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28 AUGUST 1944:
On the morning of August 28, 1944, the 991st
F. A. Bn. [Field Artillery Battalion] was in desperate need of
maps; and, since there was no ground contact with the column,
which was supplying maps, it was necessary to send a plane.
At 1205 Lt. Lowe and Lt. Wade left by plane
in search of Div. Arty. H. Q. [Division Artillery Headquarters],
with no information as to their location other than that they
were somewhere north of Meaux. This trip between columns necessitated
traveling an undetermined distance over territory not yet entered
by our forces. This trip was successfully accomplished and the
maps delivered to the 991st Bn. C. P. [Battalion Command Post]
at 1540. At this time the Bn. [Battalion] was cut off from the
column it belonged in, the forward elements having gone on, and
the rear being stopped several miles short of the Bn. location.
The Bn. was under heavy shell fire at this time.
The other Bn. plane with Lt. Spear and Lt
Kibler had been flying steadily for several hours, acting as
radio relay and making reconnaissance. They had also located
and adjusted fire on a column of 20 German tanks which was dangerously
near the Bn. They were able to disperse the tanks and cause them
to withdraw. The supply train belonging to the tank column was
also fired on with good effect.
From that time on, both planes were in the
air constantly acting as radio relay, which was the only communication
the Bn. had, and giving information on enemy units interfering
with, or close to the route of advance. During this time they
rendered invaluable aid in clearing the rear elements of the
Bn. from the town of Nuilly-St Front while enemy vehicles entered
it from the other side. At one time they flew at an altitude
of approximately 50 feet over three German vehicles entering
the town and fired on them with .45 pistols to discourage them
from proceeding farther into the town before the two bazooka
teams, acting as rear guard, could be picked up.
Lt's Lowe and Wade reported a horse-drawn
field piece in position to fire across the route of advance and
caused it to withdraw before the leading elements came into range,
thus avoiding possible loss from ambush. They also adjusted fire
on, and silenced, (with suspected destruction of both guns),
two enemy guns that were shelling the Bn. They then transferred
the fire on an enemy column in the same vicinity causing it to
turn back and abandon seven vehicles.
Both planes stayed with the Bn. giving radio
relay and reporting all enemy activity in the vicinity until
they were able to report the location of the friendly column
on the left flank. During this period there was a large amount
of enemy movement sighted and reported.
During this entire period, all air personnel
were aware of the fact that due to the small size of the column,
they were flying over enemy territory at all times and that there
were no allied aircraft in the vicinity to give protection against
enemy aircraft. The enemy air force was then active in that area
as shown by a warning call from Division during the afternoon,
reporting twelve enemy fighter craft near, and the loss of a
Cub airplane in the same locality the next day when it was attacked
by twenty-two enemy planes. They were also aware of the situation
that was developing as darkness came on. The column planned to
continue the march after dark. The planes would have to land,
and there were no units stopped near which the planes could land
for protection of the equipment and personnel.
It was late dusk when the Bn. finally got
close enough to get ground radio contact with their column and
close enough that they could get support, if necessary, from
the column on the left. This was in the vicinity of Braisne [near
Soissons]. At that time the air personnel were faced with either
attempting to land in the half light on a strange field near
the Bn, which would almost surely result in a crash and abandoning
the planes, or returning to a field with which they were familiar
and which had friendly troops near.
The nearest field of this nature was at La
Ferte s/s [Jouarre] on the Marne River, almost one hour flying
time away. A radio discussion disclosed the fact that both planes
had enough gas to complete the trip, so it was decided that the
better plan was to return to La Ferte s/s.
Since it was too dark to fly contact, the
entire trip was navigated by compass with occasional checks on
outstanding objects that were discernible. Just a small corridor
through this territory was in friendly hands. The trip was completed
and successful landings made at 2130, which was 45 minutes past
last flying light on clear evenings at that time.
2 SEPTEMBER 1944:
On the second of Sept. the Division column
passed Avesnes and proceeded north to a position just south of
Mons, arriving late in the afternoon.
There was a very strong south wind and the
operation of Cub airplanes became extremely hazardous. Also,
there was heavy small arms fire and light A.A. [Anti Aircraft]
fire coming from positions along both flanks of the column.
At 1815, Lt's. Lowe and Wade took off and
flew to the vicinity of Maubauge in order to get radio contact
with their Bn. and let them know that conditions were such that
the air section could not move up that night.
Upon making contact they were informed that
one gun from the Bn. had gone forward and was going into position.
Since the enemy was very active in the vicinity, it was extremely
important that that gun be registered.
Upon receipt of the above information, Lt's
Lowe and Wade followed the column to the south edge of Mons.
From that vicinity, then the location of the division forward
elements, they registered the Bn. on a point north-east of the
town. During the registration they located an enemy column estimated
at two hundred vehicles leaving town on a road running southeast.
The 991st Bn. was shifted to this location
and an adjustment on the enemy column began. Since this plane
was the only one in the air, or available, it was given the mission
of also adjusting the Division Arty. [Artillery] light guns on
the column. The various adjustments continued with good effect
as night came on. Lt. Lowe reported that it was necessary to
return to the field immediately since the strong wind would increase
the flying time and he was running short of both light and fuel.
However, it was requested that they adjust one more Bn. if possible.
Since the target was an important one and would escape with darkness,
the last adjustment was conducted with good effect
By this time the plane was too low on fuel
to make the entire return trip against the high wind and it was
necessary to land in route, stop a passing truck, and refuel.
It was not feasible to remain at this point as strong enemy concentrations
were near and no units were pulling off to spend the night in
that area. The return flight was completed after night fall and
a safe landing made under extremely hazardous conditions.
3 SEPTEMBER 1944:
On the morning of Sept. third, Lt's Spear
and Kibler attempted to fly to the scene of the previous night's
action. There had been an enemy breakthrough north of Maubauge
and enemy fire was so heavy that they were forced to return,
after having two holes shot through the plane. All planes were
then warned and ordered to stay on the ground. There was no air
observation available to the forces south of Mons. At 1120 Lt's
Lowe and Kibler took off to make another attempt to get through.
They received considerable light arms fire but were able to fly
above effective range and reach the vicinity of Cognies [Mons
Area].
At that time there was an enemy column of
considerable size halted in Cognies in closed formation with
two vehicles abreast for a great distance. There was also considerable
fighting in the surrounding area. Since this was again the only
plane in the air, or available to the division, it was given
the mission of adjusting the division light Artillery on this
column. This was accomplished with extremely good effect. The
flight was prolonged until the plane was out of gas and was forced
to land near the road and refuel
After refueling, Lt's Lowe and Kibler again
took off and continued to give surveillance and to adjust fire
on enemy concentrations in the town of Bavai [Bavay] until the
other planes came up late in the afternoon.
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