SEPTEMBER 1944
- SQUADRON
HISTORY
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With the complete squadron
at last, all problems were rapidly being ironed out. Since the beginning of operations,
valuable experience had been gained and it was now being applied. Theories formed in the
training period, were being discarded and reformed where practical experience proved their
value. Crew's began flying a regular schedule thus relieving the nervous tension brought
about by flying too often and too much. A quiet and sure confidence began invading the men
as the successful operations continued. Although the peak of efficiency had not yet been
reached, the march toward it was sure and steady.
On the 5th of September a total of eight (8) enlisted men were transferred
to the 266th Replacement Bn at APO 322.
(Milne
Bay, New Guinea2) These men, members of the
former Air-sea Rescue Organization operating in this area, were the first in this
organization to return to the United States. Major Lewis resumed command of the Squadron
upon his return from temporary duty, 7 September 1944. 8 September 1944, orders were
received transferring
"C" Flight1 from
APO 713 #1
(Oro Bay,
New Guinea2) to APO 159
(Sansapor,
New
Guinea2) and the movement was completed on
this same day. Due to a misunderstanding as to the allocation of areas, the three flights
at APO 920
(Biak Island) were forced to move to
a new area.
Once again the problem of building with limited equipment presented itself. On
the 22 September the first case of malaria was detected and immediately steps were taken
to insure that all precautionary measures were being used by the members of this
organization. Major Donald D. Corlett, ASN
0-238482, the senior Flight Surgeon, prescribed a regular course of lectures and talks to
 aid in this drive. This organization was
transferred from the Fifth Bomber Command to the Thirteenth Air Force on the 23 September
1944 per
General Order
No. 2391, paragraph #3,
Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, dated 23 September 1944. From the 23 September to the 30 September all of the planes
but two (2) were transferred from APO 920
(Biak Island2) to APO 159.
(Sansapor,
New
Guinea2)
This was accomplished because APO 159
was nearer the scene of operations and because warning orders for
movement had been received for the three (3) flights at APO 920.
The total loss of personnel for this period was eleven
(11) enlisted men.
Due
to a mix-up
in the initial assignment of areas at
Biak it was necessary for the squadron
to evacuate its campsite on 20 September 1944 and set up a completely new
area about three quarters of a mile down the beach. This wasn't so good for
the morale of the men because they had gone to all the trouble of making
frameworks for their tents, improving the area and building a volley ball
court. However, nothing could be done but move, and everyone took it in good
spirit. All this moving was accomplished without ceasing actual operations.
On 8 September 1944, flights "B" from
Hollandia, and "C" from Nadzab were consolidated and transferred to
Middleburg Island
right off the tip
of Dutch New Guinea. This was done in order that better coverage could be
given to bombardment squadrons on their strikes on the Celebes, Borneo,
Halmaheras, and Morotai. The squadron was
steadily making a name for itself and the number of rescues was mounting
daily.
On 10 October 1944, "Headquarters", "A" and "D"
flights bypassed "B" and "C" flights which remained at Middleburg Island,
and moved up to Morotai to cover strikes on Palau and the Philippines as
well as Ceram, Celebes, and Borneo.4
A total of 162 missions
were flown during this period totaling
1,540 flying hours. Rescues made during this period are as follows:
Download
printable
rescues1
for the month of September 1944.
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Text in gray is not official
and is used to clarify or add additional information.
1
From Squadron microfilm
obtained from Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.
2
APO numbers from "Numbered Army & Air Force Post Office Locations" - 7th
Edition - by Russ Carter
3
From Individual Aircraft Record Cards - Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
4
This information came from a consolidated summary
of 1944 prepared by squadron Clerk, T Sgt. Colin MacEachern
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