Thursday

Had briefing this a.m. At 7:50 took off for Matupi Island supply area on New Britain with Tobera airdrome supply as a secondary target. We hit the latter because the Island was covered well by clouds. Results very good. We rode right wing in the 2nd element. The flak hit several planes, but we were above most of it. All planes returned safely.¹

Jack Meador, engineer, rode my upper turret for me and I took his tail gun position. My chest was too sore to lift my arms.

We were able to buy some caramel candy tonight which is really good stuff. Now we have five cans orange-grapefruit juice, three bottles of beer and two cans of candy. Repaired my writing folder tonight and saw Doc Squires, our flight surgeon, about my chest. It is progressing favorably.

Received a letter from Bonnie and my mother tonight. Stayed home from the show to answer them. So better get busy and do just that. There’s another mission for tomorrow morning.

Notes & Commentary

¹ The 75th and 100th Squadrons each furnished 12 B-25s for a medium altitude bombing attack on Matupi Island, New Britain. The mission aircraft took off from Stirling Island between 0852 and 0909L. The two squadrons followed a route from Stirling Island to Cape Sena and across New Ireland passing south of Duke of York Island were due to weather they became separated. The 100th Squadron bombed Matupi Island with indeterminate results because of extensive cloud cover and rain squalls in the target area. The 75th Squadron bombed Tobera. Medium and heavy caliber antiaircraft fire was encountered over both targets with that at Tobera being the most accurate. Two aircraft received minor damage. Fighter escort was provided over the target. The mission aircraft recovered at Stirling Island between 1201 and 1251L.

Consolidated Mission Report #42-437, 1 June 1944 Headquarters 42nd Bombardment Group (M), 1 June 1944, microfilm B0131, Maxwell AFB, AL: Air Force Historical Research Agency, 1973, frames 1667-1669.