The following is a retyping of part of the official history of the 382nd Bombardment Group (VH), in its monthly report provided for January 1945. This history is taken from AFHRA Microfilm Roll B0372, starting with frame 1219. Each page from the report is separated by a horizontal rule. Neither the biography nor the appendix of supporting documents is provided.
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| TABLE OF CONTENTS | ||
| Page | ||
| I | Personnel | 1 |
| II | Organization and Administration | 3 |
| III | Training | 3 |
| IV | Supply and Equipment | 4 |
| V | Maintenance | 4 |
| VI | Facilities | 5 |
| Biography of Lt Colonel L. E. Johnson | 6 | |
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I. PERSONNEL
Increases in assigned personnel were made during the month. As of the 31st of January 1945 the 382nd Bomb Group, SHAAF (Smoky Hill Army Air Field), Salina, Kansas has the following personnel:
| AUTHORIZED | ASSIGNED | ||
| OFFICERS | 371 | 195 | |
| WARRANT OFFICERS | 1 | 1 | |
| ENLISTED MEN | 1706 | 1221 | |
In comparison with the assigned personnel as of 31st of December 1944 there is an increase of 47 officers and 304 enlisted men. Percentagewise this is an increase of approximately 100% officers and 33% enlisted men. Total approximate percentage to date of authorized strength already assigned is as follows: officers, 52%; warrant officers, 100%; enlisted men, 71% /1
37 officers and 239 enlisted men are on DS (detached service), an increase over the previous month of 12 officers and 75 enlisted men. The majority of the enlisted men on DS are located at 247th Army Air Force Advanced Base Unit, APO (Army Post Office) #632, c/o Postmaster, Miami, Florida. Of [...next page]
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/1 WD Form 127 Parts I and II, as of 31st January 1945.
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the officers on DS, 14 attended the fourth class of the 20th Air Force Staff Course, Command and General Staff School, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas for a period of approximately 7 days. The balance of the officers, with minor exceptions were at 247th Army Air Force Advanced Base Unit, APO #632, c/o Postmaster, Miami, Florida.
Three changes were made in the staff organization of the Group Headquarters. Lieutenant Colonel Miles A. Connor assigned from 346th Bomb Group (VH), Pratt Army Air Field, Pratt, Kansas, assumed the duties of Executive Officer. 2/ Major George A. Martin assumed the duties of Group Air Inspector 3/ and Major Robert M. DeBord [sp?] assumed the duties of Assistant Operations Officer. 4/
The following changes were made in the staffs of the Bomb Squadrons of the Group. Major Emmett F. Longridge assumed the duties of Operations Officer in the 420th Bomb Squadron 5/ and in the 872nd Bomb Squadron Captain Jack E. Womack assumed the duties of Operations Officer. 6/
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2/ Par. 4, SO #2, Hq, 382nd Bomb Gp (VH), SHAAF, Salina, Kans, 3 Jan 45.
3/, 4/ Pars. 11 and 12, SO #3, Hq, 382nd Bomb Gp (VH), SHAAF, Salina, Kans, 4 Jan 45.
5/ Par. 1, O #1, Hq, 420th Bomb Sq, 382nd Bomb Gp (VH), SHAAF, Salina, Kans, 8 Jan 45.
6/ Par. 8, O #9, Hq, 872nd Bomb Sq, 382nd Bomb Gp (VH), SHAAF, Salina, Kans, 10(?) Jan 45.
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Below is a listing of the Group Staff as of the 31st of January 1945.
| Commanding Officer | Colonel William W. Jones |
| Deputy Commanding Officer | Lt Colonel L. E. Johnson |
| Executive Officer | Lt Colonel M. A. Connor |
| S-1 | Captain Frank E. McCarthy |
| S-2 | Major William H. Bruce |
| S-3 | Lt Colonel L. W. Johnson |
| S-4 | Captain Herbert E. Blackstock |
II. ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION
During the month no new organization or administrative policies were promulgated.
III. TRAINING
Basic training was continued and again completed this month without incident. Flying training was nil and the twenty combat crews who reported for duty during the month attended courses in celestial navigation, bombing, gunnery and Link Trainer. 12 gunners attended a CFC (central fire control) school at SHAAF for the purpose of being reclassified to remote control turret mechanic gunners. Approximately 25 navigators attended a special LORAN course held at the [...next page]
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Radar School under the tutelage of the Group Electronics Officer. For an explanation of those on DS at schools see paragraph 3, Section I (PERSONNEL) this Unit History.
IV. SUPPLY AND EQUIPMENT
No problems arose during the month concerning the subject which is a tribute to the Supply Section inasmuch as it was faced with the difficult task of (1) supervising final equipping of the ground echelon of the 39th Bomb. Group (VH) (2) arranging for transportation to port of embarkation of mess and general equipment and ground personnel of the 39th Bomb. Group (VH) (3) initial processing of own personnel and making up shortages and (4) maintaining supply function for own organization.
IV. MAINTENANCE
The Group has no assigned aircraft as yet and all of the maintenance personnel are used by the 39th Bomb. Group (VH) air echelon. Reference should be made to the Unit History of the 39th Bomb Group (VH) for information on this subject.
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VI. FACILITIES
No problems arose concerning this subject during the current month.
This is the end of the main sections of the January 1945 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.