603rd Squadron History
June 1944
As follows is a transcript of the monthly report from the 603rd Squadron to the 1st Bombardment Division. Many names are mentioned in the report. You may wish to use your web browser's Find Command to search for a particular individual. If you are unsure about the spelling, try the first few letters.
8th Air Force
1st Bombardment Division
1st Combat Bombardment Wing (H)
398th Bombardment Group (H)
_________
Period Covered from June 1, 1944 to June 30, 1944
Prepared by
David M. Hall, 1st Lt., A.C.
Squadron History
603rd Bombardment Squadron (H)
June 1, 1944
The following Officers were promoted from Second Lieutenant to First Lieutenant: D.L. Foster, T.K. Foster, W.S. Dwyer, F.C. Fahrenthold (all effective April 13), and R.I. Howden (effective May 16).
June 2, 1944
Two missions were flown today. The first one to Boulogne, France and the second to Palaiseau, France.
List of Crew (first mission) [Not transcribed at this time.]
List of Crew (second mission) [Not transcribed at this time.]
June 3, 1944
Second Lieutenant Irwin Cohen joined the Squadron as an Assistant Adjutant.
The rapid pace was kept up today. Two more missions both to Manihen, France.
Editor’s Note
- Various 398th records indicate the morning mission was to Manihen and the afternoon was also to Manihen.
List of Crew (first mission) [Not transcribed at this time.]
List of Crew (second mission) [Not transcribed at this time.]
June 4, 1944
The target for today was Hardelot, France
List of crews. [Not transcribed at this time.]
June 5, 1944
Major Simeral lead a formation to Trouville, France.
The list of crew who participated were: [Not transcribed at this time.]
June 6, 1944
Target: Courseulles, France
List of crews: [Not transcribed at this time.]
Target: Caen, France
List of crews: [Not transcribed at this time.]
Editor’s Note
- The morning mission was to Courseuelles and the afternoon mission to Caen.
June 7, 1944
Target: Kerlin-Bastard, France
List of crews: [Not transcribed at this time.]
June 8, 1944
Lt. Howden and his crew joined the Squadron.
The members are:
- 1st Lt. Ross I. Howden
- 2nd Lt. Stephen R. Quinn
- 2nd Lt. Charles J. Mellis, Jr.
- 2nd Lt. Charles Arnold
- S/Sgt. Orville W. Roberts
- Sgt. Orville Nelson
- Cpl. Peter J. Cregan
- Sgt. Jose M. Echevarria
- Sgt. Kenneth L. Newbrough
- S/Sgt. Joseph D. Cooper
The target for today was Tours, France
List of crews: [Not transcribed at this time.]
June 9, 1944
Technical Sergeant Walter G. Armstrong came out on General Orders today (no. 12) for the Purple Heart award, given him “for a wound received in action against the enemy while participating in an operational mission in the European area, 6 May 1944.”
June 10, 1944
Target: Le Touquet, France
List of crews: [Not transcribed at this time.]
June 12, 1944
Lt. Gallagher and his crew were assigned to the Squadron.
The members are:
- 1st Lt. Raymond J. Gallagher
- 2nd Lt. William C. Berry,
- 2nd Lt. Wendell P. Davis
- 1st Lt. Harry L. Castleman, Jr.
- Sgt. Robert C. Warkentin,
- S/Sgt. Arlo J. Skeem
- Sgt. Perry J. Livingston
- S/Sgt. Robert C. Sudduth
- Sgt. Charles B. McLean
- Sgt. Richard C. Bond
Target: Lille-Nord, France
List of crews: [Not transcribed at this time.]
June 13, 1944
Lt. Sleaman and his crew were assigned to the Squadron.
The members are:
- 2nd Lt. Harry J. Sleaman
- 2nd Lt. James R. Haas
- 2nd Lt. John E. Allare
- S/Sgt. Genharo Iorio
- S/Sgt. Elwood B. Davis
- Sgt. Leonard S. Weber
- Sgt. Harley L. Roark
- Sgt. Robert A. Adkins
- Sgt. Vern H. Kling
Target: Beauvais-Tille, France
List of crews: [Not transcribed at this time.]
June 15, 1944
First Lieutenant R.L. Hopkins promoted to Captain and Second Lieutenant W.E. Engel to First Lieutenant.
Target: Bordeaux-Merignac, France
List of crews: [Not transcribed at this time.]
June 17 [18], 1944
Today the Group ran into the heaviest flak over Hamburg since becoming operational.
Editor’s note
- The 603rd June Report indicates June 17 but there was no 398th mission that day. The Hamburg mission was June 18, 1944 and thus the corrected date is shown in brackets.
List of crews: [Not transcribed at this time.]
June 19, 1944
Target: Cazaux, France
List of crews: [Not transcribed at this time.]
June 20, 1944
Another rough mission to Hamburg, Germany
List of crews: [Not transcribed at this time.]
June 21, 1944
Big B (Berlin) was pounded heavily for the first time in nearly a month.
List of crews: [Not transcribed at this time.]
June 22, 1944
Target: Rouen, France
Editor’s note
- The 398th official target for the day was LaVaupaliere, France. It is not clear if Rouen is a secondary or target for just the 603rd.
List of crews: [Not transcribed at this time.]
June 23, 1944
Major Robert K. Simeral came out on special orders today assigning him to Group Headquarters as station Air Executive Officer. He has been our Commanding Officer since May 26.
The new Squadron Commanding Officer is Captain Meyer C. Wagner, Jr., former operations officer.
Captain James G. Davidson, Jr., who was a flight commander has taken the position vacated by Captain Wagner.
Target: Feiff [Fiefs], France
List of crews: [Not transcribed at this time.]
June 24, 1944
The target for today was Bachimant, France, but no bombs were dropped due to 10/10’s cloud coverage.
Editor’s note
- The 398th official target for the day was Belloy-sur-Somme, France. It is not clear if Bachimant is a secondary or target for just the 603rd.
List of crews: [Not transcribed at this time.]
June 25, 1944
Target: Toulouse, France
List of crews: [Not transcribed at this time.]