Historical Report 345th Airdrome Squadron, March 1945

CONFIDENTIAL

 

345TH AIRDROME SQUADRON

1ST COMBAT CARGO GROUP

c/o Postmaster, New York

HISTORICAL REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH 1945

1. The beginning of March was actually no more than a point in an ascending tempe of Squadron Operations.  These operations flowed as uninterruptedly from February into March, that it is necessary to refer often to the preceding month in order to make a clear development of this report.

2. Effective 26 February 1945, the MOS of Captain GLENN O SMITH was changed from 2110 to 2136¹.  This officer had familiarized himself with general functions and current problems of the Squadron, with the result that during the month of March, 1945, he put into effect various new policies: (personal appearance and maintenance of neat living quarters of the Enlisted Personnel received a greater amount of attention than previously had been the case; observance of anti-malarial control measures was stressed; and higher standards of work-quality were instituted.).

3. 1 March 1945, was the closing date of a contest concerning design of a Squadron Insignia.  Sixteen designs had been submitted in February, and on 2 March 1945, these designs were placed on display, for voting by Squadron Personnel².  Voting was completed by 5 March 1945, and a design submitted by Orland Wasson (PFC) was adopted.³ On 1 March 1945, a second masthead was designed by an Enlisted Man of this organization for “News While It’s News”, daily news bulletin of First Combat Cargo Group.  (A clipping of this masthead in an appendix to this report.)

4. An Administrative Inspection was held in this organization beginning 1 March 1945 and ending 3 March 1945.  Major C W CRYER, assisted by M/Sgt R W Wendell conducted the investigation, and the squadron received a rating of VERY SATISFACTORY.⁴  Prompt action was taken on all discrepancies noted. 

5. The 4th of March 1945, marked the swing into extensive base operations by the Communications Section.  As was noted in the Historical Report for February (This organization), a large percentage of communication work had been done in various localities of Burma, away from the home station.

6. On or about 17 February 1945, a Dehazari Communications Center (consisting of one Code Room) had been put into operation.  Two operators from the 345th Airdrome Squadron and two operators from the 347th Airdrome Squadron worked in this Code Room under Sgt Gregory of 1st Combat Cargo Group.  One Chief Operator from the 245th Airdrome Squadron and six operators working in shifts were assigned to duty on the point to point radio operations (SCR 188) at 0930 (z time), 27 February 1945.

7. On 4 March 1945, however, the 345th Airdrome Squadron took over this Base Communications Center and started a Message Center also.  The site of operations was a tent in the 1st Combat Cargo Group area.  S/Sgt Busby was placed in charge of the Message Center, and S/Sgt Gayden, Chief Radio Operator, cooperated with the Message Center Chief in making a permanent record of the point to point radio messages received.

8. Two teletype printing machines were set up 4 March 1945, and Dehazari went on the CCTF Net, using at first two men of the 347th Airdrome Squadron and operating only one of the printing machines.  On 21 March 1945, Pfc. Golden was relieved of duties pertaining to Message Center records, and was placed operation of the teletype equipment, along with three Enlisted Men from the 931st Signal Battalion, who had been placed on temp duty with the 1st Combat Cargo Group. Both teletype printing machines were thus put into operation, and contact was established at various points of this base, for the purpose of relaying incoming messages of the CCTF Net.

9. Sgt Fred Animus assumed control of the Cryptographic room, 4 March 1945, using at that time the following crypt systems: M-209 Converter, Sigaba, and Sig-X.  Due to the fact that the Communications Section continued to conduct a certain amount of off-the-base operations, a continuous and somewhat complicated procedure of turnover was necessary.  Communication personnel of the 2d Combat Cargo Squadron, 347th Airdrome Squadron and 1st Combat Cargo Group were utilized to fill vacancies as they occurred.

10. Due to the fact that the Communications Section continued to conduct a certain amount of off-the-base operations, a continuous and somewhat complicated procedure of turnover was necessary.  Communication personnel of the 2d Combat Cargo Squadron, 347th Airdrome Squadron and 1st Combat Cargo Group were utilized to fill vacancies as they occurred.

11. A Direction Finder Station (SCR 634) had been set up on or about the middle of February 1945, from equipment belonging to this organization. Site of operations was on a small knell beside the Dehazari runway.  At first the DF Station operated only at night and during inclement weather, but on 4 March 1945, it went into 18-hour daily operation.  One EM from the 345th and one EM from the 347th Airdrome Squadron, alternated on six- and twelve-hour shifts.  Homing messages emanating from the DP Station are effective up to one hour’s flying distance from the Dehazari Airstrip, and pilots of all Combat Cargo Squadrons have praised this service highly.⁵

12. One EM from this organization was assigned on 4 March 1945 to duty at the Dehazari Control Tower, under supervision of the 347th Airdrome Squadron personnel.

13. The resumption of on-the-base activity by the Communications Section resulted in several changes, improvisations and improvement of equipment.  On 5 March 1945, T/Sgt Creager and Cpl Ralph J Pisano relayed one of the auxiliary radio receivers from the Communication and Message Center to the Group P.A. system (theater area).  In this way, public announcement of radio news flashes was made possible… On 6 March 1945, T/Sgt Creager and Cpl Pisano again showed and inventive tendency; they designed a homing beacon for the Control Tower, by setting contact points on the circumference of a plexiglass disc, which when rotated by a small electric meter, spelled out the message DZ.  Electrical circuit was established by a commutator device mounted on the disc shaft… On 9 March 1945, one Set #624 was moved from the Communication and Message Center to the radio warehouse and repair tent.  Keying and receiving devices were removed from the new location back to the Message Center.  In this way, the equipment was located in the most convenient place (the repair shop itself) for prompt repair in case of failure.

14. A Technical Inspection of the 345th Airdrome Squadron Section for the month of March was conducted 17 March 1945 by Captain R. T. SYLER and S/Sgt A. J. DiBuo, in accordance with AAF Regulation 120-3, dtd 19 August 1943.  Rating given was VERY SATISFACTORY.  It was additionally noted that “with an increase in the proficiency of the radio operators through practice, this section could be rated as EXCELLENT.⁶ Effective 31 March 1945, radio operators were required to practice on a “bug” one hour daily in addition to their regular daily tour of duty.

15. The Engineering Section also operated most effectively during the month of March.  On 10 March 1945, night maintenance was begun.  Lighting conditions were extremely poor, and problems once came up concerning delegation of work on the night shift.  On 20 March 1945, this situation was greatly improved by an arrangement made between Lt RALPH F ROZU_ALSKI and Captain LESTER B MOORE, Engineering Officers of the 345th Airdrome and 2d Combat Cargo Squadrons, respectively.  Administrative procedure was divided into day and night schedules and the officers supervised the two shifts on an alternating basis.  Filing of maintenance records was commenced 20 March 1945, by means of WORK ACCOMPLISHED and WORK TO BE ACCOMPLISHED schedules.⁷  Mobile “Christmas Trees” and floodlights were also put into use on or about 20 March 1945, and the quality of night maintenance was greatly improved.

16. Difficulties were encountered due to a shortage of Tech Supplies.  On 27 March 1945, Cpl Ray W Legg was placed on temp duty for an extended period of time, in order to procure additional supplies.⁸

17. A change in key personnel occurred 25 March 1945 when M-Sgt Terrence J Purcell was transferred to 1st Combat Cargo Group, and was replaced by T-Sgt Edward W Keller from that organization.⁹

18.Total maintenance accomplished by the 345th Engineering Section during the month of March was considerable.  Many repair jobs essential to aircraft maintenance cannot be conveniently tabulated, but the following figures were obtainable:

100-hour inspections	……….51
50-hour inspections	………..38
25-hour inspections	……….83
engine changes (single)	……….6
engine changes (double)	……….1

As a result of 345th maintenance, 90% of the aircraft of the 2d Combat Cargo Squadron was kept in flying condition during the month of March, and the 2d led all other combat Cargo Squadrons of this base for tons hauled.  The daily average was 150 tons.

19. On 4 March 1945, Sgt Elmo T Jones departed this station and proceeded Allagappa, Burma, for the purpose of installing new radio parts in the Control Tower there.  He returned 6 March 1945.

20. On 16 March 1945, Cpl Joseph F McNight went to Lytche, Burma to do sheet metal work on an airplane of the 2d Combat Cargo Squadron which had been damaged when a native truck driver backed into the with with a Lorrie, damaging one of the ailerons.  Cpl McNight returned to Dehazari, India 18 March 1945.

21. Three EE(?) (Sgt Reckord, Pfc Ruder and Pfc Dyer) moved from Allagappa, Burma to Imo, Burma, 18 March 1945.  A fourth Ee from their group, (Pfc Simmons), became ill and was sent from Allagappa, Burma to the 198th Station Hospital at Tezgoan, India.  He returned from the hospital 26 March 1945, and was assigned to duty at the DF Station here at Dohazari.  Sgt Samuel Radabaugh departed the station 18 March 1945 and proceeded to Tada-U, Burma, where he directed Control Tower and Traffic operations.

22. On 21 March, 1945, Cpl Sidney Painter departed this station and proceeded to Calcutta, India, for the purpose of procuring organizational day-room furniture.¹⁰  He returned to Dohazari 24 March 1945, with all day-room furniture ordered:  

Tables, 30” x 30”	…25
Chairs (Folding)	…100
Racks (Magazine)	…2

23. A bar, constructed by John W Aluekewicz, Squadron Carpenter, was placed in the day-room tent, and on 26 March 1945, Ee not the Squadron began enjoying the additional facilities for relaxation and amusement.

24. On 30 March 1945, Captain RAYMOND W MARTZ, MC, T/Sgt Creager and S/Sgt Busby left for Lyotha, Burma, their mission concerning Control Tower operations and direction of traffic.

25. On 19 March 1945, Cpl William R Ross was sent on temp duty to the 382d Service Group, near Chittagong, India.¹¹  This created a vacancy in the Officers Mess Section; during the time spent selecting a replacement for Cpl Ross, the idea occurred to Officers of this Squadron that, since isolating groups of men from each other within one section often proves detrimental to the unity of the section involved, less Personnel could be rotated through EM and Officers’ Mess.  This plan has been in effect since 20 March 1945.

26. Messing conditions gave rise to difficulties during the month of March 1945, principally because of supply shortages.  Fresh meat and vegetables have been extremely difficult to obtain; chicken was served on two occasions in March 1945, in an attempt to provide relief from tinned rations.  However, Mess and Medical Personnel condemned the manner in which the civilian employees were killing and picking the fowls.  Enlisted volunteers were obtained for killing and picking on 10 March 1945, but upon subsequent occasions there developed an unwillingness on the part of Enlisted Personnel to volunteer.  Resentment developed between Mess and other Enlisted Personnel.

27. Meanwhile, the Officers, in expectation of fresh meat supplies flowing from Chittagong, India (starting on or about 1 April 1945), decided to defer any further action upon the matter.  On 27 March 1945, a meeting was held between Mess Personnel of this Squadron and 2d Lt RUSHLOW, unit Mess Officer.  Mess problems were discussed and suggestions were made concerning more attractive innovations food preparation.  This particular messing problem was not peculiar to the 345th Airdrome Squadron.  Several other organizations of the 1st Combat Cargo Group experienced similar difficulties.

28. To summarize corrective measures adopted by this organization:  a-Provision of fresh meat by attempting to serve chicken at intervals;  b-Rotation of all Mess Personnel through EM and Officers’ Mess;  c-A campaign to bring before the cooks suggestions pertaining to more attractive preparation of menus.

29. On or about 7 March 1945, the Medical Section, this Squadron, compiled significant data concerning the accident rate from 1 November to 1 March 1945.  Observance of traffic regulations by personnel authorized to drive vehicles, has been closely watched and insisted upon by 345th Officers, and the decline of duty days lost during February, through accidents, can be noted in the chart, Appendix.

30. On 15 March 1945, the 345th Medical Section administered Smallpox vaccinations to all Squadron Personnel (in accordance with current theater directives requiring immunization every six months).

31. On 27 March 1945, a stimuland shot (Typhoid, Typhus, and Cholera) was given to one oOfficer and four EM who had been absent 1 Jan 1945 (on which date all Squadron Personnel at Tulihal Airstrip had been inoculated).¹²

32. On 31 March 1945, all Squadron Personnel were give a physical check by the Medical Section.¹³ No venereal or other communicable diseases were noted; fungus infection was found to be rare and of minor nature.  The twenty-nine cases of fungus infections founding the February inspection,¹⁴ have responded to treatment with gratifying results.  Captain GLENN O SMITH gave Enlisted Personnel a short talk, stressing Malarial Control and Venereal Disease preventive measures.  This talk was give before all Enlisted Personnel at the formation of the Squadron, just preceding the actual check.

33. During March 1945, the Squadron Supply Section was engaged in preparing individual surveys upon equipment lost by EM while on D.S with the 2d Combat Cargo Squadron in China.  The China experience was expensive, since 54 out of 60 EM concerned were found to have suffered losses due principally to theft.

34. On 25 March 1945, Squadron Supply called in all drawers, wool, and all overcoat wool.  Any Squadron Enlisted Personnel having in their possession Flying Clothes were required to turn in this equipment also.¹⁵

35. On 30 March 1945, a show-down inspection was started in this organization.  Two (Basha) barracks were given this inspection per night.¹⁶

36.The 26th of March 1945, marked the sixth consecutive month of overseas service by the 345th Airdrome Squadron.  Appropriate entries were made in the Service Records of all Personnel concerned.¹⁷

37. So much of paragraph 17, Historical Report, this organization, February 1945, as refers to assignment of Captain GLENN O SMITH, AC, on 10 February 1945, is hereby amended to include the following: EDC, 14 February 1945.¹⁸

38. As of 10 March 1945, there were six Commissioned Officers assigned to this organization, and four were attached from other organizations. All were present for duty.  There were 176 EM assigned, and two attached from other organizations.  Three EM were present, not for duty.

39. There were five EM assigned during March 1945:

Date	Rank	Name	Authority
2 Mar	S/Sgt	Pegg, Orville C	Par 7, SO 17, Hq 1st CC Gp
5 Mar	Cpl	Carman, Earl J Sr.	Par 6, SO 19, Hq 1st CC Gp
19 Mar	S/Sgt	Pettainen, George E	Par 7, SO 22, Hq 1st CC Gp
25 Mar	T/Sgt	Heller, Edward W	Par 11, SO 23, Hq 1st CC Gp
25 Mar	Pvt	Reamer Ray L	Par 9, SO 60, Hq Real Depot #2, AFT 469

40. The following personnel were lost through transfer during the month of March 1945.

Date	Rank	Name	Authority
16 Mar	S/Sgt	Frantz, Leland W	(Trfd to 93rd Fighter Sq APC 690) Per par 10, SO 20, HQ 1st CC Gp
24 Mar	S/Sgt	Pettainen, George E	So much of par 7, SO 22, Hq 1st CC Gp as pertains to this EM is revoked per Par 9, SO 23, Hq 1st CC Gp
25 Mar	M/Sgt	Purcell, Terrence J	Par 11, SO 23, Hq 1st CC Gp
25 Mar	S/Sgt	Valenti, Anthony F	Par 13, SO 23, Hq 1st CC Gp

41. Transfers in the above list occurring 16March and 25 March 1945, were all changes involving key personnel.

42. There were eighteen promotions during March 1945:  1-Sgt to S/Sgt; 7- Cpl to Sgt; Tec 5 to Cpl; 1- Pfc to Cpl; 8- Pat to Pfc.¹⁹

43. There were five changes in MOS: 566 to 826,²⁰ 590 to 932, 522 to 060, 590 to 932, and 522 to 060.²¹

44. On 8 March 1945, the APO of this organization was changed from 433 to 214.²²  Squadron morale during the month of March, although not excellent from an absolute standpoint, was nevertheless well maintained considering difficulties under which all squadrons operated due to shortages of less and Technical Supplies; also, one cannot disregard as a factor the duty load, which in this squadron has steadily increased in the Engineering and Communications Sections, without any comparable increase of Squadron personnel.

45. Situations involving morale problems were handles firmly and as tactfully as possible under the circumstances.

46. Passes to Rest Camp #1 were authorized per 1st Combat Cargo Group Travel Orders, and Enlisted Personnel departed on temp duty for five-day rest periods in accordance with the following schedule:

15 Mar 1945….4 EM 18 Mar 1945…5 EM 30 Mar 1945….2 EM

16 Mar 1945….1 EM 21 Mar 1945….5 EM

47. On 27 March 1945, the 345th Airdrome Squadron EM lost to the 347th Airdrome Squadron EM in a soft ball play-off tournament, losing two out of the three games.  The 345th Airdrome Squadron had finished the soft ball season unbeaten, with seven wins out of seven games played.  The three play-off games (6-5, won by 345th; 1-0, won by 347th; 4-3, won by 347th) became the focus of action, and were very close and exciting.

48. Squadron athletics formed a great factor assisting in the maintenance of morale, and providing an outlet for interest.

49. Activities for the month closed with payroll formation at 1700, 31 March 1945.

 

JOHN I SOMERS

1st Lt, A C,

Historical Officer

 

CONFIDENTIAL

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