The 486th Bombardment Group flew its 100th mission on November 6 to attack the air field at Neumunster. It was the 103rd mission by our count but there were three for which higher headquarters has not given us credit. The Group had started to plan its celebration some time before and Saturday, November 25, had been set for the event. A committee of 18 has been appointed with Major Griesbach Chairman of the steering committee. They held two meetings with one officer and one enlisted man from each organization on the Field. At first it was planned to have a dance and then it was decided to make it a big affair with a good meal, free beer, a souvenir booklet, and a program of entertainment.
On pay day at the end of October each officer was requested to make a donation of 2 pounds (about $8) and each enlisted man was requested to give 5 shillings (about $1) to defray the expenses of the affair.
The committee held numerous meetings before the party. The celebration began on Friday evening, November 24 with a Noel Coward play, "Blithe Spirit". It was held in Hangar #2 which has been fitted up for a theatre. A stage had been built with a good curtain and such furniture and properties as could be improvised here on the Base. The cast was a very good one and includes Peggy Wood, of the original Broadway cast, and Claire Luce, also well known on Broadway. They played the part of the two wives, the ghost and the living one who became a ghost before the end of the play.
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