Education: Local schools, Huntingdon High School 1935, Juniata College 1935-1939, Varsity football & track. Lambda Chi Alpha. Penn State his sophomore year. One year graduate school Carnagie Tech 1940-1941.

Prior to entering the service Chalender had already held a private pilots license.

Military: Service No. 0793794. AAF 201-(1491) AGRS-DA201. Assistant operations officer. 323 Bombing Group 456 Bomb Squadron.

Air Metal awarded 8/30/1943, Purple Heart plus citation for gallantry in action with Presidential Accolade 10/17/1946, Silver Star for gallantry in action 2/19/1944.

Entered the Army Air Corps January 15, 1942. Began training at Maxwell Field, Al.

Commissioned at Columbus Field, Ms. November 1942. Advanced training throughout the U.S.

Arrived in England June 4, 1943. Stationed at Earls Colne, Essex.

Killed leading a raid on a Nazi German airfield  Amsterdam/Schiphol Airfield.

A B-26 Martin Marauder bomber pilot for the 8th Army Air Corp, he was asked to take this mission as co-pilot for Captain Anthony "Tony" Geiser. His was the lead plane and attacked "heavily defended enemy airdrome. (Generally speaking, the lead plane on a mission of this type often got through the run.(2))  Entering the bombing run, heavy mobile and stationary anti-aircraft fire hit the left wing causing a long stream of fire to sweep back from the wing and spread through the ship. At this point in the run it was imperative to the security of the formation as well as the success of the mission that all planes remain in close formation. Although the crew members could have easily abandoned the ship at that time, rather than jeopardize the safety of the formation and success of the assigned task, they elected to remain at their posts and complete the mission, even at the risk of their lives. The pilot and the co-pilot (Chalender was the co-pilot) maneuvered the aircraft slightly below the rest of the aircraft to minimize the danger to the formation in the event the plane exploded, but kept straight to the course. The bombardier held his bombs until over the target, although to have salvoed them would have eased the handling of the stricken aircraft. The gunners were observed briefly to glance at the flames of their aircraft and then unperturbed to return to their guns. Upon completion of the bombing run the flaming aircraft went into a uncontrollable dive and exploded in mid-air carrying with it the valiant crew."

(1) Parents notified missing in action November 11, 1943. Regrets from General Henry Harley "Hap" Arnold*, Commanding General, Army Air Force 11/29/1944, Henry L. Etrusion (sp?), Secretary of War at the request of the President 12/14/1944. A photograph of the planes last moments is seen in the book, Marauder's at War" by Roger Freeman.

About the 8th Air Force. On October 16, 1943 the 9th Air Force relocated to England and began to transfer in B-26 groups from the 8th. The first to transfer were the 322nd, 323rd, 387th, and the 388th. This relocation was preparatory for the "D" Day Invasion. The Ninth was assigned to operation "Point Blank" along with the Eighth. Their mission: to smash the German Luftwaffe in the air and on the ground to bring about complete air supremacy. The plan was to prepare the Ninth for their major role: that of direct tactical support for ground forces for the coming invasion. As of 5/7/00 I have as yet to confirm if Chalender was in the 8th or 9th at the time of his last mission. What is known is, the 8th executed Bomber Command Mission 119 to Wilshaven, Germany port area with 539 B-17's and B-24's. That night, mission120 sent 2 B-17 to drop leafets on Antwerp. The 9th executed the tactical operation of the day sending 71 B-26's to bomb the airfield at Saint-Andre-de-L'Eure, France; 71 to Triqueville Airfield, France and 65 to bomb Schiphol Airfield, the Netherlands. (3)(4)(5)

The plane he was flying that day was named "Jake's Jerks" , serial # 41-34963WT-Q (designates it a B-26c-15 MO(made at Omaha)). This was a plane borrowed by Tony Geiser from Harv Jacobs with the promise he'd return it in good condition. This was the only B-26 lost that day in the European Theater. (6) It is also reported in "Marauder Men" by John Moench that the plane was named "Bugs Bunny". I doubt this at this time.

"During my research I discovered the heavy air combats over Zandvoort on 3 Nov 43, after B 26's had bombed Amsterdam-Schiphol airfield. Owing to these combats the Canadian Fighter Wing, led by Wing Commander Lloyd Vernon Chadburn, claimed their biggest victory so far during the war and their German opponents, the II./Jagdgeschwader 3 (led by Major Kurt Brändle), suffered their heaviest losses as far during the war. Brändle, a German ace with 180 victories, did not return from that mission.

I will give you a rough outline of what happened. After the USA entered the war, aircraft were stationed in England in order to attack Germany by day. The strategic role of Amsterdam/Schiphol airfield grow and the Germans stationed dayfighters (mainly Me 109's and some Fw 190's) at this base, which were ordered to attack the USA formations on their way to Germany. This airfield was the nearest to the Northsea and therefore the most shortest to the USA aircraft on their way. The airfield became a threat to the USA aircraft and had to be bombed.

On 29 July 43 B-26's of 323 BG tried to attack this airfield for the first time, but the mission failed due to improper landfall. On 3 Oct 43 the mission was repeated with two Bomb Groups and Schiphol was bombed - but the damage was not large. A next mission was planned on 16 Oct 43, but this was canceled. On 3 Nov 43, 18 B-26's of 322, 323, 386 and 387 BG took off in the afternoon to attack this heavily defended airfield.

At about 15.50 hrs the B-26's started their bomb run and all hell broke lose, as the German flak burst all around the bombers. The Germans tried to do everything in order to protect their important base. 322 BG was the first to attack, there after 387 BG and after which 323 BG came. Over Amstelveen one B-26 got a direct hit and went down. This B-26 crashed at Bovenkerk (municipal Amstelveen). Unfortunately the entire crew lost their lives.

They were:

Pilot: Captain Anthony W. Geiser (22)

2nd pilot: 1/Lt Chalender L. Lesher(26)

Navigator: 1/Lt Thomas Savino

Bombardier: 1/Lt Maxwell Stadler (23)

Radio-operator: T/Sgt William G. Fortwengler (32)

Gunner: S/Sgt Pellegrino P. Lombardo (23)

Tail gunner: S/Sgt James R. Kitchell (23)

On 12 and 13 Nov 43 the remains of the crew were put in coffins and were buried at the Amsterdam New Eastern Cemetery on 15 Nov 43 at 15.30 hours. On 26 Feb 46 the remains were taken to  Neuville-en-Condroz in Belgium for further identification. On 29 Jan 49 S/Sgt Kitchell was buried at Margraten. T/Sgt Fortwengler was buried at 28 Apr 49 at Neuville-en-Condroz. The others were transported to the USA and were buried on 29 Jan 51 at the Arlington National Cemetery, Fort Myer, Arlington, Virginia in section 12, grave 60, 61 and 62."

(8) "323rd Bombardment Group Constituted as 323rd Bombardment Group (Medium) on 19 June 1942. Activated on 4 Aug. 1942. Trained with B-26's. Moved to England, April-June 1943. Assigned first to Eighth AF and, in Oct. 1943, to Ninth AF. Began operations in July 1943, attacking marshalling yards, airdromes, industrial plants, military installations, and other targets in France, Belgium, and Holland. Then carried out numerous attacks on V- weapon sites along the coast of France. Attacked airfields at Leeuwarden and Venlo in conjunction with the Allied campaign against the German Air Force and aircraft industry during Big Week, 20-25 Feb. 1944. Helped to prepare for the invasion of Normandy by bombing coastal batteries on 6 June 1944. Participated in the aerial barrage that assisted the breakthrough at St. Lo in July. Flew its first night mission after moving to the Continent in Aug., sticking enemy batteries in the region of St. Malo. Carried out other night missions during the month to hit fuel and ammunition dumps. Eliminated strong points at Brest early in Sept. and then shifted operations to eastern France to support advances against the Siegfried Line. Received a DUC for actions (24-27 Dec. 1944) during the Battle of the Bulge when the group effectively hit transportation installations used by the enemy to bring reinforcements to the Ardennes. Flew interdictory missions into the Ruhr and supported the drive into Germany in May to participate in the disarmament program. Returned to the US in Dec. Inactivated on 12 Dec. 1945.

Redesignated 323rd Fighter-Bomber Group. Activated on 8 Aug. 1955. Assigned to Tactical Air Command. 

Squadrons. 453rd: 1942-1945; 1949-1951; 195-. 454th: 1942-1945; 1949-1951; 1955-. 455th: 1942-1945; 1949-1951; 1955-. 456th: 1942-1945; 1947-1951.

Stations. Columbia AAB, SC, 4 Aug. 1942; MacDill Field, Fla., 21 Aug. 1942; Myrtle Beach Bombing Range, SC, 2 Nov. 1942-25 April 1943; Horham, England, 12 May 1943; Earls Colne, England, 14 June 1943; Beaulieu, England, 21 July 1944; Lessay, France, 21 Sept. 1944; Laon/Athies, France, 9 Feb. 1945; Gablingen, Germany, 15 May 1945; Landsberg, Germany, 16 July 1945; Clastres, France, Oct. - Dec. 1945; Camp Myles Standish, Mass, 11-12 Dec. 1945. Tinker Field, Okla., 9 Sept. 1947-17 March 1951. Bunker Hill AFB, Ind., 8 Aug. 1955-.

Commanders. Col. Herbert B. Thatcher, Sept. 1942; Col. Wilson R. Wood, c. 13 Nov. 1943; Col. Rollin M. Winingham, 14 Feb. 1945; Lt. Col. George O. Commenator, Aug. 1945-unkn. Col. John C. Haygood, 1955-.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Belgium and Germany, 24-27 Dec. 1944.

Insigne. Shield: Per bend between a mailed dexter gauntlet grasping a dagger and the winged hat of Mercury argent. Motto: VINCAMUS SINE TIMORIS--Without Fear We Conquer. (Approved 16 Feb. 1943-This insigne was replaced 21 June 1957.)"

(9) *Gen. Arnold was born in Gladwyne, Pa., 1886- 1950, West Point 1907.

Buried: Arlington National Cemetery, sec.12,mass graves 60, 61, 62. Interred 1/29/1951.

Crew:
Captain Anthony W. Geiser
1st Lt. Thomas Savino
1st Lt. Maxwell J. Stadler
Tech Sgt. William C. Fortwengler
Staff Sgt. Pellegrino P. Lombardo
Staff Sgt. James R. Kitchell

(2) Crash date: 3 Nov 43

Local time± 15.50 hrs

Place: Noorddammerweg, Bovenkerk (municipal Amstelveen, south of Amsterdam)

Cause: German Flak

Type: B -26

Nickname: Jakes Jerks (Bugs Bunny)

Serial #: 41 - 34 963

Registration: WT - Q

Bomb Grp: 323

Bomb Sqd: 456

Base: Earls Colne

Take off (local time): 14.15 hrs

Target: Schiphol

A telex from Earls Colne to OICOG on 4 Nov 43 stated: "When on the bomb run no. 4 a/c in the lead was hit in the left fuel tank by flak. Bursting into flames, it dropped out of formation and fell rapidly with the wing off. No one was seen to leave the airplane."

Report of 323 B G concerning the raid on Schiphol stated: "Statement of enemy anti-aircraft defences: at landfall, enemy coast, there was weak inaccurate heavy flak, which increased to intense accurate flak at the target."

In the missing aircrew report (MACR) I found: "At the IP the formation made a 90 degree turn to the target. As they approached the start point of the bomb run, fire from ground defence positions became intense. This formation was under fire from seven known permanent and 6 gun batteries and from

additional mobile flak in the area. In addition to the direct fire, a barrage of HFF was seen ahead of the formation along the course it would have to fly on the bombing run. Up to the start of the bombing run the formation used evasive tactics and Capt. Geiser successfully kept his element in position and in the face of intense opposition.

Approx. 5 seconds after the bombing run begun, the left wing of Capt. Geiser's ship was hit by a close burst of heavy flak. Immediately a long stream of fire swept back from the wing and began to spread.  At this point in the bombing run it was imparative for the success of the mission to keep the aircraft under controle and in formation. If the airplane had swung sharply either to the left or right there was danger of collision, and in any event the formation would have been broken up and the effectiveness of the bombing attack destroyed. Capt Geiser immediately feathered his left propellor and by brilliant flying techniques kept his ship on course and in formation. With the ship under controle he procedeed to loss altitude very slowly, to minimise danger to the other airplanes in the formation if his airplane exploded. The fire along the right wing was spreading despite efforts taken to bring it under controle. It was clear to observersin the formation that the airplane was ..... " This statement is a little too dramatic, as when the wing fore off, the plane went down out of controle and crashed.

(8) Taken from the COMBAT CHRONOLOGY OF THE US ARMY AIR FORCES JULY 1943 July 29, 1943.

VIII Air Support Command Missions 8 and 9: 2 airfields are the target:

1. 18 B-26B's are dispatched against Schipol Airfield at Amsterdam, The Netherlands; the mission is aborted due to a navigational error.

2. 21 B-26B's are dispatched against Ft. Rouge Airfield, France; 19 hit the target at 1828 hours; 8 B-26's are damaged.

323rd Bomb Group

Squadrons of the 323rd BG

453th Bombardment Squadron - Medium

454th Bombardment Squadron - Medium

455st Bombardment Squadron -Medium

456nd Bombardment Squadron - Medium

Assigned 8th AAF: 12 May 1943

Wing/Command Assignment

VIII BC, 3 BW May 1943

VIII ASC, 3 BW 15 June 1943

Combat Aircraft:

B-26B

B-26C

Stations

HORHAM 21 May 1943 to 14 June 1943

EARLS COLNE 14 June 1943 to 27 July 1944

Group COs

Col. Herbert B. Thatcher 14 August 1942 to 13 November 1943

First Mission: 16 July 1943

Last Mission: 9 October 1943

Missions: 33

Aircraft MIA: 3

Major Awards:

None

Claims to Fame

Flew first 8AF medium level bombing missions with B-26s.

Early History:

Activated 4 August 1942 at Columbia AAB, SC. The first phase of training commenced at MacDill Field, Florida on the 21st of August 1942. Training was completed with B-26 aircraft. The unit moved to Myrtle Beach Field, SC on the first to the third of November 1942. The first aircraft departed for Bear Field in Indiana in mid February 1943, where new B-26C were assigned as available. The 453rd, 54th and 455th moved to Hunter Field, Ga. in preparation for overseas movement to the United Kingdom via the southern ferry route. The 456 BS left in early May of 1943 by the southern ferry route. In June 1943 the ground unit left Myrtle Beach on the 25th of April 1943 and sailed on the Queen Elizabeth on the 5th of May 1943, and arrived in Gourock on the 11th of May 1943.

Subsequent History:

Assigned to the 9th AF, IX BC on 16 October 1943. Moved to Beaulieu in July 1944 and to France in Late August 1944. Flew tactical missions in support of Allied ground forces. The unit returned to the US on December 1945. Unit was activated as a Tactical Air Command fighter unit as a F-100 unit in the late 1950s, but only in existence for a few years. (10)

MARTIN B-26 MARAUDER

ENGINES; TWO WRIGHT R-2800-43 CYCLONE 18 CYLINDER AIR COOLED RADIALS, 2,000 HP EACH.

WINGSPAN; 71 FT. 0 IN./ LENGTH; 56 FT. 1 IN. / HEIGHTH; 20 FT. 4 IN.

WEIGHT; 38,200 LB.

MAXIMUM SPEED; 283 MPH / CEILING; 19,800 FT / RANGE; 1,100 MILES.

ARMAMENT; 11 MACHINE GUNS / 4,000 BOMBS.

CREW; 7

B-26 DEVELOPMENT AND GEN. JIMMY DOOLITTLE

THE BIRTH OF THE MARTIN MARAUDER CAME ABOUT DUE TO SPECIFICATIONS ISSUED BY THE ARMY AIR CORPS ON JANUARY 25 th OF 1939. THESE SPECIFICATIONS SOUGHT A TWIN ENGINE BOMBER WITH GREAT EMPHASIS PLACED ON SPEED, RANGE AND OPERATIONAL ALTITUDE. THE MARTIN COMPANY PRESENTED A DESIGN IN LESS THAN SIX MONTHS THAT MET ALL REQUIREMENTS PERFECTLY, ON PAPER. THIS WAS ACCEPTED BY THE A.A.C. AND THEY PRESENTED THE COMPANY WITH AN UNPRECEDENTED ORDER FOR 1,000 AIRCRAFT SIGHT UNSEEN.

THE FIRST PROTOTYPE OF THE MARAUDER FLEW ON NOVEMBER 25 th OF 1940. AS OPERATIONAL USE OF THE B-26 BEGAN PROBLEMS THAT WOULD FOLLOW IT THROUGH ITS CAREER SURFACED QUICKLY. THE LARGEST OF THESE PROBLEMS WAS IN TRAINING THE FLIGHT CREWS AND THEN MAINTAINING THEIR TRUST IN THE AIRCRAFT. THE CREWS WERE DISCONCERTED BY CERTAIN FEATURES OF THE PLANE, PRIMARILY THE UNUSUALLY HIGH WING LOADING THAT NECESSITATED DANGEROUSLY HIGH LANDING SPEEDS. AFTER A NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS PRODUCTION WAS ACTUALLY STOPPED AND A COMMISSION OF INQUIRY WAS APPOINTED. IT WAS DECIDED TO PROCEED WITH PRODUCTION AFTER CERTAIN MODIFICATIONS, WHICH PROVED TO BE OF LITTLE ASSISTANCE.

DURING THE EARLY WEEKS OF OPERATION IN NORTH AFRICA THE MARAUDER WAS GAINING A REPUTATION AS A KILLER OF FLIGHT CREWS. IT WAS KNOW BY A NUMBER OF UNFLATTERING NICKNAMES, SUCH AS THE BALTIMORE WHORE AS IT HAD NO VISIBLE MEANS OF SUPPORT.

JIMMY DOOLITTLE HAD RECENTLY TAKEN COMMAND OF THE 12 TH AIR FORCE AND WANTED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS SITUATION. FIRST OF ALL DOOLITTLE DID NOT WANT HIS CREWS TO FEEL THAT HIGH COMMAND DID NOT CARE. SECONDLY THE GENERAL HAD TESTED THIS PLANE THOROUGHLY BEFORE MOST OF THE COMBAT CREWS HAD EVER SEEN ONE. HE KNEW IT WAS A PLANE THAT COULD MAKE A CREDITABLE MARK ON THE WAR EFFORT.

TO PROVE HIS POINT THE GENERAL STARTED TO TOUR UNITS WHILE FLYING A B-26 WITH NO COPILOT, ONLY A CREW CHIEF TO SERVICE THE CRAFT. JIMMY WOULD FLY OVER THE BOMBER UNITS DOING THINGS THAT MOST THOUGHT WOULD BRING CERTAIN DEATH. TO ILLUSTRATE THIS I AM GOING TO BORROW A BIT FROM GENERAL PAUL TIBBETS' MEMOIRS. THIS WAS WRITTEN AFTER A RIDE WITH DOOLITTLE DURING ONE OF HIS PERFORMANCES. I HAVE BORROWED THIS FROM DOOLITTLE'S BOOK, I COULD NEVER BE SO LUCKY AGAIN .

I should have suspected that Doolittle knew more about the B-26 than he admitted when he said,

"It's just another airplane. Let's start it up and play with it."  That is exactly what we did. We got in the air and circled to 6,000 feet, remaining close enough to the field to reach the runway if we had trouble.

But everything went smoothly.

Doolittle then shut down one of the engines, feathered the propeller. He got the plane trimmed and

we did some flying on one engine, turning in both directions, climbing, making steep banks. The

Marauder was a tame bird with Doolittle at the controls.

Suddenly he put the plane into a dive, built up excess speed, and put it into a perfect loop—all with

one engine dead. As we came to the bottom of the loop, he took the dead propeller out of feather and it

started windmilling. When it was turning fast enough, he flipped on the magnetos and restarted the engine as we made a low pass over the airfield. We came around in a normal manner, dropped the gear and the flaps, and set the B-26 down smoothly on the runway.

The pilots and operations people who had been watching us were impressed. The flight was an important start toward convincing them that the B-26 was just another airplane.

THE MARAUDER, 5157 OF THEM, AND THEIR CREWS PROVIDED FINE SERVICE TO OUR NATION AND A GREAT CONTRIBUTION TO THE WAR EFFORT.

Constituted as 323rd Bombardment Group (Medium) on 19 Jun 1942. Activated on 4 Aug 1942. Trained with B-26's. Moved to England, Apr-Jun 1943. Assigned first to Eighth AF and, in Oct 1943, to Ninth AF. Began operations in Jul 1943, attacking marshalling yards, airdromes, industrial plants, military installations, and other targets in France, Belgium, and Holland. Then carried out numerous attacks on V-weapon sites along the coast of France. Attacked airfields at Leeuwarden and Venlo in conjunction with the Allied campaign against the German Air Force and aircraft industry during Big Week, 20-25 Feb 1944. Helped to prepare for the invasion of Normandy by bombing coastal defenses, marshalling yards, and airfields in France; struck roads and coastal batteries on 6 Jun 1944. Participated in the aerial barrage that assisted the breakthrough at St Lo in Jul. Flew its first night mission after moving to the Continent in Aug, striking enemy batteries in the region of St Malo. Carried out other night missions during the month to hit fuel and ammunition dumps. Eliminated strong points at Brest early in Sep and then shifted operations to eastern France to support advances against the Siegfried Line. Received a DUC for actions (24-27 Dec 1944) during the Battle of the Bulge when the group effectively hit transportation installations used by the enemy to bring reinforcements to the Ardennes. Flew interdictory missions into the Ruhr and supported the drive into Germany by attacking enemy communications. Ended combat in Apr 1945 and moved to Germany in May to participate in the disarmament program. Returned to the US in Dec. Inactivated on 12 Dec 1945.

Redesignated 323rd Bombardment Group (Light). Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 9 Sep 1947. Ordered to active duty on 10 Mar 1951. Inactivated on 17 Mar 1951.

Redesignated 323d Fighter-Bomber Group. Activated on 8 Aug 1955. Assigned to Tactical Air Command.

SQUADRONS

453rd: 1942-1945; 1949-1951; 1955-.

454th: 1942-1945; 1949-1951; 1955-.

455th: 1942-1945; 1949-1951; 1955-.

456th: 1942-1945; 1947-1951.

STATIONS

Columbia AAB, SC, 4 Aug 1942

MacDill Field, Fla, 21 Aug 1942

Myrtle Beach Bombing Range, SC, 2 Nov 1942- 25 Apr 1943

Horham, England, 12 May 1943

Earls Colne, England, 14 Jun 1943

Beaulieu, England, 21 Jul 1944

Lessay, France, 26 Aug 1944

Chartres, France, 21 Sep 1944

Laon/Athies, France, 13 Oct 1944

Denain/Prouvy, France, 9 Feb 1945

Gablingen, Germany, 15 May 1945

Landsberg, Germany, 16 Jul 1945

Clastres, France, Oct-Dec 1945

Camp Myles Standish, Mass, 11-12 Dec 1945

Tinker Field, Okla, 9 Sep 1947- 17 Mar 1951

Bunker Hill AFB, Ind, 8 Aug 1955-.

COMMANDERS

Col Herbert B Thatcher, Sep 1942

Col Wilson R Wood, c. 13 Nov 1943

Col Rollin M Winingham, 14 Feb 1945

Lt Col George O Commenator, Aug 1945-unkn.

Col John C Haygood,1955-.

CAMPAIGNS

Air Offensive, Europe

Normandy

Northern France

Rhineland

Ardennes-Alsace

Central Europe

DECORATIONS. Distinguished Unit Citation: Belgium and Germany, 24-27 Dec1944.

INSIGNE. Shield: Per bend gules and azure, a bend between a mailed dexter gauntlet grasping a dagger and the winged hat of Mercury argent. Motto: VINCAMUS SINE TIMORIS-- " Without Fear We Conquer." (Approved 16 Feb 1943. This insigne was replaced 21 Jun 1957.)

(1) Letter from Gen. H.H. "Hap" Arnold to Chalender's parents, owned by Chalender H. Martina.

(2) Documents owned by Chalender H. Martina.

(3) Combat Chronology of the US Army Air Forces.

(4) USAAF.COM/8THAF.

(5) History of the Ninth Air Force

(6) From correspondence with Harv Jacobs.

(7) Family tradition says...

(8) Rob van den Nieuwendijk. Dutch historian. Author of "Doelwit Schiphol" a Dutch published account of all raid on Schipol.

(9) University of Akron archives.

(10) Taken from website: www.usaaf.com .

Additonal sources not yet checked:

AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force History,

Headquarters USAF, 1961, ISBN 0-912799-02-1

COMBAT SQUADRONS OF THE AIR FORCE, WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force

History, Headquarters USAF 1982

THE ARMY AIR FORCES IN WORLD WAR II: COMBAT CHRONOLOGY, 1941-1945 by the

Office of Air Force History, Headquarters USAF, 1973

THE MIGHTY EIGHTH WAR DIARY by Roger A. Freeman, ISBN 1-85409-071-2