On the 2 August 1944, the destination of Flight "C" was changed from APO 322, (Milne Bay, New Guinea) APO 713 #1 (Nadzab, New Guinea) and the advanced echelon of this flight departed from APO 503. (Oro Bay, New Guinea) The balance of personnel left at APO 503 (Oro Bay, New Guinea²) were not fully disposed of until the 27th of August 1944, at which time the rear echelon of Flight "C" departed. All members of this squadron were transported by air. Due to the lack of aircraft in the immediate area, this movement required several weeks to be completed. At APO 920 (Biak Island²) operations were in full swing. On the 10 August 1944, Major Dwight F. Lewis, ASN 0-373823, enroute from the United States rejoined the organization and resumed command. Planes operating from this station were flying in strikes over the Halmahera Islands, the Celebes and the Philippines. One hundred and six missions (106) totaling eight hundred and thirty seven hours (837) were flown by the six planes assigned to the two flights assigned at this station. The average length of the time required for a mission was eight (8) hours. No combat losses were experienced during this period. A roster of aircrews is attached.

On the 19 August 1944, Major Lewis, commanding officer, was placed in Temporary Duty and Captain Benjamin B. Mathis, ASN 0-412178, assumed command of the organization. On the 22 August 1944 1st Lt. Eugene J. Regan, ASN 0-576017, Adjutant, was relieved from assignment to this organization and 1st Lt. Kenneth O. Eddins, ASN 0-576988, was appointed Adjutant.

On the ground, building the squadron area and improving the conditions for work on the line became a full time job. During the day when the ships were flying, all of the men worked with a will towards having the best area at the station. In the evening when the ships had returned from their missions, maintenance work was completed. Due to the lack of OA-10A aircraft in this area, parts that were worn or defective had to be requisitioned from the Navy or replaced by sending the ship to the depot in Australia. Ships that were sent to the depot were a loss for from two (2) to six (6) weeks and placed an added burden on the ships left flying.

On the 23 August 1944, this Squadron was relieved from assignment to the Fifth Air Force and assigned to the V Bomber Command per paragraph 2, GENERAL ORDER #420, Headquarters, Fifth Air Force, dated 23 August 1944. This order was classified "Secret" and is not available, at the present time, for the transmittal with this history. (This order does not exist in the US Air Force Archives)

The total gain for this period was thirty-three (33) Enlisted Men and twenty-one (21) Officers. This gain was due mainly to the transfer of personnel from the Air-sea Rescue organization that was already in operation in the area. Four (4) aircraft were also assigned through this transfer bringing the total number of aircraft in this Squadron to sixteen. (16)

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This report was copied verbatim from the "Official" Squadron History that was obtained via microfilm from Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama. The text that is in parenthesis ( ), I added to clarify the information. It is not Official.
¹ From Squadron Orders 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

           DEC'43 - APR 15, '44 | APR 16, '44 - JUN'44 | JUL'44 | AUG'44 | SEP'44 | OCT'44 | NOV'44 | DEC'44
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