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

th (324 ) Lt. Col. Milton; Capt. Reid and crew, in the lead ship
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with the “A” crew, #7632, (324 ) Lt. Supchak and crew; #7594,
Lt. Burwick and crew; #1900, Lt. Dietrich and crew; #7540, Lt.
Basnight and crew; #1542, Lt. O’Toole and crew. The first two
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ships were borrowed from the 324 squadron, as they were
equipped for PFF Bombing. Also bombardiers from that squadron
went along to work the equipment. Bombs were aimed at the center
of the enemy’s industrial area in and around Munich.
Crews not participating in the mission carried out Ground School
and training activities.
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12 July 1944: The same target was attacked on the 12 ; except
the objectives were more specific. It was in the area measured in
yards, 3000 x 5000. Bombs were dropped by PFF as on the day
before due to overcast. Nine of our ships took part: #7563, Lt.
Stunf and crew; #1579, Lt. Helfrich and crew; #1542, Lt. O’Toole
and crew; #7234, Major Taylor and crew; #7594, Lt. Basnight and
crew; #2116, Lt. Eblen and crew; #7040, Lt. Snow and crew; #7304,
Lt. Riser and crew; #7075, Lt. Braund and crew. All returned
safely, without injuries to ships or personnel. Ship #7234
aborted as formation was beginning to climb. No. 2 engine began
showing signs of excessive roughness. In a short time the engine
began to throw oil from underneath the cowl flaps. Pilot
continued operation of the engine for about one and a half
minutes at which time the condition became apparently worse. The
engine was feathered. Power setting at time of failure, 37 inches
2300 RPM. In view of the gross weight at time of difficulty and
the expected depth of penetration, the pilot’s opinion was that
the ship would not be able to maintain formation for the extended
length of time a, and returned to base. Bombs were brought back.
It was found that No. 2 engine failed internally. There were
metal chips on cuno and the oil was coming out of the breathers
in excessive quantity.
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13 July 1944: Again, the same target was attacked on the 13 .
This squadron sent eleven ships as follows: #7040, Lt. Peck and
crew; #7504, Lt. Dietrich and crew; #7563, Lt. Mullins and crew;
#7594, Lt. Pullen and crew; #7540, Major Taylor and crew; #1636,
Lt. Boggs and crew; #7304, Lt. Supchak and crew; #1579, Lt.
Helfrich and crew; #1542, Lt. O’Toole and crew; #2116, Lt.
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Basnight and crew; #1515, (324 ) Lt. Eblen and crew. Bombing was
done by PFF and results were unobserved due to 10/10 overcast.
All crews returned safely and there were no abortives.
Enemy fighter opposition was not strong. American Fighters
escorted bombers on this and the previous two missions against
Munich. However, Flak from anti-aircraft guns still remains quite
effective so some of our ships returned with holes torn thru