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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yards, 3000 x 5000. <strong>Bomb</strong>s were dropped by PFF as on <strong>the</strong> day<br />
before due to overcast. Nine <strong>of</strong> our ships took part: #7563, Lt.<br />
Stunf and crew; #1579, Lt. Helfrich and crew; #1542, Lt. O’Toole<br />
and crew; #7234, Major Taylor and crew; #7594, Lt. Basnight and<br />
crew; #2116, Lt. Eblen and crew; #7040, Lt. Snow and crew; #7304,<br />
Lt. Riser and crew; #7075, Lt. Braund and crew. All returned<br />
safely, without injuries to ships or personnel. Ship #7234<br />
aborted as formation was beginning to climb. No. 2 engine began<br />
showing signs <strong>of</strong> excessive roughness. In a short time <strong>the</strong> engine<br />
began to throw oil from underneath <strong>the</strong> cowl flaps. Pilot<br />
continued operation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> engine for about one and a half<br />
minutes at which time <strong>the</strong> condition became apparently worse. The<br />
engine was fea<strong>the</strong>red. Power setting at time <strong>of</strong> failure, 37 inches<br />
2300 RPM. In view <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> gross weight at time <strong>of</strong> difficulty and<br />
<strong>the</strong> expected depth <strong>of</strong> penetration, <strong>the</strong> pilot’s opinion was that<br />
<strong>the</strong> ship would not be able to maintain formation for <strong>the</strong> extended<br />
length <strong>of</strong> time a, and returned to base. <strong>Bomb</strong>s were brought back.<br />
It was found that No. 2 engine failed internally. There were<br />
metal chips on cuno and <strong>the</strong> oil was coming out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> brea<strong>the</strong>rs<br />
in excessive quantity.<br />
th<br />
13 July 1944: Again, <strong>the</strong> same target was attacked on <strong>the</strong> 13 .<br />
This squadron sent eleven ships as follows: #7040, Lt. Peck and<br />
crew; #7504, Lt. Dietrich and crew; #7563, Lt. Mullins and crew;<br />
#7594, Lt. Pullen and crew; #7540, Major Taylor and crew; #1636,<br />
Lt. Boggs and crew; #7304, Lt. Supchak and crew; #1579, Lt.<br />
Helfrich and crew; #1542, Lt. O’Toole and crew; #2116, Lt.<br />
th<br />
Basnight and crew; #1515, (324 ) Lt. Eblen and crew. <strong>Bomb</strong>ing was<br />
done by PFF and results were unobserved due to 10/10 overcast.<br />
All crews returned safely and <strong>the</strong>re were no abortives.<br />
Enemy fighter opposition was not strong. American Fighters<br />
escorted bombers on this and <strong>the</strong> previous two missions against<br />
Munich. However, Flak from anti-aircraft guns still remains quite<br />
effective so some <strong>of</strong> our ships returned with holes torn thru<br />
<strong>the</strong>m. By use <strong>of</strong> flak suits, personnel escape serious injury. All<br />
personnel on <strong>the</strong> ship except <strong>the</strong> top turret and <strong>the</strong> ball turret<br />
gunners wear <strong>the</strong>se. It is not practical to wear <strong>the</strong>m in <strong>the</strong>se<br />
positions due to <strong>the</strong> lack <strong>of</strong> space in <strong>the</strong> turrets. The top turret<br />
gunner does wear a flak helmet.<br />
Flak suits are now being kept in <strong>the</strong> operations department where<br />
<strong>the</strong> men can come in and get <strong>the</strong>m when starting on a mission and<br />
<strong>the</strong>y bring <strong>the</strong>m back to assigned places upon return.<br />
Due to adverse wea<strong>the</strong>r conditions no operational flying was<br />
th th<br />
accomplished on <strong>the</strong> 14 and 15 . Ground school and training<br />
activities were carried out by all crewmembers remaining on <strong>the</strong><br />
base. Individuals who have been flying for <strong>the</strong> past several