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The 500th Bomb Group Day By Day24 November 1943 - 17 January 1946

by James E. Bowman

In our youth, our hearts were touched with fire.

Oliver Wendell olmes! Jr.

"#is $ournal is dedi%a&ed &o my 'aer and namesa(e! James E. Bowman! w#o le'& is world lon) a)o bu& is no&'or)o&&en by #is son.

Special Note* +lease brin) any errors &o my a&&en&ion a&JEB,3aol.%om. "#ey will be %orre%&ed as soon as/ossible. New ma&erial 0 reminis%en%es! $ournals! diaries! le&&ers! o''i%ial do%umen&s! /#o&o)ra/#s! e&%. 0 are allea)erly sou)#&.

3 Dec 43

E''e%&ive is day! a& owen ield! Boise! da#o! by auori&y o' eneral Order 176! +ara)ra/#s 1 and 3!eaduar&ers 2nd 5ir or%e! olorado /rin)s! olorado! da&ed 24 Nov 1943! and /e%ial Order 337!+ara)ra/# 46! 5ir Base eaduar&ers! owen ield! Boise! da#o! da&ed 3 8e% 1943! e , Bombardmen&rou/ :;ery eavy< and i&s subordina&e uni&s! e 1s&! 2nd! 3rd and 4 Bombardmen& uadrons:;abora&ory uadron were a%&iva&ed. "#e ori)inal %adre was 'ormed by &rans'er o' 29 o''i%er and 271 enlis&ed)round /ersonnel 'rom e 494 Bomb rou/ :eavy& ri''i o''i%ially o/ened e eaduar&ers o' e , Bomb rou/ a& lovis! New =e?i%o! s&illwi only #imsel' and ree enlis&ed men assi)ned. "#is small %adre be)an /er'ormin) rou&ine )arrison du&ies.or e ne?& 'our mons! un&il 5/ril 1944! e 5ir E%#elon o' e , would be based a& lovis! s&eadily)rowin) in s&ren) and )e&&in) in w#a& &rainin) ey %ould! w#i%# wasnC& mu%#! w#ile e round E%#elon 0 e29! 3! 31s& and 32ndBombardmen& =ain&enan%e uadrons 0 would be based a& Wal(er 55 in Aansas!/rovidin) main&enan%e su//or& &o e 462nd Bomb rou/ o' e , Win) w#ile simul&aneously learnin) asmu%# as ey %ould abou& #ow &o main&ain! modi'y and re/air B-29Cs.

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6 Jan 44

>as& ni)#& a& abou& 22 +'% eor)e E. u)#es 'rom e small &own o' reenwi%#! New Dor(! re/or&ed &o Wal(er5rmy 5ir ield near ;i%&oria! Aansas. eor)e #ad been in e 5rmy almos& a year. e #ad ori)inally beena%%e/&ed in&o e 5via&ion ade& +ro)ram and #ad &rained a& =a?well ield! 5>! and 8orr ield! >! bu& li(e somany oers #ad been was#ed ou&. & didnC& &a(e mu%# &o was# ou& o' /ilo& &rainin) in ose days! by many

a%%oun&s $us& an ins&ru%&or #avin) a bad day. Wi 'ar more 'li)#& %ade&s an ey would ever need /ilo&s! e5rmy 5ir or%es %ould be #ars# and un'or)ivin). Dou didnC& )e& a se%ond %#an%e.

5'&er 8orr! eor)e #ad been sen& &o & +e&ersbur)! >! 'or re)ular enlis&ed basi% &rainin)! and en &o 5ir/lane=e%#ani% %#ool a& ul'/or&! =! w#ere #e did well. is &rainin) was %a//ed o'' wi abou& si? wee(s a& eend o' 1943 a& #evrole& in 8e&roi& and a& e new onsolida&ed air%ra'& /lan& a& nearby Willow un. eor)e #adbeen wiou& a 'urlou)# all is &ime and #ad been really #o/in) 'or one a'&er Willow un! bu& ins&ead #e wassen& dire%&ly &o 'ar-away Wal(er 55 in Aansas! and in e middle o' win&er &oo. e was no& #a//y abou& a&.

"oday eor)e s/en& e day &a(in) a /#ysi%al! )e&&in) s#o&s! bein) in&erviewed! and re%eivin) #is assi)nmen&!w#i%# was &o e 29 Bombardmen& =ain&enan%e uadron. 5//aren&ly some o' e me%#ani%s w#o #ad %omein wi eor)e were assi)ned &o main&enan%e suadrons o' e , Bomb Win)Cs 462nd Bomb rou/ andwould be #eadin) overseas soon! bu& e 29 was /ar& o' e 73rd Bomb Win)Cs , Bomb rou/. 5lon) wie 3! 31s& and 32nd uadrons! e 29 would su//or& e 462nd Bomb rou/ 5ir E%#elon un&il i& le'&! and

en rever& &o %on&rol o' e , Bomb rou/.

eor)e #ad &ime &oday &o wri&e a le&&er &o #is 'amily. 5'&er re/or&in) #is sa'e arrival a& Wal(er! eor)e in'ormed#is /aren&s! F"#is is a B-29 ou&'i& #ere. donC& (now #ow mu%# me%#ani%s will be doin) ye&. or aw#ile will/robably was# ese /lanes. 5ll ese dns. are $us& bein) 'ormed so ere s#ould be some )ood o/enin)ssoon.G eor)e ou)#& a& i& #ad been Fui&e a rou)# ride ou& #ere. "#e &rain we #ad s&o//ed a& every%rossroads. H 5'&er we le'& Aansas i&y we didnC& #i& a &own over a %ou/le ousand. "#is is very wild %oun&ryaround #ere. &Cs an ideal s/o& 'or air'ields.G 5s 'or a 'urlou)#! eor)e didnC& in( ere was a %#an%e o' )e&&in)one any&ime soon! bu& maybe a'&er e uadron )o& &o 'ull s&ren).

13 Jan 44

5& lovis! N=! 2@>& Edward . ibbs! a /e%ial ervi%e O''i%er :=O ,

F #ave &o &a(e yellow 'ever! %#olera! and &y/#us s#o&s /re&&y soon. #ad &wo s#o&s and a va%%ina&ion w#en )oere. "#ey are very 'ree wi e needles #ere.G

eor)e u)#es was no& alone in #is ne)a&ive assessmen& o' e B-29. "o uo&e a #i)#er auori&y! ol am

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arris! O o' e 499 Bomb rou/! F"#is air/lane #as more bu)s in i& an a "ennessee moun&ain bed.G "#ere)ular a//earan%e o' new /roblems was a %onseuen%e o' e #eadlon) rus# in&o /rodu%&ion be'ore a sin)le/ro&o&y/e #ad been buil& 'or &es&in). "#ere #ad been reason 'or e ur)en%y a& e &ime. "#e /rodu%&ion order'or 2, bombers was /la%ed on 17 =ay 1941! be'ore ermany a&&a%(ed e ovie& Inion and w#ile Bri&ain s&oodalone a)ains& e Nai war ma%#ine. & was no& a& all %lear a& Bri&ain would survive! and i' i& didnC&! /ossessiono' a &rans-5&lan&i% bomber would be %ri&i%al. eneral enry . Fa/G 5rnold! #ie' o' e 5rmy 5ir or%es! wasde&ermined &o #ave e B-29! no ma&&er w#a& e %os&.

17 Jan 44

=a$ Jo#n E. ay re/or&ed &o e , Bomb rou/ a& lovis! N=! and by auori&y o' O 3! , Bombrou/! da&ed 17 Jan 44! immedia&ely assumed %ommand o' e uni&.

22 Jan 44

On is day >& ol Jo#n ". i&wa&er and =a$ "#eodore B. wanson re/or&ed &o e , a& lovis 'rom e 73rdBomb Win)! and by vir&ue o' #is ran( >& ol i&wa&er assumed %ommand o' e rou/ by auori&y o' O 4!, Bomb rou/! da&ed 22 Jan 44.

23 Jan 44

eor)e u)#es wro&e #is /aren&s a lon) le&&er 'rom Wal(er 55! A! &oday*

F8ear =oer K 8ad!

re%eived your le&&er wi e money yes&erday and e oer le&&er &oday. "#an(s a lo& 'or e money. Wesi)ned e /ayroll &oday so we s#ould be /aid e 'irs& o' ebruary. ome 'ellows on is 'ield #avenC& been /aidsin%e November.

"#e weaer #as been lovely e las& wee(. "#e sun #as been very bri)#& and ere isnC& any snow on e)round. "#ere always seems &o be a wind blowin) #ere and i& is )e&&in) ui&e dus&y.G

H "#ere are $us& ree o' e old bun%# [fro# )ir(lane Mechanic choolin e 29 [Bo#bard#entMaintenance /uadron of the 011th Bo#b 'rou(. "#e res& are in e 9 and 11. [2he th, +1th, ++th and+&th BM3s belon*ed to the $%&nd Bo#b 'rou(. "#e 9 and 11 are &a(in) overseas &rainin) now. "#ey#ave s&o//ed all wor( [this #eant that the four BM3s of the 011th 'rou( had assu#ed res(onsibility for#aintenance of the $%&nd 'rou( and #ave been issued new %loes! ri'le! &ren%# (ni'e and oer %omba&eui/men&. We were lu%(y &o )e& in&o e 29. & isnC& even u/ &o 'ull s&ren) ye&. H

We arenC& very near any lar)e %i&y #ere. ays and ussell are abou& 'i'&een miles 'rom e base bu& ey aresmall &owns and aw'ul dead. H was in &o ussell on Wednesday and bowled a 'ew )ames and s#o& some /ool."#ere are buses runnin) &o bo ays and ussell.

am wor(in) e )raveyard s#i'& a)ain is wee(. We were %#an)ed around a)ain is wee( w#en e 9 ui&wor(. "#ere is more wor( &o do on is s#i'& bu& ere are 'ewer bi) s#o&s around. $us& %ame o'' e day s#i'&'rom ei)#& &ill 'ive. =os& o' e s#i/s were 'lyin) bu& you #ave &o a//ear &o be doin) somein) anyway. "#earmy believes e only way &o (ill &ime is &o wor( i& &o dea. "#ere were more en)ineerin) o''i%ers around anenlis&ed men. ome o' em are really s&u/id w#en i& %omes &o /ra%&i%al wor(. "#ese old &ime ser)ean&s #aveem runnin) around li(e (ids. =os& o' e 'ellows in is ou&'i& are ba%( 'rom +anama. in( ey s&ayed ou& ine sun down ere &oo lon) be%ause ey arenC& e?a%&ly normal 'rom all a//earan%es. =os& o' em #ave beenin 'rom ree &o ir&y years. "#ere is one 'ellow #ere a& $us& made ser)ean& a'&er &wen&y &wo years in e army.H

Wri&e soon and will wri&e a)ain in a 'ew days.

>ove

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eor)eG

25 Jan 44

5'&er bein) in %ommand o' e , Bomb rou/ 'or only ree days! >& ol i&wa&er was &rans'erred ou& &odayand =a$ wanson assumed %ommand o' e rou/ by auori&y o' O ,! , Bomb rou/! da&ed 2, Jan 44.

27 Jan 44

On is da&e 3 o''i%ers and 127 enlis&ed men 'rom e 4 5n&isubmarine rou/! a uni& w#i%# #ad 'lown B-24Cs ou& o' Nor 5'ri%a bu& #ad re%en&ly re&urned &o e &a&es! were &rans'erred &o e , Bomb rou/ 5irE%#elon a& lovis! N=.

2 Jan 44

"oday a& lovis! N=! =a$ al/# 5. eeve assumed %ommand o' e , Bomb rou/. =a$ eeve #eldor)ania&ional mee&in)s and made various du&y a//oin&men&s! in%ludin) =a$ ay as 8e/u&y rou/ ommanderand =a$ wanson as 5%&in) -3 :O/era&ions< O''i%er.

8urin) is /eriod a& lovis! more o''i%ers and men )radually re/or&ed &o e ,! bu& mos& were /la%ed on8e&a%#ed ervi%e a& various 5rmy s%#ools! /ar&i%ularly e 5ir or%es %#ool o' 5//lied "a%&i%s a& Orlando! >!'or a//ro?ima&ely 'our wee(s.

30 Jan 44

5%%ordin) &o e Or)ania&ion is&ori%al e%ord! on is da&e e 'our Bomb uadrons o' e , Bombrou/ a& lovis! N=! were a& e 'ollowin) s&ren)s*

1s& 0 4 o''i%ers K enlis&ed men2nd 0 2 o''i%ers K 1 enlis&ed men

3rd 0 3 o''i%ers K 7 enlis&ed men4 0 4 o''i%ers K 9 enlis&ed men

owever! e %ommand an&i%i/a&ed ,-6 new o''i%ers &o re/or& &o e rou/ in e near 'u&ure.

5//aren&ly! e 3 o''i%ers and 127 enlis&ed men 'rom e 4 5n&isubmarine rou/ w#o were assi)ned on 27Jan #ad no& re/or&ed by is da&e.

31 Jan 44

5& Wal(er 55! A! air/lane me%#ani% eor)e u)#es wro&e #is /aren&s a)ain &oday. 5'&er some small &al(abou& 'amily 'riends! eor)e wro&e abou& some main&enan%e /roblems ey were #avin)*

FWe #ave anoer B-29 in our dn. Now. #ave been assi)ned &o wor( on i& now. 5s we )e& e new /laneswe )e& rid o' e old B-17s. "#ere is always somein) )oin) wron) wi e B-29. One o' em #ere #ad &welvenew en)ines sin%e i& #as been on e 'ield. Dou %an )e& &wo B-17s in e #an)er [sicbu& only one B-29. W#ene #an)er is o%%u/ied all main&enan%e #as &o be done ou& on e 'ield. am wor(in) 'rom 'our [(#&ill one [a#is wee(. "#is is a )ood s#i'& 'or slee/in). W#en you are wor(in) ni)#&s i&Cs #ard &o )e& mu%# slee/. "#ere isalways someone )oin) or %omin) durin) e day.

F... ome o' e boys are on e aler& &o s#i/. "#ey #ave &o be ready &o leave in &en minu&es no&i%e.G

eor)e was ri)#& abou& e B-29. "#e lis& o' &eein) /roblems was almos& endless. "#ere were so many in)s

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)oin) wron) w#i%# reuired redesi)n or modi'i%a&ion a& e 'a%&ories didnC& even a&&em/& &o resolve em asey %ame u/. "ryin) &o do so would #ave disru/&ed e assembly lines &oo mu%#. ns&ead! re&oolin) was doneonly o%%asionally. "#is mean& a& new B-29Cs %ame o'' e /rodu%&ion line already reuirin) mul&i/lemodi'i%a&ions. "#e ado/&ed solu&ion was &o se& u/ modi'i%a&ion %en&ers around e %oun&ry &o w#i%# new B-29Cswould be sen& &o #ave ose modi'i%a&ions made. Only en would ey be delivered &o e &rainin) bases. O'%ourse! new modi'i%a&ions were bein) in&rodu%ed all e &ime! so even on%e-modi'ied /lanes already delivered &oe bases would /eriodi%ally need &o be &a(en ou& o' servi%e &o #ave addi&ional modi'i%a&ions &a(en %are o'.

"#e mos& serious /roblem was e en)ines! w#i%# over#ea&ed! swallowed valves! lea(ed oil and oerwisemal'un%&ioned wi re)ulari&y. & would be a lon) &ime be'ore a& baby was /u& &o bed.

!eb 44

"oday a& Wal(er 55! A! eor)e u)#es wro&e #is /aren&s anoer le&&er*

F8ear =oer K 8ad!

H We move &o a new barra%(s &oday. & is mu%# be&&er an e one #ave been in. "#e 9 [Bo#bard#entMaintenance /uadron of the $%&nd Bo#b 'rou(o%%u/ied ese barra%(s un&il ey s#i//ed ou&. =os& o' eold ul'/or& bun%# #as s#i//ed ou&. Only e ree o' us in e 29 [BM of the 011th B' are s&ill #ere.

"#ey )ave us a /#ysi%al and some more s#o&s las& ni)#&. "#ey mus& #ave los& e old re%ords be%ause i& is esame in) #ad a mon a)o. "#ey even &ossed in a yellow 'ever s#o& 'or )ood measure.

am on e day s#i'& is wee(. "#e weaer #as been very ni%e la&ely. "#e sun is very bri)#& and i& )e&s warmenou)# &o wor( in $us& %overalls in e a'&ernoon.

5 B-29 %ra%(ed u/ #ere las& wee(. & was &a?iin) u/ &o /ar( w#en by some reason or oer e w#eels re&ra%&ed.+ie%es o' e /ro/ 'lew 'or several #undred 'ee&. "#e /lane was all &wis&ed ou& o' s#a/e and unre/airable. 5 B-29 is su//osed &o %os& nearly a million [dollarsso ere #as been /len&y o' inves&i)a&ion. "#e /ilo& mus& #ave/ulled a boner and /ulled u/ e w#eels by mis&a(e.

"#in)s are /re&&y uie& #ere. E?%e/& 'or wor(in)! slee/in) and ea&in) ere isnC& mu%# &o do. H

Wri&e soon and &a(e i& easy.

>oveeor)eG

13 !eb 44

n a le&&er &o #is /aren&s &oday! eor)e u)#es a& Wal(er 55 &old em #ow %old! snowy and windy i& #ad&urned ere la&ely. n 'a%&! on #is day o'' be&ween e day s#i'& las& wee( and midni)#&s is wee( #e #ad )onein&o &own wi one o' #is 'riends and ey Fnearly )o& s&randed. "#e snow blew so #ard e buses didnC& run.Geor)e was envious o' a 'riend o' #is w#o #ad )o& a 'urlou)#. F wis# ey would %ome a%ross wi one 'or me.G

1 !eb 44

eor)e u)#es a& Wal(er 55! A! wro&e #is /aren&s a)ain &oday*

F8ear =oer K 8ad!

re%eived your le&&er and e Journal &oday. "#e /a%(a)e you sen& me arrived earlier is wee(. "#e %oo(ieswere very )ood. "#an(s a lo&.

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am on e )raveyard s#i'& and donC& do mu%# bu& ea&! slee/ and wor(. "#e s#i/s #ave been away a lo& la&elyand ere #asnC& been mu%# wor(. would raer wor( on e /lane ou)# an /u&&er around e #an)er [sic&ryin) &o a//ear busy.

"#ursday was my day o'' and 8i%( =aus and wen& &o ays. We bowled a 'ew )ames and #ad a %ou/le )oodmeals. "#e res&auran&s #ave )ood s&ea(s anyway. =y bowlin) ran 'rom 14 &o 19. "#e alleys are in very )oods#a/e. "#ey #ave an ele%&ri% 'oul line.

)o& &wo more s#o&s yes&erday. ou)#& was all se& bu& i& seems no&. am be)innin) &o 'eel li(e a /in %us#ion.None o' e s#o&s boer me so donC& mind em mu%#.

& is %ool #ere a& ni)#&. >as& ni)#& i& was abou& 12 below. or a %#an)e ere wasnC& any wind. H

>oveeor)e

25 !eb 44

"oday a& Wal(er 55 in a le&&er &o #is /aren&s eor)e u)#es wro&e a& #e was ba%( on e evenin) :4 /m &o 1am< s#i'& and a& F"#in)s #ave been very uie& la&ely. =y /lane #asnC& re&urned 'rom New =e?i%o ye&. & #as

been down ere ui&e a w#ile now. "#ey #ad &o %#an)e an en)ine.G eor)e #eld ou& #o/e 'or a 'urlou)# in=ay or June.

2 "ar 44

n early 1944! under #eavy /oli&i%al /ressure &o )e& e new B-29 in&o e war! eneral a/ 5rnold! #ie' o' e5rmy 5ir or%es! be%ame in%reasin)ly /ersonally involved in B-29 /rodu%&ion and modi'i%a&ion. is )oal was &o)e& e , Bomb Win) &o ndia and #ina by 5/ril. Wi /ro)ress s&ill la))in) by =ar%#! a %on%erned 5rnold&oo( dras&i% a%&ion. 5ll available &rained :and /ar&ly &rained< 55 /ersonnel were /ressed in&o servi%e. undredso' Boein) wor(ers were /ulled 'rom /rodu%&ion lines and sen& &o e =odi'i%a&ion en&ers and e Aansas airbases &o )e& e B-29Cs o' e , Bomb Win) %omba&-ready. Wor(in) mos&ly ou&side in e bi&&er Aansaswin&er due &o la%( o' #an)ar s/a%e! s#iverin) men wi numbed 'in)ers %ould 'un%&ion e''e%&ively 'or only a 'ew

minu&es a& a &ime be'ore ey #ad &o )o inside &o warm u/! en re&urn &o eir &as( 'or anoer 'ew bi&&er minu&es.

Ea%# /lane reuired a s&a))erin) amoun& o' wor(. En)ine %owl 'la/s #ad &o be modi'ied! win) su//or&ss&ren)ened! all ele%&ri%al /lu)s re/la%ed! new dis&or&ion-'ree /le?i)lass /anels in e nose and im/roved blis&erseals ins&alled! main landin) )ear &ires re/la%ed! and mu%# more.

& wasnC& easy! bu& in e end e wor( was done. "#is /eriod o' 'renied a%&ivi&y a& e Aansas bases would la&erbe &ermed F"#e Ba&&le o' AansasG. 5nd air/lane me%#ani% eor)e u)#es a& Wal(er 55 was in e middle o' i&.n a le&&er &o #is /aren&s wri&&en on is da&e! #e des%ribed some o' w#a& was )oin) on*

F am now wor(in) &welve #ours a day. "#ey #ave made u/ &wo s#i'&s o' en)ine %#an)e %rews and wor( 'romseven +.=. un&il seven 5.=. We are )e&&in) a bun%# o' new B-29s &o re/la%e our B-17s. Every /lane #as &o#ave a %om/le&e en)ine %#an)e w#en i& )e&s #ere. "#ey are /u&&in) re)ular %omba& en)ines in em.

FWe #ave &wo more B-29s and e?/e%& abou& 'ive more soon. would li(e &o #ave e money a& is bein) s/en&on ese /lanes. Ea%# en)ine is valued a& L22!. "#a&Cs L1 /er #orse/ower. H "#in)s are bein) #eld u/ui&e a bi& be%ause mu%# o' e new en)ines #ave &o be modi'ied.

F"#e las& /lane a& %ame in #ad bomb bay &an(s and %ould #old abou& 1 )al. o' )as. ome )as dealer would/robably )ive #is eye &ee 'or a&.G

e/or&in) &oday &o Wal(er ield in e middle o' all is &urmoil was youn) 2@>& Norman . arri)us 'rom "u%son!5riona. arri)us was somein) new in e 5rmy 5ir or%es 0 a adar oun&er-=easures O''i%er. "#e B-29was e 'irs& I bomber &o be eui//ed wi radar! and arri)us (new almos& everyin) abou& a& mys&erious

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devi%e. No& only a&! #e (new a lo& abou& enemy radars &oo. "#a& in 'a%& was #is /rimary $ob 0 &o learn es&ren)s and wea(nesses o' e enemy emi&&ers! en use #is (nowled)e and s/e%ial! se%re& eui/men& &o%oun&er e 'ormer and e?/loi& e la&&er.

arri)us #ad enlis&ed in e 5ir or/s in 5u)us& 1942 w#ile s&ill only 19. Ori)inally &rained as a radio o/era&or!#e soon en&ered e ade& "rainin) +ro)ram! 'rom w#i%# #e even&ually )radua&ed as a brand-new 2@>& and enwas sen& on 'or ei)#& more mons o' s/e%ialied radar &rainin)! mos&ly a& Bo%a a&on! lorida.

5'&er a 'ew days! e base /ersonnel se%&ion 'inally 'i)ured ou& w#a& &o do wi arri)us and assi)ned #im &o e3 Bombardmen& =ain&enan%e uadron. arri)us was /robably lu%(y durin) is 'ran&i% &ime a& #e was aradar and no& an en)ineerin) o''i%er. &ill! #e would #ave /len&y &o do! be%ause radar would even&ually #ave &obe ins&alled on all e rou/Cs 'lyaway B-29Cs 0 ey didnC& %ome 'rom e 'a%&ory a& way 0 and e rou/Csradar /ersonnel would #ave &o do mos& i' no& all o' e wor(.

12 "ar 44

5& Wal(er 55! air/lane me%#ani% eor)e u)#es was s&ill wor(in) #ard! as #e e?/lained in a le&&er #ome*

F& is %old and rainy &oday. #o/e we wor( in e #an)er [sic&oni)#&. We are s&ill on e &welve #our s#i'&. & is#ard &o (ee/ &ra%( o' e days wor(in) seven days a wee(. W#a& a /ay %#e%( we would draw i' is was a

%ivilian $ob. "#e s#i/s are s&ill %omin) in &o be modi'ied. "#e las& ones are %om/le&e wi adar eui/men& andbulle& /roo' )lass. [If 'eor*e3s letters were bein* censored, his reference to radar would have certainly beenre#oved, since this new technolo*y was still very secret. - JEB

F donC& in( a& would li(e &o )e& ba%( in ade&s a)ain. On%e was enou)# 'or me. [4ou #ay recall that'eor*e had been washed out of the )viation !adet 5ro*ra#, but he had recently toyed with the idea ofrea((lyin*. - JEB "#ey wonC& release anyone 'rom is 'ield anyway. "#is B-29 /ro)ram is abou& e #o&&es&in) in e 5ir or/[sic. "#e B-29 %an %arry 'our! 'our &on bombs so you %an see w#a& dama)e will be donew#en ey )e& in %omba&. "#e /lane is abou& 99 'ee& in len). "#e win) s/an is over 14 'ee&. 5 Clyin)or&ressC loo(s small beside i&.G

eor)e en &urned &o more /ersonal ma&&ers*

F5nna ['eor*e3s sisters#ould #ave a )ood &ime in New Dor(. would li(e &o Mbe near a bi))er &own an aysor ussell. H

F #avenC& #eard 'rom any o' e boys in e Nin [Bo#bard#ent Maintenance /uadron of the $%&nd Bo#b'rou(. "#ey mus& no& be lo%a&ed ye&. No one (nows w#ere ey wen&. [2hey were on the way to India via theMediterranean and the Middle East. We are liable &o )o &o e same /la%e w#en we s#i/. ['eor*e was ri*ht.2he ori*inal (lan called for the 6rd Bo#b 7in* to 8oin the 09th in !hina. But of course that was chan*ed.

FWri&e soon and donC& wor( &oo #ard. =aybe 'urlou)# will be o/enin) u/ soon. "#ere is one 'ellow #ere aasnC& #ad 'urlou)# in ree years. e is on &o/ o' e lis&.

>oveeor)eG

20 "ar 44

n a le&&er &o #is /aren&s &oday 'rom Wal(er 55! eor)e u)#es wro&e! F& is bri)#& and %lear &oday and e snowis mel&in) 'as&. We #ad ui&e a snow e oer ni)#&. su//ose ere will be mud u/ &o our (nees in a day or so.

FWe are s&ill wor(in) &welve #ours. "#e /lanes are nearly ready bu& ere are li&&le in)s &o &a(e %are o' ye&. & isrumored a& we s&ar& on ei)#& #ours some&ime is wee(. %er&ainly #o/e so.G

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7 #pr 44

"oday eor)e u)#es a& Wal(er 55 wro&e #is /aren&s anoer le&&er*

F8ear =oer K 8ad!

& #as been ui&e a w#ile sin%e my las& le&&er. We #ave been very busy )e&&in) e /lanes ready 'or %omba&."#ey are all nearly ready now and some #ave le'& already. "#e s#i/s are )oin) ou& #eavily loaded and are

%arryin) e?&ra en)ines and oer eui/men&. "#e )ross wei)#& is abou& 126! lbs. /er /lane.

FWe e?/e%& &o )e& ree day /asses abou& unday i' everyin) )oes ri)#&. "#ere #ave been rumors )oin)around abou& 'urlou)# bu& so 'ar noin) o''i%ial #as been announ%ed. donC& see w#y we %anC& s&ar& on 'urlou)#soon.

F"#e /as& wee( #as been very warm and e sun #as been very bri)#&. #ave s&ar&ed &o sunburn already. "#ewind is always blowin) w#eer i& is bri)#& or %loudy.

F& would be ni%e i' #ad been able &o be #ome on Eas&er bu& maybe i& wonC& be lon) be'ore )e& #ome. ome'ellows #ave been s#i//ed ou& la&ely 'or overseas re/la%emen&. Cm lu%(y Cm no& in a& )rou/. =os& o' em#ave never #ad a 'urlou)# eier.

Wri&e soon and donC& wor( &oo #ard.

>oveeor)eG

10 #pr 44

n e 5rmy in)s o'&en #a//en suddenly. On is day eor)e u)#es sen& #is /aren&s a brie' &ele)ram*

F+>E5E WE L1 ==E85"E>D O=N O=EEOEG

1$ #pr 44

On is day radio o/era&or )& Wil&on . F=a&&G =a&&inson re/or&ed 'or du&y a& Wal(er 55! Aansas. =a&&insonwas unusual amon) e enlis&ed men a& Wal(er be%ause #e #ad been a /ilo&. In'or&una&ely! #e was also %olorblind! and alou)# #e #ad mana)ed &o #ide is #andi%a/ 'or a w#ile by memoriin) all e %#ar&s! e 5rmy'inally 'ound ou&. =a&&inson was re%lassi'ied &o enlis&ed and sen& &o radio s%#ool. Bu& #e #ad no& los& #is love 'or'lyin). ' #e %ouldnC& be a /ilo& #e %ould a& leas& be a member o' an air %rew. Or so #e #o/ed.

"#e 5rmy #ad di''eren& /lans. "o #is in&ense disa//oin&men&! =a&&inson was assi)ned as a radio main&enan%eman &o e 3 Bombardmen& =ain&enan%e uadron! w#i%# su//or&ed e 2nd Bombardmen& uadron.Bu& =a&&inson was de&ermined a& #e was )oin) &o 'ly! and w#en #e 'ound ou& a& ere was a radio o/era&orva%an%y on one o' e air %rews! #e be)an /es&erin) e ommuni%a&ions O''i%er. 5'&er a wee( o' is! eo''i%er %ould s&and no more and re%ommended =a&&inson 'or reassi)nmen& &o air %rew. "wo days la&er!=a&&inson #ad #is orders and be%ame a member o' e ava)e %rew! P224.

30 #pr 44

"oday eor)e u)#es re&urned &o Wal(er 55! A! 'rom #is 'urlou)# a& #ome and 'ound e base mu%#%#an)ed. "#e 462nd Bomb rou/ was )one and in eir /la%e was e 5ir E%#elon o' e , Bomb rou/.eor)e wro&e #is /aren&s abou& i&*

Q5/ril 3! 1944

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8ear =oer K 8ad! arrived in %am/ abou& ei)#& ir&y on unday mornin). ....

"#is /la%e is a mad #ouse. 5 new bun%# #as %ome in 'rom lovis! New =e?i%o. "#ey #ave $us& abou& &a(enover 'rom w#a& #ear. 5ll e men we #ad in %#ar)e are now assis&an&s now [sic. "#ere seems &o be a lo& o'

#ard 'eelin)s around #ere. "#e 'ield is over%rowded now. never saw e /la%e so %rowded..... "#ere doesnC& seem &o be many /lanes #ere ye& and ey are all B-17s. rom w#a& #ear e lovis bun%#never saw a B-29 ye&. ....>oveeor)eQ

"ay 44

5noer le&&er wri&&en #ome by eor)e u)#es! air/lane me%#ani% in e , Bomb rou/ a& Wal(er ield!Aansas*

Q=ay ! 19448ear =oer K 8ad! am in a new suadron alou)# #avenC& moved. "#e 29 [Bo#bard#ent Maintenance /uadron#as been%#an)ed in&o e 1s& [Bo#bard#ent /uadron. =any o' e new%omers [#eanin* the air echelon recentlyarrived fro# !lovis, :ew Me;icoand some o' e old &imers #ave le'&. )uess Ed! 8i%( and will s&ay in esame ou&'i&.We #ave been wor(in) ei)#& #ours bu& are s&ar&in) a &welve #our &omorrow. am wor(in) on a B-29[

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14 "ay 44

rom e , Bomb rou/ O/era&ions Journal! lo%a&ion Wal(er 5rmy 5ir ield! Aansas*Q14 =ay 44 B-17! 42-,64! +ilo& -- =a$or urlbu&&! made emer)en%y landin) due &o 'ire P4 en)ine. NoCs 1 K 2 'iree?&in)uis#er bo&&les used! bu& ob&ained no resul&s. Number 4 en)ine 'ell o'' on im/a%& o' landin). /l. =ona#an$um/ed 'rom 5@ w#ile /lane was in mo&ion! and su''ered serious in$uries. 3rd E%#. =ain&. [basically, re(airsbeyond the ca(ability of the *round crewsreuired on 5@.Q"#is in%iden& a''e%&ed lives beyond e , Bomb rou/. /l =ona#an was e )unner on e urlbu&&%rew :P222evin re%eived orders &o re/or& &o Wal(er! and soon =a$ urlbu&& #ad a new )unner.& was an a%%iden& a& /u& >evin on e urlbu&& %rew! and i& was an a%%iden& -- in is %ase! a /ie%e o' Ja/aneses#ra/nel in #is an(le -- a& would save #is li'e! as we s#all see in due %ourse. "#is me&a/#ysi%al )ame o'%#an%e would one day be summed u/ by >evinCs uonse&ma&e on ai/an! e /oe& Jo#n iardi* QWe live bya%%iden&s.Q

16 "ay 44

On is day 2@>& arold QalQ "owner o' e ays %rew :P22< o' e 2nd uadron made e 'irs& en&ry in #isdiary*Q16 =ay 44"oday our 'li)#& %ommander /assed &o us an order o' e rou/ .O. a& a %rew re%ord will be (e/& by somemember o' ea%# %rew. In'or&una&ely! in more ways an one! ! e bombardier! was %#osen as e lo)-(ee/er'or our %rew. ...."#us 'ar we #ave 'lown 12 &rainin) missions! all in B-17s! and are loo(in) 'orward &o our ' irs& 'li)#& in a B-29.Q

17 "ay 44

rom e al "owner :ays %rew! 2nd< diary*Q17 =ay 44Qom/le&ed mission P1 -- ree %amera a&&a%(s -- one ea%# a& Wi%#i&a! "ulsa! and O(la#oma i&y. On our re&urnwe #ad our 'irs& s%are w#en /ilo& sus/e%&ed 'ire in P2. On landin) #e s&o//ed s#i/ in middle o' runway andordered %rew &o abandon s#i/. ire 'i)#&in) %rews arrived $us& in &ime &o see e en)ine s&o/ smo(in).QNo&e* "#is 'li)#& was in a B-17.

1 "ay 44

On is day e ur&is %rew :P119< o' e 1s& uadron )o& 6 #ours and 2 minu&es in a B-29. in%e erewere no less an 14 landin)s re%orded durin) is &ime! e %rew mus& #ave been /ra%&i%in) &a(e-o''s andlandin)s.

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1$ "ay 44

=e%#ani% eor)e u)#es o' e 1s& uadron was s&ill wor(in) #ard a& Wal(er ield*Q=ay 19! 19448ear =oer K 8ad!

am ba%( in e old ru& a)ain. Wor(in) and slee/in)! wiou& a day o''. We are on &welve #ours and no dayso''. W#en we %#an)e s#i'&s we wor( si?&een #ours. ...."#e 'lyin) /ersonnel are mos&ly ine?/erien%ed and are only 'lyin) e B-17s. 5 'ew o' e older men are 'lyin)e &wo B-29s we #ave. "#ey #ave been in&erviewin) %omba& %rew e las& 'ew days. & seems as ou)# mos&o' e 'ellows are wai&in) &o be %alled. No& many seem &o be $um/in) a& e %#an%e. ....>oveeor)eQ"#e air %rews mus& #ave been s#or& o' /ersonnel. One o' e air/lane me%#ani%s w#o did $um/ a& e %#an%e &o

&rans'er &o a %omba& %rew was /l Aiolen rider 'rom Aanna/olis! Nor arolina. =aybe i& #ad somein) &o dowi e 'a%& a& #e was on A+ w#en ey %ame as(in). 5nyway! #e a)reed &o be%ome a )unner and wasassi)ned as &ail )unner on e ale ays %rew :P22< o' e 2nd uadron. e would s&ay wi a& %rewrou)#ou& e war.rom e al "owner :ays %rew! P22! 2nd< diary*Q19 =ay 44

+ilo&! %o-/ilo& and en)ineer %om/le&e missions 1 K 2 in B-29. Our 'irs& %lose-u/ ins/e%&ion o' is beau&i'ulair%ra'&RQ

"#ere was mu%# %lassroom &rainin) )oin) on &oo. "#e men )roused abou& e /oor uali&y o' e ins&ru%&ion! bu&des/i&e innumerable s#or&a)es and de'i%ien%ies! e , Bomb rou/ was doin) e bes& i& %ould wi w#a& iad. 5&&a%#ed is a /a)e 'rom e uni& )round s%#ool s%#edule 'or a /eriod in mid-=ay.

25 "ay 44

5& Wal(er ield in Aansas! e , Bomb rou/ %on&inued &o &rain as bes& ey %ould! usin) mos&ly de%re/i& B-17Cs.rom e al "owner :ays %rew! 2nd< diary*

Q2, =ay 44 >o%al 'lyin) -- &ried &o dro/ bombs 'rom 2! bu& )ave u/ a'&er 7 a&&em/&s -- bombardier [2owner hi#self%ouldnC& )e& em away /ro/erly a)ain and everybody dis)us&ed in%ludin) bombardier w#o re/or&ed 'ourmal'un%&ions.Q

26 "ay 44

"#e , Bomb rou/ was s&ill in e early s&a)es o' i&s &rainin) a& Wal(er 55! Aansas.

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rom e al "owner :ays %rew! 2nd< diary*Q26 =ay 44 irs& mission 'or w#ole %rew in a B-29 'inds us very enusias&i% abou& is swee& s#i/.Q

2 "ay 44

rom e al "owner :ays %rew! 2nd< diary! s&ill in &rainin) a& Wal(er 55! Aansas*Q2 =ay 44 8ro//ed 2 bombs 'rom B-29! 1!C %omba& bombin) -- )ood 'un -- also 'lew a %ou/le #ours 'orma&ion.

5l&o)eer we #ad a 'ull /eriod.Q

2$ "ay 44

+robably e bi))es& /roblem e , Bomb rou/ a& Wal(er 55! Aansas! #ad &o deal wi in %ondu%&in) i&s&rainin) was e /oor uali&y o' e /lanes assi)ned. "#ere were only a 'ew B-29Cs available! and a& is early

s&a)e in /rodu%&ion ese s&ill #ad many bu)s and )li&%#es. "#e ma$ori&y o' e /lanes were old B-17Cs wimany 'lyin) #ours on em. O' %ourse! ere were oer /roblems as well. "#e 'ollowin) le&&er 'rom e rou/En)ineerin) O''i%er was orou)# and %andid in i&s e?/lana&ion.

E58I5"E ," BO=B58=EN" OI+ :;!O(la#oma.1. 5ll air/lanes assi)ned &o is or)ania&ion do no& #ave 1S ".O. %om/lian%e 'or e 'ollowin) reasons*:a< >a%( o' /ar&sT (i&s #ave been reuisi&ioned as needed and in e ma$ori&y o' %ases #ave re%eived a QNo& in&o%(Q. ollow rou)# #as been ini&ia&ed 'or all (i&s.:b< >a%( o' ".O. %om/lian%es on air/lanes re%eived by is or)ania&ion. 5//ro?ima&ely 7,S o' air%ra'& re%eived#ad 'rom 3 &o 6 ".O.Cs no& %om/lied wi.

:%< ondi&ion o' air%ra'& re%eived* 5//ro?ima&ely ,S o' air%ra'& re%eived #ad 'rom 1 &o 2 #ours &o&al&ime! and no re%ord o' a , #our ins/e%&ion or a 8...[?e(ot Ins(ection and "e(air +ersonnel on #and no&su''i%ien& &o (ee/ air/lanes in 'lyin) %ondi&ion &o mee& reuired 'lyin) s%#edule and also %om/ly wi all non-)roundin) ".O.Cs.:d< #or&a)e o' /ersonnel* =ain&enan%e /ersonnel s&a&ioned a& Wal(er 5rmy 5ir ield /revious &o arrival o' aire%#elon wor(ed e?%essive #ours &o %om/le&e modi'i%a&ions on B-29 air/lanes 'or 462nd rou/ and were/romised 'urlou)#s. 5bou& ,S o' /ersonnel were on leave w#en 5ir E%#elon o' , rou/ arrived a& iss&a&ion. 5ddi&ional /ersonnel w#o were assi)ned &o e 4 uadron [since disbanded! and w#o were bein)de/ended u/on &o assis& in main&enan%e wor( were &rans'erred 'rom e base.

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2. even air%ra'& #ave been sen& &o air'ield 5ir 8e/o& 'or 8...! a& e reues& o' is o''i%e! and ree more areawai&in) movemen&.3. "#e above men&ioned loss o' air%ra'& in /oor %ondi&ion #as made i& /ossible &o %on%en&ra&e on e air%ra'& on#and. & is believed a& all air%ra'& %an be brou)#& u/ &o da&e in ir&y days! i' /ar&s are available.or e rou/ ommander*5D WEBE=a$or! 5ir or/srou/ -4 O''i%er

31 "ay 44

"#e , Bomb rou/ %on&inued &rainin) a& Wal(er 55! Aansas. 5&&a%#ed is a %o/y o' e 8aily 5ir%ra'& &a&usand omba& rew e/or& as o' e end o' =ay 1944. 5s you %an see! only nine :one-'our< o' e 36 air%ra'&assi)ned were B-29Cs. "#e res& were B-17Cs! and old and overwor(ed ones a& a&. o obviously e rou/ #ad

&o do mos& o' i&s &rainin) on B-17Cs. "#a& didnC& ma&&er as mu%# &o e navi)a&ors! bombardiers and radioo/era&ors! bu& 'or e res& o' e %rew e B-17 was a /oor subs&i&u&e 'or e B-29. "#e &wo /lanes didnCandle ali(e! and e B-17 la%(ed a 'li)#& en)ineerCs /osi&ion! remo&e-%on&rolled )uns! and radar. Bu& i& was alley #ad un&il enou)# new B-29Cs %ame o'' e /rodu%&ion line."#e re/or& also s#ows #ow mu%# wor( #ad ye& &o be done in 'illin) ou& e %rews. Only 1 o' , were %om/le&e.rom e al "owner :2nd< diary*Q31 =ay 44 =ornin) mission -- dro//ed 2 'rom B-17 a& 2! 'ee&. ad &o land wi bomb doors o/en. "#ese B-17sare really an%ien& wre%(s.Q

1 June 44

"#e , Bomb rou/ %on&inued &rainin) a& Wal(er 55! Aansas.rom e al "owner :ays %rew! 2nd< diary*Q1 June 44 "oo( /ar& in a win) 'orma&ion %onsis&in) o' 4 B-17s. Our &ar)e& Mwas 2nd 5.. #ds. a& olorado /rin)s!1! 'ee&. oun&ain i&y was e .+.Qomebody in e 73rd #ad a sense o' #umor in /i%(in) 2nd 5 as &ar)e&. "#ere was li&&le )ood 'eelin) in e

73rd 'or e or)ania&ion a& %on&rolled eir &rainin). +robably some on e %rews wis#ed ey #ad real bombs&o dro/.

4 June 44

5& Wal(er 55! Aansas! e number o' B-29Cs assi)ned &o e , Bomb rou/ was slowly in%reasin).rom e al "owner :ays %rew! 2nd< diary*

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Q4 June 44 [)! @ale ays! [co(ilot Ed Be&&s and Wally [fli*ht en*ineer 7illia# B. 7allowerwen& &o alina isa'&ernoon &o /i%( u/ a s#i/ -- e res& o' us 'lubbed our dub 'or e res& o' e day.Q

7 Jun 44

"#e , Bomb rou/ %on&inued &rainin) a& Wal(er 55! Aansas.rom e eor)e u)#es :air/lane me%#ani%! 1s&< le&&ers*QJune 7! 19448ear =oer K 8ad! #avenC& any )rea& news 'or you. "#a& deal was s/ea(in) o' was a &rans'er in&o e 33 Bomb. rou/. 5s ye&noin) #as %ome o' i&. "#e 33 is e ou&'i& &o re/la%e ours w#en we )o overseas. [2he 1th 'rou( was

(art of the +$th 7in* and would end u( on 'ua# in the s(rin* of +$0. 7hen the *round echelon of the011th, includin* #ost of the #echanics, left in the su##er of +$$ to travel to ai(an by shi(, the #aintenanceele#ents of the 1th would #ove into 7alker to su((ort the 011th air echelon until they flew out in =ctober.

.... We #ave been ba%( on &welve #our 'or e /as& 'ew days. didnC& in( e ei)#& #our s#i'& would las&. ams&ill on ni)#&s. We e?/e%& &o %#an)e &o days is wee( /robably abou& riday. "#e ni)#&s #ave been aw'ul %oldla&ely. & would be lovely slee/in) weaer i' we %ould only )e& &o bed.We #ave 'our B-29s and 'ive B-17s [in the 99+st /uadron. "#ey are 'lyin) em every %#an%e ey %an )e&. &loo(s as ou)# ey were in a #urry &o )o a%ross. ....>oveeor)eQrom e al "owner :ays %rew! 2nd< diary*Q7 June 44 ... lew a round robin in B-29 -- & >ouis! =l/s. [Minnea(olis>! and ba%( -- en)ineer Wallower main&ainin)#is ea&in) re/ all e way -- all disa//oin&ed a& e s#i/ %ouldnC& be /ressuried due &o %ra%(ed blis&er -- on las&le) 'lew rou)# wors& s&orm ye& -- even Ms#oo(U u/ e Q29Q -- lo&s o' &. ElmoCs dan%in) li)#&s -- illumina&in)w#ole s#i/! es/e%ially )lass nose and /ro/s -- i& was a lon)! &irin) mission and on &o/ o' i& all #ad &o 'ly 3 #ourslo%ally a'&er rea%#in) W.5.5..B. ...G

"#e ur&is %rew :P119< &rained %loser &o #ome is day! /u&&in) in , #ours and 2 minu&es in a B-29! mos&ly/ra%&i%in) &a(e-o''s and landin)s.

Jun 44

5s &rainin) /ro)ressed 'or e %rews o' e , Bomb rou/ a& Wal(er 55! Aansas! lon)er missions weres%#eduled! o'&en over wide e?/anses o' wa&er. On is da&e e ays %rew! P22! o' e 2nd uadron! &oo(o'' on one o' ese. In'or&una&ely! ere s&ill were no& enou)# B-29Cs &o )o around.rom e al "owner diary*Q June 44 &ar&ed on missions 14 K 1, in a B-17 a& ,* +.=. is a'&ernoon -- 'inally )o& e /lane loaded down wi

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number 5@ o'' &o a su%%ess'ul s&ar& o' mission*1s& 2nd 3rd3-B-17Cs 2-B-17Cs 2-B-17Cs1-B-29 1-B-29 2-B-29Cs"#is %ons&i&u&ed a )rand &o&al o' 7 - 17Cs and 4 - 29Cs.-3 [=(erationse%&ion issued is Win) =ission as a rou/ "a%&i%al O/era&ions Order bu& i& was in reali&yWin) =ission P2.Qrom e al "owner :ays %rew! 2nd

.... "oday we 'lew a )unnery mission in a B-29 -- 'ound ou& #ow li&&le we (now abou& e )uns and learned a)rea& deal by %orre%&in) mal'un%&ions and %leanin) and loadin) e )uns ourselves.Q

14%16 Jun 44

5& Wal(er 55! Aansas! e ays %rew o' e 2nd uadron! , Bomb rou/ was ordered o'' on anoer

%ross-%oun&ry &rainin) 'li)#&! is &ime &o a very /o/ular lo%a&ion.rom e al "owner diary*Q14 June 44 We &oo( o'' 'or New Dor( is 5.=. a& , -- 'lew ru &wo #ours o' sou/ 'rom +i&&sbur)# &o New Dor( -- w#a& arill &o see e 'amous s(yline 'or e 'irs& &ime -- a raer uneven&'ul &ri/ e?%e/& we %ame in on ree en)ines --s&ayed wi s#i/ &ill 16 &ill we were sure i& would be ready 'or us in &ime 'or &a(e-o''.Q"#e members o' e %rew w#o #ad 'amily in e New Dor( area were able &o visi& overni)#&. "#e oers wereable &o )e& in some si)#&-seein). "#e /lane was su//osed &o re&urn &o Wal(er on e evenin) o' e 1, bu&ey #ad more en)ine /roblems! w#i%# reuired anoer overni)#&! wi 'li)#& en)ineer Wallower s&ayin) wi e

/lane. "#ey 'inally )o& o'' a& noon on e 16.Q16 June 44 ... 5rrived A.. a& 2 'or )as u/ -- arrived W.5.5.. a& 223 -- w#a& a &ired %rew -- an( od )round %rewba%( 'rom bivoua% and we didnC& #ave &o servi%e e s#i/.QW#ile e ays %rew #ad been away en$oyin) New Dor(! e uadron )round /ersonnel were /robably no&en$oyin) emselves ui&e as mu%#. "#ey #ad been away a& a ree-day e?er%ise and bivoua% a& e Aana/olis8am area! 6 miles E o' Wal(er. "#e &rainin) s%#edule in%luded su%# a%&ivi&ies as Q=imi% war'are! )as a&&a%(s!s&ra'in)! ma/ readin) and %amou'la)e le%&ures! s#owin) o' "rainin) ilms QAill or be AilledQ and Q=alariaQ! and alle a%%ou&remen&s o' %omba& &rainin)....Qn #is en&ry 'or 1, June wri&&en w#ile in new Dor(! "owner no&ed one even& o' s/e%ial si)ni'i%an%e 'or B-29-ers*

Qirs& B-29 raid on Ja/an re/or&edR our s#i/s los&RQ "#is was a raid by e , Bomb Win) 'lyin) 'rom #inaa)ains& e s&eel mill a& Dawa&a on e souernmos& Ja/anese island o' Ayus#u.

1 Jun 44

& was now e &urn o' e )round /ersonnel o' e 1s& uadron 'or 'ield &rainin) near Aanna/olis 8am.5ir/lane me%#ani% eor)e u)#es &old #is 'amily abou& i&*QJune 1! 1944

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8ear =oer K 8ad! am $us& wri&in) a 'ew lines &o le& you (now everyin) is allri)#&. We leave &o-morrow mornin) 'or ree daysbivoua% near alena [alina. We ride /ar& way in &ru%(s and e res& on 'oo&. )o& my /a%( all se& and i& seems&o be /re&&y #eavy."#e weaer #as been /re&&y #o& and dry la&ely. & #as been #ard slee/in) days. [@u*hes had been workin* theni*ht shift. "#is %am/in) &ri/ will brea( e mono&ony o' wor(in) all e &ime.ome o' e /lanes a& were in a& raid on Ja/an were ou& #ere. (new some o' e /ilo&s and %rews a& werein e raid. [@u*hes is referrin* to the first B-& raid on 4awata, Ja(an, on +0 June +$$ fro# bases in !hina byB-&3s of the 09th Bo#b 7in*. 2he $%&nd 'rou( of that 7in* had trained at 7alker, and @u*hes had workedon so#e of the (lanes. "#e war news is loo(in) be&&er every day now. =aybe i& wonC& las& mu%# lon)er. believe will )o &o bed now. We s&ar& around 'our or 'ive in e mornin). Brea('as& is a& ree-'or&y 'ive. 8onC&worry and &a(e %are o' yourselves. Wri&e soon.>oveeor)eQ

=eanw#ile! e ays %rew o' e 2nd uadron was as usual #avin) a more en$oyable e?/erien%e. rom eal "owner diary*Q1 June 44 "#e lobe "ro&&ers &a(e anoer &ri/ -- bu& w#a& a /leasure is one -- dinner a& aywireCs [@ays3#ome -- 'ried%#i%(en and everyin) a& )oes wi i&. We would #ave done $us&i%e &o i& wiou& [fli*ht en*ineerWallower or[radar o(eratorBurulia! bu& as i& was we li%(ed e /la&&er %lean -- w#a& a s/read! and wow w#a& a )al ays #asunder lo%( and (ey down ere in O(e i&y.

+ear%e[(robably +At tanley 5ierce, )! !rew C&&and +ease [!a(t @arlan 5ease, )! !rew C&&6

s%reamed and moaned abou& our %rew )e&&in) so many %ross %oun&ry #o/s. We 'el& aw'ully bad abou& e boysbu& de%ided &o be sel'is# and )o anyway. On e way down and ba%( &o O(e i&y e w#ole %rew )o& s&i%( &ime&o e e?as/era&ion and 'rus&ra&ion o' We? [7eksler! e navi)a&or! w#o %an s%ream and moan wi e bes& o'em. e always )e&s us ere and ba%( ou)# in s/i&e o' e /e%uliar numbers #e )ives e /ilo& &o 'ly.Q

21 Jun 44

"#e , Bomb rou/ %on&inued &rainin) a& Wal(er 55! Aansas! s&ill /la)ued by air%ra'& and eui/men&s#or&a)es.rom e al "owner :ays %rew! 2nd< diary*Q21 June 44Win) 'orma&ion over 2nd 5.. d.Cs a& olo. /rin)s -- a)ain we miss ou& on 'lyin) -- )unners )e& %amera)unnin) ou)# wi e old man [(ossibly #eanin* left *unner !(l "obert Moistner, a little older and thereforecalled D5o(D by the rest of the crewin %#ar)e -- e res& o' us )e& syne&i%s [*round-based trainin* devices--we bea& %rew 222 [the @urlbutt crewa& s(ee&.Q

22 Jun 44

"rainin) %on&inued a& Wal(er 55. rom e al "owner :ays %rew! 2nd< diary*

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Q22 June 44lew a %ou/le #ours in a Ba(er 8as# "wo Nine -- we %om/le&ed some )unnery be'ore one en)ine wen& ou&.Bombardier and Navi)a&or )o& some &rainer &ime la&er in e evenin).Q

5nd e )round e%#elon o' e 1s& uadron #ad re&urned 'rom eir 'ield e?er%ise near Aana/olisdam. eor)e u)#es! an air/lane me%#ani% in e 1s&! wro&e #ome abou& e e?/erien%e*QJune 22! 19448ear =oer K 8ad!.... We )o& ba%( 'rom bivoua% las& ni)#&. & wasnC& &oo bad ou& in e woods. was on )uard du&y mos& o' e&ime. We #ad a raid by some en)ineers 'rom am/ +#illi/s and ey /u& on ui&e a demons&ra&ion wi 'laresand ".N.". We were all bla%(ed ou& and i& was really #ard &o see. nearly s&e//ed on a s(un( w#en on )uard a&ni)#&. &Cs lu%(y a& saw #im in &ime. We didnC& )e& mu%# slee/ and e )round was /re&&y #ard.We are s&ill wor(in) &welve #our s#i'&s and am ba%( on ni)#&s. [@u*hes vents here about the disor*anied

(ro#otion (rocess which thwarted his advance#ent to cor(oral. We will /robably be aler&ed soon and some o'e men are movin) 'rom &own in&o %am/. [5robably #arried #en who had been livin* in town with their wivesbut decided to send the# ho#e in antici(ation of de(loy#ent. #ave mos& o' my eui/men& e?%e/& new %loesand a new )as mas(. "#ey said &oday a& we %ould &a(e %ameras overseas wi us w#en we )o.& loo(s as ou)# e B-29s are )oin) &o do allri)#& in %omba&. "#ere #as been some new im/rovemen&s madela&ely. =aybe we wonC& s&ay over ere lon). One )ood in) is a& a %ombined main&enan%e and 'lyin)suadron )ives a be&&er brea( 'or e )round %rew. W#en e air %rews )e& eir missions in ey will brin) ew#ole ou&'i& ba%( &o e s&a&es. [)s @u*hes would find out later, it didn3t /uite work out that way....>ove

eor)eQ

24 Jun 44

rom e al "owner :ays %rew! 2nd< diary*Q24 June 44Navi)a&or K Bombardier &o &rainers. Our suadron %ouldnC& )e& a sin)le s#i/ in e air is mornin) -- a sad s&a&eo' a''airs. ...Q"#e , Bomb rou/ #is&ory 'or e mon o' June 1944 %on'irms "ownerCs uno''i%ial es&ima&e o' e si&ua&ion.On an avera)e day in June only 3,S o' e B-29Cs assi)ned &o e rou/ were in %ommission. "#e main/roblem wi e B-29 was e en)ines! w#i%# were %ons&an&ly swallowin) valves or over#ea&in) or oerwisemal'un%&ionin). e/la%emen& en)ines were #ard &o ob&ain and &oo( many #ours &o ins&all. "#e resul& was B-29Csunable &o 'ly."#ere were oer /roblems &oo. Q#or&a)es o' )unnery eui/men& /ersis&ed un&il la&e June and a//re%iablyre&arded 5ir-&o-5ir unnery &rainin). ... ri&i%al s#or&a)es o' radar eui/men& li(ewise delayed lon) mission&rainin) and ese s#or&a)es s&ill %on&inue des/i&e e e''or&s o' e rou/ adar O''i%er w#o &wi%e wen& &o eWin) &o e?/edi&e s#i/men&.Q

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"#e uali&y o' )round &rainin) was so bad a& many o''i%ers and enlis&ed men avoided i& w#enever /ossible!resul&in) in only a 7S a&&endan%e ra&e 'or mos& %lasses. "#e %ommand &oo( s&e/s &o im/rove e ins&ru%&ionand s%#edule ma(e-u/ %lasses! bu& ey %ouldnC& do mu%# abou& e la%( o' /ro/er %lassrooms and oer'a%ili&ies. Wal(er ield! ori)inally desi)ned &o a%%ommoda&e 2! men! was now %rammed wi 6!!over'illin) every available s/a%e.One bri)#& s/o& was e rou/ and uadron n&elli)en%e se%&ions! w#i%# some#ow mana)ed &o develo/'un%&ional and a&&ra%&ive si&ua&ion rooms a& )arnered /raise 'rom o''i%ial visi&ors. "#e in&elli)en%e /ersonnelalso /resen&ed in&eres&in) and use'ul %lasses w#i%# avera)ed 9S a&&endan%e.

26 Jun 44

rom e , Bomb rou/ O/era&ions Journal*QMOI+ =ON P3 -- "#is mission was run 26-27-2 June 44. "ar)e& Woodward! O(la.! and &. al&+lains Bombin) an)e. =a?imum number o' B-29Cs. ollowin) number B-29Cs de/ar&ed on mission on da&esindi%a&ed* 26 June* -- :,< 27 June* -- :,

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lis& will leave la&er an e ones )oin) by boa&. =aybe e slower way mi)#& be sa'er. donC& (now w#eer %an )e& a %amera #ere or no&. "#ey #ave em [in the (ost e;chan*eon%e in a w#ile bu&ey donC& las& lon). #avenC& even been able &o )e& a /en ye&. "#ey )e& in a 'ew 'rom &ime &o &ime bu& ey sellvery ui%(ly. ...We )e& our 'inal %loin) /ro%essin) is wee(. & loo(s as ou)# we will leave some&ime in July. [@u*hes was

ri*ht about that. We will /robably )o 'rom #ere &o a +.O.E. [(ort of e#barkationon e %oas& somew#ere. Wemi)#& even )o &o N. 5'ri%a 'or a mon or so li(e e boys in e Nin [the th Bo#b Maintenance /uadron,$%&nd Bo#b 'rou(, 09th Bo#b 7in*, with which @u*hes had worked before they left 7alker. "#ey laid aroundover ere 'or aw#ile and wen& on &o ndia. "#a& way you )e& &o see a lo& o' e world. ...>oveeor)e[)t the end of the letter @u*hes included a little code so he could ti( off his fa#ily where he was *oin*.odeorden - ndia=yers - ou +a%i'i%

uinn 0 En)landQ

30 Jun 44

rom e al "owner :ays %rew! 2nd< diary*Q3 June 44inally! a& las&! a& lon) las& :RRR

1 Jul 44

"rainin) /roblems %on&inued a& Wal(er 55! Aansas. rom e al "owner :ays %rew! 2nd< diary*Q1 July 44 o& o'' &o a la&e s&ar& wi , &ons o' bombs in a 29T a& 1!C P1 en)ine wen& ou& and we #ad &o %ome ba%(wiou& dro//in) any....Q

4 Jul 44

"#e , Bomb rou/ a& Wal(er ield &oo( a s#or& brea( 'rom &rainin) on is na&ional #oliday and %elebra&edas bes& ey %ould. eor)e u)#es! air/lane me%#ani% in e 1s& uadron! wen& &o alina 'or e day wi abuddy only &o 'ind Qabou& si?&y ousand soldiers on e s&ree&s.Q Bu& eor)e #ad Qa /re&&y )ood &imeQ anyway.ome o' e o''i%ers #ad di''eren& ideas abou& #ow &o %elebra&e e 4. 5%%ordin) &o al "owner :ays %rew!2nd

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5%7 Jul 44

"#e &rainin) woes o' e , Bomb rou/ a& Wal(er 55 %on&inued. rom e , Bomb rou/ O/era&ionsJournal*QMrou/ =ission P4 -- un ,-6-7 July 44 &o =ar%# ld [!alifornia+B" [5ractice Bo#bin* 2ar*etP7. ive :,< B-29 5%'& s%#eduled 'or mission. #i/s /ar&i%i/a&in) on mission* , July* -- :1

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mi?! %ar/en&er &ools! and s/or&s eui/men&.& was e round E%#elon a& would be leavin) soon! bu& e 5ir E%#elon also #ad some /re/ara&ions &oma(e. "#ere would be only so mu%# room on e B-29Cs a& ey would 'ly over! so any e?%ess i&ems #ad &o be/a%(ed 'or s#i//in) wi e round E%#elon. rom a le&&er wri&&en by Aen ine :navi)a&or! urlbu&& %rew!2nd< &o #is 'u&ure wi'e*Qunday! July 9! 1944. ... Des&erday we #ad &o draw our bed roll and /a%( a du''le ba) wi ose in)s wewan&ed &o send over wi e )round &roo/s w#o are leavin) &oday [actually, not for a week or soand will )oa%ross by boa&. o! s/en& e day in a& line. sen& so%(s! underwear! &owels! s#oes! e&% a%ross. 5lso soa/w#i%# ey say is really #ard &o )e& overseas. HQ

10 Jul 44

5& Wal(er 55! Aansas! e air e%#elon %on&inued eir &rainin) des/i&e all di''i%ul&ies! w#ile e )round e%#elon%on&inued /re/ara&ions 'or overseas de/loymen&.rom e al "owner :ays %rew! 2nd< diary*Q1 July 44"oday! ays &old us weCll /robably )e& a %ross %oun&ry #o/ &o >.5. soon. urra#R Wine! women K son)! #ere we%omeR

5lso! our o''i%ial %rew name #as $us& been released. ereCs lu%( &o e amblinC os%oesRWeCre s%#eduled &o 'ly &oni)#&. inally we )o& a s#i/ and 'lew &o Wi%#i&a! O(e i&y and ba%( in 2 #ours K 1,minu&es. round s/eed - 27, =.+..Q

5 le&&er 'rom air/lane me%#ani% eor)e u)#es o' e 1s&*QJuly 1! 19448ear =oer K 8ad! re%eived your le&&er &oday. "#an(s ever so mu%# 'or e money. "#ere was a no&i%e /os&ed &oday a& we wonC&si)n e /ayroll is mon. & loo(s as ou)# we will be )one be'ore e end o' e mon. O' %ourse is maybe $us& a &ri%( &o (ee/ us 'rom (nowin) w#en we will leave."#ere #ave been rumors around a& we #ave been se& ba%( a mon. #o/e so. "#ey #ave %#an)ed es#i//in) number s&en%iled on e du''el ba)s. "#e amoun& a& we %an &a(e is limi&ed by wei)#&. #ave &wo more days o' A.+. le'&. [2he 011th a((arently assi*ned their G.5.3s for seven-day (eriods. & isnC& &oo

bad bu& e #ours are lon). We wor( 'rom abou& , un&il 7*3. will be )lad &o be o''.=os& everyone in(s a& we will )o &o +.O.E. [(ort of e#barkationon e wes& %oas& bu& e 9 [Bo#bMaintenance /uadron of the $%&nd Bo#b 'rou(, with which @u*hes worked in early +$$wen& &o N.D. ...>oveeor)eQ"#e rumors were /ar&ially &rue. "#e )round e%#elon movemen& would be delayed bu& no& 'or a monT eywould s&ill leave in July. 5nd e uni& would no& be 'ollowin) e rou&e o' e 462nd! w#i%# #ad )one via Nor

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5'ri%a and e =iddle Eas& &o ndia and #ina.

11 Jul 44

"rainin) -- o' sor&s -- %on&inued a& Wal(er 55! Aansas. rom e al "owner :ays %rew! 2nd< diary*Q11 July 44 round s%#ool. +OOEDRG"ownerCs em/#a&i% o/inion was obviously s#ared by mos& in e , Bomb rou/. round s%#ool a&&endan%ewas very low! no be&&er an 7S 'or mos& %lasses. We #ave already #eard abou& e /oor uali&y o' %lassroomins&ru%&ion in June! and i& #ad a//aren&ly no& im/roved in July."#e , rou/ narra&ive #is&ory is very o/en in dis%ussin) is /roblem. ommand a&&en&ion was bla&an&lyla%(in) in is area*QBe%ause o' in%om/le&e a&&endan%e re%ords! no one (new e?a%&ly w#o #ad missed w#a& %lasses[H. "#e

5&&endan%e +ro)ress #ar&s were e only available sour%e &o use in de&erminin) absen&eeism and ose wereno& well (e/&. 5s a resul&! dissa&is'a%&ion was ram/an& amon) e %rew members.Q

u%# mismana)emen& would! &o use an old army /#rase! %ome ba%( &o bi&e e , in e bu&&. "#e e%ond5ir or%e #ad auori&y over all as/e%&s o' e ,Cs &rainin) /ro)ram and i& demanded a& all missed %lassesbe made u/ by e end o' Q"#ird +#ase round %#ool "rainin)Q! w#i%# was 24 July. W#a& &o doU ui%( resul&sand s&ern measures were %alled 'or. "#e %ommand de%ided a& Qea%# delinuen& %rew member Mwould &a(e asmany e?ams as ne%essary %overin) e sub$e%& ma&&er w#i%# #e was %#ar)ed wi #avin) missed. avin)/assed ese e?ams! #e was de%lared C%au)#& u/C in all ree /#ases o' round %#ool.Q 5nd &o ensure%om/lian%e! no one would be eli)ible 'or leaves and 'urlou)#s un&il #e #ad made u/ all missed %lasses. "#iswor(ed. Q... MBy 24 July nearly everyone #ad been de%lared C%au)#& u/C.QObviously! e airmen o' e , ou)#& )round s%#ool was borin) and 'lyin) was e?%i&in)! bu& some&imes ela&&er %ould )e& a li&&le &oo e?%i&in). On is day e , Bomb rou/ su''ered i&s se%ond ma$or a%%iden&

involvin) a B-29 air%ra'&! 42-6373. "#e , Bomb rou/ uni& #is&ory des%ribes e in%iden& in de&ail*Qe%ond >&. Willard . #orey! /ilo&in) a B-29 air/lane on a bombin) mission over e Wal(er Bombin) an)edis%overed a& #is P4 en)ine was %u&&in) ou& and la&er a& i& was rowin) oil. e 'eaered is en)ine ands&ar&ed ba%( &oward e 'ield. Jus& be'ore #e rea%#ed e 'ield! P1 en)ine be)an &o run away and e''or&s &ode%rease e += /roved in vain. "#en P1 en)ine %au)#& 'ire! and ou)# a&&em/&s &o 'eaer i& %u& down e+=! i& was no& %om/le&ely 'eaered. 5& e same &ime bo 'ire e?&in)uis#ers were /ulled bu& e 'ire did no&aba&e. =a(in) a le'& #and &urn in&o e 'inal a//roa%#! >&. #orey en%oun&ered e?&reme di''i%ul&y in raisin) ele'& win) &o level o'' a'&er #e #ad lined e /lane u/ wi e runway. Bo /ilo& and %o/ilo& e?er&ed all e 'or%eey %ould &o raise e le'& win). "#ey su%%eeded &o a su''i%ien& de)ree in levelin) e air%ra'& and landed on e'irs& ird o' e runway. 8urin) is &ime e 'ire was in%reasin) in 'ury and was ea&in) i&s way rou)# ena%elle. W#en e /lane #ad rolled several yards down e runway! P1 en)ine &ore loose and 'ell 'orward andbelow e win). "#is /ulled e /lane &oward e le'& and a//li%a&ion o' ri)#& bra(e did no& over%ome is

veerin). W#en e /lane s&o//ed all bu& &wo o' e %rew members made eir e?i& rou)# e main doorway one ri)#& side o' e /lane. "#e /lane %au)#& 'ire be'ore e 'ire en)ines arrived and ere was li&&le le'& &osalva)e w#en e blae was brou)#& under %on&rol. or&una&ely no one was #ur&.Q5s a resul& o' #is e?/er& #andlin) and landin) o' is /lane wi one en)ine 'eaered and anoer on 'ire! 2nd>&. #orey! a& e reues& o' e e%ond 5ir or%e! was re%ommended 'or e 5ir =edal %i&a&ion. 5s ye&! o''i%iala//roval #as no& been re%eived.Q"#e 5%%iden& nves&i)a&ion board in i&s 'indin)s #eld a& res/onsibili&y lay in ma&erial 'ailure in P1 en)ine and P4en)ine. "#ere was no /ilo& error involved.Q

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12 Jul 44

On is da&e e , Bomb rou/ re%eived a Warnin) Order 'or de/loymen& o' i&s round E%#elon. "#es/e%i'ied da&e o' de/ar&ure was unday! 16 July! and e des&ina&ion was 5llian%e! Nebras(a. 5%%ordin) &o erou/ #is&ory 'or July 1944! Qe members o' e round E%#elon were ereu/on relieved 'rom eir du&ies ine various se%&ions o' e rou/. inal /re/ara&ions en be)an 'or e movemen&. ield eui/men& wasissued! 'inal ad$us&men&s in e servi%e re%ords made! nes&in) bo?es and %ra&es were /ain&ed and le&&ered! andloadin) )o& under way.Q

13 Jul 44

"oday some minor modi'i%a&ions needed &o be made &o e B-29Cs o' e , Bomb rou/ a& Wal(er 55!Aansas. ad e modi'i%a&ions been ma$or! e /lanes would #ave been 'lown &o one o' e modi'i%a&ion %en&ersse& u/ around e %oun&ry 'or a& /ur/ose. Bu& minor modi'i%a&ions were usually &a(en %are o' a& e &rainin)'ields by e assi)ned me%#ani%s. "#e &rouble &oday was a& mos& o' e me%#ani%s o' e , were /ar& o'e round E%#elon! and e round E%#elon #ad been relieved o' re)ular du&ies yes&erday in order &o /re/are'or eir overseas movemen&. urermore! e me%#ani%s o' e 33 rou/ w#i%# were &o re/la%e e ,me%#ani%s #ad no& ye& arrived a& Wal(er. 5s a resul&! e air %rews were /ressed in&o servi%e.

rom a le&&er 'rom Aen ine :navi)a&or! urlbu&& %rew! 2nd< &o #is 'u&ure wi'e*Q"#ursday! July 13! 1944. We didnC& 'ly is a'&ernoon bu& ey #ad some modi'i%a&ions &o do &o e /lanes soey #ad em all )rounded and #ad us wor(in) on em. o was an air%ra'& me%#ani% aw#ile is evenin). wor(ed ere un&il abou& eleven [(.#.! en ui&! %leaned u/ and %ame on u/ #ere. QWe are su//osed &o #ave some enerals visi&in) #ere on a&urday so e?/e%& ey are )e&&in) in)s ready'or em &oo.Q

14 Jul 44

Wi e &ime 'or e )round e%#elon o' e , Bomb rou/ &o leave Wal(er 55! Aansas! seemin)lyimminen&! eor)e u)#es! air/lane me%#ani% in e 1s& uadron! sa& down &o wri&e a le&&er #ome*QJuly 14! 19448ear =oer K 8ad! re%eived your le&&er &oday and also )o& e %amera and /en. "#is may be e las& le&&er will wri&e 'romW.5.5.. "#e rou/ ommander &old us &oday a& we would leave &omorrow as 'ar as #e (new.We s&ill donC& (now a in) abou& w#ere we will )o e?%e/& 'or e rumors. #eard &oday a& we mi)#& )o &oNebras(a 'or a wee( or &wo and en &o )o on &o +.O.E. [(ort of e#barkation "#e rou/ ommander said wemi)#& #ave &o do in)s we never dreamed o' su%# as loadin) bar)es! &rains! e&%. "#is doesnC& loo( as ou)#we were )oin) &o a %omba& one &oo soon. "ime will &ell. believe a& #ave made /l. bu& am no& sure. was lis&ed a& way on e las& ros&er made u/. (now a& anew ra&in) lis& was &urned in."#ere is a lo& o' wor( &o be done )e&&in) everyin) ready 'or movin). will be )lad w#en we )e& se&&led. "#ismovin) around and no& (nowin) your des&ina&ion is no )ood.& wouldnC& sur/rise me &o land in #ina and #ave &o build a landin) s&ri/ 'or our /lanes. =aybe a li&&le /i%( ands#ovel wor( is in e o''in).

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ow is everyin) a& #omeU "#e barra%(s is in an u/roar ri)#& now. 5 bun%# $us& rolled in 'rom e beer #all soere will be no /ea%e or uie& 'or aw#ile.Wri&e soon. "#e mail may be 'orwarded 'as&er an you %an #ear 'rom me. 8onC& worry and will wri&e w#en %an.>oveeor)eQ

15 Jul 44

"oday! as e round E%#elon o' e , Bomb rou/ 'ran&i%ally /re/ared &o de/ar& Wal(er ield &omorrow 'or5llian%e! Nebras(a! ey re%eived a re/rieve! in e 'orm o' an order /os&/onin) e movemen& inde'ini&ely.5%%ordin) &o e uni& #is&ory! Q"#e e?/lana&ion 'or is /os&/onemen& seems &o #ave been a& a%%ommoda&ionsa& e &a)in) 5rea a& 5llian%e! Nebras(a! were inadeua&e 'or all e round E%#elons o' all e rou/s wiine 73rd Bombardmen& Win) ; [ery @eavy.Q"#e %ommand did no& an&i%i/a&e a len)y delay! and sin%e mos& everyin) was /a%(ed u/ and ready! ey

de%ided &o leave as mu%# as /ossible a& way and use e e?&ra &ime ey now #ad &o wra/ u/ any las&-minu&ede&ails and )e& a #ead s&ar& on e round E%#elon "rainin) +ro)ram as dire%&ed and ou&lined by e 73rd BombWin). "#is /ro)ram #ad been in&ended &o be)in la&er! en rou&e and a'&er arrival a& e overseas des&ina&ion! bu&wi e e?&ra &ime w#y no& s&ar& i& nowU o over e ne?& several days e &roo/s were )iven le%&ures in e n&ele%&ionCs War oom on su%# sub$e%&s as e%uri&y and 5ir%ra'& den&i'i%a&ion.W#ile e round E%#elon was ma(in) e bes& o' eir delay! e 5ir E%#elon %on&inued &rainin). "#ere wasbo a rou/ =ission and a Win) =ission s%#eduled 'or is day. rom e , rou/ O/era&ions Journal*QMrou/ =ission P,* -- "#is mission was %arried ou& 1, July 44 a)ains& :imula&ed< 5marillo Oil e'inery a&

5marillo! "e?as! wi ree :3< ou& o' a s%#eduled si? :6< B-29 air%ra'&. "#ere were no abor&ions and mission was%om/le&ed.QQe%ond Win) mission :O P1< was run on 1, July 44 &o 85>5" [2e;as+B [5ractice Bo#bin* "an*eP1.uadrons were reues&ed &o 'urnis# a &o&al o' , - B-29Cs K 1 - B-17Cs. "o&al o' s#i/s /ar&i%i/a&in) in ismission was 4 - B-29 K 7 B-17 5@. B-29 [$&-%364 re&urned &o line s#or&ly be'ore &a(e-o'' &ime due &o en)ine&rouble. Only /lane #avin) me%#ani%al di''i%ul&ies on mission was [$&-%372 :B-29< w#i%# made an emer)en%ylandin) a& 1726 [atW55.Q"#in)s were im/rovin). =os& o' e /lanes a& made i& airborne were now %om/le&in) e mission.

16 Jul 44

On is day Aen ine :urlbu&& %rew! 2nd< a& Wal(er 55! Aansas! sa& down &o wri&e anoer le&&er &o =iss=arie is%o! w#om #e would marry a'&er e war*

Qunday! July 16! 1944. QWe #ad visi&in) enerals and #i)# ran( all abou& yes&erday. Even ey were u/ andabou& a& , in e mornin) so you see is war is a serious business a'&er all. [2he I53s were (robably at 7alkerto observe the scheduled 'rou( and 7in* trainin* #issions.

We #ave &o )o down &o e 'li)#& line a& 3 is a'&ernoon bu& donC& (now w#eer our %rew will 'ly as ebombardier [&At 'lenn )itken is )rounded wi a %old and sore roa&. e really #as i& bad as #e %an #ardly&al(. 5nyway! ey /robably will ma(e us s&ay down ere and 'ool around a& somein) un&il abou& midni)#&.Q

5s i& #a//ened! =a$ urlbu&& )ave e %rew e res& o' e day o''.

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17 Jul 44

eor)e u)#es! air/lane me%#ani% in e 1s& uadron! wro&e #is /aren&s abou& #is delay in de/ar&ure 'romWal(er 55! Aansas*QJuly 17! 19448ear =oer K 8ad! didnC& in( a& would be doin) any more wri&in) 'rom #ere bu& was wron). We #ad our ba)s /a%(ed and e&rain loaded wi eui/men& and lu))a)e w#en our s#i//in) orders were %#an)ed.We are &o remain #ere 'or an inde'ini&e &ime. "#ey are allowin) us &o send laundry so e?/e%& &o be #ere a& leas&a %ou/le o' wee(s more. ome o' e 'ellows are ba%( &o wor( and e res& are drillin) and )e&&in) le%&ures onvarious in)s &o /re/are 'or overseas. We &oo( a si? mile #i(e is a'&ernoon and drilled all mornin). & is /len&y#o& ou& #ere now. "#e sun is very bri)#&. donC& (now e reason 'or our %#an)e in orders unless e #i)#er u/s ou)#& we were un/re/ared 'oroverseas. ... "#e ra&in) lis& was /os&ed on e 'i'&een so am now a %or/oral. Every li&&le bu& will #el/.

>oveeor)eQ

1 Jul 44

On is da&e e round E%#elon o' e 33 Bomb rou/! 4, o''i%ers and 972 enlis&ed men! %om/le&ed i&smove &o Wal(er 55! Aansas! 'rom 8al#ar&! "e?as. "#ese /ersonnel would /rovide main&enan%e and oersu//or& &o e 5ir E%#elon o' e , Bomb rou/ 'or e ne?& several mons un&il e air %rews %om/le&edeir &rainin) and 'lew o'' &o war."#e round E%#elon o' e , rou/ #ad been s%#eduled &o de/ar& Wal(er on 16 July! bu& a& movemen&

#ad been delayed and %onseuen&ly e 'ield was now very badly over%rowded.Bu& &rainin) #ad &o )o on. "#e urlbu&& %rew o' e 2nd #ad been s%#eduled &o ma(e a lon) round-&ri/ 'li)#& &o=aer ield! ali'ornia! bu& &o e relie' o' navi)a&or Aen ine is was %an%eled. ns&ead! QWe 'lew lo%ally )oin)&o e )unnery ran)e and 'irin) a& )round &ar)e&s and en 'lyin) lo%ally e res& o' e &ime. We didnC& )e& in un&ilabou& 3*3 so i& was 4 by e &ime le'& o/era&ions and 'el& li(e 11 #ours a& a s&re&%# was a raer lon) dra)%onsiderin) no brea(s and no meals mi?ed in eier.QW#en e %rews s&ar&ed 'lyin) ir&een- or 'our&een-#our missions 'rom ai/an in November! Q11 #ours a& as&re&%#Q would seem li(e %#ildCs /lay.

1$ Jul 44

On is da&e Wal(er ield and e , Bomb rou/ were e re%i/ien&s o' a visi& by =a$ en Ial . En&!ommander o' e 2nd 5ir or%e! w#i%# %on&rolled e &rainin) o' all 5rmy 5ir or%e uni&s in e midwes& re)ion.eneral En& made a #urried ins/e%&ion o' e 'ield! en s/en& mos& o' #is &ime s/ea(in) &o e /ersonnel o' e,. 5%%ordin) &o e , rou/ uni& #is&ory! Q"#e in'ormal way in w#i%# e eneral %ondu%&ed #is &al( ande o/en #ouse ues&ion session w#i%# 'ollowed i& im/ressed ose w#o a&&ended wi e idea a& eC/om/ous brass #a&sC are a in) o' e /as& and a& e /resen& 5rmy 5ir or%esC leaders are in&eres&ed mos& o'all in e /ersonnel w#o ma(e u/ e en&ire or)ania&ion.Q"#a& was e o''i%ial view anyway. 2@>& Aen ine :urlbu&& %rew! 2nd< seemed less im/ressed! only no&in) a&QWe #ad a =a$or eneral #ere &o &al( &o us is mornin) a& &en.Q

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Oer even&s were more im/or&an& &o ine* QWe didnC& 'ly is a'&ernoon bu& &oo( a medi%al e?am and en wen&around &o )e& some /a/ers si)ned &o s#ow a& we were u/ on our ird /#ase wor( so a& #o/e'ully we %ould)e& a leave. [2his confir#s the co##and threat to deny leaves until all third (hase trainin* was successfullyco#(leted. "#en we #ad &o )o over and &a(e a +.". or /#ysi%al &rainin) &es&. 5'&er a& we :e %o/ilo& Omilianand e bombardier 5i&(en and mysel'< wen& u/ &o e %lub [=fficers !luband sa& around and &al(ed 'or aw#ile.QC

20 Jul 44

"#e air %rews o' e , Bomb rou/ a& Wal(er 55! Aansas! #ad been %om/lainin) abou& e mess #allsere 'or some &ime. & wasnC& e uali&y o' e 'ood a& was eir main )ri/e! alou)# o' %ourse as red-blooded

5meri%an Cs ey %om/lained abou& a& &oo -- i& was e #ours a& ir(ed em. "#e air %rews were &rainin)/ra%&i%ally around e %lo%(! 'lyin) lon) missions! and &a(in) o'' or landin) a& Wal(er a& all #ours. omin) ba%(#un)ry 'rom a lon) 'li)#& la&e a& ni)#& &o 'ind a& e mess #all would no& o/en un&il normal brea('as& #ours made'or ill &em/ers and un#a//y %rews. inally! e , %ommand did somein) abou& i&.

rom e , Bomb rou/ uni& #is&ory 'or July 1944*QOn July 2! e newly 'ormed li)#& eedin) Ai&%#en be)an servin) i&s 'irs& meal. @)&. #or&! an ins&ru%&or'rom e alina! Aansas! li)#& eedin) %#ool! is in %#ar)e and &wo %oo(s and &wo A+Cs are bein) su//lieddaily 'rom ea%# o' e suadrons. "#e inau)ura&in) o' e li)#& eedin) Ai&%#en and e arrival o' e oodWarmers w#i%# are ins&alled in e /lane #as Msi% resul&ed in 'avorable %ommen& 'rom e %rews! in %on&ras& &oe many /revious %om/lain&s and /leas 'or some meod o' servin) 'ood &o e %rews on eir lon) 'li)#&s. "#e+ersonal Eui/men& e%&ion o' ea%# suadron #andles e ood Warmers and eir dis&ribu&ion.Q

21 Jul 44

"rainin) %on&inued 'or e air %rews o' e , Bomb rou/ a& Wal(er 55! Aansas. al "owner :ays %rew!2nd< made e 'ollowin) en&ry in #is diary*Q21 July 44We #ad &oday abou& e smooes& mission weCve ever 'lown -- #ad [$&-&$,37! a really swee& 'lyin) s#i/ --%amera bombed 8es =oines! Be&&endor'! #i%a)o and Aansas i&y. We &ried ou& e new 'ood warmers and'ound em mos& sa&is'a%&ory -- es/e%ially Burulia and Wild Bill [radar o(erator tanley Burulia and fli*hten*ineer 7illia# 7allower.Q=eanw#ile! on e )round! in)s were in &urmoil a)ain as e , #ad re%eived new movemen& orders 'or eround E%#elon. Now ey would de/ar& on unday! 23 July! and is &ime dire%&ly 'or e +or& o' Embar(a&ion a&am/ 5na! ali'ornia. "#e uni& #is&ory 'or July 1944 %a/&ures e a&mos/#ere well*Q"#e /eriod be&ween July 21 and July 23 was mar(ed by in&ense a%&ivi&y as 'inal /re/ara&ions &o )e& under way

were %arried ou&. u//ly /roblems in&er'ered &o some e?&en& wi e normal loadin) o' e &rains w#en a& noonon July 21 an amendmen& &o e =ovemen& Orders was re%eived w#i%# ne%essi&a&ed e issuin) o' %er&ain i&emso' ield Eui/men& &o all o''i%ers in e 5ir E%#elon and e s#i/men& o' ese i&ems wi e round E%#elon."#e amendmen& 'urer dire%&ed a& /ar& o' e /ersonal ba))a)e o' ea%# o''i%er in e 5ir E%#elon w#i%# waswiin e +O= [5re(aration for =verseas Move#entoverall ba))a)e limi&a&ions and above a& amoun&allowable 'or &ravel by air! would be s#i//ed wi e round E%#elon movemen&. 5ll o''i%ers! in%ludin) ose onleave! su%%eeded in )e&&in) eir eui/men& and ba))a)e /a%(ed and loaded in &ime! bu& no& wiou& a )rea&deal o' &rouble. July 21 and e 'ollowin) day wi&nessed runs on %er&ain i&ems li(e soa/! raor blades! &owels!&oobrus#es! and oer /ersonal i&ems a& e +os& E?%#an)e &ore! w#ose s&o%( was already de/le&ed by/revious /ur%#ases o' e members o' e round E%#elon! and similar runs on (#a(i %loin)! s#or&s andunders#ir&s! s#oes! so%(s! e&%.! a& e uar&ermas&er ales &ore. & is an&i%i/a&ed a& on%e overseas! ere will

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be mu%# &radin) amon) e o''i%ers o' newly /ur%#ased %loin) in an e''or& &o 'i& everyone as bes& as /ossibleas a resul& o' %ondi&ions e?is&in) ba%( a& is 'ield w#i%# 'ound many o''i%ers buyin) s#ir&s and /an&s eier mu%#&oo small or mu%# &oo bi) 'or emselves.Q

22 Jul 44

On is day a& 11, e ays %rew o' e 2nd uadron le'& Wal(er ield on a lon)-dis&an%e 'li)#& &o >os

5n)eles. owever! ey didnC& )e& a& 'ar. Near "rinidad! olorado! e P1 en)ine %u& ou& and would no&'eaer. "#ey #eaded 'or e neares& 'ield! w#i%# &urned ou& &o be an&a e! New =e?i%o. W#en ey )o& eree 'ield was dar( and e %rew was unable &o %on&a%& e &ower! bu& ey wen& on in and mana)ed &o ma(ea boun%y bu& su%%ess'ul emer)en%y landin). "#is was a very s%ary e?/erien%e 'or e %rew! w#i%# was! as al"owner /u& i&! Q/rayin) &o bea& #ell. We )o& reli)ion a& ni)#&.QWi eir B-29 in need o' re/air! e %rew #ad &o wai& in an&a e un&il anoer /lane %ould be sen& &o re&rieveem. +resumably a re/air &eam would also %ome &o wor( on e /lane.

23 Jul 44

5& Wal(er 55! Aansas! eor)e u)#es! air/lane me%#ani% in e 1s& Bomb uadron! 'ound &ime &oday &o

wri&e a le&&er #ome*QJuly 23! 19448ear =oer K 8ad!"#is is $us& a 'ew lines &o le& you (now a& everyin) is allri)#&. We are drillin) 'or ree days and en wor(in)ree days. We are res&ri%&ed &o e base bu& #avenC& e sli)#&es& idea #ow lon) we will s&ay #ere. will be )lad &o )o and )e& i& over wi. "#is wai&in) )e&s very mono&onous a'&er aw#ile. "#ere are rumorsaround a& we may )o &o a s&a)in) area 'or 'urer &rainin) ins&ead o' )oin) dire%&ly &o a +.O.E. [5ort ofE#barkation Everyone #as eir own ideas on is s#i/men& bu& no one (nows.

rom w#a& #ave #eard ey are %ra%(in) down on anyone dis%losin) any in'orma&ion abou& &roo/ movemen&s."#e way e news loo(s now we s#ouldnC& #ave &o s&ay overseas &oo lon). ermany s#ould %ra%( be'ore eend o' e summer. Ja/an wonC& las& lon) a'&er e B-29s )e& really or)anied. [@u*hes was a trifleovero(ti#istic here.8onC& worry i' you ever )o 'or aw#ile wiou& #earin) 'rom me. 5'&er all no news is )ood news. will wri&e $us& assoon as %an and le& you (now all a& %an dis%lose. Our mail is %ensored 'rom e &ime we board e &rain 'or+.O.E. un&il we )e& ba%( &o e s&a&es a)ain.Wri&e w#en you %an and donC& worry.>oveeor)eQ& %ouldnC& #ave been very lon) a'&er #e wro&e #is las& un%ensored le&&er a& u)#es and e res& o' e roundE%#elon 'ound ou& a& eir wai&in) was over. "#e %ommand #ad (nown 'or a& leas& &wo days a& &oday wasde/ar&ure day bu& #ad su%%ess'ully (e/& a& in'orma&ion se%re&. Bu& w#en ree Inion +a%i'i% &rains /ulled on&oe Wal(er s/ur &oday! everyone (new. "#e men were ready and loadin) s&ar&ed ui%(ly! bu& as always erewas a las&-minu&e &as(. rom e uni& #is&ory*

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QOn July 23 an addi&ional amendmen& &o e =ovemen& Order was re%eived w#i%# reuired a& s&eel #elme&s! &obe used overseas by e O''i%ers o' e 5ir E%#elon! were &o be s#i//ed wi e round E%#elon. Warran&O''i%er Aoon was /la%ed in %#ar)e o' is #urry-u/ de&ail and #e su%%ess'ully arran)ed 'or e drawin) o' 3s&eel #elme&s and liners! /a%(in) em! and )e&&in) em loaded be'ore e &rains de/ar&ed.Q

5 'ew %urious %ivilians w#o #ad no&i%ed a& somein) was u/ wandered over &o e base &o wa&%#! bu& )uards/os&ed a& all e en&ran%es (e/& em a& a dis&an%e.

5'&er e &rains were loaded! e men #ad one las& #oma)e &o /ay &o Wal(er ield. Ea%# uadron #ad &o /oli%ei&s res/e%&ive area.

5& 142 e 'irs& &rain! %arryin) e )round e%#elon o' e 1s& uadron! o''i%ers and 33 men! under e%ommand o' uadron E?e%u&ive O''i%er a/& al/# =aus&! /ulled ou&.

5 'ew #ours la&er! a& 12! e se%ond &rain! %arryin) e )round e%#elons o' e 2nd uadron! e rou/eaduar&ers and e 1 +#o&o >ab! 23 o''i%ers and 3, men! all under e %ommand o' 2nd E?e%u&iveO''i%er =a$ ober& Wol%o&&! w#o was also in %#ar)e o' e en&ire round E%#elon! de/ar&ed. On is &rain wie res& o' e 2nd uadron was 21-year-old 2@>& Norman arri)us 'rom "u%son! 5riona. e did no& #ave &obe ere. arri)us! e 2nd adar oun&ermeasures O''i%er! was su//osed &o #ave s&ayed be#ind as /ar&o' e 5ir E%#elon. Bu& #e was sin)le and #is 'riend 2@>& 5llen =or&on! uadron adar =ain&enan%e O''i%er!

was married. W#en =or&on was assi)ned &o e round E%#elon! arri)us volun&eered &o swi&%# /la%es so a&=or&on %ould s&ay in e &a&es wi #is wi'e a 'ew mons lon)er. No one %an blame arri)us i' &wo monsla&er! &ryin) &o )e& &o slee/ in a /u/ &en& /i&%#ed in a muddy 'ormer su)ar %ane 'ield on ai/an! #e mi)#ave #ad se%ond ou)#&s. "#e 'a%& remains a& #e did a )ood in).

5& 2! e las& &rain rolled o'' wi e 3rd uadron )round e%#elon! 7 o''i%ers and 3, men! under e%ommand o' a/& arold Jo#ns&on."#e , Bomb rou/! or #al' o' i& anyway! 1!31 o''i%ers and men! was 'inally o'' &o war.

W#ile e round E%#elon o' e , Bomb rou/ was loadin) u/ and movin) ou& a& Wal(er 55! Aansas! eays %rew o' e 2nd uadron s/en& mos& o' e day s&randed a& an&a e a'&er eir emer)en%y landin)

ere yes&erday -- s&randed yes! un#a//y no! as ey en$oyed e #os/i&ali&y o' a lo%al 'amily. "#e /lane sen& &o/i%( em u/ didnC& arrive un&il 1! and ey didnC& ma(e i& ba%( &o Wal(er un&il 22.

24%25 Jul 44

& &oo( e round E%#elon o' e , Bomb rou/ &wo-and-a-#al' days &o rea%# e wes& %oas&. "#e uniis&ory des%ribes e &ri/*Q"#e ree &roo/ &rains #ad +ullman %ars and "roo/ lee/ers &o a%%ommoda&e /ersonnel! and ea%# &rain #admess and ba))a)e %ars. "#e &rains &raveled by se/ara&e rou&es. W#ile uar&ers were %rowded in so 'ar asmovin) around and e?er%isin) were %on%erned! ea%# man #ad a bed. +a/er /la&es and %u/s were /rovided and'ood was brou)#& 'rom mess %ars &o e men in eir res/e%&ive %ars. >ar)e a//e&i&es seemed &o be in order and

i& was ui&e a si)#& &o see mess /ersonnel brin)in) lar)e /o&s and /ans o' 'ood down e aisle and en loadin)e /la&es. ood was )ood durin) is s&a)e o' e movemen&. ensors#i/ be)an w#en &roo/s en&rained.uards were /os&ed in ea%# %ar and o''i%ers &oo( re)ular &urns as O''i%er o' e 8ay enrou&e. 5& several &rains&o/s e men were unloaded and )iven e?er%ise. 5& more an one /la%e! all 'ood i&ems and readin) ma&erialavailable were /ur%#ased! leavin) s#o/(ee/ers wi bare s#elves.Q"#e only in%iden& enrou&e was an a%%iden& in w#i%# one man in 1s& uadron was burned by )asoline in amess %ar. e was /la%ed in William Beaumon& eneral os/i&al! El +aso! "e?as.Q

25 Jul 44

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"#e 5ir E%#elon o' e , Bomb rou/ %on&inued eir &rainin) a& Wal(er 55! Aansas! bu& was s&ill #avin)/roblems wi e /lanes.rom e al "owner :ays %rew! 2nd< diary*Q2, July 44

%#eduled 'or a #oney o' a round robin &oday! bu& s&ran)ely enou)# we seem &o #ave e?#aus&ed our lu%( andonly one s#i/ )o& o'' ou& o' ree s%#eduled &o do so.ome amain) /oo/ 'rom e )rou/. Our .O.! =a$or Branno%(! is )ivin) us anoer %ra%( a& >.5. >oo(s li(ee os%oes will be amblinC a)ain &omorrow i' our lu%( #olds ou&.Q

26 Jul 44

On is day e round E%#elon o' e , Bomb rou/ arrived a& am/ 5na! ali'ornia! ,, miles eas& o' >os5n)eles. "#is would be eir s&a)in) area! and ey would remain #ere un&il &ime &o board s#i/ in e /or& o' >os5n)eles. 5ll ree &roo/ &rains arrived wiin a 'ew #ours o' ea%# oer! e 2nd &rain a& 14! e 3rd a&

63 and e 1s& a& ."#e o''i%ers and men o' e , ui%(ly learned a& e auori&ies a& am/ 5na #ad eir own rules ands%#edule. "#e di''eren& elemen&s o' e , were immedia&ely assi)ned s#i/men& numbers! su%# as 91,9-;'or e 1s& uadron and 91,9-55 'or e 2nd! and ese numbers were used by e 5na %adre in /la%e o'uni& desi)na&ions. 5lso on e 'irs& day! medi%al %#e%(s were made! re)ardless o' #ow many mi)#& #avebeen done elsew#ere. 5nyone w#ose immunia&ion re%ord was no& u/ &o da&e )o& some s#o&s.Nobody (new 'or sure #ow lon) ey would be a& 5na.

W#ile e round E%#elon o' e , Bomb rou/ was )e&&in) a%uain&ed wi am/ 5na! some o' eir 5irE%#elon %omrades were %oin%iden&ally se&&in) down $us& a 'ew miles away! a& =ar%# ield. "#e &wo )rou/s were/robably unaware o' ea%# oer. "#e ays %rew o' e 2nd was in e >os 5n)eles area on a &rainin) mission.

rom e al "owner diary*Q26 July 44We 'ired #er u/ and &oo( o'' is 5.=. on s%#edule and arrived a& =ar%# ield a& 3* +.=. We #ad a swell &ri/a%ross e moun&ains. On e way we 'lew down e rand anyon a& %li''-&o/ level and #ad a remar(able viewo' e /#enomenon.We didnC& )e& &o >.5. &ill 7* +.=. .W.". be%ause our business a& =ar%# ield &oo( abou& ree #ours.We all #ad a #e%( o' a )ood &ime and #ad a 'as& uneven&'ul &ri/ #ome.QOer less )lamorous &rainin) was %on&inuin) 'or e air %rews ba%( a& Wal(er 55 in Aansas. 2@>& Aen ine:urlbu&& %rew! 2nd< des%ribed #is %rewCs si&ua&ion in a le&&er wri&&en is day &o #is 'u&ure wi'e*QWe 'lew yes&erday a'&ernoon and ni)#& and en &oday we #ad )round wor( in our 4 /#ase. We #ave over a#undred in)s &o be %#e%(ed ou& on in is /#ase and a&Cs really )oin) &o &a(e a lo& o' &ime. & all #as &o bedone by e/&ember , &oo so wan& &o )e& as mu%# done be'ore our leave %omes u/ so ey wonC& %all me ba%(a'&er abou& e 'irs& day o' leave and say! C)e& &o wor( )e&&in) ese /ro'i%ien%y %#e%(s ou& o' e way.C "omorrow a& )ood old 4 oC%lo%( mornin) a)ain. never saw anyin) roll around as 'as& as a& every irdday does.Q

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"#e %rews #ad &o )e& u/ early every ird day &o ma(e a lon) &rainin) 'li)#& &o some dis&an& lo%a&ion. Isually eyre&urned e same day bu& some&imes were allowed &o ON :remain overni)#&

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$ealousy 'rom e oer %rews 'or Q&oo many ONCs [re#ain overni*htQ. Bu& bombardier al "owner was'li//an&ly una/olo)e&i%* QMWeCre e bes& %rew and s#ould #ave a va%a&ion on%e in a w#ile.Q &ill! ey #ad &owor( rou)# e same &rainin) as all e oer %rews* QWe s&ar&ed our 4 /#ase &oday. & %onsis&s o' a #elluvalo& o' /ro'i%ien%y %#e%(s -- very &irin).Q

2$ Jul 44

"#e bes& /ar& o' li'e a& e s&a)in) area a& am/ 5na was i&s /ro?imi&y &o >os 5n)eles and oer souernali'ornia %i&ies! and e availabili&y o' /asses &o visi& em. E?%er/& 'rom e , Bomb rou/ uni& #is&ory*Qn e evenin)s a'&er 17! ose w#o #ad /asses %rowded in&o busses [sicand wen& &o >os 5n)eles!iverside! an Bernardino and oer nearby %i&ies and &owns. +ersonnel were a&&em/&in) &o %a&%# u/ and s&orea#ead )ood 'ood! en&er&ainmen& o' eir 'avori&e varie&y and all 'orms o' re%rea&ion! a)ains& a& day w#en es#i/ s#ould sail. >os 5n)eles and ollywood were /o/ular /la%es o' rendevous. ome o' our /ersonnela&&em/&ed &am