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

The following is a retyping of part of the official history of the 382nd Bombardment Group (VH), in its monthly report provided for July 1945. This history is taken from AFHRA Microfilm Roll B0372, starting with frame 1582. Each page from the report is separated by a horizontal rule. All but the appendix of documents is provided.

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I. PERSONNEL

     On 4 July 1945 air and ground echelons of the group were separated and the air echelon moved to Harvard Army Air Field, Harvard, Nebraska arriving there on 8 July 1945. Figures listed below include only the air echelon and are therefore not comparable with those listed in any previous history of the group. These figures obviously indicate that the air echelon of the group is up to T/O strength. As of 31 July 1945 the units of the 382nd Bomb Group (VH) contained the following personnel: 1/

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1/ WD Form 127 (Air Echelon) dated 31 July 1945 (Headquarters, 420th Squadron, 464th Squadron, 872nd Squadron)

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II. ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION

     In preparation for the movement of the Air Echelon from Smoky Hill Army Air Field, Salina, Kansas, to Army Air Field, Harvard, Nebraska, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Burr, Jr., Executive Officer of the 382d Bombardment Group (VH), conferred with Lieutenant Colonel Murray of Army Air Field, Harvard, Nebraska, on 1 July 1945. Following are the more important administrative arrangements agreed upon:

          a. In order to expedite the subject movement of the Air Echelon processing was to be scheduled ten days to two weeks after arrival, being so phased that it would not interfere with training.

          b. The new station was advised that the Group would be equipped to handle all squadron and group orderly room procedures.

          c. Squadron supply would be handled by Base Processing.

          d. Court-Martial jurisdiction would be exercised by the base at the request of the group, due to a shortage of administrative personnel, but group personnel were to be appointed on courts and boards and also assist in court-martial investigations.

     All of the above items were substationally carried out as originally agreed upon.

     Considerate difficulty was encountered over messing arrangements, however the problem was ultimately solved by the organization of a consolidated group mess, operated solely for the 382d Bombardment Group (VH).

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     On 4 July 1945 the Group divided into two units, the Air and Ground Echelons. Numerous problems arose as a result of this division, since it became immediately necessary for both echelons to operate as separate and independent units. These problems were subsequently solved and the air echelon moved to Harvard Army Air Field on 8 July 1945. Personnel were sent on detached service from the ground echelon to Harvard Army Air Field in order to rectify normal personnel deficiencies of the air echelon.

     Captain Deane M. Pettibone, MC, acting Group Surgeon and Captain Charles A. Mella, Jr., MC, medical officer for the 872d Bombardment Squadron, moved to Harvard Army Air Field from Salina during the week ending 14 July 1945 and immediately established an office and dispensary. Captain Malcolm J. Tinney, MC, Group Surgeon, assigned to the ground echelon paid a brief visit to the 382d Bombardment Group (VH) during the week ending 28 July 1945 in the interest of various medical problems. During the same week the advanced crews received their complete medical processing and all records were in order.

III. TRAINING

     The ground echelon prepared and carried out intensive training in basic military subjects. This training period originally planned for the last week before departure of the ground echelon was lengthened to approximately ten days. In addition, all personnel were indoctrinated in all possible subjects relating to overseas movement.

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     The air echelon resumed training immediately upon arrival at Harvard Army Air Field, Harvard, Nebraska, and training missions were resumed on 9 July 1945. During the month practically all Army Air Force and Second Air Force minimum requirements were completed. 2/

     Those few crews with remaining unfinished requirements were pooled throughout the Group for flying training during the latter part of the month. This procedure proved to be an efficient method of accomplishing required training without loss of time.

     Toward the latter part of the month in accordance with the desires of the 316th Bombardment Wing (VH) and the 382d Bombardment Group (VH), an attempt was made to consolidate physically the S-2 sections of the squadrons with Group S-2. It was found that this procedure could not be entirely successful until such time as the Group operated as an entity rather than along squadron organized lines.

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2/  1. Chart, 382d and 383d Bomb Groups (VH), Subject: Comparison of Accomplishments, dated 27 July 1945
     2. Chart, 382d Bomb Group (VH), Subject: Percent of Flying Training completed, dated 27 July 1945
     3. Chart, 382d Bomb Group (VH), Subject: Percent of AAF Minimum Requirements Complete, dated 27 July 1945
     4. Chart, 2AF, Subject: Crew Progress Chart, Flying Training (VH), dated 27 July 1945
     5. Chart, 2AF, Subject: Crew Progress Chart, Technical Training (VH), dated 13 July 1945
     6. Chart, 2AF, Subject: Crew Progress Chart, Technical Training (VH), Post Phase, dated 27 Jyly 1945

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     On 20 July 1945 the first combined Wing mission was announced and flown as scheduled on 30 July 1945. The mission was unfortunately marred by approximately 25 percent aborts, most of which occurred on pre-flight.

     Consolidation of squadron staff personnel was effected for briefing purposes and briefing was successfully carried out on a group basis.

     On 11 July 1945 Radar Observers (0142's) returned from Victorville, California, having completed their prescribed course of training at that base.

IV. MAINTENANCE

     During the month of July, maintenance was characterized by steady and continuous improvement so that toward the end of the month it reached a higher level than at any other time in the organization of the Group. This was due to better organization and to a very great extent to the marked improvment in morale.

     The system of Group Specialized maintenance continued to operate successfully with group personnel assigned as crew chiefs, hanger chiefs, and in other key positions on the flight line. Twelve (12) 932's from the ground echelon were placed on temporary duty with the air echelon at this station to alleviate the temporary shortage of refueling operators on the line.

     During the month some aircraft were received from bases other than Smoky Hill Army Air Field, Salina Kansas. Prior to delivery of these[...next page]

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aircraft inspection teams were sent to the bases involved. Immediately upon arrival of aircraft at this station a maintenance crew and crew chief was assigned to each aircraft.

     An engineering office was established by the 872d Bomb Squadron and crews were assigned to all available aircraft on 7 July 1945. The 420th Squadron and the 464th Squadron established engineering offices on 9 July 1945. One group engineering officer was assigned to the swing shift and one to the grave yeard shift on 10 July 1945. Group engineering officers undertook the supervision of both the swing and grave yard shifts on the flight line.

V. SUPPLY AND EQUIPMENT

     Prior to the movement of the air echelon to Harvard Army Air Field the system of supply to be placed in operation was originally discussed and decided upon at Harvard Army Air Field by Colonel Walker and key personnel of the S-4 section during the first week of July. Critical shortages were found to exist principally in tool kits, parachutes and one-man rafts. Although assurance was given that an amply supply of tool kits were available to equip the entire group, it was found that there were on hand only a sufficient number to equip one squadron. Eventually this situation was corrected by Captain R O Andrew, Group S-4, who obtained sufficient kits from Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas, and flew them to this base.

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     On 12 July 1945, squadron 620's were assigned to the swing shift in the parachute shop in order to expedite packing and alleviate the critical shortage of parachutes. This action could not entirely correct the situation and a shortage continues to exist in this item as well as in one-man rafts and sustenance kits.

     Colonel AUDRIN R WALKER, Commanding Officer, 382d Bomb Group (VH), and Captain ROBERT O ANDREW, Group S-4, attended a 316th Bomb Wing Conference at Great Bend, Kansas, on 17 and 18 July. All Group Commanding Offices, S-3's and S-4's of the 316th Bomb Wing (VH) were present. Modification of flyaway aircraft was discussed at great length. A list of all items not included in Form 263A, which will be included as part of flyaway equipment, was submitted to the Commanding General, 316th Bomb Wing (VH).

     Ordnance items for the nine (9) crews, which were scheduled to leave early, were requisitioned at Smoky Hill Army Air Field, Salina, Kansas, on 16 July 1945.

     All Webb equipment for issue to the air and flight echelon arrived this station 19 July 1945 and have been stored awaiting personnel processing.

     Two additional airplanes arrived from Biggs Field, El Paso, Texas, and Pratt Army Air Field, Kansas, on 20 July 1945. Total number of aircraft permanently assigned to this station is now 19.

VI. FACILITIES

     Ground echelon facilities remained substationally the same as reported in previous histories.

     With the move of the air echelon to Army Air Field, Harvard, Nebraska, the physical set up of this section of the ground was necessarily changed and more important items are noted herein.

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     Barracks for enlisted men were adequate and a definite improvement over those of Smoky Hill Army Air Field, Salina, Kansas. Officers quarters represented a slight improvement over those at Salina, although, as is quite normal, should be considered inadequate. Insufficient orderly personnel apparently explains the lack of proper care and failure to attain even a minimum state of cleanliness in the average officers quarters. Hoever, these quarters at Harvard Army Air Field are by no means comparable to the filth and disreputable condition of those at Smoky Hill Army Air Field, Salina, Kansas, our previous station.

     Mess hall facilities for the enlisted men remain somewhat inadequate.

     Food at the Officers Mess was generally considered excellent. However, a number of complaints were made concerning the lack of hot weather dishes, such as salads and in particular, the lack of fresh fruits.

     Upon arrival at Harvard Army Air Field, mail facilities were found to be so hopelessly confused and chaotic that the group immediately undertook to organize their own mail system. This has proven highly satisfactory.

     Service club facilities are considered grossly inadequate for the number of personnel on this base, but those individuals serving at the club are to be commended for their conscientious efforts to make the best of limited facilities.

     The Base NCO Club, whose facilities were made available to members of this group, is to be commended on their generosity and hospitality to the NCO's of the group.

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VII. MORALE

     As the group approached the end of training and the potential realization of their assigned mission, morale quite naturally continued on a high level. The anticipation of the receipt of flyaway aircraft was perhaps the major contributing factor in the high morale of maintenance personnel. Quite evident throughout all sections of the group was a sense of competence and a feeling that this group more than any other was prepared for any eventualities.

     Detracting slightly from this high state of morale were a few minor factors which should be mentioned. The smallness of the base and the nearby town and the limited facilities for entertainment were not conducive to the best of spirits. Service Club facilities in particular were grossly inadequate for the number of personnel stationed on this base. Also, a general complaint existed concerning the too limited hours and noticeable shortage of standard merchandise of the Post Exchange. Transportation to nearby towns was characterized by infrequent schedules and excessive charges. Limited base transportation has evidently prevented any government relief of the situation. However, such minor factors were more in the nature of annoyances and it is felt would have no permanent effect upon the group.

     On 6 July 1945, a party was given for all supervisory personnel of the S-4 section and assisted admirably in unifying and welding the cooperative efforts of all concernced.

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

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Transcribed by Kevin Anderson on 31 December 2005
Last corrected 13 June 2006
Original typographic errors were left in.
All remaining transcription errors are my own.