chronology of the 447th

August 1943 - Harvard AAB, Nebraska
28 August B-17F 42-30239 and B-17F 42-3309 collide during a training mission.  Six officers and eight enlisted men are killed. 02/21/05
October 1943 - Harvard AAB, Nebraska
22 October  7B-17G 42-31190 crashes in bad weather during a training flight.  Five officers and nine enlisted men are killed. 02/21/05
November 1943 Update
8 November Col. Harris, Lt. Col. Bowman and senior staff depart Harvard AAB for England (2 A/C) 11/30/03
9 November 708th Squadron departs Harvard AAB for England (15 A/C)  11/30/03
10 November 709th Squadron departs Harvard AAB for England (17 A/C)  11/30/03
11 November  710th Squadron departs Harvard AAB for England (15 A/C)  11/30/03
12 November 711th Squadron departs Harvard AAB for England (15 A/C)  11/30/03
13 November Ground personnel and 18 combat crews (the "Boat Crews") depart Harvard AAB by train and ship for England
For details, see One Lucky Bastard by Elwyn 'Stub' Warfle (Books of Interest)		 11/30/03
17 November  First B-17s of the 447th arrive at Rattlesden
Col. Harris assumes command of Station 126, Gen Order No. 8, B0558-0533		 11/30/03
30 November  "Boat crews" arrive at Rattlesden 11/30/03 
December 1943   
7 December Tonight's Movie in the Aero Club: First Love (1939) starring Deanna Durbin 11/30/03
12 December 42-31168 (Lt. Esterline) crash-lands at Great Ashfield during training flight. Accident Report (AR431212 - 855K PDF)
Typical Ground School Training Schedule for December		 11/30/03
24 December Christmas Eve 
Mission No. 1: Noball No. 50		 01/19/04
25 December Christmas Celebration  -- excerpt from a report by the Public Relations Office 12/5/03
29 December Combat Crew Library opened in Community Area 2 11/30/03
30 December Mission No. 2: Ludwigshafen 01/06/04
31 December  Mission No. 3: Cognac 11/25/04
  Station Life report for December 12/5/03
January 1944  
1 January Soldier Show - "Brundell the Magician (formerly a civilian professional)" (January Station Life Report) 01/26/04
2 January 29 beds are reserved for the use of this Station at the Hans Crescent Club (American Red Cross) in London.  Disciplinary action will be taken against personnel staying at other clubs. [map to Hans Crescent in London] (Daily Bulletin, 2 January 1944, B0558-0460) 01/07/04
4 January Mission No. 4: Kiel 01/26/04
5 January Mission No. 5 Merignac 01/28/04
6 January Friday of each week is hereby designated as Station Clean-up Day. (Memorandum, 6 January 1944, B0558-0491)
Officers are again warned that Officer driving privileges apply only to driving within the boundaries of the Station. Severe disciplinary action will be taken against personnel found driving off the Station in the future. (Daily Bulletin, 6 January 1944, B0550-0464)		 01/07/04
7 January  Mission No. 6 Ludwigshafen 01/26/04
11 January  Mission No. 7 Brunswick 11/25/04
13 January BLACK-OUT HOURS: 1630 to 0820 (Daily Bulletin 13, January 1944, B055800471) 01/07/04
14 January  Mission No. 8 Noball No. 107 Grand Parc
Soldier Show - "Pack up your Troubles" - An all G.I. show from Station 138 (January Station Life Report)		 01/28/04
17 January It is necessary that all personnel who have cameras in their possession have them registered in accordance with Theatre Policy. (Daily Bulletin, 17 January 1944, B0558-0475) 01/07/04
18 January Station Theater Today: True to Life (1943) with Dick Powell and Mary Martin. 01/07/04
21 January  Mission No. 9 Noball No 107 01/28/04
22 January Station Theater Today: Whispering Ghosts (1942) with Milton Berle and Brenda Joyce 01/07/04
24 January  Mission No. 10 Frankfurt (Recall) 01/29/04
25 January  Unless the Aero Club can return 325 Coca-Cola bottles within the next few days, no Coca-Cola will be issued for this station next week.  (Daily Bulletin, 25 January 1944, B0558-0483)  01/07/04
26 January Effective today, no food will be served at the Snack Bar in the Aero Club until 1900 hrs daily. (Daily Bulletin, 26 January 1944, B0558-0484) 01/07/04
29 January  Mission No. 11 Frankfurt 01/29/04
30 January  Mission No. 12 Brunswick
Lt. Huckins makes an emergency wheels-up landing at 1st Strategic Air Depot, Troston. Accident Report (AR440130 - 350KB PDF)		 01/29/04
31 January Effective 31 January a hot midnight meal will be served in lieu of the sandwich truck to the line.  This meal will be served between 2330 and 0130 nightly at the Consolidated Mess, Communal Site No. 2, for the use of all personnel on the station who are assigned to regular night duty or detailed to nightline duty on "Alert" nights. (Memorandum, 28 January 1944, B0885-0494)

Officers' Dance to celebrate the opening of the Officers' Club: Party will begin at 2030 hrs.  Music will be provided by Major Sheppard's Hep Cats.  A number of girls have been engaged; however, officers are free to invite guests. (Daily Bulletin, 25 January 1944, B0558-0483)

  01/07/04
  Station Life Report for January 1944 01/26/44
  January Engineering Report (BO558-0361.pdf) 01/08/04
February 1944
2 February  First replacement crews arrive (Geyer and LeVan) (Special Order No 33 so33.pdf)
Effective immediately, the speed limit for all motor vehicles within the boundaries of this station is 15 miles per hour at all times (day or night). This limit will be strictly enforced. (Daily Bulletin No. 32)		 02/02/04
3 February Mission No. 13 Wilhelmsaven 02/02/04
4 February  Mission No. 14 Frankfurt
Movie tonight: Man From Headquarters (1942)		 02/02/04
5 February  Mission No 15 Romilly 02/02/04
6 February  Mission No. 16 Evreux-Fauville 02/02/04
7 February USO Show: "Flying High" with swing dancers, band, variety, highly recommended.  
Two showings: 1900 and 2100		 02/02/04
8 February  Mission No. 17 Weisbaden 02/02/04
9 February All personnel, regardless of rank or job assignment will carry the gas mask each Wednesday from 0800 to 1630.  This includes carry masks to and from mess halls.  A thorough check will be made each Wednesday in the future and personnel without masks will be reported. (Daily Bulletin No. 36)

Movie: Irving Berlin's This is the Army (1943). Between the first and second shows, Mr. Leonard Hirsch, formerly the BBC orchestra director, will play a short violin concerto.

 02/02/04
10 February  Mission No. 18 Brunswick 02/02/04
13 February  Mission No. 19 Noball Nos. 110, 78 02/02/04
14 February All officers and enlisted men who have participated in one or more combat missions are now authorized to wear a bronze battle star on the ETO ribbon for participation in the combat zone, European Air Offensive. (Auth: Secret Ltr, Hq, ETOUSA, 14 Feb 1944).
GYMNASIUM:  Getting some ETO fat?  Keep in shape!  The Gym is now well equipped.  You now have at your disposal boxing ring, chin bars, rope ladder, horses, heavy and light punching bags and plenty of mats.  There are also HOT showers to make your workout complete.  They Gym is open from 0900 to 2130 daily. 
G.I. VALENTINE DANCE -- TONITE!  Dance will be held at the Aero Club at 2030 hrs, featuring Station 126's twelve-piece swing band "THE BLOCKBUSTERS."  Plenty of girls will be there to make your evening complete. (Daily Bulletin No. 38) 		 02/02/04
17 February Movie: Wintertime (1943) starring Sonja Henie 02/02/04
18 February ARMY TALKS:  The first of a weekly discussion hour on timely subjects will be held in the library of the Aero Club at 2015 hrs.  Thes week's subject will be "JOBS AFTER THE WAR."  Pamphlets dealing with the subjects are available to all personnel at the Special Service Office. (Daily Bulletin No. 39) 02/02/04
19 February  The Medical Liaison Office of the American Red Cross has informed this Headquarters that prophylactic stations for the prevention of venereal disease have been established in the following American Red Cross Clubs: Edinburgh, Henley, Plymouth (Daily Bulletin No. 41) 02/02/04
20 February  Mission No. 20 Tutow 02/02/04
21 February  Mission No. 21 Diepholz
Movie tonight: Lucky Jordan (1942) with Alan Ladd and Helen Jordan		 02/02/04
22 February  Movie: Casablanca (1942) with Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman (trailer) 02/02/04
23 February  At approximately 1100 hours on Wednesday, 23 February, there will be a gas alert.  Upon the sounding of the alarm and announcement over the Tannoy, all personnel will adjust the gas mask to the face.  It will be worn by everyone whether indoors or outdoors.  The all clear will be announced over the Tannoy. (Daily Bulletin No. 42)
DON'T FORGET TONIGHT'S BOXING CARD - Nine fast bouts, Place: Gymnasium Time: 1930		 02/02/04
24 February Mission No. 22 Rostock 02/02/04
25 February Movie: The Falcon in Danger (1943) starring Tom Conway and Amelia Ward.
Friday Night ARMY TALKS: Aero Club Library.  Subject: "Soldier Savings."  Pamphlets are available at Special Service office.		 02/02/04
26 February Mission No. 23 Regensburg 02/02/04
27 February  The following TWX was received this Hq: QUOTE HQ USSTAF HAS FORWARDED FOLLOWING MSG FROM THE CHIEF OF THE AIR STAFF FOR THE ROYAL AIR FORCE. QUOTE FOR THEIR MAGNIFICENT PERFORMANCE DURING THE PAST FEW DAYS, PLEASE CONVEY MY HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE EIGHTH AIR FORCE. UNQUOTE. BRING THIS MSG TO THE ATTENTION OF ALL MEMBERS OF YOUR CMD. DOOLITTLE UNQUOTE.

A new Eighth Air Force Rest Home for enlisted members of combat crews has been opened at Walhampton House, near Lymington, Hampshire.  Details are available from Station Surgeon.
All officers having typewriters will take greatest care to see that these machines are covered when not in use, and particularly at night. Spot inspections will be made in the future and any violator of this directive will be subject to disciplinary action. (Daily Bulletin No. 45)
Movie tonite: Lady Takes A Chance (1943) with Jean Arthur and John Wayne

 02/02/04
28 February Mission No. 24 Noball No. 74 Bois de la Justice 02/02/04
29 February Mission No. 25 Brunswick 02/02/04
    02/02/04
March 1944
3 March Mission No. 26 Berlin (Recall) 11/25/04
4 March  Mission No. 27 Berlin (Recall) 11/25/04
6 March Mission No. 28 Berlin
The following congratulatory message to all personnel is quoted: "TODAYS OPERATIONS WERE MOST SIGNIFICANT IN YOUR AIR OFFENSIVE AGAINST GERMANY.  IN SPITE OF THE ENEMY'S MAXIMUM EFFORT TO CONCENTRATE HIS FIGHTERS AGAINST US, HE WAS UNABLE TO PREVENT YOUR ATTACKS IN GREAT FORCE AGAINST VITAL MILITARY TARGETS IN THE VICINITY OF HIS CAPITOL. THE LOSSES HE SUSTAINED ON THE GROUND AND IN THE AIR CANNOT BE REPLACED,  THE CONTINUANCE OF THESE ATTACKS WILL CONTRIBUTE TREMENDOUSLY TO THE FINAL VICTORY.  ALL BOMBER AND FIGHTER PERSONNEL SHOULD BE PROUD OF THE WORK THEY DID TODAY. I AM PROUD OF THEM. SGD SPAATZ." TO THIS MSG I ADD MY OWN CONGRATULATIONS FOR AN EXCELLENT JOB WELL DONE. DOOLITTLE."		 11/25/04
7 March "YOU'VE HAD IT," one of the best G.I. Stage Shows, will be at the Base Theater TONIGHT.  First Show will start at 1900 hrs and second at 2030 hrs.
CALL FOR BOXERS - All personnel interested in competing in the Boxing Show, 29 March 1944, this Station, contact Lt. Bauer, Special Service Officer.		 11/25/04
8 March Mission No. 29 Berlin
JAMES CAGNEY will be on this station (IN PERSON).  Base Theater at 1200 and 1300 hrs.		 11/25/04
9 March Mission No. 30 Berlin
Movie: Ball of Fire (1941) with Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck		 11/25/04
11 March Mission No. 31 Munster 11/25/04
12 March Movie: Alaskan Highway (1943) with Jean Parker 11/25/04
13 March  Mission No. 32 Noball No. 74 Bois de la Justice 11/25/04
14 March MR JOHN DODDS, authority on Japan, will speak in the Aero Club lounge tonight at 2015.  Subject: "The Growth of Japan as a World Power." All personnel are welcome. 11/25/04
15 March Mission No. 33 Brunswick 11/25/04
16 March Mission No. 34 Augsburg 11/25/04
17 March G.I. ST. PATRICK'S DANCE at the Red Cross Aero Club at 2000 hrs, featuring the BLOCKBUSTERS.  Plenty of girls will be there to make your evening complete. 11/25/04
18 March Mission No. 35 Munich
General Order: 185 
WAYNE H. ACKERS, (Missing in Action) Awarded Silver Star for gallantry in action while serving as Engineer and Gunner of a B-17 airplane on a bombing mission over enemy occupied Europe, 31 December 1943.
LT. COL. CHARLES H. BOWMAN (Missing in Action). Awarded Silver Star for gallantry in action, while serving as Pilot of a Flying Fortress on a bombardment mission over Germany, 31 December 1943.
LT. COL. CHARLES H. BOWMAN (Missing in Action). Awarded Oak Leaf Cluster to Silver Star for gallantry in action, while serving as Pilot of a Flying Fortress on a bombardment mission over Germany, 11 January 1944.		 11/25/04
19 March Effective 19 March, all previous allotments of Red Cross beds in London are rescinded.  After that date the Station is allotted the following:  Columbia Club -- 11 beds, Mostyn Club -- 13 beds.  Unit 1st Sergeants will see that personnel are instructed to go there. 11/25/04
20 March Mission No. 36 Frankfurt
The Post Exchange will accept orders for flowers to be delivered in the United States on Mother's Day (May 14th) up until April 1st.  Personnel desiring to send flowers home should fill our order at Post Exchange.
Movie: Forever And A Day (1943) with George Kirby and Doreen Munroe		 11/25/04
21 March Movie: Gene Autry in Mexicali Rose (1939) 11/25/04
22 March Mission No. 37 Berlin
Movie: What A Woman (1943) with Rosalind Russell		 11/25/04
23 March Mission No. 38 Brunswick
Movie: Madame Curie (1943) with Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon		 11/25/04
26 March Mission No. 39 Noball No. 93 La Sorellerie
Movie: Always A Bridesmaid (1943) with the Andrews Sisters 		11/25/04
27 March Mission No. 40 Merignac Chartres 11/25/04
28 March Mission No. 41 Chartres 11/25/04
29 March BOXING SHOW: (tonight) 14 fast bouts -- place gymnasium; time 1930.  Added attraction: "BLOCKBUSTERS" 11/25/04
31 March Mission No. 42 Ludwigshafen
Movie: Bells of Capistrano (1942) - Gene Autry
EXTRA: Swing session featuring "The Blockbusters" at Aero Club, 1930 hrs tonight.		 11/25/04
     
April 1944
1 April Movie: Miracle of Morgans Creek () with Eddie Bracken, Betty Hutton and Diane Lynn  
2 April Effective 2 April 1944, Baker time will be used until further notice.  At this hour, time will be changed to 0300.  That is, all clocks and watches should be set up one (1) hour on 2 April 1944.  
8 April Mission No. 43 Rheine 11/25/04
9 April Mission No. 44 Warnemunde 11/25/04
10 April Mission No. 45 Diest Schaffen 11/25/04
11 April Mission No. 46 Arnimswalde 11/25/04
13 April Mission No. 47 Augsburg 11/25/04
18 April Mission No. 48 Oranienburg Rathnow 11/25/04
19 April Mission No. 49 Lipstadt Werl 11/25/04
20 April Mission No. 50 Noball 11/25/04
22 April Mission No. 51 Hamm 11/25/04
24 April Mission No. 52 Friedrichshafen 11/25/04
26 April Mission No. 53 Brunswick 11/25/04
27 April Mission No. 54 Noball No. 78 11/25/04
27 April Mission No. 55 Le Culot 11/25/04
29 April Mission No. 56 Berlin 11/25/04
30 April Mission No. 57 Clermont 11/25/04