In January, a new, distinctive organizational insignia was designed and forwarded to higher Headquarters for approval, however, the war was to end before it had official sanctioning.
The Mitchells of the three China-based Squadrons, from December 1944 to March 1945, carried out a successful, aggressive program of 'glip' bombing to deny the Japanese the use of as much of the Indo-China rail network as possible. On 24 operational days during a three month period the Group relentlessly pursued its objective, destroying 21 bridges and damaging 17. 'Glip' bombing raised the efficiency of the Group's bridge busting from 15.5 tons to 7.5 tons per bridge destroyed, an Army Air Forces record! Thus 'glip' bombing proved itself an efficient, economical method of attack where, in the China theatre of limited supply, it meant more sorties against and greater damage to the enemy.
However, the cost to the Group was not light. Men could not charge into withering fire as did the glip bombers and expect to come out unscathed. Priceless lives were lost, men were injured, aircraft were destroyed. Flying in itself in China is dangerous. The terrain is rugged and jagged mountains had to be traversed. While on a mission, weather sometimes "socked in" at the base, and at times targets were attacked under ceilings of less than 2000 feet. Yet a fighting spirit prevailed, despite the ack-ack, the terrain, the weather. The job was a tough one, but was well done.
That the enemy subsequently gave up their land corridor did not astonish the 341st Bomb Group. Some of the sturdy steel and concrete bridges built by French engineers were like Humpty Dumpty, and once they fell, all of Emperor Hirohito's little men couldn't put them back together again. The 341st Bombardment Group received the Distinguished Unit Citation for developing and using the 'glip bombing' technique against enemy bridges in Indochina.
Tactical operations for the Group during the month of January were largely road bridges, railroad rolling stock and supply concentrations with the Eleventh Bomb Squadron's operations from Suichwan being of moderate success. Action against bridges, rolling stock, etc. profitable with extensive damage being done to enemy equipment.
Jan 1945 Losses: 11th Bm Sq - 2 aircraft, 7 crew members; 491st Bm Sq - 3 aircraft, 19 crewmen;
- Killed In Action, 9 Jan 45; 491st Bm Sq:
2Lt. Jack C. Davis (p), 2Lt. Eugene W. Krute (b), SSgt. Manuel Mata (e-g), SSgt. Edgar B. Nettles (a-g), SSgt. Salvador F. Rubaclava (r-g), Cpl. Richard J. Rosach (a-g). Crew missing at 1540 hours, last seen climbing through overcast in the vicinity of Duong Cuong, China; later determined all crew perished. - Killed In Action, 14 Jan 45; 11th Bm Sq:
1Lt. Charles N. Buchtel (p), 1Lt. Clifford Dutton (n), SSgt. Thomas R. Abel (a-g), Sgt. Ervin A. Kohnke (a-g), Sgt. Glen T. Mellon (r-g), Plane crashed and burned 1905 hours, six miles south of L#$%#$@ sea sweep from Suichwan. Although originally reported as MIA, all, except Sgt. Mellon, who was returned to the 95th Station Hospital, APO 627, for medical attention, were later reported as killed. - Killed In Action, 18 Jan 45; 11th Bm Sq:
1Lt. Buster P. Meadows (p), SSgt. Charles G. Edlemann (e-g). Both casualties occurred when plane crashed on the runway while landing at Chihkiang, China, 1545 hours. - Killed In Action, 19 Jan 45, 491st BS:
1Lt. Robert L. Bishop (p), 1Lt. John R. Herdic (cp), 2Lt. Clyde F. Ford (observer), TSgt. Ashley F. Neary (r-g), SSgt. Joseph A. Siana (a-g), Cpl. Glen A. Sneyd (e-g). Plane crashed in the vicinity of Duong Diao, French Indo-China, 1349 hours. - Missing In Action, 19 Jan 45, 491st BS:
1Lt. Kenneth R. Bridges (p), Capt. Emmons C. Williams (cp), 1Lt Arther J. White (b), 2Lt. Clifford L. Barr (n), Sgt Robert W. Glaser (r-g), Sgt Thomas J. Mire (e-g), SSgt. David E. Williams (a-g). Plane missing at 1328 hours over French Indo-China. All returned except Lt. Bridges.
Mar 1945 Losses: Six aircraft were lost, two in landing accidents and four due to enemy action.
- Killed In Action, 10 Mar 45, :
1Lt. Raymond A. Fickel (p), 1Lt. Warner C. Van Voast (cp), 1Lt. Maurice J. Dewey (n), SSgt. Werner E. Schank (e-g), TSgt. Gerard J. Baldue (r-g), SSgt. Horace G. Robertson (a-g). Plane crashed and burned in the vicinity of Tuhsien, China. - Killed In Action, 5 Mar 45, 491st BS:
1Lt. Melvin W. Fogg (b-n). Bailed out and later found dead of neck injuries, in the vicinity of Mengtze, China. - Killed In Action, 10 Mar 45, 22nd BS:
1Lt. Hershel Gaither (b-n). First reported missing in action after failing to bail out of crippled ship in the vicinity of Chihkiang, China. Later reported KIA after his body was found.
The April-May 1945 History states;
Operations were comparatively restricted from the home base (Yangkai) during the majority of April and May, partly because of weather, partly because of the lack of gasoline, and partly just because. THe 11th Bomb Detachment operated from Loahwangping part of April, and effectively hindered the enemy in sea and road sweeps. THe 490th Bomb, recently arrived in China, carried on with their bridge busting tactics operating from Hanchung and Sian. They are finding it a bit more difficult here than in Burma because of the varying conditions, including type of construction,. Even so, they are laying up a creditable record. Four crews are missing in action as a result of operations during May.
Apr 1945 Losses: One aircraft and two airmen were lost during April.
- Killed In Action, 2 Apr 45, 491st BS:
TSgt Alert A. Febbo (r-g), SSgt John H. McGee (a-g). Men were killed when plane crash landed 10 miles east of Yangkai, China.
Mar 1945 Losses: Four aircraft and 24 airmen were lost in May.
- Killed In Action, 9 May 45, 22nd BS:
1Lt. William A. Howard (p), 1Lt. Yale A. Ketchum (cp), 1Lt. Willard E. Crook (n), TSgt. Gordon R. Causey (r-g), TSgt. Rudolph Elkins (e-g), SSgt. James Kokonis (a-g). Plane crashed near Pas Chiang due to direct hit by ack-ack. - Killed In Action, 11 May 1945, 490th BS:
1Lt. John A. Pennington (p) 2Lt. Robert F. Wickman (n), Cpl. Jesse H. Smith (r-g), Sgt. John H. Lees (e-g), Cpl. Eugene F. Fulkowski (a-g). Airplane hit on right engine by enemy ground fire while making bomb run. Right engine caught fire and aircraft spun in from three thousand feet, exploding on hitting the ground. No one jumped from the aircraft. Crashed 16 miles northeast of Singtai. - Killed In Action, 29 May 1945, 22nd BS:
1Lt. Joseph Wirth (p), Capt. Carl E. Carpenter (observer), SSgt. Ralph J. Nobles (r-g), SSgt. Harold E. Brown (e-g), SSgt Donald F. Markham (a-g). Failed to return from a low altitude mission to Quang Tri, French Indo-China. - Killed In Action, 30 May 1945, 490th BS:
1Lt. Robert A. Hansen (p), 2Lt. Emile a. Lorrecou (cp), 2Lt. Leslie R. Durkee (b-n), Cpl. Chester F. Rouillard (r-g), Sgt. Joseph W. Hinds (e-g), Sgt. Paul H. Van Wart (a-g). crash landed 1 mile east of Sincheng rail yards, and 2 miles northeast of Sincheng railroad bridge.
The 'China Glippers' continued their devastating attacks on bridges during the month of June, in addition to running one of the biggest missions in their history on the important Japanese supply base at Liuchow, China.
Bridges in China, especially those on the Pinghan and Tungpu Railroad lines, and in French Indo-China crumbled under the uncanny accuracy of the 341st's 'glip' bombing techniques, to the tune of eleven bridges destroyed and six severely damaged during June. Thus the 341st played an integral part in hampering the efforts of the Jap to fortify and reinforce the territory north and east of the Yellow River Bend. It also helped interdict Japanese lines of communication by destroying the My Chanh and Phu Lang Thuong bridges in French Indo-China in the southern portion of the now-shattered China Corridor.
Lt. Col. James W. Newsome, Group Commander, on 3 June led every available aircraft based at Yangkai against buildings and supply areas in the town of Liuchow, China. The mission was staged at Luliang, where all the aircraft were serviced for gas, bombs, or both. Engine failure of one Mitchell shortly after takeoff from Luliang force the pilot to salvo his bombs and crash land 10 miles north of the base. The radio-gunner incurred a broken leg and the tail gunner a fractured rib, while four other crew members suffered only minor injuries.
The lead bombardier sighted for range and deflection, with wing bombardiers sighting for range only. High cloud cover seriously hampered accurracy in bombing.
Prior to the bomber attack P-51s of the 23rd Fighter Group strafed the area to neutralize possible gun positions. The target area was generally very well covered, with many direct hits starting numerous fires. Several billowing, black smoke columns 6,000 geet high and two secondary fires were observed. Cloud cover made it impossible to get immediate, accurate asessment of damage caused by the direct hits on the buildings and supply areas.
Some excerpts from the June 1945 Group History state;
"The month of June (1945) saw a change in personnel and an increased amount of activity in the S-4 section. Capt. Ramey, Armament Officer, with well over two years overseas service and all with Group, got his orders to go back to the States. It was decided not to move anyone else into his job for the present.
"The job of procurring supplies became increasingly difficult with the withdrawl of the Quratermaster Detachment from this base (Yangkai) and the confusion resulting from changes to the 301st Air Depot at Kunming. Lt. Col. Ziff, 69th Composite Wing Air Inspector, took an interest in the problem and helped us to straighten out many of our difficulties."
"One of the principle activities this month was preparation for the conversion of the Group to A-26 aircraft. Lt. Allen, 22nd Assistant Engineering Officer, managed to get a complete set of Technical Orders for us, and secured much other valuable information when he went to India to help lay the groundwork for the program. The assistance of the Wing Air Inspector and A-4 was enlisted to help in securing parts, equipment and publications.
"During the month the Inspection Section visited Hangchung and inspected the 490th Squadron, which was found to be doing well.
"On 6 June, Group Headquarters sponsored a weapons contest for all enlisted gunners in the Group. The contest consisted of detail stripping, reassembling, changing direction of feed on the .50 caliber aircraft machine gun, all to be accomplished blindfolded. Preliminaries were held by the individual Squadrons, 11th - 22nd - 491st, to produce their two best boys. The finals were held at Group Headquarters with six contestants. The prizes were: First - $75 in war bonds, second - $50 in war bonds, and third - $25 in war bonds. SSgt. W. W. Reif of the 491st walked off with the First Prize, accomplishing the jojb in 6 minutes and 11 seconds. SSgt. J. C. Beucher of the 11th with 6 min. 57½ sec. took second, while SSgt W. D. Congden of the same Squadron captured third with a time of 7 minutes 21¾ seconds."
"Plans were made during the latter part of June to check out gunners on the A-26 type aircraft."
"The work of the Radar Section centered around developing a new use for the radar altimeter, AN/APN-1. The AN/APN-1 has two ranges: 0-400 feet and 400 to 4000 feet. It has two indicators: a meter indicating reading in hundreds or in thousands of feet; depending on range selected, and a warning light indicator which shows whether the plane is above, below or exactly at the preselected altitude. In the 'glip' bombing run there are two critical altitudes. The pilot wishes to start his glide at an altitude of 1200 - 1500 feet above his target. Set on high range, the meter tells the pilot the altitude from which he starts his glide. The pilot wishes to release his bombs at a certain premeditated low altitude. The warning lights can be preset to show the pilot when he has reached that altitude, or to warn him a certain number of feet above the bomb realease altitude.
" Two installations had been accomplished by the end of June 45, one in the 11th Squadron and one in the 491st Squadron. In both cases the warning lights were mounted close to the vertical gun sight, enabling the pilot to see the warning light without moving his eyes from the gun sight. Due to lack of practice bombs, comprehensive tests were incoplete. Both Squadrons had used the Radar Altimeter in practice runs, and the 11th had used it on missions. The pilots reported it promised to be a valuable aid in 'glip' bombing. They also reported an unforeseen value in that it might prevent the pilot from crashing due to overestimating the altitude while all his attention was on the target and sight.
"The unit initiated the process of obtaining parts and supplies for 20 additional installations. It was believed, though without certainty, that the equipment could be used in at least some of the A-26 aircraft when they arrived.
"Additionally, the Radar Section was training on the IFF and APQ-13A, and had promises from 14th Air Force Headquarters for gaining two complete AN/APN-4 (LORAN) sets to be furnished to the 341st Bomb Group for trial purposes.
"Generally speaking, the morale of all of the men in the Group was excellent in June 1945. Several factors were, however, adversely affecting morale to a limited extent. Operational inactivity, the discontinuance of 'rotation', and the fact that 'critical score' had not been lowered, all had more or less demoralizing effects on the men.
Inter-Allied relations in the Yangkai area had also deteriorated because of thefts committed by the Chinese and because of hostility towards the Americans being encountered in nearby villages. Owing to the thefts, 341st Headquarters decided that American guards would be placed on the parked airplanes during the hours of darkness. This guard detail was satirically, and bitterly, referred to by the enlisted men as "guarding the plane against the Chinese guard."
By this time, clashes involving physical violence had also occurred. Enlisted men of the 11th Bomb Squadron had visited the town of Yangkai. One of them, stopping to pet a horse, was attacked by its owner, a Chines civilian. A fist fight ensued which was broken up by other Americans. Meanwhile, a mob of villagers had gathered who threatened to interfere. One of these was armed with a hatchet. Leaving the village, the party of Americans was fired upon. This incident was reported to base headquarters and investigated by the Provost Mashal.
The recreation hall's redecoration was completed, and provided the men at Yangkai further refuge during the prevbailing rany season. Coffee and doughnuts were served morning, afternoons and evenings. The main lounge accommodated letter writing, games and pinpong. The auditorium was presenting activities 5 out of 7 days a week, in the form of movies, stage shows and G.I. movies.
During July, the Office of War Information (OWI) came up with a big deal. And intensive psychological wargare campaign was in the offing, and to facilitate and supervise operations, Maj. Lyons and Mr. McLemore of the OWI trucked up to Yangkai, accompanied by more than a million porpaganda leaflets of highest priority. "This is only the beginning," promised the Major, who had done similar work in the European Theatre. "There are 5 million more leaflets on the way."
That this was a really big deal was immediately appare to S-2 personnelwho read the translation of leaflet AFA-108, which essentially told the Annamite French that an American landing near Haiphong could be expected at any time. In twelve sorties between 18 and 20 July, the Group dropped more than a million sheets of paper ammunition on the people of French Indo-China. But then something happened. Instructions came stting that AFA108 was not to be dropped until further orders. Hearing this, the OWI representatives hied themselves back to Kunming to check on the deal. These men lived, ate and drank propaganda; they could quote facts and figures on the effectivenessof this handy-sized eyewash at the drop of your guard. They weren't heard from again, and neither did the remaining five million leaflets put in an appearance.
The month of July proved to be a very inactive period for the 'China Glippers' as far as operations were concerned. Yet despite the handicap of inclement weather, which limited them to only 14 operational days, the Group managed to fly a total of 147 combat sorties in 35 missions. The mission included strikes agasint Japanese shipping along the French Indo-China coast thru the Hainan Straits to the vicinity of Canton, and the blasting of power plants, railroad yards and roalroad bridges in French Indo-China. The 490th Bomb Squadron continued its devastation of the Lunghai and Tungpu Railroads in northern China by destroying bridges and obliterating rail yards. There were no A-26 missions flown up to the end of July.
No organization in the Fourteenth Air Force had ever been awarded the Presidential Citation. During July 1945, the 341st Bomb Group put in its bid for the distinguished award.
On the 25th of August 1945 the 341st Bombardment Group was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation. It reads:
Between 11 December 1944 and 12 March 1945 this Group waged an extremely successful and highly dangerous bridge-busting campaign along th land corridor then held by the Japanese between north China and the tremendous raw material potential found in her conquests in southern Asia and adjacent islands.
To thwart the Japanese plan to capitalize on this land line, the Group was assigned the hazardous task of destroying the numerous steel and concrete bridges on the modern rail lines in French Indo-China. Two primary considerations faced the Group in preparing its method of executing this mission. Supplies, gasoline and bombs were at a premium in air-supplied China, and the Japanese had ringed the bridges with extensive anti-aircraft defenses. To meet these considerations,, the Group developed and employed its own style of attack, "Glip Bombing", which employed a triple change in bombing level at low altitude as an elusive maneuver over heavily-defended, channelled approaches to targets.
This technique yielded such accuracy that the tonnage of bombs expended per bridge destroyed reached a new record low of 7.75 tons per bridge. Despite hazardous conditions of low visiblity, rugged terrain and intense, accurate anti-aircraft fire, under which a large part of these "Glip Bombing" missions were run, the Group destroyed 21 mahor bridges and damaged 17 in twenty-three missions.
Particularly representative of the determination and perseverance of the combat crews are the missions of 27 February 1945 and 5 March 1945. A total of 10 high priority bridges were destroyed and two damaged, under enemy fire, with the expenditure of 3.85 bomb tons per bridge. Because the bridges were generally located in gorges and valleys, approach to the targets was restricted to narrow lanes in which the enemy could easily concentrate their defensive fire. Four of the Group's planes were shot down in these attacks and 31 others were damaged. Twenty crew members were killed and twelve were wounded.
The cost was not light to the Group, but the interdiction of this overland route was imperative. With extraordinary heoism, gallantry, determination and espirit de corps, the Group not only met the dangerous challenge but established a new record in economy of operations in doing so.
These achievements of the 341st BOMBARDMENT GROUP (M) are worthy of the gallant traditions of the American military service.
The majority of the remaining 341st personnel were moved to the United States during Sep-Oct 1945, and the Group was inactivated at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, on 2 Nov 1945. However, several pilots and engineers had been given orders to deliver the Group's A-26B 'Invaders' to Europe. Once there, they were caught up in a typical Army 'SNAFU.' Since their orders did not provide for them to continue on home, they were sucked up into the chaos of the over-tasked Military Air Transport Service and assigned to crew flights which were moving troops and supplies to-from dozens of locations throughout Europe. Most of these men did not arrive back in the U.S. until February 1946!!