Sick as hell
today-something I ate.
September
28, 1944
Lost 222
(42-31222 B-17G-5-BO ‘Lazy Daisy’) today-another mid air
collision. Old 501 back again. Went to Tiddington and donated a pint
of blood. No ill effects.
 October 5, 1944
Boom! The
whole squadron got it today- Cologne. Hope the weather stays nice.
Four missions the last five days.
October
11, 1944
Changed
one engine and another went out on slow time. Been busy ever since 5.
Ok now but didn’t go in today’s raid and am I glad! Have 13
planes but only three in commission tonight. Cologne again. Lost two
ships as far as we know. Hope my luck holds for another 25 missions.
We’ll see.
October
15, 1944
Mission
yesterday and today-no damage. Weather pretty cool but nice in the
daytime. Heard the Ohio State-Wisconsin game last night. Only one in
the barracks- oh to be rich!
(In a
game carried via shortwave radio by the Armed Forces Radio Network,
the Ohio State Buckeyes football team defeated the Wisconsin Badgers
20-7 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. The Buckeyes
didn’t lose a game during the 1944 season, ending the season ranked
number two in the nation.)
October
17, 1944
Cologne
again and we should have stayed home. Today made 70 missions on the
wreck. Another crash landing last night-almost a weekly occurrence it
seems.
October
18, 1944
Not much
damage, only seven Tokyo tanks and wing panel. I feel all pulled out
tonight.
October
24, 1944
At long
last- everything in ship shape until preflight. Worked until 3:00
A.M. by myself changing magneto to no avail. Worked all day and
finally found trouble about 4:00. Magneto harness?
October
26, 1944
I’m a
liar-same trouble all over again. (Line Chief Marvin) Hudson finally
found the trouble tonight. Water in vibrators-time consumed, four
days.
October
30, 1944
Well what
do you know? A mission today and all is well.
November
5, 1944
Lousy
weather. Mission last two days and everything ok.
November
6, 1944
Boom! Two
wing panels, cylinder and interior damage. Raining like hell tonight
and I had to go back and tie down the plane. Still at it trying to
get plane out of the mud.
November
15, 1944
A very
heavy frost this A.M. Still pretty hazy (12:00) and looks like rain.
Planes will probably have trouble getting back. No mission since
November 7th.
November
17, 1944
Planes not
back yet-first time this has happened for a long time. Came over the
field this afternoon but had to go back.
November
18, 1944
Planes
arrived late this P.M. Weather still damp. Fourth engine change for
us.
November
20, 1944
Worked
late last night and got slow timed today. (First Lieutenant Ben H.
Clements) Clem only has one more to go. Hope he flies 501 on last
trip.
November
23, 1944
Thanksgiving
Day. Had a nice piece of white meat and all the trimmings. Mission
today and (First Lieutenant Ben H. Clement) Clem finished up. He’s
really a tickled boy and promised me anything I wanted. Spent about 2
½ hours in the barracks this evening and I enjoyed talking to him.
Promised to write Ruby and Mom-bet he does too. Too bad we had no
phone as he wanted to call Ruby.
November
28, 1944
On 48 hour
pass in the barracks. Weather is still swell and still running a
mission a day. I got my $5 today. Mission 81 on the plane today.
December
7, 1944
Had two
planes crash land this week, (James) Flynn’s and (John Stachon)
Stackos’. Jim’s was hit with a 7 lb piece of flak. Lieutenant
McClean (Pilot/Second Lieutenant William S. McLean) assigned to plane
now. Cornered me today and gave me Bronze Star.
December
10, 1944
First snow
today-didn’t stick on the ground. (Bernard C.) Ollman back from
Russia. Lots of tales. Rode 2500 miles by truck and 21 days on the
water.
December
11, 1944
Mission
today but not back yet (11:00). Seems to be warming up.
December
14, 1944
Field
closed in the past two days, warmer today though plenty busy with
inspections. Slick’s plane didn’t come back the 12th.
December
17, 1944
Mission
yesterday which was diverted before completed. Didn’t come back
till this P.M. P.T.’s (Percy T. Francis) plane cracked up on
landing at other base. Only came in on December 7th. 014
back into squadron today.
December
19, 1944
Mission 88
today and also an engine change.
December
22, 1944
Finished
the engine change. Foggy weather here for four days and worse
tonight.
December
23, 1944
Made the
Tanoy tonight-my! Soon want us for a personal appearance.
December
24, 1944
Awakened
this A.M. by an explosion. Quite a few V-1s landed somewhere. Planes
took off in zero visibility, arrived back safely but closed in before
all get down.
December
25, 1944
Worked
until 5:00 A.M. on turbo. Slept most of the day. Terrible weather at
present- heavy frost, cold and foggy.
December
27, 1944
Another
all night job, more fun. Scrubbed ship.
December
30, 1944
The spell
is broken. Aborted today on 117th mission. #2 engine went
out on takeoff.
December
31, 1944
All in
town but P.T. (Percy T. Francis), (Harold) Schieble, and I. Pretty
cool outside too. 9:30 now so I’ll kiss Ruby goodnight and hit the
bag. Happy New Year’s honey.
 January 1, 1945
It don’t
seem a bit different today. Starting out the New Year right. The
engine we just changed went out on takeoff for slow time.
January 2,
1945
Going to
change the others while we are at it. Raining tonight and just had a
red alert.
January 7,
1945
Oh Joy,
finally back in ops again and another abortion. Props ran away. I
just don’t give a damn anymore. I need a pass and a few
drinks-getting edgy as hell.
January
10, 1945
Lots of
snow and ice this A.M. Crews flying in terrible weather. Lost one
ship on takeoff-four of ours failed to return. P.T. (Percy T.
Francis), Slot (Ted Slotwinski), and I went rabbit hunting with
sticks this A.M. Got wet is all.
January
12, 1945
Warmer and
rain. Snow all gone. No mission last two days.
January
13, 1945
Up for an
8:30 practice mission after being stood down for two days. Diverted
so no planes for a mission in A.M. One buzz bomb this A.M.
January
20, 1945
Mission
today from which they didn’t return. Had a heavy snow. (Alfred)
Clayton and another plane collided on runway after landing-too
slippery. (Arthur W.) Kahn’s crew bailed out after running out of
gas-110 missions on it.
January
21, 1945
Planes
came back again. Group lost six ships by ditching.
January
22, 1945
Mission
96-everything ok. Two more ships collided on the runway. Our
bombardier got flak wound on hand.
January
23, 1945
Mission
today and none of them back-too much snow.
January
26, 1945
Planes
back today-I’ve got a wing panel change-only battle damage in
squadron. Getting it ready for A.M. Drafting men into infantry. Still
cold and snow on the ground. No fuel but (David C.) Payne got a load
of 2x4s.
January
28, 1945
Still
snowing occasionally with lots of the ground. Two ships run off
runway on takeoff-plenty slippery.
 February 1, 1945
Mission
today-first since 28th. Just like spring today with the
snow all gone.
February
3, 1945
Mission
100 and it was the end of the Challenger. Rumor has it they had an
engine hit and went on to Russia. Pilot said in the A.M. he’d do it
if in trouble. First and last mission on this plane was to Berlin.
February
4, 1945
Slept till
noon and took a hell bath in the afternoon.
February
5, 1945
(Howard
B.) Pierce got a new plane and we helped modify it. Heard complete
story on 501-ditched in Channel-three men died. One life raft didn’t
inflate entirely. Why did they try to make it?
February
6, 1945
Group to
lead division on mission today. Some 547th crew chief
taxied plane into mud at runway intersection and none took off.
February
22, 1945
Lots of
water under the bridge. Been on 48 hour pass-worked nights and now
have another plane. Mission #1 today. (43-39203 B-17G-105-BO ‘Globe
Trotter’)
March 3,
1945
Missions
every day-not able to even pull inspections. A little cool but nice.
Something big coming up-C-47s and gliders practicing like before
D-Day. Probably jump across the Rhine.
March 9,
1945
Rumors of
German planes strafing towns which are lit up. All night flying
planes up for slow time. Twelve missions and hardly any flak seen.
Hope it keeps up this way.
March 21,
1945
Been on an
8 day furlough to London. Plenty of rockets and not too far off.
Visited where one hit and was amazed at the smallness of the hole.
Saw some barrage balloons up again. Plenty of wounded infantry in
town. Wouldn’t want better weather.
March 22,
1945
Flying
every day-not so good today. We have both wing panels, both
stabilizers, plus tanks and cables.
March 25,
1945
(Winston)
Riley headed for Virginia again. I’ve a hunch this will end in no
good for us. God, but I hope not. I love her so.
March 30,
1945
The
group’s 300th mission and very little damage. The
weather is still nice. Predict the middle of April we’ll be off
operations.
 April 2, 1945
Waist guns
being removed from all ships. Ball turret is also the rumor.
Spamliner went on a mission March 31st and led formation.
Goldie (Edwin H. Goldsmith) was papa Easter Sunday.
April 5,
1945
Plane hit
tree on takeoff, mashed hell out of the cowling and magneto harness.
What a mess. Lucky to get back.
April 10,
1945
To love
and honor until death do us part, I do. Honey I love you so much.
Let’s hope our sacrifices will not be in vain.
April 25,
1945
Planes
landing after mission crashed into parked plane. Nobody hurt. P-51
belly landed.
April 26,
1945
Our plane
made a lone photo mission over Germany-gone 8 hours.
April 30,
1945
Been stood
down for 5 straight days-almost a record. Snowed today and has been
very chilly.
 May 1, 1945
Believe we
are actually off ops. Just standing by in case.
May 2,
1945
Big
squadron meeting today and commanding officer practically said we are
going to the states and not be occupation forces.
May 3,
1945
P.T.
(Percy T. Francis), (Alfred) Clayton, and I were to the continent
today. Landed close to Cologne and motored to Dusseldorf.
May 5,
1945
Rumors and
more of them. The latest being we’ll be in south France by last of
the month. Time will tell. Still think I’ll be here this year yet.
May 9,
1945
War has
officially ended. Not much celebrating on the post. Orchestra playing
nightly at club is all. No passes being issued. Lots of victory
programs on the radio.
May 12,
1945
Lovely
weather-crating all of our things and stripping planes of all guns,
armor, etc. Turrets to be dropped and 50 seats to be installed.
May 14,
1945
Slightly
cooler today, probably be that way for a while. Advance party leaving
for France last of week. Wonder what sort of place it will be?
May 20,
1945
Since last
entry, we changed #2 and #3 engines. Been to London on a 48 hour pass
and #3 was changed again. Plane now at another base to have turrets
dropped and seats put in. Expect to move around 1st of
June. Rained today and tonight.
May 30,
1945
Red Parent
(S/Sgt Leroy C. Parent, shot down and POW 10/14/43 at Schweinfurt
aboard 42-29800 ‘Me and My Gal’)- tail gunner on (Thomas)
Wheeler’s crew showed up today. Liberated May 2nd. Told
of stuffing on food at first chance, made wireless sets from rings,
etc. Passed time by making anything: dolls, suitcases, all from
flattened tin cans.
 June 16, 1945
Been laid
up two days with a sprained back. Been to Istres (France) twice-looks
worse each time. Some debate as to whether we’ll ever go at all.
Suppose to be locating another place. Changed commanding officers at
both Group and Squadron. Captain McNair says we’ll all be replaced
in six months. Hope he’s right.
June 26,
1945
Rest of
squadron left for Istres and I went to hospital-back.
June 28,
1945
Out of
hospital and just lying around. Staying in the 547th area
now. Just the ball team and a few truck drivers here left of
squadron.
July 2,
1945
Ted
(Slotwinski) and I, Skip, and (Samuel) Vaughn went to London on a
pass. Feeling pretty good but still limp.
 July 6, 1945
Arrived at
Istres-what a place!
July 7,
1945
Back in
harness again-flight chief. Nobody kept very busy. Flying 12 ships
per day in Green Project.
July 8,
1945
Only two
complete squadrons here besides the 92nd Bomb Squadron so
we fly every other day.
July 17,
1945
Engines
starting to go bad and quite a few are being changed.
July 19,
1945
Entered
hospital at Aix, France. Back no better so I decided to find out
what’s wrong.
July 21,
1945
Quite a
few in my ward with my condition. Don’t know what they’ll do yet.
July 29,
1945
Doctor
decided just a bad sprain and will get better so I’ll return to
duty. (Line Chief Marvin D.) Hudson and Renero left for home on the
14th of July.
 August 2, 1945
Back in
the squadron. (Roland) Flynn and Ehron (Philip Ehrhorn) and (Flight
Chief Frank W.) Priesnitz left for home.
August 5,
1945
Guess the
boys that went to England got shipped back to France in a mobile
repair unit.
August 6,
1945
P.T.
(Percy T. Francis) and (Arthur W.) Kohn left today and flew
home-lucky guys.
August 7,
1945
All
squadrons here now and only flying three ships per squadron. Not a
very good arrangement.
August 12,
1945
Talk of
Japan surrender. Lots of bitching on the line because of Rowland.
August 15,
1945
V.J. day
but you’d never know it. Work as usual. Some of the staging areas
had riots. Everyone wonders how it will effect demobilization.
August 16,
1945
Looks like
Green Project may fold up-one ship per day.
August 17,
1945
The rest
of the line left today for England-got half way and lost #3. Returned
to Istres. Only 11 men of original Group left here on line. Some tall
talk that the rest of the 85 points men will leave in a day or so.
August 18,
1945
Finally
got started again and landed in Paris and then to the 358th
Fighter Group. Waited three hours in truck to get us. Reported
Intelligence that we had ditched in Channel yesterday.
August 19,
1945
Assigned
to 370th Fighter Squadron. Has clothes check and a talk by
the Group commanding officer. Only three of the original ten together
now- Skip, (Howard) Pierce, and I. Went to Red in P.M. and met the
rest of the gang and on to show.
August 20,
1945
Met the
squadron commanding officer and reported to the hospital. Some
physical-just asked questions. This is induction days all over again.
Look to ship to the states soon-I hope.
August 26,
1945
Started to
school today- Skip, Pierce, and I. Everyday but Saturday and Sunday
but better than laying around.
August 27,
1945
Took five
mile hike today (Saturday). Rumor has it that all will leave soon.
August 29,
1945
Left for
Stone at 1:00 and arrived at 7:00. Finally got beds and eat about
10:00.
August 30,
1945
Starting
processing all over again.
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