World War II Air Combat Diary of S/Sgt. David Castrellon
9th Bombardment Division
558th Bombardment Squadron
387th Bombardment Group
United States Army Air Force

By Daniel Anthony Castrellon

Dad flew bombing raid missions against the German enemy aboard the Martin B-26 “Marauder” as an Engineer gunner. Often, the B-26’s were escorted on bombing raids by the smaller and faster P-51’s and P-47’s who provided machine gun cover for the much larger & slow flying B-26 “Marauder.”

Dad was just 22 years of age when he joined the AAF. During WW II, the average age of servicemen was between 22 & 26 years of age. Unlike the Vietnam War where young men the age of 18 were drafted right out of high school.

Dad was awarded the distinguished “Air Medal” on October 9, 1944 in recognition of meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flights in the European Theater of Operations, and having completed the required number of operational sorties against the enemy. From November 22, 1944, through March 21, 1946 ten (10) bronze “Oak Leaf Clusters” and two (2) silver “Oak Leaf Clusters” were awarded. The silver “Oak Leaf Cluster” was worn in lieu of five (5) bronze “Oak Leaf Clusters” and represents five awards to the Air Medal.

The following are excerpts of a WW II Air Combat Diary of Staff Sergeant David Castrellon who proudly served his country during WWII in the European Theater of Operations from 1943 to 1945.

-Daniel Anthony Castrellon

-Barksdale Field-

Training Time From
February to June 25, 1944

Logged - 160 Hours

Remarks: Had a few runaway props but did not prove dangerous. Two overnight stays-one at Minneapolis, MN. Lived the life of Reilly!
-Nothing like Shreveport, LA!-

-Hunter Field, Savannah, Georgia-

Month of July 1944
Logged 3 Hours
Mission - Operational Test
Crew - Crumb, Graves, Britton, Castrellon Steinhardt, Cavanaugh

Remarks: Received new ship, equipment and waited for our shipment orders.

-Dow Field, Maine-

Date - July 2, 1944
Time - 6 Hours
Mission - Flight from Hunter Field to Dow Field, GA

Crew - Winsor, Crumb, Ferguson, Castrellon Steinhardt, Cavanaugh

Remarks: Flew by way of airlines. The ship was loaded to the top with equipment. Flew over Washington DC and felt like giving F.D.R. a buss job. Over Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and Boston, "A thrilling trip!!"

-Goose Bay, Labrador-

Date - July 3, 1944
Time - 3 Hours 30 Minutes
Mission - Flight from Dow Field, GA to Goose Bay Labrador.

Crew - Same

Remarks: Excellent Trip.

-BW-I, Nabsabrssvak, Greenland-

Date - July 4, 1944
Time - 3 Hours 45 Minutes
Mission - Flight from Goose Bay, Labrador to BW-I, Greenland

Crew - Same
Remarks - None

-Meeks Field, Keflavick, Iceland-

Date - July 5, 1944
Time - 4 Hours 30 Minutes
Mission - Flight from BW-I to Meeks Field, Iceland.

Remarks - Had to fly at 11,000 Ft. In order to clear “Ice Caps.” Visibility was also poor. High speed of 250 MPH. Celebrated “Independence Day” by hiking around with pal Albert Abramson. Remained there for 3 days and 4 nights. Held for weather reasons.

-Prestwick, Scotland-

Date - July 8, 1944
Time - 5 Hours
Mission - Flight from Meeks Field to Prestwick, Scotland.

Remarks - Entering Scotland, we were challenged by a “Beau-Fighter.” Almost got it after sending wrong flare. Developed oil cooler leak. Remained there for 3 days. Went to town of Prestwick and Ayre. Had a wonderful time. Met two good-looking “chicks.”

-Burtonwood, England-

Date - July 11, 1944
Time - 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Mission - Flight from Prestwick, Scotland to Burtonwood, England

Remarks - Was supposed to go to Stanstead, England. But orders were changed. Escorted by P-47’s. Left ship and was sorry to leave it. Wonderful plane, brand new “AG” model.

-Toome, North Ireland-

Date - July 20, 1944
Time - 2 Hours 30 Minutes
Mission - Flight from Burtonwood, England to Toome, North Ireland.

Remarks - Flew on a C-47-Slept all the way! Four crews including us was the cargo. Purpose -To attend pre-combat school and training purposes.

-Toome, North Ireland-

Date - August 7, 1944
Time - 2 Hours 40 Minutes
Mission - Routine training flight of 6 ships.

Remarks - Graves didn’t fly today. Had a fire in the cockpit!!! Caused by careless handling of flare gun by our “radioman.” - His blame?? He denies it. Had to cut transferring of fuel and later helped put fire out. Experience profitable.

-Toome, North Ireland-

Date - August 8, 1944
Time - 2 Hours 15 Minutes
Mission - Routine flight of 18 ships.

Crew - Crumb, Castrellon, Steinhardt, Cavanaugh

Remarks - Flew co-pilot and done a little pilotage. It was good experience.

-Toome, North Ireland-

Date - August 9, 1944
Time - 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Mission - Routine flight of 6 ships.

Remarks - Graves and Britton didn’t fly. Broderick a good friend of Crumb flew co-pilot.

-Stoney Cross, England-

Date - August 12, 1944
Time - 2 Hours 15 Minutes.
Mission - Flight from Toome to Stoney Cross England.

Remarks - Flew on C-47. Pleasant trip. Slept all the way. Two other crews came besides ours.

-Stoney Cross, England-

Date - August 15, 1944
Time - 0 Hours 10 Minutes.
Mission - Flight to Stone, England

Crew - Crumb, Graves, Britton, Steinhardt, Cavanaugh, Castrellon

Remarks - Purpose of flight to get our baggage. Right engine almost cut out on us at take off. Kept coughing all the way during 360 turn and landed right back. I had British type of chute. Was too big and would have proved dangerous in case of “bail out!!” Crumb handled ship expertly.  Was enraged at Steinhardt for bringing me such a chute. Didn’t mention it but I vow I’d never trust another person to furnish me with any flying equipment unless I had examined it prior to flight..

-Maupertus, France-

Date - August 25, 1944
Time - 1 Hour 0 Minutes
Mission - Flight to new base in France.

Crew - Crumb, Graves, Britton, Steinhardt, Cavanaugh, Castrellon

Passengers - Ferguson, Van Deusen

Remarks - First glimpse of France was bomb shattered airfields. A few villages. The countryside looked beautiful. Made or felt rough landing on first movable landing strip.

-Maupertus, France-

Date - August 31, 1944 and September 1, 1944
Time - 1 Hour 0 Minutes
Mission - Practice flight of 18 and 6 ships.

Crew - Same

Remarks - Was very close formation. Felt the after nights effects and just prior to landing got sick.

-Combat Missions-

#1 Maupertus, France

Date - September 6, 1944
Time - 3 Hours 10 Minutes
Mission - Bombing of Brest.

Crew - Winsor, Crumb, Ferguson, Castrellon Steinhardt, Cavanaugh

Remarks: Our First Mission! Made three runs before dropping bombs. Very cold. No enemy opposition nor flak. Felt good and gave me confidence. Good landing by Lt. Winsor.

Load - 8 - 500 Lbs Demos

#2 Maupertus, France

Date - September 10, 1944
Time - 4 Hours 35 Minutes
Mission - Bombing of German Troops near Nancy, France

Crew - Crumb, Graves, Ferguson, Castrellon Steinhardt, Cavanaugh

Remarks: Everyone was sweating such a long trip. No enemy opposition. Very cold.

Load - 20 - 100 Lbs. Demos

Maupertus, France

Date - September 11, 1944
Time - 2 Hours 05 Minutes.
Mission - Practice flight of 9 ships

Crew - Crumb, Graves,Ferguson, Castrellon Steinhardt, Cavanaugh

Remarks: None

# 3 Maupertus, France

Date - September 12, 1944
Time - 2 Hours 35 Minutes
Mission - Bombing of Echlernach by Luxembourg
Crew - Crumb, Graves,Ferguson, Castrellon, Steinhardt, Cavanaugh

Remarks: Aborted Mission. No power on ship. Couldn’t keep up with rest of formation.

Load - had 4 - 1000 Lbs. Demos

# 3 Maupertus, France

Date - September 12, 1944
Time - 2 Hours 35 Minutes
Mission - Bombing of Echlernach by Luxembourg
Crew - Crumb, Graves, Ferguson, Castrellon, Steinhardt, Cavanaugh

Remarks: Second mission of the day. Had to land on “Limey Field.” Plane used, burned too much gas. Carburetor trouble.

Load - 4 - 1000 Lbs. Demos

#4 Maupertus, France

Date - September 16, 1944
Time - 4 Hours 45 Minutes.
Mission - Bombing of Fort at Metz, France

Crew - Crumb, Graves, Ferguson, Castrellon Steinhardt, Cavanaugh

Remarks: Didn’t drop bombs. Lead Bombardier could not see target “Cloudy”. Our first Flak! Not heavy nor accurate.

Load - 4 - 1000 Lbs. Demos.

#5 Chatheaudun, France Base A-39

Date - September 28, 1944
Time - 3 Hours 45 Minutes
Mission - Roansurplainie. France - German strong point.

Crew - Crumb, Graves, Ferguson, Castrellon, Steinhardt.- Sgt. Brooks flew for Cavanaugh

Remarks - “Milk-Run” & Very cold. We dropped again.

Load - 8 - 500 Lbs. Demos

#10 Chatheaudun, France Base A-39

Date - October 30, 1944
Time - 3 Hours 40 Minutes
Mission - Bombing of bridge in Holland.

Crew - Crumb, Kennedy, Ferguson, Castrellon, Steinhardt, Cavanaugh

Remarks - Didn’t drop bombs. Too Cloudy. Very cold & hands almost froze! Crumb overshot & made rough landing.

Load - 4 - 1,000 Lbs. Demos.

#11 St. Quentin, France Station A-71

Date - November 4, 1944
Time - 3 hours 0 Minutes
Mission - Bombing of German installation guns N.E. of Achen.

Crew - Crumb, Graves, Ferguson, Castrellon, Steinhardt, Cavanaugh

Remarks - Again a blanket of clouds and could not see target. Bombs were not dropped. Cold and almost got sick. Flew lead formation (3rd Place). No flak & no opposition.

Load - 8 - 500 Lbs. Demos

St. Quentin, France Base A-71

Date - November 12, 1944
Time - 4 Hours 0 Minutes
Mission - Practice run

Crew - Crumb, Graves, [2nd. LT.] Watson, Castrellon, Cavanaugh.

Remarks - Local flight. Made 4 landings. One by Lt. Watson & others by Graves. All very good. Had to make visual inspection of ship after each landing.

St. Quentin, France Base A-71

Date - November 17, 1944
Time - 2 Hours 30 Minutes
Mission - Weisweiler, Germany
Crew - Crumb, Graves, [2nd. LT.] Watson, Castrellon, Cavanaugh.

Remarks - Got lost at L.P. Weather was very bad. Had to turn back. Flew at 4,500 feet. No flak & didn’t drop bombs.

Load - 16 - 260 Lbs. Demos {fragmentation}

St. Quentin, France Base A-71

Date - December 1, 1944
Time - 3 Hours 0 Minutes
Mission - Bombed village of Sahrlautern, Germany.
Crew - Crumb, Graves, [2nd. LT.] Watson, Castrellon, Cavanaugh.

Remarks - Smooth going!! Even listened to some swing going and coming. Flak not heavy. Only two burst came close.

Load - 16 - 250 Lbs. Demos.

#13 St. Quentin, France Base A-71

Date - December 2, 1944
Time - 3 Hours 15 Minutes
Mission - Bombed village of Sahrlautern, Germany

Crew - Crumb, Graves, [2nd. LT.] Watson, Castrellon, Cavanaugh.

Remarks - Clear over target. Flak very heavy but not accurate. Our box snafu and couldn’t drop our bombs. Landing very good.

Load - 16 - 250 Lbs, Demos.
St. Quentin, France Base A-71

Date - December 6, 1944
Time - 2 Hours 50 Minutes.
Mission - Dumen, Germany

Crew - Crumb, Graves, [2nd. LT.] Watson, Castrellon, Cavanaugh.

Remarks - Aborted whole group. Ordered by Bomber Commander.

Load - 16 - 250 Lbs. Demos.

Practice Run

Date - December 6, 1944
Time - 1 Hour 50 Minutes
Mission - Local

Crew - Lt. Gaugh, Col. Keller, Lt. Thompson, Cavanaugh, Castellon

#14 St. Quentin, France Base A-71

Date - December 9, 1944
Time - 3 Hours 45 Minutes
Mission - Dellfeld, Germany (railroad supply depot by Siegfried Line)

Crew - Crumb, Graves, [2nd. LT.] Watson, Castrellon, Cavanaugh.

Remarks - No flak- visibility 10/10- P.F.F. snafu. Didn’t drop bombs. -20 Centigrade “Damn Cold!”

Load - 16 - 250 Lbs. Demos.

#15 St. Quentin, France Base A-71

Date - December 15, 1944
Time - 4 Hours 15 Minutes
Mission - Ruthen, Germany (fuel dump)

Crew - Crumb, Graves, [2nd. LT.] Watson, Castrellon, Cavanaugh.

Remarks - Furthest into Germany to date. We all sweated this one. No flak or enemy opposition. Escorted by P-47’s was excellent. Flew at 13,500’ for over 2 hours. Gave me headache. Dropped bombs!!

Load - 16 - 250 Lbs. Demos.

#16 St. Quentin, France Base A-71

Date - December 23, 1944
Time - 3 Hours 15 Minutes
Mission - Bombing of Drum, German troops

Crew - Same except 2nd Lt. Eakes flew in place of Graves.

Remarks - ROUGH! Flak very heavy & accurate. Saw ME-109 but was out of my range. Direct hit on village.

Load - 16 - 250 Lbs. Demos.

#17 St. Quentin, France Base A-71

Date - December 24, 1944
Time - 3 Hours 0 Minutes
Mission - Nideggen, German supply dump

Crew - Lt. Taylor, Lt. Wood, Sgt. Kennedy, Sgt. Triebwasser, Lt. Weston, GI Sgt. Merck

Remarks - Lt. Weston gunnery instructor flew my position [top turret]. I rode radio room. Milk run. No flak, no enemy opposition. Dropped bombs.

Load - 16 - 250 Lbs. Demos

#18 St. Quentin, France Base A-71

Date - December 27, 1944
Time - 3 Hours 30 Minutes
Mission - Nonnweilier, German bridge.

Crew - Same

Remarks - Hit bridge. Made two runs. 150 enemy fighter intercepted by our escort of P-51’s. A few burst of flak but didn’t ever see it.

Load - 4 - 1,000 Lbs. Demos

#19 St. Quentin, France (clusters) Base A-71

Date - January 1, 1945
Time - 4 Hours 0 Minutes
Mission - Bullay, German bridge

Crew - Same

Remarks - Flew tail position. Extremely cold -26- centigrade below zero. Flew at 14,500’. Flight leader didn’t drop. Done same. Rest of flights drop. Wing tabs froze. Had to uncover all upholstery to fix. Results of bombing unknown. Flak not to heavy.

Load - 2 - 2,000 Lbs. Demos. {Frags}

#20 Clusters St., Quentin, Fr. Base A-71

Date - January 25, 1945
Time - 4 Hours 0 Minutes
Mission - Bridge near Sinzig, Germany

Crew - Same exception of radioman (Sgt. Pearson flew)

Remarks - Flew a 559 Sqd. Ship. Knocked entrance of bridge. Flak heavy and accurate. Lost Lt. Taylor’s crew. Our ship was only one to come out unscathed.

Load - 4 - 2,000 Lbs. Demos.

#21 Clusters St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-71

Date - January 28, 1945
Time - 4 Hours 0 Minutes
Mission - Village of Wittlich, Germany

Crew - Same- except Lt. Watson flew for Lt. Graves.

Remarks - Cloud coverage. No flak or enemy opposition. Dropped bombs. -32- centigrade at 11,050 feet.

Load - 16 - 250 Lbs. Demolition’s

#22 Clusters St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-71

Date - January 29, 1945
Time - 4 Hours 0 Minutes
Mission - Rheinbach, German town, troops and supply depot.

Crew - Lt. Rao flew for Graves

Remarks - Cloud coverage & very cold. Flak not heavy nor accurate.

Load - 16 - 250 Lbs, Demos.

#23 Clusters St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-71

Date - February 2, 1945
Time - 4 Hours 45 Minutes
Mission - Rosbach, German railroad bridge

Crew - Same

Remarks - Flew window today. Over 90 minutes on Germany. Crossed Rhine River. Formation confused. Good fighter protection by P-38’s & P-47’s. Flak heavy but not accurate for us. Good clear day.

Load - carried no bombs.

#24 Clusters St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-71

Date - February 6, 1945
Time - 4 Hours 6 Minutes
Mission - Wittlich, German village communications depot.

Crew - Same except Lt. Omerso flew for Lt. Graves co-pilot

Remarks - 7/10ths cloud coverage. Flak light but accurate. Right across Moselu River. P-38’s for escort. Ferguson had to salvo - bomb stations defective.

Load - 16 - 250 Lbs. Demos.

#25 Clusters St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-71

Date - February 8, 1945
Time - 3 Hours 45 Minutes
Mission - Materborn, Germany. German troop guns & radar installations.

Crew - Same

Remarks - Mission snafu. Was to bomb visual and help English break thrust. Didn’t drop - more cloud coverage than expected.

Load - 16 - 260 Lbs. Frags.

#26 Clusters-St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-71

Date - February 9, 1945
Time - 4 Hours 50 Minutes
Mission - Neuwied, German bridge near Rhine River.

Crew - Same

Remarks - Roughest mission to date! Heavy and very accurate flak. Hydraulic system was knocked out. Had to use emergency procedure to lower landing gears. It paid to know procedure. Every one of us thought we had it. Crumb made good landing.

Load - 2 - 2,000 Lbs. Demos

#27 Clusters-St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-71

Date - February 13, 1945
Time - 3 hours 30 Minutes
Mission - Sinsig , Germany

Crew - Same

Remarks - Railroad bridge near Rhine River. Knocked it out. Flak was heavy but our box got through O.K.

#28 Clusters-St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-71

Date - February 14, 1945
Time - 3 Hours 40 Minutes
Mission - Xanter, German village supply depot.

Crew - Same

Remarks - Hit town. Flak moderate. Two burst beneath us and felt concussion. Saw rockets but not near us.

Load - 16 - 250 Lbs. Demos.

#29 Clusters-St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-71

Date - February 14, 1945
Time - 4 Hours
Mission - Crown Prince Wilhelm Bridge at Engers north of Coblenz

Crew - Lt. Fallon, Lt. Moser, Sgt. Reardon, T/Sgt. Bothwell, S/Sgt. Dick, S/Sgt. Castrellon

Remarks - Definitely too Rough for us!! Saw two planes go down in flames over Rhine - 2 chutes opened. Flak heavy & accurate. We got 4 hits. One missed fuel tank by 1 inch. Hit bridge. I really sweated.

Load - 4 - 1,000 Lbs. Demos.

#30 Clusters-St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-71

Date - February 16, 1945
Time - 3 Hours 45 Minutes
Mission - Rees, Germany. Village comm. Center & paratrooper route.

Crew - Same

Remarks - Hit village. Only flight in group. Flak was moderate and
inaccurate. Had counter battery fire by our allies [Canadians] set town on fire. Made two runs on target.

Load - 8- 500 Lbs. Demos [2 Chemically treated]

#31 Clusters-St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-71

Date - February 22, 1945
Time - 3 Hours 30 Minutes
Mission - Dulmen, German R/R junction.

Remarks - This target was “opportunity”-original was canceled during route for lack of fighter escort. Good hits -encounter little flak.

Load - 8 - 500 Lbs. Demos.

#32 Clusters-St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-71

Date - February 24, 1945
Time - 3 Hours 0 Minutes
Mission - Vlatta, German town.

Crew - Lt. Skinner, Lt. Eakes, Sgt. Siefken, Sgt. Horwitz, Sgt. Herlinger, Sgt. Castrellon

Remarks - Milkrun! No flak & hit town. Motto for today - “Flatten Vlatta”

Load 2 - 2,000 Lbs. Demos.

#33 Clusters-St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-71

Date - February 24, 1945
Time - 3 Hours 15 Minutes
Mission - Mayer, Germany

Crew - Our own crew. Graves 1st pilot.

Remarks - My second mission for today. Met flak but not very heavy nor accurate. One ship from 559 went down. Saw rocket. All these towns are being bombed directly with the offense.

Load - 2 - 2,000 Lbs. Demos.

#34 Clusters-St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-71

Date - February 26, 1945
Time - 3 Hours 30 Minutes
Mission - Overpass in Zieverich, Germany
Crew - Same - Graves flew 1st. Pilot
Remarks - . Right engine started to go out on us. Crumb took over. Milkrun.

Load - 8 - 500 Lbs. Demos
#35 Clusters-St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-71

Date - February 28, 1945
Time - 3 Hours 45 Minutes
Mission - Bridge in Mayer, Germany

Crew - Same
Remarks - Milk Run- Captain from infantry flew with us. 10/10ths. Cloud coverage.

Load - 4 - 1,000 Lbs. Demos.

#36 Clusters-St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-71

Date - March 1, 1945
Time - 3 Hours 30 Minutes
Mission - Bridge in Rheinbach, Germany

Crew - Same - Gardella flew co-pilot
Remarks - Flak light & inaccurate. Infantry captain flew with us again.

Load - 2 - 2,000 Lbs. Demos.

#37 Clusters-St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-71

Date - March 2,1945
Time - 4 Hours 15 Minutes
Mission - Small town in Giesser, Germany

Crew - Same with S/Sgt. Methfessel.
Remarks - Flak moderate but not accurate. Got 5 BIG holes on left engine. Cold.

Load - 8 - 500 Lbs. Demos.

#38 Clusters-St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-71

Date - March 3, 1945
Time - 4 Hours
Mission - Remch, Germany

Crew - Crumb, Lt. Newman, Lt. F/O Hardy, Sgt. Blaumer, Sgt. Hall, Cpt. Maire

Remarks - Long mission. Only two burst of flak 1/2 hour before target. Dropped incendiary bombs.

Load - 8 - 500 Lbs. Inc. Demos.

#39 Clusters-St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-71

Date - March 4, 1945
Time - 3 Hours 45 Minutes
Mission - Crossroads in Bhrüel, Germany for retreated German troops.

Crew - Same - for Togger, T/Sgt. Williamson
Remarks - Milkrun. 1 minute in bomb line 1 minute out. Our ship didn’t drop - rack malfunction.

Load - 8 - 500 Lbs. Demos.

#40 Clusters-St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-71

Date - March 5, 1945
Time - 4 Hours 15 Minutes
Mission - Ordinance depot in Ünna, Germany

Crew - Same except Lt. Mayers flew as co-pilot.
Remarks - 10/10ths cloud coverage. No opposition. Easy run but tiresome. Flew at 14,000 feet.

Load - 8 - 500 Lbs Comp. Demos.

#41 Clusters-St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-71

Date - March 5, 1945
Time - 4 Hours 0 Minutes
Mission - Village in Kreuztal, Germany

Crew - Same - Lt. Kennedy flew as co-pilot.
Remarks - Second mission for today. We flew window again. No opposition nor flak. 10/10ths cloud coverage. Easy run but also very tiresome at high altitude. More like’ em though. No bomb load.

#42 Clusters-St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-71

Date - March 8, 1945
Time - 3 Hours 30 Minutes
Mission - Defended village in Eitorf, Germany.

Crew - Same -Lt. Brown flew as co-pilot.

Remarks - Milkrun. We had a Sgt. From infantry as passenger.

Load - 8 - 500 Lbs. Comp. Demos.

#43 Clusters-St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-71

Date - March 9, 1945
Time - 4 Hours 45 Minutes
Mission - Between Konieshfner & Nastatten, Germany

Crew - Same

Remarks - “Enemy Fighters” - about 16 fighters attacked us. Mostly FW-190’s and a few ME 109’s. Got a 20 MM on our right flap. Think I hit one but didn’t knock him out. Probably damaged it. Same infantry Sgt. went along.

Load - 8 - 500 Lbs. Comp Demos.

#44 Clusters-St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-71

Date - March 10, 1945
Time - 3 Hours 45 Minutes
Mission - Crossroads at Altenkirchen, Germany

Crew - Lt. Skinner, Lt. Eakes, Sgt. Siefken, Sgt. Hurwitz, Sgt. Herlinger.

Remarks - Easy run - a few rockets but far off. Bad visibility coming in. Good landing.

Load - 8 - 500 Lbs. Comp. Demos.

#45 Clusters-St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-71

Date - March 13, 1945
Time - 3 Hours 30 Minutes
Mission - Westerburg, Germany. Railroad Marshaling yard.

Crew - Same

Remarks - No Flak. Easy run. 1st. Lt. Farris of infantry went with us as passenger.

Load - 16 - 250 Lbs. Demos.

#46 Clusters-St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-71

Date - March 16, 1945
Time - 3 Hours 45 Minutes
Mission - Landau, Germany road junctions.

Crew - Same
Remarks - Moderate flak but not accurate. Bandits were reported on vicinity but didn’t see ‘em. Believe to have hit town right on target. Two runs on target.

Load - 2 - 2,000 Lbs. Demos.

#47 Clusters-St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-71

Date - March 17, 1945
Time - 4 Hours 0 Minutes
Mission - Frankenburg, Germany. Marshaling yard.
Crew - Same
Remarks - Milkrun!

Load - 8 - 500 Lbs. Demos

#48 Clusters-St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-7

Date - March 18, 1945
Time - 3 Hours 45 Minutes
Mission - Marshaling yard in Krüztal, Gr.

Crew - Same
Remarks - Only 8 burst of flak on our box. Not accurate.

Load - 4 - 1,000 Lbs. Demos

#49 Clusters-St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-7

Date - March 19, 1945
Time - 4 Hours 0 Minutes
Mission - R/R bridge-Badoeuynhauser, Germany by Wesser River

Crew - Same

Remarks - We flew window. Plenty flak and rather accurate. Mostly on bombline and going over Coblenz 1 Hr & 20 Min. in Germany. Flew 557 ship “Smokey.” No Load.

#50 Clusters-St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-7

Date - March 20, 1945
Time - 4 Hours 15 Minutes
Mission - Ammunition dump at Sythen, Germany.

Crew - Same

Remarks - “Plenty Hot!” - Moderate but accurate flak. Only one hole at tip of Rt. Wing. 3 bombs hung up and couldn’t salvo them. Cavanaugh, Stinky, Crumb & I managed to hook two that were loose. Was really sick today.

Load - 8 - 500 Lbs Incendiary’s

#51 Clusters-St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-7

Date - March 21, 1945
Time - 3 Hours 15 Minutes
Mission - Stadlohn, Germany town supplies

Crew - Same

Remarks - Very clear again. Moderate but accurate flak. My turret inter phone system went out. Could not hear or contact crew during whole mission. Hit town right in the center.

Load - 4 - 1,000 Lbs. Demos.

#52 Clusters-St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-7

Date - March 22, 1945
Time - 3 Hours 15 Minutes
Mission - Haltern, Germany

Crew - Same

Remarks - Beau-coup flak but none came near our flight. Helping British & Canadians. Clear weather. Direct hit on town.

Load - 28 - 100 Lbs. Demos

#53 Clusters-St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-7

Date - March 23, 1945
Time - 3 Hours 0 Minutes
Mission - Dirslaked, Ger. Fortified town - Comm. Center.

Crew - Same

Remarks - 70 four gun batteries. Expected heavy flak. Only encounter light flak. Other groups before us hit flak positions. Again, direct help to Canadians & British troops. Direct hit on town.

Load - 16 - 250 Lbs. Demos.

#54 Clusters-St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-7

Date - March 24, 1945
Time - 3 Hours 45 Minutes
Mission - Diesfordte, Germany. Troops & light installations.

Crew - Same

Remarks - Heavy flak but not in our flight. Our gun battery kept putting his burst close to us.

Load - 16 - 260 Lbs. Frags.

#55 Clusters-St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-7

Date - March 25, 1945
Time - 3 Hours 45 Minutes
Mission - Weyerbusch, Germany. Town communications center.

Crew - Lt. Crumb, Lt. Hines, Cpt. Nestor, Stinky, Cavanaugh

Remarks - Flew lead window. Flights got heavy flak. We didn’t get any. Left engine started to go out but was O.K. afterwards. No load.

#56 Clusters-St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-7

Date - March 26, 1945
Time - 4 Hours 15 Minutes
Mission - Flieden, Germany -Marshaling town.

Crew - Same -Lt. Collier flew for Graves.

Remarks - Easy run & good escort by P-38’s, P-47’s & P-51’s. Helping Patton’s drive!

Load - 2 - 2,000 Lbs. Demos.

#57 Clusters-St. Quentin, Fr. Base A-7

Date - April 3, 1945
Time - 4 Hours 15 Minutes
Mission - Holz-minden, Germany- Marshaling yard.

Crew - Graves 1st Pilot, Lt. Stradjanek co-pilot.

Remarks - 15 burst of light accurate flak. Bad weather (cloudy). Lost formation for awhile. Had to hog ground on landing.

Load - 4 - 1,000 Lbs. Demos.