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Rev.
7/5/2023 |
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"I will come!" |
The
315th Troop Carrier Group War Diaries |
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Following are re-types of the Outline
Histories and War Diaries sent up to Wing HQ each month. The original documents are preserved at the
Air Force History Office at Maxwell AFB. AL, and have been retyped for web
format by Miles Hamby, son of Henry Hamby, original member of the 315th TCS
and first commander of the 310th TCS. The duty of writing the war diaries at
the time was usually assigned to the squadron adjutant and typed by the
squadron clerk. Often, as can be seen by reading these, the writer was very
expressive. The text herein has not been edited, but exactly that that was
submitted to Wing HQ and subsequently recorded in the Air Force archives on
microfilm. The type font used for these re-types is Courier to provide
similarity to the original font of the typewriters upon which the diaries
were originally typed. The formatting of text is not exact but approximates
the original document. Pictures that
appear on this page are not part of the original war diaries, however, they
are original photos provided mostly by the veterans themselves and are added
here to simply round out the narrative. |
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OUTLINE HISTORY 1. ORGANIZATION. A)
17 February 1942. The 315th
Troop Carrier Group was activated and Olmstead Field, Middletown,
Pennsylvania, as the 315th Transport Group (G.O. #7) Hq
Middletown Ari Depot, dated 16 February 1942) and consisted of Headquarters
and Headquarters Squadron, 33rd Transport Squadron, 34th Transport Squadron,
and the35th Transport Squadron. Cadre
of 17 officers and 114 Enlisted men were obtained from the 6th Transport
Squadron and the 2nd Transport Squadron. Subsequent personnel was obtained
from the following sources: Overseas Discharge and Replacement Depot,
Hew Orleans, Ls. P of E Lowry Field, Denver, Colorado 6th Transport Squadron 2nd Transport Squadron 56th Air base Squadron 1301st Service unit, Reception Center, New
Cumberland, Pa. A.A.F. Technical Training Command, Rising
sun School of Aeronautics Air Service Command, Wright Field 246th Coast Artillery 720th M.P. Company Middletown Air Depot 41st Ordnance Battalion A.A.F. Technical Training Command, New
England Aircraft School. Headquarters Technical School, Fort Logan,
Colo. Air Intelligence School, Harrisburg, Ps. 52nd Troop Carrier Wing. Reception Center, Jefferson Barracks. Mo. 28th Infantry Division. A.A.F. Technical, Chanute Field, Illinois. Replacement Training Center, Keesler Field,
Miss. Medical Service School, Carlisle Barracks,
Pa. Headquarters, Lawson Field, Fort Benning,
Ga A.A.F. Technical School, Scott Field, Ill. Greenville Army Flying School, Greenville,
Miss. Air Base Headquarters, Bowman Field, Ky. A.A.F. Advanced Flying school, Brooke
Field, Texas. 1st Troop Carrier Command, Stout Field,
Ind. A.A.F. Technical Training Command, Santa
Monica, Calif. 50th Troop Carrier Wing, Camp William, Wis. Headquarters, Army Air Base, Florence, S.C. Basic Training Center, Keesler Field, Miss. A.A.A. Advanced Flying School, Turner
Field, Ga. A.A.F. Training Detachment, U.S. Rubber
Co., Detroit, Michigan. Training Detachment A.A.F.T.T.C. Academy of
Aeronautics, LaGuardia Field, NY. 63rd Troop Carrier Group. Basic Training Center, Sheppard Field,
Texas. Casey Jones School of Aeronautics, Newark,
N. J. 89th Troop Carrier Group. Captain Thomas J.
Schofield, O-309738, assumed command upon activation. The Group was assigned
to the 50th Transport Wing. B)
17 April 1942. Major Hamish
McLelland, C-277350, assumed command vice Major Thomas Schofield (S.O. #28, Hq 315th Transport Group dated 17 April 1942). C)
6 June 1942. The 35th Transport
Squadron was relieved of assignment to this Group and assigned tot the 63th Transport Group (Teletype H.A.T.C.-J-101,
Headquarters, Air Transport Command, Stout Field, Ind. Dated 6 June 1942.) D)
15 June 1942. The 43rd
Transport Squadron was organized and assigned to this Group. E)
18 June 1942. The 315th
Transport Group was redesignated as the 315th Troop
Carrier Group, consisting of: Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron 34th Troop Carrier Squadron 34rd Troop Carrier Squadron 54th Troop Carrier Squadron The Group was
assigned to the 52nd Troop Carrier Wing. G)
Pursuant to orders from 52nd Troop Carrier Wing, the 33rd Troop
Carrier Squadron departed Florence, South Carolina, on or about 27 September
1942 and were detached from this Headquarters to prepare for assignment to
the Pacific Theater. Subsequent
operations of this Squadron have not been reported to this Group. H)
Pursuant to V.O.C.G., I Troop Carrier Command, received 28 September
1942, the 54th Troop Carrier Squadron departed Florence, South Carolina on or
about 29 September 1942 and were detached from the Headquarters to prepare
for assignment to the Alaskan theater.
Subsequent operation of the Squadron have not
been reporter to this Group. ()
11 October 1942. Air Echelon arrived Kellog Field, Michigan
and reported to 1st Concentration Command (Authority: Letter, Hq. 52nd Troop carrier Wings, Pope Field, dated 11
October 1942). J)
17 October 1942. Ground Echelon
arrived Fort Dix, New Jersey, reporting to the Commanding Officer (Auathori8ty:
Letter, Hq. 52 Troop Carrier Wing, Pope Field,
North Carolina, dated 11 October 1942) K)
28th October 1942. Air Echelon reported to North Atlantic Wing, Air
Transport Command, Presue
Isle, Me. L)
12 December 1942. Air Echelon reunited with Ground Echelon at
Aldermaston, England, Station 467 and reported to Commanding General VIII Air
Support Command. M)
25 May 1942. Detachment “A”,
315thTroop Carrier Group commanded by Col. Hamish McLelland departed Station
467 as a loan to the Xii Air Force. (Letter VIII Air Force dated 18 May 1943,
subject” “Loan of Planes and Crews to be sent to North Africa”. 1st Lt.
William H. Sims, O-790559 assumed command of this Group in the absence of
Col. Hamish McLelland, O-277350 (confirmed by S.O. #82, Headquarters, 315th
Troop carrier Group, dated 12 June 1943.) N)
26 June 1943. Colonel Russel L.
Moughan, O-10452, assumed command of this Group vice 1st Lt. William H.
Simms, 0-790559 (V.O.C.G. VIII Air Support Command.) O)
30 August 1943. Group attached
to Headquarters, 1st Fighter Division, (Prov.) (Letter, commanding General, VIII
Air Support Command, dated 30 August 1943). P)
2 September 1943. 1st Lt.
William H. Simms, 0-790559, assumed command of the Group vice Col Russel L.
Moughan, O-10452 (S.O. #12, 1st Fighter Division (Prov.) dated 8 September
1943. Q)
19 September 1943. Lt. Col. James L. Zimmerman, O-153188, assumed
command of the Group, vice 1st Lt. William H. Simms, 0-790559. (S.O. #1,
Headquarters, 315th Troop Carrier Group, dated 19 September 1943). R)
16 October 1943. Group was
assigned to the IX Troop Carrier Command, IX Air Force (S.O. #3, IX Troop
Carrier Command, dated 19 September 1943.) S)
4 November 1943. Captain
William H. Simms, 0-790559, assumed command of the Group, vice Lt. Col. James
L. Zimmerman, O-153188 (S.O. #2, IX Troop Carrier Command, dated 4 November
1943.) T)
30 November 1943. Lt. Col.
William G. Booth, O-131929, assumed command of this Group, vice Capt. William
H. Simms, 0-790559, S.O. #4, Headquarters, 315th Troop Carrier Group, dated
30 November 1943.) 2. STRENGTH.
30 November 1843 Officers: 138 Warrant Officers 2 Flight
Officers: 77 Enlisted Men: 536 Total: 753 |
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3. MOVEMENTS. A)
Air Echelon. 1) Departed
Olmstead Field, Middletown, Pa.- 17 June 1942. Arrived Bowman
Field, Louisville, Ky. – 18 June 1942. 2) Departed Bowman Field, Louisville, Ky. – 3
August 1942. Arrived Florence Army
Air Base, Florence, S. C. – 4 August 1942. 3) Departed Florence Army Air Base, Florence, S. C. – 11 October 1942. Arrived Kellog Field, Battle Creek, Michigan – 11 October 1942. 4) Departed Kellog
Field, Battle Creek, Michigan – 28 October 1942. Arrived Presque Isle,
Maine – 28 October 1942. 5) Departed Presque Isle, Maine – 7 November
1942. Arrived Goose Bay,
Labrador – 8 November 1942. 6) Departed goose Bay, Labrador – 8 November
1942. Arrived Bluie West 1, Greenland -8 November 1942. 7) Departed Bluie
West 1, Greenland – 8 December 1942. Arrived Rejavik, Iceland – 8 December 1942. 8) Departed Rejavik,
Iceland – 12 December 1942. Arrived Prestwick,
Scotland – 12 December 1942. 9) Departed Prestwick, Scotland – 12 December
1942. Arrived Aldermaston,
England – 12 December 1942 (G-467). 10) Departed Aldermaston, England (G-467) – 6
November 1942. Arrived Welford Park,
England (G-474) – 6 November 1942. B) Ground Echelon. 1) Departed
Olmstead Field, Middletown, Pa.- 17 June 1942. Arrived Bowman Field,
Louisville, Ky. – 18 June 1942. 2) Departed Bowman Field, Louisville, Ky. – 3
August 1942. Arrived Florence Army
Air Base, Florence, S. C. – 4 August 1942. 3) Departed Florence Army Air Base, Florence, S. C. – 16 October 1942. Arrived Fort Dix, New
Jersey – 17 October 1942. 4) Departed Fort Dix, New Jersey – 23 November
1942. Arrived New York,
Port of Embarkation – 23 October 1942. 5) Departed New York, Port of Embarkation – 24
November 1942. Arrived Greenok, Scotland – 30 November 1942. 6) Departed Greenok,
Scotland – 30 November 1942. Arrived Aldermaston,
England (G-467) – 1 December 1942. 7) Departed Aldermaston, England (G-467) – 6
November 1943. Arrived Welford Park,
England (G-474) – 6 November 1942. C) Detachment “A”. 1) Departed Aldermaston, England – 25 May 1943. Arrived Portreath, England – 25 May 1943. 2) Departed Portreath,
England – 27 May 1943. Arrived Casablanca,
French Morocco – 28 May 1942. 3) Departed Casablanca, French Morocco – 29 May
1942. Arrived Blida,
Algeria – 29 May 1943. 4) Losses in action: Negative. 5) Awards and Decorations: Negative. |
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WAR DIARY |
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7 November 1942 8 November 1942 |
Twenty-nine aircraft
of this Group departed Presque Isle, Maine at 0830 hours for Goose Ba.
Labrador, making the trip in five hours. The flight was at 7000 feet and the
temperature at -30 degrees. Nineteen planes
departed Goose Bay, Labrador at 1130 G.M.T for Bluie
West 1, Greenland, arriving there at 1630 G.M.T and landing with a 15 mile an
hour tail wind. Col. McLelland’s plane had a bad
starter and he brought up the rear. Flight was made above overcast for most
of the trip with broken cloud at BW1. Planes had to go to 1500 feet to top
the overcast. |
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8 December 1942 |
Twelve planes
departed Bluie West 1 at 1050 hours GMT, arriving
at Rejavik [SIC here, misspelled throughout document], Iceland at approximately 1730 hours GMT after climbing to 19500 feet
to top the clouds over the ice cap. Twenty-one planes actually departed but
nine were forced to turn back by the weather. |
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11 December 1942 |
Eleven planes
departed Rejavik. Four turned back but seven continued
to Sternway where they stopped on account of darkness. |
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12 December 1942 |
Three planes
departed Rejavik and arrived
Prestwick, Scotland that afternoon, topping all clouds at 9000 feet. Six
planes departed Stornoway and arrived Aldermaston,
England that afternoon. |
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13 December 1942 |
Four planes
departed Rejavik and arrived
Prestwich, Scotland at 1700 hours BST. The remaining lanes did not clear Rejavik because of the terrific head winds enroute. |
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20 December 1942 |
Col. McLelland
led a formation of four panes into Aldermaston from Prestwick. |
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5 May 1943 |
General Candee inspected the Station and a review was held for
him by the Group. |
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9 May 1943 |
Dedication of the
new Chapel at Aldermaston. Chaplain Colon P. Coaker
of the Group officiating. Chaplain Ralph A. Hill form the VIII Air Support
Command, Guest speaker, preached the dedicatory sermon. |
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25 May 1943 |
Detachment “A”.
Flights took off for Portreath on first leg of
journey to North Africa. Col. McLelland, Group Commander, led the first
flight, taking off at 1028 hours and arriving at 1149 hours. Detachment
scheduled to leave Portreath at midnight but had
weather caused postponement. All personnel restricted to the Station. |
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27 May 1943 |
All planes left Portreath, the first flight taking off at 2000 hours. |
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28 May 1943 |
All planes
arrived safely at Cazes (Casablanca). Pilots, Navigators,
Radio operators, and Crew Chiefs were very fatigued after flying
approximately 9½ hours. |
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28 May 1943 |
Casablanca.
Received word that our destination had been changed from Relizane
to Blida, Algeria. |
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29 May 1942 |
Breakfast at Casablanca. Takeoffs started at 0930. All lanes landed
at Oujda, Algeria. The Colonel and his staff too the opportunity to visit the
XII Troop Carrier Command Headquarters during the lunch hour. Tool off from
Oujda at 1430 hours and all arrived safely at Blida, Algeria. Major H. B.
Lyon being the first to land at 1700 hours. Sleeping accommodations not
adequate and most crew members and passengers slept in airplanes. |
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30 May 1943 |
Plans are being
made for setting up tents and the various departments. Shops are being
unloaded. |
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31 May 1943 |
Twenty six
additional aircraft assigned to the Group. The Engineering Officer is not
very happy about their condition. |
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1 June 1943 |
The 315th takes
over the North African courier service hitherto handled by the 64th Troop
Carrier Group. Seven aircraft were dispatched on courier missions. |
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2 June 1943 |
New personnel
attached to the Group, to be used as crews on the newly assigned aircraft. The
situation is becoming normal after a few very hectic days. All departments
are functioning effectively although very short of man power. |
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27 June 1943 |
After trying for
three days to land at Pantellaria and having to turn back because of rough runways,
succeed in getting 3 aircraft in today, the first form the Group land there.
Small fire in Headquarters building in which one attached man was slightly
injured. |
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30 June 1943 |
Station at Aldermaston
is transferred from the R.A.F.to the U.S.A.A.F. Present at the ceremony were
Air Commodore C.E.V. Porter representing the R.A.F. and Colonel Russel L.
Maughan representing the U.S.A.A.F. |
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1 July 1943 |
Detachment “A” is
to be operationally controlled by the Mediterranean Air Transport Service,
and all aircraft of the 34th Squadron were ordered back to Blida for
reassignment. |
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13 July 1943 |
Four aircraft of
this Group scheduled to and arrived safely at Ponte Olivio,
Sicily. The flight was let by Lt. Col.
Lyon and landed within 72 hours of the invasion. |
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21 September 1943 |
Three aircraft of
the Group flew to Sardinia. |
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26 September 1943 |
The first
aircraft from this Group landed in Italy at Montecorvino.
Three aircraft were placed on detached service to make regular runs between
Sicily and Italy. |
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30 September 1943 |
The first
aircraft fro the Group landed in Corsica. |
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7 October 1943 |
Col. McLelland departed
for England on matter pertaining to the Group. At Aldermaston, combat news
participated in an “Evasion’ exercises planned and conducted by Capt. George
C. Kimball. The exercise was very
successful as sell as exciting. Also exciting were Capt. Kimball’s efforts to
pacify the owners of vehicles which the Evaders borrowed. |
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21 November 1943 |
This is our one
year overseas anniversary. Special Service arranged to help us celebrate by
scheduling “Hey Rookie”’ starring Sterling Holloway and Chic Brent. It was a
good show that a everyone enjoyed. |
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22 November 1943 |
Br. General Giles
of the IX Troop Carrier Command paid a short visit tot
the detachment in Blida. |
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(Below) Facsimile of original report by
Maj. Stark, 34th TCS, regarding operations for Month of June while 34th TCs
was detached from Aldermaston. Maj.
Stark would become first commanding officer of the 309th TCS formed in May
1944 in anticipation of the Normandy invasion. |
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HEADQUARTERS, AIR
ECHELON 315TH TROOP
CARRIER GROUP Office of the
Operation Officer (APO #786 – U S
Army 5 July 1943 SUBJECT: Accomplishment Report for Month of June. TO :
Commanding Officer, 315th Troop Carrier Group. 1.
The following report on the accomplishment of the 315th Troop Carrier
Group for the month of June 1943 is submitted for you information: PERIOD No. PASS Lbs. FREIGHT Lbs. MAIL MILES FLOWN HH FLOWN June 1 – June 1372 157,793 NOT INIATIVE AT THIS TIME June 6 – June 12 5596 461,330 98,601 155,028 1135 June 13 – June 19 5821 591,635 157,753 133,099 987 June 20 – June 26 4299 543,417 135,389 117,401 850 June 27 – June 30 2717 306,330 75,101 70,595 519 TOTAL 19805 2,060,505 466,834 476,163 3,491 2. The information for the above report is
taken from the “Pilots Missions Report” which is turned into Operation upon
completion of each trip. 3.
The number of passengers, pounds of freight, and pounds of mail hauled
are considered as “pay load” and does not take into considerations the number
of stops where the same person, freight, or mail may have been counted or
weighed again before departure on the next leg of the trop. 4.
Definite information on the percentage of airplanes in commission
during the month of June not complete. The percentage of lanes in commission will
be submitted in the report for the month of July. SMYLIE G. STARK Major,
Air Corps, OPERATIONS
OFFICER. DISTRIBTUION 1 C.O. 315th T.C. Gp. 1 C.O. 34th T.C. Sq 1 C.O. 43rd T.C. Sq 1 File
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(Below) Facsimile of original report
from Col Hamish McLelland to 8th Air Support Command Group HQ at Aldermaston
regarding temporary assignment to North Africa for month of July 1943. |
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HEADQUARTERS, AIR
ECHELON 315TH TROOP
CARRIER GROUP Office of the
Group Commander APO # 768 – U. S.
Army 18 July 1943 SUBJECT: Temporary Duty in North Africa To: :
Commanding General, VIII Air Support Command, APO 618, U.S. Army, (Attention Chief of Staff). 1. The 315th Troop Carrier Group prepared
twenty-one (21) airplanes for temporary duty in North Africa in accordance
with letter 452.1 x 320.2 your Headquarters, dated 14 May 1943,”loan of Troop
Carrier Flight Echelons and Airplanes.” The airplanes were to be completely
modified for operational use and the engine times to be less than 400 hours.
Only the air echelon was to accompany these planes with a few extra pilots
and no spare parts. The movement ordered dated 23 May 1943 stated that the destinations was Relizane
Algeria reporting to the Commanding Officer, 51st Troop Carrier wing for
temporary duty of approximately six weeks. 2. The group departed the United Kingdom
the evening of 27 May 1943 arriving Casablanca the morning of 28 May 1943.
The destination was changed by a telephone message sending the flight to
Oujda, Algeria. The flight arrived Oujda at noon 29 May 1943 where written
orders were issued for the group to proceed to Blida, Algeria to replace the
63th Troop Carrier Group on the Courier and Freight Service in North Africa,
being under the control of the 51st Troop Carrier Wing for administration and
Northwest African Air Service Command for operations. 3.
The 64th Troop Carrier Group was ordered to move from Blida to Nouvion where they were to begin training with paratroops
and gliders for operational missions. The 315th Troop Carrier Group replaced
squadron by squadron the 65th Troop Carrier Group on the Courier and Freight
Schedule in North Africa. While this replacement was in progress, the 51st
Troop Carrier Wing transferred either (8) of the original twenty-one (21)
planes to other Troop Carrier Groups for operational use as they were
completely modified. In order that the 315th could replace the 64th,
thirty-nine (39) old planes were transferred, to the Group from the 60th,
62nd, and 64th Troop Carrier Groups, bringing our total fifty-two (52)
planes. Additional crews were placed on temporary duty, with this Group
making a total of fifty-two (52) crews. The old planes transferred to the
Group were short of necessary equipment; engines in very poor condition, many
requiring engine changes; as they had been in operation in the desert for
several months under the most unfavorable condition. 4.
Group Mission. a. Twenty0six (26) airplanes assigned to
thi3 34th troop carrier Squadron were responsible for the passenger courier
flight witch were made in accordance with the attached schedule. Sixteen (16)
planes and crews were necessary each day to fulfill the schedule, taking
passengers, mail and urgent air freight to and from twenty bases in North
Africa extending from Agadir, French morocco to Tripoli. Special mission
other than scheduled flight, are made when extra aircraft were available in
the Squadron. An average of 90 hours was flown by the 34th crews during the
month of June. The group was temporarily assigned to the Mediterranean Air
Transport Service by the enclosed order, who inaugurated a new schedule
requiring twelve planes, each flight ten to twelve hours a day and twenty crews
each day with each flight five to six hours. b. Twenty-six (26) airplanes assigned to
the 43rd Troop Carrier Squadron receive the Priority Freight Mission for A-3
Northwest African Service Command each evening sending all available planes
to haul freight to and from any place urgently needed. These Planes cover all
the territory in North African theater, Malt, Gozo
Island, Pantalleria shortly after its capture and
into Sicily seventy-two hours after the invasion. Supplies and equipment were
hauled to the Tunis Area and litter patients would be brought back to
Algiers. The average time of the crew during the month of June was 90 hours. c.
One plane was schedule three evening a week to drop, British Chinese,
and a American
paratroop from 1930 to 2130 hours.
This gave the plane crews valuable training. d.
Attached is a Group Accomplishment Report for the month of June 5.
A total of 88 maintenance men were attached to the Group from other
Troop Carrier Groups making a total of 135 men, including the crew chiefs
both with the air echelon to perform all the maintenance of fifty-two
planes. Since 10 June 1943, fifty (50)
engines have been changed, four (4) are being changed at the present time,
and none are awaiting to be changed. During the
first two weeks in June, fifteen (15) tires blew out, and being unable to
obtain new ones from the depots, tires had to be taken from planes grounded
at the home station for other reasons and placed on the planes needing tires.
An average of sixty-five (65) 100 hour inspections are being pulled per month
in addition to the fifty and twenty-five hour inspections and other work. Our
maintenance men and crew chiefs have been working from six o’clock each
morning until nine o’clock each night. Their morale and high efficiency of
work are to be commended. No engine accessories are available and to old ones
must be used on the new engines; generator control
panels must be repaired while the airplanes are grounded a s new ones are not
available. Engine stand or dollies could not be obtained at the depots. Flare
pistols, flares and Aldis Lamps were not available
for the protection of our crews and planes. 6.
When the 64th Troop Carrier Group departed Blida, it left the 315th
responsible for all Americans on the base and all base functions. Difficulty
was encountered in seducing a telephone switch board and telephones until
finally they were secure directly from the SOPSS without going through the
usual channels. A request was made for transportation and at the present time
have on 2000 gal gas truck eight two and on half (21/2)ton
trucks, two ambulances and two cleatracs. A
requisition for a mimeograph machine and stencils was made at the depot two
weeks ago but they are not available. With the responsibility of the base, very
few of the TBA items including Air Corps equipment have been available.
Cooks, KPs guards, telephone operators, drivers, teletype operators,
parachute rigger, painters and carpenters have been supplied from the small
number of 64th enlisted men left at Blida on temporary service at the time of
their departure. 7. Difficulty was encountered by S-2 in
securing colors of the day, verification codes and syko
cards. The group was transferred so often that it was never on any commands
distribution list. 8.
On 1 July 1943, this Group was relieved from attachment to the Troop
Carrier Command and attached tot the Northwest
African Air Service Command for administration and to the Mediterranean Air
Transport Service, Mediterranean Air command, for operational duty, 9.
Although the Group did not participate in the mission which it was
apparently to North African to do, it relieve on group (64th Troop Carrier Grop) from duty on the Courier Service so that they could
take part in the invasion of Sicily. The six weeks temporary duty as ordered
expired 12 July 1943.
/a/ HAMISH McLELLAND
/T/ HAMISH McLELLAND
Colonel, Air Corps Commanding |
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WAR DIARY 1 December 1943 To 31 December 1943 |
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Detachment “A” |
Still in North Africa performing station
duties and hauling freight and passengers for Mediterranean Air Transport
Service and the Xii Air Force Service Command. bad
weather hampered operations in spite of which aircraft and crews accumulated
3,254 hours, 35 minutes flu9ing time in covering 373,120 miles. During the
last few days of the month, intensive preparations were made for the return
to England scheduled for early January and the 21 aircraft which were to make
the trip were grounded for installation of extra fuel tanks. The portion of
the Group at Welford Par, England, wss performing
routine station duties, training, and making such non-operational flights as
were directed by the 50th Troop Carrier Wing. |
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2 December 1943 |
One aircraft with crew dispatched to Wool
fox Lodge, Lincolnshire for the purpose of transporting personnel. |
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4 December 1943 |
Detachment “A” – Lt. Moore, an attached
pilot while on a routine flight across the Mediterranean, sighted and
aircraft in the water and upon investigation found five or six persons in the
water nearby in life vests. He circled low and dropped a liage[SIC] raft and notified a nearby
and notified a nearby hospital ship and the R.A.F. Coastal Air Force station
at Tunis. Lt. Col. H. B. Lyon returned
from England brining 44 sacks of mail for the detachment. Nearly everyone was
up until after midnight reading mail. |
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6 December 1943 |
Major William L. Parker, 0-353026, Group
S-1, was appointed Group Administrative Inspector as an additional duty. |
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9 December 1943 |
One aircraft with crew was dispatched to Bovington, Hertfordshire, and thence to Raydon, Suffolk on detached service for ten days. Two
enlisted men transferred from headquarters of the Group to Headquarters, IX
Troop Carrier Command. |
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12 December 1943 |
Detachment “A” – Bad weather, and hence no
flights. Preparations are being started for the return of the Detachment to
England early in January. |
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13 December 1943 |
Detachment “A” – Some flights cancelled,
others forced to return to base account of weather. |
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14 December 1943 |
Detachment “A” – Weather clearing up and
all flights departed on schedule; some were forced to return. Temporary crews
were set up for the forthcoming trip to England and the decisions made to
carry no passengers on the trip. |
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17 December 1943 |
Several promotions in Group Headquarters
today as follows: Appointed Technical Sergeant (Temporary) S/Sgt. GEORGE P. OSWALD, 12044953 (542) Appointed Corporal (Temporary) Pfc. FRANK C. BAKER, Jr., 39407763 (807) Pfc. DORRIS C. GORHAM, 35090182 (239) Pfc. JACK (NMI) STEIN, 32439623 (501) Pfc. KENNETH H. WAGGONER, 32251573 (501) |
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17 December 1943 |
Appointed Private First Class (Temp) Pvt. George, N. doll, 37432880 (501) Pvt. NNOEL R. SEIM, 16050412 (501) Pvt. EARL (NMI) THOMAS, 33234416 (501) |
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19 December 1943 |
F/O George L. Peavey, AC, of the 34th
Troop Carrier Squadron was, in addition to his other duties, was appointed
Asst. Group Intelligence Officer. |
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20 December 1943 |
Pfc. Guy W. Tustin, 33088478, was promoted
to Corporal (Temp.) Detachment “A” – preparations for departure to England
are now in full swing. Air craft to be used on the trip are grounded and
cabin fuel tanks being installed. |
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21 December 1943 |
Pfc. Irving (NMI) Cohen, 12142702, was
promoted to Corporal (Temp). Detachment “A” – Activity increases. Aircraft
being modified completely for the return to the United Kingdom. The 34th
Squadron is to take 11 planes; the 43rd is to take 10 planes. Day
otherwise normal. |
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22 December 1943 |
Detachment “A” –Activity as usual but with
a minimum amount of runs due to grounding of the 21 aircraft. |
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25 December 1943 |
Detachment “A” – Christmas day, and very
little activity, all departments either being closed down or operating with skeleton
staffs. A very good Turdy dinner was served and the U.S.O. show furnished
very good entertainment in the evening. |
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26 December 1943 |
In addition to his other duties, 1st
Lt. Bartley D. Rienhardt, 0-339348, AC, as detailed
as Group Personal Equipment Officer. |
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27 December 1943 |
Six aircraft and crews were dispatched to Bottesford, Nottinghamshire on a non-operational mission. |
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28 December 1943 |
Detachment “A” – attached personnel who
have worked in the various departments are taking over those departments to
relieve the Detachment for the tri back to the United Kingdom. |
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31 December 1943 |
Detachment “A” – Several liaison pilots attached
to the Detachment have received orders and left today to return to the United
States. |
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1 January 1944 To 31 January 1944 DETACHMENT “A” – This portion of the group was
still in North Africa. The early portion of the month was devoted to
preparation for returning to England; aircraft being modified, and attached
personnel training to take over station jobs and the courier runs. The try’s
proved to be a dry run and on 11 January 1944 the detachment started removing
cabin tanks and taking over once again their station duties and the courier
runs. The weather being good, planes and crews of the detachment accumulated
a total of 3902 flying time and flew 615,809 miles. At Welford Park, England, the Group
performed routine Station duties and physical fitness. Several
non-operational flights for hauling personnel and supplies were made in
connection with business of the Station and the Troop Carrier Command. |
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WAR DIARY 1 February 1944 To 29 February 1944 |
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1 Feb 1944 |
A Flying Evaluation Board was appointed (SO #16, 1 Feb 1944) for the
purpose of evaluating the professional proficiency of personnel who hold currently
effective aeronautical ratings. The
Board consisted of: Capt. Maurice L. Malins
O-386203 MC 1st Lt. Edward F. Connelly o-790520 AC 1st Lt. Donald S. McBride O-669757 AC |
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3 Feb 1944 |
The following men of Group Headquarters
were awarded |
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More War Diaries forthcoming -- |
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