The first mission brought out a lot of tension, etc. Call time was about 4:00 or 5:00 a.m. and off to mission briefing where the mission of the day was defined as to where and what to expect. Off to our assigned aircraft and prepare for takeoff, checking everything more than twice. All went well, but takeoff with a heavy bomb load made a difference as we never had that type of load before. A senior pilot from the squadron staff, unknown to the crew, took the copilot’s place because of our being a new crew. When we were about to reach oxygen time at altitude over 10,000 feet, no check was made so we quired our co-pilot. That’s when we found we had a senior pilot aboard. We then began our oxygen check, as usual. It was not long before Joe the nose-gunner stated, “Fellas, look at that funny cloud off to our left at 10:00 to 12:00 oclock. The senior pilot came on and stated, “Fellows, we are almost to the IP and that is our target. Flak was coming up very heavy for what was to have been an easy target. Over the target we were well introduced to flak. When you see the puff of the exploding shell you are allright, but the one you do not see that explodes as you look at it, and you have nowhere to get cover, can be the strike of flak that can hit you.

Mission 2 left a lot of large fires as we left Ploiesti.

Missions 3 & 4 were not bad targets, little flak as we watched for fighters.

Mission 5, we did not drop bombs as we could not get a perfect view as bombardiers needed to have clear visibility of the target in countries that were ready to fall. We lost first one engine, then the second started to act up. I was called to man the top turret so the engineer, Scully, could help the skipper keep the airplane in the air. We were able to stay under the squadron for fighter protection, and salvoed our bombs to lighten the aircraft. Even though we were almost low enough to taxi across the mountains, we were able to rejoin the squadron for the return flight across the sea and on to our base.

Mission 6 was a repeat of 5, but this time we were able to drop our bombs as we had a clear view of the bridge.

Missions 7 & 8 — 11 & 13 September 44 — Bron Airdrome (Supply) — Lyon, France

Missions 7 & 8 were supply missions behind the lines outside of Lyon, France. Many bridges were out and the push was on to secure France, so the aircraft were stripped down, including removal of the ball turret and bombay tanks were added for extra fuel, plus all the 50 caliber ammunition we could carry. On arrival, we found many other aircraft on the ground unloading their cargos needed to keep the fighter aircraft in the air. As soon as we landed we were given 55 gallon barrels to fill, just leaving enough gas for our return flight. We had taken two hand crank pumps with us so the transfer went well. The front lines were east of the airfield and we would pick up small arms fire when we were in the pattern to land. On the return from mission 8, we had engine problems and landed on a small airfield, maintained by the British as a fighter base near Toulon, France. No parts were available at this base, so Scully worked on the malfunctioning part. That evening the British took us in to Toulon to show us about. The tour included a view of the bay where the French had scuttled their fleet to keep it from falling into German hands. We stopped at an outdoor restaurant for a drink and chatter with our British guides. It was not long before a crowd gathered and were looking us over. We were wondering why, then found out that we were the first American flyers they had seen. It is hard to converse when you don’t know the language, and soon they were all around us using sign language of a sort and the wine flowed freely. Two days later a crew stopped with the needed part, and it did not take long for us to repair our aircraft and be on our way. On the roadway to Toulon we saw the remains of a German convoy trying to get away after the southern invasion, but our fighter aircraft had stopped them. Also, this base was an airship base, with special built hangers that the French used and experimented with.

Mission 9, the submarine pens and subs. This was a good mission with no problems. We had a clear day and all went well.

Mission 10/11 was a double mission to Vienna, Austria. It was a long trip to and from, flak was heavy, and we lost some aircraft on this mission.

Mission 12, we bombed a bridge and other German installation suspply lines in support of the ground troops.