Tuesday

Wayne made no entry in his journal for December 19.¹

In England, his brother, Verne, is beginning to fly combat missions and made the following entry in his diary:

12-19-44

Started on a mission to Mainz & Colbenz in Germany but it was scrubbed because of bad weather and ground fog.² Flew practice missions yesterday and also received promotion to buck sergeant.³ Sure do wish the war would end soon.

Verne’s brother-in-law, 1st Lt. Kenneth E. Cline received orders transferring him and his combat crew from orders dated 19 Dec 1944 transferred 1/Lt Cline and crew from the 70th Replacement Depot to the 392nd Bombardment Group (H) at Wendling.

Notes & Commentary

¹ On December 17, Wayne wrote that a “big transfer” of men between squadrons was to occur on Tuesday, December 19 (https://waynes-journal.com/2014/12/16/december-17-1944/). At Mar Airfield, each squadron of the 42nd Bombardment Group had its own tent area. I wonder if he was too busy moving to a new squadron area to write or if he was helping others move.

² “The weather was a big factor in our effort to run missions between the 18th and 24th of this month. Fog was very bad during that period.” Air Executive’s History for December, 1944. Headquarters, AAF Station 153, 390th Bombardment Group (H). [ND], microfilm B0426, Maxwell AFB, AL: Air Force Historical Research Agency, 1973, frame 675.

³ On December 15, Verne’s pilot informed him that he would be promoted from Corporal to Sergeant this week (https://waynes-journal.com/2014/12/14/december-15-1944/).