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WAR DIARY
HQ. & HQ. SQ. 306TH WING (US)
May 1944
1 May: The flag at headquarters is flying at half-mast today in honor and memory of Sec. of the Navy Frank Knox, who died in the States on 29 April.
2 May: Wing Hq. and Hq. Squadron now has a Chaplain—Captain Roy M. Terry, previously assigned to Wing and immediately placed on D/S back with his old outfit, the 325th F. Gp., but is assigned now to duty as Wing Chaplain. He has already moved in, and in fact conducted his first service here last Sunday.
3 May: Enlisted men of Hq. Sq. and officers of Wing Hq. played a softball game today, the enlisted men winning by the lop-sided score of 15 to 1. It was the officers’ first time out. The officers, however, won both volley ball games that were played after the softball game.
4 May: Hq. Sq. softball team came out on the short end of a 10 to 5 score today in a game with the 34th Service Group of San Severo. The game was played here.
5 May: Four members of Wing Hq. found themselves shot full of luck in special orders issued yesterday. The orders directed them to proceed today to the Air Force rest camp on the Isle of Capri. The four, who are on their way, are Maj. George F. Gales of the ordnance section, Capt. Leo R. Marshall of the A-2 section, M/Sgt. Malcolm C. Stone of the A-2 section, and M/Sgt. Edward of G. Smith of the A-4 Section.
Orders are received at Wing Hq. today, dated 2 May 1944, directing the 52nd Fighter Gp. to proceed on or about 15 May to its new station at Ramitelli, Italy. The Group is now based at Borgo and Calvi, on the island of Corsica. The order was 15th AF Movement Order No. 27. The 52nd is the newest addition to 306th Wing.
Gen. Strother circulated the word about Hq. today that he wished all officers who could do so to participate in soft ball and volley ball activities every day at 11 o’clock.
6 May: USO show, Saturday, May 6th presented by Special Service Section, 1st Lt. Joseph G. O’Neill.
Pat Land – MC
Paula Baine – Swing Vocalist
Bob Sleeper – Accordian player
Monder – magician
Excellent attendance by officers and enlisted men. Very good show.
7 May:
8 May: The long-awaited shower room, built under direction of Hq. Squadron, was opened for use today. The room contains 11 showers for enlisted men and six for officers, with hot and cold water available at all times--that is when any water at all is available. Frequently the town supply is cut off entirely. No one seems to know whether it is sabotage or just antiquated equipment that causes the repeated interruption of the water supply.
9 May:
10 May: The enlisted men’s club has been dressed up recently. A new coat of paint on the inside has done much to improve the looks of the place.
11 May: Rotation finally hits Wing Headquarters. Capt. James L. Sanders, Ass’t A-4 T Sgt. Torbett O. Marshall of the Inspector’s Office, and S Sgt Stewart Duff of A-2 Section will be on their way back to the U.S.A. shortly.
12 May:
13 May: Pfc. John E. Hunter, who worked in the Signals Section, was fatally injured late today when the weapons carrier in which he was riding turned over near Foggia. His home is in Elizabeth, N. J. Injured in the same accident was Pfc. Mardiros Derderian of Detroit, Mich. Derderian was also riding in the vehicle. He suffered a leg injury. Derderian is a clerk in the Signals Section. Pvt. Hunter was buried in the US Air Corps Cemetery at Bari.
14 May: Lt. Edward J. Nisiobincke, who was shot down over Klagenfurt, Austria last February, was a visitor at Group Headquarters. He is going out to spend a day with each of the Groups and give the pilots some pointers on escape--just in case they ever need it.
15 May: Italian workers, while digging slit trenches in the squadron area recently, unearthed a considerable number of human bones that relate back to 1844. As best as could be determined, Torremaggiore was having a little civil war of its own about that time, and the remains found under the squadron area were some of its victims. The remains were turned over to the Town Major for disposition.
16 May: Spring is here. The summer uniforms blossomed out in full strength today, although some of the officers and men had jumped the gun by a few days. Some officers appeared in ties this morning, but Gen. Strother directed that they be removed.
17 May: Ration day today. Times are getting better. The candy ration has picked up considerably of late, and today there were 2 cigars on the weekly ration.
18 May:
19 May: Another soft ball game between the officers and enlisted men of Wing Hq. yesterday showed a marked improvement on the part of the officers--they lost by a score of just 4 to 2. In other recent games the officers of 306th beat the officers of the 38th Service Group 11 to 10, and lost to the enlisted men of the 341st Signal Co. 11 to 5.
An all Italian show entertained at the theater this afternoon for officers and men of Wing Headquarters. A mixture of acrobatics, dancing and music, the show lasted for two hours, and was well received. The show was arranged by Lt. O’Neill, Wing Special Service Officer, and will give other performances at each of the Groups of 306th Wing.
20 May: Officers of Wing Headquarters had their second party tonight. It was held in the gymnasium. An army band from the 31st Fighter Group provided the music. There was a good attendance of Italian women, and with a buffet supper and plenty to drink a good time was had by all.
Sixty-five new pilots, fresh from the States, reported at Wing Headquarters today. They were processed and immediately assigned to groups. This additional flying personnel will bring every group up to at least 75 operational pilots. This group of pilots came through Camp Patrick Henry, Va, and were on the water but 9 days, debarking at Naples. The Wing Headquarters unit-- that is the bulk of it---was on the water 30 days.
21 May: Sunday again, and many of the officers and men attended the various church services. Lt. George Pope, Wing Weather Officer and an accomplished musician, provided organ music at the protestant services this morning. These services are held every Sunday in the theater. A new altar and pulpit, built by the 38th Service Group, creates a distinct ecclesiastical setting. Chaplain Terry conducted the services.
Catholic services for soldiers are also held every Sunday by Chaplain McGarrity of the 38th Service Center in St. Mary’s Church. Many of the men also attend Italian services.
A central service for those of Jewish faith is also held every Sunday morning at San Severo, although the services of a Rabbi are not available oftener than once a month. Members of the congregation conduct the service when a Rabbi is not present.
22 May: Another good USO camp show was staged in the theater today. Vocal, comic and magic numbers featured the performance.
23 May: Capt. Marion A. Killian, adjutant of the Hq. Sq. has been named civilian personnel officer.
24 May:
25 May: The A-2 Section is beginning to look like a telephone office when reports are coming in. Head-sets are now being used, and are a distinct help to those receiving reports of operations.
26 May: Cherries are beginning to ripen and are being sold at shops in town. Some of the boys, however, have been supplying themselves from “wild” trees in the vicinity.
27 May: Thirty three more pilots arrived from the States and are immediately assigned to groups. Thirteen went to the 1st Fighter Group, 12 to the 14th, and 8 to the 82nd.
28 May:
29 May: The Special Service Library is now open to all officers and enlisted men of Wing Hq. and all Groups under its command. It is located in the Special Service office at Wing Headquarters.
The Library has 200 hard-covered books, and is growing day by day. The books range from History, Westerns, Novels, State Guides, and non-fiction, and numerous technical books. It also has approximately 200 soft cover books and current magazines.
The only requirement for securing books or magazines is that the individual sign the “IN” and “OUT” sheet upon checking out and returning books. The books or magazines can be kept for a period of seven days. Three series of lists of books and their authors have been posted on bulletin boards and sent to the groups.
The number of people checking books and magazines out is very high and is rapidly increasing.
30 May: Today is Decoration Day, and was observed during the morning by keeping the flag at half mast. It was raised to full mast at noon.
31 May: A full carton of cigarettes was on the rations this week. It was the first time a full carton has been issued.
At the officer’s mess at noon today a huge frosted cake was brought in and placed in front of Capt. O’Keefe. On it were two burning candles, and we learn that each candle represented 20 years. This evening Capt. O’Keefe entertained with a turkey dinner at his quarters for a few of his friends.
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