340th BG Squadron Insignia
	486th B.S.	487th B.S.	488th B.S.	489th B.S.
	Click on the squadron insignia above for links to digitized squadron histories

November 17, 1943 Mission to Kalamaki Aerodrome, Greece

Squadron	War Diary
340th HQ Diary	Today the 340th lost a bomber over the target in the daytime to enemy fighter opposition. That is the first time such an event happened in the combat history of this group. Six men were in the plane, which was a 486th ship piloted by 2nd Lt. John D. O'Leary, a recent replacement. [Co-pilot 2nd Lt. John E. Smith was injured but survived. Four crewmen were KIA: Daniel R. Duskiewicz, John P. Sweeney, Roderick M. McDougal and Frank E. Williams] On our side of the ledger gunners in the 487th squadron knocked down three ME-109's who attacked in the target vicinity. The objective was Kalamaki airdrome again, and for the second time we bombed brilliantly. Surely the 340th Group never had three such excellent days consecutively in all its history as it has these past three days. Without a doubt our boys have greatly lessened the air strength for weeks, perhaps months, to come in the Athens area.
486th	The following Officers and Enlisted Men have been reported missing in action since November 17, 1943: 2nd Lt. Daniel R. Duszkiewicz 2nd Lt. John D. Oleary 2nd Lt. John E. Smith S/Sgt. John E. Sweeney S/Sgt. Frank E. Williams Sgt. Roderick M. MacDougall
487th	Everything happened today. For the third time, take-off was at 1010, and for the second time the target was Athens/Kalamaki A/D. 36 ships from the 340th and 36 from the 321st (9 from the 487th) were over the target at 1225 (usually over at 1300). Lt. Moose Sather says: “The fighters were on us before we hit the target. They were all coming at us from the sun, at 6 o'clock. But were we scared? – hell yes! We continued on our run with the fighters on our tail and ack-ack all around us. It was a beautiful pattern in the dispersal areas to the left of the runway. We carried frag bombs. We used strong evasive action as we turned off the target, to avoid ack-ack. There was a terrific dog-fight going on just above the target. We had just hit the coast again, when I looked up and saw 4 planes dropping bombs on us. The planes were about a 1000 feet above our formation, and the bombs fell about 100 yards in front of us. We felt trapped – we couldn't use evasive action to avoid them – I was scared. It was the first time the 487th had been bombed, and it was a new experience. Immediately afterward, the P-38's went after them. I saw two of them go down in smoke, and was the P-38's going after the other one. I saw one P-38 follow an ME down till the Jerry pilot bailed out, then the P-38 pulled up into a steep climb and knocked off two more ME's. All this time, the gunner on our ship was blazing away. We proceeded on our way home, and over Argus we got ack-ack again, but it was negligible. We pinpointed a lot of shipping in about 5 different places in the Adriatic.”.... Dillingham, Casey, and Bradley each claimed planes, the latter claiming two shot down.... All our planes returned safely, but Lt. Pirnie's 7-P was considerably shot up. The flaps were gone, and his hydraulic system was out. They lowered the landing gear by cranking, and came in without brakes or flaps. The plane went off the end of the runway and into the vineyard. There was a big hole between the fuselage and right nacelle, and in the tail assembly. Four P-38's escorted him back. Lt. Pirnie says: “I want to see those boys.”.... One of the 486th planes was shot down, and 4 chutes were seen to open. No one reported the loss of any of the fighter escort.... M/Sgt. Lynch did not comment on “Eileen's” being shot up, other than to say that she is now the service group's problem.... At dusk tonight a bunch of B-24's circled around trying to find the field. They came in for an hour or so, and the field was a great bustle of lights and badly parked aircraft. It is reported that the planes carried luggage and equipment, and that they plan to remain here. We have received orders to vacate by the 21st. Some 2000 lb bombs were observed being brought on to the field – a little large for effective use by us....
488th	Mission to Kalamaki. Good pattern. 487th shot down three ME 109's and 486th claimed another. One 486th ship did not return. One ship had right aileron shot up and hydraulic system out. Ran off the runway without damage. Brakes locked on another in the middle of the runway.
489th	Nine planes again bombed Kalamaki A/D. Excellent pattern over cross of runway. Many fires and one huge explosion were observed. Enemy activity was pronounced and the 487th was credited with destroying three ME 109's.

Target in 1943
Target Today
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Crew Lists and Mission Reports

Crew Photos 486th
2nd Lt. Daniel R. Duskiewicz: Missing in Action over Kalamaki

Crew List 488th

340th BG Squadron Insignia
	486th B.S.	487th B.S.	488th B.S.	489th B.S.
	Click on the squadron insignia above for links to digitized squadron histories