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

using various devices such as flashing pictures on the screen,
and posting the various models of aircraft in a room to help
gunners to quickly recognize all types. Also, there was a
critique lecture given by Capt. Fisher, Group Gunnery Officer, to
all gunners. Their training is of the utmost importance in the
type of warfare which this squadron is engaged in.
The mission of the fifth was the ONE HUNDREDTH for this group.
There was one scheduled for the sixth but it was "scrubbed" which
means that everything was made ready for the takeoff but for
reasons known to higher headquarters, plans were cancelled. Such
occurrences are quite frequent. Crews were called up from their
beds early in the morning, rushed to the combat mess halls for
breakfast, and then attended the briefing, drew their flying
clothes and equipment and went to their planes, only to be
advised later on that they were not going out on a mission after
all. Whether they are glad or not, is open to question.
It depends on the individual. The general opinion is, however,
that once they have gone to so much trouble making ready for the
take-off, that they had as well go on for a completed mission.
7 thru 10 Jan. 1944: Mission to Ludwigshaven, Germany: On the
7th, the mission was not "scrubbed". Eight of our ships made it
to Ludwigshaven, Germany and back without any serious difficulty.
Major John C. Bishop, Squadron Commander, and Captain John T.
Gladstone, Squadron Operations Officer, led the group in ship
#639 "The Careful Virgin" which has made an enviable record as a
ship. It is equipped with all the accessories that make it a lead
ship and seems to be the one that Major Bishop usually flies when
he leads. It was formerly flown by Captain William E. Clancy who,
with his crew, completed twenty-five missions and are now, back
in the United States. Other ships taking part in this mission
were: #761, 2/Lt. Kolts and crew; #815, Capt. Dalton and crew;
#372, 1/Lt. Edwin R. Reid and crew; #712, 2/Lt. Sutherland and
crew; #739, 1/Lt. Bramble and crew, #172, 1/Lt. Samuelson and
crew; and 2/Lt. Maziarz and crew.
Enemy aircraft seldom came within range of our guns. Fighter
escort was provided by the American fighter Squadrons. Bombs were
dropped in the target area and this, the one hundred and first
for the squadron and group, is chalked up as a completed mission.
It marked the twenty-fourth for both Major Bishop and Captain
Gladstone. Crews left on the ground attended school and took part
in various training activities. Such work was continued by all
crews until January 11, when another mission was flow. However,
the 9th being Sunday, all ground training activity was cancelled.
This is done in order to give the men a breathing spell, to take
stock of themselves. The church services are quite well attended