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

feeling toward them. Well, that is how it was done. For them, it
was not all bad. The individual, with something under his coat,
promptly came forward and handed them a long quart bottle of
spirits to revive them. After that, it was all over. Both
officers and enlisted men felt proud of them and relieved of
their having completed their tour so successfully. Wherever they
go, afterward, the good wishes of this squadron go with them.
22 Jan. 1944: Upon Major Bishop being relieved as Squadron
Commander, Major James F. Berry assumed command on January 22,
1944. With his background of training and experience, he is
eminently well qualified for the position, and the squadron feels
lucky in having him as its leader. 1/Lt. Albert R. Koehl had been
serving as assistant operations officer for several months. So he
carried on as Operations Officer in lieu of Captain Gladstone,
being relieved. It is the policy to relieve flying officers from
duty with their organization upon their completion of twenty-five
operational missions; so Major Bishop and Captain Gladstone were replaced.
23 - 24 Jan. 1944: From the twenty-second to the twenty-fourth of
January, ground school and other training activities were engaged
in. On the 24th there was a practice mission. It was made up of
six of the least experienced crews. They were briefed and handled
just as if going on a real mission. It was at high altitude. Each
crewmember was at his assigned position and instructed to do his
work just the same as on the real thing. Such missions are of
especial value to the pilots, co-pilots, bombardiers and
navigators. With experiences leaders to check them on their weak
points, they learn to do well in practice what is so necessary to
them later on when it is real combat. Personnel such realize the
value of time spent on a practice mission once they come in
contact with the enemy.
On the 24th, nine of our crews were briefed and took off on a
mission to Frankfurt, Germany. Ships and crews were: #759, Capt.
Thompson and crew; #712, Lt. Ward and crew; #040 Lt. Gorby and
crew; #815, Capt. Dalton and crew; #759, Lt. Bradford and crew;
#985, Lt. Hackleman and crew. For some reason, known only to
higher headquarters, the mission was recalled after the ships had
reached enemy territory. On their return, they were unable to
land due to weather conditions so they went to a distant field
for their landing. No ships were lost on this occasion. For
several days it was hoped credit would be allowed for this, but
no sortie credit was given.
25 - 28 Jan. 1944: During the four days between the 24th and the
29th, ground school and training activities were engaged in.
Local formation flying was prominent as part of the training of