Journey to War

The Journey to War: The Deployment of the 34th Bomb Group

Setting Off for the Unknown

In the spring of 1944, a group of young American airmen stationed at Blythe Army Air Base in California received the orders that would change their lives forever. These men were part of the 34th Bombardment Group (Heavy), trained to operate the formidable B-24 Liberator bombers. Their mission was to join the war effort in Europe, but at the time, none of them knew exactly where they would be heading.

Their journey began with the issue of Special Orders No. 88, instructing seventy crews to fly their aircraft to Lincoln, Nebraska. There, the planes underwent thorough checks and maintenance to ensure they were ready for the demanding flights and combat ahead. From Lincoln, the crews were directed to West Palm Beach, Florida, where they received sealed orders – a final layer of secrecy. It was not until they were airborne, one hour into their flight, that they were allowed to open the envelopes and discover their destination: England.

Lt. James R. Reed Jr. later recalled the moment the orders were opened mid-flight: "We all leaned in as the envelope was torn open. When we read 'England,' there was a mix of relief and apprehension. We knew what lay ahead wouldn’t be easy, but at least we had a direction."

A Long and Winding Route

Rather than taking the shorter, more direct route across the North Atlantic, the crews were sent on a longer, safer path. They travelled south to Puerto Rico, then on to British Guiana (modern-day Guyana), Brazil, across the Atlantic to Dakar in West Africa, and then north through Morocco before finally reaching Northern Ireland. This southern route was chosen to avoid the treacherous winter weather and severe icing conditions over the North Atlantic.

While this route was safer, it was still a difficult and exhausting journey, requiring skill and endurance from both the airmen and their aircraft. Each leg of the journey brought its own challenges: navigating over vast stretches of ocean, coping with heat, fatigue, and the constant pressure to remain vigilant.

Sgt. Clifford Connor, a gunner, described the heat and tension: "We were dripping with sweat, constantly checking our equipment, knowing that any small failure over that endless ocean could be the end. You couldn’t relax, not even for a minute."

A Crew Like Family

The men of each crew quickly became more than just colleagues; they were a family. Their lives depended on each other in the air. Each crew had its pilots, navigators, gunners, and engineers – all playing a vital role in keeping the aircraft flying and ensuring its safe return. Crew No. 1 of the 4th Squadron, for example, had Major Joe Garrett as their commanding officer, while 1st Lt. James R. Reed Jr. was their lead navigator.

Navigators like Reed faced particular challenges. Working in cramped spaces with poor visibility, they plotted the course using maps, compasses, and celestial navigation. Reed was soon joined by another navigator, Kleinfall, who worked from the aircraft's nose turret, offering a better view ahead. Together, they formed a highly effective team, guiding their crew safely through the skies.

Reed later reflected on his partnership with Kleinfall: "Having Kleinfall in the nose turret was a game-changer. He had eyes on everything, while I worked the charts. We saved each other more than once. That bond, that trust – it stayed with me long after the war."

Sacrifices and Uncertainty

Space on the B-24s was limited, so to accommodate key squadron and group headquarters staff for the journey to England, not all gunners could travel with their crews. The selection process was simple but harsh – they drew straws. David Ashley, one of the gunners on Crew No. 1, drew the short straw and had to make the journey to England by troop ship instead.

Ashley later recounted: "I was gutted when I pulled that short straw. I wanted to fly with my crew. We were a team. But that’s how it went. The ship journey was rough – cold, crowded, and we all knew the U-boats were out there. I’d have given anything to be in that plane."

This lottery-like decision underscores the unpredictability of wartime service. For some, the skies were their battlefield; for others, the long and hazardous journey across the U-boat-infested Atlantic awaited.

Arrival in England

Upon arrival, the crews settled at their new base in Mendlesham, Suffolk. They were now part of the air war over Europe, their days filled with preparations for bombing raids over enemy territory. The camaraderie built during their journey would serve them well in the dangerous missions ahead.

More Than Just Orders

While the official documents in Special Orders No. 88 and 92 outline logistics and names, the real story lies in the human experiences behind those lists. Each name represents a young man who left home, faced uncertainty, and relied on his comrades. These were ordinary individuals thrust into extraordinary circumstances – flying over oceans and battlefields, bound together by duty, resilience, and friendship.

Their journey from Blythe to Mendlesham was more than a change of location; it was the beginning of a chapter in their lives that would shape them forever.