Dailies of the 323rd - the 91st Bomb Group!
Dailies of the 323rd - the 91st Bomb Group!
Dailies of the 323rd - the 91st Bomb Group!
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2/Lt. Clifford Stanton, Jr. Navigator; 2/Lt. Everett Lunde,<br />
<strong>Bomb</strong>ardier; S/Sgt. Billy Standlet, Engineer S/Sgt. Roy Neumann,<br />
Radio Operator , Sgt. Guy Johnson, Tail Gunner; Sgt. Harold<br />
McMurray, Ball Turret Trainer; Sgt. Donald Kovall, Waist Gunner;<br />
and Sgt. Rex Silver, Waist Gunner.<br />
14 - 16 April 1944: During <strong>the</strong> period <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 14th to 16th,<br />
inclusive, due to adverse wea<strong>the</strong>r conditions, <strong>the</strong>re was no<br />
operational mission scheduled. Considerable local flying was done<br />
on <strong>the</strong> 14th, and <strong>the</strong> ships flew a practice bombing mission<br />
dropping thirty-nine 100 Lb. Practice bombs. Ground school was<br />
well attended during this period.<br />
17 April 1944: On <strong>the</strong> 17th, a mission was scheduled against?<br />
Leon, but just as <strong>the</strong> ships began to taxi for <strong>the</strong> take-<strong>of</strong>f, it<br />
was scrubbed.<br />
18 April, 1944: Oranienburg, Germany, was <strong>the</strong> target for <strong>the</strong><br />
18th. Six ships from this squadron participated and all <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m<br />
returned without losses. On this trip <strong>the</strong>re were no "aborts" and<br />
this is always considered good. Ground crews, who work on a ship<br />
and get it ready for a mission, like to see it completed. This<br />
causes <strong>the</strong>m to know <strong>the</strong> value <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir work. So for <strong>the</strong> ground<br />
crew, <strong>of</strong> course <strong>the</strong>y would ra<strong>the</strong>r go on and complete <strong>the</strong> mission,<br />
hit <strong>the</strong> target and chalk up ano<strong>the</strong>r completed mission on <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
tour. Those taking part in today's raid were: Lt. Hackleman and<br />
crew in ship #940, #276, Lt. Thomas and crew; #636, Lt. Reid and<br />
crew; #304, Lt. Pryer and crew; #151, Lt. Wilkinson and crew;<br />
#563, Lt. Klinger and crew. <strong>Bomb</strong>s were dropped and <strong>the</strong> mission<br />
was considered successful.<br />
Since only six crews were flying in <strong>the</strong> mission, <strong>the</strong>re were<br />
several available men for ground school and training activities.<br />
One ship flew a practice bombing mission, one crew practiced on<br />
<strong>the</strong> skeet range , and all syn<strong>the</strong>tic trainers were in use<br />
throughout <strong>the</strong> day.<br />
19 April, 1944: On <strong>the</strong> 19th, Eschwege Airfield, Kassel, Germany,<br />
was <strong>the</strong> target. Wea<strong>the</strong>r conditions were unfavorable. Results <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> mission were judged unsuccessful. Again, six <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>323rd</strong><br />
ships took part, listed as follows: #543, Capt. Kuehl and crew;<br />
#276, Lt. Thomas and crew; #151, Lt. Sheriff and crew; #075, Lt.<br />
Register and crew; #563, Lt. Klinger and crew; #036, Lt. Bruce<br />
and crew. Ships #543 and #075 aborted due to <strong>the</strong> failure <strong>of</strong><br />
gasoline to flow into No. 1 engine fuel tank on ship #543, and in<br />
<strong>the</strong> case <strong>of</strong> ship #075, a fire started in <strong>the</strong> back <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
instrument panel, due to a short circuit in <strong>the</strong> rheostat <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
florescent lighting on <strong>the</strong> panel. Both pilots were credited with<br />
engineering abortives which means <strong>the</strong>y were not responsible for