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

specially trained as leaders in this program so as to enable it
to be carried out with more efficiency than in the past when it
was the policy to detail someone as leader without much
preparation beforehand. By dividing the men up into smaller
groups with an officer and a specially trained enlisted man
in charge it is found that a better program is being carried out.
Classes for such leaders are being held in the gymnasium from
time to time. Ground school was well attended during this two
days. On the 8th, there was a six-ship formation which went on a
practice mission at high altitude for a period of five hours.
This is the best feature of the training program. All crew
members are at their assigned position and do the work just as if
on the real thing. This is of great value to the less experience
men. They soon learn how to use their equipment to the best
advantage and adjust themselves to high altitude flying.
On the 9th, crews were briefed and made ready for a mission
against enemy aircraft factories at Leipzig, Germany. However,
because of the unfavorable weather prevailing, the mission did
not materialize. It was recalled.
10 Feb. 1944: On the 10th, Captain David A. Bramble was
designated Operation Officer. Lt. Albert R. Kuehl had been
serving in that capacity since the relief of Captain Gladstone,
who completed his tour of duty on January 21, 1944. Lt. Kuehl is
now a flight leader. Extensive training operations were carried
out. A six-ship practice mission at low altitude, two local
formation flights of two ships each, and fifty-six hours of
ground school for personnel not flying. Training is being
stressed more and more with the idea of future operations in
mind. All personnel realize its importance and want to learn what
they can.
11 Feb. 1944: Frankfurt, Germany was the target again for the
11th. Six ships from this squadron took part. One ship, #172
aborted, but the remaining five went on over the target and
dropped their bombs. Enemy opposition was not serious. Perhaps
the strong fighter escort scares his fighters away, or else he
thinks it best to hold them on the ground for future action. A
considerable amount of flak was encountered in the target area,
but it did very little damage. Our ships taking part were: ship
#939, Lt. Samuelson and crew; ship #761, Lt. Wood and crew; ship
#815, Lt. Osterburg and crew; ship #580, Lt. Sutherland and crew;
ship #172, Lt. Wilkinson and crew (aborted); ship #759, Lt. C. M.
Williams and crew. This was the fifth mission for the month; all
without loss of either ships or personnel. Crew members not
flying did more than twenty man hours of ground school.
12 - 19 Feb. 1944: During the period from the 12th to 20th, no