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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th<br />
This was <strong>the</strong> month <strong>of</strong> months in this war. The 6 being “D-Day”<br />
when our troops broke into western Europe for <strong>the</strong> final showdown.<br />
The sense <strong>of</strong> getting this done successfully, tended to affect <strong>the</strong><br />
morale <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> men as a whole. Members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> squadron feel <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
part in a tremendous event, and though it may be a small part in<br />
comparison to <strong>the</strong> total effort <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> entire USAAF, this squadron<br />
has had a chance to show what can be done and has done it well.<br />
rd. 323 JULY 1944 as prepared by Capt. Lawrence E. Baird<br />
1 thru 3, July 1944: There were no operational missions. Combat<br />
Personnel engaged in ground school and training activities. On<br />
nd <strong>the</strong> 2 , five ships flew locally, three hours each, and seven<br />
ships flew local formation, locally, for three hours each.<br />
th<br />
4 July 1944: On <strong>the</strong> 4 , <strong>the</strong>re was a mission with a railroad<br />
bridge over <strong>the</strong> Loire River as <strong>the</strong> objective. Wea<strong>the</strong>r conditions<br />
were poor for bombing, 10/10 clouds. Ships returned without<br />
dropping <strong>the</strong>ir load. This was considered an abortive sortie. No<br />
ships were lost from <strong>the</strong> number taking part as follows: Ship<br />
#7040, Lt. Peck and crew; #7173, F/O Fore and crew; #1579, Lt.<br />
Helfrich and crew; #7540, Lt. Smith and crew; #7304, Lt. Bruce<br />
and crew; #2490, Lt. Riser and crew.<br />
Crews not flying on this date attended ground school and<br />
participated in training activities.<br />
th<br />
5 July 1944: Wea<strong>the</strong>r conditions continued poor on <strong>the</strong> 5 . No<br />
mission was flown and crews engaged in training activities.<br />
6 July 1944: There was a mission on this date. Squadron ships<br />
flew in <strong>the</strong> lead group and bombed a ”Target <strong>of</strong> Opportunity” near<br />
Aire, France. Results considered unsuccessful. Wea<strong>the</strong>r conditions<br />
continued poor. Ships on this mission were: #7173, Lt. Miller and<br />
crew; #7304, F/O Fore and crew; #7540, Lt. Bruce and crew; #7075,<br />
Lt. Braund and crew; #1909, Lt Dietrich and crew; #7563, Lt.<br />
O’Toole and crew; #7040, Lt. Peck and crew; #7234, Lt. Basinger<br />
and crew; #7504, Lt. Riser and crew; #1579, Lt. Helfrich and<br />
crew.<br />
All returned safely, without loss <strong>of</strong> personnel and <strong>the</strong>re were no<br />
abortives.<br />
7 July 1944: On <strong>the</strong> 7 , <strong>the</strong>re was a mission against targets in<br />
th<br />
Germany, Leipzig and Kollenda. Due to poor visibility, bombing<br />
was not considered successful. There were seven ships from this<br />
squadron listed as follows: #7173, Lt. Peck and crew; #7276, Lt.<br />
Bruce and crew; #7504, Lt. Pullen and crew; #1636, Lt. Lu<strong>the</strong>n and<br />
crew; #7234, Lt. Basinger and crew; #7304, Lt. Burwick and crew;