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

ships participated listed as follows: Ship's #815, Major Berry
and Lt. McFarland and the "A" crew (this was the lead ship for
the group); #965, Lt. Register and crew; # 774 Lt. Stringer and
crew; #604, Lt. Ward and crew; #428 (322nd squadron's), Lt.
Pickard and crew; #939, Lt. Harding and crew; #739 Capt. Bramble
and crew; #678 (324th squadron's), Lt. Bradford and crew; #967
Lt. Sutherland and crew. This mission was completed without loss
of ships or personnel. However, it was not an "easy one",
considerable enemy opposition was encountered. T/Sgt. Hobart P.
Peterson, top turret gunner on ship #679, shot down one FW-190.
1/Lt. Wilbur W. Nicoll, bombardier on ship #774, shot down one
FW-190; 2/Lt. Leslie A. Price, bombardier on ship #967, severely
damaged one FW-190; 2/Lt. Albert T. Trendell, navigator on ship
#678, shot down one FW-190. Those men deserve the gratitude of
all people engaged in this war against Germany. The courage and
skill displayed by them on this occasion, reflects credit not
only to themselves but to this organization as well.
31 Jan. 1944: The last day of January found the squadron
scheduled for another mission. This time against the enemy at
Frankfurt, Germany. However, it did not materialize. It was
"scrubbed" after due preparation had been made for the take off.
This is done quite often and is taken by the personnel scheduled
as part of the game of war. Maybe at the time they feel as if
they have been "all built up for a letdown" still, they must feel
relieved at being on the ground instead of up there fighting.
During the month, all personnel gave more attention to ground
school and training activities than formerly. Compared with what
was accomplished this month a year ago, one can realize that the
squadron has been growing all the time into a more efficient
organization regardless of the losses suffered during the past
year. Replacement crews have proven themselves in combat,
thereby, indication that our training program has functioned
efficiently. One hundred and twenty (120) recommendations were
submitted giving the Air Medal or Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air
Medal to men of this squadron who earned them in combat. Out of
the eight missions completed, only one ship, #372 and its crew,
is listed as missing in action. Frequent liberty runs to nearby
towns, the Red Cross activities, Church Services, movies and
parties and have helped greatly to maintain and build moral in
the squadron. (The next sentence was illegible)
It is remarkable how few man-hours were lost as a result of
sickness.
1 Feb. 1944: On February 1, 1944, combat crews were briefed and
made ready for a mission against Frankfurt, Germany, but for the
second time in so many days, it was "scrubbed" and there was