The following is a retyping of part of the official history of the 382nd Bombardment Group (VH), in its monthly report provided for December 1944. This history is taken from AFHRA Microfilm Roll B0372, starting with frame 1195. Each page from the report is separated by a horizontal rule. Neither the biography nor the appendix of supporting documents is provided.
THIS PAGE IS UNCLASSIFIED
THIS PAGE IS UNCLASSIFIED
| TABLE OF CONTENTS | ||
| Page | ||
| I | Personnel | 1 |
| II | Organization and Administration | 3 |
| III | Training | 4 |
| IV | Supply and Equipment | 5 |
| V | Maintenance | 5 |
| VI | Facilities | 6 |
| Biography of Colonel William W. Jones | 7 | |
THIS PAGE IS UNCLASSIFIED
I. PERSONNEL
Increases in assigned personnel were made during the month. As of the 31st of December 1944 the Group has the following personnel:
| AUTHORIZED | ASSIGNED | ||
| OFFICERS | 371 | 98 | |
| WARRANT OFFICERS | 1 | 1 | |
| ENLISTED MEN | 1706 | 917 | |
In comparison with the authorized strength as of 30th of November 1944 there is an increase of 2 officers which increase was authorized by TWX (teletypewriter exchange message) /1 from Headquarters Second Air Force. These two officers are the Assistant Group Operations Officer and The Group Staff Flight Engineer - the former a major, the latter a captain.
In comparison with the assigned strength as of the 30th of November 1944 2/ there is an increase of 21 officers and 102(?) enlisted men. Percentagewise this is an increase over November 1944 of approximately 27% officers and 25% enlisted men. Total percentage to date of authorized strength already assigned is as follows: officers, 23%; warrant officers, 100%; enlisted men, 53%.
--------------------
/1 TWX 2AF - DP 1688(?), CG, 2nd AF, to Hq, 382 Bomb Group (VH), SHAAF, Salina, Kansas, dated 6 December 1944.
2/ WD Form 127 Patrs I and II, as of 31st December 1944.
THIS PAGE IS UNCLASSIFIED
25 officers and 164 enlisted men are on DS (detached service), a reduction over the previous month of 26 officers and 267 enlisted men. The majority of the enlisted men on DS are Base Unit (static) personnel already assigned to the Group but retained by their base station pending the arrival of replacements.
The staff organization of the Group Headquarters remained intact during the current month. However, the following changes were made in the staffs of the Squadrons. Captain Emmett J. McKanna, assigned from 315th Wing, Peterson Field, Colorado Springs, Colorado, assumed the duties of Executive Officer of the 420th Bomb Squadron (VH) 3/ and Major George W. Martin assumed the duties of Operations Officer of the same squadron.
Below is a listing of the Staff organization of the 382nd Bomb. Group (VH), SHAAF (Smoky Hill Army Air Field), Salina, Kansas as of the 31st of December 1944.
| HEADQUARTERS | |
| Commanding Officer | Colonel William W. Jones |
| Deputy Commanding Officer | Lt. Col Lloyd E. Johnson |
| Executive Officer | Major Bruce W. Moffatt |
| S-1 | Captain Frank E. McCarthy |
| S-2 | Major William H. Bruce |
| S-3 | Lt. Col Leland W. Johnson |
| S-4 | Captain Herbert E. Blackstock |
--------------------
3/ Par. 1, SO #80, Hq, 382nd Bomb Gp (VH), Dalhart Army Air Field, Dalhart, Texas, 5 Dec. 1944
THIS PAGE IS UNCLASSIFIED
| 420th BOMB SQUADRON (VH) | |
| Commanding Officer | Lt Col Ralph A. Osborne, Jr. |
| Deputy Commanding Officer | Major Emmett J. McKanna |
| Executive Officer | Major George W. Martin |
| Adjutant | Captain Rex K. Estudillo |
| 464th BOMB SQUADRON (VH) | |
| Commanding Officer | Major John H. Schweitzer |
| Deputy Commanding Officer | Major K. L. Clark |
| Executive Officer | Captain C. H.(?) McConnell |
| Adjutant | 1st Lt. Allen A. Sobel |
| 872th BOMB SQUADRON (VH) | |
| Commanding Officer | Major Harry L. Mitchell |
| Deputy Commanding Officer | Major Robert D. Martin |
| Executive Officer | Major Robert DeBord |
| Adjutant | Captain Phillip F. Locke |
II. ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION
There were no new developments regarding this subject during the month. The permanent change of stations - DAAF (Dalhart Army Air Field), Dalhart, Texas, to SHAAF, Salina, Kansas - was accomplished with no organizational or administrative dislocations.
Upon arriving at SHAAF a policy of establishing liason and friendly relationships with the SHAAF base personnel (officials) was initiated. This was accomplished by several joint meetings and personal visits to department heads by those in comparable positions in the group. This policy was also followed with respect to the 39th Bomb. Group (VH) with whom our Group will be in close contact until they leave for overseas.
THIS PAGE IS UNCLASSIFIED
III. TRAINING
Basic training was continued this month and considerable training was accomplished in spite of obstacles - see below - encountered earlier in the month which affected class attendance. (However, before explanation is made it must be understood that it is standard operating procedure for our Group maintenance personnel to be used in a maintenance pool which pol also includes personnel from the maintenance sections of the 39th Bomb. Group (VH) and SHAAF. This pool services the aircraft of our predecessors unit the 39th Bomb Group (VH).
One of the obstacles refered to above was occasioned by the 39th Bomb. Group (VH) personnel not always being available for their assigned duties. This was due to their preparing to move overseas and was accompanied by last-minute preparations such as processing, packing, etc. This necessitated our small number of maintenance personnel working overtime in order to carry on the schedule.
Another obstacle was caused by the transfer to the Infantry of a number of SHAAF maintenance personnel. This additional loss added more work onto the shoulders of our men who were already hard hit by the loss of so many of the 39th Bomb. Group (VH) personnel.
The third obstacle was caused by the fact that our Group was newly arrived at SHAAF and in the throes of a reorganization.
THIS PAGE IS UNCLASSIFIED
Therefore, the training program was at first, carried on in the greatly reduced "off-duty-time" of the personnel and moved very slowly. Very few took advantage of the situation however, and later during the month the condition was remedied enabling the Group to make up for a great deal of lost momentum.
The SHAAF Ground Training Department cooperated superbly during this trying period. Classes held in the morning were duplicated in the afternoon so that our personnel would have a maximum opportunity to accomplish their training. Classes were conducted without regard for the numbers in attendance.
IV. SUPPLY AND EQUIPMENT
No major problems arose during the current month concerning this subject. However, on 15 December 1944, Supply, which had been consolidated at DAAF because of a lack of housing facilities was broken down into three squadron units. Squadron supply offices were established and officers were appointed to head each section. By the end of the month these squadron units were operating efficiently and receiving fullest cooperation from General (SHAAF) Supply.
IV. MAINTENANCE
The Group has no assigned aircraft as yet and all of our maintenance [...next page]
THIS PAGE IS UNCLASSIFIED
personnel are used by the 39th Bomb. Group (VH), or the 1st Photo Group (VH), SHAAF, Salina, Kansas. Reference should be made to the unit histories of these units for information on this subject.
VI. FACILITIES
During the current month the 382nd Bomb. Group (VH) moved to SHAAF, Salina, Kansas. Upon arrival temporary administrative quarters - which had been selected and prepared in advance - were assigned. These quarters proved to be excellent and fullest cooperation was received from SHAAF personnel in making what few changes were necessary.
This is the end of the main sections of the December 1944 report for the 382nd Bomb Group (VH).
Return to the tribute page for the 382nd Bombardment Group
Transcribed by Kevin Anderson on 13 June 2006
Original typographic errors were left in.
All remaining transcription errors are my own.