The Air War in Europe, one Man’s War

1940's -- A consolidated B-24 Liberator of the 15th A.F. releases its bombs on the rail yards at Muhldorf, Germany on 19 March 1945. Bombers of the 15th A.F. are slicing vital rail lines from Vienna to Munich as the air offensive against the enemy reaches an all time high. (U.S. Air Force photo)

We all have seen the film and heard the stories of the great air battles. But few times are you able to see it from the personal perspective of mission by mission basis.

I want to thank my Great Uncle, Bernard Hotchkin, who served with 760th Bomb Group of the 15th Air Force. They set up their airbase near Spinazzola, Italy. Mud at the base was a constant part of daily life, and if fighting the Axis and mud wasnt enough, they woke up one morning to find what appeared to be a reddish brown layer of mud. Records show that on March 22, 1944 Mr. Vesuvius was erupting and spreading ash over all over southern Italy.

Tail Insignia - 460th Bomber Group

Eventually over time, as most found out, Yankee ingenuity took over and the mud problem was fixed, and hired or bartered or “requisitioned” what was needed to make it home, with small houses made of “tuffa” blocks. This small village became known as Bomber City and was featured in a December 1944 Sunday supplement of Stars and Stripes.

Bernard’s First Mission:
April 2nd
1st raid P.T. Brod T
Dropped Bombs on 2nd Mostar Air Base
Lost 1 – 763 ship over target
encountered flack (heavy)

April 5th
2nd raid P.T. Knis
Lost 2 – 763 ships – prop wash
1 – 762 ships – take off
encounted flack (heavy)
Target – missed. target tore up. miles of rails. got citation.

April 7th
Were scheduled to go to Farraya, Italy. Taxied out on runway. 762 plane crashed on runway. No one hurt.
Seen “I Dood It” with Red Skelton

April 8th
Were Scheduled to raid Zagreb. Was called off after we had taxied out.

April 9th
Easter Sunday. Were briefed to go to Zagreb. Was called off. Went to church at 1:30.

April 10th
Stayed in tent all day. Played cards. Rainy day.

April 11th
Nothing accomplished. Flew practice mission with Lt. Erfeldt

April 12th
3rd Raid P.T. Zagreb Air Base
Lost – none
Encountered flack (moderate)
Target – demolished
received citation

April 13th
4th Raid P.T. Budapest ME 210 Factory
Lost – none
Encountered flack (moderate) & fighters ME 210
Attacked once from tail
Target – demolished
received citation

April 14th
Built mosquito netting. Went to show (Tornado). Two Englishmen were here.

April 15th
Took a shower. Started to Spinazzola. Finally walked to Porggoseni.
Smitty was grounded. Col. Crowder went down.

April 16th
5th Raid P.T. Turnusevern
Lost – none – 1 P.51 by bomber
Encountered – nothing
Target – hit 1/3 of bombs
Had gunners meeting tonight

April 17th
Nothing accomplished. Went to show “Winter Time” Sonjie Henie.

April 18th
Went to Altamura. Seen Cathedral built in 1363. Had eleven altars. Met fellow from N.Y. Got haircut and

shampoo.

April 19th
Stayed around tent. Went to show, “Madam Curie”

April 20th
6th Raid P.T. Port Maglieo
Dropped bombs on Casino Bridge
Lost – none
Encountered flack (very light) low
Target – few hits made

April 21st
7th Raid P.T. Buchereac
Dropped bombs at Turnu Severein
Encountered flack (moderate)
Lost – 1 Schuneman & crew. Bailed out in Yugoslavia. They ran out of gas.
Target – missed by us
We flew with Shane

April 22nd
Went on pass. Went to Bari. Rode in horse and buggy taxi. Seen show “Little Angel”

April 23rd
Still on pass. Went to church in Bari. Rented bicycles. Took 4 hours and 7 rides to get home

April 24th
8th Raid. P.T. Bucharest
Lost – none
Encountered flack – fighters – rockets
Target – hit

April 25th
Stayed around tent. Went to show. Seen “The Heavenly Body”

April 26th
Stayed around tent. Rained all day. Lecture on formation flying. Heard articles on war.

April 27th
Went to Bari. Rode bicycles. Stayed in private home. Eat eggs.

April 28th
Still in Bari. Had more eggs. Rode bikes again.

April 29th
Went to Spinazzola. Seen a quaint cemetary.

April 30th
9th Raid P.T. Castel Maggiore
Lost – none
Encountered – (flack) heavy
Target – partially hit

May 1st
Went to Spinazzola. Bought cigarette lighter.

May 2nd
Went to Spinazzola again. Seen show, “No Time for Love”

May 3rd
10th Raid P.T. Parma N. Italy
Lost – none
Encountered – nothing
Target – hit
I flew with Skahen

May 4th
Stayed around tent. Seen show “Bombers Moon”

May 5th
Flew practice mission with Col. Babb. Fired our guns

May 6th
11th Raid P.T. Craiova
Lost – none
Encountered – nothing
Target – hit by 2m attack unit
Flew with col. Babb

May 8th
Connie and I went to Cerignola and back to Bari.

May 9th
Were on detail for group.

May 10th
Group went to Weiner Nudstadt. Lost 2 planes. Lt. Gifford and crew went down over target. Some bailed

out. Lt. Woods and crew landed at the Isle of vid, all okay.

May 11th
Al and I went mountain climbing.

May 12th
12th Raid P.T. Ferrero
Lost – none
Encountered – flack – 3 times
Target – bombed E.T.A.
Flew with Col Babb
Smith left the tent

May 13th
Seen U.S.O. Show

May 14th
13th Raid P.T. Treviso
Lost – none
Encountered (Flack) light
Maj. Campbell received D.F.C.

May 18th
14th Raid P.T. Palesti
Lost – 1 763rd by fighters
Encountered flack (heavy) & fighters twice
Flew with col. Harrison

May 19th
15th Raid P.T. Blogna
Lost – none
Encountered Flack (light)

May 23rd
16th Raid P.T. Valmantore Beachhead, Italy
Lost – none
Encountered – nothing
Pilot – Col. Babb

May 24th
17th Raid P.T. Weiner Nustadt
Hit – Neunkirchen (Austria)
Lost – None
Encountered (Flack) 2 light

May 25th – Hr. 9:35
18th Raid P.T. Ambrerieu (France)
Lost – none
Encountered Flack & fighters Red flack, Fighter attack

May 26th – Hr. 9:30
19th Raid P.T. Lyon (France)
Lost 1 Lt. Susank 6 bailed out in France – out of gas
Encountered – Nothing
Sparky made the bomb run. Target hit GOOD. Co Pilot Col. Babb

May 30th
Went to Yougaslav Hospital. Had a swell time.

May 31st – Hr. 8:10
20th Raid P.T. Polesti
Lost 1 or 2 – 1 762 plane 4 bailed out
Encountered (Flack) HEAVY
Souvenir came though top
Target hit. Smoke 18,000 ft. high
Schuneman and crew back

June 2nd – 7:50
21st Raid P.T. Clug (Romania)
Lost – None
Encountered – Nothing
Target – Hit
Pilot: Col. Babb
Flying time (combat time) to date 148.15

June 5th – 5:35
22nd Raid P.T. Facnza
Lost – none
Encountered – Flack Light
I rode ball turret few min.

June 14th
23rd Raid P.T. Petfurdo (Hungary Oil)
Lost – none
Encountered – Flack light

June 22nd
24th Raid P.T. Catel Miggiore, Italy R.R.
Lost – 1 another sq.
Encountered – Flack Light at target: heavy past target

June 23rd
25th Raid P.T. Girgiu Roumania Oil
Lost – None
Encountered Flack Moderate

June 25th 9:30
26th Raid P.T. Sete France Oil
Lost – None
Encountered – Flack light

June 30th 6:45
27th Raid P.T. Bleach Hammer, Germany
Hit – Pics – Austria
Lost 6 – 3 from 760 – Erfeldt, Evans, White
Encountered Flack light
We split from formation in overcast 30 minutes from P.T. target – Made wildcat bomb run. came home

alone. Fighters hit other crews.

July 2nd
28th Raid P.T. Budapest, Hungary
Lost – None
Encountered – Flack slight – inaccurate
Pilot Col. Babb

July 5th
29th Raid P.T. Toulon, France
Lost – None
Encountered – Flack Heavy

July 6th
Started to North Italy with Col. Babb. Turned back, lost #1 engine. I was flying tail gunner.

30th Raid P.T. Bleach Hammer, Germany
Had to jettison bombs
Lost #1 engine. Come back from Austris alone.
Encounterd Flack 40 mil

July 8th
31st Raid P.T. Viena, Austria
Lost 2, 1 -760 Suttong went down in Yugoslovia
Encountered Flack Heavy Fighters

July 9th
Shane and Joyce went home on rotation.

July 12th
32nd Raid P.T. Nimes, France
Lost – 2 other sq.
Encountered – Flack – fighters
Pilot Col. Babb

July 14th
33rd Raid P.T. Port Maglio
Hit
Lost – None
Encountered – Nothing

July 15th
P.T. Polesti Romania
Lost 1 – ditched all O.K.
Encountered – Flack Heavy

July 19th
went to Munic Germany
lost all but 2 planes
I went to switzerland

July 22nd
last mission
I got out and kissed the ground

Total 393 Hours
51 missions