The Green's House
 

B-17 War Diary
by Will S. Arnett, 1st Lt. USAAF

Ed. Note: This is a transcription of the war diary of my uncle Seaton, Col (ret.), USAF, who passed away in April of 1994. He flew B-17s out of North Africa during the Second World War. I have a lot of respect for him and all of the men and women who sacrificed so that we can be free. This is my gift back to him, and to them. I present it here exactly as it has come to me from his family. Hopefully my typing transcription doesn't introduce too many errors. These pages may not be reproduced or copied without express permission.

 

"My Diary while overseas in the European Theatre of Operations, England, and North Africa, respectively, with the 301st Heavy Bombardment Group, and the 419th Bombardment Squadron."

Our Crew

Capt. G. R. Thomas Pilot Glendale, Calif.
Lt. W.S. Arnett Co-Pilot Madisonville, Tx
Lt. W.M. Reiss Navigator Klichatat, Wash.
Lt. J.G. Crimp Bombardier Ellensburg, Was.
T/Sgt J.A. Martching Engineer Ottunwa, Iowa
T/Sgt F. D'Aguar Radio Operator Los Angeles, Calif.
S/Sgt J.O. Edwards Tail Gunner Petersburg, Va.
S/Sgt I.B. Webb Ball Turret Gunner Lewiston, Idaho
S/Sgt J.P. Graham Asst. Radio & Waist Gunner St Louis, Mo.

C E R T I F I C A T E

I certify that 1st Lt. Will S. Arnett has performed the following missions on the following dates:
Date Mission Time
Sept 5, 1942 Rouen, France 3:05
Sept 6, 1942 St Oner, (Fort Rouge) A/D, France 3:00
Sept 7, 1942 Rotterdam (schiedan) Shipyards, Holladn 3:10
Oct 2, 1942 Beulte, France 3:20
Nov 8, 1942 Lisse, France 3:25
Nov 25, 1942 BTOUSA - KATOUSA 10:00
Nov 28, 1942 Bizerta 7:15
Nov 30, 1942 Bizerta 7:25
Dec 2, 1942 Bizerta 7:45
Dec 13, 1942 Tunis 7:15
Dec 17, 1942 Tunis 4:45
Dec 18, 1942 Tunis 4:05
Dec 23, 1942 Tunis 5:20
Dec 29, 1942 Sousao 4:45
Dec 31, 1942 Sfax 4:40
Jan 2 , 1943 Tunis 3:40
Jan 19,1943 Tunis R.R. Yds. 4:00
Jan 20, 1943 Cabes 6:45
Feb 4, 1943 A/B 5 miles west of Gabes 4:05
Feb 9, 1943 A/B at Zarousan 4:50
Feb 23, 1943 A/B at Karousan 2:50
Feb 23, 1943 Kesserine Pass 2:30
Mar 10, 1943 Lamarsa A/D 4:05
Mar 12, 1943 Sousso R.R. Yds. 4:35
Mar 13, 1943 Convoy off Bizerta 5:30
Mar 18, 1943 Convoy 37° 40' N. 11° 55' E. 5:00
Mar 21, 1943 Djobel Tobega A/D (south) 4:20
Mar 23, 1943 Palermo Shipping 6:00
Mar 24,1943 Ferryville Docks and shipping 3:00
Apr 4, 1943 Capodichino A/D, Italy 7:30
Apr 8, 1943 Convoy off Bizerta 4:05
Apr 11, 1943 Liner at Tunis 3:00
Apr 12, 1943 Convoy off Bizerta 4:00
Apr 13, 1943 Castolvotrano A/D, Sicily 5:15
Apr 20, 1943 Lamarsa A/D 3:00
Apr 26, 1943 Crosetto A/D, Italy 7:10
May 5, 1943 M/Y off Sicily 5:25
May 9, 1943 (incomplete Mission) 2:20
May 11, 1943 Marsala, Sicily 4:45
May 13, 1943 Cagliari City, Sardina 3:45
May 18, 1943 (incomplete Mission) 5:00
May 20, 1943 Crosotto A/D, Italy 7:30
May 21, 1943 Sciacoa A/D, Sicily 5:00
May 24, 1943 Torranova Docks and shipping, Sardinia 6:00
May 25, 1943 Messina Ferry Terminus 7:30
May 28, 1943 Leghorn Shipping area, Italy 7:45
May 30, 1943 Coniglano A/D, Italy 7:30
June 6, 1943 Battleship at Speria, Italy 7:45
June 8, 1943 Island of Pantelleria <unreadable>
  Total -----------------------
  50 Missions 252:20

 

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