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GROUP HISTORY
DECEMBER
Colonel Roy J. Ceselin assumed the command of this Air Depot Group, replacing Colonel Herbert F. DeBuys who returned to the United States on rotation. Lieutenant Colonel Robert H. Walker continued as Group Executive Officer.
The morale of both officers and enlisted men is high. This is due, a great deal, to the facilities on the base, such as: excellent living conditions, good entertainment at the base theater, and a liking for the work which has to be done.
The Sixth War Loan Bond drive, initiated in the Base Theater by Captain Chester S. Wolf, Group War Bond Officer, at the request of the Group Commander, realized more than $5,000.00 in sales within four hours from its inception. The 319th Depot Repair Squadron, the 11th Medical Supply Platoon, and the 87th Depot Repair Squadron made outstanding purchases. Total purchases amounted to $7,050.00. This figure exceeded, by more than $1,000.00, purchases of War Bonds made by any other Group in the Fifteenth Air Force Service Command.
Seven officers, during the course of the month, were assigned to the Group. Six officers were transferred, two of whom returned to the United States on T.D. rotation.
Construction began on the Enlisted Men's Club, and it is well toward its completion. An Enlisted Men's Council has been formed, comprised of members from the several units of this command, for the purpose of directing the Club's activities.
During the first week of the month the new gymnasium opened, affording two regulation basketball courts and a volley ball court. Both Officers and Enlisted Men made use of this gymnasium and its equipment, which includes badminton and boxing paraphernalia. On the 22nd of the month the Basketball League opened its schedule with teams playing nightly.
Special Services, in addition to supervising the gymnasium activities, afforded motion pictures six nights out of seven. There were two USO shows during the month.
The Education and Information Department, under Sergeant Davis C. Apps, featured guest speakers in the Base Theater on two successive Thursday nights. The attendance was good. The speakers were S-2 Officers from neighboring Bomb Groups. Intelligence was given on the Global War. Events that were taking place and events that were anticipated constituted the substance of the lectures. Maps were used.
The Statistical Control Room has a new display of charts pertaining to all phases of work, departments and organizations. It is a graphic display of the Group's activities.
Leading all other groups of the Fifteenth Air Force Service Command in releases, the Public Relations Office scored 662 times with 67 basic stories.
Awards of the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service in Support of Combat Operations were made to Captain Albert L. Prillman, and Staff Sergeant Frank L. Knauer, both of the 86th Depot Repair Squadron.
Engineering shops, Aero Repair, Air Corps Supply, Flight Test Section—all departments and sections—continued activities throughout the month, persevering frequently against adverse weather conditions.
The Winterization Program has been completed with all units adequately prepared for the elements; stoves in all tents, barracks, mess halls, club rooms, orderly rooms promise sufficient warmth to personnel. Men working on the line are clothed with heavy boots, pants, jackets, enabling production that might otherwise be curtailed.
Christmas was a big event for all organizations and a great deal of effort was made by both officers and enlisted men to make the holidays as cheery as possible. Marvelous Christmas meals were the key-note and mess halls all had the Christmas spirit through attractive decorations.
One organization, the 87th Depot Repair Squadron, had the holiday spirit squelched somewhat due to a tragic accident. A formation of P-38s, apparently on their way to a mission, flew over the base and somehow the belly tanks on one ship were released dropping on a tent in the 87th area. Unfortunately two men, just relieved from guard duty were in the tent. One man was unable to free himself from the tent and died, the other died later at the hospital from the burns he received. A third soldier was critically burned, but survived.
Operational Breakdown
Activities in the Engineering Shops continue to keep all departments busy with the regular routine duties and also special jobs for other units in the XV Air Force Service Command.
The XV AAF Maintenance Memorandum called for a B-24 Super Charger oil system modification. Necessary equipment is being manufactured in the hydro shop to equip 250 Libs which will be stocked by AC Supply for use by all Bomb Groups.
The Sheet Metal shop in addition to the regular line work on battle damaged aircraft, developed a hole aligning jig for use on the rotary punch. A die was also designed and made from which some 2,000 army mess trays were stamped. 250 of these trays were for the XV Air Force Service Command Headquarters.
To facilitate the work on the line the utilities department installed both air and power lines the entire length of the eleven hard stands.
Aero repair activities were curtailed to some extent by the weather conditions. However, 38 aircraft were received, 19 were repaired, and 20 made operational and returned to combat. Seven aircraft were sent to the salvage yard to be salvaged. Sixty-one aircraft were on hand as of the first of January. This figure is the highest in some four months.
During the course of the month the group utilities has concentrated its work on the Enlisted Mens' Club. The building in which the club will be located went through an entire rejuvenation with the roof being re-laid, walls plastered, fire places being built, plumbing and wiring being installed.
The group carpenter section, under utilities, built writing tables, easy chairs, complete with springs, cabinets and tables for the snack bar and all other such items necessary for the comfort and attractiveness of the club. To complete the interior and add to the attractiveness live coconut palms and flowers were planted in various locations throughout the club.
The present plans are for the snack bar to be open each evening. One room, known as the "game room" may be reserved for private parties by any of the organizations on the Base. The I & E department has a huge map of the Western, Eastern, and Italian fronts which will be kept current at all times.
Depot Supply operations for this month were unusually slow due to the fact that few missions were being flown. Plans have been approved whereby semi-monthly requisitions would be processed for Air Service Squadrons handling type B-17 aircraft. Additional bins are being constructed to handle an enlarged stock. Difficulties are being encountered in procuring lumber for general operational requirements.
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