Day by Day Part 1

The 500th Bomb Group Day By Day
24 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 'a&#er 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,3-.aol.%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 all
ea)erly sou)#&.
3 Dec 43
E''e%&ive &#is day! a& 1owen 2ield! Boise! 3da#o! by au&#ori&y o' 1eneral Order 176! +ara)ra/#s 1 and 3!
ead4uar&ers 2nd 5ir 2or%e! 6olorado 7/rin)s! 6olorado! da&ed 24 Nov 1943! and 7/e%ial Order 337!
+ara)ra/# 46! 5ir Base ead4uar&ers! 1owen 2ield! Boise! 3da#o! da&ed 3 8e% 1943! &#e ,99&# Bombardmen&
1rou/ :;ery eavy< and i&s subordina&e uni&s! &#e --1s&! --2nd! --3rd and --4&# Bombardmen& 74uadrons
:;<! &#e 29&#! 39&#! 31s& and 32nd Bombardmen& =ain&enan%e 74uadrons :;<! and &#e 1-&# +#o&o)ra/#i%
>abora&ory 74uadron 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 1rou/ :eavy<. owever! &#ree days la&er! on 6 8e% 1943! all &#ese
men wi&# &#e e?%e/&ion o' 1@>& Billy 6. 1ri''i&# and &#ree enlis&ed men were ordered &rans'erred &o Wal(er 5rmy
5ir 2ield! ;i%&oria! Aansas! w#ere &#ey would be a&&a%#ed &o &#e 462nd Bomb 1rou/ :;< o' &#e ,-&# Bomb Win)
and la&er 'orm &#e nu%leus o' &#e 29&#! 39&#! 31s& and 32nd Bombardmen& =ain&enan%e 74uadrons o' &#e ,99&#.
"#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/! alon) wi&# &#e 497&#! 49-&# and 499&# Bomb 1rou/s! would 'orm &#e new 73rd Bomb
Win)! w#i%# was &#e se%ond B-29 win) or)aniBed durin) World War 33. 3n 8e%ember 1943 &#e 'irs& B-29 win)!
&#e ,-&#! was already in &rainin) 'or de/loymen& &o 3ndia and 6#ina. W#ile &#e ,-&# would /lay an im/or&an& role
in &#e war! i& would 'all &o &#e 73rd &o %arry &#e war &o &#e Ja/anese #omeland 'rom &#e =ariana 3slands and bear
&#e ini&ial #eavy %os& o' &#a& e''or&.
7 Dec 43
On &#is da&e 1@>& Billy 6. 1ri''i&# assumed %ommand o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/! wi&# only &#ree enlis&ed /ersonnel
and no e4ui/men& assi)ned.
13 Dec 43
"oday &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/! %onsis&in) o' 1@>& 1ri''i&# and #is &#ree enlis&ed men! de/ar&ed 1owen 2ield 'or
6lovis 5rmy 5ir Base! New =e?i%o.
16 Dec 43
On &#is day 1@>& 1ri''i&# o''i%ially o/ened &#e ead4uar&ers o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ a& 6lovis! New =e?i%o! s&ill
wi&# only #imsel' and &#ree enlis&ed men assi)ned. "#is small %adre be)an /er'ormin) rou&ine )arrison du&ies.
2or &#e ne?& 'our mon&#s! un&il 5/ril 1944! &#e 5ir E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# would be based a& 6lovis! s&eadily
)rowin) in s&ren)&# and )e&&in) in w#a& &rainin) &#ey %ould! w#i%# wasnC& mu%#! w#ile &#e 1round E%#elon 0 &#e
29&#! 39&#! 31s& and 32nd

Bombardmen& =ain&enan%e 74uadrons 0 would be based a& Wal(er 552 in Aansas!
/rovidin) main&enan%e su//or& &o &#e 462nd Bomb 1rou/ o' &#e ,-&# Win) w#ile simul&aneously learnin) as
mu%# as &#ey %ould abou& #ow &o main&ain! modi'y and re/air B-29Cs.
6 Jan 44
>as& ni)#& a& abou& 2299 +'% 1eor)e E. u)#es 'rom &#e small &own o' 1reenwi%#! New Dor(! re/or&ed &o Wal(er
5rmy 5ir 2ield near ;i%&oria! Aansas. 1eor)e #ad been in &#e 5rmy almos& a year. e #ad ori)inally been
a%%e/&ed in&o &#e 5via&ion 6ade& +ro)ram and #ad &rained a& =a?well 2ield! 5>! and 8orr 2ield! 2>! bu& li(e so
many o&#ers #ad been was#ed ou&. 3& 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! &#e
5rmy 5ir 2or%es %ould be #ars# and un'or)ivin). Dou didnC& )e& a se%ond %#an%e.
5'&er 8orr! 1eor)e #ad been sen& &o 7& +e&ersbur)! 2>! 'or re)ular enlis&ed basi% &rainin)! and &#en &o 5ir/lane
=e%#ani% 7%#ool a& 1ul'/or&! =7! w#ere #e did well. is &rainin) was %a//ed o'' wi&# abou& si? wee(s a& &#e
end o' 1943 a& 6#evrole& in 8e&roi& and a& &#e new 6onsolida&ed air%ra'& /lan& a& nearby Willow Eun. 1eor)e #ad
been wi&#ou& a 'urlou)# all &#is &ime and #ad been really #o/in) 'or one a'&er Willow Eun! bu& ins&ead #e was
sen& dire%&ly &o 'ar-away Wal(er 552 in Aansas! and in &#e middle o' win&er &oo. e was no& #a//y abou& &#a&.
"oday 1eor)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 74uadron. 5//aren&ly some o' &#e me%#ani%s w#o #ad %ome
in wi&# 1eor)e were assi)ned &o main&enan%e s4uadrons o' &#e ,-&# Bomb Win)Cs 462nd Bomb 1rou/ and
would be #eadin) overseas soon! bu& &#e 29&# was /ar& o' &#e 73rd Bomb Win)Cs ,99&# Bomb 1rou/. 5lon) wi&#
&#e 39&#! 31s& and 32nd 74uadrons! &#e 29&# would su//or& &#e 462nd Bomb 1rou/ 5ir E%#elon un&il i& le'&! and
&#en rever& &o %on&rol o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/.
1eor)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! 1eor)e in'ormed
#is /aren&s! F"#is is a B-29 ou&'i& #ere. 3 donC& (now #ow mu%# me%#ani%s 3 will be doin) ye&. 2or aw#ile 3 will
/robably was# &#ese /lanes. 5ll &#ese 74dns. are $us& bein) 'ormed so &#ere s#ould be some )ood o/enin)s
soon.G 1eor)e &#ou)#& &#a& i& #ad been F4ui&e a rou)# ride ou& #ere. "#e &rain we #ad s&o//ed a& every
%rossroads. H 5'&er we le'& Aansas 6i&y we didnC& #i& a &own over a %ou/le &#ousand. "#is is very wild %oun&ry
around #ere. 3&Cs an ideal s/o& 'or air'ields.G 5s 'or a 'urlou)#! 1eor)e didnC& &#in( &#ere was a %#an%e o' )e&&in)
one any&ime soon! bu& maybe a'&er &#e 74uadron )o& &o 'ull s&ren)&#.
13 Jan 44
5& 6lovis! N=! 2@>& Edward . 1ibbs! a 7/e%ial 7ervi%e O''i%er :=O7 ,999<! be%ame &#e 'i'&# man assi)ned &o
&#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ 5ir E%#elon w#en #e re/or&ed &o &#e uni& &oday! bu& #e was immedia&ely /la%ed on
8e&a%#ed 7ervi%e &o &#e 73rd 6omba& 6rew "rainin) 7%#ool! also a& a& 6lovis.
5& Wal(er 552! A7! +'% 1eor)e u)#es re%eived #is 'irs& le&&er 'rom #ome &o #is new address &oday. e wro&e
#is /aren&s ba%(! &ellin) &#em a li&&le abou& li'e a& Wal(er* F3 #ave been wor(in) ni)#&s &#is wee(. [Maintenance
was a round-the-clock activity on an air base. - JEB 3 )o on a& midni)#& and )e& o'' a& nine &#e ne?& mornin).
We %#an)e s#i'&s every wee(. 7o 'ar i& #asnC& been &oo bad. We #ave lea&#er /an&s and $a%(e&s lined wi&#
s#ee/s(in. "#ey ma(e a )ood warm ou&'i&.G
1eor)e %on&inued* F7ome o' &#ese 74uadrons are nearly ready 'or overseas s#i/men&. "#e 1rou/ 6.O. 3s a
6olonel abou& &#ir&y years old. [!olonel "ichard !ar#ichael had assu#ed co##and of the $%&nd Bo#b 'rou(
on &% )u* +,$-. e #as been in every &#ea&er o' war so 'ar. 5%%ordin) &o #im &#ere will be a #al' million men
sen& over in &#e ne?& si? mon&#s &o #andle &#e B-29s. 2rom w#a& 3 #ave seen #ere 3 wouldnC& say &#e B-29 was 'i&
'or %omba& ye&. H
F;i%&oria is near ays and Eussell. None o' &#ese &owns are very bi). 3 #ad 7unday o'' and wen& &o ays. 3&
seemed &o be deser&ed. Even &#e bowlin) alleys were %losed. We donC& #ave any &ime o'' on &#e ni)#& s#i'&. 3
)uess w#en we %#an)e s#i'&s 3 will )e& a day o''. H
F3 #ave &o &a(e yellow 'ever! %#olera! and &y/#us s#o&s /re&&y soon. 3 #ad &wo s#o&s and a va%%ina&ion w#en 3 )o&
#ere. "#ey are very 'ree wi&# &#e needles #ere.G
1eor)e u)#es was no& alone in #is ne)a&ive assessmen& o' &#e B-29. "o 4uo&e a #i)#er au&#ori&y! 6ol 7am
arris! 6O o' &#e 499&# Bomb 1rou/! F"#is air/lane #as more bu)s in i& &#an a "ennessee moun&ain bed.G "#e
re)ular a//earan%e o' new /roblems was a %onse4uen%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 2,9 bombers was /la%ed on 17 =ay 1941! be'ore 1ermany a&&a%(ed &#e 7ovie& Inion and w#ile Bri&ain s&ood
alone a)ains& &#e NaBi war ma%#ine. 3& was no& a& all %lear &#a& Bri&ain would survive! and i' i& didnC&! /ossession
o' a &rans-5&lan&i% bomber would be %ri&i%al. 1eneral enry . Fa/G 5rnold! 6#ie' o' &#e 5rmy 5ir 2or%es! was
de&ermined &o #ave &#e B-29! no ma&&er w#a& &#e %os&.
17 Jan 44
=a$ Jo#n E. 1ay re/or&ed &o &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ a& 6lovis! N=! and by au&#ori&y o' 1O 3! J ,99&# Bomb
1rou/! da&ed 17 Jan 44! immedia&ely assumed %ommand o' &#e uni&.
22 Jan 44
On &#is day >& 6ol Jo#n ". 2i&Bwa&er and =a$ "#eodore B. 7wanson re/or&ed &o &#e ,99&# a& 6lovis 'rom &#e 73rd
Bomb Win)! and by vir&ue o' #is ran( >& 6ol 2i&Bwa&er assumed %ommand o' &#e 1rou/ by au&#ori&y o' 1O 4!
,99&# Bomb 1rou/! da&ed 22 Jan 44.
23 Jan 44
1eor)e u)#es wro&e #is /aren&s a lon) le&&er 'rom Wal(er 552! A7! &oday*
F8ear =o&#er K 8ad!
3 re%eived your le&&er wi&# &#e money yes&erday and &#e o&#er le&&er &oday. "#an(s a lo& 'or &#e money. We
si)ned &#e /ayroll &oday so we s#ould be /aid &#e 'irs& o' 2ebruary. 7ome 'ellows on &#is 'ield #avenC& been /aid
sin%e November.
"#e wea&#er #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) 4ui&e dus&y.G
H "#ere are $us& &#ree o' &#e old bun%# [fro# )ir(lane Mechanic .chool in &#e 29&# [Bo#bard#ent
Maintenance ./uadron of the 011th Bo#b 'rou(. "#e res& are in &#e 9&# and 11&#. [2he ,th, +1th, ++th and
+&th BM.3s 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 BM.3s of the 011th 'rou( had assu#ed res(onsibility for
#aintenance of the $%&nd 'rou( and #ave been issued new %lo&#es! ri'le! &ren%# (ni'e and o&#er %omba&
e4ui/men&. We were lu%(y &o )e& in&o &#e 29&#. 3& isnC& even u/ &o 'ull s&ren)&# ye&. H
We arenC& very near any lar)e %i&y #ere. ays and Eussell are abou& 'i'&een miles 'rom &#e base bu& &#ey are
small &owns and aw'ul dead. H 3 was in &o Eussell on Wednesday and bowled a 'ew )ames and s#o& some /ool.
"#ere are buses runnin) &o bo&# ays and Eussell.
3 am wor(in) &#e )raveyard s#i'& a)ain &#is wee(. We were %#an)ed around a)ain &#is wee( w#en &#e 9&# 4ui&
wor(. "#ere is more wor( &o do on &#is s#i'& bu& &#ere are 'ewer bi) s#o&s around. 3 $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) some&#in) anyway. "#e
army believes &#e only way &o (ill &ime is &o wor( i& &o dea&#. "#ere were more en)ineerin) o''i%ers around &#an
enlis&ed men. 7ome o' &#em are really s&u/id w#en i& %omes &o /ra%&i%al wor(. "#ese old &ime ser)ean&s #ave
&#em runnin) around li(e (ids. =os& o' &#e 'ellows in &#is ou&'i& are ba%( 'rom +anama. 3 &#in( &#ey s&ayed ou& in
&#e sun down &#ere &oo lon) be%ause &#ey arenC& e?a%&ly normal 'rom all a//earan%es. =os& o' &#em #ave been
in 'rom &#ree &o &#ir&y years. "#ere is one 'ellow #ere &#a& $us& made ser)ean& a'&er &wen&y &wo years in &#e army.
H
Wri&e soon and 3 will wri&e a)ain in a 'ew days.
>ove
1eor)eG
25 Jan 44
5'&er bein) in %ommand o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ 'or only &#ree days! >& 6ol 2i&Bwa&er was &rans'erred ou& &oday
and =a$ 7wanson assumed %ommand o' &#e 1rou/ by au&#ori&y o' 1O ,! ,99&# Bomb 1rou/! da&ed 2, Jan 44.
27 Jan 44
On &#is da&e 39 o''i%ers and 127 enlis&ed men 'rom &#e 4-9&# 5n&isubmarine 1rou/! a uni& w#i%# #ad 'lown B-
24Cs ou& o' Nor&# 5'ri%a bu& #ad re%en&ly re&urned &o &#e 7&a&es! were &rans'erred &o &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ 5ir
E%#elon a& 6lovis! N=.
2 Jan 44
"oday a& 6lovis! N=! =a$ Eal/# 5. Eeeve assumed %ommand o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/. =a$ Eeeve #eld
or)aniBa&ional mee&in)s and made various du&y a//oin&men&s! in%ludin) =a$ 1ay as 8e/u&y 1rou/ 6ommander
and =a$ 7wanson as 5%&in) 7-3 :O/era&ions< O''i%er.
8urin) &#is /eriod a& 6lovis! more o''i%ers and men )radually re/or&ed &o &#e ,99&#! bu& mos& were /la%ed on
8e&a%#ed 7ervi%e a& various 5rmy s%#ools! /ar&i%ularly &#e 5ir 2or%es 7%#ool o' 5//lied "a%&i%s a& Orlando! 2>!
'or a//ro?ima&ely 'our wee(s.
30 Jan 44
5%%ordin) &o &#e Or)aniBa&ion is&ori%al Ee%ord! on &#is da&e &#e 'our Bomb 74uadrons o' &#e ,99&# Bomb
1rou/ a& 6lovis! N=! were a& &#e 'ollowin) s&ren)&#s*
--1s& 0 4 o''i%ers K - enlis&ed men
--2nd 0 2 o''i%ers K 19 enlis&ed men
--3rd 0 3 o''i%ers K 7 enlis&ed men
--4&# 0 4 o''i%ers K 9 enlis&ed men
owever! &#e %ommand an&i%i/a&ed ,9-69 new o''i%ers &o re/or& &o &#e 1rou/ in &#e near 'u&ure.
5//aren&ly! &#e 39 o''i%ers and 127 enlis&ed men 'rom &#e 4-9&# 5n&isubmarine 1rou/ w#o were assi)ned on 27
Jan #ad no& re/or&ed by &#is da&e.
31 Jan 44
5& Wal(er 552! A7! air/lane me%#ani% 1eor)e u)#es wro&e #is /aren&s a)ain &oday. 5'&er some small &al(
abou& 'amily 'riends! 1eor)e wro&e abou& some main&enan%e /roblems &#ey were #avin)*
FWe #ave ano&#er B-29 in our 74dn. Now. 3 #ave been assi)ned &o wor( on i& now. 5s we )e& &#e new /lanes
we )e& rid o' &#e old B-17s. "#ere is always some&#in) )oin) wron) wi&# &#e B-29. One o' &#em #ere #ad &welve
new en)ines sin%e i& #as been on &#e 'ield. Dou %an )e& &wo B-17s in &#e #an)er [sic bu& only one B-29. W#en
&#e #an)er is o%%u/ied all main&enan%e #as &o be done ou& on &#e 'ield. 3 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 is
always someone )oin) or %omin) durin) &#e day.
F... 7ome 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
1eor)e was ri)#& abou& &#e B-29. "#e lis& o' &ee&#in) /roblems was almos& endless. "#ere were so many &#in)s
)oin) wron) w#i%# re4uired redesi)n or modi'i%a&ion &#a& &#e 'a%&ories didnC& even a&&em/& &o resolve &#em as
&#ey %ame u/. "ryin) &o do so would #ave disru/&ed &#e assembly lines &oo mu%#. 3ns&ead! re&oolin) was done
only o%%asionally. "#is mean& &#a& new B-29Cs %ame o'' &#e /rodu%&ion line already re4uirin) mul&i/le
modi'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-29Cs
would 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 &o
&#e 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 o&#erwise
mal'un%&ioned wi&# re)ulari&y. 3& would be a lon) &ime be'ore &#a& baby was /u& &o bed.
!eb 44
"oday a& Wal(er 552! A7! 1eor)e u)#es wro&e #is /aren&s ano&#er le&&er*
F8ear =o&#er K 8ad!
H We move &o a new barra%(s &oday. 3& is mu%# be&&er &#an &#e one 3 #ave been in. "#e 9&# [Bo#bard#ent
Maintenance ./uadron of the $%&nd Bo#b 'rou( o%%u/ied &#ese barra%(s un&il &#ey s#i//ed ou&. =os& o' &#e
old 1ul'/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 &#e
same &#in) 3 #ad a mon&# a)o. "#ey even &ossed in a yellow 'ever s#o& 'or )ood measure.
3 am on &#e day s#i'& &#is wee(. "#e wea&#er #as been very ni%e la&ely. "#e sun is very bri)#& and i& )e&s warm
enou)# &o wor( in $us& %overalls in &#e a'&ernoon.
5 B-29 %ra%(ed u/ #ere las& wee(. 3& was &a?iin) u/ &o /ar( w#en by some reason or o&#er &#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 [dollars so &#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 4uie& #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.
>ove
1eor)eG
13 !eb 44
3n a le&&er &o #is /aren&s &oday! 1eor)e u)#es a& Wal(er 552 &old &#em #ow %old! snowy and windy i& #ad
&urned &#ere la&ely. 3n 'a%&! on #is day o'' be&ween &#e day s#i'& las& wee( and midni)#&s &#is wee( #e #ad )one
in&o &own wi&# one o' #is 'riends and &#ey Fnearly )o& s&randed. "#e snow blew so #ard &#e buses didnC& run.G
1eor)e was envious o' a 'riend o' #is w#o #ad )o& a 'urlou)#. F3 wis# &#ey would %ome a%ross wi&# one 'or me.G
1 !eb 44
1eor)e u)#es a& Wal(er 552! A7! wro&e #is /aren&s a)ain &oday*
F8ear =o&#er K 8ad!
3 re%eived your le&&er and &#e Journal &oday. "#e /a%(a)e you sen& me arrived earlier &#is wee(. "#e %oo(ies
were very )ood. "#an(s a lo&.
3 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&ely
and &#ere #asnC& been mu%# wor(. 3 would ra&#er 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 3 wen& &o ays. We bowled a 'ew )ames and #ad a %ou/le )ood
meals. "#e res&auran&s #ave )ood s&ea(s anyway. =y bowlin) ran 'rom 149 &o 19-. "#e alleys are in very )ood
s#a/e. "#ey #ave an ele%&ri% 'oul line.
3 )o& &wo more s#o&s yes&erday. 3 &#ou)#& 3 was all se& bu& i& seems no&. 3 am be)innin) &o 'eel li(e a /in %us#ion.
None o' &#e s#o&s bo&#er me so 3 donC& mind &#em mu%#.
3& is %ool #ere a& ni)#&. >as& ni)#& i& was abou& 12 below. 2or a %#an)e &#ere wasnC& any wind. H
>ove
1eor)e
25 !eb 44
"oday a& Wal(er 552 in a le&&er &o #is /aren&s 1eor)e u)#es wro&e &#a& #e was ba%( on &#e evenin) :4 /m &o 1
am< s#i'& and &#a& F"#in)s #ave been very 4uie& la&ely. =y /lane #asnC& re&urned 'rom New =e?i%o ye&. 3& #as
been down &#ere 4ui&e a w#ile now. "#ey #ad &o %#an)e an en)ine.G 1eor)e #eld ou& #o/e 'or a 'urlou)# in
=ay or June.
2 "ar 44
3n early 1944! under #eavy /oli&i%al /ressure &o )e& &#e new B-29 in&o &#e war! 1eneral a/ 5rnold! 6#ie' o' &#e
5rmy 5ir 2or%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 3ndia and 6#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< 552 /ersonnel were /ressed in&o servi%e. undreds
o' Boein) wor(ers were /ulled 'rom /rodu%&ion lines and sen& &o &#e =odi'i%a&ion 6en&ers and &#e Aansas air
bases &o )e& &#e B-29Cs o' &#e ,-&# Bomb Win) %omba&-ready. Wor(in) mos&ly ou&side in &#e bi&&er Aansas
win&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 ano&#er 'ew bi&&er minu&es.
Ea%# /lane re4uired a s&a))erin) amoun& o' wor(. En)ine %owl 'la/s #ad &o be modi'ied! win) su//or&s
s&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&er
seals ins&alled! main landin) )ear &ires re/la%ed! and mu%# more.
3& wasnC& easy! bu& in &#e end &#e wor( was done. "#is /eriod o' 'renBied a%&ivi&y a& &#e Aansas bases would la&er
be &ermed F"#e Ba&&le o' AansasG. 5nd air/lane me%#ani% 1eor)e u)#es a& Wal(er 552 was in &#e middle o' i&.
3n a le&&er &o #is /aren&s wri&&en on &#is da&e! #e des%ribed some o' w#a& was )oin) on*
F3 am now wor(in) &welve #ours a day. "#ey #ave made u/ &wo s#i'&s o' en)ine %#an)e %rews and 3 wor( 'rom
seven +.=. 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. 3 would li(e &o #ave &#e money &#a& is bein) s/en&
on &#ese /lanes. Ea%# en)ine is valued a& L22!999. "#a&Cs L19 /er #orse/ower. H "#in)s are bein) #eld u/
4ui&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& 1999 )al. o' )as. 7ome )as dealer would
/robably )ive #is eye &ee&# 'or &#a&.G
Ee/or&in) &oday &o Wal(er 2ield in &#e middle o' all &#is &urmoil was youn) 2@>& Norman 2. 1arri)us 'rom "u%son!
5riBona. 1arri)us was some&#in) new in &#e 5rmy 5ir 2or%es 0 a Eadar 6oun&er-=easures O''i%er. "#e B-29
was &#e 'irs& I7 bomber &o be e4ui//ed wi&# radar! and 1arri)us (new almos& every&#in) abou& &#a& mys&erious
devi%e. No& only &#a&! #e (new a lo& abou& enemy radars &oo. "#a& in 'a%& was #is /rimary $ob 0 &o learn &#e
s&ren)&#s and wea(nesses o' &#e enemy emi&&ers! &#en use #is (nowled)e and s/e%ial! se%re& e4ui/men& &o
%oun&er &#e 'ormer and e?/loi& &#e la&&er.
1arri)us #ad enlis&ed in &#e 5ir 6or/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 6ade& "rainin) +ro)ram! 'rom w#i%# #e even&ually )radua&ed as a brand-new 2@>& and &#en
was sen& on 'or ei)#& more mon&#s o' s/e%ialiBed radar &rainin)! mos&ly a& Bo%a Ea&on! 2lorida.
5'&er a 'ew days! &#e base /ersonnel se%&ion 'inally 'i)ured ou& w#a& &o do wi&# 1arri)us and assi)ned #im &o &#e
39&# Bombardmen& =ain&enan%e 74uadron. 1arri)us was /robably lu%(y durin) &#is 'ran&i% &ime &#a& #e was a
radar and no& an en)ineerin) o''i%er. 7&ill! #e would #ave /len&y &o do! be%ause radar would even&ually #ave &o
be ins&alled on all &#e 1rou/Cs 'lyaway B-29Cs 0 &#ey didnC& %ome 'rom &#e 'a%&ory &#a& way 0 and &#e 1rou/Cs
radar /ersonnel would #ave &o do mos& i' no& all o' &#e wor(.
12 "ar 44
5& Wal(er 552! air/lane me%#ani% 1eor)e u)#es was s&ill wor(in) #ard! as #e e?/lained in a le&&er #ome*
F3& is %old and rainy &oday. 3 #o/e we wor( in &#e #an)er [sic &oni)#&. We are s&ill on &#e &welve #our s#i'&. 3& 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&# Eadar e4ui/men& and
bulle& /roo' )lass. [If 'eor*e3s letters were bein* censored, his reference to radar would have certainly been
re#oved, since this new technolo*y was still very secret. - JEB
F3 donC& &#in( &#a& 3 would li(e &o )e& ba%( in 6ade&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 of
rea((lyin*. - JEB "#ey wonC& release anyone 'rom &#is 'ield anyway. "#is B-29 /ro)ram is abou& &#e #o&&es&
&#in) in &#e 5ir 6or/ [sic. "#e B-29 %an %arry 'our! 'our &on bombs so you %an see w#a& dama)e will be done
w#en &#ey )e& in %omba&. "#e /lane is abou& 99 'ee& in len)&#. "#e win) s/an is over 149 'ee&. 5 C2lyin)
2or&ressC loo(s small beside i&.G
1eor)e &#en &urned &o more /ersonal ma&&ers*
F5nna ['eor*e3s sister s#ould #ave a )ood &ime in New Dor(. 3 would li(e &o MbeN near a bi))er &own &#an ays
or Eussell. H
F3 #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 the
Mediterranean 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 6-rd 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 &#a&
#asnC& #ad 'urlou)# in &#ree years. e is on &o/ o' &#e lis&.
>ove
1eor)eG
20 "ar 44
3n a le&&er &o #is /aren&s &oday 'rom Wal(er 552! 1eor)e u)#es wro&e! F3& is bri)#& and %lear &oday and &#e snow
is mel&in) 'as&. We #ad 4ui&e a snow &#e o&#er ni)#&. 3 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&. 3& is
rumored &#a& we s&ar& on ei)#& #ours some&ime &#is wee(. 3 %er&ainly #o/e so.G
7 #pr 44
"oday 1eor)e u)#es a& Wal(er 552 wro&e #is /aren&s ano&#er le&&er*
F8ear =o&#er K 8ad!
3& #as been 4ui&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 o&#er e4ui/men&. "#e )ross wei)#& is abou& 126!999 lbs. /er /lane.
FWe e?/e%& &o )e& &#ree day /asses abou& 7unday i' every&#in) )oes ri)#&. "#ere #ave been rumors )oin)
around abou& 'urlou)# bu& so 'ar no&#in) o''i%ial #as been announ%ed. 3 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)#&. 3 #ave s&ar&ed &o sunburn already. "#e
wind is always blowin) w#e&#er i& is bri)#& or %loudy.
F3& would be ni%e i' 3 #ad been able &o be #ome on Eas&er bu& maybe i& wonC& be lon) be'ore 3 )e& #ome. 7ome
'ellows #ave been s#i//ed ou& la&ely 'or overseas re/la%emen&. 3Cm lu%(y 3Cm no& in &#a& )rou/. =os& o' &#em
#ave never #ad a 'urlou)# ei&#er.
Wri&e soon and donC& wor( &oo #ard.
>ove
1eor)eG
10 #pr 44
3n &#e 5rmy &#in)s o'&en #a//en suddenly. On &#is day 1eor)e u)#es sen& #is /aren&s a brie' &ele)ram*
FO+>E57E W3EE L199 3==E835"E>D 6O=3N1 O=EO
O1EOE1EG
1$ #pr 44
On &#is day radio o/era&or 7)& Wil&on . F=a&&G =a&&inson re/or&ed 'or du&y a& Wal(er 552! Aansas. =a&&inson
was unusual amon) &#e enlis&ed men a& Wal(er be%ause #e #ad been a /ilo&. In'or&una&ely! #e was also %olor
blind! and al&#ou)# #e #ad mana)ed &o #ide &#is #andi%a/ 'or a w#ile by memoriBin) 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). 3' #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%e
man &o &#e 39&# Bombardmen& =ain&enan%e 74uadron! w#i%# su//or&ed &#e --2nd Bombardmen& 74uadron.
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&or
va%an%y on one o' &#e air %rews! #e be)an /es&erin) &#e 6ommuni%a&ions O''i%er. 5'&er a wee( o' &#is! &#e
o''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 7ava)e %rew! P224.
30 #pr 44
"oday 1eor)e u)#es re&urned &o Wal(er 552! A7! 'rom #is 'urlou)# a& #ome and 'ound &#e base mu%#
%#an)ed. "#e 462nd Bomb 1rou/ was )one and in &#eir /la%e was &#e 5ir E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/.
1eor)e wro&e #is /aren&s abou& i&*
Q5/ril 39! 1944

8ear =o&#er K 8ad!

3 arrived in %am/ abou& ei)#& &#ir&y on 7unday mornin). ....

"#is /la%e is a mad #ouse. 5 new bun%# #as %ome in 'rom 6lovis! New =e?i%o. "#ey #ave $us& abou& &a(en
over 'rom w#a& 3 #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. 3 never saw &#e /la%e so %rowded.

.... "#ere doesnC& seem &o be many /lanes #ere ye& and &#ey are all B-17s. 2rom w#a& 3 #ear &#e 6lovis bun%#
never saw a B-29 ye&. ....

>ove
1eor)eQ
"ay 44
5no&#er le&&er wri&&en #ome by 1eor)e u)#es! air/lane me%#ani% in &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ a& Wal(er 2ield!
Aansas*

Q=ay -! 1944

8ear =o&#er K 8ad!

3 am in a new s4uadron al&#ou)# 3 #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 recently
arrived fro# !lovis, :ew Me;ico and some o' &#e old &imers #ave le'&. 3 )uess Ed! 8i%( and 3 will s&ay in &#e
same ou&'i&.

We #ave been wor(in) ei)#& #ours bu& are s&ar&in) a &welve #our &omorrow. 3 am wor(in) on a B-29[< i& is &#e
only one we #ave now. "#e res& o' &#e /lanes are B-17s. "#e 'ellows &#a& %ame in 'rom 6lovis donC& seem &o be
very )ood on any (ind o' /lane.

....

>ove
1eor)eQ

3n early =ay 1944 &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/! alon) wi&# all &#e o&#er 1rou/s in &#e 73rd Bomb Win)! underwen& a
ma$or reor)aniBa&ion. "#e 'our se/ara&e main&enan%e s4uadrons! &#e 29&# &#ru 32nd! were dissolved! as
was &#e 'our&# o/era&ional s4uadron! &#e --4&#. =os& o' &#e /ersonnel were 'olded in&o &#e &#ree remainin)
bomb s4uadrons! wi&# &#e e?%ess bein) &rans'erred ou&. =ain&enan%e would now 'all dire%&ly under &#e bomb
s4uadron %ommanders! and &#e now lar)er bomb s4uadrons would #ave &en B-29Cs assi)ned vi%e seven under
&#e old or)aniBa&ion! ma(in) &#e &o&al 'or &#e 1rou/ 39 /lanes vi%e 2-.

"#e ,99&# was now %om/osed o' &#e 'ollowin) uni&s*

ead4uar&ers se%&ion
--1s& Bombardmen& 74uadron
--2nd Bombardmen& 74uadron
--3rd Bombardmen& 74uadron
1-&# +#o&o)ra/#i% >abora&ory
14 "ay 44
2rom &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ O/era&ions Journal! lo%a&ion Wal(er 5rmy 5ir 2ield! Aansas*

Q14 =ay 44
B-172! 42-,964! +ilo& -- =a$or urlbu&&! made emer)en%y landin) due &o 'ire P4 en)ine. NoCs 1 K 2 'ire
e?&in)uis#er bo&&les used! bu& ob&ained no resul&s. Number 4 en)ine 'ell o'' on im/a%& o' landin). 6/l. =ona#an
$um/ed 'rom 5@6 w#ile /lane was in mo&ion! and su''ered serious in$uries. 3rd E%#. =ain&. [basically, re(airs
beyond the ca(ability of the *round crews re4uired on 5@6.Q

"#is in%iden& a''e%&ed lives beyond &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/. 6/l =ona#an was &#e 626 )unner on &#e urlbu&&
%rew :P222<. 5s #e was e?/e%&ed &o be in &#e #os/i&al 'or some &ime! a re/la%emen& was needed. "#e 5rmyCs
/ersonnel /ro%uremen& ma%#inery was se& in mo&ion. En&er Edwin >evin :now Ed >awson<! re%en& )radua&e o'
626 s%#ool. >evin re%eived orders &o re/or& &o Wal(er! and soon =a$ urlbu&& #ad a new 626 )unner.

3& 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/anese
s#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 4uonse&ma&e on 7ai/an! &#e /oe& Jo#n 6iardi* QWe live by
a%%iden&s.Q
16 "ay 44
On &#is day 2@>& arold QalQ "owner o' &#e ays %rew :P22-< o' &#e --2nd 74uadron made &#e 'irs& en&ry in #is
diary*

Q16 =ay 44

"oday our 'li)#& %ommander /assed &o us an order o' &#e 1rou/ 6.O. &#a& a %rew re%ord will be (e/& by some
member o' ea%# %rew. In'or&una&ely! in more ways &#an one! 3! &#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
2rom &#e al "owner :ays %rew! --2nd< diary*

Q17 =ay 44

Q6om/le&ed mission P1 -- &#ree %amera a&&a%(s -- one ea%# a& Wi%#i&a! "ulsa! and O(la#oma 6i&y. On our re&urn
we #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 and
ordered %rew &o abandon s#i/. 2ire 'i)#&in) %rews arrived $us& in &ime &o see &#e en)ine s&o/ smo(in).Q

No&e* "#is 'li)#& was in a B-17.
1 "ay 44
On &#is day &#e 6ur&is %rew :P119< o' &#e --1s& 74uadron )o& 6 #ours and 29 minu&es in a B-29. 7in%e &#ere
were no less &#an 14 landin)s re%orded durin) &#is &ime! &#e %rew mus& #ave been /ra%&i%in) &a(e-o''s and
landin)s.
1$ "ay 44
=e%#ani% 1eor)e u)#es o' &#e --1s& 74uadron was s&ill wor(in) #ard a& Wal(er 2ield*

Q=ay 19! 1944

8ear =o&#er K 8ad!

3 am ba%( in &#e old ru& a)ain. Wor(in) and slee/in)! wi&#ou& a day o''. We are on &welve #ours and no days
o''. 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. 3& seems as &#ou)# mos&
o' &#e 'ellows are wai&in) &o be %alled. No& many seem &o be $um/in) a& &#e %#an%e. ....

>ove
1eor)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 6/l Aiolen 6rider 'rom Aanna/olis! Nor&# 6arolina. =aybe i& #ad some&#in) &o do
wi&# &#e 'a%& &#a& #e was on A+ w#en &#ey %ame as(in). 5nyway! #e a)reed &o be%ome a )unner and was
assi)ned as &ail )unner on &#e ale ays %rew :P22-< o' &#e --2nd 74uadron. e would s&ay wi&# &#a& %rew
&#rou)#ou& &#e war.

2rom &#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'ul
air%ra'&RQ

"#ere was mu%# %lassroom &rainin) )oin) on &oo. "#e men )roused abou& &#e /oor 4uali&y o' &#e ins&ru%&ion! bu&
des/i&e innumerable s#or&a)es and de'i%ien%ies! &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ was doin) &#e bes& i& %ould wi&# w#a& i&
#ad. 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 2ield in Aansas! &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ %on&inued &o &rain as bes& &#ey %ould! usin) mos&ly de%re/i& B-
17Cs.


Q2, =ay 44
>o%al 'lyin) -- &ried &o dro/ bombs 'rom 29!999 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 'our
mal'un%&ions.Q
26 "ay 44
"#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ was s&ill in &#e early s&a)es o' i&s &rainin) a& Wal(er 552! Aansas.


Q26 =ay 44
2irs& mission 'or w#ole %rew in a B-29 'inds us very en&#usias&i% abou& &#is swee& s#i/.Q
2 "ay 44
2rom &#e al "owner :ays %rew! --2nd< diary! s&ill in &rainin) a& Wal(er 552! Aansas*

Q2- =ay 44
8ro//ed 29 bombs 'rom B-29! 1!999C %omba& bombin) -- )ood 'un -- also 'lew a %ou/le #ours 'orma&ion.
5l&o)e&#er we #ad a 'ull /eriod.Q
2$ "ay 44
+robably &#e bi))es& /roblem &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ a& Wal(er 552! Aansas! #ad &o deal wi&# in %ondu%&in) i&s
&rainin) was &#e /oor 4uali&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 wi&#
many 'lyin) #ours on &#em. O' %ourse! &#ere were o&#er /roblems as well. "#e 'ollowin) le&&er 'rom &#e 1rou/
En)ineerin) O''i%er was &#orou)# and %andid in i&s e?/lana&ion.

E58JI5E"EE7 ,99" BO=B5E8=EN" 1EOI+ :;<
O''i%e o' &#e En)ineerin) O''i%er
Wal(er 5rmy 5ir 2ield
29 =ay 1944
;i%&oria! Aansas

7IBJE6"* >a%( o' ".O. [2echnical =rder> 6om/lian%e on 5ir%ra'&.

"O * =a$or 6. +. 8i&&man! ead4uar&ers 5rmy 5ir 2or%es! O''i%e o' 2lyin) 7a'e&y! Ordmore [)rd#ore>!
O(la#oma.

1. 5ll air/lanes assi)ned &o &#is or)aniBa&ion do no& #ave 199S ".O. %om/lian%e 'or &#e 'ollowin) reasons*

:a< >a%( o' /ar&sT (i&s #ave been re4uisi&ioned as needed and in &#e ma$ori&y o' %ases #ave re%eived a QNo& in
7&o%(Q. 2ollow &#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)aniBa&ion. 5//ro?ima&ely 7,S o' air%ra'& re%eived
#ad 'rom 39 &o 69 ".O.Cs no& %om/lied wi&#.

:%< 6ondi&ion o' air%ra'& re%eived* 5//ro?ima&ely ,9S o' air%ra'& re%eived #ad 'rom 1999 &o 2999 #ours &o&al
&ime! and no re%ord o' a ,99 #our ins/e%&ion or a 8.3.E.[?e(ot Ins(ection and "e(air +ersonnel on #and no&
su''i%ien& &o (ee/ air/lanes in 'lyin) %ondi&ion &o mee& re4uired 'lyin) s%#edule and also %om/ly wi&# all non-
)roundin) ".O.Cs.

:d< 7#or&a)e o' /ersonnel* =ain&enan%e /ersonnel s&a&ioned a& Wal(er 5rmy 5ir 2ield /revious &o arrival o' air
e%#elon wor(ed e?%essive #ours &o %om/le&e modi'i%a&ions on B-29 air/lanes 'or 462nd 1rou/ and were
/romised 'urlou)#s. 5bou& ,9S o' /ersonnel were on leave w#en 5ir E%#elon o' ,99&# 1rou/ arrived a& &#is
s&a&ion. 5ddi&ional /ersonnel w#o were assi)ned &o &#e --4&# 74uadron [since disbanded! and w#o were bein)
de/ended u/on &o assis& in main&enan%e wor( were &rans'erred 'rom &#e base.

2. 7even air%ra'& #ave been sen& &o 2air'ield 5ir 8e/o& 'or 8.3.E.! a& &#e re4ues& o' &#is o''i%e! and &#ree more are
awai&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. 3& is believed &#a& all air%ra'& %an be brou)#& u/ &o da&e in &#ir&y days! i' /ar&s are available.

2or &#e 1rou/ 6ommander*

5EED 1 WEBEE
=a$or! 5ir 6or/s
1rou/ 7-4 O''i%er
31 "ay 44
"#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ %on&inued &rainin) a& Wal(er 552! Aansas. 5&&a%#ed is a %o/y o' &#e 8aily 5ir%ra'& 7&a&us
and 6omba& 6rew Ee/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&. 7o obviously &#e 1rou/ #ad
&o do mos& o' i&s &rainin) on B-17Cs. "#a& didnC& ma&&er as mu%# &o &#e navi)a&ors! bombardiers and radio
o/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 didnC&
#andle ali(e! and &#e B-17 la%(ed a 'li)#& en)ineerCs /osi&ion! remo&e-%on&rolled )uns! and radar. Bu& i& was all
&#ey #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 19 o' ,- were %om/le&e.

2rom &#e al "owner :--2nd< diary*

Q31 =ay 44
=ornin) mission -- dro//ed 29 'rom B-17 a& 29!999 'ee&. ad &o land wi&# bomb doors o/en. "#ese B-17s
are really an%ien& wre%(s.Q
1 June 44
"#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ %on&inued &rainin) a& Wal(er 552! Aansas.


Q1 June 44
"oo( /ar& in a win) 'orma&ion %onsis&in) o' 4- B-17s. Our &ar)e& MwasN 2nd 5.2. #d4s. a& 6olorado 7/rin)s!
19!999 'ee&. 2oun&ain 6i&y was &#e 3.+.Q

7omebody in &#e 73rd #ad a sense o' #umor in /i%(in) J 2nd 52 as &ar)e&. "#ere was li&&le )ood 'eelin) in &#e
73rd 'or &#e or)aniBa&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 552! Aansas! &#e number o' B-29Cs assi)ned &o &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ was slowly in%reasin).


Q4 June 44
[)! @ale ays! [co(ilot Ed Be&&s and Wally [fli*ht en*ineer 7illia# B. 7allower wen& &o 7alina &#is
a'&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 ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ %on&inued &rainin) a& Wal(er 552! Aansas.

2rom &#e 1eor)e u)#es :air/lane me%#ani%! --1s&< le&&ers*

QJune 7! 1944

8ear =o&#er K 8ad!

3 #avenC& any )rea& news 'or you. "#a& deal 3 was s/ea(in) o' was a &rans'er in&o &#e 339 Bomb. 1rou/. 5s ye&
no&#in) #as %ome o' i&. "#e 339&# 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 the
011th, includin* #ost of the #echanics, left in the su##er of +,$$ to travel to .ai(an by shi(, the #aintenance
ele#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. 3 didnC& &#in( &#e ei)#& #our s#i'& would las&. 3 am
s&ill on ni)#&s. We e?/e%& &o %#an)e &o days &#is wee( /robably abou& 2riday. "#e ni)#&s #ave been aw'ul %old
la&ely. 3& would be lovely slee/in) wea&#er i' we %ould only )e& &o bed.

We #ave 'our B-29s and 'ive B-17s [in the 99+st ./uadronN. "#ey are 'lyin) &#em every %#an%e &#ey %an )e&. 3&
loo(s as &#ou)# &#ey were in a #urry &o )o a%ross. ....

>ove
1eor)eQ


Q7 June 44
... 2lew a round robin in B-29 -- 7& >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 /ressuriBed due &o %ra%(ed blis&er -- on las&
le) 'lew &#rou)# wors& s&orm ye& -- even Ms#oo(UN u/ &#e Q29Q -- lo&s o' 7&. 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 #ours
lo%ally a'&er rea%#in) W.5.5.2.B. ...G
"#e 6ur&is %rew :P119< &rained %loser &o #ome &#is day! /u&&in) in , #ours and 29 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 ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ a& Wal(er 552! Aansas! lon)er missions were
s%#eduled! o'&en over wide e?/anses o' wa&er. On &#is da&e &#e ays %rew! P22-! o' &#e --2nd 74uadron! &oo(
o'' on one o' &#ese. In'or&una&ely! &#ere s&ill were no& enou)# B-29Cs &o )o around.

2rom &#e al "owner diary*

Q- June 44
7&ar&ed on missions 14 K 1, in a B-17 a& ,*99 +.=. &#is a'&ernoon -- 'inally )o& &#e /lane loaded down wi&#
#eavy 'lyin) %lo&#es! %#u&es! =ae Wes&s! o?y)en mas(s! #ead se&s! 'irs& aid (i&s and overni)#& ba)s be%ause &#is
mission would &a(e us &o "am/a! 2lorida overni)#&. Eea%#ed 1alves&on [2e;as uneven&'ully e?%e/& 'or some o'
&#e wors& wea&#er yours &ruly #as ever 'lown in. ... M2Nrom #ere &o "am/a is su//osed &o be a ni)#& %eles&ial
mission -- /oor We? [navi*ator 7ilbur 7eksler 'or)o& #is se?&an& and will never live i& down! bu& #is lu%( #eld
wi&# #im 'or #e was able &o borrow one so #ere we )o [across the 'ulf of Me;ico &o "am/a.Q
$ Jun 44
"#e ays %rew o' &#e --2nd 74uadron %on&inued &#eir &rainin) mission &o "am/a and ba%(.


Q9 June 44
Well we 'ound &#e 8ry "or&u)as 3slands! and #ad some 'un ma(in) bombin) runs and &a(in) /i%&ures o' a
%oas& )uard /a&rol boa& and o' &#e 'or& on one o' &#e islands &#is 5.=. 5rrived "am/a sa'e and sound wi&# a )ood
#ourCs wor&# o' )as le'&. =os& o' &#e %rew sle/& &ill s#or&ly a'&er noon. ....Q

"#e %rew was su//osed &o re&urn &o Wal(er 552 &#a& evenin) bu& were wea&#ered in and didnC& )e& o'' un&il &#e
ne?& mornin).
10 Jun 44
On &#is da&e &#e ays %rew o' &#e --2nd 74uadron re&urned &o Wal(er 552! Aansas! 'rom &#eir lon) &rainin)
mission &o "am/a.

Q19 June 44
"oo( o'' 'or =em/#is K W.5.5.2. a& -*99 5.=. -- #i& =em/#is Bero Bero bu& as 3 navi)a&ed 'rom &#en on [#ost
bo#bardiers and navi*ators were dual-trained! we didnC& do &oo )ood &o W.5.5.2. [2owner often e#(loyed self-
de(recatin* hu#or. ... M8NidnC& believe i& /ossible bu& i& was a%&ually )ood &o see W.5.5.2. a)ain -- and w#a& a
&ri/R 3& was very in&eres&in) and edu%a&ional! bu& e?#aus&in).Q
11 Jun 44
"rainin) %on&inued &oday 'or &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ a& Wal(er 552! Aansas. 56 2erd 6ur&is o' &#e --1s&
74uadron %#e%(ed ou& #is /ilo& :%o/ilo&<! enry 7&andrid)e! Jr.! on &#ree landin)s.
12%15 Jun 44
5s &rainin) /ro)ressed a& Wal(er 552! Aansas! &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ be)an in%or/ora&in) more uni& &rainin)
s/annin) lon)er /eriods o' &ime.

2rom &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ O/era&ions Journal*
QM1rou/N =ission P1 -- June 12-13-14 in%lusive &o Aana/olis 8am [about %1 #iles .E of 7alkerN! 1rea& 7al&
+lains Bombin) Ean)e. "en B-29Cs V 19 B-17Cs s%#eduled 'or mission. On 12&# &wo :2< B-29Cs K 2 B-17Cs
/ar&i%i/a&ed. On 13&# 3 B-29Cs V , B-17Cs /ar&i%i/a&ed. On 'inal day :14&#< only 2 B-29Cs were over &ar)e& area.
--2nd 'urnis#ed bo&# 5@6.

M1rou/N =ission P2 -- Eun 1, June 44 wi&# 8al#ar& +B" [I think should be 5B" - 5ractice Bo#bin* "an*e P1 as
&ar)e&. 2ive :,< B-29Cs and &en :19< B-17Cs were s%#eduled 'or mission and 74dns. o' ,99&# 1rou/ )o& 'ollowin)
number 5@6 o'' &o a su%%ess'ul s&ar& o' mission*
--1s& --2nd --3rd
3-B-17Cs 2-B-17Cs 2-B-17Cs
1-B-29 1-B-29 2-B-29Cs
"#is %ons&i&u&ed a )rand &o&al o' 7 - 17Cs and 4 - 29Cs.
7-3 [=(erations 7e%&ion issued &#is Win) =ission as a 1rou/ "a%&i%al O/era&ions Order bu& i& was in reali&y
Win) =ission P2.Q

2rom &#e al "owner :ays %rew! --2nd<! diary*

Q13 June 44

.... "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 552! Aansas! &#e ays %rew o' &#e --2nd 74uadron! ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ was ordered o'' on ano&#er
%ross-%oun&ry &rainin) 'li)#&! &#is &ime &o a very /o/ular lo%a&ion.


Q14 June 44
We &oo( o'' 'or New Dor( &#is 5.=. a& 9,99 -- 'lew &#ru &wo #ours o' sou/ 'rom +i&&sbur)# &o New Dor( -- w#a& a
&#rill &o see &#e 'amous s(yline 'or &#e 'irs& &ime -- a ra&#er uneven&'ul &ri/ e?%e/& we %ame in on &#ree en)ines --
s&ayed wi&# s#i/ &ill 1699 &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 o&#ers were
able &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%# re4uired ano&#er 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.6. a& 2999 'or )as u/ -- arrived W.5.5.2. a& 2239 -- w#a& a &ired %rew -- &#an( 1od )round %rew
ba%( 'rom bivoua% and we didnC& #ave &o servi%e &#e s#i/.Q

W#ile &#e ays %rew #ad been away en$oyin) New Dor(! &#e 74uadron )round /ersonnel were /robably no&
en$oyin) &#emselves 4ui&e as mu%#. "#ey #ad been away a& a &#ree-day e?er%ise and bivoua% a& &#e Aana/olis
8am area! 69 miles 7E 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) 2ilms QAill or be AilledQ and Q=alariaQ! and all
&#e a%%ou&remen&s o' %omba& &rainin)....Q

3n #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*
Q2irs& B-29 raid on Ja/an re/or&edR 2our s#i/s los&RQ "#is was a raid by &#e ,-&# Bomb Win) 'lyin) 'rom 6#ina
a)ains& &#e s&eel mill a& Dawa&a on &#e sou&#ernmos& Ja/anese island o' Ayus#u.
1 Jun 44
3& was now &#e &urn o' &#e )round /ersonnel o' &#e --1s& 74uadron 'or 'ield &rainin) near Aanna/olis 8am.
5ir/lane me%#ani% 1eor)e u)#es &old #is 'amily abou& i&*

QJune 1-! 1944

8ear =o&#er K 8ad!

3 am $us& wri&in) a 'ew lines &o le& you (now every&#in) is allri)#&. We leave &o-morrow mornin) 'or &#ree days
bivoua% near 7alena [.alina. We ride /ar& way in &ru%(s and &#e res& on 'oo&. 3 )o& my /a%( all se& and i& seems
&o be /re&&y #eavy.

"#e wea&#er #as been /re&&y #o& and dry la&ely. 3& #as been #ard slee/in) days. [@u*hes had been workin* the
ni*ht shift. "#is %am/in) &ri/ will brea( &#e mono&ony o' wor(in) all &#e &ime.

7ome o' &#e /lanes &#a& were in &#a& raid on Ja/an were ou& #ere. 3 (new some o' &#e /ilo&s and %rews &#a& were
in &#e raid. [@u*hes is referrin* to the first B-&, raid on 4awata, Ja(an, on +0 June +,$$ fro# bases in !hina by
B-&,3s of the 09th Bo#b 7in*. 2he $%&nd 'rou( of that 7in* had trained at 7alker, and @u*hes had worked
on so#e of the (lanes. "#e war news is loo(in) be&&er every day now. =aybe i& wonC& las& mu%# lon)er.

3 believe 3 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.

>ove
1eor)eQ

=eanw#ile! &#e ays %rew o' &#e --2nd 74uadron was as usual #avin) a more en$oyable e?/erien%e. 2rom &#e
al "owner diary*

Q1- June 44
"#e 1lobe "ro&&ers &a(e ano&#er &ri/ -- bu& w#a& a /leasure &#is one -- dinner a& aywireCs [@ays3 #ome -- 'ried
%#i%(en and every&#in) &#a& )oes wi&# i&. We would #ave done $us&i%e &o i& wi&#ou& [fli*ht en*ineer Wallower or
[radar o(erator Burulia! bu& as i& was we li%(ed &#e /la&&er %lean -- w#a& a s/read! and wow w#a& a )al ays #as
under lo%( and (ey down &#ere in O(e 6i&y.

+ear%e [(robably +ABt .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 boys
bu& de%ided &o be sel'is# and )o anyway. On &#e way down and ba%( &o O(e 6i&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 ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ %on&inued &rainin) a& Wal(er 552! Aansas! s&ill /la)ued by air%ra'& and e4ui/men&
s#or&a)es.


Q21 June 44

Win) 'orma&ion over 2nd 5.2. d4.Cs a& 6olo. 7/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 therefore
called D5o(D by the rest of the crew in %#ar)e -- &#e res& o' us )e& syn&#e&i%s [*round-based trainin* devices --
we bea& %rew 222 [the @urlbutt crew a& s(ee&.Q
22 Jun 44
"rainin) %on&inued a& Wal(er 552. 2rom &#e al "owner :ays %rew! --2nd< diary*

Q22 June 44

2lew 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& 74uadron #ad re&urned 'rom &#eir 'ield e?er%ise near Aana/olis
dam. 1eor)e u)#es! an air/lane me%#ani% in &#e --1s&! wro&e #ome abou& &#e e?/erien%e*

QJune 22! 1944

8ear =o&#er K 8ad!

.... We )o& ba%( 'rom bivoua% las& ni)#&. 3& wasnC& &oo bad ou& in &#e woods. 3 was on )uard du&y mos& o' &#e
&ime. We #ad a raid by some en)ineers 'rom 6am/ +#illi/s and &#ey /u& on 4ui&e a demons&ra&ion wi&# 'lares
and ".N.". We were all bla%(ed ou& and i& was really #ard &o see. 3 nearly s&e//ed on a s(un( w#en on )uard a&
ni)#&. 3&Cs lu%(y &#a& 3 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 3 am ba%( on ni)#&s. [@u*hes vents here about the disor*aniEed
(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 wives
but decided to send the# ho#e in antici(ation of de(loy#ent. 3 #ave mos& o' my e4ui/men& e?%e/& new %lo&#es
and a new )as mas(. "#ey said &oday &#a& we %ould &a(e %ameras overseas wi&# us w#en we )o.

3& loo(s as &#ou)# &#e B-29s are )oin) &o do allri)#& in %omba&. "#ere #as been some new im/rovemen&s made
la&ely. =aybe we wonC& s&ay over &#ere lon). One )ood &#in) is &#a& a %ombined main&enan%e and 'lyin)
s4uadron )ives a be&&er brea( 'or &#e )round %rew. W#en &#e air %rews )e& &#eir missions in &#ey will brin) &#e
w#ole ou&'i& ba%( &o &#e s&a&es. [)s @u*hes would find out later, it didn3t /uite work out that way. ...

>ove
1eor)eQ
24 Jun 44

Q24 June 44

Navi)a&or K Bombardier &o &rainers. Our s4uadron %ouldnC& )e& a sin)le s#i/ in &#e air &#is mornin) -- a sad s&a&e
o' a''airs. ...Q

"#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ #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 1rou/ 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 o&#erwise
mal'un%&ionin). Ee/la%emen& en)ines were #ard &o ob&ain and &oo( many #ours &o ins&all. "#e resul& was B-29Cs
unable &o 'ly.

"#ere were o&#er /roblems &oo. Q7#or&a)es o' )unnery e4ui/men& /ersis&ed un&il la&e June and a//re%iably
re&arded 5ir-&o-5ir 1unnery &rainin). ... 6ri&i%al s#or&a)es o' radar e4ui/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 1rou/ Eadar O''i%er w#o &wi%e wen& &o &#e
Win) &o e?/edi&e s#i/men&.Q

"#e 4uali&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 79S a&&endan%e ra&e 'or mos& %lasses. "#e %ommand &oo( s&e/s &o im/rove &#e ins&ru%&ion
and s%#edule ma(e-u/ %lasses! bu& &#ey %ouldnC& do mu%# abou& &#e la%( o' /ro/er %lassrooms and o&#er
'a%ili&ies. Wal(er 2ield! ori)inally desi)ned &o a%%ommoda&e 2!999 men! was now %rammed wi&# 6!999!
over'illin) every available s/a%e.

One bri)#& s/o& was &#e 1rou/ and 74uadron 3n&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 /ersonnel
also /resen&ed in&eres&in) and use'ul %lasses w#i%# avera)ed 99S a&&endan%e.
26 Jun 44

QM1EOI+N =3773ON P3 -- "#is mission was run 26-27-2- June 44. "ar)e& O Woodward! O(la.! and 1&. 7al&
+lains Bombin) Ean)e. =a?imum number o' B-29Cs. 2ollowin) number B-29Cs de/ar&ed on mission on da&es
indi%a&ed*
26 June* -- :,<
27 June* -- :,<
2- June* -- :3<Q
27%2 Jun 44
On &#e ni)#& o' 27-2- June &#e availabili&y 'i)ures o' B-29Cs in &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ a& Wal(er 2ield )o& a li&&le
worse.


Q27 June 1944 --
B-29 -- 42-6372! /ilo& W. 7. od)e made ni)#& %ras# landin) in 'ield NE W552 [7alker )r#y )ir Field.
6ause* 2ailure o' landin) )ear &o e?&end and 'ire in P2 en)ine. 5@6 severely dama)ed -- No in$ury &o
/ersonnel.Q


Q2- June 44
We #ad 'i'&# /riori&y on &odayCs 29s so didnC& 'ly -- es/e%ially sin%e >&. od)esC %ras# landin) 372 las& ni)#&....Q

"#ere was now one less B-29 available 'or &rainin).
2$ Jun 44
5s June drew &o an end! &#e da&e w#en &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ would de/loy overseas was 'as& a//roa%#in) and
was %ons&an&ly on &#e menCs minds. 1eor)e u)#es! air/lane me%#ani% in &#e --1s& 74uadron! s#ared #is
&#ou)#&s wi&# #is 'amily in a le&&er*

QJune 29! 1944

8ear =o&#er K 8ad!

... "#ere #as been a lis& /ublis#ed &oday o' &#e men &#a& will 'ly over and 3 was no& on &#e lis&. "#e ones on &#e
lis& will leave la&er &#an &#e ones )oin) by boa&. =aybe &#e slower way mi)#& be sa'er.

3 donC& (now w#e&#er 3 %an )e& a %amera #ere or no&. "#ey #ave &#em [in the (ost e;chan*e on%e in a w#ile bu&
&#ey donC& las& lon). 3 #avenC& even been able &o )e& a /en ye&. "#ey )e& in a 'ew 'rom &ime &o &ime bu& &#ey sell
very 4ui%(ly. ...

We )e& our 'inal %lo&#in) /ro%essin) &#is wee(. 3& 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#barkation on &#e %oas& somew#ere. We
mi)#& 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 around
over &#ere 'or aw#ile and wen& on &o 3ndia. "#a& way you )e& &o see a lo& o' &#e world. ...

>ove
1eor)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*.

6ode
1orden - 3ndia
=yers - 7ou&# +a%i'i%
Juinn 0 En)landQ
30 Jun 44

Q39 June 44

2inally! a& las&! a& lon) las& :RRR<! we %om/le&ed mission P16 [I believe 2rainin* Mission C+% was aerial *unnery
w#i%# #as lon) been our $in? -- #owever! bombardier [that would be 2owner %ame ba%( wi&#ou& 'irin) a s#o& due
&o bo&# )uns $ammin) -- a rainy day so no bombin). aywire [)! @ale @ays /ulled a beau&i'ul landin) -- &wo
la&rino)rams* :1< we s/end 6 wee(s in =o#ave 8eser&! :2< we s/end 6 wee(s in 2lorida.Q
1 Jul 44
"rainin) /roblems %on&inued a& Wal(er 552! Aansas. 2rom &#e al "owner :ays %rew! --2nd< diary*

Q1 July 44
1o& o'' &o a la&e s&ar& wi&# , &ons o' bombs in a 29T a& 1-!999C P1 en)ine wen& ou& and we #ad &o %ome ba%(
wi&#ou& dro//in) any....Q
4 Jul 44
"#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ a& Wal(er 2ield &oo( a s#or& brea( 'rom &rainin) on &#is na&ional #oliday and %elebra&ed
as bes& &#ey %ould. 1eor)e u)#es! air/lane me%#ani% in &#e --1s& 74uadron! wen& &o 7alina 'or &#e day wi&# a
buddy only &o 'ind Qabou& si?&y &#ousand soldiers on &#e s&ree&s.Q Bu& 1eor)e #ad Qa /re&&y )ood &imeQ anyway.

7ome o' &#e o''i%ers #ad di''eren& ideas abou& #ow &o %elebra&e &#e 4&#. 5%%ordin) &o al "owner :ays %rew!
--2nd<! QNo 'irewor(s e?%e/& a& O.6. [=fficers !lub in li4uid 'orm.Q

[)fter the war, #any of the buildin*s at 7alker Field were #oved to @ays and other nearby towns to (rovide
housin*, school classroo#s, etc. .o#e of these are a#aEin*ly still in use. 2he old =fficers !lub eventually
ended u( as a chicken restaurant in @ays.
5%7 Jul 44
"#e &rainin) woes o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ a& Wal(er 552 %on&inued. 2rom &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ O/era&ions
Journal*

QM1rou/N =ission P4 -- Eun ,-6-7 July 44 &o =ar%# 2ld [!alifornia +B" [5ractice Bo#bin* 2ar*et P7. 2ive :,< B-
29 5%'& s%#eduled 'or mission. 7#i/s /ar&i%i/a&in) on mission*
, July* -- :1<
6 July* -- :3<
7 July* -- :9<
=a$or ;an "ri)#& [2ri*t :'lyin) B-29 P373< made a lone a&&em/& a& %om/le&ion o' mission on ,&#! bu& re&urned
W552 due &o me%#ani%al di''i%ul&ies. On 6 July ea%# 74uadron #ad one :1< B-29 available 'or mission! bu& no
s#i/s rea%#ed &ar)e& area due &o varied me%#ani%al di''i%ul&ies. No a&&em/& was made 7 July 44.Q

"o sum u/! &#e ,99&# 1rou/ was no& able &o )e& a sin)le B-29 &o &#e &ar)e&. "#is resul& mus& #ave
been 'rus&ra&in) and embarrassin) &o &#e %ommand.

al "ownerCs :ays %rew! --2nd< diary %on'irms &#e &rainin) /roblems and &#e s#or&a)e o' 'lyable B-29Cs*

Q, July 44
Ni)#& 'li)#& s%#eduled 'or C5C 'li&e! &#a&Cs us! bu& a)ain we didnC& )e& o'' &#e )round. No& enou)# s#i/s in
%ommission.Q

Q6 July 44
Well! we )o& o'' &#e )round &oday and dro//ed 29 ,99 /ounders. Jus& barely 'inis#ed our las& bomb run w#en
3 blew an en)ine %ylinder and we #ad &o land.Q

Q7 July 44
Ni)#& 'li)#& s%#eduled bu& we didnC& )e& a s#i/. HQ
$ Jul 44
"rainin) %on&inued a& Wal(er 552! Aansas! even on 7undays. 2rom &#e al "owner :ays %rew! --1s&< diary*

Q9 July 44

=ornin) 'li)#& s%#edule bu& a)ain weCre wi&#ou& a s#i/! #owever weCre no& allowed &o )o #ome! so we )o &o
&rainers! e&%. &ill now w#en [co(ilot Ed Be&&s #ad &o 'ly [?e(uty 'rou( !o##ander Bt. 6ol. 8ou)#er&y &o
8al#ar&. 2ound ou& &oday &#a& we )o& 17 im/a%& /i%&ures 2riday w#i%# is damn )ood news as we only #ad 7!
&#ou)# #ad dro//ed 119 bombs.Q

>& 6ol 8ou)#er&yCs &ri/ &o 8al#ar&! "e?as! was undoub&edly %onne%&ed wi&# &#e imminen& move o' &#e )round
e%#elon o' &#e 339&# Bomb 1rou/ o' &#e 314&# Bomb Win) 'rom 8al#ar& &o Wal(er 2ield. Jus& as earlier in &#e
year &#e )round e%#elon o' &#e ,99&# #ad su//or&ed &#e air e%#elon o' &#e /re%edin) 462nd! &#e )round e%#elon
o' &#e 339&# would su//or& &#e air e%#elon o' &#e ,99&# w#en &#e la&&erCs )round e%#elon le'& 'or overseas
de/loymen&... and &#a& would be soon.

5no&#er o''i%er de/ar&ed Wal(er &#is day! bu& mu%# more unob&rusively. "#is was 1@>& Edward . 1ibbs!
5ssis&an& 7/e%ial 7ervi%es O''i%er. is se%re& des&ina&ion was &#e +or& o' Embar(a&ion! 6am/ 5nBa! 6ali'ornia!
and #is mission was &o ma(e advan%e arran)emen&s 'or non-s&andard-issue e4ui/men& and su//lies &#a& &#e
1rou/ 'el& i& would need overseas. "#is in%luded su%# i&ems as was#in) ma%#ines! i%e bo?es! i%e %ream
mi?! %ar/en&er &ools! and s/or&s e4ui/men&.

3& was &#e 1round E%#elon &#a& would be leavin) soon! bu& &#e 5ir E%#elon also #ad some /re/ara&ions &o
ma(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 1round E%#elon. 2rom a le&&er wri&&en by Aen 2ine :navi)a&or! urlbu&& %rew!
--2nd< &o #is 'u&ure wi'e*

Q7unday! July 9! 1944. ... Des&erday we #ad &o draw our bed roll and /a%( a du''le ba) wi&# &#ose &#in)s we
wan&ed &o send over wi&# &#e )round &roo/s w#o are leavin) &oday [actually, not for a week or so and will )o
a%ross by boa&. 7o! 3 s/en& &#e day in &#a& line. 3 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 552! 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&.


Q19 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 EamblinC Eos%oesR

WeCre s%#eduled &o 'ly &oni)#&. 2inally we )o& a s#i/ and 'lew &o Wi%#i&a! O(e 6i&y and ba%( in 2 #ours K 1,
minu&es. 1round s/eed - 27, =.+..Q

5 le&&er 'rom air/lane me%#ani% 1eor)e u)#es o' &#e --1s&*

QJuly 19! 1944

8ear =o&#er K 8ad!

3 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&#. 3& loo(s as &#ou)# we will be )one be'ore &#e end o' &#e mon&#. O' %ourse &#is may
be $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&#. 3 #o/e so. "#ey #ave %#an)ed &#e
s#i//in) number s&en%iled on &#e du''el ba)s. "#e amoun& &#a& we %an &a(e is limi&ed by wei)#&.

3 #ave &wo more days o' A.+. le'&. [2he 011th a((arently assi*ned their G.5.3s for seven-day (eriods. 3& isnC& &oo
bad bu& &#e #ours are lon). We wor( 'rom abou& , un&il 7*39. 3 will be )lad &o be o''.

=os& everyone &#in(s &#a& we will )o &o +.O.E. [(ort of e#barkation on &#e wes& %oas& bu& &#e 9&# [Bo#b
Maintenance ./uadron of the $%&nd Bo#b 'rou(, with which @u*hes worked in early +,$$ wen& &o N.D. ...

>ove
1eor)eQ

"#e rumors were /ar&ially &rue. "#e )round e%#elon movemen& would be delayed bu& no& 'or a mon&#T &#ey
would s&ill leave in July. 5nd &#e uni& would no& be 'ollowin) &#e rou&e o' &#e 462nd! w#i%# #ad )one via Nor&#
5'ri%a and &#e =iddle Eas& &o 3ndia and 6#ina.
11 Jul 44
"rainin) -- o' sor&s -- %on&inued a& Wal(er 552! Aansas. 2rom &#e al "owner :ays %rew! --2nd< diary*

Q11 July 44
1round s%#ool. +OOEDRG

"ownerCs em/#a&i% o/inion was obviously s#ared by mos& in &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/. 1round s%#ool a&&endan%e
was very low! no be&&er &#an 79S 'or mos& %lasses. We #ave already #eard abou& &#e /oor 4uali&y o' %lassroom
ins&ru%&ion in June! and i& #ad a//aren&ly no& im/roved in July.

"#e ,99&# 1rou/ narra&ive #is&ory is very o/en in dis%ussin) &#is /roblem. 6ommand a&&en&ion was bla&an&ly
la%(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 6#ar&s were &#e only available sour%e &o use in de&erminin) absen&eeism and &#ose were
no& well (e/&. 5s a resul&! dissa&is'a%&ion was ram/an& amon) &#e %rew members.Q

7u%# mismana)emen& would! &o use an old army /#rase! %ome ba%( &o bi&e &#e ,99&# in &#e bu&&. "#e 7e%ond
5ir 2or%e #ad au&#ori&y over all as/e%&s o' &#e ,99&#Cs &rainin) /ro)ram and i& demanded &#a& all missed %lasses
be made u/ by &#e end o' Q"#ird +#ase 1round 7%#ool "rainin)Q! w#i%# was 24 July. W#a& &o doU Jui%( resul&s
and s&ern measures were %alled 'or. "#e %ommand de%ided &#a& Qea%# delin4uen& %rew member MwouldN &a(e as
many 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' 1round 7%#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. "#is
wor(ed. Q... MBNy 24 July nearly everyone #ad been de%lared C%au)#& u/C.Q

Obviously! &#e airmen o' &#e ,99&# &#ou)#& )round s%#ool was borin) and 'lyin) was e?%i&in)! bu& some&imes &#e
la&&er %ould )e& a li&&le &oo e?%i&in). On &#is day &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ su''ered i&s se%ond ma$or a%%iden&
involvin) a B-29 air%ra'&! 42-6373. "#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ uni& #is&ory des%ribes &#e in%iden& in de&ail*

Q7e%ond >&. Willard 2. 7#orey! /ilo&in) a B-29 air/lane on a bombin) mission over &#e Wal(er Bombin) Ean)e
dis%overed &#a& #is P4 en)ine was %u&&in) ou& and la&er &#a& i& was &#rowin) oil. e 'ea&#ered &#is en)ine and
s&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 &o
de%rease &#e E+= /roved in vain. "#en P1 en)ine %au)#& 'ire! and &#ou)# a&&em/&s &o 'ea&#er i& %u& down &#e
E+=! i& was no& %om/le&ely 'ea&#ered. 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%#! >&. 7#orey en%oun&ered e?&reme di''i%ul&y in raisin) &#e
le'& 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%e
&#ey %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)# &#e
na%elle. W#en &#e /lane #ad rolled several yards down &#e runway! P1 en)ine &ore loose and 'ell 'orward and
below &#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 on
&#e ri)#& side o' &#e /lane. "#e /lane %au)#& 'ire be'ore &#e 'ire en)ines arrived and &#ere was li&&le le'& &o
salva)e w#en &#e blaBe was brou)#& under %on&rol. 2or&una&ely no one was #ur&.

Q5s a resul& o' #is e?/er& #andlin) and landin) o' &#is /lane wi&# one en)ine 'ea&#ered and ano&#er on 'ire! 2nd
>&. 7#orey! a& &#e re4ues& o' &#e 7e%ond 5ir 2or%e! was re%ommended 'or &#e 5ir =edal %i&a&ion. 5s ye&! o''i%ial
a//roval #as no& been re%eived.

Q"#e 5%%iden& 3nves&i)a&ion board in i&s 'indin)s #eld &#a& res/onsibili&y lay in ma&erial 'ailure in P1 en)ine and P4
en)ine. "#ere was no /ilo& error involved.Q
12 Jul 44
On &#is da&e &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ re%eived a Warnin) Order 'or de/loymen& o' i&s 1round E%#elon. "#e
s/e%i'ied da&e o' de/ar&ure was 7unday! 16 July! and &#e des&ina&ion was 5llian%e! Nebras(a. 5%%ordin) &o &#e
1rou/ #is&ory 'or July 1944! Q&#e members o' &#e 1round E%#elon were &#ereu/on relieved 'rom &#eir du&ies in
&#e various se%&ions o' &#e 1rou/. 2inal /re/ara&ions &#en be)an 'or &#e movemen&. 2ield e4ui/men& was
issued! 'inal ad$us&men&s in &#e servi%e re%ords made! nes&in) bo?es and %ra&es were /ain&ed and le&&ered! and
loadin) )o& under way.Q
13 Jul 44
"oday some minor modi'i%a&ions needed &o be made &o &#e B-29Cs o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ a& Wal(er 552!
Aansas. ad &#e modi'i%a&ions been ma$or! &#e /lanes would #ave been 'lown &o one o' &#e modi'i%a&ion %en&ers
se& 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 ,99&# were /ar& o'
&#e 1round E%#elon! and &#e 1round E%#elon #ad been relieved o' re)ular du&ies yes&erday in order &o /re/are
'or &#eir overseas movemen&. 2ur&#ermore! &#e me%#ani%s o' &#e 339&# 1rou/ w#i%# were &o re/la%e &#e ,99&#
me%#ani%s #ad no& ye& arrived a& Wal(er. 5s a resul&! &#e air %rews were /ressed in&o servi%e.

2rom a le&&er 'rom Aen 2ine :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 so
&#ey #ad &#em all )rounded and #ad us wor(in) on &#em. 7o 3 was an air%ra'& me%#ani% aw#ile &#is evenin). 3
wor(ed &#ere un&il abou& eleven [(.#.! &#en 4ui&! %leaned u/ and %ame on u/ #ere.
QWe are su//osed &o #ave some 1enerals visi&in) #ere on 7a&urday so 3 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 ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ &o leave Wal(er 552! Aansas! seemin)ly
imminen&! 1eor)e u)#es! air/lane me%#ani% in &#e --1s& 74uadron! sa& down &o wri&e a le&&er #ome*

QJuly 14! 1944

8ear =o&#er K 8ad!

3 re%eived your le&&er &oday and 3 also )o& &#e %amera and /en. "#is may be &#e las& le&&er 3 will wri&e 'rom
W.5.5.2. "#e 1rou/ 6ommander &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. 3 #eard &oday &#a& we mi)#& )o &o
Nebras(a 'or a wee( or &wo and &#en &o )o on &o +.O.E. [(ort of e#barkation "#e 1rou/ 6ommander said we
mi)#& #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& Bone &oo soon. "ime will &ell.

3 believe &#a& 3 #ave made 6/l. bu& am no& sure. 3 was lis&ed &#a& way on &#e las& ros&er made u/. 3 (now &#a& a
new ra&in) lis& was &urned in.

"#ere is a lo& o' wor( &o be done )e&&in) every&#in) ready 'or movin). 3 will be )lad w#en we )e& se&&led. "#is
movin) around and no& (nowin) your des&ina&ion is no )ood.

3& wouldnC& sur/rise me &o land in 6#ina and #ave &o build a landin) s&ri/ 'or our /lanes. =aybe a li&&le /i%( and
s#ovel wor( is in &#e o''in).

ow is every&#in) a& #omeU "#e barra%(s is in an u/roar ri)#& now. 5 bun%# $us& rolled in 'rom &#e beer #all so
&#ere will be no /ea%e or 4uie& 'or aw#ile.

Wri&e soon. "#e mail may be 'orwarded 'as&er &#an you %an #ear 'rom me. 8onC& worry and 3 will wri&e w#en 3
%an.

>ove
1eor)eQ
15 Jul 44
"oday! as &#e 1round E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ 'ran&i%ally /re/ared &o de/ar& Wal(er 2ield &omorrow 'or
5llian%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&ions
a& &#e 7&a)in) 5rea a& 5llian%e! Nebras(a! were inade4ua&e 'or all &#e 1round E%#elons o' all &#e 1rou/s wi&#in
&#e 73rd Bombardmen& Win) ; [Iery @eavy.Q

"#e %ommand did no& an&i%i/a&e a len)&#y delay! and sin%e mos& every&#in) 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&e
de&ails and )e& a #ead s&ar& on &#e 1round E%#elon "rainin) +ro)ram as dire%&ed and ou&lined by &#e 73rd Bomb
Win). "#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 7o over &#e ne?& several days &#e &roo/s were )iven le%&ures in &#e 3n&el
7e%&ionCs War Eoom on su%# sub$e%&s as 7e%uri&y and 5ir%ra'& 3den&i'i%a&ion.

W#ile &#e 1round E%#elon was ma(in) &#e bes& o' &#eir delay! &#e 5ir E%#elon %on&inued &rainin). "#ere was
bo&# a 1rou/ =ission and a Win) =ission s%#eduled 'or &#is day. 2rom &#e ,99&# 1rou/ O/era&ions Journal*

QM1rou/N =ission P,* -- "#is mission was %arried ou& 1, July 44 a)ains& :7imula&ed< 5marillo Oil Ee'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.Q

Q7e%ond Win) mission :2O P1< was run on 1, July 44 &o 85>5E" [2e;as +BE [5ractice Bo#bin* "an*e P1.
74uadrons were re4ues&ed &o 'urnis# a &o&al o' , - B-29Cs K 19 - B-17Cs. "o&al o' s#i/s /ar&i%i/a&in) in &#is
mission was 4 - B-29 K 7 B-17 5@6. 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%y
landin) a& 1726 [at W552.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 2ine :urlbu&& %rew! --2nd< a& Wal(er 552! Aansas! sa& down &o wri&e ano&#er le&&er &o =iss
=arie 7is%o! w#om #e would marry a'&er &#e war*

Q7unday! July 16! 1944. QWe #ad visi&in) 1enerals and #i)# ran( all abou& yes&erday. Even &#ey were u/ and
abou& a& , in &#e mornin) so you see &#is war is a serious business a'&er all. [2he II53s were (robably at 7alker
to observe the scheduled 'rou( and 7in* trainin* #issions.
We #ave &o )o down &o &#e 'li)#& line a& 3 &#is a'&ernoon bu& 3 donC& (now w#e&#er our %rew will 'ly as &#e
bombardier [&ABt '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& some&#in) un&il abou& midni)#&.Q

5s i& #a//ened! =a$ urlbu&& )ave &#e %rew &#e res& o' &#e day o''.
17 Jul 44
1eor)e u)#es! air/lane me%#ani% in &#e --1s& 74uadron! wro&e #is /aren&s abou& #is delay in de/ar&ure 'rom
Wal(er 552! Aansas*

QJuly 17! 1944

8ear =o&#er K 8ad!

3 didnC& &#in( &#a& 3 would be doin) any more wri&in) 'rom #ere bu& 3 was wron). We #ad our ba)s /a%(ed and &#e
&rain loaded wi&# e4ui/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 3 e?/e%& &o be #ere a& leas&
a %ou/le o' wee(s more. 7ome o' &#e 'ellows are ba%( &o wor( and &#e res& are drillin) and )e&&in) le%&ures on
various &#in)s &o /re/are 'or overseas. We &oo( a si? mile #i(e &#is a'&ernoon and drilled all mornin). 3& is /len&y
#o& ou& #ere now. "#e sun is very bri)#&.

3 donC& (now &#e reason 'or our %#an)e in orders unless &#e #i)#er u/s &#ou)#& we were un/re/ared 'or
overseas. ... "#e ra&in) lis& was /os&ed on &#e 'i'&een&# so 3 am now a %or/oral. Every li&&le bu& will #el/.

>ove
1eor)eQ
1 Jul 44
On &#is da&e &#e 1round E%#elon o' &#e 339&# Bomb 1rou/! 4, o''i%ers and 972 enlis&ed men! %om/le&ed i&s
move &o Wal(er 552! Aansas! 'rom 8al#ar&! "e?as. "#ese /ersonnel would /rovide main&enan%e and o&#er
su//or& &o &#e 5ir E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ 'or &#e ne?& several mon&#s un&il &#e air %rews %om/le&ed
&#eir &rainin) and 'lew o'' &o war.

"#e 1round E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# 1rou/ #ad been s%#eduled &o de/ar& Wal(er on 16 July! bu& &#a& movemen&
#ad been delayed and %onse4uen&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
=a&#er 2ield! 6ali'ornia! bu& &o &#e relie' o' navi)a&or Aen 2ine &#is was %an%eled. 3ns&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&il
abou& 3*39 so i& was 4 by &#e &ime 3 le'& o/era&ions and 3 'el& li(e 11 #ours a& a s&re&%# was a ra&#er lon) dra)
%onsiderin) no brea(s and no meals mi?ed in ei&#er.Q

W#en &#e %rews s&ar&ed 'lyin) &#ir&een- or 'our&een-#our missions 'rom 7ai/an in November! Q11 #ours a& a
s&re&%#Q would seem li(e %#ildCs /lay.
1$ Jul 44
On &#is da&e Wal(er 2ield and &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ were &#e re%i/ien&s o' a visi& by =a$ 1en IBal 1. En&!
6ommander o' &#e 2nd 5ir 2or%e! w#i%# %on&rolled &#e &rainin) o' all 5rmy 5ir 2or%e uni&s in &#e midwes& re)ion.
1eneral 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
,99&#. 5%%ordin) &o &#e ,99&# 1rou/ uni& #is&ory! Q"#e in'ormal way in w#i%# &#e 1eneral %ondu%&ed #is &al( and
&#e o/en #ouse 4ues&ion session w#i%# 'ollowed i& im/ressed &#ose w#o a&&ended wi&# &#e idea &#a& &#e
C/om/ous brass #a&sC are a &#in) o' &#e /as& and &#a& &#e /resen& 5rmy 5ir 2or%esC leaders are in&eres&ed mos& o'
all in &#e /ersonnel w#o ma(e u/ &#e en&ire or)aniBa&ion.Q

"#a& was &#e o''i%ial view anyway. 2@>& Aen 2ine :urlbu&& %rew! --2nd< seemed less im/ressed! only no&in) &#a&
QWe #ad a =a$or 1eneral #ere &o &al( &o us &#is mornin) a& &en.Q

O&#er even&s were more im/or&an& &o 2ine* 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 successfully
co#(leted. "#en we #ad &o )o over and &a(e a +.". or /#ysi%al &rainin) &es&. 5'&er &#a& we :&#e %o/ilo& Omilian
and &#e bombardier 5i&(en and mysel'< wen& u/ &o &#e %lub [=fficers !lub and sa& around and &al(ed 'or a
w#ile.QC
20 Jul 44
"#e air %rews o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ a& Wal(er 552! Aansas! #ad been %om/lainin) abou& &#e mess #alls
&#ere 'or some &ime. 3& wasnC& &#e 4uali&y o' &#e 'ood &#a& was &#eir main )ri/e! al&#ou)# o' %ourse as red-blooded
5meri%an 13Cs &#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. 6omin) 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. 2inally! &#e ,99&# %ommand did some&#in) abou& i&.

2rom &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ uni& #is&ory 'or July 1944*

QOn July 29! &#e newly 'ormed 2li)#& 2eedin) Ai&%#en be)an servin) i&s 'irs& meal. 7@7)&. 7#or&! an ins&ru%&or
'rom &#e 7alina! Aansas! 2li)#& 2eedin) 7%#ool! is in %#ar)e and &wo %oo(s and &wo A+Cs are bein) su//lied
daily 'rom ea%# o' &#e s4uadrons. "#e inau)ura&in) o' &#e 2li)#& 2eedin) Ai&%#en and &#e arrival o' &#e 2ood
Warmers w#i%# are ins&alled in &#e /lane #as Msi%N resul&ed in 'avorable %ommen& 'rom &#e %rews! in %on&ras& &o
&#e many /revious %om/lain&s and /leas 'or some me&#od o' servin) 'ood &o &#e %rews on &#eir lon) 'li)#&s. "#e
+ersonal E4ui/men& 7e%&ion o' ea%# s4uadron #andles &#e 2ood Warmers and &#eir dis&ribu&ion.Q
21 Jul 44
"rainin) %on&inued 'or &#e air %rews o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ a& Wal(er 552! Aansas. al "owner :ays %rew!
--2nd< made &#e 'ollowin) en&ry in #is diary*

Q21 July 44

We #ad &oday abou& &#e smoo&#es& mission weCve ever 'lown -- #ad [$&-&$,37! a really swee& 'lyin) s#i/ --
%amera bombed 8es =oines! Be&&endor'! 6#i%a)o and Aansas 6i&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*ht
en*ineer 7illia# 7allower.Q

=eanw#ile! on &#e )round! &#in)s were in &urmoil a)ain as &#e ,99&# #ad re%eived new movemen& orders 'or &#e
1round E%#elon. Now &#ey would de/ar& on 7unday! 23 July! and &#is &ime dire%&ly 'or &#e +or& o' Embar(a&ion a&
6am/ 5nBa! 6ali'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&. 7u//ly /roblems in&er'ered &o some e?&en& wi&# &#e normal loadin) o' &#e &rains w#en a& noon
on July 21 an amendmen& &o &#e =ovemen& Orders was re%eived w#i%# ne%essi&a&ed &#e issuin) o' %er&ain i&ems
o' 2ield E4ui/men& &o all o''i%ers in &#e 5ir E%#elon and &#e s#i/men& o' &#ese i&ems wi&# &#e 1round E%#elon.
"#e amendmen& 'ur&#er dire%&ed &#a& /ar& o' &#e /ersonal ba))a)e o' ea%# o''i%er in &#e 5ir E%#elon w#i%# was
wi&#in &#e +O= [5re(aration for =verseas Move#ent overall ba))a)e limi&a&ions and above &#a& amoun&
allowable 'or &ravel by air! would be s#i//ed wi&# &#e 1round E%#elon movemen&. 5ll o''i%ers! in%ludin) &#ose on
leave! su%%eeded in )e&&in) &#eir e4ui/men& and ba))a)e /a%(ed and loaded in &ime! bu& no& wi&#ou& a )rea&
deal o' &rouble. July 21 and &#e 'ollowin) day wi&nessed runs on %er&ain i&ems li(e soa/! raBor blades! &owels!
&oo&#brus#es! and o&#er /ersonal i&ems a& &#e +os& E?%#an)e 7&ore! w#ose s&o%( was already de/le&ed by
/revious /ur%#ases o' &#e members o' &#e 1round E%#elon! and similar runs on (#a(i %lo&#in)! s#or&s and
unders#ir&s! s#oes! so%(s! e&%.! a& &#e Juar&ermas&er 7ales 7&ore. 3& is an&i%i/a&ed &#a& on%e overseas! &#ere will
be mu%# &radin) amon) &#e o''i%ers o' newly /ur%#ased %lo&#in) in an e''or& &o 'i& everyone as bes& as /ossible
as 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 ei&#er mu%#
&oo small or mu%# &oo bi) 'or &#emselves.Q
22 Jul 44
On &#is day a& 911, &#e ays %rew o' &#e --2nd 74uadron le'& Wal(er 2ield on a lon)-dis&an%e 'li)#& &o >os
5n)eles. owever! &#ey didnC& )e& &#a& 'ar. Near "rinidad! 6olorado! &#e P1 en)ine %u& ou& and would no&
'ea&#er. "#ey #eaded 'or &#e neares& 'ield! w#i%# &urned ou& &o be 7an&a 2e! New =e?i%o. W#en &#ey )o& &#ere
&#e 'ield was dar( and &#e %rew was unable &o %on&a%& &#e &ower! bu& &#ey wen& on in and mana)ed &o ma(e
a 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)#&.Q

Wi&# &#eir B-29 in need o' re/air! &#e %rew #ad &o wai& in 7an&a 2e un&il ano&#er /lane %ould be sen& &o re&rieve
&#em. +resumably a re/air &eam would also %ome &o wor( on &#e /lane.
23 Jul 44
5& Wal(er 552! Aansas! 1eor)e u)#es! air/lane me%#ani% in &#e --1s& Bomb 74uadron! 'ound &ime &oday &o
wri&e a le&&er #ome*

QJuly 23! 1944

8ear =o&#er K 8ad!

"#is is $us& a 'ew lines &o le& you (now &#a& every&#in) is allri)#&. We are drillin) 'or &#ree days and &#en wor(in)
&#ree days. We are res&ri%&ed &o &#e base bu& 3 #avenC& &#e sli)#&es& idea #ow lon) we will s&ay #ere.

3 will be )lad &o )o and )e& i& over wi&#. "#is wai&in) )e&s very mono&onous a'&er aw#ile. "#ere are rumors
around &#a& we may )o &o a s&a)in) area 'or 'ur&#er &rainin) ins&ead o' )oin) dire%&ly &o a +.O.E. [5ort of
E#barkation Everyone #as &#eir own ideas on &#is s#i/men& bu& no one (nows.

2rom w#a& 3 #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). 1ermany s#ould %ra%( be'ore &#e
end o' &#e summer. Ja/an wonC& las& lon) a'&er &#e B-29s )e& really or)aniBed. [@u*hes was a trifle
overo(ti#istic here.

8onC& worry i' you ever )o 'or aw#ile wi&#ou& #earin) 'rom me. 5'&er all no news is )ood news. 3 will wri&e $us& as
soon as 3 %an and le& you (now all &#a& 3 %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.

>ove
1eor)eQ

3& %ouldnC& #ave been very lon) a'&er #e wro&e #is las& un%ensored le&&er &#a& u)#es and &#e res& o' &#e 1round
E%#elon 'ound ou& &#a& &#eir wai&in) was over. "#e %ommand #ad (nown 'or a& leas& &wo days &#a& &oday was
de/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&o
&#e Wal(er s/ur &oday! everyone (new. "#e men were ready and loadin) s&ar&ed 4ui%(ly! bu& as always &#ere
was a las&-minu&e &as(. 2rom &#e uni& #is&ory*

QOn July 23 an addi&ional amendmen& &o &#e =ovemen& Order was re%eived w#i%# re4uired &#a& s&eel #elme&s! &o
be used overseas by &#e O''i%ers o' &#e 5ir E%#elon! were &o be s#i//ed wi&# &#e 1round 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' 3-9
s&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& some&#in) 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 2ield. Ea%# 74uadron #ad &o /oli%e
i&s res/e%&ive area.

5& 1429 &#e 'irs& &rain! %arryin) &#e )round e%#elon o' &#e --1s& 74uadron! - o''i%ers and 393 men! under &#e
%ommand o' 74uadron E?e%u&ive O''i%er 6a/& Eal/# =aus&! /ulled ou&.

5 'ew #ours la&er! a& 1-29! &#e se%ond &rain! %arryin) &#e )round e%#elons o' &#e --2nd 74uadron! &#e 1rou/
ead4uar&ers and &#e 1-&# +#o&o >ab! 23 o''i%ers and 3-, men! all under &#e %ommand o' --2nd E?e%u&ive
O''i%er =a$ Eober& Wol%o&&! w#o was also in %#ar)e o' &#e en&ire 1round E%#elon! de/ar&ed. On &#is &rain wi&#
&#e res& o' &#e --2nd 74uadron was 21-year-old 2@>& Norman 1arri)us 'rom "u%son! 5riBona. e did no& #ave &o
be &#ere. 1arri)us! &#e --2nd Eadar 6oun&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! 74uadron Eadar =ain&enan%e O''i%er!
was married. W#en =or&on was assi)ned &o &#e 1round E%#elon! 1arri)us volun&eered &o swi&%# /la%es so &#a&
=or&on %ould s&ay in &#e 7&a&es wi&# #is wi'e a 'ew mon&#s lon)er. No one %an blame 1arri)us i' &wo mon&#s
la&er! &ryin) &o )e& &o slee/ in a /u/ &en& /i&%#ed in a muddy 'ormer su)ar %ane 'ield on 7ai/an! #e mi)#&
#ave #ad se%ond &#ou)#&s. "#e 'a%& remains &#a& #e did a )ood &#in).

5& 2999! &#e las& &rain rolled o'' wi&# &#e --3rd 74uadron )round e%#elon! 7 o''i%ers and 39, men! under &#e
%ommand o' 6a/& arold Jo#ns&on.

"#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/! or #al' o' i& anyway! 1!931 o''i%ers and men! was 'inally o'' &o war.
W#ile &#e 1round E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ was loadin) u/ and movin) ou& a& Wal(er 552! Aansas! &#e
ays %rew o' &#e --2nd 74uadron s/en& mos& o' &#e day s&randed a& 7an&a 2e 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 1-99! and &#ey didnC& ma(e i& ba%( &o Wal(er un&il 2299.
24%25 Jul 44
3& &oo( &#e 1round E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ &wo-and-a-#al' days &o rea%# &#e wes& %oas&. "#e uni&
#is&ory des%ribes &#e &ri/*

Q"#e &#ree &roo/ &rains #ad +ullman %ars and "roo/ 7lee/ers &o a%%ommoda&e /ersonnel! and ea%# &rain #ad
mess and ba))a)e %ars. "#e &rains &raveled by se/ara&e rou&es. W#ile 4uar&ers were %rowded in so 'ar as
movin) 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 4ui&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. 2ood was )ood durin) &#is s&a)e o' &#e movemen&. 6ensors#i/ be)an w#en &roo/s en&rained.
1uards 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 &rain
s&o/s &#e men were unloaded and )iven e?er%ise. 5& more &#an one /la%e! all 'ood i&ems and readin) ma&erial
available 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& 74uadron was burned by )asoline in a
mess %ar. e was /la%ed in William Beaumon& 1eneral os/i&al! El +aso! "e?as.Q
25 Jul 44
"#e 5ir E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ %on&inued &#eir &rainin) a& Wal(er 552! Aansas! bu& was s&ill #avin)
/roblems wi&# &#e /lanes.


Q2, July 44

7%#eduled 'or a #oney o' a round robin &oday! bu& s&ran)ely enou)# we seem &o #ave e?#aus&ed our lu%( and
only one s#i/ )o& o'' ou& o' &#ree s%#eduled &o do so.

7ome amaBin) /oo/ 'rom &#e )rou/. Our 6.O.! =a$or Branno%(! is )ivin) us ano&#er %ra%( a& >.5. >oo(s li(e
&#e Eos%oes will be EamblinC a)ain &omorrow i' our lu%( #olds ou&.Q
26 Jul 44
On &#is day &#e 1round E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ arrived a& 6am/ 5nBa! 6ali'ornia! ,, miles eas& o' >os
5n)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' >os
5n)eles. 5ll &#ree &roo/ &rains arrived wi&#in a 'ew #ours o' ea%# o&#er! &#e --2nd &rain a& 9149! &#e --3rd a&
9639 and &#e --1s& a& 9-99.

"#e o''i%ers and men o' &#e ,99&# 4ui%(ly learned &#a& &#e au&#ori&ies a& 6am/ 5nBa #ad &#eir own rules and
s%#edule. "#e di''eren& elemen&s o' &#e ,99&# were immedia&ely assi)ned s#i/men& numbers! su%# as 91,9-;
'or &#e --1s& 74uadron and 91,9-55 'or &#e --2nd! and &#ese numbers were used by &#e 5nBa %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)#& #ave
been done elsew#ere. 5nyone w#ose immuniBa&ion re%ord was no& u/ &o da&e )o& some s#o&s.

Nobody (new 'or sure #ow lon) &#ey would be a& 5nBa.
W#ile &#e 1round E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ was )e&&in) a%4uain&ed wi&# 6am/ 5nBa! some o' &#eir 5ir
E%#elon %omrades were %oin%iden&ally se&&in) down $us& a 'ew miles away! a& =ar%# 2ield. "#e &wo )rou/s were
/robably unaware o' ea%# o&#er. "#e ays %rew o' &#e --2nd was in &#e >os 5n)eles area on a &rainin) mission.

Q26 July 44

We 'ired #er u/ and &oo( o'' &#is 5.=. on s%#edule and arrived a& =ar%# 2ield a& 3*99 +.=. We #ad a swell &ri/
a%ross &#e moun&ains. On &#e way we 'lew down &#e 1rand 6anyon a& %li''-&o/ level and #ad a remar(able view
o' &#e /#enomenon.

We didnC& )e& &o >.5. &ill 7*99 +.=. 6.W.". be%ause our business a& =ar%# 2ield &oo( abou& &#ree #ours.

We all #ad a #e%( o' a )ood &ime and #ad a 'as& uneven&'ul &ri/ #ome.Q

O&#er less )lamorous &rainin) was %on&inuin) 'or &#e air %rews ba%( a& Wal(er 552 in Aansas. 2@>& Aen 2ine
: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. 3& all #as &o be
done by 7e/&ember ,&# &oo so 3 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. 3 never saw any&#in) roll around as 'as& as &#a& every &#ird
day does.Q

"#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 &#ey
re&urned &#e same day bu& some&imes were allowed &o EON :remain overni)#&<.
27 Jul 44
5& 6am/ 5nBa! 6ali'ornia! 1eor)e u)#es! air/lane me%#ani% in &#e --1s& 74uadron! was able &o wri&e a s#or&!
%ensored le&&er &o #is 'amily &oday*

QJuly 27! 1944

8ear =o&#er K 8ad!

3 arrived sa'ely a& my /resen& s&a&ion and am in )ood s#a/e. 3& is im/ossible &o le& you (now w#ere 3 am. "#e
%ensors#i/ is 4ui&e s&ri%& abou& su%# in'orma&ion.

3 #avenC& &#e sli)#&es& idea #ow lon) we will be #ere nor w#ere 3 will )o a'&er 3 leave. ...

>ove
1eor)eQ
2 Jul 44
5& 6am/ 5nBa! 6ali'ornia! &#e 1round E%#elon &oo( &#e re4uiremen&s laid on &#em by &#e %am/ au&#ori&ies
seriously. "#ey were an?ious &o mee& &#em be%ause doin) so was &#e only way &o be )ran&ed /asses
&o visi& nearby %i&ies! mos& en&i%in)ly >os 5n)eles! w#i%# was only ,, miles away and &#ere'ore well wi&#in bus or
#i&%##i(in) dis&an%e.

5& 5nBa! s#owdown ins/e%&ions were #eld 'or %lo&#in) and e4ui/men&! and any s#or&a)es were 'illed. Wea/ons
were ins/e%&ed. 5 new &y/e o' )as mas( was issued and &#e &roo/s wen& &#rou)# &#e )as %#amber wi&# i&.
"rainin) in %limbin) and des%endin) boardin) ne&s was )iven. i(es wi&# 'ull 'ield /a%(s were %ondu%&ed. 5nd
&#ere were any number o' le%&ures on sa'e)uardin) mili&ary in'orma&ion! 'irs& aid! %ondu%& aboard &roo/s#i/s! e&%.
5lso! &#e 3n&el 7e%&ion /rovided re)ular news u/da&es.

O' %ourse! &#e men also #ad &o /ull A+! )uard du&y and /oli%e de&ail.

7ome o' &#e ,99&# /ersonnel &#ou)#& &#ey de&e%&ed a /re$udi%e &oward &#e 5rmy 5ir 2or%es on &#e /ar& o' &#e
5nBa s&a''. "#e uni& #is&ory no&ed Qa /ar&i%ular la%( o' %oo/era&ion in ma&&er o' assis&an%e in ob&ainin) su//lies!
e?&ras and lu?ury i&ems our uni&s desired &o /ur%#ase.Q Bu& morale remained #i)# and &#e 're4uen& /asses were
very mu%# a//re%ia&ed.
"rainin) %on&inued 'or &#e 5ir E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ a& Wal(er 552! Aansas. 2@>& Aen 2ine!
navi)a&or on &#e urlbu&& %rew o' &#e --2nd 74uadron! wro&e ano&#er le&&er &oday &o #is 'u&ure wi'e*

QWe #ave &o 'ly &#is a'&ernoon and ni)#& so i& means ano&#er lon) ni)#& o' i&. "#e =a$or [@urlbuttN is in &#e
#os/i&al wi&# a s(in in'e%&ion on #is 'ee&. :No& a&#le&eCs 'oo& &#ou)#< so we 'ly wi&# some o' &#e o&#er /ilo&s.
3 was over a& &#e #os/i&al aw#ile yes&erday a'&ernoon &o see &#e =a$or and 3 )uess #e is )oin) &o 8enver &#is
mornin) 'or i& &oo.
5s &#in)s s&ill s&and! we are &o )e& our leaves &#e 7&# [)u*ust. "#e =a$or said yes&erday i& mi)#& be /ossible
'or us uno''i%ially &o )e& a day or so #ead s&ar& on &#em. 3Cll le& you (now as soon as 3 (now de'ini&ely.Q

"#e ays %rew o' &#e --2nd was ba%( a& Wal(er a'&er &#eir &ri/ &o >5 and was a//aren&ly &#e sub$e%& o' some
$ealousy 'rom &#e o&#er %rews 'or Q&oo many EONCs [re#ain overni*htQ. Bu& bombardier al "owner was
'li//an&ly una/olo)e&i%* QMWNeCre &#e bes& %rew and s#ould #ave a va%a&ion on%e in a w#ile.Q 7&ill! &#ey #ad &o
wor( &#rou)# &#e same &rainin) as all &#e o&#er %rews* QWe s&ar&ed our 4&# /#ase &oday. 3& %onsis&s o' a #elluva
lo& o' /ro'i%ien%y %#e%(s -- very &irin).Q
2$ Jul 44
"#e bes& /ar& o' li'e a& &#e s&a)in) area a& 6am/ 5nBa was i&s /ro?imi&y &o >os 5n)eles and o&#er sou&#ern
6ali'ornia %i&ies! and &#e availabili&y o' /asses &o visi& &#em. E?%er/& 'rom &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ uni& #is&ory*

Q3n &#e evenin)s a'&er 1799! &#ose w#o #ad /asses %rowded in&o busses [sic and wen& &o >os 5n)eles!
Eiverside! 7an Bernardino and o&#er nearby %i&ies and &owns. +ersonnel were a&&em/&in) &o %a&%# u/ and s&ore
a#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 &#e
s#i/ s#ould sail. >os 5n)eles and ollywood were /o/ular /la%es o' rendeBvous. 7ome o' our /ersonnel
a&&em/&ed &o be%ome blo&&ers and soa( u/ enou)# s/iri&us 'rumen&i &o las& &#em un&il &#ey s#ould re&urn &o &#e
7&a&es. 3& is si)ni'i%an&! #owever! &#a& ou& o' more &#an 1!999 men! only a s%a&&erin) #and'ul made un/leasan&
%on&a%&s wi&# =ili&ary +oli%e. "#ose w#o were no& ou& on /ass s/en& &#eir evenin)s a&&endin) one o' &#e 6am/
&#ea&ers! visi&in) +W! %an&een and O''i%ersC 6lub! or in wri&in) le&&ers in &#eir 4uar&ersT and al&#ou)# we were a&
5nBa almos& &#ree wee(s and were an?ious &o %on&inue &#e $ourney! &ime /assed ra/idly and many o' our
numbers wis#ed 'or a 'ew more days or ni)#&s wi&# &#e bri)#& li)#&s and %iviliBa&ion. >os 5n)eles was ,, miles
dis&an& 'rom 6am/ 5nBa and be&ween 'our and 'ive #ours bus ridin) were re4uired 'or &#e round &ri/! %u&&in)
down on &ime allowed 'or /asses.Q
30 Jul 44
On &#is day ei)#& more 626 :6en&ral 2ire 6on&rol< s/e%ialis&s! =O7 ,-9! re/or&ed &o &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ a&
Wal(er 552! Aansas. 2our days /reviously! on 26 July! 26 626 s/e%ialis&s #ad re/or&ed 'rom &#e 2or& =yers!
2lorida! 1unnery 7%#ool! and 'ive Eadar =e%#ani%s! /robably ei&#er =O7 -,2 or -67! #ad arrived 'rom &#e Bo%a
Ea&on! 2lorida! Eadar 7%#ool. "#ese la&es& addi&ions brou)#& &#e %omba& %rews o' &#e ,99&# almos& u/ &o
s&ren)&#. "#e only s#or&a)e lis&ed now was Q2 Eadar O/era&ors :-67<.Q :5nd &#ereCs some sor& o' error #ere.
"#ey /robably mean& =O7 -66! Eadar Observer! as &#ose were &#e men w#o served on &#e %omba& %rews.
=O7 -67 was a )round %rew =O7! Eadar =e%#ani%.<

"#e "OKE under w#i%# &#e 73rd Bomb Win) o/era&ed %alled 'or 69 %omba& %rews /er 1rou/. "#e ,99&#
1rou/ was a%&ually o/era&in) wi&# a small overa)e! 64 %rews! w#i%# allowed 'or some a&&ri&ion durin) &rainin) i'
ne%essary. "#e %rews were ori)inally numbered 1 &#rou)# 64! bu& someone soon %ame u/ wi&# &#e idea o'
addin) 199 &o &#e --1s& 74uadron %rews! 299 &o &#e --2nd %rews! and 399 &o &#e --3rd %rews. "#is
sys&em allowed immedia&e re%o)ni&ion o' &#e 74uadron &o w#i%# a %rew belon)ed. 7o &#e --1s& %rews were
numbered 191 &o 121! &#e --2nd %rews 222 &o 242! and &#e --3rd %rews 343 &o 364. "#ese %rew numbers were
used &#rou)#ou& &rainin)! bu& a'&er de/loymen& overseas you )enerally saw &#em only on o''i%ial do%umen&s.
"#e %rews invariably re'erred &o &#emselves and o&#er %rews by &#e name o' &#e air/lane %ommander! #ardly
ever by &#e number.

5erial &rainin) was %on&inuin) a/a%e. 3n #is li&&le diary! ri)#& )unner Bob 7%#urmann o' &#e =%6lana#an
%rew :P3,3< o' &#e --3rd 74uadron lis&ed QBomb &rainin)Q 'rom 9939 &o 1499 on 29 July and Q6amera bomb
&rainin) over Aansas 6i&yQ 'rom 1799 &o 2499 on 39 July.

7ome %rews! in%ludin) &#e urlbu&& :P222< and ays :P22-< %rews o' &#e --2nd! 'lew a lon)-ran)e mission &oday
&o Birmin)#am! 5labama! and ba%(. al "owner! bombardier on &#e ays %rew! re%orded &#is mission in #is
diary* Q5no&#er )ood mission %om/le&ed &oday. Our i&inerary* Nas#ville! Birmin)#am! =em/#is! >i&&le Eo%( and
base. Wen& &#ru some rou)# wea&#er and &#rilled &o see &#e B-29 ride i& ou& in s&ride.Q
31 Jul 44
5& &#e end o' July &#e 5ir E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ %ould lis& a %er&ain number o' a%%om/lis#men&s.

"#e number o' B-29Cs assi)ned #ad in%reased &o 16! in%ludin) 'our o' Q&#e newer &y/eQ 'rom &#e Birmin)#am!
5labama! =odi'i%a&ion 6en&er. "#is was &imely! as mos& o' &#e &rainin) &as(s &#a& %ould be a%%om/lis#ed in B-
17Cs #ad been %om/le&ed. =ore B-29Cs were e?/e%&ed in 5u)us&.

=ain&enan%e o' &#e B-29Cs! es/e%ially &#e en)ines! was s&ill a bi) /roblem bu& &#e /ro'i%ien%y o' &#e me%#ani%s o'
&#e 339&# Bomb 1rou/! w#o were now /rovidin) almos& all &#e su//or&! seemed &o be im/rovin).

"#e air %rews were almos& en&irely 'illed ou& and well alon) in &#eir &rainin). "#ey were now en)a)ed in
/ro'i%ien%y %#e%(s under +#ase 4! w#i%# was s%#eduled 'or %om/le&ion by , 7e/&ember.

One area w#i%# #ad re4uired a )rea& deal o' wor( was radar. "#e B-29Cs did no& %ome 'rom &#e 'a%&ory wi&#
radar ins&alled. "#a& #ad &o be done by &#e radar me%#ani%s o' &#e ,99&#! and &#ey #ad been busy. 5& &#e
be)innin) o' &#e mon&#! only &wo B-29Cs #ad radar e4ui/men& ins&alledT now 12 /lanes were so e4ui//ed.

"#e 1rou/ +#o&o O''i%er! >&. 8onald 6. 5lmy! #ad %ome u/ wi&# a )rea& idea &o #el/ in radar &rainin). e
devised a me&#od w#ereby a %amera %ould &a(e a%&ual radar s%o/e /i%&ures in 'li)#&. "#is enabled ins&ru%&ors &o
/oin& ou& and e?/lain 'ea&ures usin) a s&a&i% ima)e ins&ead o' &ryin) &o use a 'lee&in) ima)e on &#e s%o/e.
5 s/e%ial /ro$e%& &o in%rease morale was ins&i&u&ed in July. +#o&o)ra/#s o' &#e %rews in 'ron& o' a B-29! arran)ed
so &#a& no&#in) se%re& was revealed! were &a(en! and a %o/y was )iven &o ea%# man &o do wi&# as #e wis#ed.
ere was some&#in) #e %ould /roudly s#ow &o #is 'amily.

O' %ourse! &#e bes& boos& 'or morale was leave! w#i%# s&ar&ed 'or some %rews as early as 24 July.

Bu& 'or mos& %rews! in%ludin) &#e ays %rew :P22-< o' &#e --2nd! &rainin) %on&inued. 7el'-de/re%a&in)
bombardier-diaris& al "owner re%orded &#e dayCs a%&ivi&y*

QEadar bombin) mission &oday. Navi)a&or dro/s be&&er bombs by radar &#an bombardier does wi&# bombsi)#&.
"#ere were 1, men aboard &oday -- i& was %rowded and #o&.Q [2he e;tra bodies were (robably trainers andAor
evaluators.
1 #u& 44
5& 6am/ 5nBa! 6ali'ornia! 1eor)e u)#es! air/lane me%#ani% in &#e --1s&! &oo( &ime &oday &o wri&e ano&#er brie'
le&&er &o #is /aren&s*

Q5u)us& 1! 1944

8ear =o&#er K 8ad!

3 am s&ill in &#e 7&a&es and s&ill donC& (now 'or #ow lon). We are #avin) a /re&&y )ood &ime #ere. "#is is $us& &#e
same as any s#i/men&! you lay around and draw A.+.! drillin) and o&#er su%# de&ail. 7o 'ar 3 #ave #ad &wo
/asses &o leave %am/. "#is brea(s &#e mono&ony somew#a&.

3&Cs very #ard &o wri&e any sor& o' a le&&er w#en you %anC& &ell any more &#an we are allowed bu& maybe la&er &#in)s
will be be&&er. ...Q

>ove
1eor)eQ
5& Wal(er 552! Aansas! &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ re%eived ano&#er new B-29 &oday. "#a& was &#e )ood news.
"#e bad news was &#a& a B-29 already on #and! 42-6379! was now ou& 'or e?&ended main&enan%e a'&er 6a/&
;an%e Bla%(! %rew P3,9 o' &#e --3rd 74uadron! brou)#& #er in &oday 'rom a &rainin) mission wi&# &wo en)ines
ou&. 5 no&e in &#e ,99&# 1rou/ O/era&ions Journal rela&ed &o &#is even& s&a&es &#a& &#e 1rou/ was avera)in)
abou& 2- emer)en%y landin)s /er mon&#. "#a&Cs almos& one a day. 6learly &#ere were s&ill many /roblems wi&#
&#e B-29.

"#e wea&#er was very warm a& Wal(er a& &#is &ime! ma(in) &rainin) very un%om'or&able! bo&# indoors and ou&!
and %ausin) &em/ers &o rise as well. al "owner o' &#e ays %rew :P22-< o' &#e --2nd made &#e 'ollowin) en&ry
in #is %rew diary*

Q1 5u) 44

1round s%#ool -- we #ad some le%&ures on naval 'or%es -- iden&i'i%a&ion o' same! &#en %#ow and were #us&led ou&
&o &#e )unnery ran)e by 1229 -- we )o& sunburned and im/a&ien&ly an)ry wi&# &#e army in )eneral. Ee&urned a&
1,99 and &#en #ad &o swea& ou& a le%&ure a& 1939! #o&&es& day ye&.Q
4 #u& 44
On &#is day a& Wal(er 552! Aansas! &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ #ad &o )round ano&#er badly needed B-29 'or re/airs
'or an inde'ini&e /eriod o' &ime. 2rom &#e 1rou/ O/era&ions Journal*

Q5u)us& 4-44 -- 6a/&ain E.W. "aylor #ad a mal'un%&ion o' 'ire in&erru/&or on B-29 [$&-&$,73. 5ll /ro/s re%eived
#i&s K ea%# sus&ained ,-29 #oles ea%# [sic. >e'& win) &i/ was badly s#o& u/! bu& normal landin) was a''e%&ed
[effected K no /ersonnel in$ured.Q

No& a )ood &#in) &o s#oo& o'' your own /ro/ellers. 2or &#ose w#o may no& be 'amiliar wi&# i&! a 'ire in&erru/&or
was a me%#ani%al devi%e w#i%# au&oma&i%ally /reven&ed your )uns 'rom 'irin) w#en &#ey were moved in&o a
/osi&ion w#ere &#e bulle&s mi)#& s&ri(e your own /lane.

"#e Eay "aylor %rew! P112! belon)ed &o &#e --1s& 74uadron. Eay "aylor would 'ly a& leas& ei)#& missions 'rom
7ai/an be'ore bein) re/la%ed as 56 by 1@>& u)# =%Namer. "#ere was ano&#er "aylor %rew la&e in &#e war! bu&
&#is was a re/la%emen& %rew %ommanded by 1@>& Eoy "aylor. "#e similar 'irs& names #ave led &o some
%on'usion.
5 #u& 44
"oday &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ /ar&i%i/a&ed in &#e &#ird Win) "rainin) =ission. 3' &#e diary en&ry o' al "owner!
bombardier on &#e ays %rew :P22-<! is a%%ura&e! &#e mission wasnC& very su%%ess'ul! a& leas& &#e ,99&#Cs /ar& o'
i&.

Q7a&urday , 5u) 44

Bi)RR Win) =isson &oday -- &wo ob$e%&ives a%%ordin) &o 6ol. Ain)! our )rou/ 6.O.! 1 -- &o /u& - /lanes over &#e
&ar)e&! 2 -- &o be &#ere a& e?a%&ly 12*99*4,. 7i? s#i/s &oo( o''! or ra&#er were ready &o &a(e o''! bu& one didnC&
ma(e i&. 2ive &oo( o'' and &#ree abor&ed -- &#e remainin) &wo bombed 19 minu&es la&e.Q

+er#a/s si)ni'i%an&ly! &#e o''i%ial uni& #is&ory doesnC& even men&ion &#is mission.
7 #u& 44
"rainin) %on&inued a/a%e 'or &#e 5ir E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ a& Wal(er 552! Aansas. On &#is da&e &#e
ays %rew o' &#e --2nd 74uadron #ad )round s%#ool! i.e.! %lassroom ins&ru%&ion.

3' &#ey %#ose! &#ose men o'' du&y in &#e evenin) #ad &#e o//or&uni&y &o visi& &#e /os& &#ea&re and en$oy a I7O
s#ow! Q"#e +an&#er Eoom EeviewQ. "#ere is no indi%a&ion as &o w#e&#er i& was any )ood or no&.
#u& 44
"#e 1round E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ #ad been a& 6am/ 5nBa! 6ali'ornia! 'or almos& &wo wee(s now
and were s&ill wai&in)! li&erally! 'or &#eir s#i/ &o %ome in. 1eor)e u)#es! air/lane me%#ani% in &#e --1s&
74uadron! wro&e &o #is /aren&s &oday*

Q5u)us& -! 1944

8ear =o&#er K 8ad!

Every&#in) is $us& abou& &#e same #ere. Des&erday was 7unday and a day o' res&. [)ctually, .unday was two
days a*o, on the %th. 5ossibly @u*hes started his letter on Monday and didn3t finish it till 2uesday the 9th. We
didnC& #ave any 'orma&ion &o mee& and i& was 4ui&e a relie'.

"#ere was a s#ow #ere las& ni)#& s/onsored by Bin) 6rosbyCs bro&#er. 3& was very )ood and las&ed abou& &wo
#ours. "#ere was 4ui&e a 'ew )ood a%&s and musi%al numbers.

3 /layed ball yes&erday a'&ernoon 'or a w#ile and )o& my s#oulders sun-burn&. "#e sun burns me in a #urry i' 3
am e?/osed &o i&. 3 )uess 3 will #ave &o &a(e i& in small doses. ...

"#ere isnC& mu%# more &o wri&e abou& so be /a&ien& and wai& 'or &#in)s &o s&rai)#&en ou&. Wri&e as o'&en as you
%an.
>ove
1eor)eG
=eanw#ile! ba%( a& Wal(er 552! Aansas! &#e 5ir E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ %on&inued &#eir &rainin).
5lso! &#e %rews #ad be)un )e&&in) &#eir /romised leaves! a 'ew %rews a& a &ime. "#ree %rews o' &#e --2nd
74uadron were on leave a& &#is &ime! in%ludin) &#e urlbu&& %rew :P222<! w#i%# le'& yes&erday. Navi)a&or Aen
2ine o' &#a& %rew /lanned &o s/end #is leave wi&# #is 'amily in o/(ins! =issouri.
$ #u& 44
"#e 5ir E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ %on&inued &rainin) #ard a& Wal(er 552! Aansas. al "owner!
bombardier on &#e ays %rew o' &#e --2nd 74uadron! re%orded in #is diary &#eir a%&ivi&ies 'or &#e day*

Q9 5u) 44

We dro//ed our 'irs& ni)#& bombs &oni)#& -- also 'lew our 'irs& 2,!999C 'li)#&. "#e bombs dro//ed all around &#e
&ar)e& area bu& no& in i&. ;isibili&y mus& #ave been 'i'&y miles a& &#a& al&i&ude. Wild Bill [fli*ht en*ineer 7illia#
7allower #as been %#e%(in) ou& =i(e [rin* *unner )u*ust Michelsen in en)ineerin) and 'eels #e #as an a/&
s&uden&. [Most crews trained one of the *unners, usually the tail *unner because in #ost cases he was also a
trained air(lane #echanic, as an assistant fli*ht en*ineer so that the re*ular FE could be relieved on lon*
fli*hts. We s#o& our 'irs& air &o air )unnery. >o&s o' 'irs&s &oday.Q
10 #u& 44
Jus& be'ore noon &#is day a& Wal(er 552! Aansas! &#e 5ir E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ re%eived Win) 2ield
Order No. 3 'or a Win) &rainin) mission &o be 'lown &omorrow &o 1alves&on! "e?as. "#e 7-2 s&a'' 4ui%(ly be)an
/re/arin) &#e mission brie'in)! w#i%# was s%#eduled 'or 9499 &omorrow.

=eanw#ile! down in &#e 74uadrons! %rew &rainin) %on&inued. 2rom &#e al "owner :bombardier! ays %rew!
--2nd< diary*

Q19 5u) 44

ays! 7awdus& Bill and >inwood slow-&imed P366 &oday and &#e la&&er s#o& #is se%ond B-29 landin).Q

"#is brie' en&ry %ries ou& 'or anno&a&ion. ays was o' %ourse 56 ale ays. 7awdus& Bill #as &o be 'li)#&
en)ineer William Wallower. >inwood mus& be &#e middle name o' %o/ilo& Ed)ar >. Be&&s. 7low-&imin) is &#e &erm
'or brea(in) in a newly ins&alled en)ine. P366 may be B-29 7erial No. 42-6366! al&#ou)# 3 %an 'ind no re%ord o'
&#is /lane ever bein) assi)ned &o &#e ,99&#. +ossibly "owner )o& &#e number wron).
11 #u& 44
"#e 1round E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ #ad been a& &#eir overseas s&a)in) area o' 6am/ 5nBa!
6ali'ornia! 'or 16 days now. =os& o' &#e men %on&inued &o #ave a rela&ively )ood &ime. "#ey (new &#ey would
#ave &o leave bu& &#ey didnC& (now w#en. 1eor)e u)#es! an air/lane me%#ani% in &#e --1s& 74uadron! wro&e
ano&#er le&&er &o #is /aren&s &oday*

Q5u)us& 11! 1944

8ear =o&#er K 8ad!

Every&#in) is 'ine #ere and )oin) alon) smoo&#ly. ...

3 $us& )o& o'' A.+. a li&&le w#ile a)o. "#is is only &#e se%ond &ime &#a& 3 #ave #ad i& #ere and ou&side o' &#a& &#in)s
#ave been very easy. 5 'ew more wee(s o' &#is li'e and 3 would s&ar& )e&&in) 'a&.

"#ere isnC& any&#in) 3 %an &ell you abou& w#en we e?/e%& &o move. =aybe a li&&le la&er on 3 will be able &o wri&e
more.

"#e war news %er&ainly indi%a&es &#a& &#e Euro/ean war is abou& over. =aybe i& will be all over be'ore we e?/e%&
i&. [In Euro(e, J. forces had broken out of :or#andy and 5atton was racin* across France, but a((earances
were dece(tive. 2here would be (lenty of tou*h fi*htin* ahead.

Wri&e as o'&en as /ossible and donC& worry.

>ove
1eor)eQ
Ba%( a& Wal(er 552! Aansas! &#e 5ir E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ #ad an early brie'in) 'or &odayCs
s%#eduled Win) &rainin) mission! a radar bombin) mission &o 1alves&on. No de&ails on &#is mission are available
in &#e o''i%ial #is&ory! bu& i& mus& #ave been a mess! as i& Qwas de%lared a 'ailure by 73rd Bombardmen& Win)
ead4uar&ers.Q 1eneral OC8onnell de%ided i& would #ave &o be done over! so i& was res%#eduled 'or la&er in
5u)us&.

"#e ays %rew o' &#e --2nd /ar&i%i/a&ed in &#is &rainin) mission. 3n a %ase o' damnin) wi&# 'ain& /raise!
Bombardier al "owner &#ou)#& i& wasnC& as bad as &#e /revious one*

QO'' we )o on a win) mission a)ain -- &#is &ime &o do some Eadar bombin) o'' 1alves&on. 3& wasnC& 4ui&e as
7.N.5.2.I. as &#e ne?& /re%edin) mission was. We arrived almos& on &ime and dro//ed our bombs su%%ess'ully.
HQ
12 #u& 44
"#e &ime 'or &#e 1round E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ &o leave &#e Ini&ed 7&a&es was ni)#. 5& 9999 on &#is
da&e an advan%e /ar&y under &#e %ommand o' 1@>& arry 7alomon! 1rou/ Ordnan%e O''i%er! de/ar&ed 6am/
5nBa by mo&or %onvoy 'or &#e +or& o' >os 5n)eles. "#e %onvoy arrived a& &#e /or& a& 131, and &#e men boarded
&#e s#i/ &#a& would &a(e &#em &o 7ai/an! &#e .. )lcoa 5olaris. "#e members o' &#e advan%ed /ar&y
were assi)ned du&ies and )iven ins&ru%&ions &o ensure an orderly and s/eedy embar(a&ion o' &#e main body o'
&roo/s w#en &#ey arrived &omorrow.
On &#is da&e a& Wal(er 552! Aansas! &#ere was a mee&in) o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ s&a'' a& 9-39 in &#e War
Eoom! a rela&ively se%ure room in &#e 7-2 s/a%es. +rimary reason was &o /ass on &#e la&es& in'orma&ion on
delivery o' 'lyaway air%ra'& :&#e new B-29Cs &#a& &#e 1rou/ would &a(e &o war<! movemen& &o s&a)in) areas! e&%.
=u%# o' &#e in'orma&ion was s&ill very &en&a&ive! #owever. 6a/& Jo#n 7molens(i! 5ssis&an& 1rou/ 7-2! &oo(
no&es*

Q=a$. Branno%( [!= 99&nd ./uadron &old o' w#a& #a//ened a& Win) 8in) a& 7alina! Aas! &#e 'irs& /ar& o' &#is
mon&#*

:1< 2lyaways will be delivered ei&#er a& O(la. 6i&y de/o& or a& &#e 7&a)in) 5rea o' ,99&# 5ir E%#elon. 6anC& say
ye& w#ere 7&a)in) area will be! may be Aearney! Neb! arrin)&on [@errin*ton! Aans! e&%. [It turned out to be
Gearney. 7ome 5@6 :'lyaways< will be delivered by &#e ,&# o' 7e/&! some by &#e 1,&#. =aybe.

:2< Order o' /ro%eedin) &o 7&a)in) area will be* :1s&< 497&# V 49-&# 1/s. :2< 499&# V ,99&#. We s#ould be
leavin) 'or 7&a)in) area around 1s& o' O%&ober. No& de'ini&e! #owever.

:3< +ossibili&y o' our bein) assi)ned wi&# ano&#er 1r/ &o &#e same landin) s&ri/. No& well re%eived.

:4< 7/o(e o' modi'i%a&ions on 'lyaway 5@6.Q

=eanw#ile! ou&side on &#e runways &rainin) %on&inued. On &#is day &#e ays %rew o' &#e --2nd 'lew &o Ea/id
6i&y! 78! and ba%(. Bombardier-navi)a&or al "owner ra&ed &#e %rewCs /er'orman%e! in%ludin) #is own! as
'ollows* Q3 did a beau&i'ul $ob o' navi)a&ion on &#e way u/! bu& &#e re&urn &ri/ /roved 3 need lo&s o' %eles&ial wor(.
Be&sy [co(ilot Ed Betts )reased i& in 'or &#e &#ird &ime &oday -- a swee& landin).Q

7#owin) a& &#e /os& &#ea&er &oni)#& was &#e I7O s#ow Q"o/sy "urvyQ.
13 #u& 44
5& 1699 &oday &#e main body o' &#e 1round E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ boarded a &rain a& 6am/ 5nBa 'or
&#e rela&ively s#or& &ri/ &o &#e +or& o' >os 5n)eles! w#ere a& 1999 &#ey boarded &#eir &rans/or&! &#e .. )lcoa
5olaris. 5& &#e /ier! &#e Eed 6ross served sandwi%#es and %o''ee. Embar(a&ion wen& very smoo&#ly as
ea%# elemen& was dire%&ed &o &#eir bun(s and &old &o s&ay in &#em un&il boardin) was 'inis#ed and everyone
a%%oun&ed 'or.

"#e s#i/ was no& s%#eduled &o de/ar& un&il mornin)! bu& &#e men would slee/ aboard overni)#&! so &#ere was
some &ime 'or s#i/board a%%lima&ion &#a& 'irs& evenin). "#e )lcoa 5olaris was a %onver&ed mer%#an& s#i/. "#e
'irs& &#in) &#e men no&i%ed was &#a& mos& o' &#e &roo/ %om/ar&men&s were 'illed wi&# 'oldin) bun(s s&a%(ed 'ive
#i)#. Even so! &#e s#i/ was so %rowded -- &#e 11&# 6omba& 6amera Ini& and &#e ,72nd =a&eriel 74uadron o'
&#e 91s& 5ir 7ervi%e 1rou/ were also on board -- &#a& over a #undred men #ad &o slee/ on %o&s /la%ed on lower
de%( #a&%#es. 5s always! &#e o''i%ers #ad i& be&&er &#an &#e enlis&ed men bu& were s&ill un%us&omarily %rowded in
&#eir %om/ar&men&s. "#e ne?& im/or&an& &#in) &#e men #ad &o learn was w#ere &#e #eads! as la&rines were %alled
aboard s#i/! were lo%a&ed. 1radually! &#in)s 4uie&ed down and &#e men se&&led in&o &#eir bun(s 'or &#eir 'irs&
slee/ aboard s#i/.
14 #u& 44
5& 9-99 &oday &#e .. )lcoa 5olaris! %arryin) &#e 1round E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/! le'& &#e /ier! an
a%&ion w#i%# &#e /uris& mi)#& say &urned &#em in&o &#e 7ea E%#elon. Bu& be'ore leavin) #arbor! &#e vessel #ad &o
under)o de)aussin) and a 'ew o&#er ne%essary &as(s. 2inally! in mida'&ernoon! s#e #eaded ou& &o sea! and &#e
men o' &#e ,99&# )a&#ered a& &#e railin)s &o 4uie&ly wa&%# &#e Ini&ed 7&a&es slowly re%ede in&o &#e dis&an%e. W#o
(new w#en &#ey would see i& a)ainU W#en would &#ey see &#eir 'amilies a)ainU

Be'ore lon)! &#ey were all alone on a vas& o%ean! e?%e/& 'or a Navy blim/ over#ead. "#e )lcoa 5olaris was a
'as& s#i/ 'or a %onver&ed mer%#an&man! able &o ma(e 16 (no&s! so i& was no& deemed ne%essary &#a& s#e &ravel in
a %onvoy or wi&# sur'a%e es%or&.

Ou& on &#e o/en sea! w#i%# was 'airly rou)# 'or &#e 'irs& 'ew days! &#e s#i/ be)an &o roll! and &#e men learned
'irs&-#and w#a& Qsea le)sQ mean&. =os& o' &#em &oo( &#e sea si%(ness /ills &#ey #ad been issued! and &#ose w#o
were able and %urious /u& on &#e li'e /reservers &#a& &#ey were re4uired &o wear a& all &imes w#en away 'rom
&#eir bun(s and se& abou& 'amiliariBin) &#emselves wi&# &#e s#i/. >a&er! &#ose w#o were no& &oo 4ueasy
&ried dinner! w#i%# by all a%%oun&s was less &#an sa&is'a%&ory.

5& dus( &#e men learned a li&&le more abou& li'e a& sea durin) war&ime w#en a voi%e boomed ou& over &#e
louds/ea(er! Q5&&en&ionR 5&&en&ionR 5ll members o' &#e =er%#an& %rew! 5rmed 1uard 6rew and 5rmy -- Bla%(ou&
is now in order. +la%e bla%(ou& s%reens in /or&s or %lose &#e /or&sT ad$us& %ur&ains in all /asa)eways and
%om/anionwaysT no smo(in) on de%(. Bla%(ou&RQ 5nd so &#e men se&&led down 'or &#eir 'irs& ni)#& a& sea! 'ar
away 'rom #ome and )e&&in) 'ar&#er away wi&# every &urn o' &#e /ro/ellers.
15 #u& 44
By &#eir se%ond day a& sea! &#e men o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ 1round E%#elon were )e&&in) more used &o
s#i/board rou&ine. "#ere were near-daily 'ire and li'eboa& drills! wi&# ea%# man learnin) &#ese /ro%edures and
#is /la%e &#erein. "#ere were de&ails 'or A+! )uard and sani&a&ion! wi&# ea%# man /ullin) i& on%e abou& every 'our
days. 8aily ins/e%&ions o' &#e &roo/ s/a%es were %ondu%&ed by bo&# s#i/Cs o''i%ers and &roo/ o''i%ers. "#ere
was a +W or s#i/Cs s&ore on board! w#ere &#e men %ould /ur%#ase %andy! &oba%%o! &oile& ar&i%les! e&%. 5'&er a 'ew
days on board &#ere was even a 'ree dis&ribu&ion o' %andy! %i)are&&es and %i)ars. owever! smo(in) was allowed
only on de%( or in &#e #eads. 2ilms were s#own ni)#&ly in &#e &roo/ mess #all. "#ere was even a daily news
s#ee&! in%ludin) baseball s%ores! /u& ou& by &#e 1round E%#elon #ead4uar&ers.

"#e bi))es& sour%e o' dissa&is'a%&ion durin) &#e voya)e was &#e 'ood. "o 4uo&e &#e o''i%ial #is&ory! i& was
Q/ar&ially very un/ala&able and )enerally unsa&is'a%&ory.Q "#e mess 'a%ili&ies were &oo small &o be)in wi&#! w#i%#
%rea&ed lon) lines and limi&ed 'ull meals &o brea('as& and dinner! wi&# only a sandwi%# or sou/ served a& lun%#.
"o ease &#e %on)es&ion! &#e several &roo/ %om/ar&men&s messed in ro&a&ion! wi&# du&y o''i%ers and N6OCs &ryin)
&o (ee/ &#in)s movin) as smoo&#ly as /ossible. "#ere was no room 'or sea&s or ben%#es in &#e mess areaT &#e
men #ad &o s&and a& &ables w#ile ea&in). "#e o''i%ers o' %ourse messed in a se/ara&e area! bu& mos& o' &#eir 'ood
%ame 'rom &#e same (i&%#en. "#e dissa&is'a%&ion was no& #el/ed w#en a'&er a &ime &#e men realiBed &#a& &#e
%rew and &#e naval armed )uard! w#i%# manned &#e )uns! #ad &#eir own )alley and a&e mu%# be&&er 'ood.

Bu& &#e )lcoa 5olaris s&eamed s&eadily on in a )enerally wes&-sou&#wes& dire%&ion.
5& Wal(er 552! Aansas! &#e 7-2 :3n&el< 7e%&ion o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ )o& o''i%ial word 'rom =a$ 2reeman
+arsons! 1rou/ 5ssis&an& O/era&ions O''i%er! o' &wo u/%omin) Win) missions. One was s%#eduled 'or &#is
%omin) "#ursday &#e 17&# and would be a re/ea& wi&# only minor %#an)es o' &#e 'ailed 11 5u)us& radar bombin)
mission &o 1alves&on. "#e o&#er was s%#eduled 'or 7a&urday &#e 19&# and would be &o Ba&is&a 2ield! 6uba. 5s i&
#a//ened! &#e 'irs& mission would be /us#ed ba%( &o 1- 5u) and &#e se%ond &o 2, 5u).
16 #u& 44
W#ile &#e 1round E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ was on i&s &#ird day a& sea! &#e 5ir E%#elon %on&inued
&rainin) a& Wal(er 552! Aansas. "oday &#e ale ays %rew :P22-< o' &#e --2nd 74uadron Qbe%ame /ro'i%ien& in
swimmin) a& &#e ays ba&#&ubQ! as bombardier al "owner im/is#ly /u& i&. "#e swimmin) &rainin) /robably &oo(
/la%e a& &#e new %ommuni&y /ool in &#e nearby %i&y o' ays! %oin%iden&ally bearin) &#e same name as &#e %rewCs
%ommander.

"o be #ones&! &#e %rew was no& /ar&i%ularly 'o%used on &rainin) &#is wee(. "#ey were loo(in) a#ead &o &#eir
lon)-awai&ed leaves! s%#eduled &o s&ar& on 2riday 1- 5u)us&. 7ome o' &#e men 'rom &#e New Dor( area /lanned
&o #i&%# a ride on a B-17 2riday mornin) as 'ar as 6#i%a)o! &#en &ry &o 'ind a ride eas&ward 'rom &#ere. "owner
and &#e o&#ers /lanned &o leave by midni)#& 2riday by various means o' &rans/or&a&ion. "owner also no&ed!
Q7ome o' &#e 'ellows will brin) &#eir wives ba%( wi&# &#em a'&er &#eir leave! bu& mos& o' &#e married boys are
)radually )e&&in) moved ba%( &o &#e base.Q 3& wouldnC& be &#a& lon) be'ore &#e 5ir E%#elon would also be on &#e
way overseas.
17 #u& 44
"oday a& Wal(er 552! Aansas! &#e 7-2 7e%&ion o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ was very busy /re/arin) 'or &omorrowCs
Win) radar bombin) mission &o 1alves&on. "#is would be a re-run o' &#e 'ailed 11 5u)us& mission. "#e $ournal
en&ry wri&&en by 6a/& Jo#n Q7mo(yQ 7molens(i is very illumina&in) as &o #ow &#ese brie'in)s were or)aniBed. 3&
also s#ows #ow &#e 7-2 7e%&ion was i&sel' learnin) on &#e $ob.

QM5u)us& 17N -- Brie'in) a& 4*39 &#is a'&ernoon! all &o &a(e /ar& e?%e/& wea&#er [due to the chan*eability of
the weather, that briefin* was usually not *iven until shortly before take-off. "#is mission is a re/ea& o' Win)
=ission No. 3 ...! e?%e/& 'or a 'ew minor %#an)es w#i%# are*
:1< We are &#e 1s& 1rou/ &o bomb! 'rom 1139 6W" [!entral 7ar 2i#e &o 1149 6W".
:2< We &a(e same rou&e ou&! bu& brea( u/ [into> 3 /lane 'orma&ions . 93 de)rees W! 31 de)rees 29 minu&es
N! w#i%# is around 5le?andria [Bouisiana.
:3< 5'&er bombin) /ro%eed ba%( over 7&ro&#er 2ield 552 [near 7infield in southern Gansas 'or 'i)#&er
in&er%e/&ion.

Q5 /re-brie'in) mee&in) was #eld in 1/ O/era&ions O''i%e K every&#in) was &#ras#ed ou& wi&# 6ol 8ou)#er&y
/residin) [?e(uty 'rou( !o##ander Bt !ol John ?ou*herty was in char*e while 'rou( != !ol "ichard Gin*
was on leave. "#is mee&in) s#ould be%ome s&andard /ro%edure! 3 &#in(! i' you wan& &#e brie'in) &o )o o'' well.
Everybody was &#ere.

QBrie'in) a& 4*39 += was )ood. eld in --3rd 74. We #ad ea%# s4 ma(e u/ &#eir own /ilo&Cs (i&s 'or dis&ribu&ion
&#e 'ollowin) mornin) K 7-2 made ou& &#e +ilo&sC 'limseys [sic K Navi)a&ion 7e%&ion made ou& &#e Navi)a&orsC
2limseys K we /u& &#em in &#e /ilo&sC (i&s.Q M) fli#sy was a sin*le sheet of (a(er containin* the #ost i#(ortant
#ission data (resented in a concise for#at. For e;a#(le, a navi*ator3s fli#sy would show the (lanned route,
chan*e (oints for course, s(eed and altitude, other i#(ortant reference (oints, etc. 2he ter# fli#sy was used
because ori*inally it was a thin sheet of rice (a(er that could be /uickly chewed and swallowed if ca(ture was
i##inent.
1 #u& 44
"oday &#e ays %rew :P22-< o' &#e --2nd 74uadron! ,99&# Bomb 1rou/! was busy )e&&in) ou& o' 8od)e! or
ra&#er Wal(er 552. "#eir 'inal leaves be'ore overseas de/loymen& s&ar&ed &oday and &#e men los& no &ime in
)e&&in) away.

3& was an en&irely di''eren& s&ory in &#e ,99&#Cs 7-2 7e%&ion! w#ere a very #arried 6a/& Jo#n 7molens(i #ad more
&#an #e %ould #andle wi&# a Win) mission bein) 'lown &oday. "#is was a re/ea& o' &#e ori)inal Win) radar
bombin) mission &o 1alves&on on 11 5u)us&. 7molens(i was a%&ually &#e 8e/u&y 7-2 bu& was in %#ar)e w#ile
&#e 7-2! 6a/& William =armion! was on leave. 7molens(iCs de&ailed no&es /rovide a wonder'ul 'eel 'or w#a& i&
was li(e &o be in &#e 7-2 sea& a& &#a& &ime. Eemember! &#e 7-2 7e%&ion was res/onsible 'or /re/arin) and
adminis&erin) &#e mission brie'in)! %ondu%&in) &#e /os&-mission %rew debrie'in)s :&#en %alled in&erro)a&ions<! and
&#en %om/ilin) all &#e in'orma&ion in&o a %onsolida&ed mission re/or&.

6a/& 7molens(iCs very #e%&i% day*

QM5u)us&N 1- -- 6 /lanes )o& o'' &oday K 3Cm ma(in) arran)emen&s &o ins&ru%& &#e 74uadron 7-2Cs &o )e& all &#e
do/e 'rom &#e %rews on &#ose Win) 3n&erro)a&ion 'orms. 3&Cs #ard as #ell &o ma(e any sense ou& o' re/or&s &#a&
are in%onsis&en& as #ell. 6ol. 8ou)#er&y a& &#e /re-brie'in) session yes&erday said i& would be be&&er i' 3
/ersonally in&erro)a&ed ea%# %rew. 3 s4uaw(ed! bu& said 3Cd do &#e bes& 3 %ould.
5no&#er &#in)! 6a/&. 2armer! one o' &#e Win) Eadar O''i%ers! is #ere and will )o on &#e mission. e brou)#&
a Eadar 4ues&ionnaire &#a& is as lon) as &#e Win) 7-2 4ues&ionnaire. e wan&ed 7-2 &o 'ill i& ou&. 3 &old #im &o 'ill
i& ou& #imsel'! &#a& we #ad enou)# &o do. 3 )uess #e /assed &#em ou& &o &#e navi)a&ors. 6a/&. 2armer said &#e
in&erro)a&ion 'orms are bein) revised &o in%lude radar do/e! e&%. oly 7mo(esR W#a& ne?&U
+lanes be)an re&urnin) around 3*39 +=. 3 %au)#& &#e 'irs& %rew down. "#en rus#ed over &o &#e --3rd K &oo(
%are o' ano&#er. "#en ba%( &o &#e --1s& 'or ano&#er! &#en sa& in on &#e &ail end o' >&. 5ndersonCs [&ABt Beonard 7.
)nderson was the )ssistant .-& of the 99&nd ./uadron in&erro)a&ion.
3 &#in( ea%# 74uadron 7-2 s#ould #ave &o ma(e a 6onsolida&ed =ission Ee/or& ou& on one o' &#ese Win)
=issions &o realiBe w#a& a $ob &#e 1r/. 7-2 #as in %onsolida&in) all &#e in&erro)a&ions. 3 a//re%ia&e &#e di''i%ul&y
involved in in&erro)a&in) a &ired %rew bu& #ell! i& %an be done K well &oo! i' only &#e 74uadron 7-2Cs )o a& i&
%orre%&ly.
5& abou& 6*1, +.=. >& 6arroll %alled 'rom Win) 5-2 o''i%e K said 6ol. 7weeney [6-rd Bo#b 7in* !hief of
.taff was demandin) &#e 2las# Ee/or&s so 3 )ave #im w#a& 3 #ad on 'our /lanes. "#en %alled #im ba%( a& 6*49
K )ave #im a revised 2las# Ee/or&. :7ee Ee/or& on =ission in Win) =ission 'older in my des( -- lower drawer
ri)#& side< [.#olenski was *oin* on leave in a few days, so the (arenthetical note was undoubtedly #eant for
.-& !a(t 7illia# Mar#ion, who would be returnin* fro# leave about the sa#e ti#e. .ure wish I could find that
7in* Mission folder.
"oo( 3n&err. 'orms #ome K wro&e u/ %onsolida&ed mission re/or&. 7ure is a #ell o' a $ob.Q
1$ #u& 44
5& Wal(er 552! Aansas! 6a/& Jo#n 7molens(i! 5ssis&an& 7-2 'or &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/! a'&er a very lon) day
yes&erday! )o& no relie' &oday. "#e 'irs& &#in) on #is /la&e &#is mornin) was &o s&udy &#e bomb im/a%& /#o&os 'rom
yes&erdayCs &rainin) mission &o 1alves&on. is verdi%&* Q+re&&y sad.Q "#e ne?& &as( was &o #and &#e =ission
Ee/or& #eCd s/en& las& ni)#& wri&in) over &o 8e/u&y 1rou/ 6ommander >& 6ol Jo#n 8ou)#er&y! w#o was 'lyin)
&oday &o 73rd Bomb Win) J a& 6olorado 7/rin)s. 7molens(i no&ed &#a& #eCd %lassi'ied &#e re/or& 6on'iden&ial.
+ar& o' &#e 1rou/ 7-2Cs du&ies was &o advise and assis& &#e 74uadron 7-2Cs! and 7molens(i s/en& some &ime
&oday doin) &#a&. Now &#a& >& =oye was ba%( on &#e $ob! 7molens(i &#ou)#& &#e --1s& 74uadron was QOA
a)ain.Q e was a li&&le %on%erned abou& &#e --2nd -- >& 5nderson o' &#a& s4uadron was #avin) &o #andle
every&#in) #imsel' wi&# no o&#er reliable o''i%ers. 7molens(i did no& men&ion &#e --3rd.

5//aren&ly! &#e 7-2 7e%&ion #ad &#e res/onsibili&y 'or dis&ribu&in) &#e %rew /i%&ures w#i%# were bein) &a(en a&
Wal(er. "#ese /#o&o)ra/#s! w#i%# s#owed &#e %rews /osin) in 'ron& o' a B-29! were in&ended as a morale
boos&er 'or &#e men! ea%# %rewman bein) )iven a %o/y &o (ee/ or send &o #is 'amily. 7molens(i no&ed &#a& ,1
:ou& o' 64< o' &#ese /i%&ures #ad been dis&ribu&ed already.

5no&#er 7-2 res/onsibili&y was wri&in) &#e mon&#ly 1rou/ #is&ories. 7molens(i no&ed &#a& &#e one 'or July Qwas
mailed &oday! a& las&. Only 2 wee(s la&e.Q 7molens(i su))es&ed &#a& >& "#om/son! 5ssis&an& 7-2 o' &#e --3rd
74uadron! s#ould wri&e &#e one 'or 5u)us&.

Bu& 7molens(iCs )rea&es& %on%ern was /lannin) 'or u/%omin) missions*

QNew 1rou/ =ission bein) /lanned 'or 5u). 21! 22 K 23rd. 5ll available 1rou/ /lanes will %amera bomb &ar)e&s
in Win'ield! Aas. =ission /rimarily 'or 5@5 [air-to-air )unnery wi&# in&er%e/&ion 'rom 7&ro&#er 2ield. 1/. O/s.
wan&s 3n&elli)en%e 5nne?! K >&. Jo#ns&on [a (hoto inter(reter assi*ned to 'r( @K is wri&in) one u/.

Q>&. 5nderson says --2nd is /lannin) on &#e Ba&is&a [!uba =ission 'or 7unday! &omorrow! &#e 29&# [this actually
didn3t take (lace until the &0th. 5nderson #as mos& o' &#e do/e on i& -- 3 )ave #im some re%eived 'rom 6a/&.
1abber&. e %an #andle i& O.A.Q
20 #u& 44
5'&er si? days a& sea on &#e .. )lcoa 5olaris! s#i/board rou&ine #ad be%ome! well! rou&ine! 'or &#e men o' &#e
,99&# Bomb 1rou/ 1round E%#elon. Bu& &oday &#ere was a s&ir. >and was in si)#& -- awaiiR 5s &#e s#i/ %ame
%loser! &#e men %rowded &#e rails. "#ey s&eamed /as& 8iamond ead and ne%(s %raned &o see &#e 'amous
&ro/i%al landmar(s everyone #ad #eard o' bu& never seen e?%e/& in movies -- onolulu! Wai(i(i Bea%# and &#e
bi) resor& #o&els. "#en &#ey /assed i%(am 2ield and en&ered +earl arbor! an%#orin) a& 1739. "#e #arbor was
'ull o' Navy s#i/s o' all &y/es and siBes. Bu& &#e men on &#e )lcoa 5olaris %ould only wa&%#. "#e s#i/ s/en& &#e
ni)#& a& an%#or and no one was allowed &o )o as#ore.
21 #u& 44
"#e .. )lcoa 5olaris! %arryin) &#e 1round E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/! s/en& mos& o' &#e day in +earl
arbor! bu& &#e men %ould only loo( lon)in)ly a& &#e s#ore and &#e )reen #ills beyond. No s#ore leave was
allowed. "#e vessel &oo( on 'res# wa&er! &#en a& 1799 s#e /ulled ou& o' &#e #arbor. O&#er s#i/s did &oo! and as
soon as &#ey were ou& a& sea a %onvoy o' &en &roo/ s#i/s and Navy &rans/or&s! wi&# &#ree des&royer es%or&s!
'ormed u/! and &#en i& was o'' &o &#eir ne?& des&ina&ion! somew#ere 'ar &o &#e wes&.
On &#is day &#e urlbu&& %rew :P222< o' &#e --2nd Bomb 74uadron! ,99&# Bomb 1rou/! was ba%( a& Wal(er
552! Aansas! a'&er &#eir leaves! and o' %ourse no& #a//y abou& i&! bu& as navi)a&or Aen 2ine /u& i&! Qsu%# is li'e.Q

"#is =onday mornin) &#e 'ield was noisy wi&# a%&ivi&y as si? B-29Cs &oo( o'' on 1rou/ =ission P6! w#i%# was a
%amera bombin) o' Win'ield! Aansas! abou& 3, miles sou&#eas& o' Wi%#i&a! &o be 'ollowed by a
simula&ed in&er%e/&ion by 'i)#&ers 'rom nearby 7&ro&#er 2ield.

W#ile &#e Win'ield mission was in /ro)ress! &#e ,99&# 1rou/ #ead4uar&ers #ad a bi) s&a'' mee&in) &#is mornin)!
wi&# 8e/u&y 1rou/ 6ommander >& 6ol Jo#n 8ou)#er&y /residin). 7everal bi) i&ems were %overed!
wi&# 5ssis&an& 7-2 6a/& Jo#n 7molens(i &a(in) #is usual de&ailed no&es*

QM5u)us&N 21 -- 5& 7&a'' mee&in) &#is mornin)! 6ol. 8ou)#er&y e?/lained &#a& &#e 5ir E%#elon would move ou& o'
W552 around O%&. 1. =a$or >loyd ['rou( )d8utant said &#e movemen& orders #ad arrived K &#a& 1/. d4s! 5ir
E%#elon is due a& &#e +OE [5ort of E#barkation, which would be Mather Field, !alifornia on O%&. 21s&! wi&# &#e
74uadron air e%#elons arrivin) wi&#in &#e ne?& 2 days. 7ome %on'li%& e?is&s abou& &#e 2li)#& E%#elon [#eanin*
(erha(s the #en who would be *oin* overseas via )ir 2rans(ort !o##and (lanes. 6ol. +u&nam! base 6.O.!
w#o was /resen& a& &#e mee&in)! said &#e 'lyaway /lanes [the ones the 011th would take to war would be
delivered #ere! K #e indi%a&ed &#e ,99&# would be /ullin) ou& be'ore O%&. 1 be%ause o' &#e arrival o' &#e 339&# 5ir
E%#elon. [2he --1th Bo#b 'rou( of the -+$th Bo#b 7in* would be the ne;t unit after the 011th to train at
7alker. 2heir 'round Echelon had been su((ortin* the 011th )ir Echelon ever since the 011th3s 'round
Echelon had de(arted for overseas on &- July. Well! weCll see.
QNe?& bi) news was &#e %ri&i%ism on &#e las& Win) =ission. [2his was the re(eat of 7in* Mission C-, a radar
bo#bin* #ission to 'alveston, run on the (revious Friday, +9 )u*. 6ol. 8ou)#er&y didnC& dire%& [two lines
ille*ible.
5s 'ar as 7-2 was %on%erned wi&# &#e las& Win) mission*
:1< Brie'in) was O.A. e?%e/& &#a& &#ere was &oo mu%# disorder in &#e s/e%ialiBed brie'in)s. "#is will #ave &o
be %orre%&ed by &#e %rea&ion o' 1rou/ brie'in) &eams made u/ o' 1/. Navi)a&or! Bomb.! Eadar! 6omms! e&%.!
w#o will wor( ou& in advan%e &#eir brie'in) ma&erial.
:2< 5de4ua&e mission 'olders mus& be available. Ours were O.A. on las& mission bu& &#is is &ied u/ wi&#*
:3< 2limsies -- ea%# se%&ion will ma(e ou& i&s own 'limsies [sin*le sheets of (a(er containin* essential
#ission data, handed out to key crew #e#bers such as navi*ator, fli*ht en*ineer, radio o(erator, etc. well in
advan%e! so %rews %an s&udy &#em K (now &#em be'ore &#e 1rou/ brie'in) &a(es /la%e. 1ood ideaR
:4< +re-brie'in) mee&in)s will be #eld wi&# ea%# se%&ion /resen& &o ade4ua&ely &#ras# ou& all &#e /roblems
%on%ernin) &#e mission K &#e brie'in).

Q"#en %ame &#e news abou& &#e bi) Win) =ission. [2here were two #issions bein* (lanned to !uba at this
ti#e, a s#aller one which took (lace on &0 )u*, and a second, bi**er one to take (lace on &, )u*. .#olenski
is referrin* here to the second one. 3& will be an im/or&an& one! K will be a lon) one. 7everal 1enerals ridin)!
in%ludin) 1eneral assell [@ansell! w#o is 6.1. o' &#e 21s& B.6. now. OC8onnell [!' 6-rd Bo#b 7in* will also
ride alon). ereCs &#e do/e on i&*
:1< 12 /lanes 'rom ea%# 1/. mus& )e& over &#e &ar)e&.
:2< "#e &ar)e& is 6ayo "raviesa! 3 )uess! same as on &#e Ba&is&a =ission [#eanin* the &0 )u* #ission.
:3< 5ll Win) /lanes will &a(e o'' 'rom 7alina 'ield! K 499&# [Bo#b 'rou(, stationed at .alina will &a(e %are o' i&!
brie'in)! e&%.
:4< +lanes will 'ly in 12 s#i/ 'orma&ions K rou&e will be 'rom 7alina &o Wi%#i&a &o Ba&is&a &o &ar)e& &o Ba&is&a &o
"am/a &o #ome 'ields. 8onC& (now 'or sure abou& &#a& las& /&. +lanes may all land a& 7alina! bu& 3 &#in( no&.
:,< 19 bombs will be dro//ed.
:6< 499&# is &#e lead 1rou/.
:7< 2ield Order is e?/e%&ed Wed. ni)#& on &#e mission.Q

5'&er %overin) a 'ew more minor issues! 7molens(i %on'essed &o an embarrassin) error* Q3 /ulled a boner on &#e
las& =ission Ee/or& &o Win). 3n /lo&&in) :or re/or&in)< &#e bomb im/a%& error in 'ee&! 3 used &#e wron) aimin)
/oin&. ... 5m /re/arin) a %orre%&ion s#ee& &o be sen& M&oN &#e Win).Q

"#en 7molens(i! w#o was s%#eduled &o )o on leave &omorrow! made w#a& #e &#ou)#& was )oin) &o be #is 'inal
observa&ion 'or a w#ile* QO# yes! we may lau)# a& &#e 499&# now be%ause o' &#e bi) $ob &#ey #ave in /re/arin)
'or &#is mission bu& donC& 'or)e& &#a& we may be %alled u/on &o do &#e same &#in) be'ore we leave &#e %oun&ry.Q
2inally! i' anyone a& Wal(er #ad any s/are &ime &oni)#&! &#ey %ould a&&end &#e I7O s#ow QNovel&ies o' C44Q a& &#e
/os& &#ea&er.
22 #u& 44
On &#is day &#e %onvoy %on&ainin) &#e .. )lcoa 5olaris and &#e 1round E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb
1rou/ %on&inued i&s $ourney )enerally wes&-sou&#wes&ward. 3n addi&ion &o #avin) &o &ravel in %onvoy! &#e men
'ound &#a& &#in)s /as& awaii were a li&&le di''eren&. 7in%e i& was un%er&ain w#en re/lenis#men& would a)ain be
available! &#e 'res# wa&er on board was (e/& Qlimi&ed.Q =os& o' &#e &roo/ drin(in) 'oun&ains #ad %old wa&er!
al&#ou)# on o%%asion &#e s#i/ wa&er %ondenser sys&em be%ame overloaded and allowed sal& wa&er in&o &#e
drin(in) 'oun&ain lines. Worse! s#owers were s&ri%&ly wi&# sal& wa&er. 7o-%alled sal&-wa&er soa/ was issued! bu&
s&ill &#e men 'ound &#is Qa mos& unsa&is'a%&ory way &o ba&#e.Q One &#in) #ad no& %#an)ed! #owever. Everyone
a)reed &#a& &#e 'ood %on&inued &o be bad.
"#is mornin) a& Wal(er 552! Aansas! 'ive B-29Cs o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ &oo( o'' 'or &#e se%ond day o' 1rou/
=ission P6! 'lyin) &o Win'ield! Aansas! 'or a %amera bombin) e?er%ise and a simula&ed 'i)#&er in&er%e/&ion.

Over in &#e 7-2 7e%&ion! 6a/& Jo#n 7molens(i was busy in #is o''i%e a)ain. is leave was su//osed &o
s&ar& &oday! bu& yes&erday a& 1739 a 6a/& Be%(e&& 'rom &#e 73rd Bomb Win) 5-2 :3n&el< o''i%e %alled &o dis%uss &#e
u/%omin) Win) mission &o Ba&is&a! 6uba. 3& seems &#a& Win) wan&ed some 7-2 o''i%ers 'rom &#e ,99&# &o )o &o
7alina &omorrow! &#e 23rd! &o %ondu%& brie'in)s and %rew in&erro)a&ions 'or &#e Win) mission %urren&ly s%#eduled
'or "#ursday! 24 5u)us&. :"#e /lan %urren&ly %alled 'or &#e ,99&# /lanes &o 'ly &o 7alina! be brie'ed and &a(e o''
'rom &#ere! &#en also re&urn &o 7alina 'or &#e in&erro)a&ions.< By &#e &ime &#ey were done! Be%(e&& #ad &al(ed
7molens(i in&o /os&/onin) #is leave un&il 2riday! and &#e lis& &o )o &o 7alina in%luded 7molens(i! >& =oye :7-2 o'
&#e --1s& 74uadron< and >& 5nderson :7-2 o' &#e --2nd<.

W#en 7molens(i in'ormed 8e/u&y 1rou/ 6ommander >& 6ol 8ou)#er&y abou& &#is %onversa&ion la&er! 8ou)#er&y
Qwas a)ains& &#e idea o' our /lanes landin) ba%( a& 7alina a'&er &#e mission! said #eCd &ry &o &al( Win) ou& o' i& K
#eCd le& me (now.Q owever! a la&er %all 'rom Win) &#a& a'&ernoon s#owed &#a& &#ey s&ill #ad &#e /lanes landin)
ba%( a& 7alina. 5 >& Aramer &old 7molens(i &#a& a &ele&y/e messa)e would be on i&s way orderin) #im! =oye and
5nderson &o 7alina &omorrow. e was as(ed also &o brin) alon) &wo enlis&ed %ler(s and enou)# /ilo&Cs (i&s 'or
&#e ,99&# %rews. Every&#in) else would su//osedly be &a(en %are o' by &#e 499&# 1rou/! w#i%# was based a&
7alina and was runnin) &#e mission.

=eanw#ile! &#e u/%omin) Ba&is&a mission was in&er'erin) wi&# o&#er %rew &rainin) a& Wal(er. 2@>& Aen 2ine!
navi)a&or on &#e urlbu&& %rew o' &#e --2nd! &old #is 'ian%ee &oday in a le&&er! QWe were su//osed &o 'ly &omorrow
bu& &#ey )rounded &#e /lanes &omorrow &o wor( on &#em. "#ey are )e&&in) some o' &#em ready 'or a &ri/ &o 6uba
and ba%( non-s&o/. 3 donC& (now w#e&#er we will be on i& or no&.Q
23 #u& 44
On &#e 'inal day 'or 1rou/ =ission P6! &wo B-29Cs o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ a& Wal(er 552! Aansas! &oo( o'' &#is
mornin) 'or a %amera bombin) o' Win'ield! Aansas! 'ollowed by a simula&ed 'i)#&er in&er%e/&ion 'rom nearby
7&ro&#er 2ield.

"#is mornin) 5ssis&an& 1rou/ 7-2 6a/& Jo#n 7molens(i re%eived &#e e?/e%&ed &ele&y/e messa)e 'rom Win)
orderin) &#e a)reed-u/on )rou/ o' 7-2 /ersonnel 'rom &#e ,99&# 1rou/ &o 7alina &o %ondu%& &#e brie'in) and
in&erro)a&ion o' &#e ,99&# %rews /ar&i%i/a&in) in &#e u/%omin) Win) mission &o 6uba. 5n obvious /roblem
was &#a& &#e messa)e dire%&ed &#em &o be &#ere by 1299 &oday! w#i%# was im/ossible. "#e bes& 7molens(i
%ould arran)e wi&# =a$ +arsons in O/era&ions was a 'li)#& leavin) 'or 7alina a& 1399 or 1339.

5no&#er %on%ern 7molens(i #ad was &#a& &wo 7-2 o''i%ers o' &#e 339&# Bomb 1rou/ w#o #ad been #el/in) &#e
74uadron 7-2Cs o' &#e ,99&# would be leavin) &oday 'or 6amou'la)e 7%#ool a& =ar%# 2ield in 6ali'ornia. 7in%e
>&s =oye and 5nderson! 7-2Cs o' &#e --1s& and --2nd 74uadrons res/e%&ively! would be a%%om/anyin)
7molens(i &o 7alina! &#is mean& &#a& &#ose &wo s4uadrons would #ave no 7-2 o''i%ers a& all 'or a 'ew days.
owever! 7molens(i reasoned &#a& &#is s#ould no& be mu%# o' a /roblem! Qsin%e mos& o' &#e /lanes will be )one
on &#is mission.Q

3n &#e --2nd 74uadron! Aen 2ine o' &#e urlbu&& %rew :P222< s&ill did no& (now i' #is %rew would be one o' &#ose
'lyin) &o 6uba. 3' so! &#ey would #ave &o 'ly &o 7alina &omorrow and leave 'rom &#ere 'or 6uba on 2riday
mornin). 2ine also %on'ided &o #is 'ian%ee some&#in) #e wasnC& su//osed &o* Q"#ey &old us we would /robably
be leavin) #ere [to head overseas around &#e 1s& o' O%&ober w#i%# is very %on'iden&ial and also sub$e%& &o
%#an)e bu& )ives an idea o' w#en we mi)#& be )oin).Q Bu& 2ine may be 'or)iven! be%ause /robably mos& o' &#e
men a& Wal(er were doin) &#e same &#in).
24 #u& 44
5s &#e .. )lcoa 5olaris and #er %onvoy moved %loser &o &#e e4ua&or! 'lyin) 'is# be%ame a %ommon si)#&. "#e
wea&#er also be%ame s&eadily warmer and &#e sun burned down #o&&er! w#i%# some men o' &#e ,99&# Bomb
1rou/ dis%overed &#e #ard way w#en &#ey lin)ered in &#e sun &oo lon) and ended u/ wi&# sunburns.
Wi&# no laundry 'a%ili&ies available! mos& o' &#e men #ad run ou& o' %lean %lo&#es lon) a)o. owever! &#ey
learned &#a& a semblan%e o' %leanin) %ould be a%#ieved by &yin) your %lo&#es &o a ro/e and &railin) &#em in &#e
wa&er. Bu& you #ad &o be %are'ul. 3' you los& )ri/ o' &#e ro/e or 'ailed &o &ie i& se%urely &o &#e railin)! you %ould
lose your wardrobe. =ore &#an one man wa&%#ed in 'rus&ra&ion as #is laundry re%eded in &#e s#i/Cs wa(e.
Boredom s&ar&ed &o be a /roblem. "#e s#i/ #ad a 'airly )ood s&o%( o' boo(s and &#ey were mu%# used. 5ll (inds
o' %ard )ames were /layed! as well as )ames su%# as bin)o. "#e 7/e%ial 7ervi%e se%&ion or)aniBed
en&er&ainmen& /ro)rams! bo?in) ma&%#es! dis%ussion )rou/s and more. Even an or%#es&ra was /u& &o)e&#er and
/ra%&i%ed daily. 5nd o' %ourse &#ere were re)ular reli)ious servi%es.
25 #u& 44
5& 2499 on &#is day! &#e .. )lcoa 5olaris %rossed &#e 3n&erna&ional 8a&e >ine! meanin) &#a& &#e men o' &#e
1round E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ on board /assed immedia&ely &o 27 5u)us&. "#ere was no 26 5u)us&
'or &#em.

By &#is &ime! word #ad lea(ed ou& &o many o' &#e men &#a& &#eir ne?& s&o/ would be Eniwe&o( in &#e =ars#all
3slands.

On or abou& &#is da&e 1eor)e u)#es! air/lane me%#ani% in &#e --1s& 74uadron! wro&e a brie' ;-mail &o #is
/aren&s. "#e le&&er is unda&ed bu& &#e ;-mail is /os&mar(ed 26 5u)us& 1944. 8ue &o %ensors#i/! all u)#es
%ould really %on'irm 'or #is /aren&s was &#a& #e was sa'e and Qon a s#i/ now enrou&e &o our des&ina&ion.Q
On &#is da&e &#e 'irs& Win) mission &o Ba&is&a 2ield! 6uba! was 'lown. 8e/u&y 1rou/ 6ommander >& 6ol Jo#n
8ou)#er&y led 'our B-29Cs 'rom &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ on &#is mission. "#e /lanes #ad 'lown 'rom Wal(er 2ield
&o 7alina &#e day be'ore and &oo( o'' 'or 6uba early &#is mornin).

"#ere is no&#in) in &#e uni& #is&ory abou& &#e 'li)#& down &o 6uba and w#a& &rans/ired &#ere! bu& on &#e way ba%(
&#e /lanes #i& bad wea&#er w#i%# %om/le&ely bro(e u/ &#e 'orma&ion. One o' &#e ,99&# /lanes landed a& E)lin
2ield! 2lorida! and ano&#er a& 1ul'/or&! =ississi//i. Only one /lane made i& ba%( &o Wal(er 2ield.

"#e /lane /ilo&ed by >& 6ol 8ou)#er&y wi&# &#e 7#orey %rew o' &#e --2nd 74uadron ended u/ near Oma#a!
Nebras(a! wi&# one en)ine 'ea&#ered and burnin) and ano&#er %u&&in) ou& due &o la%( o' 'uel. 5//aren&ly 'earin)
&#e o&#er en)ines mi)#& 4ui& a& any &ime! 8ou)#er&y! a%%ordin) &o &#e o''i%ial ,99&# 1rou/ #is&ory! Fordered /ar& o'
&#e %rew &o $um/ and )ave &#e remainin) o''i%ers and E= &#eir %#oi%e. 2ive enlis&ed men $um/ed! &wo loosin)
[sic &#eir lives in doin) soT &#e air/lane was landed wi&# no o&#er loss o' /ersonnel or e4ui/men&.G "#e &wo men
(illed were le'& )unner 6/l Aenne&# 1. 6lawson! w#o a//aren&ly s&ru%( &#e #oriBon&al s&abiliBer and died
ins&an&ly! and radio o/era&or +'% arold E. Woodru''! w#o %ould a& 'irs& no& be 'ound. 5'&er a &wo-day sear%#!
Woodru''Cs body was 'ound 'loa&in) in Oma#a >a(e! w#ere #e #ad a//aren&ly drowned. Nobody wore a =ae
Wes& over &#e mid-wes& /lains. W#a& were &#e odds o' dro//in) in&o a la(eU
"#is in%iden& %rea&ed %onsiderable bi&&erness &oward 8ou)#er&y on &#e /ar& o' some o' &#e enlis&ed men! w#o
no&ed /oin&edly &#a& 8ou)#er&y #ad no& ordered &#e o''i%ers &o $um/. Jo#n 6iardi! 626 )unner on &#e 6ordray
%rew :P239< o' &#e --2nd 74uadron! s&ill simmered over &#e in%iden& mon&#s la&er on 7ai/an* QW#a& s&i%(s in my
%raw is &#a& i& was 8ou)#er&y w#o ordered 'ive E= &o bail ou& o' a burnin) s#i/ over Nebras(a. e &#en
/ro%eeded &o land M&#eN /lane wi&# all &#e o''i%ers in&a%&. "wo o' &#e boys &#a& $um/ed were (illed. 3&Cs all in &#e
%#an%es o' war! 3 su//ose! bu& &#e bi) &#in) is &#a& &#e men were o''ered no %#oi%e.Q 6iardi #eld &#e )rud)e 'or
&#e res& o' #is li'e.
27 #u& 44
On &#e .. )lcoa 5olaris! s&ill in &#e 6en&ral +a%i'i% /loddin) )enerally wes&ward! mos& o' &#e men o' &#e 1round
E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ #ad already learned &#a& &#eir ne?& s&o/ was Eniwe&o(. 5s &#ey neared &#a&
a&oll! &#ey were also in'ormed o' &#eir 'inal des&ina&ion -- 7ai/an.

"#e o''i%ers in %#ar)e &#ou)#& i& would be a )ood idea &o )ive &#e men some orien&a&ion le%&ures on w#a& &#ey
%ould e?/e%& on 7ai/an and in surroundin) areas. In'or&una&ely! all &rainin) aids #ad been s&owed somew#ere
in &#e #old wi&# o&#er ba))a)e and 'rei)#&. owever! &#e men o' &#e 1rou/ 3n&elli)en%e 7e%&ion were resour%e'ul
and inven&ive and were able &o /u& &o)e&#er some le%&ures on 7ai/an and o&#er +a%i'i% islands. 5lso! &#e 1rou/
was 'or&una&e &o #ave on board a >& 6#arles +eden! w#o Q#ad s/en& mu%# &ime in Ja/an and &#e Orien& and
)ave some very in&eres&in) orien&a&ion le%&ures.Q
2 #u& 44
"oday a& Wal(er 552! Aansas! mu%# o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ was /re/arin) 'or ano&#er Win) mission &o
Ba&is&a 2ield! 6uba! &omorrow. "#is would be mu%# bi))er &#an &#e one run &#ree days earlier on 2, 5u)us&! bu&
even so! only 13 %rews were )oin). No& amon) &#e 13 was &#e urlbu&& %rew :P222< o' &#e --2nd 74uadron.
Navi)a&or Aen 2ine &ou%#ed on &#is sub$e%& w#en #e wro&e #is 'u&ure wi'e in ous&on &oday* Q3 &#ou)#& we mi)#&
be )oin) &o 6uba in &#e mornin) bu& 3 )uess we arenC&. We may be %omin) down in&o "e?as! down &o 8enison or
8en&on! 3 donC& (now w#i%#. 3 )uess i&Cs 8enison &#ou)# as we are su//osed &o )o on a Eadar mission on &#e
la(e nor&# o' &#ere.Q

+layin) a& &#e /os& &#ea&er &oni)#& was &#e I7O s#ow Q7&e/ >ivelyQ.
2$ #u& 44
"oday was ano&#er busy day a& Wal(er 552! Aansas! wi&# &#e bi))es& Win) mission ye& as &#e main even&.
1rou/ 6O 6ol Ei%#ard Ain)! ba%( 'rom leave! led 13 B-29Cs o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ in&o &#e air 'or a lon)
mission all &#e way &o Ba&is&a 2ield! 6uba! and ba%(. In'or&una&ely! i& didnC& &a(e lon) 'or &#in)s &o s&ar& )oin)
wron). "#ree /lanes abor&ed and never rea%#ed 6uba. "#e res& a//aren&ly made i& &o &#e &ar)e& bu& &#ere is no
indi%a&ion in &#e re%ords as &o #ow su%%ess'ul &#e bombin) was. "#en! on &#e way ba%(! &wo /lanes #ad
me%#ani%al /roblems w#i%# 'or%ed &#em &o ma(e emer)en%y landin)s! one in 6uba and &#e o&#er in 2lorida!
/robably a& E)lin 2ield. "#e remainin) ei)#& bombers! $us& as #ad #a//ened on &#e /revious 6uba mission on
2, 5u)! ran in&o bad wea&#er and were s%a&&ered all over &#e %en&ral and sou&#ern I7. 5ll were able &o ma(e i&
down sa'ely e?%e/& one.
"#e 6ur&is %rew :P119< o' &#e --1s& 74uadron was one o' &#ose &#a& 'lew &#is mission. 56 2erd 6ur&is re%orded
#is 'li)#& &ime as 14 #ours and 2, minu&es.

"#e =a#oney %rew :P362< o' &#e --3rd 74uadron in B-29 42-643, 'ound &#emselves &ryin) &o land &#a& ni)#& in
'oul wea&#er a& "ulsa! O(la#oma. Q... 6a/&. =a#oney en&ered &#e &ra''i% /a&&ern ... and was %leared &o &#e ,!999C
level a'&er advisin) &#e &ower &#a& #e #ad only 39 minu&es o' 'uel. 5'&er %ir%lin) &#e 'ield &ill &#ree en)ines were
ou& and &#e 'our&# s/u&&erin) be%ause o' la%( o' 'uel! all members o' &#e %rew su%%ess'ully /ara%#u&ed &o &#e
)round.Q "#e B-29 %ras#ed near a 4uarry and was a &o&al loss.

Below is &#e %om/osi&ion o' &#e =a#oney %rew as o' 1- O%& 1944! w#i%# was /robably &#e same as on 29 5u).
56 6a/& Eu)ene 6. =a#oney
+ 2@>& Ernes& E. 8earborn
B 2@>& 8onald 5. >en&
N 2@>& 1eor)e J. Weber
2E 2@>& Jo#n E. Jo#nson
Eadio 7)& 8onald E. ;an +el&
Ein) 1 7@7)& Warren 1. 6oo(
E1 6/l Bruno J. 7war%e
>1 6/l Eudol/# J. 1ro%e
Eadar 7)& Earl B. 6ousins
"1 6/l +aul 2. Doun)
30 #u& 44
On &#is day a& 1199 &#e %onvoy wi&# &#e .. )lcoa 5olaris and &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ 1round E%#elon arrived a&
Eniwe&o( and an%#ored in &#e lar)e la)oon! w#i%# was already 'illed wi&# a )rea& number o' vessels o' all &y/es.
"#e )lcoa 5olaris would remain #ere un&il a %onvoy was ready &o move on &o 7ai/an.
5& Wal(er 552! Aansas! 6a/& Jo#n 7molens(i! 5ssis&an& 7-2 o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/! #ad 'inally mana)ed &o
)e& away &#is /as& wee(end on #is overdue leave! w#ile 7-2 6a/& William =armion #ad re&urned 'rom leave! $us&
in &ime &o deal wi&# &#e bi) Win) mission &o 6uba on &#e 29&#. "oday =armion no&ed &#a& #e was Qba%( on $ob
amids& &#e %on'usion o' &#e Win) su/er mission w#i%# was run yes&erday. 5@6 are be)innin) &o arrive a'&er bein)
widely disbursed on mission due &o me%#ani%al 'ailures and wea&#er. "#e loss o' [B-&, $&-%43, a& "ulsa is
(eenly 'el& by all. 6rew bailed ou& wi&# no %asual&ies. 6ol. Ain) as(ed 'or a narra&ive re/or& o' mission.Q

"#e urlbu&& %rew :P222< o' &#e --2nd 74uadron #ad no& )one on &#e 6uba mission. "#ey were ins&ead
su//osed &o 'ly a mission &o "e?as bu& i& was /os&/oned yes&erday be%ause &#eir /lane needed an en)ine
%#an)e. "#eir 'li)#& was res%#eduled 'or &#is a'&ernoon and evenin) bu& navi)a&or Aen 2ine wasnC& sure i' &#ey
would be )oin) be%ause Qwe #ave 3 s#i/s ou& 'or re/airs and 3 s%a&&ered over &#e %oun&ry* one in 6uba! one in
2lorida and one a& O(la#oma 6i&y.Q
31 #u& 44
5no&#er si)n &#a& &#e &ime 'or &#e overseas de/loymen& o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ 5ir E%#elon was s&eadily
a//roa%#in) o%%urred &oday. "#e 'oodwarmers were removed 'rom &#e B-29Cs a& Wal(er 2ield and alon)
wi&# /#o&o)ra/#i% e4ui/men& were s#i//ed &o &#e s&a)in) area 'or ins&alla&ion in &#e 'lyaway air%ra'& as &#ey
be%ame available.

"#e 1rou/ was s&ill &ryin) &o re%over 'rom &#e bi) Win) mission o' &#e 29&#! w#i%# #ad &a(en a #eavy &oll on &#e
air%ra'&. 7everal were down 'or re/airs! one #ad been los&! and some #ad no& ye& re&urned &o Wal(er. "#is did
no& #el/ &#e end-o'-mon&# s&a&us re/or&! w#i%# s#owed only 1, B-29Cs available in %om/arison wi&# 17 a& &#e
be)innin) o' &#e mon&#.

=ain&enan%e %on&inued &o be a %on%ern. "#e me%#ani%s o' &#e 339&# Bomb 1rou/ w#o #ad been /rovidin)
main&enan%e su//or& sin%e la&e July were s&re&%#ed very &#in! resul&in) in a %ons&an& main&enan%e ba%(lo). "#e
,99&# was see(in) addi&ional main&enan%e /ersonnel 'rom &#e 72nd 7ervi%e 1rou/. 3n one bri)#& s/o&! &#e
1rou/ #ad mana)ed &o a%4uire 'our new en)ines and /lanned &o #old &#em ready 'or needed en)ine %#an)es.

"#e /ersonnel 'i)ures were more /osi&ive. Wi&# &#e addi&ion o' &wo radar o/era&ors! =O7 -67! &#e 1rou/ now
#ad no =O7 s#or&a)es! and in 'a%& was 32 o''i%ers and 33 enlis&ed overs&ren)&#. "#e sur/lus men were
e?/e%&ed &o be &rans'erred ou& soon. "#e 1rou/ now #ad 63 'ull %rews and only one /ar&ial %rew.

3n &rainin)! &#e 1rou/ was a%&ually a#ead o' s%#edule in #ours 'lown! ins&rumen& &ime! individual navi)a&ion and
%amera bombin). owever! &#ey were be#ind s%#edule in missions 'lown and %om/le&ed! 'orma&ion 'lyin)! bomb
releases! radar bombin) and )unnery.

"#e medi%al /or&ion o' &#e re/or& was )ood! wi&# only one %ase o' venereal disease re/or&ed.

=orale was %onsidered #i)#! in lar)e /ar& be%ause o' &#e leaves and 'urlou)#s w#i%# were %urren&ly bein)
issued.

O&#er a%%om/lis#men&s durin) &#e mon&# in%luded &#e %ons&ru%&ion o' a /ara%#u&e &rainin) s&and and a mo%(-u/
o' a B-29 'or &ea%#in) di&%#in) /ro%edure. "#e Base O/era&ions buildin) #ad been remodeled &o %rea&e u/s&airs
o''i%es 'or 2li)#& 6on&rol. 5nd &#e --2nd 74uadron enlis&ed men #ad been moved &o a new barra%(s area w#i%#
)ave &#em more room and /u& &#em %loser &o &#eir o/era&ions buildin)s and &#e 'li)#& line.
1 Sep 44
"oday a& Wal(er 552! Aansas! 6a/& William =armion o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ no&ed in &#e 7-2 $ournal &#a& a
messa)e #ad been re%eived 'rom &#e 73rd Bomb Win) advisin) o' a Win) %ri&i4ue o' &#e re%en& Win) mission &o
6uba on 29 5u)us& &o be #eld &omorrow mornin) a& 7alina. =armion &#en s/en& &#e day Q%onsolida&in) re/or&s
and )e&&in) re%ords &o)e&#er 'or Win)Q! as well as /re/arin) a narra&ive re/or& 'or 1rou/ 6O 6ol Ain). "#e
re/or&s would ne%essarily be in%om/le&e! #owever! be%ause only nine o' &#e &#ir&een ,99&# 1rou/ /lanes w#i%#
#ad /ar&i%i/a&ed in &#e mission #ad re&urned &o Wal(er. One #ad %ras#ed a& "ulsa! al&#ou)# &#e %rew #ad
su%%ess'ully bailed ou&! w#ile &#ree #ad made 'or%ed landin)s a& o&#er 'ields due &o me%#ani%al /roblems! and
&#ose &#ree #ad no& ye& been re/aired.

One /osi&ive &#in) &#a& #a//ened &oday was Qa very su%%ess'ul 1rou/ 6ri&i4ue ... led by 6ol Ain).Q
2 Sep 44
On &#is day a& 7alina! Aansas! a %ri&i4ue o' &#e 29 5u)us& Win) mission &o 6uba was #eld! led by Bri) 1en
Emme&& QEosieQ OC8onnell! 6ommandin) 1eneral o' &#e 73rd Bomb Win). "welve o''i%ers o' &#e ,99&# Bomb
1rou/! in%ludin) &#e 6O! 6ol Ei%#ard Ain)! and &#e 7-2! 6a/& William =armion! &raveled 'rom Wal(er 552 &o
/ar&i%i/a&e. 6a/& =armion &oo( no&es o' &#e %ri&i4ue*

Q7e/& 2 ... "#e )rou/ 6OCs )ave &#eir s&ory o' &#e mission 'rom be)innin) &o end. 5ll a)reed &#a& &#e mission
was no& su%%ess'ul as a w#ole. "#ere was some sa&is'a%&ion 'or &#e ,99&#! #owever! inasmu%# as we did as
)ood or be&&er &#an any one o' &#e o&#er &#ree )rou/s. "#e 6.1. /oin&ed ou& many s#or& %omin)s and s&ressed
some very )ood /oin&s. 3& was )enerally %on%eded &#a& mu%# more was learned by &#e errors %ommi&&ed &#an
would #ave been /ossible i' &#e mission #ad been run /er'e%&ly. "#ese /oin&s in%luded --
:1< "#e 5ir/lane 6ommander mus& realiBe #is res/onsibili&ies and be $us& w#a& #is name im/lies.
:2< 3n%reased use o' visual si)nals.
:3< Bombardiers &o assis& Navi)a&ors by doin) 8E [dead reckonin* navi)a&ion.
I/on re&urn &o Wal(er! 6ol. Ain) announ%ed in&en&ion o' #avin) &wo )rou/ missions ne?& wee( -- one &o
1alves&on on "uesday [0 .e( and one &o Aey Wes& ne?& 2riday [9 .e( wi&# 12 5@6 on ea%#.Q
3 Sep 44
"oday a& Wal(er 552! Aansas! &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ #eld a brie'in) a& 1699 'or a 1rou/ radar bombin) mission
&o 1alves&on s%#eduled 'or "uesday! , 7e/. [It was unusual for a #ission briefin* to be *iven two days ahead of
the #ission. )# not sure why, unless the 'rou( did not want to fly on Babor ?ay, which was on Monday $
.e(. 6a/& William =armion! 1rou/ 7-2! admi&&ed &#a& &#e brie'in) was Qno& &oo su%%ess'ulQ! in /ar& be%ause Q3
did no& %over any 'riendly or enemy si&ua&ion.Q "#e air/lane %ommanders %om/lained &#a& &#ey were no&
/rovided su''i%ien& de&ail.

"#e urlbu&& %rew :P222< o' &#e --2nd 74uadron was no& s%#eduled 'or &#e 1alves&on mission! so &oday &#ey
#ad a %rew /i%ni% and %oo(ou& wi&# s&ea(s and beer a& a /ar( in nearby ays. 5'&erwards! navi)a&or Aen 2ine
and bombardier 1len 5i&(en wen& ou& wi&# &#e enlis&ed men Q&o a $oin& &#ere and dran( our sorrows away.Q
4 Sep 44
"#e men o' &#e 1round E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ on board &#e .. )lcoa 5olaris #ad been swin)in) a&
an%#or in Eniwe&o( la)oon 'or 'ive days now. No one was allowed as#ore! and everyone was be%omin)
'rus&ra&ed. W#a& was &#e #old-u/U W#y %ouldnC& &#ey )e& a move onU

=a$ Eober& Wol%o&& and &#e o&#er o''i%ers did w#a& &#ey %ould &o (ee/ morale u/. 8aily bo?in) ma&%#es
%on&inued! some&imes in%ludin) members o' &#e mer%#an& %rew and &#e Navy )un %rew. "#e medi%al o''i%ers
)ave le%&ures on #eal&# %ondi&ions on 7ai/an. 5 %#ess &ournamen& was or)aniBed! wi&# +'% 5ubry Eoss! a
dra'&sman in &#e --3rd 74uadron! de'ea&in) 6a/& Eal/# =aus&! %ommander o' &#e --1s& de&a%#men&! 'or &#e
%#am/ions#i/. Bu& des/i&e &#e bes& e''or&s! &#e lon)! swel&erin) days a& Eniwe&o( a&e s&eadily away
a& everyoneCs morale.
One o' &#e medi%al o''i%ers! 6a/& +aul J. "rier o' &#e --2nd 74uadron! wro&e a le&&er &o #is wi'e a& abou& &#is &ime.
3& is unda&ed! a//aren&ly be%ause even da&es were %ensored a& &#is &ime :see 1eor)e u)#esC %ommen& re &#is
in 9 7e/ 44 en&ry<.
F8arlin)!
3 #avenC& wri&&en 'or several days be%ause 3 &#ou)#& &#a& we would )e& on &#e move &o our 'inal des&ina&ion! bu&
we #ave me& wi&# a sli)#& delay 'or some un(nown reason. ave been doin) abou& &#e same &#in) every day
and &#in)s are as mono&onous as usual. ave &a(en &o /layin) %#ess! and 'ind i& a very use'ul )ame 'or /assin)
away &#e &ime. H
"#is s#i/ is be)innin) &o seem more li(e a /rison all &#e &ime! and all &#e more so be%ause we donC& )e& any mail.
3& )ives you a /e%uliar 'eelin) &o be so %om/le&ely %u& o'' 'rom #ome. 3& loo(s as &#ou)# weCll 'inis# ou& a 'ull
mon&# on &#is &ub. Nobody #as been o'' &#e s#i/ sin%e we )o& on &#e day be'ore sailin). 2ellows are )e&&in)
%abin 'ever ri)#& and le'&. Ximmerman [!a(t @enry ). Li##er#an, Medical =fficer of the 99-rd ./uadron #as
$us& %on%luded #is se%ond bla%( mood o' &#e voya)e! and will /robably a//roa%# 'ull normal%y by &omorrow.
H 7i&&in) around is &a(in) i&s &oll on everyoneCs morale! and 3 'ind mysel' smo(in) &wo /a%(a)es o' %i)are&&es a
day /lus a %ou/le o' %i)ars. 3Cll #ave &o s&ar& re)ula&in) mysel'. 3 #ave 'inally re&urned &o my old slee/in) #abi&s
and s&ay u/ readin) la&e! and 'inally )e& &o si%( %all a& 9999. Brea('as& %onsis&s o' 'rui& $ui%e and %o''ee $us& li(e
a& #ome! and am ea&in) my usual sandwi%# 'or lun%#. "#e only &rouble is &#a& 3 #ave very li&&le di''i%ul&y in
wor(in) in &#e evenin) sna%(. 3Cm )oin) &o #ave &o be %are'ul be%ause 3 donC& wan& &o %ome #ome &o you 'a&&er
&#an w#en 3 le'&. 3 #ave an idea &#a& &#e slimmin) down /ro%ess will s&ar& soon.
>ivin) on &#e s#i/ wouldnC& be so bad i' you %ould )o as#ore and %ome ba%( #ere &o ea& and slee/. We #ave all
&#e modern %onvenien%es in a 1 3 sor& o' way! and are able &o &a(e ba&#s! s#ave daily! e&%. 3& is really di''i%ul& &o
wri&e le&&ers w#en you arenC& )e&&in) any! and 3 am 'or%ed &o 'ill &#em wi&# &rivial &#in)s. 3 )uess &#e im/or&an&
&#in) &#ou)# is &o (ee/ &#e lines o' %ommuni%a&ion o/en.
3Cll &ry &o wri&e every day as lon) as &#ere is any %#an%e o' )e&&in) mail o'' o' &#e s#i/. "#e reason 3Cm no& sendin)
&#ese le&&ers air mail is &#a& 3 #eard &#ey #eld &#em #ere [that would be Eniwetok M JEB 'or some &ime a'&er we
leave be'ore sendin) &#em on. 3Cm missin) you more &#an ever! darlin). 7ure #o/e we %an )e& &#is )od damned
war over wi&# in a #urry. 3Cm si%( &o dea&# o' slee/in) alone! and very an?ious &o )e& #ome &o &#e /er'e%& wi'e. 3
love you darlin).
+aulG
5& Wal(er 552! Aansas! &#e urlbu&& %rew :P222< o' &#e --2nd 74uadron did no& )e& >abor 8ay :4 7e/< o''. "#ey
were sen& on a s/e%ial mission ins&ead. Navi)a&or Aen 2ine e?/lained w#a& #a//ened in a le&&er &o #is 'ian%ee*

Q... =onday we wen& &o 'ly and &#ey sen& us down #ere [stationery says D=fficers3 !lub -- E*lin Field, FloridaD &o
/i%( u/ a %rew w#i%# was s&randed down #ere. We wai&ed a& Wal(er 'rom 9 in &#e mornin) un&il 4 in &#e
a'&ernoon. "#ey )o& an old B-17 ready &o )o. We le'& &#en and )o& down #ere a& abou& 19. We wen& over &o &#e
%lub and 'ooled around aw#ile and &#en wen& &o bed. "#is o&#er %rew #ad )one &o 6uba and #ad develo/ed
en)ine &rouble and made i& ba%( #ere and are #avin) an en)ine %#an)ed. [2his was (robably one of the B-&,3s
that had had #echanical trouble on the last 7in* #ission to Batista, which #eans it and the crew had been
sittin* at E*lin since &, )u*. Missin* a crew and #ore i#(ortantly a (lane for that lon* #ust have (ut a bi*
cri#( in the 011th3s trainin* schedule. We were su//osed &o &a(e &#em ba%( &o Wal(er. We were s%#eduled &o
)o ba%( &oday [0 .e( bu& we #ad en)ine &rouble :on /ur/ose< so we are )oin) ba%( &omorrow. [2his ready
ad#ission #akes you wonder how often this sort of thin* ha((ened.
We are ou& a& &#e %lub &#ey #ave on &#e bea%#. 3& really is ni%e. "#ey #ave a ni%e %lub #ouse #ere and &#e
breeBe is blowin) in )rand 'rom o'' &#e %oas&. 3Cd li(e &o be able &o %ome ba%( down #ere some day. =aybe we
%an.Q

5s i& #a//ened! &#e urlbu&& %rew didnC& )e& ba%( &o Wal(er un&il 7 7e/. "urns ou& &#ey #ad been delayed
ano&#er day a& E)lin by me%#ani%al &rouble -- a//aren&ly real &#is &ime.
5 Sep 44
"#is mornin) a& Wal(er 552! Aansas! 1rou/ 6O 6ol Ei%#ard Ain) led &en B-29Cs o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ o'' on
a radar bombin) mission &o 1alves&on. "#e o''i%ial re%ords are silen& abou& w#e&#er &#is mission was su%%ess'ul
or unsu%%ess'ul. One o' &#e /ar&i%i/a&in) %rews was &#e =%6lana#an %rew :P3,3< o' &#e --3rd 74uadron.
5%%ordin) &o &#e brie' diary no&es o' ri)#& )unner Eober& 7%#urmann! &#ey &oo( o'' a& 9-1, and re&urned &o
Wal(er a& 1-19. 5ll 7%#urmann says abou& &#e mission i&sel' is Q1alves&on radar bombin) mission. 2ired )uns
over 1ul'.Q
Sep 44
"oday &#e morale o' &#e men in &#e 1round E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ a& Eniwe&o( Qwas li'&ed 1999S &o
wri&e %onserva&ivelyQ! a%%ordin) &o &#e #y/erbole o' &#e uni& #is&ory! and all be%ause o' a 'ew ba)s o' le&&ers.
=ail w#i%# #ad a%%umula&ed a& 7ai/an was 'lown in and dis&ribu&ed. 5lmos& everyone )o& some&#in)! and some
men re%eived as many as 49 le&&ers. 5ll over &#e s#i/! men were busy readin). =orale would be o(ay 'or a
w#ile.

Q- 7e/& 44 1/ =ission P-. Ba&is&a "ar)e&. We )o& 7 B-29Cs o''. 6olonel Ain) was 2or%e 6ommander.
Eemainin) /ar& o' day very slow.Q

"#e urlbu&& %rew :P222< o' &#e --2nd 74uadron was no& on &odayCs 1rou/ mission. "#ey 'lew ins&ead &o
8enison! "e?as! ma(in) as many as si? simula&ed radar bombin) runs on a lar)e la(e &#ere be'ore re&urnin) &o
Wal(er 552. "#e ays %rew :P22-< o' &#e --2nd! $us& ba%( 'rom leave! also 'lew a %rew mission &oday! an aerial
)unnery e?er%ise a& 2,!999 'ee&. 5%%ordin) &o al "owner! w#o as a bombardier was also a )unner! &#ey 'ired o''
a &o&al o' 1,99 rounds.
$ Sep 44
5& Eniwe&o(! &#e .. )lcoa 5olaris mus& #ave s&ar&ed runnin) a li&&le low on 'ood! be%ause &oday &#e noon meal!
w#i%# #ad been only sou/ or a sandwi%#! was dis%on&inued. =any men s&ar&ed savin) 'rui& 'rom brea('as& &o
#ave as a noon sna%(. Bu& even &#is %u&ba%( 'ailed &o si)ni'i%an&ly dam/en &#e menCs s/iri&s a'&er
yes&erdayCs e?#ilara&in) mail %all.

5ir/lane me%#ani% 1eor)e u)#es o' &#e --1s& 74uadron was ins/ired &o answer #is 'amilyCs le&&ers &oday! even
&#ou)# #e #ad &o use ;-mail and #e didnC& (now w#en i& would a%&ually be /os&ed. ;-mail was a sys&em in w#i%#
le&&ers were /#o&o)ra/#ed! redu%ed in siBe and &rans'erred &o mi%ro'ilm 'or s#i/men& &o &#eir des&ina&ion! w#ere
&#ey were %o/ied ba%( on&o /a/er and sen& on &o &#e re%i/ien&. "#is me&#od saved &#e mili&ary an immense
amoun& o' wei)#&. 5s i& #a//ened! u)#esC ;-mail was /os&mar(ed 7e/& 26! 1944! w#i%# was a'&er &#e uni&
arrived on 7ai/an! bu& we (now u)#es wro&e i& on 9 7e/&ember be%ause o' #is re'eren%e &o re%eivin) le&&ers
yes&erday.

Q8ear =o&#er K 8ad!

3 am s&ill aboard s#i/ enrou&e &o my 'inal des&ina&ion. 8onC& &#in( &#a& 3 am 'or)e&&in) &#e da&e on &#ese le&&ers
be%ause i& is a)ains& rules &o da&e &#em a& &#is &ime. Every&#in) is 'ine and &#e &ri/ #as been mos& en$oyable so
'ar. "#ere isnC& a )rea& deal &o do e?%e/& read! /lay %ards and o' %ourse ea&in) [sicN.

We )o& our mail yes&erday. 3 )o& 'our le&&ers....

>ove
1eor)eQ
Aen 2ine o' &#e urlbu&& %rew :P222< o' &#e --2nd 74uadron mus& #ave #ad a se%uri&y brie'in) &oday! or else #e
was 'eelin) )uil&y! be%ause &oday 'rom Wal(er 552! Aansas! #e %au&ioned #is 'ian%ee in a le&&er! Q7ay! 'or +e&eCs
sa(e donC& say any&#in) over &#e /#one abou& w#e&#er we are leavin) #ere around &#e 'irs& o' O%&ober. Dou
mi)#& )e& me in &rouble i' anyone s#ould #ear &#a&.Q 3&Cs doub&'ul i' any se%uri&y /ersonnel were moni&orin) /#one
%alls in and ou& o' Wal(er 2ield! bu& i& s#ould be remembered &#a& all lon)-dis&an%e %alls in &#ose days were
manually %onne%&ed by usually 'ier%ely /a&rio&i% 'emale o/era&ors! w#o %ould lis&en in as &#ey /leased and mi)#&
'eel i& &#eir du&y &o re/or& se%uri&y viola&ions.
11 Sep 44

Q11 7e/& 44 73rd Win) 2O P6 w#i%# was s%#eduled &o be run &omorrow is %an%elled /er "WW [telety(e
#essa*e 73BW. "#is is a Ba&is&a =ission.
=a$or +arsons [)ssistant =(erations =fficer de/ar&ed W552 M'orN >os 5n)eles! 6ali'. a& 9-39 6W" in B-172.Q

On &#is day &#e urlbu&& %rew :P222< o' &#e --2nd 74uadron 'lew a mission &o 1alves&on. "#ey le'& Wal(er 552
abou& 1439! 'lew over ous&on a& abou& 1999 a& 22!999 'ee&! &#en %on&inued &o 1alves&on 'or w#a& was /robably
a radar bombin) mission. "#ey )o& ba%( &o Wal(er a& abou& 9939 on &#e 12&#. "#e ne?& day navi)a&or Aen 2ine
e?%i&edly wro&e #is 'ian%ee &#a& #e #ad 'lown almos& dire%&ly over #er ous&on #ome.
12 Sep 44

Q12 7e/& 44 O/era&ions Order P9 :2.O. P6< no& run &oday as s%#eduled due &o bad wea&#er in vi%ini&y o' Ba&is&a
[!uba. 5//aren&ly a #urri%ane is due alon) Eas& 6oas&. =ission was %an%elled be'ore brie'in) was #eld.Q

"#e urlbu&& %rew :P222< o' &#e --2nd 74uadron #ad been s%#eduled &o )o on &#is Ba&is&a mission bu& )o& a
re/rieve. "#e =%6lana#an %rew :P3,3< o' &#e --3rd 'lew a &#ree-#our mission &oday o' uns/e%i'ied na&ure. We
(now i& was above 19!999 'ee&! &#ou)#! be%ause 'li)#& en)ineer 2@>& 2red 7&a%(er #ad a /roblem wi&# #is o?y)en
sys&em and nearly /assed ou&.
13 Sep 44
2inally &oday a& 1649! a'&er &wo wee(s o' lan)uis#in) in &#e la)oon a& Eniwe&o(! &#e .. )lcoa 5olaris wi&# &#e
1round E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ le'& 'or 7ai/an Qin a %onvoy %onsis&in) o' seven s#i/s and &wo es%or&
vessels.Q One o' &#e s#i/s was an >7" :o''i%ially >andin) 7#i/! "an(! bu& dubbed by &#eir %rews >ar)e! 7low
"ar)e&<! w#i%# %ould ma(e no more &#an ei)#& or nine (no&s! so &#e %onvoy &raveled very slowly. "#e &ri/ was
e?/e%&ed &o &a(e abou& 'ive days. "#e men were )lad &o be on &#eir way! even &#ou)# &#eir rou&e would &a(e
&#em wi&#in 399 miles! &#a& is! wi&#in bomber ran)e! o' &#e Ja/anese 'or&ress o' "ru(. 7u//osedly! re/ea&ed
5meri%an air a&&a%(s #ad neu&raliBed &#e base! bu& you %ould never be sure.

Q13 7e/&. 44 "#ere was a mee&in) o' C+lannin) 6ommi&&eeC 'or 73rd Bomb Win) CWin) 8in)C in 6a/&ain =ar&inCs
O''i%e ['rou( )ir Ins(ector &oday. 6olonel Ain) ['rou( != was /resen& a& la&&er /ar& o' mee&in).
=a$or +arsons [)ssistant 'rou( =(erations =fficer re&urned W552 'rom >.5. &oday.Q

"#e QWin) 8in)Q /lanned 'or 1, 7e/&ember was &o be a bi)! %ombined ins/e%&ion! brie'in)! re%e/&ion and dinner
in #onor o' no less &#an 'our visi&in) )enerals! in%ludin) Bri) 1en Emme&& OC8onnell! 61 73rd Bomb Win)! and
=a$ 1en IBal 1. En&! 61 2nd 5ir 2or%e. "#e %ommand o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ in&ended &o s/are no e''or& &o
im/ress &#e bi) brass. 1@>& arvey 6#a/in! 7-2 o' &#e --3rd 74uadron! was /la%ed in %#ar)e o' or)aniBin) &#e
QWin) 8in)Q.

"#e =%6lana#an %rew :P3,3< o' &#e --3rd 74uadron was u/ a)ain on a mission &#is evenin)! air-&o-)round
)unnery /ra%&i%e 'rom 1-99 &o 2139. "#ey #ad a li&&le en)ine &rouble and #ad &o 'ea&#er a /ro/ bu& )o& down
o(ay.

On &#is day 2@>& Aenne&# 2ine o' &#e urlbu&& %rew :P222< &urned 2- years old. Be'ore &urnin) in 'or &#e ni)#& #e
wro&e #is 'ian%ee*

Q... 3 &#in( 3Cm abou& ri)#& on &#e &ime we will be leavin) #ere bu& we merely )o &o ano&#er 'ield! )e& our /lane!
'ly s#a(edown 'li)#&s and )e& ready &o $um/ a%ross. "#a& all &a(es almos& a mon&#.
3 wen& &o &#e movies &oni)#&! saw C1irl 6raByC wi&# Judy 1arland and =i%(ey Eooney also "ommy 8orsey and
or%#es&ra and 4ui&e a 'ew )ood &unes al&#ou)# mos& o' &#em were old ones.
3Cm sendin) you some /i%&ures one o' &#e boys &oo( &#e day we were leavin) on our leave. 1os#! &#a& seems
li(e a)es a)o. 3 sure wis# 3 was s&ar&in) o'' a)ain on &#a& leave.
5i&(en [bo#bardier and 3 #ave &o s&ar& &o a s%#ool #ere &omorrow 'or &#ree days. 3 )uess i&Cs abou& some new
lon) ran)e radio navi)a&ion &#ey #ave )o&&en. 5nyway! we wonC& be 'lyin) 'or &#ose days.Q
15 Sep 44
"oday a& Wal(er 552! Aansas! was &#e day o' &#e lon)-/lanned QWin) 8in)Q! a series o' ins/e%&ions and
brie'in)s! a re%e/&ion! dinner and o&#er en&er&ainmen& in #onor o' 'our visi&in) )enerals! in%ludin) &#e 61! 2nd 5ir
2or%e! =a$ 1en IBal 1. En&! and &#e 61! 73rd Bomb Win)! Bri) 1en Emme&& OC8onnell. 3& mus& #ave been a
)rea& disa//oin&men& &o &#e %ommand o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ w#en only one o' &#e )enerals! OC8onnell!
a%&ually s#owed u/. Bu& &#e /ro)ram wen& a#ead anyway. 2rom &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ O/era&ions Journal*

Q1, 7e/& - 44 CWin) 8in)C #eld &odayR Bri) 1eneral OC8onnell arrived W552 in B-2,. ... Business mee&in) was
#eld a& 1699 in --2nd 74. Brie'in) Eoom 'ollowed by session o' =inia&ure 1ol' K 7(ee& s#oo&in) on ran)e.
Ee'res#men&s 'ollowed a& O''i%ersC 6lub and 8inner a& O''i%ersC =ess in dinin) room.Q
Eesear%# No&e* "#e #andwri&&en O/era&ions Journal and 7-2 Journal bo&# s&a&e &#a& i& was 1en OC8onnell w#o
was /resen&! bu& &#e Qo''i%ialQ &y/ed uni& mon&#ly #is&ory says i& was 1en En&. 6on&radi%&ory in'orma&ion li(e
&#is )ives &#e resear%#er 'i&s and &ea%#es you &o be wary o' sin)le sour%es! even Qo''i%ialQ ones. 3n &#is %ase! &#e
&wo #andwri&&en sour%es are almos& %er&ainly more %on&em/orary and &#ere'ore more reliable &#an &#e #is&ory!
w#i%# was /robably wri&&en wee(s or maybe mon&#s la&er.
5no&#er im/or&an& even& &oo( /la%e a& Wal(er &oday w#en &#e 'irs& 'lyaway air%ra'&! B-29 42-246,3! arrived on &#e
'ield. "#is /lane was assi)ned &o &#e =oreland %rew :P344< o' &#e --3rd 74uadron. "#e /lane #ad &o under)o
an a%%e/&an%e ins/e%&ion and various %#e%(s! and /robably some modi'i%a&ions #ad &o be made. 5ll &#is would
&a(e a 'ew days! &#en &#e =oreland %rew would )e& &o &a(e #er u/ 'or a s#a(edown 'li)#&.
16 Sep 44
"#is mornin) a& 9939 Bri) 1en OC8onnell o' &#e 73rd Bomb Win) de/ar&ed Wal(er 552! Aansas! a'&er las& ni)#&Cs
QWin) 8in)Q even&s. 5s &#e )eneralCs /lane &oo( o''! 6ol Ain)! 6O o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/! was already a #al'-
#our in&o an o''i%ers %all a& &#e base &#ea&er.

6ol Ain) mainly /assed on in'orma&ion 'rom yes&erdayCs QWin) 8in)Q brie'in)s and dis%ussions. 6a/& Jo#n
7molens(i! 5ssis&an& 1rou/ 7-2! was ba%( 'rom #is leave and (ee/in) &#e 7-2 no&es a)ain*

Q... =ee&in) was very su%%ess'ul. +oin&s dis%ussed in%luded*
:a< 5//ro?ima&e M&imeN o' de/ar&ure 'rom W552 &o Aearney [:ebraska K a//ro?ima&e &ime o' de/ar&ure 'rom
Aearney.
:b< "a(in) o' wives and %#ildren &o Aearney no& en%oura)ed.
:%< 8elivery o' 'lyaway 5@6 &o &#is 1rou/.
:d< >i4uor /ool* L2.9- in%rease /er man.
:e< Jues&ion session.
:'< 7%#edule o' missions &o be 'lown by 'lyaway 5@6 'rom Aearney 55B.Q

"#is evenin) &#e =%6lana#an %rew :P3,3< o' &#e --3rd 74uadron was in &#e air 'rom 1719 &o 2339 %ondu%&in)
)unnery and bombin) e?er%ises.
17 Sep 44
On &#is day a& Wal(er 552! Aansas! &#e urlbu&& %rew :P222< o' &#e --2nd 74uadron did no& 'ly! bu& &#e %o/ilo&!
2@>& 2eli? Omilian! was assi)ned &o 'ly a B-2, &o 6#i%a)o &o /i%( someone u/. 7in%e &#e /lane would
be s&o//in) in Aansas 6i&y &o re'uel! 2@>& Aen 2ine de%ided &o #i&%# a ride as 'ar as &#a& %i&y and visi& #is
sis&er. e arrived in A.6. a& abou& 6 +.=. and was able &o s/end 'ive #ours or so visi&in) be'ore %a&%#in) &#e
11*39 &rain ba%( &o Wal(er! w#ere #e #ad )round s%#ool all &#e ne?& day. +resumably 2ine %au)#& some slee/
on &#e &rain.
1 Sep 44
5& dayli)#& &#is mornin) land was visible 'rom &#e .. )lcoa 5olaris. 3& was 7ai/an and "inian. 5& las&! a'&er ,7
days! &#e 1round E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ #ad arrived a& i&s des&ina&ion. 5'&er ne)o&ia&in) &#e narrow
/assa)e in&o 7ai/anCs "ana/a) #arbor and bein) )uided &o #er /la%e by a small &u)! &#e s#i/ dro//ed an%#or.
W#ile &#e men )a&#ered a& &#e rail &o )e& a 'irs& loo( a& &#eir new #ome! 1round E%#elon %ommander =a$ Eober&
Wol%o&& wen& as#ore wi&# some o' #is s&a'' &o ma(e &rans/or&a&ion arran)emen&s and ins/e%& &#eir %am/ si&e.
"#e men would no& disembar( un&il &omorrow. 5nd so &#ey s/en& &#eir las& ni)#& aboard &#e 5l%oa +olaris.
On &#e evenin) o' 17 7e/&ember! &#e 6oo/er %rew :P349< o' &#e --3rd 74uadron &oo( o'' in B-29 42-6379 on a
ni)#& mission. 7ome&#in) wen& wron) 'airly soon! as &#e /lane re&urned &o &#e 'ield a& 2939 &o debar( &#e
bombardier! a >& =yers! w#o was su''erin) 'rom Qa sli)#& illness.Q "#e /lane &oo( o'' a)ain and &#e %rew
%on&inued &#eir mission! w#i%# /resumably did no& re4uire a bombardier. 7everal #ours la&er! over sou&#wes&ern
Aansas! some&#in) really bad #a//ened. 5& abou& 9299 on &#is da&e! &#e /lane %ras#ed in&o a 'arm#ouse near
6o/eland! Aansas. 5ll &en men aboard were (illed! alon) wi&# &wo %ivilians in &#e #ouse! one o' &#em an in'an&.
3n addi&ion! &wo women in &#e #ouse su''ered burns in &#e resul&in) 'ire.

7o 'ar as is (nown! &#e %ause o' &#e %ras# was never de&ermined. We %anC& be %er&ain o' &#e &ime ei&#er. 5
news/a/er ar&i%le a&&a%#ed &o &#e uni& #is&ory says &#e %ras# o%%urred a& 9*,, += on &#e 17&#. "#e ,99&# Bomb
1rou/ O/era&ions Journal says 9299 on &#e 1-&#. "#e 7-2 Journal says 1199 on &#e 1-&#. "a(e your /i%(. 3
/i%(ed &#e O/era&ions Journal &ime o' 9299! as i& is be&ween &#e o&#er &wo and also /rovides &#e in'orma&ion
abou& &#e re&urn &o &#e 'ield a& 2939.

"#is was &#e ,99&#Cs 'irs& loss o' a 'ull! or nearly 'ull! %rew in &rainin). :"wo men #ad died bailin) ou& near Oma#a
on 2, 5u).< "#e men o' &#e 6oo/er %rew are no& lis&ed as %omba& %asual&ies! bu& &#ey were &rainin) 'or %omba&!
so /robably &#ey s#ould be. "#ey were $us& as /a&rio&i%! $us& as youn)! and $us& as dead.

One %an only ima)ine &#e &#ou)#&s )oin) &#rou)# &#e #ead o' >& =yers! w#o survived &#rou)# a 4uir( o' 'a&e. Or
did #e #ave a /remoni&ionU We donC& (now. "#ere is no =yers on &#e o''i%er ros&er o' &#e --3rd 74uadron 'or
ei&#er 5u)us& or 7e/&ember! so &#e lieu&enan& mus& #ave been new and 4ui%(ly &rans'erred ou&. Ei&#er &#a& or &#e
O/era&ions Journal )o& #is name wron).
ere are &#e names o' &#e men w#o died in &#is a%%iden&*
56 2@>& Wayne B. 6oo/er
6+ 2@>& >awren%e . Eslin)er
N 2@>& Aenne&# O. Wes&
2E 2@>& William +. Aane
Eadio 7)& Bruno 1u&&
Ein) 1 6/l Jo#n 2. Aelly
E1 7@7)& 6laren%e 5. Bos&on
>1 6/l Eober& >. 6oo/er
Eadar 7)& 1eor)e ;. Jo#nson
"1 6/l 1erald J. =ur/#y
8es/i&e &#e &ra)edy! s%#eduled &rainin) %on&inued &oday. "#e olmes %rew :P3,4< o' &#e --3rd made a lon)
'li)#& &o 6uba and ba%( &oday! 14 #ours and 49 minu&es. "#e =%6lana#an %rew :P3,3<. also o' &#e --3rd! were
in &#e air on a )unnery mission 'or over &#ree #ours! 'rom 1919 &o 132,.
Aen 2ine! navi)a&or on &#e urlbu&& %rew :P222<! made i& &#rou)# )round &rainin) &oday a'&er #is overni)#& &rain
ride 'rom Aansas 6i&y. 3n 'a%&! #e #ad en$oyed #imsel' so mu%# in A.6. visi&in) #is sis&er and 'amily &#a& w#en #e
'ound ou& &#a& &#e %rew was no& )oin) &o 'ly on "uesday &#e 19&#! #e de%ided &o )o ba%(. e %ould %a&%# &#e
ni)#& &rain &oni)#& and re&urn &o Wal(er on "uesday ni)#&. 2ine %on'ided in #is le&&er &o #is 'ian%ee &#a& &#e
reason &#ey werenC& 'lyin) was be%ause Qwe are a#ead o' s%#edule and we are le&&in) ano&#er %rew 'ly durin) our
&ime so &#a& &#ey %ould %a&%# u/.Q
1$ Sep 44
"oday &#e men o' &#e 1round E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ se& 'oo& on &#e island &#a& would be &#eir #ome
'or &#ey (new no& #ow lon). "rans/or&a&ion and o&#er arran)emen&s &oo( some &ime &o %om/le&e! bu& 'inally a&
1499 &#e men be)an debar(in) 'rom &#e .. )lcoa 5olaris. No one would miss &#e s#i/T all were #a//y &o be o''
&#e Qli&&le s%owQ &o w#i%# &#ey #ad been %on'ined 'or 36 days. 7&ill! &#ere was an?ie&y abou& w#a& &#ey would 'ind
on 7ai/an. 7i)ns o' &#e #eavy 'i)#&in) 'rom &#e invasion in June were all around! and rumor #ad i& &#a& &#ere
were s&ill Ja/anese #old-ou&s on &#e island.

"#e men %lambered on&o &ru%(s and &#e %onvoy #eaded &oward &#e sou&# end o' &#e island over bad roads
%#o(ed wi&# dus&! even &#ou)# i& was su//osedly s&ill &#e rainy season. 5& len)&#! &#e &ru%(s lur%#ed &o a s&o/ in
w#a& would be &#e ,99&#Cs new #ome -- a lar)e su)ar %ane 'ield. 6ons&ru%&ion was in /ro)ress nearby as &#e
'ormer Ja/anese 5sli&o 2ield was bein) %onver&ed in&o 3sley 2ield! wi&# &#e lon) runway needed 'or &#e B-29Cs.
"#ere was a de&a%#men& o' 6om/any B o' &#e -96&# 5via&ion En)ineer ba&&alion in &#e ,99&# area wor(in) on &#e
s4uadron mess #alls! w#i%# re4uired %on%re&e 'ounda&ions! bu& o&#er &#an &#a& -- no&#in). "#e ,99&# would #ave
&o build i&s own livin) 4uar&ers and wor(in) s/a%es. Bu& &#a& was in &#e 'u&ure. "#e immedia&e &as( was &o se& u/
a %am/si&e 'or &#e ni)#&.

"#e men /u& u/ /u/ &en&s 'or overni)#& s#el&er. 2or&una&ely! i& was no& rainin) a& &#is &ime! be%ause as &#e men
'ound ou& la&er! &#is area! and es/e%ially &#e --1s& 74uadron area! #ad /oor draina)e. 8rin(in) wa&er was
su//lied in ,,-)allon drums! and &#e men! unused &o wor(in) in &#e &ro/i%al #ea&! s&ood in lon) lines &o )e& a
drin(. 5 ma(es#i'& la&rine %onsis&in) o' a barrel wi&# a sea& on &o/ was se& u/. >a&e in &#e day %old 6-
ra&ions were #anded ou& 'or su//er! and many men #ad &o ea& in &#e dar(. 5rea )uards were /os&ed. "#en
&#ose men no& on )uard du&y %rawled in&o &#eir &en&s and &ried &o )e& some slee/. "#ey (new &#ere would be a
lo& o' wor( &omorrow.
W#ile &#e 1round E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ was debar(in) on 7ai/an! &#e 5ir E%#elon was s&ill a&
Wal(er 552! Aansas! bu& &#e &ime 'or reuni&in) &#e &wo #alves o' &#e uni& was movin) a bi& %loser. 5& leas& &wo
more 'lyaway air%ra'&! 42-246,6 and 42-24664! arrived a& Wal(er &oday. "#e 'ormer was assi)ned &o &#e
1oldswor&#y %rew :P191< o' &#e --1s& 74uadron! &#e la&&er &o &#e ays %rew :P22-< o' &#e --2nd. 3n a diary en&ry
wri&&en &#e 'ollowin) day! bombardier al "owner en&#used over &#eir s#iny new B-29! w#i%# &#e %rew #ad
already de%ided &o name QEamblin Eos%oeQ* QOur s#i/ arrived on &#e 'ield yes&erday -- old EamblinC Eos%oe in
/erson and i&Cs a #oney -- a brand new Boein) P664 wi&# an all-ele%&ri% bombin) sys&em.Q

"#ere was a Win) mission &o Ba&is&a! 6uba! /lanned 'or &omorrow! bu& a%%ordin) &o no&es wri&&en by 5ssis&an&
1rou/ 7-2 6a/& Jo#n 7molens(i! i& would involve Qonly &#e )rou/s in &#e 7&a)in) areaQ a& erin)&on! Aansas!
w#i%# mean& only &#e 497&# and 49-&# 1rou/s. Bu& 'or some reason &#e 497&# was s&a)in) 'or &#is mission
&#rou)# Wal(er! and 'i'&een o' &#eir /lanes arrived on &#e 'ield &oday. :8oes &#is mean &#e 49-&# s&a)ed &#rou)#
7alinaU< "#e brie'in) 'or &#e mission was #eld in &#e ,99&#Cs QWar EoomQ a& 1-99.

7molens(i also no&ed &#a& &oday 8e/u&y 1rou/ 6ommander >& 6ol 8ou)#er&y re&urned 'rom leave.
20 Sep 44
Eeveille %ame un)odly early 'or &#e 1round E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ &#is mornin) -- 9499. =any
men #ad &o be driven ou& o' &#eir blan(e&s and /u/ &en&s by mul&i/le blas&s on &#e w#is&le. Brea('as& was %old 6-
ra&ions a)ain! wi&# %old %o''ee 'or anyone w#o %ared &o mi? i& u/ in #is %an&een %u/.

"#ere was mu%# &o do &oday. 2irs& /riori&y was unloadin) &#e s#i/s! and wor( de&ails were 'ormed 'or &#a&
/ur/ose. "#ere was )rea& /ressure &o )e& &#e s#i/s unloaded as 4ui%(ly as /ossible! so &#is %on&inued on a 24-
#our basis! wi&# /or&able li)#&s used a& ni)#&. "#e /or& au&#ori&ies loaded %ra&es and bo?es on&o &ru%(s as &#ey
%ame o'' &#e s#i/s! wi&# no re)ard 'or uni&s or s#i/men& %odes. "#is resul&ed in a #u)e mess w#i%# would #ave
&o be sor&ed ou& la&er. Q;ery soon &#ere were moun&ains o' su//lies in &#e several dum/ reve&men&s.
In'or&una&ely &#e su//lies were no& loaded on &#e s#i/s a%%ordin) &o s#i/men& %odes. Our su//ly dum/ #ad
bo?es belon)in) &o all %odes in &#e Win)! and i& would #ave been unusual &o 'ind &wo bo?es on a &ru%( wi&# &#e
same %ode number.Q

5 &em/orary mo&or /ool was se& u/ near &#e do%(s and ,99&# 1rou/ ve#i%les were /u& in&o servi%e as soon as
&#ey were unloaded. "#ey and &ru%(s 'rom &#e island au&#ori&ies 'ormed a s&eady s&ream a%ross eleven miles o'
bad roads! %arryin) &#e su//lies &o &em/orary dum/s! &#en re&urnin) 'or ano&#er load. 5& &#e dum/s mos& o' &#e
unloadin) was done by mus%le /ower! wi&# some #el/ 'rom %ranes su//lied by &#e servi%e )rou/s. 7u//ly and
se%&ion o''i%ers s%oured &#e )rowin) s&a%(s o' bo?es 'or i&ems &#a& were needed 'irs&. "#ese in%luded mess
e4ui/men& so &#a& #o& meals %ould be served &o &o &#e men! and /yramid &en&s and %o&s so &#a& more /ermanen&
and %om'or&able 4uar&ers %ould be es&ablis#ed.

"#e ,99&# 4ui%(ly learned &#a& every&#in) #ad &o be )uarded -- a& &#e /or&! a& &#e mo&or /ool! a& &#e dum/s! and
even alon) &#e way. Every &ru%( %arried a )uard. 5ny&#in) remo&ely use'ul le'& una&&ended on 7ai/an &ended &o
disa//ear very 4ui%(ly.

5no&#er bi) $ob was &#e 1rou/ area i&sel'. "#e %ane 'ield #ad &o be %leared! and bulldoBers 'rom &#e 393rd 5ir
7ervi%e 1rou/ were used 'or &#a& /ur/ose w#en available. Bu& simul&aneously &#e area #ad &o be %leared o'
ba&&le'ield debris. "#ere #ad obviously been mu%# 'i)#&in) #ere. =os& dan)erously! lar)e 4uan&i&ies o'
ammuni&ion! mor&ar s#ells! )renades and more &#an 199 &ons o' Ja/anese dynami&e #ad &o be %are'ully
removed.

8ue &o &#e /resen%e o' Ja/anese #oldou&s on 7ai/an! )uard /os&s were es&ablis#ed in &#e 1rou/ area and &#e
men drew re)ular )uard du&y. "#ere was unders&andably mu%# nervousness ini&ially! and in &#e 'irs& 'ew ni)#&s
o%%asional s#o&s were 'ired! bu& &#e only vi%&ims a//eared &o be a %ou/le o' )oa&s.

5& Wal(er 552! Aansas! &#is mornin)! &#e 1, /lanes o' &#e 497&# Bomb 1rou/ &#a& #ad arrived yes&erday &oo(
o'' on &#eir 6uba mission. "#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ O/era&ions Journal no&ed &#a& &#ese /lanes u/on re&urn 'rom
6uba would land a& &#eir s&a)in) base a& erin)&on! Aansas. 3n any %ase! &#e ,99&# O/era&ions 7e%&ion #ad #ad
a man on du&y all ni)#& &o &a(e %are o' any /roblems &#a& mi)#& arise.

Aen 2ine! navi)a&or on &#e urlbu&& %rew :P222<! #ad %arried &#rou)# on #is /lans &o &ravel &o Aansas 6i&y a)ain
yes&erday. e %au)#& &#e 1*9, 5= &rain! /robably a& nearby ;i%&oria! s/en& &#e day in A.6. wi&# #is sis&er and
'amily! &#en re&urned on &#e 11*39 += &rain. 5nd &oday #e #ad ano&#er easy day! a&&endin) an o''i%ersC /i%ni% a& a
/ar( in ays.

al "owner! bombardier on &#e ays %rew :P22-<! #ad some very im/or&an& in'orma&ion &o im/ar& &o #is diary
&oday*

Q2riday! 29 7e/& 44

E?%i&ed -- w#oCs e?%i&edR Jus& be%ause we (now w#en and w#ere weCre )oin) and also #ow. 3Cve no& been able
&o wri&e 'or a wee( be%ause 3 (new 3Cd s/ill &#e beans! bu& 3 %anC& resis& &#e &em/&a&ion any lon)er &o &ell you! dear
diary! &#e la&es& /oo/ 'rom &#e )rou/. ...

3& loo(s li(e we leave #ere &#e 39&#! s/end a mon&# a& Aearney! Nebras(a! w#ere we will be s&a)ed.. 2rom &#ere!
weCll &a(e our new s#i/ &o &#e +or& o' Embar(a&ion a& amil&on 2ield! 6ali'ornia! and 'inally &#e bi) day w#en we
#o/ o'' 'or 7ai/an. 3Cm )lad 3 )o& &#a& o'' my %#es& and 3Cm )lad &#ere was someone 3 %ould &ell &#a& will (ee/ &#e
se%re&RQ
21 Sep 44
"oday &#e 1round E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ on 7ai/an %on&inued unloadin) s#i/s in "ana/a) #arbor!
sor&in) ou& bo?es and %ra&es in &#e &em/orary su//ly dum/s! and %learin) &#e assi)ned 1rou/ area. "#e su//ly
and mess se%&ions #ad 'ound and un/a%(ed &#e immersion #ea&ers! so a& leas& &oday &#e men #ad #o& wa&er 'or
ma(in) %o''ee and #ea&in) u/ &#eir %ans o' 6-ra&ions. "#e /yramid &en&s #ad been lo%a&ed and were bein) se&
u/ in nea& rows on )round &#a& was sli)#&ly #i)#er! or a& leas& no& in an obvious de/ression. >u%(ily! &#e rains
were #oldin) o'' so 'ar.

1rou/ and s4uadron orderly rooms and also a dis/ensary were 4ui%(ly es&ablis#ed in &en&s. 5 %ommon /roblem
&rea&ed by &#e medi%s a& &#is &ime was %u&s 'rom o/enin) 6-ra&ion %ans. =ore barrel-&y/e la&rines were se& u/
/endin) &#e di))in) o' more /ermanen& la&rines. 3n /la%e o' s#owers! many men &em/orarily ba&#ed in &#e
o%ean. "oday &#e ,99&# did )e& one /ie%e o' une?/e%&ed )ood news. "#ere was a Juar&ermas&er laundry on
&#e island and &#e ,99&# was allowed &o use i&! so many men rus#ed &o send o'' ba)s o' dir&y %lo&#in).
On &#is day a )rou/ o' %ommand and s&a'' o''i%ers o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/! in%ludin) 6O 6ol Ei%#ard Ain) and
8e/u&y 6ommander >& 6ol Jo#n 8ou)#er&y! 'lew &o &#e uni&Cs desi)na&ed overseas s&a)in) area! Aearney!
Nebras(a! Q&o inves&i)a&e /ro%essin) sys&em &#ere K 'a%ili&ies 'or #andlin) our 1rou/ w#en i& arrives.Q "#e )rou/
re&urned &o Wal(er 2ield a& 1,1,. "#e war was )e&&in) %loser 'or &#e 5ir E%#elon.
22 Sep 44
On 7ai/an! &#e 1round E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ %on&inued im/rovin) i&s livin) area. By &#e end o'
&oday! enou)# /yramid &en&s #ad been /u& u/ &#a& all &#e men %ould be moved in 'rom &#eir /u/ &en&s! wi&# as
many as &en %o&s and men /er /yramid &en&. 5nd none &oo soon! be%ause &#e rains %ame and &urned &#e lowes&
lyin) s/o&s in&o /onds and &#e Q#i)#erQ s/o&s in&o mud. =u%# o' &#e --1s& 74uadron area be%ame a small
la(e abou& &wo a%res in e?&en& and &wo 'ee& dee/ a& i&s %en&er. 6learly mu%# wor( needed &o be done &o ma(e
&#e area livable.
23 Sep 44
"#in)s on 7ai/an were )radually )e&&in) be&&er 'or &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/. 8raina)e was )rea&ly im/roved in &#e
new &en& area by s#ovelin) and #aulin) many loads o' sand 'rom &#e bea%# and s/readin) i& on &#e muddy
/a&#ways. 5lso &oday a +W o/ened in &#e ,99&# area in a &en&! wi&# 7/e%ial 7ervi%e O''i%er 1@>& 1lenn =%6lure
in %#ar)e. "#e mos& /o/ular i&em was beer! w#i%# was available a& &#e ra&e o' si? bo&&les /er wee(. O' %ourse!
&#ere was no re'ri)era&ion! bu& even warm beer was be&&er &#an no beer a& all. 2rui& $ui%es were also available on
a ra&ioned basis! &#ree %ans o' ei&#er &oma&o or oran)e-)ra/e'rui&.
"oday a& 1999 a& Wal(er 552! Aansas! &#ere was a s&a'' mee&in) in 6ol Ain)Cs o''i%e &o dis%uss w#a& #ad been
learned by &#e s&a'' visi& on &#e 21s& &o Aearney 552! Nebras(a! w#i%# was &o be &#e overseas s&a)in) area 'or
&#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/. Ea%# o''i%er rela&ed #is e?/erien%es &#ere and )ave #is o/inion o' #ow &#in)s would )o
a& Aearney. 6ol Ain) Qem/#asiBed 'a%& &#a& &#ere was no basis &o &#e rumors &#a& &#is 1rou/ would be
/os&/oned in i&s movemen& &o Aearney! bu& &#a& we were /ullin) ou& on da&e ori)inally s%#eduled.Q
24 Sep 44
On 7ai/an &#e men o' &#e 1round E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ %on&inued &o wor( on im/rovin) &#eir
assi)ned areas. "#e various 1rou/ su//ly dum/s %on&inued &o &eem wi&# a%&ivi&y as su//ly o''i%ers wen& 'rom
one &o ano&#er &ryin) &o lo%a&e i&ems belon)in) &o &#eir uni&s. Jues&ions su%# as Qave you seen any bo?es
mar(ed 91,9XUQ were #eard o'&en. 8es/i&e &#e ini&ial %on'usion! &#in)s were )radually sor&ed ou&! and in &#e
,99&# no ma$or i&ems ended u/ missin).

I/ &o &#is &ime! in order &o (ee/ %lean! &#e men #ad #ad &o ba&#e in &#e o%ean or &a(e Qs/i& ba&#sQ ou& o' &#eir
s&eel /o&s! bu& abou& &oday &#e 74uadron de%on&amina&ion &ru%(s be)an o''erin) s#owers o' a sor&. 5s &#e 1rou/
#is&ory des%ribed i&! QO/era&ors manned &#e #ose noBBles and s/rayed &#ose wan&in) a s#ower. "#e 'or%e o' &#e
s&ream alone was bo&# invi)ora&in) and su''i%ien&ly s&ron) &o almos& &a(e &#e dir& o'' o' &#e ba&#er.Q 7orry! no
nude /#o&os available.
5& Wal(er 552! Aansas! &#e 'lyaway air%ra'& 'or &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ %on&inued &o arrive! a& &#e ra&e o' one or
&wo /er day 'rom 19 7e/&ember &#rou)# &#e end o' &#e mon&#. 5 no&e in &#e 7-2 Journal under &odayCs da&e :bu&
obviously en&ered la&er< s&a&es &#a& 13 /lanes #ad arrived by &#e 2,&#. One o' &#ese was 42-63429! w#i%# #ad
arrived /robably on &#e 22nd or 23rd and #ad been assi)ned &o &#e urlbu&& %rew :P222< o' &#e --2nd.

On &#is 7unday Aen 2ine! navi)a&or on &#e urlbu&& %rew! e?/lained in a le&&er &o #is 'ian%ee in ous&on w#y #e
#ad no& wri&&en #er yes&erday. "#e %rew #ad Qwor(ed on our /lane all day 7a&urday un&il nine a& ni)#&!Q &#en 2ine
and #is buddy! bombardier 1len 5i&(en! #ad )one &o &#e o''i%ers %lub and Q/ro%eeded &o )e& /re&&y #i)#.Q "#is
mornin) &#ey #ad wor(ed on &#e /lane a)ain! &#en in &#e a'&ernoon 2ine and 5i&(en wen& &o &#e /os& &#ea&er &o
see 8oro&#y >amour in Qsome island /i%&ure.Q "#en i& was ba%( &o wor( on &#e /lane a)ain 'or a w#ile! a'&er
w#i%# 2ine and 5i&(en ended u/ a& &#e %lub a)ain. 2inally! 2ine wro&e &#a& &#eir 'li)#& en)ineer! 1@>& 1lenn
"ruesdell! was sendin) #is /re)nan& wi'e #ome &o =assa%#use&&s on "uesday. "#e baby was due in 8e%ember!
so "ruesdell (new &#a& #e would no& see i& be'ore #e le'&. 3n 'a%&! sadly! #e would never see &#e baby! as #e
would be (illed in a%&ion over Na)oya on 3 January 194,.
25 Sep 44
"oday on 7ai/an &#e men o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ 1round E%#elon )o& &#eir 4uar&ermas&er laundry ba%(. 2rom
&#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ uni& #is&ory*

QOn 7e/&ember 2,&# laundry was re&urned. =en learned &#a& no a&&em/& a& ironin) was made! bu& &#a&
a//aren&ly a %on%er&ed e''or& a& wrin(lin) %lo&#es was under&a(en by &#e laundry %rew. 6lo&#in) was no& en&irely
%leaned! bu& &#e dir& was more or less evenly dis&ribu&ed! and &#ere was no %#ar)e 'or &#e laundry servi%eT and
al&#ou)# &#e #o& wea&#er and labor in se&&in) u/ %am/ %aused %lo&#in) &o need %leanin) sooner and number o'
/ie%es allowed were limi&ed! all a)reed &#a& i& was very %onvenien& no& &o be re4uired &o was# all o' &#eir %lo&#es.Q

5s &ime wen& on! many men &urned &o doin) &#eir own laundry! usin) #ome-made wind-driven was#in)
ma%#ines. 7ome even %leaned &#eir %lo&#es wi&# #i)#-o%&ane )asoline. :5 li&&le dan)erous i' you were a smo(er!
wasnC& i&U< Bu& &#a& was all in &#e 'u&ure. 2or now &#e men #ad &o wal( around in soiled and wrin(led uni'orms.

"oday 1eor)e u)#es! air/lane me%#ani% in &#e --1s& 74uadron! 'ound &ime &o wri&e #is 'irs& le&&er #ome 'rom
7ai/an. "#e %ensors were very s&ri%& a& &#is &ime be%ause i& was s&ill se%re& &#a& elemen&s o' &#e 73rd Bomb
Win) were on 7ai/an.

Q7e/&ember 2,! 1944

8ear =o&#er K 8ad!

"#is is &#e 'irs& %#an%e 3 #ave #ad &o wri&e sin%e we landed #ere. We are no& allowed &o say w#ere we are ye&
bu& i& is [cut out by censor in &#e +a%i'i%. "#a& isnC& very de'ini&e bu& is &#e mos& 3 %an say.

"#ere is a lo& o' wor( &o be done )e&&in) se& u/. "#in)s arenC& &oo bad #ere and s#ould )e& be&&er as &ime )oes
on.

"#e mail seems &o %ome &#rou)# /re&&y )ood and 3 believe &#a& mos& o' &#e ba%( mail #as %au)#& u/ wi&# me.

We lived in /u/ &en&s &#e 'irs& 'ew days and now #ave bi) &en&s se& u/. We are ea&in) CAC K C6C ra&ions. 3& seems
ni%e &o be o'' &#e boa& and be able &o move around a li&&le. 3 )o& /re&&y so'& and laBy on &#e boa& bu& a %ou/le
more wee(s o' sand s#ovelin) s#ould )e& me in )ood s#a/e.

3& is 4ui&e #o& bu& &#e ni)#&s are %ool enou)# &o slee/ well. 3& is dar( #ere a& [censored. "#e sun is u/ a&
[censored &#ou)#. ...

>ove
1eor)eQ

Q2, 7e/& 44 O''i%ers and Enlis&ed =en ,99&# 4s. were /ro%essed &#is 5.=. 5ll %om/le&ed by noon.
"#ree :3< B-29Cs o'' 'or Ba&is&a [!uba. P446 [$&-%$$% :--1s&< only a@% %om/le&in) same. "#is air/lane
landed E)lin 2ld. due &o en)ine &rouble.
+.=. 'airly slow. We now #ave &#ir&een :13< 2lyaway 5ir%ra'&.
7-3 busy /re/arin) e4ui/men& 'or 5ir E%#elon s#i/men&. 7ub$e%& e4ui/men& will )o over by boa&. +a%(in)
lis&s are also needed by 7-4.Q

"#e /ro%essin) men&ioned was /robably 'or overseas movemen&.
26 Sep 44
5%%ordin) &o an a%%oun& wri&&en la&er by =a$ Eal/# =aus&! E?e%u&ive O''i%er o' &#e --1s& 74uadron! %o/ies o' &#e
Base 8evelo/men& +lan #ad been ob&ained soon a'&er arrival on 7ai/an. Isin) &#is /lan and surveyin)
e4ui/men& borrowed 'rom &#e 3sland En)ineers! &#e lo%a&ions o' buildin)s and la&rines in &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/
area were s&a(ed ou&. One o' &#e 'irs& /ro$e%&s was &o di) &#e 1,-'oo&-dee/ /ermanen& la&rines. 5no&#er #i)#
/riori&y was &o drain &#e small la(e in &#e middle o' &#e --1s& 74uadron area by di))in) a draina)e di&%# &o &#e
sea! owever! wor(in) /ar&ies 4ui%(ly dis%overed &#a& only a 'oo& or &wo below )round level was a layer o' %oral
im/ene&rable &o /i%( and s#ovel. 5s a resul&! resor& was made &o air %om/ressors and blas&in)! and 'or 24 #ours
a day un&il &#e wor( was %om/le&ed! &#e noise o' $a%(#ammers and s#ou&s o' Q2ire in &#e #oleRQ 'ollowed by loud
e?/losions were #eard &#rou)#ou& &#e 1rou/ area. 5 )ood ni)#&Cs slee/ was im/ossible under &#ese %ondi&ions.
2or&una&ely! durin) &#is &ime &#ere were only a %ou/le o' minor in$uries 'rom 'lyin) bi&s o' %oral! and only a 'ew
&en&s were dama)ed.

Q26 7e/& 44 7-3 O''i%e %rowded all day wi&# 339&# [Bo#b 'rou( Navi)a&ors K Bombardiers &o see >&. 6olonel
Wal&er :339&# 7-3<.
7#a(edown =ission 'orms K da&a /ublis#ed in +=.
"wo :2< emer)en%y landin)s &oday.Q

"#is en&ry re4uires analysis and %ommen&.

2irs&! i&Cs un%lear w#a& &#e 7-3 :O/era&ions O''i%er< and 'li)#& /ersonnel o' &#e 339&# Bomb 1rou/. were doin) a&
Wal(er 552 a& &#is &ime. "#e 339&#Cs )round /ersonnel #ad moved in &o su//or& &#e ,99&#Cs air e%#elon a'&er i&s
)round e%#elon le'& 'or overseas on 23 July. Bu& &#e 339&#Cs air e%#elon was ori)inally no& s%#eduled &o move &o
Wal(er un&il a'&er &#e ,99&#Cs air e%#elon de/ar&ed. 7o w#a& #a//enedU Was &#e s%#edule moved u/U Or were
&#e 'li)#& /ersonnel o' &#e 339&# only &em/orarily a& Wal(er 'or some sor& o' e?er%iseU We donC& (now.

7e%ond! &#ose s#a(edown mission 'orms /robably re'er &o &#e %#e%(s and /ro%edures /er'ormed on &#e 'lyaway
air%ra'& a'&er arrival a& Wal(er. "#ere was a lo& &o be done! as will be dis%ussed la&er.

"#ird! &#ere are un'or&una&ely no de&ails available on any emer)en%y landin)s on &#is da&e.
O&#erwise! &rainin) %on&inued a& Wal(er 'or &#e %rews o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/. "#e =%6lana#an %rew :P3,3<
o' &#e --3rd 74uadron 'lew a )unnery mission &oday 'rom 1719 &o 29,9.
27 Sep 44

Q27 7e/& 44 7-3 o''i%ers wen& on Bomb-1unnery mission &#is 5.=. :4 #ours< in 421 [B-&, $&-&$$&+ - :--2nd<.
5ir%ra'& o' 497&# [Bo#b 'rou( :errin)&on< arrived W552 'or 2.O. [Field =rderN P- -- Ba&is&a =ission -- &o be
#eld &omorrow. --- Ee%Cd "WW [telety(e #essa*e /os&/onin) same un&il 39 7e/& 44 a& 1-99. Base no&i'ied by
ni)#& N6O.Q

One o' &#e re4uiremen&s laid on by #i)#er #ead4uar&ers was 'or ea%# 'lyaway air%ra'& and %rew &o %om/le&e one
/ra%&i%e bombin) mission &o Ba&is&a! 6uba! and re&urn. "#is is /robably w#a& was )oin) on wi&# &#e 497&#
air%ra'&! w#i%# were a//aren&ly already a& &#eir overseas s&a)in) area o' erin)&on.

"oni)#& Aen 2ine! navi)a&or on &#e urlbu&& %rew :P222<! wro&e a le&&er &o #is 'ian%ee 'illin) #er in on #is re%en&
a%&ivi&ies. 2or a& leas& &#e las& 'ive days #e and #is %rew #ad been wor(in) on &#eir new /lane durin) &#e day.
=os& evenin)s! 2ine and #is buddy! bombardier 1len 5i&(en! #ad been )oin) ou& drin(in)! i' no& &o &#e o''i%ers
%lub! &#en in&o nearby ays or Eussell. 2ine #o/ed &#a& &#ey would 'inally be able &o &a(e &#eir /lane in&o &#e air
&omorrow.
2 Sep 44
3n &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ area on 7ai/an! &#e only buildin)s w#i%# were no& ere%&ed by &#e men o' &#e ,99&#
were &#e s4uadron mess #alls! w#i%# re4uired solid %on%re&e 'ounda&ions and o&#er s/e%ial 'ea&ures. "#ese
were buil& by 6om/any B o' &#e -96&# 5via&ion En)ineer Ba&&alion! bu& &#e ,99&# su//lied wor( de&ails &o #el/
s/eed u/ &#e %ons&ru%&ion. "#e addi&ional man/ower would /ay o''. "#e mess #alls would be o/en 'or business
by abou& 1 O%&ober.
5s navi)a&or Aen 2ine #ad #o/ed! &#e urlbu&& %rew :P222< o' &#e --2nd 74uadron did )e& &#eir /lane in&o &#e air
&oday! 'rom abou& 1299 &o 1799. 5no&#er %rew &#a& &oo( &#eir new 'lyaway /lane u/ 'or &#e 'irs& &ime &oday was
&#e ays %rew :P22-<! also o' &#e --2nd. Bombardier al "owner des%ribed #ow &#e 'li)#& wen&*

Q... We 'lew our maiden voya)e in our own s#i/ &oday and s#e /er'ormed very well. Be&syCs [co(ilot Ed Betts
'la/ indi%a&ors didnC& wor(! C7/ar(sC [radio o(erator @enry Goert los& #is &railin) an&enna! and &#e Bombardier
o/ened &#e bomb bay doors w#ile =i(e [rin* *unner )u*ust Michelsen was %rawlin) &#ru &#e bomb bays. We
%alibra&ed &#e %om/ass and air s/eed me&er! %#e%(MedN &#e 'ea&#erin) 'un%&ion and 'ired o'' some bomb
s&a&ions[>. 7(i//er [)! @ale @ays made a )ood landin) a'&er i& was all over. We %#e%(ed &#e )uns and &urre&s
as 'ar as /ossible wi&#ou& ammuni&ion. 6rider! our new &ail )unner! #ad &rouble s&ri//in) #is )uns -- ole +o/ [left
*unner "obert Moistner $us& sa& ba%( &#ere! did #is $ob and didnC& say a word w#ile [ri*ht *unner 6o#en )ave
'or&# wi&# %#oi%e bi&s o' %onversa&ion su%# as an o%%asional CyessirC or CnosirC. ...

+.7. We %limbed &o 39!999 'ee& &oday -- loo(s li(e 2-!999C is our servi%e %eilin) -- %om/le&ed P1 s#a(edown.Q

"#ese s#a(edown 'li)#&s were /ar& o' a su//lemen&al &rainin) /ro)ram desi)ned &o ma(e sure bo&# &#e 'lyaway
/lanes and &#e %rews were 'ully %omba&-ready. 5%%ordin) &o &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ narra&ive #is&ory! &#e &#ree
main elemen&s o' &#e /ro)ram were as 'ollows*
Qa. 3ns&rumen& %alibra&ion and &es& 'li)#& o' ea%# 'lyaway air%ra'&.
b. One /ra%&i%e bombin) mission 'rom W552 &o Ba&es&a [Batista! 6uba and re&urn re4uired by ea%# %rew.
%. "wo /ra%&i%e bombin) missions o' seven #ours ea%# re4uired o' &#e 1rou/. 14 air%ra'& over &#e &ar)e& was
re4uired be'ore %onsiderin) &#e mission %om/le&ed.Q
2$ Sep 44
Wor( %on&inued on &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ area on 7ai/an. 3n &#e 'ew #ours o' s/are &ime &#a& &#e men #ad
durin) &#is &ime! &#ere wasnC& a w#ole lo& &o do. =os& men wro&e le&&ers or )o& e?&ra slee/. 7ome men ven&ured
ou& si)#&seein) and sear%#ed 'or Ja/anese souvenirs! bu& mos& o' &#e )ood s&u'' #ad already been s%oured u/
by =arines! 7eabees or Navy /ersonnel. 7ouvenirs %ould be readily bou)#& or &raded 'or! es/e%ially i' you #ad
some li4uor! w#i%# was 4ui%(ly be%omin) &#e medium o' e?%#an)e on 7ai/an. owever! i&ems #ad &o be
%are'ully %#e%(ed 'or au&#en&i%i&y! as &#e =arines es/e%ially were /ro'i%ien& a& manu'a%&urin) 'a(es.

1eor)e u)#es! air/lane me%#ani% in &#e --1s& s4uadron! )ave &#e %ensors more wor( &o do by wri&in) #is
/aren&s &oday*

Q7e/&ember 29! 1944

8ear =o&#er K 8ad!

Every&#in) is 'ine #ere and 3 am in &#e bes& o' #eal&#. 3 am )e&&in) /re&&y well in s#a/e a'&er &#e lon) boa& ride.
We s&ill #ave lo&s o' wor( &o do bu& i& loo(s as &#ou)# we will #ave lo&s o' &ime &o do i&. 3 #ave been &earin) u/ a
li&&le [looks like two words cut out by censor &#e /as& &wo days. 3& runs &#rou)# our area and is /re&&y mu%# in
&#e way.

3 #ave &a(en in a %ou/le o' movies a& ni)#& in ano&#er ou&'i& %lose &o ours. We s#ould #ave /i%&ures o' our own
soon. 2or an ou&door &#ea&er &#ey are very )ood.

One &#in) &#a& 3 s#ould #ave is a )ood sun&an w#en 3 %ome #ome 'rom #ere. 3 #ave &o s&ay %overed u/ mos& o'
&#e &ime be%ause &#is sun is really #o&.

3' you no&i%e &#e envelo/e you will see &#a& 3 #ave a new ran(. 5 ra&in) lis& was /os&ed yes&erday and 3 was
made ser)ean& e''e%&ive as o' 5u)us& 31s&. 3 s#ould #ave a )ood /ay w#en we 'inally )e& /aid in 'ull. We
#avenC& re%eived a 'ull /ay sin%e we le'& Wal(er and /robably wonC& un&il November 1s&. 5s ye& &#ere isnC& mu%#
&o s/end money 'or around #ere.

Wri&e soon and donC& worry be%ause every&#in) will &urn ou& all ri)#&. 3 am &ryin) &o )e& my le&&ers %au)#& u/ bu& i&
seems as &#ou)# 3 owe le&&ers &o everyone.

>ove
1eor)eQ

Q29 7e/& 44 "#ree :3< B-29Cs o'' on Ba&is&a [!uba =ission. "wo :2< abor&ed.Q

"#ese lon)-ran)e! /ar&ly over-wa&er missions &o 6uba were /rovin) &o be &#e bane o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/.
Even i' a /lane made i& all &#e way &o 6uba! i& was di''i%ul& &o ma(e i& all &#e way ba%( &o Aansas wi&#ou& one or
more o' &#e very &em/eramen&al Wri)#& en)ines a%&in) u/ and 'or%in) an emer)en%y landin). Bu& &#e B-29Cs
would be ma(in) even lon)er 'li)#&s on%e &#ey )o& &o 7ai/an! and &#ere was no /la%e be&ween Ja/an and
7ai/an &o ma(e an emer)en%y landin)! so &#ey #ad be&&er mas&er &#is /roblem or &#ey would be in &rouble.
30 Sep 44
On a//ro?ima&ely &#is day &#e men o' &#e 1round E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ saw &#eir 'irs& movie on
7ai/an! on an ou&door s%reen in &#e --2nd 74uadron area. "#e name o' &#e movie was no& re%orded! bu&
%iviliBa&ion was )radually %a&%#in) u/ wi&# &#e ,99&#. >a&er a mu%# lar)er ou&door 'a%ili&y wi&# a %overed s&a)e!
%alled Q7ur'sideQ! would be %ons&ru%&ed in &#e ,99&# area.

Q39 7e/& 44 5ll B-29 air%ra'& C)roundedC /er au&#ori&y 252 "WW [&nd )ir Force telety(e #essa*e 'or re&ra%&ion
&es&s. 2.O. [Field =rder P- :497&#< now /os&/oned un&il 3 O%& 44.Q

Ee&ra%&ion &es&s involved /u&&in) &#e w#ole /lane u/ on $a%(s and %#e%(in) &#e e?&ension and re&ra%&ion o' &#e
landin) )ear. 5//aren&ly &#ere #ad been some /roblems wi&# &#e landin) )ear on new B-29Cs.

"#is mornin)! a//aren&ly be'ore &#e )roundin) messa)e was re%eived! &#e =%6lana#an %rew :P3,3< o' &#e
--3rd 74uadron &oo( &#eir new 'lyaway B-29! 42-246,7! u/ 'or &#e 'irs& &ime. "#ey were airborne 'or &#ree #ours!
and li(e &#e ays %rew &wo days earlier /robably a%%om/lis#ed several &as(s! bu& &#ere was a& leas& one &#ey
didnC& )e& done. Ei)#& )unner Eober& 7%#urmann no&ed! Q8idnC& 'ire )uns be%ause o' over%as&.Q
1 'ct 44
On abou& &#is da&e on 7ai/an! &#e s4uadron mess #alls were o/ened! %om/le&e wi&# %on%re&e 'ounda&ions!
(i&%#ens! servin) lines! li)#&s and &ables. Now &#e men %ould #ave re)ular meals ins&ead o' 6- and A-ra&ions.
No& only &#a&! &#ey were allowed &o use &#e mess #alls a& ni)#& &o read and wri&e le&&ers. 7ome wor( #ad also
been s&ar&ed on o&#er buildin)s! and /a&#s and roadways were bein) im/roved wi&# %rus#ed %oral and sand.
"rainin) %on&inued a& Wal(er 552! Aansas! 'or &#e air %rews o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/. 5s &#e da&e o' &#eir
de/ar&ure drew %loser! more married men were sendin) &#eir wives #ome and movin) on&o /os&. 3n &#e urlbu&&
%rew :P222< o' &#e --2nd 74uadron! 'li)#& en)ineer 1@>& 1lenn "ruesdell #ad sen& #is /re)nan& wi'e #ome a 'ew
days a)o. Now &oday air/lane %ommander =a$ Wilbur urlbu&& sen& #is wi'e and %#ild #ome &o 5riBona and
moved on&o /os&.

Navi)a&or Aen 2ine o' &#a& %rew was un%er&ain w#en &#eir ne?& &rainin) 'li)#& would be! or w#en &#ey would leave
'or &#e overseas s&a)in) area a& Aearney! Nebras(a. 3n 'a%&! #e o/ined in a le&&er &o #is 'ian%ee! QNobody seems
&o (now mu%# abou& w#a& is &o #a//en as all &#e /lans #ave been s%rewed u/ some.Q 5'&er %on'idin) &#a& #e
and #is )ood 'riend! bombardier 1len 5i&(en! #ad )one over &o &#e o''i%ersC %lub a)ain las& ni)#&! 2ine no&ed &#a&
Qeveryone 'eels li(e &#ay #ave &o drin( u/ enou)# &o las& 'or a lon) dry s/ell.Q
2 'ct 44
"oday on 7ai/an! even &#ou)# #e wasnC& allowed &o reveal &#e name o' &#e island ye&! air/lane me%#ani% 1eor)e
u)#es o' &#e --1s& 74uadron wro&e a ra&#er /osi&ive le&&er #ome &o #is /aren&s! #i)#li)#&in) &#e many
im/rovemen&s in &#eir livin) %ondi&ions*

QO%&ober 2! 1944
C7omew#ere in &#e +a%i'i%C

8ear =o&#er K 8ad!

Well #ow is every&#in) a& #omeU 3 ima)ine &#e leaves are s&ar&in) &o 'all. 3& mus& be very /re&&y a& #ome now. 3
donC& believe &#a& &#is /la%e ever #as a %#an)e in season. 3&Cs #o& all &#e &ime. We s&ill #ave rain nearly every
day. 7ome&imes &wo and &#ree &imes a day.

3 am 'eelin) )rea& and slee/in) more &#an 3 #ave in a )ood many years. 5& 'irs& we )o& u/ a& 'our bu& now we
arise a& 'ive. "#is doesnC& seem very early w#en you )o &o bed a& seven.

Our mess#all is in o/era&ion and we %an wri&e le&&ers in &#ere a& ni)#&. We #ad )ood 'ood and )e& 'ruii& and
%ereal now &#a& we are no lon)er livin) 'rom a %an. "#ere is a broad%as&in) sys&em ri))ed u/ wi&# s/ea(ers se&
u/ around &#e area. We #ave musi% and news re/or&s durin) &#e day.

3 wen& &o some bo?in) bou&s &#e ni)#& be'ore las&. 7ome o' &#em were very )ood. 3 su//ose in due &ime we will
#ave baseball diamonds 'i?ed u/ bu& now &#e im/or&an& &#in)s are bein) &a(en %are o'. 3 am s&ill wor(in) on a
sand de&ail. We brin) i& 'rom &#e bea%#es &o our area &o %omba& &#e mud. 3 never saw su%# mud in my li'e.
"#ese #eavy &ru%(s and &ra%&ors %an really %#urn i& u/.

"#ere isnC& mu%# more &o wri&e abou& and 3 mus& )o &o wor( soon. "a(e %are o' yourselves and wri&e soon.

>ove
1eor)eQ
5& abou& &#is &ime &#e 'lyaway B-29Cs o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ a& Wal(er 552! Aansas! were #avin) 1rou/ and
Win) mar(in)s /ain&ed on &#eir lar)e ver&i%al s&abiliBers. 2or %on'irma&ion o' &#is we are indeb&ed &o 2@>& Aen
2ine o' &#e urlbu&& %rew :P222<. 3n a le&&er wri&&en &#is day #e des%ribed 'or #is 'ian%ee w#a& s#e s#ould loo( 'or
i' &#eir /lane #a//ened &o s#ow u/ on any newsreels*

Q"#ey #ave /ain&ed &#e le&&ers and numbers on our /lane now. 3' you loo( on &#e B-17 u/ #ere [accordin* to
Gen Fine3s son, also Gen Fine, his father drew an arrow (ointin* u( to the B-+6 de(icted on the stationery, and
on the tail of the B-+6 he had drawn the letter L, with a s/uare below it, and the nu#ber && below that -- L
./uare && you %an see &#em. "#e X and &#e 74uare and 22 also a small 3429 [the last four di*its of the serial
nu#ber, $&-%-$&,. 7o now i' you see us in &#e news reel! you will (now us.Q

"#e X s&ood 'or &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/! &#e 74uare 'or &#e 73rd Bomb Win)! and 22 was &#e /lane number
wi&#in &#e 1rou/. 3n &#e ,99&#! numbers 1-19 were reserved 'or &#e --1s& 74uadron! 21-39 'or &#e --2nd! and
41-,9 'or &#e --3rd! so you %ould &ell immedia&ely by &#e number &o w#i%# s4uadron a /lane belon)ed.

7ome ve&erans remember &#a& &#eir /lanes werenC& mar(ed un&il &#ey rea%#ed 7ai/an. "#a& may #ave been &rue
'or la&er /lanes and %rews w#i%# %ame over! bu& &#is le&&er is /re&&y %lear /roo' &#a& &#e ori)inal 39 'lyaway air%ra'&
#ad &#eir mar(in)s /ain&ed on in Aansas. "#is is 'ur&#er su//or&ed by &#e uni& narra&ive #is&ory! w#i%# in no&in)
&#e da&e ea%# /lane arrived on 7ai/an in O%&ober and November 1944 re/or&s &#em as QX 74uare ,Q! e&%.

"#is seems a )ood /la%e &o no&e &#a& &#e /lane numbers wi&#in &#e 1rou/ were no& /ermanen& &o a /ar&i%ular
/lane. "#ey were %#an)ed as %ir%ums&an%es di%&a&ed. 3n 'a%&! i& would be 'air &o say &#a& in &#e be)innin) &#e
number s&ayed more wi&# &#e %rew &#an &#e /lane. 2or e?am/le! &a(e &#e urlbu&& %rewCs 'irs& /lane #ere! X-22!
42-63429. "#ey 'lew &#is /lane &o 7ai/an bu& never &oo( #er in&o %omba&. 2or un(nown reasons 63429 was
&rans'erred &o &#e 7ava)e %rew :P224< as &#eir re)ular /lane! a& w#i%# &ime s#e was renumbered X-29. 7&ill la&er!
63429 would be a)ain renumbered &o X-3,. =eanw#ile! &#e urlbu&& %rew was assi)ned a new /lane! 42-24766!
w#i%# was /rom/&ly numbered X-22. 5 lo& o' numbers /ain&in) was )oin) on in &#e ,99&#.
3 'ct 44
"oday &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ O/era&ions Journal re%orded &#a& 2ield Order P-! w#i%# was a Ba&is&a! 6uba!
mission involvin) &#e 497&# and 49-&# 1rou/s! #ad been /os&/oned a)ain! &#is &ime un&il 6 O%&. Dou may re%all
&#a& on 27 7e/ several air%ra'& o' &#e 497&# )rou/ #ad arrived a& Wal(er 552 'rom &#eir s&a)in) area a&
erin)&on! Aansas! &o /ar&i%i/a&e in &#is mission. "#en la&e on &#e 27&# &#e mission was /os&/oned un&il &#e
39&#! &#en la&er /os&/oned a)ain un&il 3 O%&. Now i& #ad been /os&/oned a &#ird &ime un&il 6 O%&. "#e /robable
reason &#a& &#e ,99&# was %losely 'ollowin) &#e /ro)ress o' &#is mission is &#a&! 'or un(nown reasons! &#e 497&#
/lanes were s&a)in) &#rou)# Wal(er.
4 'ct 44
"#e 1round E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ %on&inued wor(in) on &#eir livin) and wor(in) areas on 7ai/an.
"oday &#e /ermanen& livin) area o' &#e )round %rew o' &#e --1s& 74uadron! and /ossibly &#ose o' &#e o&#er
s4uadrons as well! were %om/le&ed. "#e )round /ersonnel would live &#eir en&ire &ime on 7ai/an in &#ese &en&s.
"#e more subs&an&ial 4uonse& #u&s were reserved 'or &#e air %rews. O' %ourse! &#e )round %rew &en&s werenC&
$us& ordinary &en&s. "#ey were lar)e /yramid &en&s rein'or%ed wi&# wooden 'rames! and la&er wooden 'loors were
laid inside &o )e& &#in)s u/ ou& o' &#e dir&. =os& )round %rewmen 'ound &#e &en&s /er'e%&ly ade4ua&e.

7/ea(in) o' wood! &#is was always a %ri&i%al s#or&a)e on 7ai/an. "#ere was never enou)# &o )o around! and
su''i%ien& 4uan&i&ies #ad &o be bar&ered 'or! s%roun)ed or s&olen. =en be%ame e?/er& in 'as#ionin) &ables! %#airs
and o&#er 'urni&ure 'rom s%ra/ lumber! s#ee&s o' /lywood and s#i//in) %ra&es. Nails were also a %ri&i%al i&em.
5 'ct 44
"oday 1eor)e u)#es! air/lane me%#ani% in &#e --1s& 74uadron! 'illed in #is /aren&s on &#e la&es& #a//enin)s
on 7ai/an*

QO%&ober ,! 1944

8ear =o&#er K 8ad!

Every&#in) is 'ine #ere and 3 #o/e &#a& &#ey are a& #ome. 3 su//ose you are lis&enin) &o &#e World 7eries. We
)e& re/lays o' &#e )ame by s#or& wave. ...

=y ele%&ion ballo& %ame &#e o&#er day and 3 sen& i& ri)#& ou&. ...

We )e& our 'irs& 'ull /ay on November 1s&. ...

We are s&ill doin) abou& &#e same $obs and our area #as s#own lo&s o' im/rovemen&. We moved &o our
/ermanen& area yes&erday. ... "#ere is [sic ei)#& &o a &en& 'or now bu& la&er &#ey e?/e%& &o %u& down &o si?. "#a&
)ives one 4ui&e a li&&le room. ...

>ove
1eor)eQ
"#e 2nd 5ir 2or%e )roundin) dire%&ive o' 39 7e/ #ad been li'&ed a//aren&ly la&e yes&erday! w#i%# resul&ed in
mu%# air a%&ivi&y &oday. "rainin) and &rans'ers %ould resume. "#is a'&ernoon! an uns/e%i'ied number o' air%ra'&
'rom &#e 497&# Bomb 1rou/ 'lew in &o &#e #ome 'ield o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ a& Wal(er 552! Aansas. "#ese
/lanes were &o /ar&i%i/a&e &omorrow in &#e mu%# delayed 2ield Order P- &rainin) mission &o Ba&is&a! 6uba. 3&
a//ears &#a& &#is 2O #ad now been e?/anded &o in%lude /lanes 'rom all 'our 1rou/s o' &#e 73rd Bomb Win).
2i'&een B-29Cs o' &#e ,99&# 1rou/ would now /ar&i%i/a&e in &#is mission.

"#e ,99&# O/era&ions Journal doesnC& )ive many de&ails abou& &#is mission! bu& navi)a&or Aen 2ine o' &#e
urlbu&& %rew :P222<! w#i%# was s%#eduled 'or &#is mission! &ells us &#a& &#e /ar&i%i/a&in) /lanes 'lew &oday
&o 7alina! &#e base o' &#e 499&# 1rou/. 7alina a//aren&ly served as &#e s&a)in) base 'or all 1rou/s 'or &#is
mission! as 2ine s&a&es &#a& Q"#ere were su//osed &o be around ,9 B-29s in &#a& 'li)#& and 3 never saw so many
29s as &#ere were over a& 7alina.Q

"#e urlbu&& %rew #ad been no&i'ied abou& &#e Ba&is&a mission &#is mornin) a& abou& 1199. "#ey #urried &o )e&
ready! &#en 'lew &#eir /lane &o 7alina! w#ere &#ey were in Qa mee&in) all a'&ernoon.Q "#is was /robably 2ineCs
des%ri/&ion o' &#e mission brie'in). "#ey &#en s/en& &#e ni)#& a& 7alina in /re/ara&ion 'or an early mornin) &a(e-
o''.

5mon) &#e ,99&# %rews no& assi)ned &o &#e 6uba mission &oday were &#e ays %rew :P22-< o' &#e --2nd
74uadron and &#e =%6lana#an %rew :P3,3< o' &#e --3rd. "#e ays %rew was on a )unnery-bombin) e?er%ise.
Bombardier al "owner re%orded &#a& Q5ll )uns were 'ired in%ludin) &#e 29mm. %annon and &#en we wen& &o
19!999 'ee& and dro//ed &en [bo#bs.Q "#e =%6lana#an %rew was /robably doin) &#e same e?er%ise! bu& all
ri)#& )unner Bob 7%#urmann no&ed was &#a& &#ey Q'ired 299 rounds /er )un a& 1,!999 [feet wi&# no
mal'un%&ions.Q

5 lar)e number o' 'lyaway air%ra'& w#i%# #ad s&a%(ed u/ a& &#e de/o&s or modi'i%a&ion %en&ers due &o &#e 2nd 52
)roundin) dire%&ive 'lew in &o Wal(er &oday. "#e O/era&ions Journal re/or&ed &oday &#a& &#e 1rou/ Q#as 26
2lyaway 5%'& a& /resen&.Q "#is mean& only 'our &o )o &o rea%# 'ull s&ren)&#.
7everal %rews were 'inally able &o &a(e &#eir 'lyaways u/ 'or &#eir s#a(edown 'li)#&s &oday. One o' &#ese was &#e
olmes %rew :P3,4< o' &#e --3rd. 5'&er 'our #ours and 39 minu&es in &#e air wi&# &#eir /lane! /robably 42-63434!
&#e %rew re&urned &o a nas&y sur/rise. 5%%ordin) &o 'li)#& en)ineer Bob 7ebrin)! &#e /os&-'li)#& ins/e%&ion
revealed &#a& Fan en&ire row o' rive&s on a /anel on &#e &o/ sur'a%e o' one win) #ad /o//ed ou&.G Bad lu%( 'or
&#e olmes %rew. "#e /lane was red-lined and &#ey were now wi&#ou& a 'lyaway.
6 'ct 44
5& 9399 &oday &#e urlbu&& %rew :P222< o' &#e --2nd 74uadron was awa(ened a& 7alina! Aansas! 'or &#eir
mission &o 6uba. "#ey wen& &o brea('as& and )o& all ready &o )o bu& &#e rain was %omin) down #ard! so &#ere
was a delay un&il 1999. 5%%ordin) &o Aen 2ine! navi)a&or on &#e urlbu&& %rew! a de%ision was made &o send
only some o' &#e /lanes o'' &o 6uba. "#e res&! in%ludin) &#e urlbu&& %rew! /resumably in &#eir 'lyaway B-29! 42-
63429! Qwere su//osed &o 'ly u/ &o &#e nor&# o' =inneso&a and ba%(.Q "#e wea&#er mus& #ave been be&&er in
&#a& dire%&ion. owever! &#e urlbu&& %rew a//aren&ly didnC& even )e& o'' &#e )round. "#ey Qburn& ou& a s&ar&er
and #ad &o %#an)e &#a& so we 'lew ba%( &o Wal(er &#is evenin).Q

2ine wro&e #is 'ian%ee &oni)#& &#a& #e wis#ed &#ey #ad made &#e 6uba mission and #ad i& be#ind &#em. "#ey
would #ave &o ma(e i& soon and Q3Cm sure no& loo(in) 'orward &o a 1, #our ride. 3Cll sure be )lad w#en &#e &ime
%omes w#en 3Cll never #ave &o )e& in&o a /lane a)ain.Q

"#eir ne?& s#o& a& 6uba would %ome /robably sooner &#an &#e urlbu&& %rew ima)ined. "oday &#e ,99&# 1rou/
O/era&ions 7e%&ion re%eived 73rd Bomb Win) 2ield Order P19 'or a mission &o Ba&is&a! 6uba! on - O%& 44. "#e
,99&# s%#eduled 1, /lanes and %rews 'or &#is mission! in%ludin) &#e urlbu&& %rew.
7 'ct 44
By &#is &ime &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ /robably #ad i&s 'ull %om/lemen&! or %lose &o i&! o' 39 'lyaway air%ra'&. "#ese
/lanes were assi)ned &en /er s4uadron.

5lso by &#is &ime &#e number o' %rews in &#e ,99&# #ad been w#i&&led down &o 69. "#e ori)inal assum/&ion was
&#a& &#e lon) missions would be #arder on &#e men &#an &#e /lanes! #en%e &wo %rews /er /lane. owever! in
%omba& &#e o//osi&e was 'ound &o be &#e %ase. 3& was &#e la%( o' 'lyable air%ra'& &#a& 4ui%(ly be%ame &#e %ri&i%al
'a%&or! a& leas& un&il more /lanes were assi)ned and main&enan%e im/roved.

3& is un(nown w#a& %ri&eria! ob$e%&ive or sub$e%&ive! were used &o sele%& &#e 39 %rews w#o )o& &#e 39 'lyaway
/lanes. 5s 'or &#e 39 %rews &#a& didnC&! &#ey were divided in&o &wo )rou/s o' 1,! 'ive %rews 'rom ea%# s4uadron.
"#e /lan was &o send &#e 'irs& )rou/ o' 1, &o Aearney 552! Nebras(a! &o awai& &#e arrival o' new air%ra'&! w#i%#
&#ey would &#en 'ly over &o &#e =arianas. "#e se%ond )rou/ would be sen& &o >in%oln 552! Nebras(a! &#en
even&ually on &o Aearney! ei&#er &o 'ly new /lanes overseas or &o &ravel &o 7ai/an via 5ir "rans/or& 6ommand
/lanes. W#ile wai&in) a& Aearney and >in%oln! &#ese %rews were a//aren&ly &o %on&inue &rainin) inso'ar as
/ossible. +ossibly &#e ,99&# %rews were divided be&ween &#e &wo lo%a&ions so as no& &o over&a? &#e &rainin) and
o&#er 'a%ili&ies a& Aearney.

"#e ori)inal 39 'lyaway air%ra'& and &#eir assi)ned %rews were as 'ollows*

--1s& 74uadron
X-1 42-246,6 1oldswor&#y :P191<
X-2 42-24662 3rvin :P19,<
X-3 42-6343, 7amuelson :P196<
X-4 42-24672 Oswald :P121< :la&er renumbered P193<
X-, 42-24643 >uman :P199<
X-6 42-24694 2ield :P119<
X-7 42-246-9 7ullivan :P111<
X-- 42-24692 2i&B)erald :P11,<
X-9 42-246-9 a&%# :P11-<
X-19 42-6,219 "#om/son :P117<

--2nd 74uadron
X-21 42-246,2 +ier%e :P223<
X-22 42-63429 urlbu&& :P222<
X-23 42-24664 ays :P22-<
X-24 42-24676 "a%(e&& :P237<
X-2, 42-246-6 ;an "ri)& :P239<
X-26 42-246-7 1rise :P231<
X-27 42-2466- 6ordray :P239<
X-2- 42-63436 1erwi%( :P233<
X-29 42-6,221 7ava)e :P224<
X-39 42-24799 >a=ar%#e :P226<

--3rd 74uadron
X-41 42-2467, 5s#ley :P343<
X-42 42-246,3 =oreland :P344<
X-43 42-63441 7e&&eri%# :P346<
X-44 42-6,21- ansen :P3,1<
X-4, 42-246,7 =%6lana#an :P3,3<
X-46 42-24721 olmes :P3,4<
X-47 42-24699 5dams :P3,-<
X-4- 42-24669 Bla%( :P3,9<
X-49 42-24671 2ea&#ers :P369<
X-,9 42-24696 Braden :P364<
'ct 44
Now &#a& &#e mess #alls and livin) areas 'or &#e )round /ersonnel #ad been %om/le&ed! &#e men o' &#e ,99&#
Bomb 1rou/ #ad more man/ower available &o 'inis# &#e 4uonse& #u&s 'or 1rou/ and 74uadron ead4uar&ers
and &#e various s&a'' se%&ons. 5lso! %ons&ru%&ion was s&ar&ed on 4uonse& #u&s &o serve as livin) 4uar&ers 'or &#e
air %rews w#en &#ey arrived. 5 &o&al o' 6, Juonse& #u&s 'or all /ur/oses were ere%&ed durin) &#is &ime.
=eanw#ile! &#e ,99&# %on&inued &o be %alled on &o 'urnis# %ons&ru%&ion de&ails 'or Win) ead4uar&ers.
5lso! a%%ordin) &o =a$ Eal/# =aus&! E?e%u&ive O''i%er o' &#e --1s& 74uadron and au&#or o' &#e 1rou/ #is&ory
%overin) &#is /eriod! &#e ,99&# 'urnis#ed 7, men /er day Q&o assis& &#e 7ervi%e 1rou/s in %ons&ru%&in) &#e
ware#ouses and 'a%ili&ies 'or 7ervi%e 6en&er CBC. "#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ was &#e only Bomb 1rou/ re4uired &o
'urnis# /ersonnel 'or &#is /ur/ose.Q "#e men o' &#e ,99&# were 'as& be%omin) 'irs&-ra&e %ar/en&ers.
"oday &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ /re/ared &o send 1, /lanes on a Win) mission &o Ba&is&a! 6uba! a daun&in) round-
&ri/ o' 3!999 miles e?/e%&ed &o las& 1, #ours. 3& was /robably no& a %oin%iden%e &#a& &#e round-&ri/ dis&an%e
be&ween 7ai/an and Ja/an was also 3!999 miles.

5%%ordin) &o navi)a&or Aen 2ine o' &#e urlbu&& %rew :P222< o' &#e --2nd 74uadron! &#e %rews were awa(ened
a& 9439! a&e brea('as& a& 9,99! &#en wen& down &o &#e 'li)#& line &o %#e%( ou& &#eir /lanes. "a(e-o'' was abou&
9739. "#e urlbu&& %rew would be &#e lead /lane on &#is mission! wi&# 1rou/ 6O 6ol Ei%#ard Ain) on board.

5ll 1, /lanes s%#eduled made i& airborne! bu& &#ere was a /roblem ri)#& away. X-,! 42-24643! /robably >uman
%rew :P199< o' &#e --1s& 74uadron! #ad some sor& o' &rouble and abor&ed s#or&ly a'&er &a(e-o''. "#e remainin)
14 /lanes #eaded o'' 'or 6uba! bu& &wo more abor&ed la&er. X-4-! 42-24669! /robably Bla%( %rew :P3,9< o' &#e
--3rd 74uadron! re&urned &o Wal(er 552 a& 9219. 3' &#a& la&e arrival &ime is %orre%&! i&Cs a )ood indi%a&ion &#a& s#e
#ad #ad &o ma(e an emer)en%y landin) somew#ere &o ma(e &em/orary re/airs. X-2,! 42-246-6! /robably ;an
"ri)& %rew :P239< o' &#e --2nd! made i& all &#e way &o Ba&is&a bu& 'or un(nown reasons :ra%( mal'un%&ionU< was
unable &o %om/le&e &#e mission. 7#e did #owever ma(e i& all &#e way ba%( &o Wal(er on &#ree en)ines.

5%%ordin) &o &#e 1rou/ O/era&ions Journal! Q3n&erro)a&ion was #eld a& 1/ 4s under &#e dire%&ion o' 7-2!
immedia&ely a'&er las& s#i/ re&urned W552. 5ll 7-3 7&a'' O''i%ers were /resen&. 3n&erro)a&ion %om/le&ed s#or&ly
a'&er 9399 5=.Q

"#e urlbu&& %rew mus& #ave been one o' &#e 'irs& ones ba%(. 5%%ordin) &o navi)a&or 2ine! &#ey re&urned &o
Wal(er a& around 2299 and 'inis#ed in&erro)a&ion by midni)#&. 2ine #adnC& #ad any&#in) &o ea& sin%e brea('as&
bu& was so e?#aus&ed &#a& #e wen& s&rai)#& &o bed and didnC& wa(e u/ un&il 1999 &#e ne?& day. 5'&er %leanin) u/!
#e wen& over and )o& some lun%#.

>andin) a& 2229! no& lon) a'&er &#e urlbu&& %rew! was &#e =%6lana#an %rew :P3,3< o' &#e --3rd. "#ey %ame in
on &#ree en)ines. Ei)#& )unner Bob 7%#urmann wro&e in #is diary! QBombed ran)e a& Ba&is&a! 6uba. 7aw
avana. 2ea&#ered P3 en)ine over O(la#oma 'or la%( o' 'uel &rans'er on re&urn &ri/.Q

"#e ays %rew :P22-< o' &#e --2nd also 'lew &#is mission bu& a%%ordin) &o bombardier al "owner! &#ey did i&
wi&#ou& &#eir air/lane %ommander. "owner does no& say w#y ays was absen& or w#o 'illed in 'or #im. e does
#owever men&ion &#a& &#ey #ad &o ma(e an en)ine %#an)e a'&er re&urnin) &o Wal(er.
5no&#er %rew %om/le&in) &#is mission! in 14 #ours and 4, minu&es! was &#e olmes %rew :P3,4< o' &#e --3rd!
bu& i& is no& (nown in w#a& B-29! sin%e &#eir 'lyaway #ad been red-lined ba%( on , O%&.
$ 'ct 44
"#is a'&ernoon a& Wal(er 552! Aansas! a& 1rou/ ead4uar&ers! &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ #eld a )eneral %ri&i4ue o'
yes&erdayCs 6uba mission. 5//aren&ly all &#e /ar&i%i/a&in) %rews were /resen&. =any o' &#e %rews! in%ludin) &#e
urlbu&& %rew :P222<! were also &old &#a& &#ey would be 'lyin) ano&#er mission &omorrow! 19 O%&! &#is one
a 1rou/ mission.

Over in &#e 7-3 7e%&ion! o''i%ers and men were busy %om/le&in) len)&#y and de&ailed 6onsolida&ed "a%&i%al
=ission Ee/or&s! a//aren&ly on yes&erdayCs Win) mission &o 6uba! &o be sen& &o &#e 73rd Bomb Win).
10 'ct 44
Wor( %on&inued 'or &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ 1round E%#elon on 7ai/an. 5ir/lane me%#ani% 1eor)e u)#es o'
&#e --1s& 74uadron #ad been wor(in) &#e ni)#& s#i'& la&ely and wasnC& very #a//y abou& i&. 7lee/in) durin) &#e
day was di''i%ul& due &o &#e #ea&! and also #e wasnC& able &o )o &o any o' &#e movies in &#e evenin). "#e only
)ood &#in) abou& i& was &#a& i& )ave #im more &ime &o wri&e le&&ers.

2@>& Jo#n Barre&& 1ran&! --2nd 74uadron 5ir%ra'& En)ineerin) O''i%er! (nown &o #is 'riends as Barre&& or Barry!
was also very busy. Wri&in) #is sis&er in 6ali'ornia abou& &#is /eriod la&er! 1ran& no&ed &#a& #e was &#e only
o''i%er in #is main&enan%e se%&ion! w#i%# mean& #e was wor(in) Q&welve &o 'our&een #ours a day! %oordina&in)
&#in)s! )e&&in) e4ui/men& and %ensorin) le&&ers on &#e side.Q Bu& &#ere were some bri)#& s/o&s. "#e &en& #e
s#ared wi&# several o&#er o''i%ers now #ad &#e Qwonder'ul lu?uryQ o' a wooden 'loor and was lo%a&ed in a )rove o'
small &rees wi&# a beau&i'ul view o' &#e sea. "#ey were slee/in) on %o&s! bu& 1ran& was one o' &#e 'ew men wi&#
a /re%ious ma&&ress! w#i%# #e #ad s&olen o'' &#e 5l%oa +olaris Qby s&u''in) i& in a barra%(s ba) and &#rowin) i&
over &#e side! &#en la&er non%#alan&ly re&rievin) i&.Q "#is Dale en)ineerin) )radua&e #ad learned a 'ew &#in)s
abou& #ow &o survive in &#e 5rmy. =ore livin) im/rovemen&s would %ome la&er.
"#e air %rews o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ a& Wal(er 552! Aansas! were bein) (e/& very busy. "#ere was )ood
reason 'or &#a&. "#e s%#eduled de/loymen& da&e &o &#e overseas s&a)in) area was %omin) u/ 'as&.

"oday &#ere was a 1rou/ =ission! 2O P-! a bombin) e?er%ise &o +ueblo [!olorado> +BE [5ractice Bo#bin*
"an*e P2. "en B-29Cs )o& o'' as s%#eduled bu& &wo o' &#em #ad &o abor&. X-4-! 42-24669! /robably Bla%( %rew
:P3,9< o' &#e --3rd 74uadron! re&urned &o Wal(er a& 1637! and X-4! 42-24672! /robably Oswald %rew :P121< o'
&#e --1s&! re&urned a& 16,,. "#e o&#er ei)#& /lanes! in%ludin) &#e urlbu&& %rew :P222< o' &#e --2nd! /robably in
X-22! 42-63429! and /robably &#e olmes %rew :P3,4< o' &#e --3rd! /lane un(nown! a//aren&ly %om/le&ed &#e
mission.
11 'ct 44
al "owner! bombardier on &#e ays %rew :P22-< o' &#e --2nd 74uadron! was in a &#ou)#&'ul and re'le%&ive
'rame o' mind as #e wro&e in #is %rew diary &oday. "#e %rew #ad been a& Wal(er 2ield 'or almos& si? mon&#s now
and 'el& &#a& &#ey were Q/re&&y well &rained.Q "#ey #ad develo/ed %on'iden%e in ea%# o&#er and 'el& &#ey were
ready &o )o &o war. Bu& a /roblem #ad arisen* QWeCre overdue a& our s&a)in) base [Gearney ))F, :ebraska! bu&
&#ey #ave no room 'or us &#ere. 7ome&#in) alon) &#e line #as bo&&lene%(ed &#e 'low o' %omba& %rews &o &#e
&#ea&re and ea%# day we be%ome more an?ious &o leave &#e 'ield.Q

"owner added &#a& Q&#e a%%ommoda&ions a& &#is 'ield! w#i%# we #ave su''ered 'or si? mon&#s! )row s&eadily
worse! &#ou)# we &#ou)#& su%# a &#in) im/ossible.Q "owner doesnC& say w#y %ondi&ions #ad de&eriora&ed! bu& i&
is li(ely &#a& more elemen&s o' &#e 339&# Bomb 1rou/! w#i%# would re/la%e &#e ,99&# a& Wal(er w#en &#ey le'&!
#ad moved on&o &#e base! ma(in) all 'a%ili&ies more %rowded.
2inally! "owner re%orded &#a& #is %rew was s%#eduled 'or a seven-#our mission &omorrow! i' &#eir /lane was
ready. "#e P1 en)ine! w#i%# #ad been sla&ed 'or %#an)e a'&er &#e Ba&is&a mission o' - O%&! #ad s&ill no& been
re/la%ed.
12 'ct 44
On &#is day on 7ai/an a landmar( even& o%%urred. 5'&er a lon) 'li)#& 'rom Aansas! &#e 'irs& B-29 o' &#e 73rd
Bomb Win)! "-,! QJol&inC JosieQ! o' &#e 49-&# Bomb 1rou/! %arryin) Bri) 1en eywood ansell! 6ommander o'
WW3 Bomber 6ommand! se& down on 3sley 2ield. "#is o' %ourse wasnC& one o' &#e ,99&#Cs /lanes! bu& &#e arrival
o' QJol&inC JosieQ brou)#& #ome &o &#e men o' &#e ,99&# &#a& &#eir /lanes wouldnC& be 'ar be#ind. Wor( &o
%om/le&e &#e 1rou/ wor(in) and livin) 4uar&ers redoubled.

"#rou)#ou& &#e &rainin) /eriod in Aansas! &#e 497&# and 49-&# 1rou/s were always a li&&le a#ead o' &#e 499&#
and ,99&#. "#e 497&# and 49-&# wen& &o &#e overseas s&a)in) areas 'irs&! so i&Cs no& sur/risin) &#a& i& was a
49-&# /lane &#a& )o& &o 7ai/an 'irs&.
"oday 6a/& +aul "rier! --2nd 74uadron =edi%al O''i%er! re%eived a Fmos& wel%ome le&&erG 'rom #is wi'e 3da in
Wis%onsin and sa& down &o 'rame a re/ly. e was %on%erned &#a& 3da #ad re%eived so 'ew le&&ers o' &#e many #e
#ad wri&&en sin%e leavin) &#e 7&a&es. ;-mail le&&ers seemed &o be )e&&in) &#ru be&&er! so #e was )oin) &o &ry &#a&
me&#od 'or a w#ile.
"rier #ad been able &o buy some )ood %i)ars yes&erday! 'ive 'or 6, %en&s! bu& &#ere were many o&#er &#in)s &#a&
were no& available a& #is lo%a&ion! so #e as(ed #is wi'e &o send #im a 'ew i&ems i' s#e %ould 'ind &#em. "#e lis&
in%luded a se& o' %#essmen! /#o&o)ra/#i% /a/er and some li)#& 'i?&ures. e e?/lained &#a& #e #ad a%&ually
bou)#& a so%(e&! &wo /lu)s and &wo e?&ension %ords in Eiverside! 6ali'ornia! be'ore s#i//in) ou&! bu& Fone o' &#e
/lu)s is now a&&a%#ed &o &#e in'ra red lam/! &#e so%(e& and &#e o&#er /lu) is a&&a%#ed &o &#e re'ri)era&or! and one
#al' /lu) is on &#e was#in) ma%#ine. [.o#eone in the 011th had had the foresi*ht to buy so#e a((liances to
shi( overseas, but that foresi*ht had evidently not e;tended to the electrical fi;tures needed to o(erate the#. 3'
3 asser& my ri)#&s and &a(e &#em ba%(! 3Cll slow down &#e o/era&ion o' &#e en&ire or)aniBa&ion. 3' you %an )e&
&#em! 3Cd li(e abou& si? /lu)s! and &#ree so%(e&s wi&# swi&%#es on &#em.G
"rier %on&inued! F3& was murder &o #ave you men&ion snow 'allin). =y %os&ume a& &#e /resen& &ime %onsis&s o' a
sun #elme& w#i%# 3 /i%(ed u/ o'' &#e road a'&er 3 saw i& blow o'' a 'ellowCs #ead! a " s#ir&! and a /air o' s#or&s
made by %u&&in) &#e le)s o'' a /air o' 1.3. "rousers. "#ey ma(e very 'ine s#or&s as &#ere is /len&y o' /o%(e&
s/a%e w#i%# is missin) in mos& s#or&s.
FOur #os/i&al is almos& 'inis#ed! &#e ward %onsis&s o' a #os/i&al &en&! 16?4- wi&# a %oral 'loor! over w#i%# we laid
/ier%ed s&eel /lan( w#i%# &#ey use &o ma(e &em/orary runways. 3& ma(es a /re&&y )ood &em/orary se& u/ and we
#o/e &o )e& wooden 'loors and some sor& o' sides 'or i& even&ually. We also #ave! as 3 men&ioned be'ore! &wo
Juonse& #u&s! and a su//ly &en& wi&# wooden 'loors and sides in w#i%# we are now livin)! &#a& is Ximmerman
[99-rd ./uadron Medical =fficer !a(t @enry ). Li##er#an! >&. Easmussen! our =56 ['rou( Medical .u((ly
=fficer &ABt Eldon J. "as#ussen, Medical )d#inistration !or(s! and mysel'. 3& isnC& &oo bad a& all! bu& i& is a 'ar
%ry 'rom &#e way we were livin) a& Wal(er. We are an?ious &o #ear &#e subse4uen& arrivals ma(e a 'ew remar(s
abou& #ow &ou)# &#in)s are! and &#en /ro%eed &o %limb down &#eir &#roa&s.
F3 really #o/e &#is ; mail e?/erimen& wor(s ou& darlin)! be%ause 3 wan& &o (ee/ remindin) you &#a& 3 love you
more &#an any&#in) else in &#e world.
+aulG
5s &#e 'irs& B-29 o' &#e 49-&# Bomb 1rou/ was landin) on 7ai/an! &#e 'irs& /lane o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ #ad
ye& &o leave Wal(er 2ield! Aansas! 'or &#e s&a)in) area a& Aearney! Nebras(a. Bu& &#a& move was %omin) soon.

"oday &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ ran a QEound EobinQ! w#i%# was a navi)a&ional and 'orma&ion-'lyin) e?er%ise
usually %ondu%&ed alon) a rou)#ly %ir%ular rou&e. "en B-29Cs were s%#eduled bu& one! X-49! 42-24671! #ad
some sor& o' me%#ani%al /roblem durin) &a?i or &a(e-o'' /re/ and re&urned &o &#e line. "#e o&#er nine /lanes )o&
o'' o(ay and 'lew &#e 'ollowin) rou&e* 8WA - "7 - +83 - +B7 - 5J - E>A 63"D - 8WA. "#is brea(s ou& &o Wal(er
2ield - "ulsa - /ossibly +adre 3sland - un(nown - 5marillo - El( 6i&y :/robably O(la#oma< - Wal(er.

5lso &oday 8e/u&y 1rou/ 6ommander >& 6ol Jo#n 8ou)#er&y and 1rou/ Bombardier 6a/& 6#arles =%6lin&i%(
de/ar&ed Wal(er 2ield 'or &#e overseas s&a)in) area a& Aearney 552! Nebras(a! in B-17 P,,4. "#ey would soon
be 'ollowed by &#e 'irs& o' &#e ,99&# 'lyaway /lanes.
13 'ct 44
On &#is day 12 B-29Cs &oo( o'' 'rom Wal(er 552! Aansas! on a QEound EobinQ! a lon)-ran)e navi)a&ion!
'orma&ion-'lyin) and bombin) e?er%ise &o Ba&is&a! 6uba. "#e rou&e as )iven in &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/
O/era&ions Journal was 8WA - WB5 - >EE7BIE1 - NW - 8WA! w#i%# brea(s ou& &o Wal(er 2ield - /robably
Ba&is&a! 6uba - >eesbur) :/robably 2lorida< - Nor'ol( - Wal(er. "wo /lanes did no& ma(e i& &o 6uba. X-19! 42-
6,219! /robably "#om/son %rew :P117< o' &#e --1s& 74uadron! #ad &o land a& "in(er 2ield near O(la#oma 6i&y!
and X-44! 42-6,21-! /robably ansen %rew :P3,1< o' &#e --3rd! landed a& =a?well 2ield in 5labama. 5lso! X-
26! 42-246-7! /robably 1rise %rew :P231< o' &#e --2nd! made i& &o 6uba bu& be%ame Qse/ara&ed
'rom 'orma&ion ... and was unable &o bomb.Q "#e remainin) nine /lanes a//aren&ly %om/le&ed &#e mission.
14 'ct 44
"oday in a le&&er 1eor)e u)#es! air/lane me%#ani% in &#e --1s& 74uadron! brou)#& #is /aren&s u/ &o da&e abou&
#is li'e on 7ai/an! even &#ou)# #e s&ill wasnC& allowed &o men&ion &#e island by name*

QO%&ober 14! 1944

8ear =o&#er K 8ad!

3 am wri&in) $us& a 'ew lines &o le& you (now every&#in) is all ri)#&. "#in)s are $us& abou& &#e same #ere.

3 am wor(in) on a di&%# di))in) $ob now. 3&Cs /re&&y &ou)# di))in) be%ause &#ere are $us& a 'ew in%#es o' &o/ soil.
"#e bi))es& /ar& #as &o be /i%(ed ou& o' solid %oral. We use $a%(#ammers w#en &#ey are available bu& mos& o'
&#e wor( #as &o be done wi&# a /i%(a?e.

... 3 re%eived &#e %amera w#ile 3 was a& +.O.E. [5ort of E#barkation, !a#( )nEa, !alifornia 3 mus& #ave
'or)o&&en &o say so a& &#e &ime. W#en we )e& %au)#& u/ on &#e wor( a li&&le maybe 3 %an &a(e some /i%&ures.

3 saw a s#ow las& ni)#& /resen&ed by &#e na&ives. "#ey did a 'ew na&ive dan%es bu& &#ey werenC& very
in&eres&in). "#ere are 'i)#&s a)ain &oni)#& so 3 believe 3 will a&&end. "#ey #ave some very )ood bou&s.

"#e wea&#er %on&inues &#e same. 3 am /re&&y well used &o &#e #ea& by now. 3& s&ill rains a %ou/le o' &imes a day.
"#e ni)#&s are %ool enou)# &o use a blan(e& a& &imes. 5s lon) as 3 %an slee/ ni)#&s 3 donC& %are #ow #o& i& )e&s.

"#e medi%s made everyone /u& u/ mos4ui&o ne&s over &#eir beds. "#ey are &#e only &#in)s 'or )ood slee/in).
"#e mos4ui&oes #ere %arry den)ue 'ever. "#is isnC& bad bu& 4ui&e /ain'ul 3 )uess[>. ...

>ove
1eor)eQ
On &#is day a& Wal(er 552! Aansas! ano&#er miles&one in &#e #is&ory o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ was rea%#ed
w#en &#e 24-&# 552 Base Ini&! &#e %on&rollin) au&#ori&y a& Wal(er! issued 7/e%ial Order No. 199. +ara)ra/# 19
o' &#is order dire%&ed &#e 'irs& &en /lanes and %rews o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ &o re/or& &o &#e overseas s&a)in)
area a& Aearney 552! Nebras(a. "#ree /a)es a&&a%#ed &o &#e &e?& o' +ara 19 lis&ed &#e /lanes by serial number
and &#e 'ull %rews by name! ran(! =O7 :=ili&ary O%%u/a&ional 7/e%ial&y<! 57N :5rmy 7erial Number< and %rew
/osi&ion.
"#e %rews were &o re/or& &o Aearney by &#e 'ollowin) day! 1, O%& 1944... wi&# one e?%e/&ion. 5 /ara)ra/# in &#e
order read! Q6rew indi%a&ed by an as&eris( :Y< now on "8 [2e#(orary ?uty O(la#oma 6i&y! O(la#oma will
%om/ly wi&# &#is order u/on re&urn &o &#is s&a[tion.Q "#is was &#e urlbu&& %rew :P222< 'lyin) &#eir assi)ned
/lane! X-22! 42-63429.

X-22 and &#e urlbu&& %rew #ad been sen& &o &#e O(la#oma 6i&y 5ir 8e/o& a& "in(er 2ield &oday in &#e #o/e o'
)e&&in) a si)ni'i%an& s&ru%&ural de'e%& %orre%&ed. 5s 626 1unner Ed >evin remembers i&! &#e rive&s on as many
as 79 win) /anels were 'aul&y or sus/e%&. 7ome #ad /o//ed and o&#ers a//eared &o be in dan)er o' doin) so.

"#e 'ull %rew was a//aren&ly no& alon) on &#is &ri/. Eadar O/era&or +aul 8reyer remained a& Wal(er. owever!
&wo /assen)ers #ad %ome alon) &o OA6 -- 6rew 6#ie' =@7)& 8o% :#is real 'irs& name< 8un%an and --2nd
74uadron 2li)#& 6#ie' =@7)& Eaymond Q5%eQ 6ar&er. "#ese very e?/erien%ed air/lane me%#ani%s #ad /robably
been sen& alon) in %ase &#e /lane #ad &o ma(e an emer)en%y landin) somew#ere.

"#is evenin) navi)a&or Aen 2ine /#oned #is 'ian%ee &o le& #er (now w#ere #e was! and &#e ne?& day #e wro&e
#er a le&&er usin) s&a&ionery 'rom &#e #o&el w#ere #e and &#e res& o' &#e %rew were s&ayin) -- o&el Bla%(! 1rand
5ve a& udson 7&.! O(la#oma 6i&y! OA. "#e 5ir 8e/o& mus& #ave 4ui%(ly de&ermined &#a& &#e ne%essary re/airs
were beyond &#eir %a/abili&y! be%ause by &#is &ime 2ine already (new &#a& &#ey would #ave &o &a(e &#e /lane
ba%( &o &#e 'a%&ory in 5&lan&a. e didnC& (now #ow lon) &#ey would be &#ere! bu& a'&er &#e /lane was re/aired
&#ey would 'inally 'ly &o Aearney 552! Nebras(a! &o /re/are 'or overseas movemen&.

7everal men in &#e %rew viewed &#is e?%ursion as sor& o' a las& 'lin) be'ore #eadin) o'' &o war! so a lo& o' #eavy
drin(in) and womaniBin) wen& on! ri)#& 'rom &#e be)innin). 3n O(la#oma 6i&y! one o' &#e married o''i%ers /i%(ed
u/ &#e )irl w#o drove &#e &ra%&or &#a& &owed &#eir /lane &o &#e debar(a&ion area a'&er landin). Doun) and inno%en&
Ed >evin was s#o%(ed by &#e braBenness o' i&.

"#e ,99&# 1rou/ O/era&ions 7e%&ion was ei&#er no& aware o' &#e 'ull si&ua&ion o' &#e urlbu&& %rew or someone
delibera&ely obs%ured i& by no&in) in &#e O/era&ions Journal on 14 O%&ober! QOne :1< B-29 o'' 'rom W552 'or
Aearney! Nebr.Q Well! yes! X-22 was des&ined 'or Aearney! bu& by a very roundabou& rou&e and no& any&ime
soon.
15 'ct 44
"oday a& Wal(er 552! Aansas! nine o' &#e &en /lanes and %rews lis&ed in 7O P199 le'& 'or &#e s&a)in) area a&
Aearney 552! Nebras(a! as ordered. "#ese in%luded &#ree /lanes and %rews 'rom ea%# s4uadron*

--1s& 74uadron
X-1! 42-246,6! 1oldswor&#y %rew :P191<
X-2! 42-24662! 3rvin %rew :P19,<
X-4! 42-24672! Oswald %rew :P121 - la&er renumbered 193<

--2nd 74uadron
X-21! 42-246,2! +ier%e %rew :P223<
X-2,! 42-246-6! ;an "ri)& %rew :P239<
X-24! 42-24676! "a%(e&& %rew :P237<

--3rd 74uadron
X-42! 24-246,3! =oreland %rew :P344
X-4-! 42-24669! Bla%( %rew :P3,9<
X-49! 42-24671! 2ea&#ers %rew :P369<

=a$ Eober& 2. 1oldswor&#y was desi)na&ed as &#e =ovemen& 6ommander.

"#e &en&#! missin) /lane and %rew was X-22! 42-63429! urlbu&& %rew :P222<! o' &#e --2nd. "#is /lane was s&ill
a& &#e O(la#oma 6i&y 5ir 8e/o& and /re/arin) &o #ead &o Bell 5&lan&a 'or 'a%&ory re/airs.

Ea%# /lane 'lyin) &o &#e s&a)in) area would &a(e i&s %rew %#ie' alon) as a /assen)er. :3&Cs #ard &o (ee/ a %rew
%#ie' and #is /lane a/ar&.< 7ome /lanes %arried an addi&ional /assen)er. 6a/& =elvin +ar(er! --1s& 74uadron
En)ineerin) O''i%er! 'lew wi&# &#e 3rvin %rew in X-2. 6a/& 5r&#ur =iller! --1s& 74uadron Navi)a&or! 'lew wi&# &#e
Oswald %rew in X-4. 6a/& Ei%#ard ale! --2nd 74uadron Bombardier! &raveled wi&# &#e ;an "ri)& %rew in X-2,.
5nd 2@>& Eober& olmes! --3rd 74uadron Eadar O''i%er :no& &o be %on'used wi&# 1@>& "#eodore olmes! 56
6rew P3,4! X-46<! 'lew wi&# &#e Bla%( %rew in X-4-.
1@>& 2ran( 6arri%o was a s/are /ilo& in &#e --2nd w#o #ad been &rans'erred in&o &#e ,99&# in 5/ril 1944 'rom
an&isubmarine du&y. 5lready wi&# e?&ensive 'lyin) &ime in &wo- and 'our-en)ine air%ra'&! mainly B-2,Cs and B-24Cs!
#e 4uali'ied on B-29Cs w#ile a& Wal(er. Wi&# no %rew o' #is own! 6arri%o #i&%#ed a ride &o Aearney &oday in X-24
wi&# #is 'riend 6a/& 6e%il "a%(e&&. W#ile "a%(e&& and 6arri%o were 'lyin) &o Aearney! &#eir wives! =a?ine and
Eosi&a res/e%&ively! were drivin) &#ere. "#e %ommand #ad dis%oura)ed wives 'rom %omin) &o &#e s&a)in) area!
bu& mos& o' &#em were de&ermined &o s&ay wi&# &#eir #usbands as lon) as /ossible and would no& be de&erred. O'
%ourse &#e men rea%#ed Aearney 'irs&! and w#ile wai&in) 'or &#eir wives &o arrive &#ey )o& in&o a /o(er )ame! and
6arri%o won L1,9. e used &#e money &o buy Eosi&a a )oin)-away /resen&! a lovely wa&%# w#i%# s#e (e/& 'or
&#e res& o' #er li'e and w#i%# one o' #er )randdau)#&ers &reasures &oday.

5lso &a(in) o'' 'rom Wal(er on &#e 1,&#! bu& #eadin) in a di''eren& dire%&ion were 1, o&#er B-29Cs o'' on a &rainin)
Eound Eobin. "#e rou&e )iven in &#e O/era&ions Journal is 8WA - "7 - +83 - 5J - 7+E3N123E>8 - 8WA!
w#i%# brea(s ou& &o Wal(er - "ulsa - +adre 3sland :U< - 5marillo - 7/rin)'ield :6oloradoU< - Wal(er. 5ll /lanes
%om/le&ed &#e &rainin) mission su%%ess'ully e?%e/& 'or X-43! 42-63441! 7e&&eri%# %rew :P346< o' &#e --3rd! w#o
#ad &o land a& u&%#inson! Aansas! wi&# en)ine &rouble.

>as&ly on &#is day &#e =%6lana#an %rew :P3,3< o' &#e --3rd! w#ile a&&em/&in) &o &a(e o'' on a &rainin) 'li)#&!
/robably in X-4,! 42-246,7! e?/erien%ed a Qmal'un%&ion o' was&e )a&e %on&rolsQ w#i%# %u& &#e /ower in all 'our
en)ines and %aused &#e /lane &o run o'' &#e runway.
16 'ct 44
1eor)e u)#es! air/lane me%#ani% in &#e --1s& 74uadron! wro&e #is /aren&s 'rom 7ai/an a)ain &oday*

QO%&ober 16! 1944

8ear =o&#er K 8ad!

Every&#in) is 'ine #ere and 3 am in &#e bes& o' #eal&#. "#ere #asnC& mu%# o' any&#in) #a//ened in &#e /as& 'ew
days. 3 wen& &o &#e 'i)#&s 7a&urday ni)#&. "#ere was lo&s o' a%&ion in some o' &#e bou&s. ...

3 am s&ill wor(in) on &#e di&%# di))in). 3&Cs /re&&y slow )oin). 3 %an %er&ainly slee/ a& ni)#& a'&er boun%in) around
on &#a& $a%(-#ammer. ...

8o you &#in( &#a& you %ould )e& a /air o' sli//ers o' some sor&U 3 would li(e some&#in) &o wear around &#e &en& a&
ni)#&. "#ese 1.3.s are #eavy enou)# dry bu& w#en &#ey )e& %overed wi&# mud &#ey are li(e a %ou/le o' lead
wei)#&s. ...

>ove
1eor)eQ
On &#is day 1@>& ale ays! 56 o' 6rew P22- o' &#e --2nd 74uadron! ,99&# Bomb 1rou/! married =ary
Aa&#erine Brenneman in &#e 1s& +resby&erian 6#ur%# in ays! Aansas. Bombardier al "owner and /robably
&#e res& o' &#e o''i%ers in &#e %rew a&&ended &#e weddin).

ays was 'ar 'rom &#e only o''i%er )e&&in) married a& &#is &ime. Wi&# &#e men #eadin) overseas! &#e %#oi%e was
&o a%& now and seiBe w#a& li&&le was le'& o' &#e /resen& or wai& on an un%er&ain 'u&ure. =any %ou/les %#ose &#e
'ormer.
17 'ct 44
"oday 'ive more B-29Cs and %rews o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ de/ar&ed Wal(er 552! Aansas! 'or &#e s&a)in) area
a& Aearney 552! Nebras(a. "#e 1rou/ O/era&ions Journal &ells us &#a& &#ese /lanes and %rews were all 'rom &#e
--1s& 74uadron! bu& no&#in) more s/e%i'i% &#an &#a&. "#is made a &o&al o' 1, 'lyaway /lanes and %rews! #al' &#e
1rou/! &o #ave le'& Wal(er.

Besides &#e /lanes and air %rews! &#ere were o&#er /ersonnel o' &#e ,99&# a& Wal(er w#o needed &rans/or&a&ion
&o 7ai/an. 5 'ew men %ould be s4ueeBed aboard &#e B-29Cs! w#i%# %ould %arry one or &wo /assen)ers ea%#.
"#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ #ad already de%ided &#a& &#e %rew %#ie' o' ea%# /lane would &ravel wi&# i&! so &#a& &oo(
u/ one s/a%e. 5ny addi&ional /assen)ers would be %ommand or s&a'' o''i%ers.

"#is le'& a lar)e number o' main&enan%e /ersonnel a& Wal(er re4uirin) &rans/or&a&ion. "#ese men would )o
overseas via 5ir "rans/or& 6ommand :5"6< /lanes. "oday a )rou/ o' &#ese men! 64 in all! %onsis&in) mos&ly o'
radar :=O7 -67< and remo&e %on&rol &urre& :=O7 969< s/e%ialis&s! under &#e %ommand o' 1rou/ Ele%&roni%s
O''i%er 1@>& Joel 8ol(ar& and 1rou/ Eadar 6oun&er-=easures O''i%er 2@>& =il&on +a%(! le'& 'or Aearney 552 by
mo&or %onvoy.

"#e remainin) )round /ersonnel a& Wal(er! /robably around 239 in number! would also &ravel &o 7ai/an via 5ir
"rans/or& 6ommand! bu& la&er and no& via Aearney. "#ese men would )o dire%&ly &o amil&on or =a&#er 2ields in
6ali'ornia.

Bu& be'ore anyone le'& Wal(er! &#ere was a round o' immuniBa&ion s#o&s! &#e 'irs& o' several &#e men would
under)o a& seemin)ly every s&o/ alon) &#e way.

5lso &oday! 8e/u&y 1rou/ 6ommander >& 6ol Jo#n 8ou)#er&y and 1rou/ Bombardier 6a/& 6#arles F6#iliG
=%6lin&i%( %ame ba%( &o Wal(er 'rom Aearney 'or a Q4 #our business mission.Q "#e de&ails o' &#is mee&in) are
no& (nown! nor is i& (nown w#en &#e &wo o''i%ers re&urned &o Aearney.

=eanw#ile! down a& &#e O(la#oma 6i&y 5ir 8e/o& a& "in(er 2ield! &#e urlbu&& %rew :P222< o' &#e --2nd
74uadron &oo( o'' &oday in X-22! 42-63429! 'or 5&lan&a &o #ave /ermanen& re/airs &o &#eir /lane made a& &#e
'a%&ory in nearby =arie&&a. "#ey arrived in =arie&&a in &#e evenin)! le'& &#eir /lane a& &#e 'a%&ory 'ield! and were
&a(en down&own &o &#e 5&lan&a Bil&more o&el! billed as Q"#e 7ou&#Cs 7u/reme o&elQ. W#en &#ey arrived a& &#e
#o&el! &#ey 'ound i& 'es&ooned wi&# 6on'edera&e 'la)s. 3& &urned ou& &#a& &#e Ini&ed 8au)#&ers o' &#e 6on'edera%y
were #oldin) a %onven&ion &#ere. 2or 626 )unner Ed >evin! a Jewis# boy 'rom Bos&on! i& was a )lim/se in&o a
di''eren& world. =a$ urlbu&&Cs ran( se%ured a sin)le room! bu& &#e 'our $unior o''i%ers - Omilian! 5i&(en! 2ine and
"ruesdell - were s4ueeBed in&o one room. "#e seven enlis&ed men -- 'ive 'rom &#e %rew :radar o/era&or +aul
8reyer didnC& ma(e &#e &ri/<! %rew %#ie' 8o% 8un%an and 'li)#& %#ie' 5%e 6ar&er -- /resumably were even more
s4ueeBed. Navi)a&or Aen 2ine was no& im/ressed wi&# &#e a%%ommoda&ions! wri&in) &#a& i' &#is Qis su//osed &o
be &#e 'ines& #o&el in &#ese /ar&s...! 3 'eel sorry 'or &#em down #ere.Q

"#e %rew #o/ed &o be in 5&lan&a only a 'ew days un&il &#eir /lane was ready and &#ey %ould 'ly o'' &o Aearney and
&#e war.
1 'ct 44
On 7ai/an! wor( %on&inued on im/rovin) &#e ,99&# 1rou/ and 74uadron areas. Evenin) en&er&ainmen& was
im/rovin) &oo. 5ir/lane me%#ani% 1eor)e u)#es o' &#e --1s& 74uadron wro&e #is /aren&s a)ain &oday*

QO%&ober 1-! 1944

8ear =o&#er K 8ad!

"#is is a 'ew lines &o le& you (now &#a& every&#in) is 'ine #ere. 3 never 'el& be&&er in my li'e. >o&s o' slee/ really
does wonders 'or one.

3Cm s&ill wor(in) a& di&%#-di))in) and /robably will 'or some &ime. 5s lon) as 3 wor( days 3 donC& %are w#a& $ob 3
#ave. Ni)#& wor( doesnC& )o over &oo bi) wi&# me in &#is %lima&e. W#en 3 )e& #ome 3 &#in( &#a& 3 will re/la%e my
bed wi&# a %anvas %o&. "#ey 'eel $us& li(e a inner-s/rin) now.

3 saw a s#ow &#e o&#er ni)#& )iven by [cut out by censor and #er &rou/e. 3& was very )ood. O' %ourse i& rained
durin) &#e s#ow bu& everyone is /re&&y used &o rain by now. ...

3 )o &o &#e movies almos& every ni)#&. &#e /i%&ures are old ones bu& i& is some&#in) &o do anyway. 3n &ime we will
/robably #ave &#e la&es& 'ilms.

... Wri&e w#en you %an! mail is really a//re%ia&ed #ere.

>ove
1eor)eQ
"#e las& 'ew days #ad been very busy 'or &#e %ler(s in &#e #ead4uar&ers buildin) on Wal(er 552! Aansas. "oday
&#ey released &#eir la&es& o/us! 7O No. 293! a& leas& &wo /ara)ra/#s o' w#i%# /er&ained &o &#e ,99&# Bomb
1rou/ and de&ermined &#e 'u&ure o' 2-9 men.

+ara)ra/# 2 o' 7O No. 293 ordered 1, %rews! a &o&al o' 16, o''i%ers and men! &o de/ar& Wal(er &oday and
/ro%eed by )overnmen& mo&or &rans/or& &o Aearney 552! Nebras(a! &#e overseas s&a)in) area 'or &#e ,99&#
Bomb 1rou/. "#ese %rews did no& as ye& #ave assi)ned 'lyaway /lanes. 5& Aearney &#ey would ei&#er /i%( u/
addi&ional new Q"#ea&er EeserveQ air%ra'& w#i%# #ad been earmar(ed 'or &#e 73rd Bomb Win) and &#en 'ly &#ese
/lanes &o &#e =arianas! or &#ey would be sen& over on 5ir "rans/or& 6ommand /lanes. "#e desi)na&ed
%ommander 'or &#e mo&or %onvoy &o Aearney was 6a/& Eu)ene 6. =a#oney o' &#e --3rd 74uadron. "#e %rews
lis&ed under +ara 2 were as 'ollows*

--1s& 74uadron
. Ja%(son %rew :P192<
Brown %rew :P194<
=%Namer %rew :P114<
+earson %rew :P116<
6ur&is %rew :P119<

--2nd 74uadron
2arrell %rew :P227<
1ray %rew :P232<
8. Ja%(son %rew :P236<
7#orey %rew :P249<
7%#mi&B %rew :P241<

--3rd 74uadron
6#eney %rew :P34-<
1re)) %rew :P3,,<
7%#mid& %rew :P3,6<
=a#oney %rew :P362<
5mos %rew :P363<

+ara 2 #ad one 'oo&no&e. 2@>& 2rederi%( W. 7#i//ee! Jr.! 'li)#& en)ineer on &#e 5mos %rew and %urren&ly in &#e
base #os/i&al! was dire%&ed &o %om/ly wi&# &#e order u/on release.

5lso /ossibly de/ar&in) Wal(er &#is day were &#e 1, remainin) s/are %rews o' &#e ,99&#. We (now &#ese
%rews were ordered &o >in%oln 552! Nebras(a! a& abou& &#is &ime! bu& we donC& (now &#e e?a%& da&e. 2li)#&
en)ineer Jim Wride o' &#e 6lin(s%ales %rew remembers &#a& &#ey &raveled by &roo/ &rain. "#is movemen& %ould
well #ave been %overed by &#e /resen&ly unre%overed +ara 3 o' 7O No. 293. 5'&er a 'ew wee(s a& >in%oln! all
o' &#ese %rews would be &rans'erred &o &#e s&a)in) area a& Aearney! w#ere some would be assi)ned new B-29Cs
&o 'ly &o &#e =arianas! w#ile o&#ers would &ravel &o &#e war Bone via 5ir "rans/or& 6ommand. No o''i%ial lis& o'
&#ese %rews is available in &#e re%ords bu& one %an be re%ons&ru%&ed usin) la&er do%umen&s*

--1s& 74uadron
=%1uire %rew :P197<
=a&#er %rew :P19-<
Eay "aylor %rew :P112<
Bri%(er %rew :P113<
Aa//il %rew :P129<

--2nd 74uadron
Eeeves %rew :P229<
5rbon %rew :P234<
od)e %rew :P23,<
W. +arsons %rew :P23-<
=%6lure %rew :P242<

--3rd 74uadron
Eyan %rew :P347<
6lin(s%ales %rew :P3,9<
aley %rew :P3,2<
6#ar&ers %rew :P3,7<
3rby %rew :P361<

Ne?&! +ara)ra/# 4 o' 7O No. 293 dire%&ed &en more B-29Cs and %rews o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ &o /ro%eed
&omorrow &o &#e overseas s&a)in) area a& Aearney 552! Nebras(a. "#ese &en /lanes and %rews were as 'ollows*

--2nd 74uadron
X-29! 42-6,221! 7ava)e %rew :P224<
X-39! 42-24799! >a=ar%#e %rew :P226<
X-23! 42-24664! ays %rew :P22-<

--3rd 74uadron
X-41! 42-2467,! 5s#ley %rew :P343<
X-43! 42-63441! 7e&&eri%# %rew :P346<
X-44! 42-6,21-! ansen %rew :P3,1<
X-4,! 42-246,7! =%6lana#an %rew :P3,3<
X-46! 42-24721! olmes %rew :P3,4<
X-47! 42-24699! 5dams %rew :P3,-<
X-,9! 42-24696! Braden %rew :P364<

2rom &#e %rew lis&s on &#is order we %an see &#a& &#e %rew %#ie's 'or all /lanes #ave been in%luded as
/assen)ers! w#i%# would be &#e %ase 'or &#e en&ire movemen& overseas. 5lso! in order &o ma(e room 'or
ano&#er /assen)er! one o' &#e )unners #as been bum/ed 'rom ea%# %rew. "#e )unner le'& be#ind was in all
%ases &#e one #oldin) =O7 611! 5erial 1unner! /robably %#osen be%ause #e was &#e only )unner wi&#ou& an
addi&ional s/e%ial&y. :"#e 626 )unner! =O7 ,-9! was &rained in o/era&ion and main&enan%e o' &#e remo&e
%on&rol &urre& sys&emT &#e le'& )unner! =O7 16-,! was also a &rained ele%&ri%al s/e%ialis&T and &#e &ail )unner!
=O7 74-! was also a &rained air/lane me%#ani%.< "#e 611 )unners would &ravel &o 7ai/an via 5ir "rans/or&
6ommand /lanes and be reuni&ed wi&# &#eir %rews &#ere.

5 'ew %ommand and s&a'' o''i%ers #i&%#ed rides &o Aearney wi&# &#is ba&%# o' /lanes. --2nd 74uadron 6O >& 6ol
Jose/# Branno%( rode wi&# &#e ays %rew in X-23. --3rd 74uadron En)ineerin) O''i%er 6a/& arold
Eei%#enber) 'lew wi&# &#e 5dams %rew in X-47! w#ile #is assis&an&! 2@>& 5lva# Willis! rode wi&# &#e 7e&&eri%# %rew
in X-43. 5nd &#e --3rd 74uadron Navi)a&or! 6a/& Eoy o//er! 'lew wi&# &#e Braden %rew in X-,9. 2inally! a
lowly 6or/oral! arry +ennel! some#ow ra&ed a s/o& 'lyin) wi&# &#e =%6lana#an %rew in X-4,. =aybe #is =O7
o' 6-6! 5ir/lane 3ns&rumen& =e%#ani%! was in %ri&i%al demand.

"#ere was one 'oo&no&e wi&# &#is order. 2@>& 8onald 1. Wilson! navi)a&or on &#e Braden %rew! was in &#e base
#os/i&al a& &#e &ime. e was ordered &o %om/ly wi&# &#e order u/on release. 5lso! &#ere are a& leas& &wo errors
on &#e %rew lis&s. :Errors are &o be e?/e%&ed on su%# a lon)! %om/li%a&ed order.< On &#e ays %rew! &#e =O7 o'
6/l Aiolen 6rider s#ould be 74-! and &#e =O7 o' 7)& enry Aoer& s#ould be 27,6.
"#ere was ano&#er a//aren& error on &#e order. "#e olmes %rew o' &#e --3rd is lis&ed as 'lyin) B-29 42-24721!
bu& o&#er reliable sour%es indi%a&e &#a& &#is /lane didnC& arrive a& Wal(er un&il &#e 'ollowin) day! 19 O%&. 3& was a
re/la%emen& 'or ori)inal 'lyaway 42-63434! w#i%# #ad develo/ed a serious s&ru%&ural /roblem on , O%& and
%onse4uen&ly would no& de/loy wi&# &#e ,99&#.
"#e ,99&# 7-3 7e%&ion would soon be leavin) Wal(er &oo. >& 6ol =ar%us =ullen! &#e 7-3 :O/era&ions O''i%er<!
and #is de/u&y! =a$ 2reeman +arsons! Qbe)an se&&lin) business K %learan%e /a/ers 'or e?/e%&ed s#i//in)
2riday 19 O%& 44.Q

3n s/i&e o' all &#e &urmoil o' men movin) ou& or /re/arin) &o move ou&! some &rainin) was s&ill )oin) on a& Wal(er.
"#ere was a//aren&ly an abor&ive 1rou/ mission 'rom Wal(er 552 &o 1alves&on &oday! bu& &#e O/era&ions
Journal says no&#in) a& all abou& i&. "#e only indi%a&ion we #ave o' i& %omes 'rom an uno''i%ial sour%e! &#e diary
o' Eober& 7%#urmann! 626 )unner on &#e =%6lana#an %rew :X-4,<. Bu& 7%#urmannCs brie' no&a&ion rin)s &rue*
Q7&ar&ed 'or 1alves&on! bu& re&urned &o base be%ause no& enou)# /lanes )o& airborne.Q 7%#urmann re%ords only
1, minu&es 'lyin) &ime. "#is mission would be rerun &omorrow! and in an innova&ive way.
1$ 'ct 44
5& 9799 &oday in &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ 7-3 O''i%e a& Wal(er 552! Aansas! &#ere was a mee&in) o' &#e air/lane
%ommanders o' &#e &en %rews s%#eduled &o 'ly &o Aearney 552! Nebras(a. "#e /ur/ose o' &#is )a&#erin) is no&
s&a&ed bu& was /robably be%ause o' a las&-minu&e %#an)e in /lans. 7ome o' &#e %rews! in%ludin) &#e
=%6lana#an %rew :P3,3< in X-4,! s&ill #ad &o %om/le&e &#e abor&ed &rainin) mission 'rom yes&erday. "#ere'ore!
&#ose %rews would 'ly a very roundabou& rou&e &o Aearney! 8WA - "7 - 17 - AE5ENED! w#i%# brea(s ou& &o
Wal(er - "ulsa - 1alves&on - Aearney. "#e %rews &#a& did no& need &o %om/le&e &#is 1alves&on mission!
in%ludin) &#e ays %rew :P22-< in X-23! would 'ly dire%&ly &o Aearney.

5s i& &urned ou&! only ei)#& o' &#e &en /lanes were able &o )e& o'' &#e )round. "wo /lanes #ad /roblems and #ad
&o re&urn &o &#e line. 2or one /lane! &#e /roblem was no& serious and s#e )o& o'' by noon. "#is was /robably X-
23! as bombardier al "ownerCs diary &ells us &#a& &#a& is &#e &ime &#ey &oo( o''. "#e o&#er /lane! des/i&e w#a&
&#e O/era&ions Journal says abou& re&urnin) &o &#e line! was /robably 42-24721! &#e re/la%emen& 'lyaway 'or &#e
olmes %rew :P3,4< o' &#e --3rd. 42-24721 arrived a& Wal(er $us& &oday and would need a& leas& a %ou/le o'
days 'or &#e a%%e/&an%e ins/e%&ion! a s#a(edown 'li)#&! and o&#er %#e%(s. 7#e was de'ini&ely no& leavin) 'or
Aearney &oday.
3& &oo( X-23 only 4, minu&es &o ma(e i& &o Aearney. "owner no&ed &#a& QWe e?/e%& &o s&ay #ere lon) enou)# &o
draw new e4ui/men& and &o modi'y and ins/e%& our s#i/ -- a& mos& &wo wee(s. [2owner was a little o(ti#istic
here. "#is 'ield is $us& li(e all &#e o&#ers bu& our morale #as %#an)ed overni)#&.Q

=eanw#ile! &#e %rews &#a& #ad &o ma(e u/ &#e abor&ed mission 'rom yes&erday! in%ludin) &#e =%6lana#an %rew
:P3,3< in X-4,! #ad a mu%# lon)er 'li)#& &o ma(e. 5%%ordin) &o 626 )unner Bob 7%#urmann! &#ey &oo( o'' 'rom
Wal(er a& 199, and &ou%#ed down a& Aearney nearly seven #ours la&er! a& 1799.

7ome men &raveled &o Aearney by o&#er means. "oday 1rou/ 2li)#& En)ineer 6a/& +res%o&& =ar&in and 1rou/
Navi)a&or 6a/& Berry "#om/son le'& 'or &#e s&a)in) area by au&omobile.

5nd &#e ,99&# 1rou/ werenC& &#e only ones on &#e move. "oday &#e 1rou/ re%eived a &ele&y/e messa)e 'rom
&#e 73rd Bomb Win) Qbarrin) submission o' %orres/onden%e o' any (ind &o 4s 73 BW un&il 'ur&#er no&i%e is
issued.Q
20 'ct 44
7in%e &#e bul( o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ #ad now le'& Wal(er 552! and &#e 73rd Bomb Win) #ad barred
submission o' any %orres/onden%e! &#e ,99&#Cs O/era&ions 7e%&ion %onsidered &#emselves essen&ially relieved
o' du&y a& Wal(er. 5n en&ry 'or &oday in &#e O/era&ions Journal no&ed &#a& &#e O/era&ions /ersonnel o' &#e 339&#
Bomb 1rou/! w#i%# was movin) in &o Wal(er a'&er &#e ,99&#! Qare now in %om/le&e %#ar)e o' our 7-3 buildin).
In&il we de/ar& &#is s&a&ion 'or our overseas assi)nmen& we #ave only &o 'inis# our /a%(in) K %lear u/ o&#er
minor de&ails.Q

Bu& w#ile mos& o' &#e 5ir E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# #ad now moved &o Aearney! &#ere was one small 'ar-'lun)
de&a%#men& &em/orarily )rounded 'ar &o &#e eas&.

"#e urlbu&& %rew :P222< o' &#e --2nd 74uadron #ad arrived in 5&lan&a on &#e 17&# and le'& &#eir /lane! X-22! 42-
63429! a& &#e Bell 'a%&ory in =arie&&a &o #ave a number o' de'e%&ive win) /anels re/aired. 626 )unner Ed >evin
remembers &#a& &#e 'a%&ory was #u)e! wi&# 2,!999 em/loyees! mos& o' &#em women. "#e wor(ers rarely i' ever
#ad a %#an%e &o see &#e %omba& %rews w#o 'lew &#e air/lanes &#ey were buildin)! so as news o' &#e %rewCs
/resen%e s/read &#rou)# &#e 'a%&ory! &#ey be%ame ins&an& %elebri&ies. 5nybody w#o wan&ed 'emale
%om/anions#i/ #ad no &rouble )e&&in) i&. >evin a%&ually ran in&o a )irl #e (new 'rom %olle)e w#o se& #im u/ on a
da&e wi&# a lo%al )irl 'rom a /roud sou&#ern 'amily! %om/le&e wi&# %rossed swords over &#e man&le.

"oday! &#ree days la&er! &#e %rew was s&ill wai&in) on &#eir /lane. Navi)a&or Aen 2ine wro&e #is 'ian%ee a le&&er
&oday 'rom &#e #o&el w#ere &#ey were s&ayin)! &#e 5&lan&a Bil&more. e #ad no solid in'orma&ion on #ow mu%#
lon)er &#ey would be in 5&lan&a bu& #o/ed &#ey would be able &o leave 'or Aearney on =onday! 23 O%&ober. 3n
&#e mean&ime! &#ey #ad no&#in) &o do bu& laBe around and en$oy &#emselves! w#i%# mos& o' &#e %rew #ad no
&rouble doin). 2ine wro&e &#a& #e #ad been Qslee/in) abou& all day! )e&&in) u/ o' &#e evenin) and )oin) down
&own and )oin) &o a s#ow on%e in a w#ile! &a(in) in &#e 'loor s#ow a& one o' &#e $oin&s down &own! e&%.Q
"omorrow #e and a %ou/le o' o&#er %rew members were /lannin) on )oin) &o &#e 1eor)ia "e%# - Navy 'oo&ball
)ame. 7i?&y-&#ree years la&er! 2ineCs son "im would 'ind &#ree &i%(e&s &o &#is 'oo&ball )ame in &#e /o%(e& o' #is
'a&#erCs old dress uni'orm $a%(e&.
21 'ct 44
5& &#e overseas s&a)in) area a& Aearney 552! Nebras(a! &#e air %rews o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ were sub$e%&ed
&o ano&#er round o' /ro%essin)! in%ludin) /#ysi%al e?amina&ions and more immuniBa&ion u/da&es. 3n addi&ion!
&#e men were issued a diBByin) array o' new e4ui/men& &o %arry overseas. Bombardier al "owner o' &#e ays
%rew :P22-< o' &#e --2nd 74uadron des%ribed #ow i& wen& 'or #is %rew &oday*

Q21. O%& 44

We were /ro%essed &oday! and 3 do mean &oday be%ause i& &oo( all o' i&. 3n s/i&e o' &#e %om/ara&ively e''i%ien&
manner in w#i%# we were /ro%essed i& s&ill &oo( ei)#& #ours. We wen& &#rou)# a lo& and )o& a lo& done.
3nnumerable ar&i%les o' %lo&#in) and e4ui/men& were issued &o us in%ludin) new /ara%#u&es and a&&a%#able
$un)le emer)en%y (i&s! sun-)lasses! #elme&s and )o))les [I still have #y father3s - JEB -- &#ousands o' dollars
wor&# o' e4ui/men&. We? [navi*ator 7ilbur 7eksler and 3 drew du/li%a&e bombardier-navi)a&or (i&s e?%e/& 'or
&#e se?&an&. We #ave one 5-14 and one 5-19. "#is new 5-19 is a #oney wi&# &#e au&oma&i% avera)er a&&a%#ed.
5ny#ow! we were a /re&&y &ired %rew by su//er&ime.Q

6omin) la&e &o &#e ball was &#e olmes %rew :P3,4< in X-46! 42-24721. "#is /lane! a re/la%emen& 'or &#e %rewCs
ori)inal 'lyaway w#i%# #ad been 'ound &o #ave some s&ru%&ural /roblems! #ad no& arrived a& Wal(er un&il 19 O%&.
"#en s#e #ad &o under)o an a%%e/&an%e ins/e%&ion and o&#er %#e%(s. 2inally &oday &#e olmes %rew #ad been
able &o &a(e #er u/ 'or a s#a(edown mission. 2or&una&ely! every&#in) %#e%(ed ou& o(ay! and soon a'&er &#a& s#e
and &#eir %rew were o'' &o Aearney &o %a&%# u/ wi&# &#eir 74uadron.
22 'ct 44
"#e men o' &#e 1round E%#elon o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ %on&inued &#eir #ard wor( &o /re/are &#e 1rou/ area
'or &#e arrival o' &#e 5ir E%#elon. =os& o' &#e wor(in) and livin) 4uar&ers were u/ now bu& some in&erior wor(
remained &o be done. 5lso! di))in) %on&inued on draina)e di&%#es! roads were bein) im/roved! %ommuni%a&ions
lines were bein) laid! and buildin)s and &en&s were bein) wired 'or li)#&in)!

"o su//ly ele%&ri%i&y! &#e ,99&# #ad some o' i&s own )enera&ors! bu& more were needed. "o 'ill &#e )a/! some old
Ja/anese )enera&ors were re/aired and /u& ba%( in&o servi%e under new mana)emen&. 5 %ri&i%al s#or&a)e o'
wirin) was addressed by some&imes unor&#odo? means o' /ro%uremen&. "#e ,99&# 1rou/ narra&ive #is&ory &ells
&#is s&ory* QOn one o%%asion w#en =a$or Wol%o&& ['round Echelon !o##ander was a&&endin) a Win) mee&in)!
&#e Win) 6ommuni%a&ions O''i%er %om/lained &#a& mos& o' &#eir %ommuni%a&ions lines were ou& and &#a& &#e
&rouble #ad no& been lo%a&ed. W#en &#e =a$or re&urned &o our area i& was dis%overed &#a& &#e main /#one lines
'rom Win) runnin) &#rou)# our 6am/ #ad been %u& and #auled u/ as addi&ional Cmu%# neededC wire.Q
"wo days a)o &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ O/era&ions 7e%&ion #ad &urned over &#eir o''i%es &o &#eir %oun&er/ar&s in
&#e 339&# Bomb 1rou/! e?/e%&in) &#a& &#ey would be /re&&y mu%# ou& o' o/era&ion un&il &#ey s#i//ed ou&! w#i%#
&#ey assumed was imminen&. "#ey now 'ound #owever &#a& &#ere was more wor( &o do and &#a& &#ey would be
a& Wal(er lon)er &#an &#ey #ad an&i%i/a&ed. 2rom &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ O/era&ions Journal*

Q22 O%& 44 -- 5//aren&ly we were a bi& o/&imis&i% as &o our du&ies 'or &#e remainder o' our s&ay a& W552. 1/ 4s
#as moved in&o a buildin) near &#e Base +ro%essin) 4s and #as in%or/ora&ed &#e 74uadron 7-1 [5ersonnel
o''i%es in&o one se%&ion. 5ll re%ords are bein) )iven las& minu&e %#e%(s! and 'urlou)#s 'or all men o' 5ir E%#elon
are in order. :, days ma?imum< 2inal en&ries are also bein) inser&ed in 7ervi%e Ee%ords.Q

Eeadin) be&ween &#e lines! we mi)#& reasonably rea%# several %on%lusions. =os& im/or&an&! some&#in) #ad
#a//ened! a& &#e s&a)in) area a& Aearney or elsew#ere alon) &#e line! &o slow down &#e overseas de/loymen& o'
&#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/. "#e las&-minu&e de%ision &o )ive 'urlou)#s a//ears &o be 'all-ou& 'rom &#is deal. 3& also
seems li(ely &#a& &#e /ro%essin) au&#ori&ies #ad 'ound &#e /ersonnel re%ords o' &#e ,99&# de'i%ien&! #en%e &#e
bela&ed e?&ra a&&en&ion.
23 'ct 44
"oday &#e men o' &#e ays %rew :P22-< o' &#e --2nd 74uadron a& &#e overseas s&a)in) area a& Aearney 552!
Nebras(a! re%eived some wel%ome news! w#i%# bombardier al "owner en&#usias&i%ally re%orded in #is %rew
diary* QW#oo/eeR 5 &#ree-day /ass w#i%# means we all )e& &o see our wives! swee&#ear&s and 'amilies 'or &#e
las& &ime -- &#a& is i' &#ey live wi&#in a reasonable dis&an%e. We? [navi*ator 7ilbur 7eksler! +o/ [left *unner
"obert Moistner! Aoer& and Burulia #ave &o )o &o Oma#a &#ou)#! w#i%# is /re&&y &ou)#. "#eir 'amilies are ba%(
Eas&. Oma#a #as i&s %om/ensa&ions.Q
24 'ct 44
On 7ai/an &#e wor( de&ails o' &#e --1s& 74uadron o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ were 'inis#in) u/ wi&# &#e di))in) o'
draina)e di&%#es and #ad moved on &o o&#er &#in)s! in%ludin) road re/air and im/rovemen&. 5ir/lane me%#ani%
1eor)e u)#es was ready &o re&urn &o #is re)ular $ob! as #e &old #is /aren&s in a le&&er &oday*

Q3 am s&ill doin) &#e same wor(. 3& will be ni%e &o )e& ba%( &o wor( on &#e /lanes a)ain. "#e di&%# di))in) is
abou& %om/le&ed. We were /a&%#in) road &#is a'&ernoon. "#is %oral ma(es very )ood roads. 3& /a%(s nearly as
#ard as %emen&. 3& is #ard on &#e eyes &#ou)# be%ause o' &#e )lare 'rom &#e sun. "#e %oral is as w#i&e as snow
in some /la%es.Q
Ba%( a& Wal(er 552 in Aansas! in /re/ara&ion 'or &#e overseas movemen& o' &#e 5ir E%#elon! &#e ,99&# Bomb
1rou/ &oday ordered a )rou/ o' 12 me%#ani%s and &e%#ni%ians a#ead &o =a&#er 2ield! 6ali'ornia! &#ru w#i%# all
air%ra'& would /ass. "#is )rou/ was %om/osed o' men 'rom all &#ree 74uadrons and in%luded a varie&y o'
s/e%ial&ies! so &#a& #o/e'ully any me%#ani%al or &e%#ni%al /roblem w#i%# arose %ould be addressed. "#ere were
en)ine me%#ani%s! radio and radar re/airmen! ele%&ri%ians! air%ra'& ins&rumen& &e%#ni%ians! and more. "#e
o''i%er in %#ar)e was 2@>& =auri%e E. +ear%e! an air%ra'& en)ineerin) o''i%er o' &#e --2nd 74uadron. "#e )rou/
was re'erred &o as &#e F3sland o//ersG! be%ause &#ey were &o 'ollow be#ind &#e ,99&# /lanes 'rom island &o
island on &#eir way &o 7ai/an! ma(in) re/airs &o any s&ra))lers as ne%essary. "#e )rou/ was ordered &o /ro%eed
by &rain! /robably de/ar&in) &omorrow. "#ey were e?/e%&ed &o re/or& &o =a&#er by 27 O%&.
5//aren&ly a& &#e las& minu&e someone in #ead4uar&ers realiBed &#a& &#e )rou/ #eaded 'or =a&#er was missin) a
very im/or&an& $ob s/e%ial&y! =O7 6-7! +ro/eller 7/e%ialis&. "#is manCs $ob was mainly &o main&ain and re/air
&#e /ro/eller )overnors. "#e )overnor %on&rolled &#e /i&%# on &#e B-29Cs variable /i&%# /ro/eller! w#i%# was a
vi&al 'ea&ure 'or a%#ievin) o/&imum e''i%ien%y a& various al&i&udes. "#e )overnor was also an in&e)ral /ar& o' &#e
/ro/eller 'ea&#erin) sys&em. Bu& &#ere were a//aren&ly no +ro/eller 7/e%ialis&s available in &#e ,99&# a& Wal(er.
5 &ele)ram was 4ui%(ly dis/a&%#ed &o &#e EliBabe&#&own! +ennsylvania! #ome o' 7)& 6lyde Barn#ar&! =O7 6-7!
o' &#e --3rd 74uadron. "#e youn) N6O! &#en #ome on /re-de/loymen& 'urlou)#! was ordered &o %u& #is leave
s#or& and re/or& ba%( immedia&ely &o Wal(er 552. Barn#ar& would be )oin) o'' &o war a li&&le earlier &#an
e?/e%&ed.
On &#is day &#e urlbu&& %rew :P222< o' &#e --2nd 74uadron was s&ill in 5&lan&a wai&in) 'or &#e Bell 'a%&ory &o
'inis# re/airin) &#eir /lane! w#i%# was &a(in) a lo& lon)er &#an &#ey #ad e?/e%&ed. 5& 'irs&! &#eir &ime in &#is lar)e
sou&#ern %i&y #ad been li(e a bi) va%a&ion. On 2riday ni)#& &#e 29&#! navi)a&or Aen 2ine #ad )one &o a wres&lin)
ma&%#! on 7a&urday a %olle)e 'oo&ball )ame! on 7unday a movie! and yes&erday #e wen& s#o//in) wi&# 'li)#&
en)ineer 1lenn "ruesdell. Nearly every evenin) &#ey were ou& drin(in) la&e in&o &#e ni)#&! 'ollowed by slee/in)
la&e in&o &#e ne?& day. 2ine admi&&ed &o #is 'ian%ee! Q3Cve never s/en& su%# a laBy &ime in my li'e.Q

Bu& &oo mu%# o' any&#in) %an be%ome borin)! and i& was be%omin) in%reasin)ly #ard 'or &#e %rew &o en$oy
&#emselves w#en &#ey (new &#a& &#eir buddies in &#e ,99&# were #eadin) o'' &o &#e war Bone... wi&#ou&
&#em. 2ineCs sense o' )uil& may #ave been s#ar/ened w#en las& ni)#& in &#e #o&el bar #e Qme& some )uys $us&
ba%( 'rom %omba& and sa& around 'or aw#ile &al(in) &o &#em.Q "oday #e was so $aded &#a& #e $us& loa'ed abou&
&#e room readin) and lis&enin) &o &#e radio. e im/a&ien&ly wro&e* Qow mu%# lon)er we are )oin) &o be #ere 3
donC& (now. ... "#ey (ee/ sayin) &#a& we will be )oin) in a %ou/le o' days &#en w#en &#a& %omes alon) &#ey say i&
will be ano&#er %ou/le o' days more. 3 &#ou)#& we would be )oin) #ome by now.Q By Q#omeQ 2ine %learly mean&
#is uni&.
25 'ct 44
5no&#er miles&one in &#e #is&ory o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ was /assed &#is mornin) w#en &#e 'irs& B-29 o' &#e
1rou/ &o leave 'or &#e war Bone %limbed in&o &#e air 'rom &#e s&a)in) area a& Aearney 552! Nebras(a. "#is was
X-42! 42-246,3! =oreland %rew :P344< o' &#e --3rd 74uadron! and #er des&ina&ion was =a&#er 552! 6ali'ornia!
and beyond. "#e res& o' &#e 1rou/ would soon 'ollow. On nearly every day wi&# 'lyable wea&#er 'or &#e ne?&
several wee(s! one or more B-29Cs o' &#e ,99&# 1rou/ would &a(e o'' 'rom Aearney bound 'or =a&#er.

Ea%# /lane %arried &welve men -- &en %rewmen and &wo /assen)ers -- /lus &#eir ba))a)e. "#e =O7 611 Q%areer
)unnerQ in &#e %rew #ad been Qbum/edQ in order &o ma(e room 'or &#e /laneCs %rew %#ie'. "#e o&#er /assen)er
was a %ommand or s&a'' o''i%er. "#e )unners le'& be#ind would &ravel &o 7ai/an by 5"6 :5ir "rans/or&
6ommand< and re$oin &#eir %rews &#ere.

Ea%# /lane also %arried in i&s bomb bays a vi&al %ar)o. No! 3 donC& mean %ases o' booBe! al&#ou)# li4uor would
/rove &o be as valuable as )old on 7ai/an! and &#ose %rews w#i%# #ad %rammed several %ases in&o &#eir /lane
would be able &o bar&er i& 'or /ra%&i%ally any&#in). "#e vi&al %ar)o &o w#i%# 3 re'er is &#e s/are Wri)#& E-33,9
en)ine &#a& ea%# /lane %arried. "#e de%ision &o load an e?&ra en)ine in&o ea%# /lane &urned ou& &o be a very
wise one! %onsiderin) &#e number o' en)ine %#an)es &#a& would be re4uired in &#e %omin) wee(s and mon&#s.

X-42 and &#e =oreland %rew a//aren&ly #ad a sa'e &ri/ and landed a& =a&#er 2ield &#is a'&ernoon.
26 'ct 44
5ll &#e men o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ w#o le'& des%ri/&ions o' =a&#er 2ield as &#ey /assed &#rou)# on &#eir way
overseas were im/ressed by &#is beau&i'ul! well-(e/& base a 'ew miles eas& o' 7a%ramen&o. "#e =oreland %rew
was /robably no di''eren&. "#ey were no doub& less im/ressed by ye& ano&#er round o' 5rmy /ro%essin) &oday --
/#ysi%als! s#o&s! %lo&#in) and e4ui/men& ins/e%&ions! re%ords %#e%(s! e&%. "#e men #eld &#eir brea&#. 3' any
serious de'i%ien%ies were &urned u/! &#ey %ould be delayed a& =a&#er 'or an inde'ini&e &ime. "#an('ully! &#is
would be &#e las& su%# %#e%( &#ey would endure be'ore rea%#in) 7ai/an.

"#e /ro%essin) in%luded a review o' di&%#in) /ro%edure. Wi&# all &#a& wa&er ou& &#ere! everyone a)reed &#is
&rainin) was ne%essary bu& #o/ed &#ey would never #ave &o /u& i& &o use.

+robably de/ar&in) Aearney and arrivin) a& =a&#er &oday were &#ree more ,99&# /lanes -- X-2! 42-24662!
3rvin %rew :P19,<! and X-4! 42-24672! Oswald %rew :P193< o' &#e --1s&T and X-24! 42-24676! "a%(e&& %rew :P237<
o' &#e --2nd.
3& was )ood &#a& =a&#er was su%# a ni%e! well-run base wi&# all &#e ameni&ies! be%ause w#ile &#ey were &#ere! in
order &o /ro&e%& &#e se%re%y o' &#e overseas move! &#e air %rews o' &#e ,99&# were res&ri%&ed &o &#e base.

=eanw#ile! over 2!999 miles &o &#e eas&! &#e urlbu&& %rew :P222< o' &#e --2nd 74uadron was s&ill s&u%( in
5&lan&a -- nine days and %oun&in) -- and s&ill wi&# no /ro$e%&ed da&e o' de/ar&ure. W#a& was &#e 'a%&ory doin)
wi&# &#eir /laneU Aen 2ine wro&e #is 'ian%ee &#a& #e was be)innin) &o 'eel li(e a na&ive. 3ndeed! #e #ad &a(en
a li(in) &o 5&lan&a. Q3&Cs so warm and %om'or&able and )ives one su%# an easy )oin) 'eelin) and 3 $us& love &o
#ear &#ese /eo/le &al(.Q Bu& a& &#e same &ime! Q3Cm ready &o leave 3 )uess 'or i& is )e&&in) old &#is no& doin)
any&#in)....Q
Ee/or&in) ba%( &o Wal(er 552 &oday 'rom 'urlou)# was 7)& 6lyde Barn#ar&! a /ro/eller s/e%ialis& in &#e --3rd
74uadron. "#e nine&een-year-old #ad been summoned ba%( early 'rom #ome 'urlou)# in EliBabe&#&own!
+ennsylvania. "ravel orders were %u& immedia&ely! and &omorrow Barn#ar& would be o'' by &rain 'or =a&#er 2ield!
6ali'ornia! w#ere #is servi%es were mu%# needed. "#e youn) man s/en& #is 'inal ni)#& a& Wal(er in an o&#erwise
deser&ed barra%(s. 3& seemed &#a& everyone else #ad le'&.
27 'ct 44
"oday 1eor)e u)#es! air/lane me%#ani% in &#e --1s& 74uadron! u/da&ed #is /aren&s on &#in)s on 7ai/an!
o&#erwise (nown as Q7omew#ere in &#e +a%i'i%Q*

QO%&ober 27! 1944

8ear =o&#er K 8ad!

Every&#in) is 'ine #ere and )oin) alon) smoo&#ly. 3 am wor(in) ni)#&s a)ain bu& &#is s#ouldnC& las& very lon).
We are #aulin) sand a)ain &o in%rease &#e siBe o' our &en& area. 5'&er s#ovelin) %oral &#is sand is a %in%#. We
wor( 'rom si? +.=. un&il &wo 5.=. "#is )ives us a li&&le slee/ be'ore &#e sun %omes u/. "#ese &en&s )e& /len&y #o&
durin) &#e day.

We s#ould #ave as ni%e an area #ere in &ime as mos& /la%es in &#e 7&a&es. We #ave a s#ower in o/era&ion now
wi&# a &an( bi) enou)# &o #old abou& -99 )allons o' wa&er. 7oon &#ey e?/e%& &o #ave ano&#er one in &#e ma(in).
"#e li)#&in) sys&em is /re&&y )ood now so i& is /ossible &o read or /lay %ards in &#e &en&s. ...

3 #o/e &#e 6#ris&mas /a%(a)es )e& #ere sa'ely. "#ey /robably )e& /len&y o' rou)# #andlin) on &#e way. 7ome
o' &#e 'ellows #ave s&ar&ed &o re%eive 6#ris&mas %ards already. "#a&Cs really rus#in) &#e season isnC& i&.

"#ere isnC& mu%# more &o wri&e abou& now. 3 &#in( 3 will &ry &o )e& a li&&le more slee/ be'ore dinner. "#ere is a
)ood breeBe blowin) so i& is 4ui&e %ool ye&. ...

>ove
1eor)eQ

5&&a%#ed /#o&o s#ows a wa&er &an( bein) ins&alled in &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ area.
2irs& ou& o' &#e blo%(s in &#e uno''i%ial ra%e &o be &#e 'irs& B-29 o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ &o rea%# 7ai/an was X-
42! 42-246,3! =oreland %rew :P344<! w#i%# &oo( o'' 'rom =a&#er 2ield! 6ali'ornia! 'or awaii /robably la&e
&oni)#&. "#e /lane #eaded down &#e 7a%ramen&o ;alley! a%ross 7an 2ran%is%o Bay! over &#e 1olden 1a&e
Brid)e! and &#en ou& in&o &#e vas& +a%i'i%.

"#e s%#eduled rou&e 'or B-29Cs 'lyin) 'rom =a&#er &o 7ai/an was via awaii and Awa$alein. 2li)#& &ime was
abou& &en #ours 'rom =a&#er &o awaii! abou& &#e same &o Awa$alein! and abou& si? #ours 'rom Awa$alein &o
7ai/an. 3' every&#in) wen& /er'e%&ly! &#e &ri/ would &a(e &#ree days! bu& sin%e &#e /lanes would be %rossin) &#e
3n&erna&ional 8a&e >ine! i& would be 'our days by &#e %alendar. owever! a %ou/le o' wild %ards -- bad wea&#er
and me%#ani%al /roblems -- %ould add days or even wee(s &o &#e &ri/.

"#e 5ir "rans/or& 6ommand! w#i%# %on&rolled all overseas de/ar&ures! normally s%#eduled &a(e-o''s 'rom
=a&#er 2ield la&e a& ni)#& or early in &#e mornin)! so &#a& &#e /lanes would be ensured a dayli)#& landin) in
awaii. 3' &#ere was enou)# li)#& and i& wasnC& 'o))y! &#e %rews %ould wa&%# &#e 6ali'ornia %oas&line )radually
re%ede 'rom &#eir vision. "#ou)#&s o' #ome and loved ones /assed &#rou)# &#eir minds as &#ey wondered #ow
lon) i& would be be'ore &#ey saw &#a& %oas& a)ain. 2or some men &#a& day would never %ome.

+ossibly wa&%#in) X-42 &a(e o'' was 1rou/ 6O 6ol Ei%#ard Ain)! w#o #ad arrived a& =a&#er &#is a'&ernoon in X-
1! 42-246,6! wi&# &#e 1oldswor&#y %rew :P191< o' &#e --1s&. W#en #is %rew assembled &#is mornin) a& Aearney
/re/ara&ory &o &a(e-o''! =a$ 1oldswor&#y realiBed #e #ad 'or)o&&en #is s#avin) (i& ba%( in &#e o''-/os& room #e
and #is wi'e Jean #ad ren&ed. >i(e &#e )ood army wi'e s#e was! Jean $um/ed in &#e %ar and ra%ed o'' &o re&rieve
&#e %ri&i%al i&em! only &o be s&o//ed by &#e =+Cs a& &#e )a&e 'or s/eedin). 7#e bro(e ou& %ryin) and &#e
'lummo?ed =+Cs $us& &old #er &o )o on. 7#e )o& &#e s#avin) (i& and made i& ba%( &o &#e 'ield in &ime.
5'&er X-1 li'&ed in&o &#e air! 1oldswor&#y &urned and %ir%led &#e 'ield. Jean and &#e o&#er wives were %learly
visible below s&andin) beside &#eir %ars and wavin). 1oldswor&#y ro%(ed &#e bomberCs win)s &o say )oodbye!
&#en &urned and &oo( u/ a #eadin) 'or 6ali'ornia. "#e wives wa&%#ed wi&# &ears in &#eir eyes un&il &#e /lane
disa//eared. Only &#ree o' &#e eleven men in &#e 1oldswor&#y %rew would %ome #ome a)ain.
5lso /robably 'lyin) &oday 'rom Aearney &o =a&#er was X-49! 42-24671! 2ea&#ers %rew :P369< o' &#e --3rd. Wi&#
&#e 3rvin :X-2<! Oswald :X-4< and "a%(e&& :X-24< %rews already in /ro%essin)! &#a& made 'ive /lanes and %rews
now a& =a&#er.
Ba%( a& Aearney &#is evenin) &#ere was an un'or&una&e a%%iden&. 5& abou& 1-99 #ours! a base )round %rew was
de&ailed &o /ull X-6! 42-24694! o' &#e --1s& 74uadron ou& o' &#e 8e/o& =ain&enan%e an)ar w#ere s#e #ad been
wor(ed on. "owin) a B-29 ou& o' a #an)ar was no& a sim/le &as(. "#e )rea& win)s/an o' over 141 'ee& le'& li&&le
%learan%e 'or &#e #an)ar doors! and &#e &ail! or ver&i%al s&abiliBer! was so &all &#a& in e?is&in) #an)ars s/e%ial
doors #ad &o be %u& in &#e wall above &#e %en&er o' &#e main doors. "#e N6O drivin) &#e %le&ra%! a small &owin)
&ra%&or! s&ar&ed ou& all ri)#&! )oin) slow! bu& on%e &#e win)s #ad %leared &#e doors! #e s&ar&ed &o &urn &o &#e le'& &oo
soon. "#is %aused &#e &ail! s&ill inside &#e #an)ar! &o swin) &o &#e ri)#& and &#en %run%# in&o &#e wall o' &#e
#an)ar. "#e resul&* F;er&i%al 'in dama)ed 'rom leadin) ed)e a& rib s&a&ion 176.,, &o rear 'in s/ar! and 'rom rib
s&a&ion 176.,, &o &i/. 8ama)e ne%essi&a&es s(in re/la%emen&! dei%er %#annel re/la%emen& 'rom s&a&ion 16-.4, &o
rear s/ar! and re/la%emen& o' , ea%# 'alse ribs a& 'in &i/.G X-6 and #er %rew! &#e 2ield %rew :P119<! would be
delayed a w#ile in )e&&in) ou& o' Aearney.
2 'ct 44
+robably some&ime &#is a'&ernoon &#e aerial s/ear#ead o' &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/! X-42! =oreland %rew :P344< o'
&#e --3rd 74uadron! landed sa'ely a& Jo#n Eod)ers 2ield on Oa#u. 5& abou& &#e same &ime! ba%( in 6ali'ornia!
&wo more ,99&# /lanes arrived a& =a&#er 'rom Aearney. "#ese were X-4-! 42-24669! Bla%( %rew :P3,9<! --3rdT
and /robably X-7! 42-246-9! 7ullivan %rew :P111<! --1s&. 5s &#ese /lanes arrived! &wo /lanes and %rews already
a& =a&#er were /re/arin) &o leave 'or awaii &oni)#& or early &omorrow. "#ese were X-1! 1oldswor&#y %rew
:P191<! --1s& 74uadron! wi&# 1rou/ 6O 6ol Ain) aboard! and X-49! 2ea&#ers %rew :P369<! --3rd.

Way ba%( a& Aearney 552 in Nebras(a! &#e ays %rew :P22-< o' &#e --2nd #ad re&urned 'rom &#eir &#ree-day
/asses. Bombardier al "owner no&ed in &#e %rew diary &#a& Qays and #is bride wen& wi&# Wallower &o #is
'amilyCs /la%e in &#e moun&ains. [Fli*ht en*ineer 7illia# 7allower hailed fro# Ever*reen, !olorado. "#ey
s/en& &#ree days &#ere and brou)#& ba%( enou)# venison 'or a bi) %rew dinner.Q

5& Aearney! on%e &#rou)# &#e ini&ial /ro%essin)! &#e %rews wai&in) 'or &#eir &urn &o leave 'or =a&#er #ad li&&le &o
do. 7ome %rews were able &o &a(e &#eir /lanes u/ o%%asionally &o %#e%( ou& some&#in) or o&#er! bu& mos&ly &#ey
$us& sa& and wai&ed. 5%%ordin) &o 626 )unner Jo#n 6iardi o' &#e 6ordray %rew :P239< o' &#e --2nd! QOn orders
o' 6ol. 6ausland [base co##ander> &#e s#i/s were &urned over &o base /ersonnel 'or main&enan%e! and
%rewmen were 'orbidden &o wor( on &#e /lanes.Q O&#er a%%oun&s also indi%a&e some level o' 'ri%&ion be&ween &#e
2nd 5ir 2or%e /ersonnel #andlin) main&enan%e a& &#e s&a)in) areas and &#e /ersonnel o' &#e ou&)oin) bomb
)rou/s. Bu& &#e 2nd 52 #ad &#e au&#ori&y #ere and &#ey seemed de&ermined &o e?er%ise i& &o &#e las& minu&e.
2$ 'ct 44
"#is mornin) X-42 and &#e =oreland %rew o' &#e --3rd 74uadron! ,99&# Bomb 1rou/! de/ar&ed Jo#n Eod)ers
2ield on Oa#u and #eaded 'or Awa$alein.

5rrivin) a& Jo#n Eod)ers 'rom &#e 7&a&es /robably well a'&er X-42 #ad )one were X-1! 1oldswor&#y %rew o' &#e
--1s&! and X-49! 2ea&#ers %rew o' &#e --3rd.
Ba%( a& =a&#er in 6ali'ornia! &#e Oswald %rew :P193< o' &#e --1s& was /re/arin) &o leave 'or awaii &oni)#& in X-
4.

X-2! 3rvin %rew :P19,< o' &#e --1s&! and X-24! "a%(e&& %rew :P237< o' &#e --2nd! #ad arrived a& =a&#er on &#e
same day as X-4! 26 O%&.! bu& &#ey would be delayed in leavin) &#e 7&a&es. X-2 would re4uire an en)ine %#an)e!
w#i%# would &a(e some &ime. "#e /roblem &#a& X-24 #ad is un(nown.

"#ousands o' miles away 'rom awaii and &#e war Bone! &#e urlbu&& %rew :P222< o' &#e --2nd 74uadron was
s&ill in 5&lan&a wai&in) on &#eir /lane &o be re/aired a& Bell 5ir%ra'&. Navi)a&or Aen 2ine was more &#an ready &o
leave. e %on'ided &o #is 'ian%ee in a le&&er wri&&en &oday &#a& #e was even )e&&in) &ired o' drin(in). e was
'rus&ra&ed wi&# &#e 'a%&ory! w#ere Q"#ey (ee/ &ellin) us we will be leavin) #ere in a %ou/le o' days and &#en w#en
&#a& &ime is u/! &#ey say i& will be ano&#er %ou/le o' days more and so i& )oes.Q Bu& 2ine really 'el& &#a& &#ey
would be leavin) by "uesday! 31 O%&! or Wednesday! 1 Nov.
30 'ct 44
5bou& 1399 miles ou& o' awaii on 29 O%&! X-42 and &#e =oreland %rew o' &#e --3rd 74uadron! ,99&# Bomb
1rou/! %rossed &#e 3n&erna&ional 8a&e >ine and immedia&ely lea/ed in&o 39 O%&! w#i%# is &#e da&e &#ey landed on
Awa$alein. 7o 'ar! so )ood. Only abou& 13,9 miles! an easy dayCs 'li)#&! &o )o &o 7ai/an.

"#e B-29 %rews 'ound Awa$alein &o be a s&ar( %on&ras& &o lus#! idylli% awaii. "#e a&oll #ad been assaul&ed in
January! and eviden%e o' &#e 'ier%e 'i)#&in) was all around! 'rom wre%(ed landin) %ra'& on &#e bea%# &o s#ell
#oles and s/lin&ered &rees. 6learly! &#ey were )e&&in) %loser &o &#e war.

=eanw#ile! arrivin) &oday a& Jo#n Eod)ers 2ield on Oa#u a'&er a lon) 'li)#& 'rom =a&#er 2ield was X-4! Oswald
%rew :P193<! o' &#e --1s&. 7#e $oined &#ere X-1! 1oldswor&#y %rew! also o' &#e --1s&! and X-49! 2ea&#ers %rew o'
&#e --3rd! w#o #ad been #eld ba%( 'rom leavin) 'or Awa$alein &oday 'or un(nown reasons! /ossibly bad
wea&#er. W#ile on Oa#u! &#e %rews were o''i%ially res&ri%&ed &o base. =a$ Eober& 1oldswor&#y obeyed &#e order
bu& learned la&er &#a& some o' #is %rew #ad snea(ed o'' &o &#e bea%#! /robably &#e 'amous Wai(i(i.

5nd 'ar away in Nebras(a! X-,! 42-24643! >uman %rew :P199<! --1s& 74uadron! &oo( o'' 'rom Aearney &oday and
'lew &o =a&#er! w#ere &#e 7ullivan %rew :P111<! X-7! 42-246-9! o' &#e --1s& and &#e Bla%( %rew :P3,9<! X-4-! 42-
24669! o' &#e --3rd #ad %om/le&ed &#eir overseas /ro%essin) and were /re/arin) 'or a ni)#&-&ime de/ar&ure 'or
awaii.
31 'ct 44
2rom &#e ,99&# Bomb 1rou/ narra&ive #is&ory*

QO%&ober 31s& was a red le&&er day in &#e re%ords o' &#e ,99&# Bombardmen& 1rou/. B-29 No. 246,3! 1rou/ No.
X 74uare 42! %ommanded by 6a/&ain 6#arles ". =oreland! Jr. o' --3rd Bombardmen& 74uadron! landed a& 3sley
2ield No. 1! &#e 'irs& B-29 in our 1rou/ &o arrive a& 7ai/an.Q
3n o&#er a%&ivi&y &oday! X-1! 1oldswor&#y %rew! wi&# 1rou/ 6O 6ol Ei%#ard Ain) on board! and X-4! Oswald %rew!
bo&# o' &#e --1s& 74uadron! were able &o 'ly ou& o' Jo#n Eod)ers 2ield on Oa#u &#is mornin). Bo&# /lanes
rea%#ed Awa$alein sa'ely! landin) on 1 Nov a'&er losin) a day due &o %rossin) &#e 3n&erna&ional 8a&e >ine.
2inally &oday! %omin) in&o Jo#n Eod)ers 'rom =a&#er were X-7! 7ullivan %rew! o' &#e --1s& and X-4-! Bla%( %rew!
o' &#e --3rd.
7)& 6lyde Barn#ar&! /ro/eller s/e%ialis& in &#e --3rd 74uadron! and #is buddies in &#e main&enan%e and re/air
)rou/ a& =a&#er 2ield! 6ali'ornia! were bein) (e/& /re&&y busy as &#e ,99&# /lanes /assed &#ru on &#eir way
overseas. 3& seemed li(e &#ere was always some&#in) &#a& needed &o be done on a B-29.

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The 500th Bomb Group Day By Day

24 November 1943 - 17 January 1946

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