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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crews reported this occurrence on o<strong>the</strong>r ships. Crew members<br />
“Missing in Action” are: F/O James W. Fore, Pilot; 2/Lt. Donald<br />
F. Bridwell, Copilot; 2/Lt. Robert W. Ward, Navigator; 2/Lt.<br />
Milton Castwirth, <strong>Bomb</strong>ardier; S/Sgt. Robert N. Phelps, Engineer;<br />
Sgt. Bernhard F. Schapf, Flexible Gunner; Sgt. Chasten L. Bowen,<br />
Radio Operator; Sgt. George Sherman, Ball Turret Gunner; and Sgt.<br />
James F. Zeiser, Tail Gunner. With exception <strong>of</strong> F/O Fore, this<br />
crew was on its first mission. All appeared to be well qualified<br />
and trained. It is ano<strong>the</strong>r instance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fact that losses will<br />
occur. This was <strong>the</strong> twenty-fifth mission for F/O Fore.<br />
9 July 1944: Target at Crepieul, France was again <strong>the</strong> objective<br />
th<br />
for attack on <strong>the</strong> 9 . Due to adverse wea<strong>the</strong>r, 10/10 clouds,<br />
bombs were not dropped. Six ships took part as follows: (#____),<br />
Lt. Supchak and crew; #7504, Lt. Pullen and crew; #7234, Lt.<br />
Basinger and crew; #2116, Lt. Snow and crew; #7304, Lt. Eblen and<br />
crew; Capt. Reid and Lt. Pickard in Lead Ship with <strong>the</strong> “A” Crew.<br />
All ships returned safely. However, T/Sgt. Michael J. Hettler was<br />
severely wounded in <strong>the</strong> arm by flak. He is now in <strong>the</strong> hospital.<br />
Although enemy fighters do not <strong>of</strong>fer as much opposition as<br />
formerly, <strong>the</strong>ir anti-aircraft, flak remains intense and accurate.<br />
Ships still return quite badly damaged by it.<br />
th<br />
10 July 1944: There was no mission on <strong>the</strong> 10 . The one scheduled<br />
was scrubbed due to adverse wea<strong>the</strong>r conditions. Ground school and<br />
training activities were carried out on a limited scale by<br />
crewmembers not scheduled for <strong>the</strong> mission. So far in <strong>the</strong> month,<br />
wea<strong>the</strong>r conditions have not been at all favorable to operational<br />
flying.<br />
th<br />
11 July 1944: On July <strong>the</strong> 11 , Munich, Germany, was attacked.<br />
<strong>Bomb</strong>ing was done with PFF equipment thru 10/10 overcast, so<br />
results were unobserved. Six ships from this squadron<br />
participated. All returned safely and no personnel was injured.<br />
There were no abortives. Ships taking part are listed: #7562,<br />
th (324 ) Lt. Col. Milton; Capt. Reid and crew, in <strong>the</strong> lead ship<br />
th<br />
with <strong>the</strong> “A” crew, #7632, (324 ) Lt. Supchak and crew; #7594,<br />
Lt. Burwick and crew; #1900, Lt. Dietrich and crew; #7540, Lt.<br />
Basnight and crew; #1542, Lt. O’Toole and crew. The first two<br />
th<br />
ships were borrowed from <strong>the</strong> 324 squadron, as <strong>the</strong>y were<br />
equipped for PFF <strong>Bomb</strong>ing. Also bombardiers from that squadron<br />
went along to work <strong>the</strong> equipment. <strong>Bomb</strong>s were aimed at <strong>the</strong> center<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> enemy’s industrial area in and around Munich.<br />
Crews not participating in <strong>the</strong> mission carried out Ground School<br />
and training activities.<br />
12 July 1944: The same target was attacked on <strong>the</strong> 12 ; except<br />
th<br />
<strong>the</strong> objectives were more specific. It was in <strong>the</strong> area measured in