MISSION: # 47. - Monday, SEPT. 6, 1943.
(Today is my Mother’s 52nd birthday. Happy Birthday, Mom. It is also Labor Day!)
Cappodichino Airdrome, Naples, Italy.
I flew today for the first time in 10 days!
Briefing at 0830. Major Melcher introduced our new Group Commanding Officer - Colonel Rice from the States. He seems to be a good replacement for our Col. Joe Thomas - the best!
We were warned that the weather on our mission would be bad, and the promise came true. We went in to the target area unescorted. I could make out the Initial point OK, but I couldn’t see the airdrome. Instead of dropping our bombs on an alternate target, we brought the load back with us. I saw some flak, but no fighters.
The fuses in the bombs are “live” at this point. Shortly before reaching the IP, the bombardier goes back into the bomb bay (wearing a oxygen mask and carrying a portable -oxygen bottle) and pulls the cotter pins out of the fuses, and this “arms” them, so that they are “live”. So. When the decision was made to return with the bombs, I had to repeat the procedure - in reverse. I had to go back into the bomb bay and replace all the cotter pins to make the fuses “safe” once again.
I flew with Capt. Kutschera, who led our 429th Squadron, in #465 - a beautiful airplane and a good crew (#13). We had twelve 250 pounders on board. Mission time: 6:00 hours.

The northern sky lit up tonight as the Germans attacked Bizerte.