398th Bomb Group
Memorial
Association


S/Sgt. Kenneth A. Green's Diary
Gunner, 603rd Squadron

3 January 1945 to 16 January 1945
Non Mission Days

January 3, 1945
Mission: Ferry a new B-17 to the 398th at Nuthampstead, England

DeCleene, my pilot along with the co-pilot, navigator, and a new radio operator and a new engineer/gunner exploded when their plane struck the top of a mountain near Maccelesfield, in northwestern England. They were all killed. That leaves Brad, Luke, Bourquin, Briody, and myself without a crew again. I have lost six officers, and a tail gunner so far. We decided to take our Flak Leave for a week with Pinner’s crew. We all went to Southport, England to the “Flak Home”, and had a wonderful time while forgetting our troubles.

January 12, 1945
My crew and Pinner’s crew reported back from the rest home.

January 16, 1945
We became operational again. Luke and I were assigned to fly with Pinner’s crew. Brad Bourquin will fly as engineer Spangler’s crew, and Briody will fly as tail gunner for Stockman’s crew. We are all split up and in hopes that our jinx will disappear.

Notes:
  • For the first part of his tour S/Sgt. Kenneth A. Green was a Gunner on Kenneth S. Hastings' 603rd Squadron crew.
  • The above transcription was provided by Joe K. Mansell.
  • This transcription is a reproduction of the original. Spelling and punctuation changes have been made to improve readability. In some circumstances, material may not have been transcribed or was rewritten.
  • Clarification of acronyms or special words or guesses of certain words are shown in brackets [ ].

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