(The following shows the contents of Fred's actual three by five inch flight log. No changes were intentionally made from the contents of the log. Three newspaper clips were pasted to log pages.)
Inside front cover:
S/Sgt Fred B. Nellums
Engineer Gunner
B-24 Liberators
66th Bomb Sqdn
44th Bomb Group
Jan 4, 1944
(one blank page)
Places I've been stationed in Army.Joined Army April 16, 1941. Was sent to Orlando Fla. to the 13th Bomb Group July 1, 1941. Was sent to Air Machanic School at Chunute Field, Illinois. Dec. 1941 was sent from Chanute back to Orlando Fla. to the 39th B. Sqdn. Jan. 1942 left Orlando Fla and went Westover Mass. July 17, 1942 left Westover and went to Dover Del. Changed from 39th B to 3rd Anti-Sub. March 1943 left Dover and went to Ft. Dix, N.J. May 1943 left Ft. Dix and went to Gunnery School at Laredo Texas. June 1943 left Laredo and went back to Ft. Dix. July 1943 left Ft. Dix. and went to Langley Field Va. to the 18th Anti-Sub. July 1943 left Langley for Mitchel Field N.Y. July 1943 left Mitchel and flew to Presove Islemaine, then Gander Field, Newfoundland. Aug 1943 left Newfoundland for Scotland(Preswick). Aug 1943 left Scotland for Dunkeswell, England to 19th Anti-Sub 479th Group. Oct 1943 left Dunkeswell and went to Alconbury, England. Oct 1943 left Alconbury and went to Flickston, England. Oct 1943 left Flickston and went Shipdham to the 66th Bomb Sqdn, 44th Bomb Gp - 20 missions. April 18, 1944 transfered to 67th Bomb Sqdn. - 44th Bomb Gp. Left England for US. Iwent to Ft Meade Maryland. From Ft. Meade to Lincoln, Nebraska. (then) From Lincoln Nebraska to Casper Wyo. From Casper to Sioux City, Iowa. From Sioux City to Ft. McPherson, Ga. From Omiga to HOME.
(then)
Mission Diary
Arrived in England Aug 6, 1943. Assigned to 19th Anti-Sub Sqdn, 479gp. Pulled 8 missions on the Bay of Biscay. It was plenty rough at times. One mission I got in some good shots from top turret at a Ju-88. Our plane had two engines on same side shot out. Thought were going to crash land but we made it to England coast ok. Another mission we sunk a sub. Some sport.
Then I was assigned to the 66th Bomb Sqdn. Started out on about 9 missions but all were scrubbed for different reasons. Finally I made a mission to Cognac, France with Capt Felber. Our target was an airfield. We were flying 19000 ft, the over cast prevented us from seeing the target. We did Not drop our bombs. It was cold as hell and the flak was intense. No enemy fighter were seen. I saw a B-24 blow up on our right wing. What a sight.
Dec 20, I was gotten up at 4:30 for a mission to Bremen. We got within 40 minutes of target. Carburetors iced up. we were at 24000 ft. plenty cold 40 degrees below
Mission number 2 - Jan-5-44. I flew with Lt. summers to Kiel Germany. We bombed from 23,000 ft 40 below. Flak was intense over & around target. I shot about 300 rds at enemy fighters, not sure if I hit or not. We were attacked by Fw 190's and Ju-88 & M.E. 109's. Our ship was hit twice by flak. No one hurt. On the assembline of formation I saw a bomber crash & blow up. The target was sucessfully hit.
Jan. 8 - Started out to Ludwigshaven but aborted about 10 min from enemy coast. Couldn't find formation in time.
Mission # 3 Jan. 29
I flew with lt. Milliner to Frankfort Germany. We bombed from 22,000. I got a lot of good shots at enemy fighters, Me-109's, Fw-190's,Ju-88's. Flak was intense but metal packages thrown over board prevented it from being acurate. We fought fighter for a least 1 hour + 1 half. I saw several enemy fighter go down in flames. Our Sqdn lost one bomber. Saw two parachutes come out of it. We bombed through overcast.Mission number 4 Jan. 30
I flew with Lt. milliner to Brunswick Germany. I flew as bombadier in the nose turret. I toggled the bombs. My feet & hands like to froze. The waist gunner installed my guns wrong and I had to fix them at high altitude. I had a hell of a time & skinned my hands all up. We had good fighter escort which allowed no enemy fighters near our formation. Flak was light but very accurate. We bombed from 21000 ft. through an over cast with the help of Pathfinder. All ships returned.Jan 31 Was briefed for Frankfort Germany. Mission scrubbed.
Feb 1 Was briefed for frankfort germany, mission was scrubbed.
Feb 2, Mission # 5
I flew with Lt. Milliner to Watten France. We were to hit rocket installations. We carried 4 x 2000 lbs bombs. We bombed from 20,000 ft., bombs would not release over target. Bombs were jettisoned in the channel on our way back home. Flak was light but very accurate. Our #4 engine was hit over target. No fighters were seen. Credit for 5 missions was given to us for anti-sub hours. That raises my total to 10 missions.Today I get the air medal. Lt. Bolin crashed & the whole crew was killed.
Feb. 3 - Started out to bomb Emden Germany. Got within 45 min. of target but turned back on account of clouds at 23,000 ft.
Feb 4 - Started out to Russelheim Germany. Got with in 40 minutes of target but turned back because of 125 mi head wind that would have caused us to run out of fuel before reaching friendly territory.
Mission # 11, feb. 5
I flew with Lt. Milliner to Tours France. We bombed an airfield. I saw bombs hit hangers, runways. We bombed from 17,600. It was -15 cold. Our plane was hit with 20 mm from enemy fighters. It was hit about 20 times. Hydraulic system was knocked out. Gas lines & tanks were hit, one tire punctured. I was hit on flak. Helmet and in the back of my left hand. I will get the purple heart decoration soon. We crash landed ---
(part of page missing)Feb. 24th mission # 13
I flew with Lt. Milliner to Gotha Germany. We hit an aircraft factory. The trip was about 9 hours long. We had a lot of enemy aircraft. There was about 2000 U.S. planes in the air. I saw 8 or 10 B-24's & B-17's planes go down in flames. A lot of enemy fighters also went down. I used the camera today while I was not firing my guns. I got some good pictures of the bombing and planes going down. The target was completely destroyed. The sky was full of parachutes around the target, poor guys are P.O.W.'s now. I hope that never happens to me. Alice my darline I'm too tired to write tonight. We bombed from 21000 ft. It was 26 below zero - we carried 52 x 100 lb incendiary bombs. Flak was in spots but very inaccurate.(then-- notice his name was miss spelled)
Mission #14, March 3
We were briefed for Frederick Strauss railway station in Berlin Germany. It was -40. I thought i would freeze to death. We saw flak over Heliugland Island. We crossed German coast and had to turn back because of engine trouble. The good lord was looking after us, I'm afraid Alice my darling that would have been my last ride if I had gone over target. The nose & tail turrets were out of commision. We got credit for mission because of flak & some planes were shot down. When we landed on this field we over shot runway and cracked up on far end because brakes were bad. We couldn't stop. Nobody was hurt however. I flew with Lt. Milliner. We carried 10 x 500lbs demolition bombs. I got some good pictures with K-2 camera. We were flying plane # 805.March 4
Briefed for Berlin again. Snow prevented us from taking off. Oh! my goodness.March 5 - mission # 15
I flew with Lt. Milliner to Bordeaux France. We bombed an airfield 4 miles out of Bordeaux. I saw very few e fighter & light flak. We blowed the air field to hell. We bombed from 21,000 - -30 below zero. The trip was 8 hours long. I made another cluster to my Air Medal to-day.Mission #16, March 6
I flew with Lt. Milliner to Berlin Germany. We bombed from 19000 ft. We hit s.w. section of the city. When we left it was a blazing inferno. We were shot at by flak guns several times before reaching target. Flak over target was terrific. I thought we would never make it. We were hit about 5 times. I'll never forget how the plane rocked and reeled from the explosion of the flak. I saw 5 enemy fighters attack a straggling B-24 and knock it down. We crossed over Hamburg coming back. Another 8 hr. trip. We carried 12 x 500 lb. demolition bombs. We flew in ship #820 - "A" for Airy. Mr. Berlin, you're not such a big bad wolf after all. There were 850 bombers in the air(over) 1800 escort fighters.March 8, mission #17
I flew with Lt. Milliner to Berlin Germany - we bombed from 23000 ft. We carried incendiary bombs - 5200 lbs. The bombing was visual. We completely wipd out the target(a ball bearing factory). We were hit by flak before we got to target. Radio knocked out. We had about 6 holes in the ship. Flak over target was heavy. I saw several enemy fighters go down but no heavy bombers. Although I did see several B-17's in trouble. Our fighter escort was perfect. I shot one burst at 3 Focke-Wolf fighter coming though formation. One went down but I don't know if I got him or not. There was about 1100 bombers out and about 2200 fighter escorting us. I had to go to sick ward because of (fever) temperature for 24 hrs. Again i couldn't write, AliceMarch 12 - Mission # 18
I flew with Lt. Milliner to Siracourt France. We bombed from 18000 ft through dense clouds. We bombed on Pathfinder. Flak was intense & accurate. The whole time over enemy territory, we had no fighter escort and saw no enemy fighters. We were hit a couple of times by flak. The weather closed in over our field some had to land at ford field and stay over night. We carried 8 x 1000lb bombs. -temp. -20.March 16,44 Mission # 19
I flew with Lt. Milliner to Fredericshaven Germany. It was an 8 1/2 hr. trip -42 - We bombed from 22,500 ft. I saw no enemy aircraft. Flak was heavy in spots - we were hit but not seriously. We carried 12 x 500lbs bombs. Target was hit, but I don't know to what extent. Our escort was good. We flew into Swiss territory and were fired at. We saw the Alp Mts. Standing up through the clouds. Coming back into England we had to land at Hartford Bridge Field near Reeding. Our field was closed in. My hands & feet & cheeks of my face almost froze.March 23, Mission # 20
I flew with Lt. Milliner to Osenbruk Germany. We carried 12 x 500 lb. demolition bombs. It was -36 below. We bombed the city or at least tryed to bomb the city. I followed our bombs down. They hit a train- box cars was flying everywhere. Flak was heavy & accurate escort was good, no enemy aircraft was seen. I was hit over left eye with a piece of flak. I get the Purple Heart medal again. I also get my second Oak Leaf Cluster to-day. Lt. Milliner, S/Sgt McCloskey finished up to-day. I straffed several towns coming out.April 26, Mission # 21
I flew with Lt. Stepnich to Gutterslo Germany. We were to hit an airfield. Clouds prevented us from seeing target so we didn't drop bombs. Flak was seen at a distance. No enemy fighters were seen. We flew at 20,000 ft. -21 cold. 12 x 500 lb bombs were carried.May 8, Mission # 22
I flew with Captain Craig to Brunswick Germany. We hit the city. I saw about 60 enemy fighters attacking us. Our escort ran them off. Flak was heavy & intense. We were hit by flak in the nose of air plane. We carried 12 x 500 lb bombs, it was 40 below cold. We flew at 22,000 ft., we crashed on landing but no one was hurt.May 9, 44 Mission # 23
I flew with Lt. Wahler to St. Trond France. We hit a night fighter base. I saw no fighters. Flak was accurate over enemy coast but none over target. We carried 52 x 100 lb G.P. bombs - it was about 20 below cold. We bombed from 18,000 S/Sgt Stocker finished up to-day.May 10 Mission # 24
I flew with Lt. Wahler to Mulhouse Germany. We were to hit an airfield but overcast prevented us from seeing target. We brought bombs back to French coast and hit an airfield there. Flak was heavy & fighters came in two times & knocked several bombers down. My electric suit went out and I like to fraze. We carried 6 x 1000lb bombs. It was 20 cold. It was a 9hr trip.May 11, Mission # 25
I flew with Lt. Wahler to Zoist Germany, just south of Berlin. We hit a oil refinery. The target was hit and I saw smoke & flame up to 10,000 ft. Flak was intense. Fighters hit us twice knocking down 3 bombers. I saw a lot of parachutes going down. I had some good shots at enemy fighters but don't know results. We carried 19 x 250lb bombs. It was 22 below. It was a 9:15 trip. Today I get another Oak Leaf Closter to the Air Medal. I've flown all my missions now. I'll fly 5 more for Doolittle now. Damn'it. We had several flak holes in ship this time.May 19th Mission # 26
I flew with Lt. Wahler to Brunswick Germany. Enemy fighters hit us several times. I saw about 150 Me-109's & Fw-190's. I saw 8 B-24's blow up & go down. The sky was full of parachutes. I saw several men leave the ship and chutes didn't open. My ship shot down two fighters, a lot of enemy fighters went down. Flak was heavy & intense over target. We carried 6 x 1000 lb bombs. - 35 below cold. Our ship was hit about 20 times but no one was hurt. The city was plastered.May 23rd Mission # 27
I flew with Lt. Wahler to southern France. We hit Lavorde Air Field. Flak was accurate over target. No enemy fighters. We had a few small flak holes in ship. We smashed the target. We carried 12 x 500 lb bomb -25 below cold. Another 8 hr trip.May 24th Mission # 28
I flew with Lt. Wahler to France. We were to hit an air field 22 miles south of Paris. As we crossed French coast going in, we were shot up by flak. Number 2 engine was shot out, hydraulic system shot out. Top turret dome shot off, about. No enemy fighters. We stood by to bail out for one hour + 1/2 but back to england O.K. Smitty said this would be my last tough mission. we'll see ------May 25th Mission # 29
I flew with Lt. Wahler to Belfort France ten miles from Swiss border. I saw no enemy fighters. No flak over target but coming home we crossed an air field and got intence flak, very accurate. We carried 12 x 500 lb bombs. -20 cold. A crew out of my barracks went down. We hit the Marchaline Yard. The bombing was good. One more trip to go - Oh!MyMay 27, Mission # 30
I flew with Lt. Wabler to Saarbrucken Germany, close to Swiss border. 8 1/2 trip. Flak over target was accurate & intense. Friendly escort was good. We carried 12 x 500 lb bombs - bombed from 22000, -28 below zero cold. We hit the Marchaling Yards. A good job of bombing. Oh! My I never
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The rest of the pages of the log are blank except the last page showing dates of letters he received from his wife.
