This is an exact transcription of my father’s strike book from WWII

His name was Clifford R. Beach Jr. and he served in the Pacific Theater during WWII. He enlisted at Ft. Dix, NJ on ------------------------- (his military Number was 13203803)in the Army Air Corps. He had enlisted in the Army Reserves on 21 June 1943 in Brookline, PA. After Basic Training and additional air training he was shipped out. He always told me that he kept a written and photographic record of the missions because he’d be eligible to return home with 49.5 points. He started as a gunner in the Sperry Ball but after too many men died in those the balls were removed. He was a nose gunner after that. Dad told me the point system changed during his service, so they got fewer points as his service went on.

In addition to this written record he also saved some “flack streamers” – I don’t know the correct term for the roll of aluminum strips and some bomb pins.

Cebu Island Flack-Interception NO4 – Engine Hit - probable TOJO 10-31-44 6 ½ pts

Cotabata – Philippines – Milk Run 11:35 10-23-44 2 pts

Cebu Island – Milk Run 11-6-44 3 pts

10-21-44

Newak – New Guinea

Took off around 11:15. Bombed personnel – direct hits.

Milk-run

TIME – 4 hours 20 min.

Miles 700 1 point

10-23-44 2

Cotabato, Mindenao

Took off 2:10 – one target 8:20. Bombed Jap Headquarters 4 out of 5 direct hits. Milk-run.

Time 11 hrs’ 35 min

Miles 1850 2 pts.

11-1-44 3

Lehug, Cebu

Took off 2:20 – over target 09:30 Bombed air –drome direct hits. M04 engine knocked out by flack and we were inter-cepted by 2 Tojos – Tony got a probable – I only got in a short burst on him. No 4 engine would not feather and we had to sweat it out until we could land at Moratau. Skipper made a beautiful 3 eng. Landing. Remained over-night & got a visit from “Pins . rall Charlie” no damage done. Left plane at Moratau for repairs and came back to the lare –sure was glad to get back!

Time 11 hrs 5 min.

Miles 2000 pts 6 ½.

11-6-44 4

Lehug Cebu

Took off 5:30 – over target 11:00. Bombed Jap air drome and didn’t do bad. Surprised because it was a milk-run – was really sweating it out! Landed at Sansaper for gas

Time 13 hr. 10 min

Miles 2000 3 pt.

11-14-44 5

Sassa, Mindanao

Took off 5:30 – over target 11:20. Bombed operation buildings and runways _ direct hits on building. Milk-run, but saw 2 fighters who stayed away from us.

Time 11 hr. 35 min.

Miles 1800 2 pts.

11-16-44 6

Sassa, Min.

Took off 5:30 over target 11:25. Bombed runways & strip but good! Hearvy Flack and one ship got hit but was O.K.

Time 11 hrs. 25 min.

Miles 1800 2 pts.

11-19-44 7

Took off 5:30 over target 11:00 Bombed runways but only got 35% hits – not good!! Attacked by 5 fighters which dropped phosphorous bombs on the formation – wow was I scared! Heavy flack – 2 shops hit but returned O.K.

Time 11 hrs. 5 mins.

Miles 1200 6 points

11-22-44 8

Sassa, Min.

Took off 5:30 over target 11:05 Bombed air-dromes and revetments – pretty good hits. Had flack, but not accurate.

Time 11 hrs. 10 min.

Miles 1800 2 pts.

11-24-44 9

Matina, Min.

Took off 5:30 over target 11:15 bombed air-dromes & got 100% his – goody! Had Flack but the Japs are lousy!

11 hrs. 20 min.

1800 miles 2 pts.

11-27-44 10

Dalio, Min.

Took off 5:30 over target 11.20 bombed air-drome and revetments – got 50% his. Met Flack, and 2 zekes after our run which dropped Phospherous bombs and one burst about 50 yds. From our plane. Peter & I fired at the little b _ _ _ _ _ _ and he took off but quick.

11 hrs 45 min.

1800 5 pts.

11-29-44 11

Matina, Min

5:30 take off overt targe 11:25. Bombed air-drome & got 100% hits starting large fires. Milk-run

11 hrs.

1800 2 pts

12-12-44 12

Sassa, Min

Took off 5 45 over target 1200. Bombed revetments & got 100%. Very light flack one plane hit. twin-engine plane flew along with us, but didn’t get eager.

12 hrs.

1800 2 ½ pts.

12-14-44 12

Padoda, Min.

Took off 6:15 over Target 11:45. Dropped Frag bombs on Jap planes & got 80% hits starting four big fires.

11 hr. 25 mins.

1800 2 pts.

12-16-44 14

5:30 over target 11:15. Frags on airplanes & revetments but missed target completely. milk-run.

11 hrs. 40 min.

1800 2 pts.

12-21-44 15

Lineanan, Min.

0600 -300 100pounders – over target 11:45. Got 100% hits on Jap planes & trucks & started 5 big fires which exploded after break-away met Heavy Flack and althought it was on our level, no one got hit.

11 hrs. 30 min.

1800 2 pts.

1-26-45 16

Ferry Mission from Beah to Mindoro, our new home. Looks oK. to me! Passed over Jap held Islands of negros, Penary, & Cebu, but didn’t have any trouble

7 hrs. 55 min

1400 1 ½ pts.

1-25-45 17

Cavite, Luzon

First one from Mindoro took off 9:15 – carried 8000 pounds. Target was supposed to be a “hot” one and was very near Manila. as we came near target, Pete & I spotted huge fires coming from target. over target at around 1000and dropped bombs on oil tanks but missed them and killed some fish instead. Milk-run.

3 hrs

200 ½ pt.

Passed near Coregidor & were told to stay away from it because of flack.

1-30-45 18

Coregidor Island.

Really sweated this one out but needlessly. We hit stores & got 100% hits! That helped make up for the last time! met light flack.

3 hrs 20 min.

300 ½ pt.

2-1-45 19

Toho, Formosa

The roughest mission we’ve had so far. Tony was almost hit by a piece of flack which cut his throat mike! Took off 0600 overt target 11:15 made two runs & got jlents thrown at us on our first one, didn’t drop bombs because of clouds. Hit target 100% - wareshouses. Got No: 4 engine knocked out + 4 Loubs in our plane. Feathered the engine & am fighter cover – P-47’s stayed with us. Landed at Lingajan & got a ride back.

9 hrs 45 min

1600 3 pts

2-5-45 20 corregidor

took off 7AM over target 8:15 carried 8-100’s & dropped them on costal guns – 100%

milk run

3 hr 20 min

300 miles ½ pt.

2-8-45 21 marivales

Took off 7AM over target 8:15 carried 8-1000’s an ground support – dropped bombs in water – phoeey!

3 hr. ½ pt.

300 miles

2-8-45 22 marivales

Took off a 2:30 P.M – really was lousy – we had to come back because of weather so we dropped all the bombs in the water – am I P.o’d!!

1 hr

160 .2 pt.

2-11-45 23 Cavaben

Took off 8 AM over targe at 9 AM – ground support – 100% his in arm area – really gave the Japs hell!!

2 hr 30 min

300 miles -½ pt.

2-14-45 24 Shipping

Took off of 6AM looking for convoy somewhere off the china coast, but it was all undercast and we couldn’t find them so we dropped our bombs in the water – just a waste of time! 11 hrs 20 min.

1800 miles 2 pts.

2-16-45 25 Corrigedor

Took off 6M – carried frags and we helped in the invasion of Corregidor. Saw the warships shelling the Island and coming back we passed the C-47’s carrying paratroopers – really had a good time watching the show!!

2/21/45 26 Ft. Stolsenburg

ground support – nothing much happened

2/21/45 27 Ft. Stolsenburg

ditto

2-24-45 28 nip. alum. plant

took off at 6.50 carrying 8-1000’s we were over target at 11:00 and dropped our bombs mostly in the water – got a lot of flack, but no one was holed – Formosa is a hot target!

10 hrs.

1600 miles 2 pt.

2-26-45 29 Tahoa

Took off at 6AM carrying 8-1000’s hit the dock area of tahoa & got 100% hits – lots of Flack but no one got hit – I repeat “Formosa is a hot target!

9:35

1550 miles 1 ½ pts.

2-28-45 30 Ipe Dam Area

took off 7AM carried frags – had a hard time finding the target and when we finally did, we missed it – our bombadier better get on the ball!!

4 hrs.

600 miles ½ pt.

3/3/45 31 Kurum Nav. Base

took off 4:45 over target 11 AM. made an H2O run on the target – we were on oxygen. Must have made a 15 min. bomb run. coming back, the leader took us over an air Field, & we were shot at – one ship was hit – that’s a dumb way to get points!!

13:35

1900 mile 3 pts.

3/6/45 32 antipole

ground support – no comment – except 100% hits

3:30

400 miles ½ pt.

3/6/45 33 antipole

ditto

3/9/45 34 takau

took off 6 AM over targets 10:30 – bombed warehouses with frags, and left the place smoking – got lots of Flack, and one ship was hit.

9:25

1550 2 ½ pt.

3/13/45 35 Jitsugitsu Power Plant

took off at 6:45 over target 11:30. All clouded over and the target was open land enough for the bombadier to see target – after bombs dropped there were clouds again so we couldn’t see results. Thought we wre going to get heavy Flack, But it was moderate and inaccurate.

11 hrs.

1700 mile 2 pts.

3/16/45 36 Hinto

Lost our navigator and now we have a new one – he’s on the ball! Made two runs on the target and it was really rough!! we lead the Sq. the second time and got 100% hits on Barracks & stores – we also got hit – one fellow in 274 was wounded by Flack – they’re getting good !!

10 hrs.

1600 mile 3 pts

3-18/45 37 Taiwan – Toho

took off at 6:36 and lead the Group today! our target was socked in, we found another one – toho Naval Base – got 100% hits and got lots of Flack – one ship was holed.

9 hrs

1550 miles 3 pts.

3-23-45 38 Legaspi

ground Support N.C.

3-26-45 39 Legaspi N.C.

[lots of blank pages then it starts again]

3-30-45 40 DARALA City

Took off 0800 over target at 11:35 – ground support – brokhing out installations (pillboxes etc). Bombed from 9,000 feet and after making 3 passes at the target, we hit it 100%! We couldn’t bomb the other two time because of cloud coverage over the tartet – we made an hour’s more time than the rest of the squadron

time 5 hr. 5 min

400 mile 1 pt.

4-2-45 41 Cagi Air – drome

Took off at 7 AM over Target at 12:30 – shot up about 12 bursts of flack and one of the ships got hit. We hit revetments and I think we got 100% - landed at lingayen to pick up a crew who feathered their engine.

10 hrs 45 min.

1600 mile 3 pts.

4-9-45 42

Canton & Victoria Docks Hong Kong

Took off at 10:55 P.M Carrying 6-500’s & 3100 gallons of gas. Over Target at 0500 & dropped bombs on an HRX RUN – Results unobserved. Our Main objective was taking scope Pictures of Canton From 4 Different Headings So they could get “The Lay of the Land” The Photo. Flubbed His Dub. & only got about 25 pictures. There were a few bursts of Flack, But I didn’t see any. Two Fighters Tailed us from Caton (sic) to Hong Kong – I didn’t see them because they were back at 5 & 7 O’Clock. When We made our run on the wares. The RADAR Bomb F.4.D, & Took us too far north of the Target So we had to turn around & make a second Run- really got away from that target after bombs away! Fighteres stayed with us & made some passes & fired at us, But we were told to hold our fire unless it got too hot, so we didn’t return Fire.

The moon scared the pants off me – in fact I was scared all the time! Don’t like flying all by myself at night – one of those missions is enough for me!!

Returned at 9:55 – darned tired &glad to be back

Time 11 HRS

Miles 1800 Miles 5 pts.

4-16-45 43 TAIHOKU

Took off at 6:45 over Target at 12:40. We carried 30-100 LB. Frag. Clusters. We dropped them on planes that were parked in between buildings in=stead of in revetments. Had a long bomb run & they threw up a bunch of flack at us – must have been around 50 or 60 bursts, but they weren’t accurate. Made 100% hits on the target. We may get a Point for fighters But I didn’t see any, we may also get a Point for FLACK – don’t know yet. Went up the East Coast of Formosa for the First Time – good mission as a whole

Time 11 HRS. 40 MIIN.

1800 Miles PTS.

4-19-45 44 TAIWAN AIRDROME

Took off 7:45 over the Target at 2:15 – We had to Bomb the Sec. Target Because Primary was socked in. Carrieb (sic) 30-100 LB Frags. and Bombed Planes in revetments – got about 70% hits because we bombed in a dive. didn’t get any flack until we made our break & then got about 25-30 accurate burst had one phospherous burst over my left shoulder that scared me skinney (sic)! I’m really starting to sweat out the missions now! I’m Really scared when we go over the target, But I believe we’ll make it O.K.

Time 11 hr, 20 MIN

1800 MILES 3 PTs.

4-26-45 45 INDO-CHINA SAIGON

Took off AT 7 A.M. with 6 1,000’s & 3,100 gallons of gas. over Target at 1315 & dropped them on a rice-mill & warehouses & got 100% hits. We wouldn’t have gotten any flack but the leader screwed up & we got about 15 bursts which weren’t very accurate. As we landed, NO 1 engine cut out – no gas, but the skipper recovered it in time & brought her in O.K. I didn’t know anything about itbecause Iwas watching the right wheel – the crew chief congratulated me on having such a agood pilot. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again – we’ve got a DAMNED good Pilont – the best!

12 HRS. 10 MIN. 3 PTS.

1900 Miles

ONLY TWO TO GO!!!

5-3-45 46 Saigon

Took off at 0500 with 30-100 DEMOS. & were over target at 11:45 & dropped bombs on shell oil farm & got 80% hits – didn’t get much flack first time, but did the second time & we were hit. We got fighters – found out when we got on the ground but got screwed our of our Three Points - would have finished but that means we have to fly another mission for a lousy .89 of a point – better. not say any more because someone my read this.

Time – 12 HRS 35 MIN 3 ½ Pts.

1900 Miles

ONE MORE

MISSION THEN

JOLLY ROGERS CAN ____ ____ ___ ______!!!

[One of Dad’s expressions was “go ____ in their hats” – I imagine that is what is implied here]

5-8-45 47 NHA TRANG

Took off at 6:20 over target at 4:30. We carried 6-1,000 S.A.P. & bombed a four span railroad bridge. We got 100% hits. No flack or fighters – I was glad of that.

WE’RE FINISHED!!

10 HRS. 35 Min. 2 PTS

1700 Miles.

Clifford Beach (1925)