[Alex Smart]

Hi Peter,
From "in a now forgotten Sky" page 256/257.

July 2
Target cover for Budapest today.The 307th tangled briefly with three ME-109s just north of the target.F/O Jay destroyed two of them. After the bombershad released their bombs and were heading for home, three ME-109s attacked them again. Lt.Shipman got between these and the bombers and destroyed one, and probably destroyed another, in the at of an eye. The pilots were really beginning to get "the feel" of their P-51Ds; one did not hear so much talk about the Spitfires anymore.
Escorting these same B-24s of the 55th Bomber Wing, the 308th also had a good day out. The bombers' results were excellent. Keeping the attacking enemy Fighter's off, Lt.Voll destroyed his fifth plane, an ME-109, and damaged another. Lt.Goebel fired his guns at an ME-109 and claimed a probable for his effort.
Between the I,P. and the target, the 309th counted over 20 single-engine Messerschmitts high overhead. The Squadron climbed after these and the enemy climbed further, to 35,000'. The Messerschmitt 109 was a marvelous machine, but the P-51 would easily top 41,000'. Two flights stayed with the B-24s, as this began to smack of a German trick, but the rest of the Mustangs continued their climb. They couldn't quite make contact, but Lt.Thompson, trying a little long-range marksmanship, hauled back on his column and let fly with his 0.50 caliber guns, incredibly damaging Two of the enemy 's planes! Everyone saw it, but that was about as much as the 309th could do today - watch. The enemy had the advantage this time.
The mission returned to more changes in the Group as six enlisted men from both the 308th and 309th , went to rest camp at Manfredonia and four enlisted men from the 308th were transferred out: Sgt.Church, Cpl. Bevil, and Cpl Johnson all going to the 304thBomb Wing, and the.Jones to the 14th Fighter Group at Triolo. Lt. Hardeman returned early from Detached Service ferrying in P-51Ds from Africa and was met by Captain Leland P."Tommy" Molland, who was in charge of the O.T.U. Pilots under his command were being called " Commandant Molland's Boys."
Later, at Group formation on the softball diamond across from the Officers' Quarters, General Strother presented the Silver Star to Captain McLaughlin in partial payment for the job well done, Lt.Schanning received the Distinguished Flying Cross, T/Sgt.Ewer was awarded the Legion of Merit and two Purple Harts. Long awaited Air Medals were presented to all who had earned them. Simultaneously, 2nd Lieutenants Dustrude, Thompson and Seib, of the 309th, received promotions to 1st Lieutenant, the first of their class to be promoted. 1st.Lt.Seib had taken over as Operations Officer for Captain Osborne, who was hospitalised and had done a bang up job of it.
Pic. Stanley transferred to the 305th Bomb Wing but was expected to continue south to assist "Doc" Trifon. He was well remembered by the mechanics in the shop. They believed the real reason for his transfer had something to do with the belle signorinas down there.
July 3-

Alex