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

nd
Pryor and crew; #7504, Lt. Bruce and crew; #8027 (322 ) Lt.
Stunf an crew. The latter ship aborted shortly after takeoff on
account of there being excessive gasoline fumes in radio
compartment and bomb bay; also, in the cockpit, waist and nose.
The fumes persisted and increased in intensity. This was
considered as an engineering abortive.
Enemy opposition, both from flak and fighters, was greater than
it had been for some time. The flak was heavy and accurate and
the fighters came right into the attack formation. The flak
disabled ship #9975, and when it started out of formation, the
fighters pounced on it. Our P-51 escort went to the rescue to
drive them off, but still our bomber went down. The following
crewmembers are missing in action: 1/Lt. Zack C. Collier, Pilot;
2/Lt. John T. Kelleher, Copilot; 2/Lt. William P. Clements,
Navigator; 2/Lt. Henry J. McDermott, Jr., Bombardier; T/Sgt.
Barry L. Ward, Engineer; S/Sgt. Tommy Cogdill, Waist Gunner;
T/Sgt. Stephen Kogut, Radio Operator; S/Sgt. George R. Zirnheld,
Ball Turret Gunner; and S/Sgt. Charles J. Semon, Tail Gunner.
This was an excellent crew, experienced and well trained. The
average number of missions to their credit was sixteen. This
proves that any crew is likely to “go down” no matter how well
trained and experienced they may be.
T/Sgt. Roy M. Ford, Radio Operator; T/Sgt. Edwin D. Walsh,
Engineer; and S/Sgt. Milton Franchuk, Waist Gunner; all three
completed their tours on this mission. They are being kept in the
squadron temporarily, awaiting disposition by higher
headquarters.
Though there were thirteen crews flying on today’s mission, the
ground school attendance was especially good.
31 May 1944: The last day of the month found our bombers out
again. Target was at Mulhouse, France. This mission was not
carried out although the formation was in the vicinity of the
target. It was considered an abortive-sortie. Bombs were not
dropped. This is in keeping with the policy of not dropping bombs
indiscriminately on France. Unless precision bombing can be
carried out as planned, the bombs are brought back. Nine of our
ships took part as follows: #7234, Capt. Kuehl and crew; #1909,
Lt. Klinger and crew; #7075, Lt. Kerr and crew; #2116, Lt.
Maziarz and crew; #7563, Lt. Ransberger and crew; #1542, Lt.
Stunf and crew; #7173, Lt. Knight and crew; #7276, Lt. Miller and
crew; and #7304, Lt. Pryor and crew. There were no abortives.
Capt. Albert R. Kuehl, Pilot, completed his tour of duties on
this date. During his tour with this squadron, he served in the
capacity of operations officer and leader of “D” flight.