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

crew; #7504, Lt. Ransberger and crew; #2490, Lt. Sheriff and
crew; #7563, Lt. Stunf and crew; #1909, Lt. Klinger and crew;
#7956, Lt. Kerr and crew; #1542, Lt. Basinger and crew; #7173,
Lt. Miller and crew; #7276, Lt. Riser and crew; #1579, Lt.
Helfrich and crew; #7040, Lt. Maxwell and crew; #7234, Capt.
Ranzoni and crew; #7304, Lt. Pryor and crew; #2116, Lt. Supchak
and crew; #7625, Lt. Maziarz and crew; #7594, Lt. Sprinkle and
st
crew; #7075, Lt. Rider and crew; #1515 (401 ) Lt. Grimmer and
crew (new), #1678, Lt. Mosley and crew.
It is the practice that when a new crew completes its ground
training and is ready for an operational mission, an experienced
pilot is sent with it on the first mission; rather than for inexperienced
personnel to be alone.. One experienced member of the
crew in a key position proves of immense value on the ship. This
way it doesn’t take long for new men to get on to flying combat
and to take their place in the formation as trained and
experienced men. This was the case with the crew of ship #1515 on
today’s mission.
Lt. Riser and crew with the exception of the Ball Turret Gunner
th
were recently transferred back from the 324 Squadron. Less than
th
a month ago, they were transferred to the 324 as a pathfinder
crew, but were brought back when it was found they could be
released from that squadron.
As all available combat crewmembers have been used for
operational missions during the past several days, there has been
but little done in the way of attendance at ground school. It
th
seems to have been on continuous “alert” since the 6 of June,
“D” Day and every man, both from the air and the ground echelons,
have had the one purpose in mind; to give all possible air
support to the invasion troops. How well they have succeeded in
this, only time and history will tell.
th
14 June 1944: On the 14 , there was no operational mission
scheduled. Three ships flew a practice-bombing mission and
dropped thirty 100-lb. Practice bombs. Two ships flew locally.
th
15 June 1944: June 15 , an airdrome at Bordeaux, France, was
bombed. Results showed it was successfully bombed. Eighteen ships
from this squadron took part. This number is quite large for one
squadron. All returned safely to base and there were no
abortives. Ships and crews taking part were: Ship #7234, Capt.
Ranzoni and crew; #2116, Lt. Grimmer and crew; #7040, Lt. Mosley
and crew; #7540, Lt. Pickard and crew; #7173, Lt. Rider and crew;
#7563, Lt. Basinger and crew; #7625, Lt. Maziarz and crew; #7594,
st
Lt. Sprinkle and crew. #1542, Lt. Stunf and crew; #911 (401 )
Lt. Maxwell and crew; #7304, Lt. Ransberger and crew; #7276, Lt.