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

th
25 May 1944: On the 25 , Nancy/Essey, France, was the target for
attack. It was successfully bombed. Ten ships from this squadron
took part as follows: Ship #1634, Lt. Col. Berry, Squadron
Commander, and the “A” crew, leading the combat wing; #7504, Lt.
Bruce and crew; #7173, Lt. Gardner and crew; #1909, Lt. Stunf and
crew; #7304, Lt. Miller and crew; #1579, Lt. Thomas and crew;
#7276, Capt. Ranzoni and crew; #9975, Lt. Pryor and crew; #k7075,
Lt. Riser and crew; #7563, Lt. Kerr and crew. Ship #1579 aborted
before reaching the enemy coast. Number four oil temperature was
climbing and oil pressure went down to sixty pounds and was still
going down when engine was feathered. No. four engine was also
losing oil. It was considered as an engineering abortive. All
ships returned safely to base without injury to any of their
crews.
Ground school was attended by combat men not flying on today’s
mission.
th
26 May 1944: On the 26 , there was a “stand down” which means no
operational mission was scheduled for the day. Attendance at
ground school was greater than normal as there were more
personnel available for it. Attendance is being checked very
closely in order to make sure that all combat men realize the
maximum benefit from such training. Personnel having a good
record in their ground schoolwork, almost invariably show better
performance in the air, than the indifferent ones, who do not
apply themselves to the training on the ground.
27 May 1944: Ludwigshaven, Germany, was the objective of our
th
bombers on the 27 . Nine of our aircraft participated as
follows: Ship #7040, Capt. Kuehl and crew; #9975, Lt. Collier and
crew; #1579, Lt. Maxwell and crew; #7563, Lt. Maziarz and crew;
#7504, Lt. Ransberger and crew; #1909, Lt. Klinger and crew;
#1542 Capt. Ranzoni and crew; #7304, Lt. Pryor and crew; #7276,
Lt. Thomas and crew. Ship #7304 aborted before reaching the
target. Flak caused No. 3 engine prop to run away, making it
impossible for the ship to stay in formation. The crew was given
credit for an abortive sortie. It counts as a mission for all
members of the crew.
Enemy flak was more intense and accurate than usual. Also,
several enemy fighter attacks were made. Ship #7040 was severely
damaged by both flak and enemy fighters, and S/Sgt. Walter P.
Meader, Jr., the Waist Gunner, was instantly killed when a big
burst of flak went through the ship. He was buried in the
cemetery near Cambridge.
T/Sgt. Joseph T. Depoti, Engineer, was severely wounded in the
legs at the same time. He is now in the hospital.