Captain Harry R. Ankeny's Combat Diary
Page 22
the ground. After dive bombing a rail junction at
Evreax I lost my flight but joined them a little later
and came on home. Seems like I miss all the good
missions. Yesterday the only mission I haven't been
on for some time the boys went deep into the Reich and
chalked up 22 victories. That is really a darn good
score for one mission.
6 July, 1944.
Just returned from a short mission to Beaumont, France,
escorting the big friends. Didn't see any enemy action
and I was glad because I haven't been feeling good today.
This afternoon the boy from the orderly room came in and
announced I made "Capt.", effective the 30 June, 1944.
Felt pretty darn good about that and Major Broadhead gave
me one of his bars.
8 July, 1944.
Only picked up 1 hr. and 20 minutes combat time today,
with a bomber escort to Reims, France. Got a new P-51D-5
today and my crew chief just finished the last minute
touches on it. Took "Betsy" on a test hop and really ran
her thru the paces from 500 mi/hrs. straight down to straight
and level flight. I tried everything I knew. It's better
to find out if you have a good ship over here than to wait
until you really have to press her in combat, deep in enemy
territory. She performed like a charm even though I wore
myself out testing her. After landing I started to roll
the canopy back and no deal. Thinking the crank was a bit
stiff, I put a little elbow grease on it and crack - it
broke!! Capt. Gilbreth our Engr. officer, was really mad
but I outrank him a day. Said he was going to make one out
of stainless steel so I couldn't break it.
12 July, 1944.
Started out on a long mission to Munich today but just
as I hit the coast of France, my radio went out, generators
dead etc., so I hiked back to the base. Sorry to have
missed this mission but it was darn good thing I returned,
so said our engineering officer.
Copyright © 1996, Harry R. Ankeny