Crew #70, 835th Squadron Lt. Glass, Jon S. 0-810132 Captain George E. Bullard was assigned to the Group from 16th Wing and took up his duties as assistant Group Operations Officer on Feb. 3. Herbert Sifford, Red Cross Field Worker with previous overseas experience with a combat unit in the Mediterranean Theatre was assigned to accompany the Group as the Red Cross Representative. Generally, the work of the Group in February was winding up training. Fuel consumption tests were carried out and the airplanes were readied for flyaway. Major Harold Morton, Group Operations Officer supervised this work to some extent and asserted that everybody was anxious to get underway". During the last few days of the month, this attitude of readiness and desire by all personnel to "get underway" was reflected throughout the unit. On the line, each squadron had assigned its best "artists" to paint squadron insignias on the planes. One squadron used the Zodiac signs as the basis of its insignia, and another adopted a flying dragon. Crewmembers were proud of their ships and were very attentive during the final checks prior to flyaway. Chalked-in names of crewmembers began to appear above their own "departments" in the ships. Above the waist-guns and over the tail guns of some of the ships, the men were writing their own names and descriptive phrases. One tail gunner proudly labeled his spot "Duffy's Tavern." The advance detail of the Group included Major Clyde Thompson, Captain Charles W. Havens, Captain William O. Curried, and 1st Lt. Thomas P. Hogan moved out February 23 and plans for the air echelon movement to take place in March were completed. ----------------------------------------------------- 8TH AIR FORCE HISTORY FOR APRIL, 1944 THE JOURNEY The first of April found the ground personnel of the 486th Bombardment Group still on board the Italian steamer Saturnia, in a convoy. By this time little guidebooks to Great Britain had been distributed to all personnel. For practically all, this was the first official confirmation of the Group's destination but it confirmed what had been the common guess. Most of those on board the ship were getting tired of the vessel and the ocean. Many of the enlisted men had poor accommodations, canvas bunks without mattresses in tiers four or five deep in the hold or the ballroom. In these places, the ventilation and crowding were unpleasant. On the other hand, many of the enlisted men occupied quarters that were less crowded than those of the junior officers. Eating conditions for the enlisted men were not very pleasant. They ate from mess kits, standing up, and long chow lines were the usual thing. The officers used the dining room of the ship, once a luxury liner. All personnel were limited to two meals a day, which was not a hardship since very few engaged in physical activity. This restriction was necessary in order to feed the large number on board. In addition to the ground echelon of the 486th the Saturnia carried the ground echelon of the B-26 Group and the entire A-20 Group. Although the Saturnia lacked the services of a Catholic Chaplain, the Protestant Chaplains on board conducted Palm Sunday services on April 2. Since this was the tenth day at sea, expectancy, as well as the desire to see land, became very keen. Rumors regarding our position continued to spread from mouth to mouth. A number of navigators from the combat crews on board took fixes every day. The fact that the position they announced disagreed widely did not stop the rumors. Finally on a rainy Monday, April 3, the convoy entered the Firth of Clyde, off the town of Gourock, about twenty miles below Glasgow. Despite the rain, the little towns on the north side of the inlet looked neat and pretty. The Group spent Monday night on the ship and, beginning early the next morning with Headquarters and the 832nd squadron, was transferred at intervals by ferry to the railway station at Gourock. All personnel ware field equipment as they had when leaving Tucson and Camp Kilmer, Field bags bulged still more because of the addition of K rations for three meals. A baggage detail was left behind to arrange for the transfer of footlockers and other equipment, which could not be carried by hand. Chilled by the inevitable waiting to load and unload the ferry, the men cheered at the railway station to find Red Cross women with doughnuts and coffee. They were complimented by the presence of a kilted Scottish Band who welcomed their allies with martial music and colorful attire. Some wondered what kept the Scotsmen's knees from freezing. At Gourock most of the Group had their first sight of British trains. The small cars divided into compartments provided comfortable riding and seemed to make a fair rate of speed. Although the Guide to Great Britain had warned the men about them they were completely unprepared for the little freight cars -- "goodsvans". Copyright © 1998-2024, 486th Bomb Group Association. |