JUNE 1-7, 1944. Liberation, Invasion, and a Move to Los Angeles

486th Bomb Squadron Patch

 What can one say about June 1944? So much was going on in the world and in the lives of Betty and Ang Adams. Before the first week was over, Betty took the train from Chicago to Los Angeles where she lived with her mother until Ang came home in 1945. Ang flew on 6 of the 7 days: three missions, two training flights and apparently an Administrative flight on the 2nd. Oh! And of course, there was the Liberation of Rome and to the north of Corsica, the Invasion at Normandy.
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Thursday June 1. Had to walk all day - but hard too. Took Mrs A and Jen to station and then to Grams. First chance I’ve had to see Jr & E.M.
   
​    FORM 5. T-1, Training flight as navigator, B-25J, 2:40h

[V-Mail, postmark 6-13-44, sent to Chicago, forwarded to L.A.]
6-1-44   Corsica
Hello Darling:
I got another big batch of letters yesterday from you—so I guess I’m just about caught up now. At least I know about your job. It certainly does sound very interesting.
Arne is still with me—but they have split up our crew as such. Perhaps they’ll let us get together again sometime.
Say, dear, I don’t suppose there will be too much extra money in the bank—but if Kay wants to visit Herm and there is — anyway you can help her -- I want you to. I’ve told you once, but in case you didn’t get the letter, don’t leave any money in the bank for me. I don’t need it.
I love you darling—Love, Ang
June 2. Down to Adams and packed - then took luggage to depot. Said goodbye to girls at F & G and picked up check. Bed about 11:00
   FORM 5. A-2, Administrative flight as navigator, B25-J, 1:30h [This flight is listed out of order on Ang’s Form 5. It was probably a “nickeling” mission.]
​June 3. Very warm. Bea took us to station. J & D - Ann - Jr & Betty & Peg. Had a terrific walk to our car--nearly melted. Sleep early.

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Flight log. Mission 4. June 3, 1944

    FORM 5. C-3, Combat flight as bombardier, B25-J, 2:00h
         [Crew sheet for June 3, 1944.]
​[FROM ANG'S FLIGHT LOG. MISSION 4.]
4.      6-3      Lagaro R.R. Bridge
1 - Hit right
2 - Hit center
Heavy, intense, and accurate
7 ships holed
One ship lost
1st Lt. C Sellers [pilot]
2nd A.E. Coons [co-pilot]
2nd E.A. Tupper.  B[ombardier]
T/S R.H. Koebeke  R[adio operator]
S/ J.F. McDonough  G[turret gunner]
S/ G.J. Carey T.G.[tail gunner]
2 Hurt [this may have been added later, maybe when Ang was reviewing his log. On the back of this page, in pencil, he wrote "Two men injured."]

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From the scrapbook. Mission #4, June 3, 1944. Transcription below.

[Transcribed from scrapbook.]
#4
Lagaro R.R. Bridge
Flak: Heavy, intense & accurate
7 ships holed, 2 men wounded
1 Down
     1st Lt. Sellers, C
     2nd Lt. Coons, A.E.
     2nd Lt. E.A. Tupper
     T/S Koebeke, J.F.
     S/S Garey, G.J.
1 Box hit - 3 missed
     This was the first mission that we really got flak – it was thick (I wouldn’t swear that it was a kitchen sink that I saw, but it sure looked like one).
     We were on Seller’s wing when he got hit - the right wing burst on fire.  Sellers did a beautiful job of holding the ship – and they all got out.
     We had some 80 holes – and our hydraulic system was shot out, we’d almost given up hope before I managed to crank the wheels down.
     Must admit that we all sweated the landing out - 

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June 4. Up about seven. Read and napped a little in morning. Mailed letters in Albu. To sleep about 10:00. Very tired.
​June 5. Had lunch and then napped in PM. Mr. S for dinner and me to movies. To bed about 12:30. Dead tired.
[V-Mail, postmark 6-14-44, forwarded to L.A.]
Corsica   6-5-44
Hello Darling:
I got two of your letters addressed to me at the last APO—so I guess I’ll be getting mail addressed to me here pretty soon.
I suppose that by now you have heard the good news about our taking Rome. It won't be long before we are going there to visit. By the way, is there anything you’d want me to say to the Pope for you—ha-ha! You’d better be good to me—because when he and I are buddies I’ll be able to get a divorce just like that—so there!
I love you darling—Love, Ang

Flight log. Mission 5. June 5, 1944.

   FORM 5.  C-5, Combat flight as bombardier, B25-J, 1:50h
          [Crew sheet for June 5, 1944.]
[FROM ANG'S FLIGHT LOG. MISSION 5.]
5.    6-5    Orte Road Bridge
1 -- south approach.
2 -- center
Heavy, moderate & inaccurate.
No holes.

[TRANSCRIBED FROM SCRAPBOOK  (see image below)]
#5   Orte Road Bridge
Flak: Heavy, moderate, & inaccurate.
No one holed.
1st box--Hit south approach.
2nd box hit center.
Bridge colapsed--pretty job.

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From the scrapbook, Mission 5 transcription above. Mission 6 transcription below.

June 6. Up early and to Ventura with Mr. S. Then for lovely ride along coast. Had dinner and drinks. Home early and wrote letters.
    FORM 5.  T-6, Training flight as navigator, B25-J, 1:45h

June 6, 1944 V-Mail

[V-Mail. Postmark 6-14-44. Forward to L.A.] 
Corsica
6-6-44
Hello Darling:
Boy, the news is sure wonderful--first Rome and now the invasion. It certainly is welcome, we’ve been waiting a long time for it. We just heard Gen. Ike speak—it sure sounded good to us.
Well there is no sense me telling you about it—the newspapers back home probably give you twenty times the news we get. Talking about news—will you please get me a subscription to Time magazine—and not talking about news—get me one to Esquire also. Those two ought to keep me happy. Come to think of it, you might as well add the Readers Digest and Cornet [Coronet?] to that. I know that’s enough.
​I love you darling—Love, Ang
​
June 7. Did odd jobs all AM. Walked to town in PM and shopped. Met Mother for dinner and a movie. Bed about 11:30.

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Flight log. Mission 6. June 7, 1944.

   FORM 5. C-7, Combat flight as navigator, B25-J, 2:05h
          [Crew sheet for June 7, 1944.]
[FROM ANG'S FLIGHT LOG. MISSION 6.]
6.       6-7       Cecina Road Bridge.
1 - short
2 - on center
Heavy, intense & accurate
4 ships holed
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[TRANSCRIBED FROM SCRAPBOOK - see image above]
#6
Cecina Road Bridge
Flak: Heavy; intense & accurate.
4 ships holed - No injuries.
All boxes centered on bridge.
Best bombing I've seen yet--nothing left to bridge. We had 20 some holes---one was pretty close in the nose.

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Form 5. Individual Flight Record. June 1944.