398th Bomb Group
Memorial
Association


Captain Alan A. Arlin's Diary

Arlin Mission No. 12

August 1, 1944
Target: Melun Airfield, Villaroche, France

Arlin Mission No. 12
Date - August 1, 1944
Assigned Target - Melun Airfield, Villaroche, France
Targets Attacked - As Briefed
Results - Excellent
Aircraft Number - 7889-B
Bomb Load - 10- 500 lb. G.P. [General Purpose]
Position in formation - Lead of Low Group
Time - 7 hrs. 15 min.
Altitude over Target - 24,500 ft.
Casualties - None
Damage - Minor Flak Damage
Losses - Ship No. 7892-L, Crew O.K.

Loading list
Pilot - Capt. Arlin, A. A.
C.A.. - Capt. Petersen, T. J.
Nav. - 2nd Lt. Anderson, Earl W.
Bomb. - 1st Lt. Baxter, M. V.
Eng. - T/Sgt. Chmielewski, R. J.
Radio - T/Sgt. Ruff, Charles F.
Gun. - S/Sgt. McCort, J. J.
Gun. - S/Sgt. Wilson, W. C.
Gun. - S/Sgt. Carter, C. M.

Arlin Mission No. 12
Date - August 1, 1944

August 1st 1944
The fact that we led the Division today and also that this promised to be an easy mission, we had nearly all of the wheels in the group along. Colonel Hunter flew with the wing leader and Colonel Simeral flew with his deputy. Major Rooney flew with the High Group leader and Captain Pete flew with me leading the Low Group. Chuck being in the hospital, Lieutenant Anderson went along as navigator.

We were operating on bankers' hours today. We got up at 0600 this morning instead of the usual 0230 and didn't take off until 1015. It sure did seem good to get a full night's sleep before a mission for a change.

In spite of the late takeoff we had to circle the buncher for an hour after we had formed waiting for the weather to clear over the target. After circling for the hour we were afraid they would scrub the mission and we would have it all to do over again tomorrow, but we got the go ahead and we headed into France.

The trip both in and out was without incident as far as flak and fighters were concerned. We spent most of our time sightseeing. We passed over the beachhead going both in and out and we took advantage of the opportunity to pick out several of the towns that have been figuring in the fighting. In spite of our high altitude we were able to see that several of the towns were nothing but ruins.

Over the target the flak was comparatively light but it was very accurate. Old "One Eyed Schmidt" must be back from his pass. Colonel Hunter was leading the group ahead of us, I saw him get a hit and go down in flames and apparently out of control. I was too busy making my own bomb run to follow him down and see what happened to him. Baxter did a very nice job, as always, and did a good job of bombing for our Group. Our trip back was the same as going in except that we were all a bit downhearted on losing the Group Commander.

All the ships in my Group landed back at the base with nothing worse than minor flak damage. As for my ship it didn't get a hit. As far as we were concerned this was a very good mission, we had made a good strike and returned with all our ships.

After landing we received the good news that Colonel Hunter had landed at a field in southern England and the crew was OK. Over the target he had been hit, setting one engine on fire, knocking another out and cutting his controls. In the dive that followed before he could regain control using the A.F.C.E. the fire was blown out by the greatly increase speed. He feathered two bad engines and made England to land with A.F.C.E. After landing a third engine went out, it completely fell off the ship. The mounts had been shot away. He sure was fortunate to get back.

Acronym Note: A.F.C.E is thought to be Auto Fire Control Equipment. There were four red buttons in the front of the co-pilot that activated a fire control, fire extinguisher system in the engine nacelle.

Notes:
  • First Lieutenant Alan A. Arlin of the 601st Squadron was the pilot of Rapid City original crew No. 31. On many of his missions, 1st Lieutenant and later Captain Alan A. Arlin was a lead pilot for his squadron or for the group.
  • The above transcription was provided by Dave Jordan.
  • This transcription is a careful reproduction of the original except for occasional spelling and punctuation changes. In some circumstances, based on relevancy, some material may not have been transcribed.
  • Clarification of acronyms or special words or guesses of certain words are shown in brackets [ ].

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