THE 27^th’s GREAT ADVENTURE

From the WW2 Diary of Donald A. Brenden

United States Army Air Corp

With comments by his son, Paul D. Brenden (shown in italic)

Immediately after the declaration of War (Dec. 8, 1941), we left Selfridge Field , Michigan , and went to San Diego , California – later being moved to Mines Field near Los Angeles , California . 

May 18, 1942: I left by a United Air Liner for Down Field, Bangor , Maine . Thirty mechanics flew across to follow the P-38’s across country. [“Operation Bolero.”]

June 26, 1942 : We left Down Field by air transports and went to Presque Isles, Maine – the last stop on U.S. soil. Upon leaving here, the next stop was Goosen Bay, Labrador. Here we had to stay four days as the weather was bad. Wow! What a place. There wasn’t any place to spend money and we ate them out of supplies.

July 1^st, we flew to Greenland. Left here on the second and went to Iceland. Encountered bad weather. Only two of our transports came through. The others had to turn back. Was I ever glad to set my feet on ground that day.

Went to Reykjavik twice. Bought some pictures and scarfs for souvenirs. The pastries would be good, but oh! That fish oil shortening – too greasy.

This continued daylight since leaving Labrador was hard to get use to. By the time I get accustomed to it, it will be vice-versa (darkness). That is only a few hours of daylight each day.

August 9, 1942. And still in Iceland. The 25^th of July, we got orders to leave. Sent the planes to Reykjavik to refuel. We loaded on our transports and followed. That’s about 35 miles from here. It must of made the pilot as happy as it did us because he zoomed the field, then skimmed the waves all the way across.

We stayed all night here and the next day got orders to return (by G.I. truck, mind you) to our original place. A nice rough and dusty ride, I must say. Our transport planes went on so now we’re without means of travel. But still hoping to see England yet.

August 14, 1942: Iceland – At 10:55 a.m., August 14, 1942, I saw my first German Bomber. Having heard a report of unidentified aircraft near, I returned to my plane and got it ready for immediate take-off. In the distance, I saw a plane coming, just thinking it was an army transport, I paid no more attention until a barrage of anti-aircraft fire began. The plane immediately turned and as it did, it resembled the B-17 (a four engine job). [A Fockwolf 200 condor was the plane that was reported as being shot down.] Two of our planes just circling the field immediately joined in pursuit. The Bomber disappeared in a cloud. Major Weltman and Lt. Shahan were those two pilots. Weltman came back after emptying his guns. His prop had been damaged by a bullet which also entered the shell box, so he took another ship and took off.

My pilot, Lt. Newbury, came out and took off at 11:15 a.m. At 11:45, he returned with his flight. Didn’t see anything.

The German plane was shot down over the water. A P-39 [official report says a P-40] set one engine on fire, then Lt. Shahan came in from above and cut loose. The plane seemed to explode in mid-air. He flew right through part of the explosion. A crash boat was called, but it was hardly possible that anyone was alive. One less ship – Adolph!!!

August 20, 1942: Thirty-five of us left by air transports from Patterson Field and went to Rekavick. The following day was unfavorable for take-off, so we didn’t leave until ten o’clock on August 22. Ours was the fifth flight, that is the 15^th ship. There was 24 C-47’s in the flight. As we neared Ireland, two flights of B-17’s and P-38’s passed us. We crossed the northern tip of Ireland and landed at Prestwick, Scotland. Went to a dance that night. Saw a Scottish bag pipe band, all wearing their kilts. Some fun. The Scotch, including women, were very friendly. Were very glad to see us come. At the close of the dance, they played a few bars of The Star Spangled Banner.

August 23, 1942: The next noon at 12 o’clock, we took off and headed for England. We landed at Atcham Field and unloaded. The nearest town was Shrewsbury. Our squadron had moved, so we went by truck to “High Ircle” [High Ercall, Shropshire, England] where our squadron was. We had finally reached them. Our actually flying time is as follows:

Main to Labrador 4:50 hr.

Labrador to Greenland 5:10 hr.

Greenland to Iceland 6:15 hr.

Iceland to Scotland 5:45 hr.

Scotland to England 2:00 hr.

Total 24:00 hr.

September 14, 1942: We moved from “High Ircle” [High Ercall] by troop train to Colerne, near Bath, on the 17^th. John Akers and I got a 48 hour pass and started out on bicycles. Went to Bristol. Stayed all night at the American Red Cross. Bought myself a pair of field glasses. Pedaled back to Bath and spend the second night and then back to camp in the morning.

November 6, 1942: All our men except 48 have left about two weeks ago. This afternoon, our planes took off. I went to town and saw the Allen family [English family who had befriended Dad.] for the last time. They all bid me goodbye.

November 7, 1942: We went to Ibsley in trucks and jeeps. About a week before, I drove one of 12 that we had to take back to Burtonwood, near Liverpool. We came back by train.

The first good news of the war has come. Rommel is being driven out of Egypt.

November 8, 1942: Our surprise attack on North Africa has begun.

November 10, 1942: A.E.F [American Expeditionary Force] doing a fine job.

November 11, 1942: Our air fields have been captured and an armistice with the French made.

November 12, 1942: We leave Ibsley by truck for our point of take-off. The first planes took off at 12:00 p.m. (midnight). Mine had engine trouble so we had to come back. We got another and took off at two o’clock. We flew without lights and followed the coast of France, Spain and Portugal around the Gibraltar where we landed, the time 11:30 a.m. We had enough fuel for another hour’s supply. Took off here about 2:00 p.m. From here, we had an escort of spitfires in case we ran into “Jerry”. Arrived at our air field near Oran [Algeria] at 4:30 p.m.

November 13, 1942: And Friday, at that. Wasn’t so unlucky for my trip from England to Oran.

November 14, 1942: More troops are coming in. We are busy repairing the trucks and cars left behind by the French because transportation for us is very limited. Our P-38’s haven’t arrived as yet.

November 15, 1942: Our planes arrived, all but one, Lt. Chenoweth. The rumor is that he was forced down in Portugal.

November 20, 1942: Since Vichy declared war on the “axis”, the French are now our allies. Today, they came and got their heavy guns. We have already turned their trucks back.

November 21, 1942: We left Tafaree [Tafaroui] by truck. Luckily, the night before, I got a pass and went to Oran. Was able to get some souvenirs. Had a grand time at the Continental Hotel. Our next field was Dourvion, a distance of about 60 miles.

November 22, 1942 : My pilot, Lt. Newbury, went on a mission and nearly got drowned with hydraulic oil when the cannon changer begin leaking and threw oil into the cockpit. Nothing serious resulted except the parachute had to be repacked.

November 26, 1942: Thanksgiving back in the states. Our Thanksgiving dinner was stew, crackers, carrots and peas, a candy bar and black coffee. Still raining and these tents continue to leak.

December 3, 1942: What a birthday. Disaster has first hit the squadron. Lt. Pate flew my ship. Lts. Hester, Long, Everett and Drysdale shot down and missing. Lt. Sullivan’s ship destroyed but returned. Worked all night. Checked valves and put on new belly tanks.

December 4, 1942: Lt. Lynn flew as a spare but wasn’t needed. Lts. Black, Pate and Pace shot down. Pate accounted for in Algiers, wounded and ship badly damaged.

December 5, 1942: Lt. Lynn flew my ship again as spare. Lt. Smith came back so he flew 64 on through. Coming back, he ran out of gas and landed 5 miles out of Algiers. Capt. Owens attempted to fly it out and ran into a hole, breaking the nose strut. That’s the end of “64”.

December 14, 1942: Assigned as a crew chief to a G model we rebuilt. I have a picture of it when it went on his nose [crashed].

December 24, 1942: Went to Christmas Eve services. Had to leave because of an alert. Admiral Darlan was assassinated.

December 26, 1942: We left Nouvion by train.

December 31, 1942: Arrived at Biskra. I was assigned to a new plane, a P-386-3LO.

January 1, 1943: Received a Christmas box from Horace Parker [Dad’s uncle].

January 2, 1943: Jerry attempted to bomb us but missed the field. He comes over usually several times each night. This time he caught me gassing up my ship. I sought shelter in an anti-aircraft battery pit.

January 4, 1943: Just before dark, my plane came in from field patrol. The pilot said to get to a fox hole. We jumped on the truck and before reaching our dug-out, anti-aircraft opened fire on 5 JU88’s that were bombing us. They damaged some B-26’s. We hit one and he made a forced landing.

January 7, 1943: A P-38 taking off had a runaway prop. Went into a spin, crashed and burned up, killing the pilot and three Arabs who were working in a garden.

January 10, 1943: A very exciting one. About 7:30 p.m., we were attacked by 6 or 7 JU88’s. They dropped incendaries, started a fire, then bombed away. One C-47, one P-38 and one B-17 were burned up.

January 11, 1943: Captain Owen flew my ship on a strafing mission. Came back on one. The right caught on fire when hit by flak. This is the end of Dear John the III. The third is being flown by Lt. Shahan.

January 14, 1943: Bombed again by JU88’s. Also had a report of paratroops landing.

January 16, 1943: A P-38 made a belly landing today.

January 25, 1943: Lt. Newbury flew Dear John III to Algiers for repairs.

February 8, 1943: Went to Biskra and visited the “Garden of Allah”.

February 9, 1943: Left Biskra by troop plane (C-47). Landed at Chateau dun du- Rhumel. Right up in the Atlas Mts. The second night, it snowed.

February 14, 1943: Newbury flew the old Dear John I in from Algiers.

February 17, 1943: Right engine reduction housing cracked. An engine change.

February 23, 1943: Entered hospital for possible appendicitis. Was only acute indigestion.

March 8, 1943: A lucky day. Lt. Newbury got one ME109 and another for a probable. So Dear John now wears a “swastika”. We got 8 planes today.

March 22, 1943: Visited Constantine. Had some pictures taken.

March 23, 1943: Lt. Slater shot down and bailed out over the water. Lt. Newbury went back to help look for him. Think a torpedo boat picked him up.

April 5, 1943: A great day for us. A dawn patrol took off, encountered some JU52’s bringing supplies this way under escort of JU87’s (stuka dive bombers). Lt. Newbury shot down three with “Dear John”, making four for him. Our squadron got 16, making a total of 47 and 33 damaged, making a high score for the 27^th.

April 11, 1943: Out C.O. went to Algiers and made a broadcast about the big raid on Ju52’s. This was over the “Army Hour” program.

April 12, 1943: Lt. Newbury took me for a ride in a P-38. We went to Constantine, hedge hopping most of the way. Buzzing the country at about 350, we pulled up to about 7000 ft. Back to the field, we were doing 400 miles an hour. Wow. What a ride. We also flew with one engine and with hands free of the controls.

April 29, 1943: Lt. Newbury flew “X” [HVX] (Dear John) with a 1000 lb. attached. He dive bombed a ship at sea and made a perfect hit. So now he has another victory for dear old “X” [HVX].

May 12, 1943: Some “John” 2^nd Louie [Lt.] flew X and blew out an exhaust stack and burned up the ignition harness. The war in N. Africa has ceased.

June 1, 1943: Capt. Rush flew “X” [HVX – call sign for Dad’s P-38] with 5 others of ours to escort Churchill, Marshall and I heard when they got back that Roosevelt was there too. Dear John, you’re getting in high society. The 27^th’s score is now 21 losses to 68 enemy planes.

June 4, 1943: The 27^th ‘s anniversary of one year overseas.

June 23, 1943: Went to “Rest Camp” down on the Mediterranean about 40 miles from “Didjelli” [Jijel]. Had a swell time swimming. Left a day early on account of moving.

June 28, 1943: Left Chateau dun on a B-17. Flew to “Mateur” where our squadron is now stationed. Devastation is present everywhere. A wrecked ME109 is in our camp area.

July 5, 1943: We were the spectators of an air raid in the harbor at Bizerte. I saw one get shot down when he got caught in the search lights.

July 10, 1943: Early this morning, the invasion of Sicily started. My ship flew two missions.

July 11, 1943: My ship flew three missions, totaling 9:05 hours, the most in one day yet. Lt. Brown was shot down, making 34 the number of ships lost in combat.

July 14, 1943: Made Technical Sergeant today. What a break.

August 5, 1943: Went to Tunis again. Saw Buster’s [Buster Ping – Dad’s cousin] name on the register at the Red Cross.

August 6, 1943: Had my picture taken by the Army photographer of me by HV-X.

August Friday 13^th: Two engine changes on HV-X.

August 25, 1943: Lt. Brown came back. He was in the hospital at Messina, Sicily when the Americans marched in.

September 5, 1943: Left Mateur and flew to Sicily via C-47. Met Buster while here.

September 19, 1943: Moved via C-47 back to Mateur. Stayed the last night there with Buster.

September 20, 1943: “Dear John” is being sent back to the States.

September 26, 1943: Maj. Newbury left for the States, but couldn’t take “Dear John” with him. I have also been promoted to the job of Assistant Flight Chief. No more crewing.

October 4, 1943: An air echelon of 60 men went to Gambut [Libya] (near Tobruk) to do some missions.

October 14, 1943: The men started coming back a few at a time.

October 29, 1943: The group is moving to [Cagliari,] Sardinia. I’m part of an echelon staying behind. The rest went to Bizerte [Tunisia] to catch a boat.

October 31, 1943: Some fellows went to Djedeida.

November 1, 1943: The rest of us left for Djedeida to do some operations.

November 23, 1943: “Dear John” was flying tail end charley today. Got shot up badly. Landed in Sardinia. Was flown by Lt. Alford. His wing man got shot down.

November 25, 1943: “Thanksgiving”. What a meal.

November 29, 1943: Left by C-47 and came to Sardinia. Took us an hour and a half. Have now joined the group again. What a set up here. One pilot was killed in landing here. This makes my second trip to this country, coming over October 20^th by B-26 to fix a ship forced down here.

December 3, 1943: What a day for more reasons than one. (Made line. [chief]) Also got three boxes in the mail.

December 8, 1943: An echelon left for Italy to operate from there.

December 10, 1943: HV-X has been fixed and is back in service again.

December 20, 1943: Left camp area at 11:00 am by truck. Went to dock and loaded on ship. Got off at 1:00 pm. Stood in rain until 7:30 before we could get back on. Was checked and issued life preservers.

December 21, 1943: Left at 8:30 am.

December 22, 1943: At 10:10 am, we passed the “Isle of Capri”. At 11:30 am, we dropped anchor in the Bay of Naples.

December 23, 1943: Our ship – “William J. Bryan” is a liberty ship. At 4:00, we start moving toward the dock, tied up to a sunken luxury liner. Unloaded at 7:15 pm. Trucks took us to a staging area. It was raining all the time. Got to bed at 9:15.

December 24, 1943: Spent the day resting. Saw a picture show in the afternoon. Met Mr. Keel at the A.R.C., who was in Bath, England with us.

December 25, 1943: Was on detail in charge of 25 men working at the Post Office sorting mail. Had 8 Christmas packages waiting for me when I came back from work. Wasn’t such a bad Christmas after all, except cold salmon was our turkey dinner.

December 26, 1943: More details. Road guard on the mail trucks all day.

December 27, 1943: Left Naples at 8:00 am via convoy for Foggia No. 3. Saw snow going through the mountains. Even drove through some for awhile [snow]. Arrived at destination at 7:15 pm. Boy! Was it cold and windy. Set our tent up during the dark and went to bed.

December 28, 1943: Went and looked up Buster. He is only a short ways from me.

December 29, 1943: Went over and saw Art Exon. [Dad graduated from school with him.] He is now Major. Rank hasn’t seemed to affect him much. About the same as always. Buster and I had a good visit with him.

December 31, 1943: Spent New Years Eve with Buster. What a night. My head felt it in the morning. Went back to camp New Year’s day about 4:00 pm.

January 9, 1944: Rest of the air echelon from down near Beiri came in.

January 11, 1944: “Dear John” (HV-X) failed to come back from today’s mission. So maybe it has really met its Waterloo this time. The pilot was Lt. Delaney, a previous B-26 pilot. He was using F/O Morgans flying equipment. Approximate flying time on the airplane was 630 hours.

January 12, 1944: A mistake in yesterday’s entry. The boys kept telling me this morning, “Don’t worry, “X” will come back. It always does.” Sure enough – this morning, it came back OK. His guns wouldn’t fire when he got into a fight with a Focke-Wulf 190. He then got lost from the flight.

January 29, 1944: Had my picture taken beside HV-X again. Saw Joe E. Brown in person today.

February 10, 1944: HV-X, piloted by a man from the 71^st squadron went on a bombing and strafing mission up near the branch-head of Rome. They was carrying 500# bombs. They bombed and strafed a convoy. The ship in front of X had a bomb that didn’t release. As they was on the deck, it came loose and X caught the full blast, blowing the tail section off and he spun in. So supposedly the pilot died a hurried death. And that’s the end of “Dear John”. “For Good This Time.”

February 22, 1944: A nurse, Elna Schwont of Winner, S.D., was one of six rescued from Albania. Our outfit was supposed (to be) destined for escort on rescuing them some time ago, but they failed to make the proper connections and it proved unsuccessful.

February 25, 1944: Our ships make another mission today. Lt. Price flying No. 13 was seriously wounded in the head. There was about a bucket of blood in the cockpit. But he got the ship back OK. No. 3 is missing. Another ship of the 71^st exploded in mid-air today. Pilot was a son-in-law of General Spatz. He spun in. The one yesterday bailed out. So suspecting possible sabotage, we have doubled the guards.

April 5, 1944: My name came out as one selected to go home in the future. I can’t believe it.

April 19, 1944: [Lt.] Aaron Cue was over to see me.

April 29, 1944: Our planes went on a mission to France. In landing, a 94^th plane suddenly started crossway of the runway. He hit No. 19 and it blew up. His plane stopped a few feet away. Doc Adams, O’Leary and Herring pulled the pilot out in an unconscious state. No. 19 had just been put in commission after about two weeks of work on it. Luckily the crew wasn’t around at that time.

May 4, 1944 : Lt. King was killed today in a crack-up while on a training mission. He had another and only brother who was killed the same way previously.

(END OF FIRST BOOK)

May 12, 1944: Lts. Cooley , MacIntosh and Lilly didn’t return from today’s first mission. Got orders to leave on Rotation. Hurredly turned in everything except what I’m wearing. It’s now called off until day after tomorrow.

May 14, 1944: Mother’s Day. Left the squadron by truck and went to Bari to 22^nd Rep. Center. Left Tuesday, the 16^th by train and went to Naples, arriving the 17^th, at the 434 Rep Center. Left Sunday by truck and boarded a ship in the harbor.

May 22, 1944: Pulled anchor at 5:00 am and headed for the open sea.

May 23, 1944: At about 6:00 am, we passed through the Messina Strait. Had to get out of bed and dress for an alert when an unidentified aircraft passed over. Last night at 12:00 pm, we dropped anchor in the harbor at Augusta, Sicily.

May 24, 1944: Laid in my bunk most all day. Nothing to do. Been poker games going on all day. This American currency sure looks good. We pulled anchor at 6:00 pm on our way again. It’s getting a bit rough.

May 25, 1944: Been moving all day long. Haven’t done a thing but eat and sleep. Should be catching a detail before long.

May 26, 1944: Still moving. Had an alert last night when something dropped six flares off starboard side. So after that, I slept with all my clothes on.

May 27, 1944: Still on the move. Been sun bathing out on the deck, and today, it feels like I got too much of it. Just a bit sore.

May 28, 1944: Got to Algiers at 1:00 pm. Docked at 5:00. Some fellows got passes and went to town.

May 29, 1944: I got a pass and went in. Saw a couple of picture shows and nearly walked my legs off.

May 30, 1944: Got a pass and went to town again. Saw some sights and took a few pictures.

May 31, 1944: Went to town again. Saw a show and finished my roll of film.

June 1, 1944: At 5:00 pm, we left the harbor and are now setting in the bay.

June 2, 1944: Started on our way about 1:00 pm. Got our rations also.

June 3, 1944: Still moving and how slow it seems. Been doing a lot of reading.

June 4, 1944: At about 9:00 pm, we approached Gibraltar.

June 5, 1944: We are now in the Atlantic, the home-stretch, I hope. Quite a few are getting [sea] sick.

Rome was captured today.

June 6, 1944: The invasion of Western Europe began on the Coast of France this morning.

June 7, 1944: Nothing unusual today. Just laying around and doing some studying on my correspondence course.

June 8, 1944: Nothing unusual.

June 9, 1944: Same old thing. Been going to a Bible Study class in the afternoon.

June 10, 1944: Had a very interesting talk at Bible Study.

June 11, 1944: Had church services up on deck this afternoon. Capt. Crosby led us.

June 12, 1944: Same old thing.

June 13, 1944: The high winds are throwing water on the deck so I spent most of the time on my bunk. Got a bottle of Coke today.

June 15, 1944: Very rough today. Many are sea sick.

June 17, 1944: At 9:00 am, we passed through longitudinal line cutting Bermuda.

June 18, 1944: Capt. Crosby conducted church services. Out 4^th week on the boat.

June 19, 1944: Reached the harbor at Newport News, Va. Had a physical inspection. Got docked at about 8:30 pm.

June 20, 1944: Got off the boat at 10:00 A band was waiting for us. Got on a train and went to Fort Patrick Henry. Had a quart of milk for dinner, the first in two years. Sent a telegram to the folks.

June 22, 1944: At 14:20, we marched to the train. Had a band playing for us. They act like we are heroes.

June 24, 1944: Arrived in Camp Sheridan.

June 26, 1944: Got into Chicago about 9:00 pm. On my way home.

June 28, 1944: “HOME”

July 14, 1944: Left home.

July 18, 1944: Arrived at Miami Beach, Fla.

August 2, 1944: Left Miami.

August 5, 1944: Arrived at Lincoln, Nebr.

August 13, 1944: Left Lincoln.

August 16, 1944: Arrived at Galveston, Texas.

August 18, 1944: Assigned as Crew Chief on a P-40.