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NARRATIVE
During the month of January Colonel Roy W. Camblin, the Depot and Group Commander, was seriously ill. The first three days of the month Major Ralph C. Johnston was in command, during the temporary absence of Lieutenant Colonel Robert E. Walker, the Executive Officer. Upon his return on 4 January Lieutenant Colonel Walker assumed command. On 19 January Colonel Camblin returned to duty and assumed command. However, at the end of the month he had returned to the hospital and Lieutenant Colonel Walker had again assumed command.
Eighty officers are assigned to the Group. This figure represents eighty eight per cent of the number authorized. There are two thousand thirty three enlisted men assigned. Authorized enlisted strength is nineteen hundred twenty one.
A Group Enlisted Men's Club was opened on 25 January. It is believed to be the outstanding club in Italy. Its facilities for the entertainment and enjoyment of the men are unexcelled. Recreation, reading and writing rooms are afforded. A snack bar is open nightly and on Sunday mornings. It is attractively decorated with photographs, paintings, draperies and venetian blinds. The entire job was planned and executed by our Utilities Section.
The educational program was off to a good start upon the completion this month of a contest for enrollment in United States Armed Forces Institute. The contest was conducted among the various units to enroll the largest number of men in these courses. Upon its completion at month's end 1026 men had been enrolled for a percentage of over 50% of the entire command. The subjects for which enrollments were taken cover a wide field, and give graphic evidence of the interest of the soldier in an opportunity to improve his education.
A basketball league among the units is in full swing. The first half of the league tournament has ended, with the second half just starting. Some excellent teams have taken the floor, and the competition has been keen.
Rest camp quotas to Rome are consistently filled for enlisted men, but few officers are indicating a desire to go. Undoubtedly this is due largely to the fact that all officers have heretofore visited the Eternal City at least once.
Pursuant to directives from higher headquarters all equipment and supplies in the hands of units and not being used was turned in through supply channels. This is part of the action required to conserve supplies throughout the theatre.
A warrant officer board sat at Group Headquarters to pass on all applicants for warrants. Two applicants from the Group were approved.
OPERATIONS
Effective the first week in January the Depot was put on a seven day week in order to step up production in Engineering, this move being necessitated by the heavy demands of combat operations of the Air Force, particularly for B-24s. All passes and furloughs were cancelled.
Fifty seven aircraft were received, thirty seven repaired, fifty delivered, one salvaged and seventy three planes were on hand undergoing repair at the end of the month. This was an outstanding achievement, when it is remembered that all this work was done outside, with no shelter, during a month when snow, rain and cold winds were constantly hampering the efforts of the men.
Due to the transfer of the assistant engineering officer a revamping of engineering and operations section took place. Captain Neil Johnstone was relieved as Operations Officer and made Assistant Engineering Officer.
1st Lieutenant Frederick A. Hiler was made Operations Officer and 1st Lieutenant Anthony Durant Assistant Operations Officer.
In the various engineering shops a total of 3113 work orders were completed during the month.
Activity at Depot Supply continued at an accelerated pace due to the activity of the Air Force.
Two Italian military units were assigned to the Group. One is a Battalion Headquarters consisting of 30 men and 7 officers, and a service company of 295 men and 5 officers. The Headquarters has four companies in this area under its jurisdiction. The service company will provide labor for the Depot. It is not yet up to strength. Preliminary reports indicate that considerable liaison work will be required in order to derive any considerable benefit from this unit.
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