Dailies of the 323rd - the 91st Bomb Group!

standard of efficiency has prevailed throughout the squadron. Not
one "Abortive" was caused by failure of personnel. Many of the
ships returned to base quite seriously damaged, but the ground
crews soon put them back into commission ready to fly again. Ship
#513, was on a local flight when it caught afire just as it
landed on the runway. The fire had such a start that it was
impossible to extinguish it, and the ship was a total loss. The
Pilot and all members by quick action, managed to get out of it
and escape without injury to themselves. This incident happened
on the afternoon of April 5, 1944.
This field was inspected by General Eisenhower, Allied Supreme
Commander, on the 11th. With him were General Spaats, General
Doolittle, and other high ranking Officers. The squadron was well
represented in all phases of this event. Also, during the month,
Mr. Stettinious, Assistant Secretary of State of the United
States , paid a visit to this field and reviewed much of its
work. Both General Eisenhower and Mr. Stettinious seemed well
pleased with the base as a whole.
During the month, the number of man hours lost on account of
personnel being grounded for medical reasons is much less than
that of the previous month. General health of the squadron
continued excellent throughout the month. Due to the small amount
of rainfall in this region, the water supply is short but not to
the extent as to cause much concern. Frequent shower baths have
been temporarily halted for all personnel due to a break in the
main line nearby.
Personnel newly assigned to the squadron have reacted well to the
training and discipline incident to serving in a squadron under
combat conditions.
On all missions flown during the month, our ships were escorted
by fighters from other bases which did their work so well that
they deserve a lot of the credit for the good record made. It
seemed that they had the Germans on the run. Many times the enemy
refused to take to the air against them. Had they dared to, no
doubt our gunners would have accounted for more of their planes
destroyed that is the case. On the 11th, S/Sgt. Wayne C.
Wrightsman, Jr. 17050909, flying as enlisted Bombardier on Ship
#504, Lt. William E. Reid, Pilot, shot down an ME-109. S/Sgt.
Wrightsman, in addition to being checked out as a Bombardier, is
also a qualified Aerial Engineer and an excellent gunner. He was
promoted to the rank of Technical Sergeant on the 15th of April.
Morale of all personnel in the squadron is excellent. Those
agencies on the base such as the Church Services, Red Cross
Activities, and the Church Army, an English Agency, have done