History of the 382nd Bombardment Group (VH)
April 1945

The following is a retyping of part of the official history of the 382nd Bombardment Group (VH), in its monthly report provided for April 1945. This history is taken from AFHRA Microfilm Roll B0372, starting with frame 1363. Each page from the report is separated by a horizontal rule. All but the appendix of documents is provided.

     THIS PAGE IS UNCLASSIFIED

     THIS PAGE IS UNCLASSIFIED

     THIS PAGE IS UNCLASSIFIED

I. PERSONNEL

     The month of April did not result in much change in total strength over the previous month. The lack of increase is due to the fact that scheduled training got underway during March and most of the combat crew members reported in prior to the beginning of the present month.

     The major Table of Organization change for the month was the change in MOS of all Navigators and Bombardiers who had the MOS of 1038 to MOS of 1034 and 1035.

     As of the 30th of April, the Group had the following personnel: 1/

     In comparison with the assigned personnel as of the 31st March 1945, this is an increase of 55 officers and 16 enlisted men.

     Of the assigned personnel of the Group, 137 officers and 125 enlisted men are on temporary duty at other stations. In the main, these men are training at 247th Advanced Base Unit, APO #632, c/o Postmaster, Miami, Florida. A few are at Army Service Schools [...next page]

--------------------
1/ WD Form 127, Parts I and II, dated 30 April 1945 (Headquarters Squadron, 33rd Photo Lab, 420th Squadron, 464th Squadron, 872nd Squadron.)

     THIS PAGE IS UNCLASSIFIED

enrolled in specialty studies.

     A great need for more enlisted personnel, especially in MOS 405 and 502, has been recognized, and every effort is being made to obtain those additional men. At present it is thought that the Group will be allowed an overall overage of 2%. The S-1 section is endeavoring to obtain highly qualified personnel to fill this quota for overages. The overages will be placed in sections and departments where it is felt they are most needed.

II. ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION

     The most significant change during the month in the organizational set-up of the Group was the change in the Commanding Officer of the 464th Bombardment Squadron (VH), and Operations Officer of the 872nd Bombardment Squadron (VH). Major John H. Schweitzer, Commanding Officer of the 464th Squadron was relieved by Major Everett A. McDonald, and Captain Jack E. Womack, Operations Officer of the 872nd Squadron was relieved by Major Lester C. Bush. Major Schweitzer goes to the Air Inspector's Office as Tactical Inspector and Captain Womack takes over a crew in the 872nd Squadron.

     The organizational chart of the 382nd Bombardment Group (VH), SHAAF, Salina, Kansas, as of 30 April 1945, is as follows:

     THIS PAGE IS UNCLASSIFIED

     The Group S-4 organizational set-up was taken over by Captain Robert O. Andrew as Group S-4 vice Captain Herbert E. Blackstock. Captain Blackstock was made Group Engineering Officer.

III. TRAINING

     The training during the month, both flying and technical, was aimed at completing as many minimum requirements as possible as set out by Army Air Forces and Second Air Force. 2/

--------------------
2/  1. Chart, 382nd Bomb Group (VH), Subject: Percent of Flying Time and Missions Completed, dtd 30 April 1945
     2. Chart, 2AF, Subject: Crew Progress Chart - Flying Training (VH), dated 30 April 1945
     3. Chart, 2AF, Subject: Crew Progress Chart - Technical Training (VH), dated 30 April 1945

     THIS PAGE IS UNCLASSIFIED

     The progress in Technical Training was excellent and many requirements of first and second phase training were accomplished, and also some few third phase subjects were covered. Due to a combination of bad maintenance and bad weather, the flying training did not progress as fast as had been hoped. Most of the flying time was spent in meeting requirements which call for familiarization and checks of each crew member on his particular specialty.

     It was decided by the Group Staff that the training done at APO #632, c/o Postmaster, Miami, Florida, would be done by individual squadrons rather than sending crews from each squadron down together. The crews from one squadron together with necessary staff members would go down for an approximate two week period and at the end of the period be replaced by members of another squadron.

     The training done at APO #632 was considered good in the respect that it afforded a wonderful chance for the squadron members and staff members to learn to know each other as a team. Due to a shortage of qualified instructor and maintenance personnel in the 247th Advanced Base Unit, the flying training as a whole did not come up to expectations. Navigational flights were fun going to and from APO #632, and while there, camera bombing and radar flights were made. The 420th Squadron was the first to get this training and will be followed by the 872nd and 464th Bombardment Squadrons.

     The Group Staff was of the opinion that minimum requirements made by the Army Air Forces and Second Air Force in three phases of training could be completed in time to allow a fourth phase. In order to have this additional training planned well in advance, each section [...next page]

     THIS PAGE IS UNCLASSIFIED

and department submitted suggested subjects or flying training to be taught by the individual sections or departments. As a result of these suggestions, the Group S-3 outlined a training plan to be covered during the fourth phase of training. The additional training as set up by the Group is to be along the same lines as laid by Army Air Forces and Second Air Force except that, time allowing, more detail and concentration along all fields of training will be given.

IV. MAINTENANCE

     The overall maintenance picture was not too good during the month. During the first part of this month the system previously established when the Group command channels had been used as the medium to obtain the supervision required for good maintenance, resulted in more airplanes in the air than at any time during the training period. Difference of opinion relative to interpretation of existing maintenance regulations caused the system to be changed. Since any change causes confusion and delays, the latter part of the month saw fewer planes available for training. Captain Andrew, Group S-4 and his staff has worked in close harmony with the base maintenance personnel in order to put the new system into productive operation.

     Coincident with the aforementioned change was the departure of a squadron to "Gypsy" (290th Advanced Base Unit, APO#632, c/o Postmaster, Miami, Florida) for training. This required sending airplanes and certain maintenance specialists to assist the 290th Advanced Base Unit in maintaining the aircraft there. Because of the increased [...next page]

     THIS PAGE IS UNCLASSIFIED

flying activity there and lack of adequate preventive maintenance the aircraft returning for 100 hour inspections imposed an additional burden on the new system. It is felt, however, that these difficulties will be overcome during the following month.

V. SUPPLY AND EQUIPMENT

     Supplies and equipment are constantly being gathered for our future use overseas. A great deal of time is taken up in the supply section in the processes of packing, waterproofing, and crating of these supplies for overseas shipment.

     Steps have been taken with higher headquarters in an effort to obtain the authorization for additional equipment which is felt would be needed overseas. It is thought that additional items such as field telephones, laundry units, mimeograph machines, etc. will be needed.

     The Group Supply Officer, during this month, made a trip to Ports of Embarkation at San Francisco and Seattle in an effort to learn methods by which supplies are handled while going through the POE. It is thought that the information thus gained will be useful and time saving when our own group goes through the POE.

     This Group has been authorized a Special Project for the shipping of equipment to our overseas destination. In this Special Project will be Morale and Special Service Equipment, Enlisted Men's Club Equipment, Officers' Club Equipment, items and fixtures made at this base, expendable supplies and so forth.

     The Group has been instructed to take enough expendable supplies overseas to last for thirty days. In order to take these supplies, the [...next page]

     THIS PAGE IS UNCLASSIFIED

Group has been authorized to take as TAT shipment two pounds of expendable supplies per man. The Group Supply Officer is attempting to fill this quota with the type of supplies that would be required to begin immediate operations once we reach our overseas base.

VI. FACILITIES

     The physical set-up of the Group, other than the acquisition of additional barracks and BOQs for newly arriving members has not changed during the month.

VII. MORALE

     During the month the morale of the Group as a whole was exceptionally high. Training got under way in earnest, and for the first time all members of the Group were busy and had a definite job to accomplish. Another factor which tended to boost morale was the fact that crews began living together, working together, and playing together as a crew, and other members of the Group began to know and respect each other better than before.

     At a Group Officers meeting an Officers' Club to function overseas was organized and president, secretary and board of governors elected. During the month these elected officers drew up a constitution, fixed fees, and shaped the club into a functional organization. Several officers were selected to make a trip to Chicago and New York to purchase items of equipment for the club. This purchasing tour was highly successful and it is felt that the Group will have a very complete Officers' Club at our final base. The 366th Service Group which will be with us overseas was also included in the organization of the club.

     THIS PAGE IS UNCLASSIFIED

     The enlisted men of the Group also organized an Enlisted Men's Club during the month and elected officers. Two representatives were sent on the buying trip with the officers in order to procure the necessary equipment. It is hoped that the Enlisted Men's Club will be one of the biggest morale boosting factors after we reach the theatre of operations.

     The Special Services Office was quite active during the month both in its athletic and social program.

     The bowling leagues wound up regularly scheduled play, with the 872nd Bombardment Squadron (VH) winning top honors in the Officers' League and the 464th Bombardment Squadron (VH) as the winner of the Enlisted Men's League. Ten teams from the Group were entered in the Base Volleyball Tournament, and the team entered as the "Gunners" took over the base championship.

     During the month the Wichita, Kansas USO put on three parties for the men of this Group. Arrangements were made with the Base authorities and convoys took the men to Wichita.

     With the coming of warm weather, it is expected that even more interest will be taken in athletics. Plans for both softball and baseball teams are being made.

This is the end of the April 1945 report for the 382nd Bomb Group (VH).

Return to the tribute page for the 382nd Bombardment Group

Transcribed by Kevin Anderson on 11 June 2006
(last corrected 12 June 2006
Original typographic errors were left in.
All remaining transcription errors are my own.