USAAF 1535th Ordnance S&M
Company (Avn) 1945 History


UNIT HISTORY OF THE 1535TH ORDNANCE S&M CO (AVN) FOR MONTH OF JANUARY, 1945:   


     The strength of this organization on 1 January, 1945 was 4 Officers,      
and 68 Enlisted Men.                                                           
     On the 2nd Sgt Gordon L. Wendel was transfered to this organization       
from Headquarters Squadron, Far East Air Service Command, APO 565, pp 3,       
Special Order #167, Headquarters Far East Air Service Command, APO 565.        
He joined the Company at 0900 hours.                                           
     On the 6th  Captain Merle C. Hollingsworth, O-264540 was assigned to      
this organization from Headquarters Far East Air Service Command, APO 565,     
pp 13, Special Order #2, Headquarters Far East Air Service Command, APO 565    
dated 3 January, 1945.  Captain Hollingsworth assigned Command of this         
organization on the 10 January, 1945.                                          
     On the 13 January, 1945 Private First Class Johnson, Kandefer,            
Kirschenbaum, Kunnemann, & Laverty were appointed Technician Fifth Grade       
while Privates Boyle, Breen, Brogan, Bullard, Chapin, Laco, Lambert, &         
Wilson were appointed Privates First Class.                                    
     On the 15 January, 1945 Technicians Fifth Grade Kandefer, Laverty,        
and Private First Class Lambert left for Coolangatta on a 7 day furlough.      
     Captain Jordan, the former Commanding Officer departed on the 17          
January 1945 to join his new post with IV Air Service Area Command at          
APO 920, pp 10 Special Order #2, Headquarters  Far East Air Service            
Command, APO 565.                                                              

                            -1-                                                
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     On the 20 January, 1945 Staff Sergeant Andreacchi rejoined this           
organization fr DS with Headquarters Squadron Far East Air Service             
Command, APO 565.                                                              
     The Rotation Quota, consisting of Master Sergeant Kendrick, Technician    
Fifth Grade Cohen, & McCarthy was transferred to Rotation Detachment,          
Base 3, APO 923 and left the organization 23 January, 1945.                    
     The TDY Quota, Technician Third Grade Cook, and Technician Fourth         
Grade Duralja departed on the 25 January, 1945.                                
     On the 31 January 2nd Lieut Paul was appointed Company Supply Officer,    
Unit Censor, Unit Intelligence Officer, & War Bond Officer per Company         
Order #1, 17 January, 1945.                                                    
     This organization was alerted to move to a forward area sometimes in      
January or February.  The whole Unit was busily engaged in packing and         
making preparations for this contemplated move.  All vehicles were repaired    
& checked.  The Automotive General Supply section worked day & night for       
2 weeks packing a 45 day supply of automotive parts.                           



                                              ROBERT B. O'BRIEN.               
                                              1st Lt., Ord. Dept.,             
                                              Historical Officer.,             




                             -2-                                               
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UNIT HISTORY OF THE 1535TH ORDNANCE S&M CO (AVN) FOR MONTH OF FEBRUARY, 1945   



    The equipment of this organization had been packed over a month and        
when orders were received to unpack part of this equipment and to resume       
third echelon maintenance, many members of the outfit were puzzled.  After     
a frenzied packing job in the last ten days of December, we had spent          
January doing odd jobs and putting the finishing touches on our company        
vehicles, while awaiting movement orders.  Were we to stay in Brisbane for     
several more months?  Rumors flew about rapidly for a few days, but as         
usual no one knew the real facts.                                              
     Operations for the month were unusual in many respects.  Normally a       
mechanic commences work on a vehicle and determines what parts will be         
necessary to repair it.  These are listed and then checked by the shop         
foreman.  If correct, the parts are drawn from the supply room window at       
the end of the shop.  However, with all parts packed and the excess turned     
in to the depot, such a proceedure was impossible.  A modified "mail order"    
system was introduced.  When Joe required a transmission gear, it was          
immediately requisitioned from the depot.  Arrangements were made for a        
speed-up in service and most of the parts were obtained in two or three        
days.  During this time however, Joe would start another job and when the      
gear in question arrived he might be engrossed in overhauling a Dodge          
engine, and Jim would have to put in the new gear.  Assembling a trans-        
mission which someone else has stripped down is a difficult, instructive,      
and interesting job.  Much experience was gained in this manner during the     
month.                                                                         
     The armament section initiated a familiarization course in five wea-      
pons for the men in the company.  The M 1903A3 rifle, M1 carbine, M1911        
pistol, M1 Thompson sub-machine gun, and the M2 heavy barrel machine gun       
w ere all fired by the members of this organization.  Several men develo-      
ped great accuracy with the M1903A3 rifle and scored five bull's eyes out      
of five shots often on the one thousand inch range which was used for all      
the firing.  The general opinion of the pistol was not very high, but the      
men were impressed with the power of the heavy machine gun.  An inspection     
of all small arms in the hands of Air Force units in the area was held by      
this organization during the latter part of the month.  Nearly all weapons     
inspected were in excellent condition.  A total of five enlisted men left      
the organization during the month to return to the United States.  Four        
 men were on rotation and one for thirty day furlough.  During the past        
year there has been a large turnover in veterans, and now the recruits and     
new men overseas ("Hornets") outnumber the men with two years overseas or      
more, about six to one.  On the l7th of the month two enlisted men retur-      
ned to the organization from a thirty day furlough at home.  It was enter-     
taining to hear how all the things back have changed for better or worse       
since we left.  The men about to go home after three years were especially     
interested.                                                                    
     On payday each man contributed one pound to the "Party Fund" and on       
Saturday 3rd February, a company party was held in the club on the post.       
A large civilian band held forth and most of the men had local Brisbane        
girls as dates.  Sixty gallons of beer went "down the hatch" and the           
party was a success all around.                                                
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     Each Sunday throughout the month a bus was dispatched to the beach        
at Coolangatta, Queensland.  The Red Cross and the local girls there           
kept spirits high and provided a change from the weekly routine.  The          
club on the post was open six nights a week and the 1535th was usually         
well represented.  On party nights, Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday, the         
club was well filled.                                                          
     On Saturday, the 24th, the outfit received an alert to be ready to        
move in seventy two hours.  Immediately all maintenance work ceased and        
repacking operations got in high gear.  By Tuesday, the 27th, all was          
in readiness.  The shop was cleaned out and all boxes piled on fourty          
foot trailers ready to be loaded on the train.  A convoy of six vehicles       
consisting of two wreckers and four mobile shop trucks was prepared to         
drive to the destination.  These vehicles were too large for the rail-         
road bridges and tunnels along the route and could not be loaded on the        
train.  Two drivers were assigned to each vehicle and the vehicles             
greased, oiled and checked in every detail.  All were ready to move on         
time.                                                                          


                                                    ROBERT B. O'BRIEN,         
                                                    1st Lt., Ord. Dept.,       
                                                    Historical Officer.        



===============================================================================
UNIT HISTORY OF THE 1535TH ORDNANCE S&M CO (AVN) FOR MONTH OF MARCH, 1945      


     During the month of March this organization performed no outside          
ordnance operations.  Efforts were concentrated on moving, servicing,          
and reboxing company equipment and vehicles.  Therefore this install-          
ment of the company history covers only internal activities of the             
company.                                                                       
     The long awaited shipment was to come partially realized at last.         
After an "alert" of more than two months, we were going to Townsville          
by rail as the first step of our journey north.  A ride on an "Aussie"         
train is an unforgettable experience.  The hard seats, jolting road-           
bed, half hour lunch stops in small bush towns, and sleepless nights           
will be long remembered by the men of this outfit who came to Towns-           
ville by train.  In spite of hardships the trip was not without humor.         
An upset Lister bag and "Blackie", the company cat, provided a share           
of the entertainment.  Several enterprising men attempted to sleep in          
the overhead luggage racks, but most of the company "slept" convent-           
ionally on the cramped seats.                                                  
     The equipment had been sent up earlier on a goods train with a            
guard detail of six men and Captain Hollingsworth, the commanding              
officer.  They had a quiet trip and nothing uneventful happened with           
the exception of the breakdown of one railway car, which was left              
behind for repairs, attended by Sgt. Kunnemann.  The recalcitrant              
car finally arrived in good shape, one day late.                               
     Since the mobile shop trucks and wreckers were too large for              
the small bridges and tunnels on the railroad, they were convoyed by           
thirteen drivers and Lt. O'Brien.  These men had perhaps the most              
interesting trip, eight days through the heart of south-east Queens-           
land.  Towns of one hotel, one cafe, and one dirt road loomed large            
on the horizion after six hours or so in the bush.  The genial                 
friendship and hospitality of the Australians was universally evi-             
dent in the small towns such as Wowan, Gayndah, and Emerald, and               
contrasted sharply with the cool attitude sometimes found in Bris-             
bane.                                                                          
     By the eleventh of the month, all personnel and equipment were            
settled in the new station, Townsville Air Depot.  The unit was at-            
tached to the 12th Air Depot Group and immediately began the various           
company duties, cleaning and repairing the dust laden convoy trucks            
and weapons, sorting and repairing the packing boxes and crates,               
stencilling new information on boxes and crates, and vehicles, imp-            
roving the company area, building an ice chest, performing second              
echelon work on all company vehicles, and other similar jobs were              
all on the daily schedule.                                                     

                             - 1 -                                             

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     Leaving Brisbane and all it meant in women, beer, dances, beaches         
and other recreational facilities caused a slight drop in morale.  Much        
of this was regained when new acquaintances were made in Townsville            
after a few "pub-calls".  Several married men sent for their wives,            
who soon arrived.  Thirteen men found March 15th, the usally forbod-           
ing "Ides of March", a mighty pleasant day, as they were all promoted          
that date.  The orders listed a technical sergeant, a staff sergeant,          
five technicians fourth grade, and six technicians fifth grade.  New           
stripes soon blossomed and congratulations were in order all around.           
     Toward the end of the month a drill and physical training pro-            
gram was introduced.  Four hours per week were set aside for drill and         
two for P.T..  Despite remarks such as , "more doggone basic?", "what",        
and("censored"), the ordeal was not as bad as expected.  Softball with         
sixteen men on a team is a definitely new game.  To teach the drill            
schedule, the non-coms were given topics on which to prepare short             
lectures.  This proved of double value; the men learned the new move-          
ment and the lecturer gained speaking ability and command presence.            
     The news from both theaters of war grew more encouraging daily            
and a large map was set up in the orderly room with the eastern and            
western fronts outlined by thread and pins.  As the two approached,            
speculation as to the probable date of German collapse increased.              
Newspapers were read eagerly for news of advance by our forces.                
     During the past sixteen months there has been very little am-             
munition supply activity by this organization.  What little there has          
been was handled by two or three men, at first as a separate section           
and later through the armament section.  The other ammunition men              
went to the automotive section which has had the greatest portion of           
the work.  Now, however, all but one of the old ammunition men have            
returned to the United States on rotation, and of the replacements             
received only two have taken ammunitioncourses.  These two men, Sgt.           
Hayes and Sgt. Zabriskie, drew up a two week ammunition familiariz-            
ation course for the untrained new men.  Thiscourse covers explosives          
in general, small arms ammunition, aircraft artillery ammunition, all          
types of bombs, and pyrotechnics.  It was begun on the 26th with an            
attendance of twenty one enlisted men.  At the conclusion of the               
course a field trip through the USASOS ammunition dump at Kangaroo             
will be conducted, and an examination covering the entire course will          
be given.                                                                      

               Strength of Personnel - Commissioned and Enlisted.              

                                     Ground    Flying    Ground Flying         
                                     Officers  Officers  EM     EM             
(a) At beginning of period              4 *       0      61 **    0            
(b) Net increase during period          0         0       0       0            
(c) Net decrease during period          0         0       5       0            
(d) At end of period                    4 *       0      56 **    0            

    *   One officer on DS.                                                     
    **  Seven men on TD to US.                                                 
                                               ROBERT B. O'BRIEN               
                                               1st Lt., Ord. Dept.,            
                               - 2 -           Historical Officer.             
===============================================================================
UNIT HISTORY OF THE 1535TH ORDNANCE S&M CO (AVN) FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL, 1945  



     April has not been a very eventful month for this company.  The           
majority of the organization is still awaiting shipment to a forward           
area.  Meanwhile they have been maintaining the vehicles and equip-            
ment.  The daily drill period was concluded when Colonel Pettis of             
Townsville Air Depot formally announced the death of the President             
to the assembled units.                                                        
     After finishing the ammunition school started last month an               
armament school was conducted for one week by the armament section.            
An automotive school has been in progress since then and will prob-            
ably continue for some time.  Those schools have been highly sucess-           
ful and attended by almost the entire company, with a great interest           
shown by the men.                                                              
     The company is being well supplied with special service reading           
material.  A vehicle is dispatched on Sundays for recreation at the            
beach or another place.  Many men get horses nearby and go riding on           
their days off.  Beer call is once a week with two bottles per man.            
     On April 2nd Sgt. Clark was promoted to technician third grade            
and Sgt. Zabriskie became a staff sergeant.  T/4 Virgil L. Jackson             
left the company on 17 April for rotation to the United States.  After         
two years in this organization 1st Lt. Robert B. O'Brien left the              
19th of April for rotation to the United States.                               
     On the 20th of April 2nd Lt. Robert B. Paul and fifteen enlisted          
men, comprising the ammunition section, departed by air for detached           
service in a forward area.  This leaves the company with the smallest          
number of men ever present.  Capt. Hollingsworth is the only officer           
present with the company, Lt. Seim being on detached service with              
REFEASC as Ordnance Officer, Lt. Paul on detached service with the             
ammunition detachment, and Lt. O'Brien having left on rotation.                
     1st Sgt. Enoch and T/Sgt. Johnson returned the 22nd of April              
from the United States via Brisbane  after traversing the eight hun-           
dred miles between Brisbane and Townsville in two weeks.  They were            
guarding some equipment that had just been procured, and the delay             
enroute being caused by bridge washouts on the Australian railroad.            
Pfc. Paul Schmerer was reassigned to this organization from the                
hospital, arriving 27th of April.                                              
     Newspapers are secured by the supply sergeant from Townsville             
daily.  About one third of the company subscribes to the Townsville            
Daily Bulletin.  Brisbane morning papers are also sold here the                
night of the same day.  The men have been watching closely the col-            
lapse of Germany and realize that soon all attention will be given             
to this theater in the Far East.                                               


                            - 1 -                                              
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          Strength of Personnel - Commissioned and Enlisted.                   

                                    Ground    Flying    Ground   Flying        
                                    Officers  Officers  EM       EM            
(a)  At beginning of period            4         0        56       0           
(b)  Net increase during period        0         0         1       0           
(c)  Net decrease during period        1         0         1       0           
(d)  At end of period                  3 *       0        56 **    0           

      *  Two officers on detached service.                                     
     **  Five men on TD to U.S. and fifteen on detached service.               


                                                MERLE C. HOLLINGSWORTH         
                                                Capt., Ord. Dept.,             
                                                Historical Officer.            



                               - 2 -                                           
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UNIT HISTORY OF THE 1535TH ORDNANCE S&M CO (AVN) FOR THE MONTH OF MAY, 1945    


     May completes the third month since the arrival of this organization      
at Townsville Air Depot.  No one expected to be here that long and some        
are now speculating on how many more months we will be here.  At first         
conditions were a little more rugged than Brisbane, but it is hard to          
realize now whether conditions actually improved or whether we have become     
used to them.                                                                  
     On the third of the month Staff Sgt. Lee Radford (6745175) joined         
this unit*1.  Also on the third Tec 5 Francis H. Lambert (31426742) retur-     
ned from a hospital in New Guinea, having developed blood poisoning while      
enroute to the 617th Ordnance Amm. Co (Avn) for detached service, he was       
left at the hospital by the rest of the detachment *2.                         
     2nd Lt. Robert B. Paul (O-1555605) was promoted to 1st Lt on the          
14th of March, the orders were not received until 4 May, 1945. *3  Tec 4       
Philip Porto left for two weeks detached service in Brisbane on 4 May. *4      
On May 10th the company welcomed back from temporary duty in the United        
States Tec 4 Ralph V. Draughn (34116830) *5, this leaves four men still        
on TD in the U.S. of whom three are eligible for discharge under the           
point system.                                                                  
     The company lost a good man when Sgt. William S, Higgins (32392910)       
was transferred to Headquarters Far East Air Service Command, departing        
15 May, 1945 *6.  There was one promotion this month, Cpl. Johnnie A.          
Dornak (38158513) was appointed Tec 4 (Temp) effective 15 May, 1945 *7.        
T/Sgt. Royal G. Donnell (37377521) and T/5 Joseph O. Johnson (34842829)        
were placed on detached service with Lt. Norman R. Seim at Rear Echelon        
Far East Air Service Command and left this station 17 May, 1945 *8.            
T/4 Philip Porto already in that area was also given detached service          
with Lt. Seim.                                                                 
     The only operations outside of internal organizational functions          
has been mainly that of the ammunition detachment and in the last half         
of May we have had a small detachment of eight men working in a motor          
pool at Townsville Air Depot.                                                  
     1st Lt. Robert B. Paul and fourteen men, comprising the ammunition        
section of this organization, now on detached service with 617th Ord.          
Ammunition Co (Avn), 2210 Ordnance Bn., APO 72, completed and handled          
the following ammunition renovation work for a four weeks period from          
30 April, 1945 to 27 May, 1945 inclusive:                                      

     a.  Good bombs (Para-Frag)                    4580                        
         Bad bombs  (Para-Frag)                      80                        
                                          Total    4660                        

     b.  Good parachutes                           2042                        
         Bad parachutes                            1765                        
                                          Total    3807                        

     c.  Parachutes repacked                       1461                        
         Expended on test flight                     40                        
                                          Total    1501                        
                                - 1 -                                          
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     d.  Finned frag clusters disassembled          1900                       

     e.  Frag bombs greased and plugged             4260                       
            (nose and tail cavities)                                           

     f.  Bombs defuzed                               322                       

     g.  Good cannisters                            1171                       
         Bad cannisters                             3798                       
         Cannisters straightened                     957                       
                                          Total     5926                       

     h.  Cannisters stenciled ("RPKD 5-45")         1300                       

     i.  GP demolition bombs overhauled              827                       

     Production was hindered by rainy weather in the second week,              
which resulted in a slowing down of parachute drying and storing.              
Complete assembly line production system has been worked out and               
is now in use.  "Bad" frag-bombs include those with broken or bent             
lugs, no back plated.  Overhauling of demolition bombs consists of             
brushing rust from and greasing nose and tail plugs, cleaning and              
greasing cavities, cleaning, greasing, and rethreading fin retain-             
ing rings and threads.  The daily shift was made up of twelve men.             

        Strength of Personnel - Commissioned and Enlisted                      


                                   Ground    Flying    Ground  Flying          
                                   Officers  Officers  EM      EM              
(a)  At beginning of period           3         0        56      0             
(b)  Net increase during period       0         0         1      0             
(c)  Net decrease during period       0         0         1      0             
(d)  At end of period                 3 *       0        56 **   0             

     *  Two officers on detached service.                                      
    **  Four men on TD to U.S. and seventeen on detached service.              


                             APPENDIX                                          

     Extracts from morning reports.                                            

*1.  M/R  3 May, 1945                                                          

     6745175   Radford, Lee   S/Sgt.                                           
     Above EM trfd in gr. to this org., pp 31, SO# 112, Hq. FEASC,             
     APO 323, dated 28 April, 1945.  Joined on 3 May  1800 hrs..               


                              - 2 -                                            

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*2.  M/R  3 May, 1945                                                          

     31426742  Lambert, Francis H.    T/5                                      
     From DS enroute to join 617 Amm. Co Det., APO 72, pp 1, SO # 58,          
     Hq. TAD, APO 922, to absent sick (LD) Yes, 237th Station Hospital,        
     APO 322 Unit 1, to duty with this Co 1700 hrs..                           

*3.  M/R  4 May, 1945                                                          

     O-1555605  Paul, Robert B. (Ord)  2nd Lt.                                 
     Promoted to 1st Lt. AUS, pp 4, SO # 71, Hq. USAFFE,                       
     date of rank 14 March, 1945.                                              

*4.  M/R  5 May, 1945                                                          

     33675270  Porto, Philip   T/4                                             
     Above EM from duty to DS at APO 923, pp 2, SO # 68, Hq. TAD, APO          
     922, dated 4 May, 1945.                                                   

*5.  M/R  10 May, 1945                                                         

     34116830  Draughn, Ralph V.   T/4                                         
     From TD with 265th Repl. Co (AAF) APO 923, to duty 1900 hrs..             

*6.  M/R  15 May, 1945                                                         

     32392910  Higgins, William S.   Sgt.                                      
     Above EM trfd in gr. to Hq. Sq. FEASC, APO 323, pp 2, SO # 77,            
     Hq. TAD, APO 922, departed 2300 hrs..                                     

*7.  M/R  16 May, 1945                                                         

     38158513  Dornak, Johnnie A.   Cpl.                                       
     Above EM aptd T/4 (temp) eff. 15 May, 1945.                               

*8.  M/R  17 May, 1945                                                         

     37377521  Donnell, Royal G.  T/Sgt.                                       
     34842829  Johnson, Joseph O. T/5                                          
     Above 2 EM reld from this org. & placed on DS w/Det #2 Hq. & Hq. Sq.      
     FEASC, APO 923, pp 4, SO # 76, Hq TAD, APO 922.  Departed 1900 hrs.       
     Amended by pp 2, SO # 78, Hq. TAD, APO 922.                               

*9.  M/R  17 May, 1945                                                         

     33675270  Porto, Philip    T/4                                            
     Above em from duty to DS at APO 923 to DS w/Det #2, Hq. & Hq. Sq.         
     FEASC, APO 923, pp 4, SO # 76, Hq. TAD, APO 922. Amended by               
     pp 2, SO # 78, Hq. TAD, APO 922.                                          


                                             MERLE C. HOLLINGSWORTH            
                                - 3 -        Capt., Ord. Dept.,                
                                             Historical Officer.               
===============================================================================
UNIT HISTORY OF THE 1535TH ORDNANCE S&M CO (AVN) FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE, 1945   


       This month found the company still awaiting transportation from         
  Townsville Air Depot to a forward area.  Fourteen of the twenty nine men     
  present were working in the post motor pool and the remainder were in        
  company headquarters or maintaining our equipment.                           
       On the first day of June Staff Sergeant Kenneth H. Zabriskie was        
  promoted to the grade of Technical Sergeant (Temp) and Technician Fifth      
  grade Walter G. Bullard was appointed Technician Fourth grade (Temp).*1      
       The eleventh of June 1st Lt. Carl Braverman joined this organization    
  coming from Headquarters Squadron, Far East Air Service Command.*2           
  After gaining an officer we lost 2nd Lt. Norman R. Seim, who was on          
  detached service with REFEASC, to Headquarters, Far East Air Service         
  Command.*4                                                                   
       T/4 Leo W. Huffman left on rotation to the United States on 12          
  June, 1945.  He was the last of many men who left on rotation.  This         
  leaves only seven of the "Old Timers" in the company who have fourty         
  months overseas and some who have been home on temporary duty.*3             
       On 14 June Pfc. Paul Schmerer was transferred in grade to Head-         
  quarters * Headquarters 45th Air Service Group, APO 922. *5.  S/Sgt.         
  Lee Radford was placed on temporary duty with the 45th Air Service           
  Group and shortly after went home on a special rotation quota. *6 & 7        
       Our ship finally came in and on the ninth of June we began to           
  load it.  By the fifteenth all of the company's supplies and vehicles        
  were on board and the ship ready to sail.  T/Sgt. William C. Hadden          
  went with the equipment as guard. *8                                         
       After the cargo ship left, the men stored up on that good Aussie        
  beer and prepared to leave Australia, most of them having had from one       
  to more than three years service in Australia.  Nine men who were or         
  are now in the company married Australian girls during their stay in         
  Australia.                                                                   
       The ammunition section was still on detached service with the           
  617th Ordnance Ammunition Co (Avn), 2210 Ordnance Bn., APO 72,  Having       
  completed their ammunition renovation work, Lt. Paul and the fourteen        
  enlisted men of the detachment were commended for their work by Major        
  E. T. Little, Ordnance Officer of V AIr Service Area Command Depot #2. *9    
  After finishing the renovation work the section began to operate a           
  local bomb dump.  The following is a summary of the renovation work          
  completed by the detachment:                                                 

       a.  Cannisters straightened, repacked, arming wire attached,            
           and stenciled.                                           2700       

       b.  Bad cannisters disposed of as scrap.                     5800       

       c.  Bomb bodies (M-72 Frag) renovated and                               
           stacked for storage.                                    12400       

                                  - 1 -                                        
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     d.  Bad parachutes issued to P.C.A.U.                      2800           

     e.  Good parachutes dried and packed for storage            900           

     f.  G P bombs renovated                                    4500           


          Strength of Personnel - Commissioned and Enlisted                    


                                 Ground      Flying    Ground   Flying         
                                 Officers    Officers  EM       EM             
(a)  At beginning of period         3           0        56       0            
(b)  Net increase during period     1           0         1       0            
(c)  Net decrease during period     1           0         1       0            
(d)  At end of period               3 *         0        53 **    0            

     *  One officer on DS at APO 72 and one on DS at APO 923.                  
    **  Fourteen enlisted men on DS at APO 72, three on DS at APO 923,         
        and four on TDY to the U. S. A.                                        



                             APPENDIX                                          

     Extracts from morning reports.                                            

*1.  M/R 2 June, 1945                                                          

     S/Sgt. Kenneth H. Zabriskie (32910505) was appointed T/Sgt. (Temp)        
     by SO # 90, Hq. Townsville Air Depot, dated 1 June, 1945.                 

     T/5  Walter G. Bullard (42019240) was appointed T/4 (Temp) by SO #        
     90, Hq. Townsville Air Depot, dated 1 June, 1945.                         
     M/R 11 June, 1945                                                         
*2.  1st Lt. Carl Braverman (O-1576960) was releived from assignment to        
     Hq. Sq., FEASC, APO 323, and assigned to this organization by pp 1,       
     SO # 152, Hq. FEASC, APO 323, dated 9 June, 1945                          

*3.  M/R 12 June, 1945                                                         

     T/4 Leo W. Huffman (15098079) was relieved from this organization         
     and attached unassigned to 262 Repl. Co., 93 Repl. Bn. (P), APO 72,       
     pp 1, SO # 149, Hq. FEASC, APO 323, dated 6 June, 1945.                   

*4.  M/R 14 June, 1945                                                         

     2nd Lt. Norman R. Seim(O2037392) was relieved from this company and       
     assigned to Hq. FEASC, pp 8, SO #152, Hq. FEASC, dated 9 June, 1945       
                                - 2 -                                          
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*5.  M/R 14 June, 1945                                                         

     Pfc. Paul Schmerer (32313535) was transferred in grade to Hq. &           
     Hq. Sq. 45th Air Service Group, APO 922, by pp 9, SO # 97, Hq.            
     Townsville Air Depot, APO 922, dated 12 June 1945.                        

*6.  M/R 14 June, 1945                                                         

     S/Sgt. Lee Radford (6745175) was placed on TD with Hq. & Hq. Sq.          
     45th Air Service Group, APO 922, by pp 10, SO # 97, Hq. Townsville        
     Air Depot, dated 12 June, 1945.                                           

*7   M/R 21 June, 1945                                                         

     S/Sgt. Lee Radford was relieved from TD with Hq. & Hq. Sq. 45th           
     Air Service Group, and relieved from this organization and att-           
     ached un-assigned to 262 Repl. CO., 93 Repl. Bn. (P), APO 72, by          
     pp 1, S) # 158, Hq. FEASC, APO 323, dated 15 June, 1945.                  

*8   M/R 21 June, 1945                                                         

    T/Sgt. William C. Hadden (33080452) was attached to 332nd Depot            
     Repair Squadron, APO 75, by pp 6, SO # 99, Hq. Townsville Air             
     Depot, dated 15 June, 1945.                                               

*9   Letter from Major E. T. Little, Ordnance Officer, V Air Service           
     Area Command, Depot # 2, dated 11 July, 1945, file # AG 471.              



                                             ROBERT B. PAUL                    
                                             1st Lt., Ord. Dept.,              
                                             Historical Officer.               


===============================================================================
UNIT HISTORY OF THE 1535TH ORDNANCE S&M CO (AVN) FOR JULY, 1945                



     After months of waiting the company embarked from Townsville,             
Australia, bound for the Philippines.*1  Leaving Townsville on the fifth       
we travelled through the Coral Sea where many of the men became seasick.       
Life on the liberty ship USS John B. Floyd had it's advantages and             
disadvantages.  The monotony of the trip, trying to keep clean, and the        
stuffy air in the holds were some of the disadvantages.  The Navy mess         
on board was excellent.  Most of the men were amazed at how good state-        
side food can be after years of Australian food in Australia and New           
Guinea.  Another advantage we had long missed was the latest music from        
the states that was played daily over the public address system.               
     After sixteen days at sea and passing through the China Straits,          
Milne Bay, and Hollandia Bay, we arrived at Manila Bay on the 21st of          
July, 1945.*2  We spent the next two nights on the ship and on the             
23rd disembarked in LCM's.  We were to be stationed at Nichols Field           
and arriving there we were met by the ammunition detachment who had            
come here from Leyte eleven days previously and were already set up in         
barracks.*3                                                                    
     It was three months since we had last seen the men of the detach-         
ment.  The detachment had unloaded our vehicles and supplies and were          
standing guard on the equipment.  As this was not to be a permanent            
station,  nothing was unpacked or set up that was not necessary to             
operate the company.                                                           
     The new officers joined the company upon our arrival.*4  1st Lt.          
James B. Felker and 2nd Lt. William G. Corpe.  Lt. Felker was desig-           
nated assistant automotive officer and Lt. Corpe assumed the duties of         
supply Officer and unit censor.  On the 30th of July, T/5 Joseph J.            
Kandefer was promoted to T/4 (Temp).*5  During the month there were no         
operations outside of the company.                                             


          Strength of Personnel - Commissioned and Enlisted                    


                                Ground     Flying    Ground   Flying           
                                Officers   Officers  EM       EM               
(a)  At beginning of period        3          0        53       0              
(b)  Net increase during period    2          0         0       0              
(c)  Net decrease during period    0          0         0       0              
(d)  At end of period              5          0        53 *     0              

     * Four men on TDY to the U. S. A.                                         


                                 - 1 -                                         
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            APPENDIX                                           

     Extracts from morning reports.                                            

*1.  M/R 5 July, 1945                                                          

     Company consisting of 29 enlisted men and 2 officers departed             
     from Townsville, Qeensland, Australia, by water for Manila P. I.          
     at 1000 hours on vessel Y-43, USS John B. Floyd.                          

*2.  M/R 21 July, 1945                                                         

     Arrived Manila Harbor at 1317 hours.                                      

*3.  M/R 23 July, 1945                                                         

     Company consisting of 29 enlisted men and 2 officers arrived at           
     Nichols Field, Manila, at 1900 hours.                                     

*4.  M/R 24 July, 1945                                                         

     1st Lt. James B. Felker (Ord) O-155204 was relieved from assign-          
     ment to Hq. Sq. FEASC, APO 323 and assigned to this organization          
     by pp 5, SO # 170, Hq. FEASC, APO 323, dated 27 June, 1945.               

     2nd Lt. William G. Corpe (Ord) O-2038134 was relieved from                
     asignment to Hq. FEASC, APO 323 and assigned to this organization         
     by pp 19, SO # 171, Hq. FEASC, APO 323, dated 29 June, 1945.              

*5.  M/R 30 July, 1945                                                         

     T/5 Joseph J. Kandefer 42022976                                           
     Above enlisted man was appointed T/4 (Temp) effective 28 July,            
     1945 by pp 9, SO # 164, Hq. VASAC, APO 351, dated 28 July, 1945.          




                                               ROBERT B. PAUL                  
                                               1st Lt., Ord. Dept.,            
                                               Historical Officer.             


===============================================================================
UNIT HISTORY OF THE 1535TH ORDNANCE S&M CO (AVN) FOR AUGUST, 1945              



     During the month of August the activities of this organization            
have mainly been concerned with the maintenance of our equipment,              
guarding the unit's vehicles and supplies, and repairing motor vehicles        
in the third echelon shop.  The automotive section completed twenty            
two job orders, seven consisted of minor jobs and the remaining fifteen        
were major overhaul jobs.                                                      
     The company had only twenty eight men available for actual ord-           
nance operations out of a total strength of fifty one enlisted men,            
nine of this total were either on TDY or DS and the remainder of this          
total were in headquarters, on guard, on in the hospital.                      
     Two enlisted men returned to the United States during August,             
Sgt. John M. Gartland returned by the point system and T/4 Darrell L.          
Dyer was evacuated by the Medical Department.  Both men had an adjusted        
service rating score of ninety eight points and were the first to              
leave this company under the point system. * 1&2                               
     T/3 Amos Cook who was in the United States on TD was transferred          
to the separation center at Fort Bliss Texas. * 3  Sgt. Stanley T. Zdun        
was transferred to this organization from Headquarters, V Air Service          
Area Command. * 4  Sgt. Zdun was the first enlisted men to join the            
company as a replacement in the last ten months.  T/4 William B. Hayes         
was promoted to T/3, T/5 Robert A. Yoos and T/5 Ervin E. Knight were           
promoted to the grade of T/4. * 5  After three months on detached              
service in Brisbane, T/5 Joseph O. Johnson returned to the company. * 6        
     The surrender of Japan was the best news we had heard in a long           
time.  That and the best army chow we have had overseas and the latest         
movies have raised morale to a new high.                                       



          Strength of Personnel - Commissioned and Enlisted                    



                                Ground    Flying   Ground   Flying             
                                Officers  Officers EM       EM                 
(a)  At beginning of period        5         0       53       0                
(b)  Net increase during period    0         0        1       0                
(c)  Net decrease during period    0         0        3       0                
(d)  At end of period              5         0       51 *     0                

     *  Three men on TD to US and four men on DS.                              



                               - 1 -                                           


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            APPENDIX                                           

     Extracts from morning reports.                                            

*1.  M/R 11 August, 1945                                                       

     T/4 Darrell L. Dyer (19064401) relieved from assignment and               
     attached unassigned to Det. of Patients 51st General Hospital,            
     APO 75, Authority:  par. 3b USAFFE Reg. 50-25.                            

*2.  M/R 19 August, 1945                                                       

     Sgt. John M. Gartland (39161692) transferred in grade to 138th            
     Replacement Bn. (Avn), APO 714, par. 22, SO # 210, Hq. FEASC,             
     APO 323, dated 15 August, 1945.                                           

* 3. M/R 25 August, 1945                                                       

     T/3 Amos Cook (18089222) transferred to Separation Center, Fort           
     Bliss, Texas, par. 18, SO # 131, Hq. War Dept. Personnel Center,          
     dated 12 May, 1945                                                        

*4.  M/R 27 August, 1945                                                       

     Sgt. Stanley T. Zdun (36126771) transferred in grade to this              
     organization from Hq. & Hq. Sq., V Air Service Area Command,              
     APO 351, par. 6, SO # 188, Hq. VASAC, APO 351, dated 23 August,           
     1945.                                                                     

* 5. M/R 29 August, 1945                                                       

     T/4 William B. Hayes (34803128) appointed T/3 (Temp) effective            
     28 August, 1945, par. 4, SO # 192, Hq. VASAC, APO 351, dated              
     28 August, 1945                                                           

     T/5 Ervin E. Knight (17127474) and T/5 Robert A. Yoos (33600805)          
     Above two EM appointed T/4 (Temp) effective 28 August, 1945, par. 4,      
     SO # 192, Hq. VASAC, APO 351, dated 28 August, 1945.                      

* 6. M/R 31 August, 1945                                                       

     T/5 Joseph O. Johnson (34842829) from DS with Det. # 2, Hq. & Hq.         
     Sq., FEASC, APO 923, to duty, par. 12, SO # 98, Hq. Rear Echelon,         
     FEASC, APO 923, dated 20 August, 1945.                                    




                                                 ROBERT B. PAUL                
                                                 1st Lt., Ord. Dept.,          
                                                 Historical Officer.           
                                - 2 -                                          
===============================================================================
UNIT HISTORY OF THE 1535TH ORDNANCE S&M CO (AVN) FOR SEPTEMBER, 1945           



     During the month of September the company waited for transportation       
 to  Japan.  September had a greater change in personnel than any other        
month in the history of company.  On the fourth, seven "old timers" with       
long service overseas went to the 138th Replacement Bn. to wait for a          
ship to the states.  They included 1st Sgt. Enoch, T/Sgt. Johnson, T/3         
Clark, T/3 Cushman, T/3 Harman, T/4 Draughn, and T/4 Grose.  After being       
absent from six to ten months on TDY to the United States, S/Sgt. Amaral,      
T/4 Duralja, and T/4 McKenzie were dropped from the roll of this unit.*1&2     
     Sgt. S.A.D. Smith left the company the seventh of September for           
discharge under the policy of discharges for men thirty eight years of         
age.*3  The following promotions became effective the fifth: S/Sgt.            
McLemore to 1st Sgt., S/Sgt. Andreacchi to T/Sgt., T/4 Burmeister and T/3      
Hayes to S/Sgt., T/4's Dornak, Kehs, Kunnemann, and Sourbier to T/3.           
T/5's Breen, Brongofsky, Buonpane, Duran, Lambert, Laverty, and Wright to      
T/4.*4                                                                         
     T/4 Laverty was attached unassigned to the 51st General Hospital on       
the 14th of September.*5  M/Sgt. C. L. Smith went to the Replacement Bn.       
on the 22nd of September.*6  Thirty three enlisted men of the 1617th Ord.      
S&M Co (Avn) were transferred in grade to this organization on the 25th        
of September.*7  2nd Lt. William G. Corpe was transferred to the 81st          
ADG prior to leaving for the states.*8  T/Sgt. William C. Hadden was also      
transferred to the 81st ADG.*9                                                 
     The 26th of September left Nichols Field, Manila and boarded the          
LSMs that had been loaded with the organizational equipment.  The equip-       
ment was on three landing ships medium.  The officers and men were divided     
into two equal groups, one group was on the LSM 45 and the other on the        
LSM 240.*10                                                                    



             Strength of Personnel - Commissioned and Enlisted                 



                                Ground    Flying   Ground   Flying             
                                Officers  Officers EM       EM                 
(a)  At beginning of period        5         0       51       0                
(b)  Net increase during period    0         0       33       0                
(c)  Net decrease during period    1         0       16       0                
(d)  At end of period              4         0       68       0                


                                 - 1 -                                         


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               APPENDIX                                        

     Extracts from morning reports.                                            

*1.  M/R 4 September, 1945                                                     

     1st Sgt. Mark Enoch (17056238), T/3 Sheffield H. Harman (34186900)        
     T/Sgt. Norval T. Johnson (37056614), T/3 Thomas J. Clark (15098477),      
     T/3 Frank J. Cushman (16038958), T/4 Ralph V. Draughn (34116830),         
     T/4 Floyd S. Grose (15089406)                                             
     Above 7 EM are relieved from this organization and attached unassig-      
     ned to 138th Replacement Bn. (Avn), APO 714, Par. 1 SO# 196 Hqs.          
     VASAC, APO 351, dated 1 September, 1945.                                  

*2.  M/R 5 September, 1945                                                     

     S/Sgt. Louis F. Amaral (19065572), T/4 Ira D. McKenzie, T/4 Anthony       
     J. Duralja (13048018)                  (15114806)/                        
     Above 3 EM are dropped from roll of this organization, Par. 6 ,           
     SO # 198, Hq. VASAC, APO 351, dated 4 September, 1945.                    

*3.  Sgt. Silas A. D. Smith (39392665)                                         
     Above EM relieved from this organization and attached unassigned to       
     138th Replacement Bn. (Avn), APO 714, Par. 8, SO # 246 Hqs. FEASC,        
     APO 323, dated 3 September, 1945.                                         

*4.  M/R 7 September, 1945                                                     

     S/Sgt. Marvin McLemore (38419927) Aptd. 1st Sgt.                          
     S/Sgt. Salvatore P. Andreacchi (32179219) Aptd. T/Sgt.                    
     T/4 Norman H. Burmeister (39249034) Aptd. S/Sgt.                          
     T/3 William B. Hayes (34803128) Aptd. S/Sgt.                              
     T/4 Johnnie A. Dornak (38158513) Aptd. T/3                                
     T/4 William S. Kehs (33051170) Aptd. T/3                                  
     T/4 Melvin H. W. Kunnemann (35892626) Aptd. T/3                           
     T/4 John F. Sourbier (36178388) Aptd. T/3                                 
     T/5 Louis J. Breen (31426756) Aptd. T/4                                   
     T/5 Seymour S. Brongofsky (36776573) Aptd. T/4                            
     T/5 John  . Buonpane (xxxxx31353698) Aptd. T/4                            
     T/5 Ross  . Duran (38351648) Aptd. T/4                                    
     T/5 Francis H. Lambert (31426742) Aptd. T/4                               
     T/5 Thomas S. Laverty (31440245) Aptd. T/4                                
     T/5 Walter W. Wright (37615802) Aptd. T/4                                 
     Effective 5 Sept., 1945.  Par. 24, SO # 199, Hqs. VASAC,                  
     APO 351, dated 5 Sept., 1945.                                             

 *5. M/R 14 September, 1945                                                    

     T/4 Thomas S. Laverty (31440245)                                          
     Relieved from assignment and attached unassigned to Detachment            
     Patients 51st General Hospital, APO 75 (LD Mes)                           

                              - 2 -                                            

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 *6.  M/R 22 September, 1945                                                   

      M/Sgt. Clarence L. Smith (38007221)                                      
      Above EM relieved from this organization and attached unassigned         
      to 138th Replacement Bn (Avn), APO 714, Par. 1 SO # 196 Hqs.             
      VASAC, APO 351, dated 1 Sept., 1945.                                     

 *7.  M/R 25 September, 1945                                                   

      Following named 33 EM are transferred in grade to this organization      
      from 1617th Ord. S&M Co (Avn), APO 351, Par. 13, SO # 211, Hqs.          
      VASAC, APO 351, EDCMR 22 Sept., 1945, Joined 0800 Hours. -               

 *8.  M/R 25 September, 1945                                                   

      2nd Lt. William G. Corpe (O-2038134) relieved from this                  
      organization and transferred to HQ. & HQ. Sq. 81st Air Depot             
      Group, APO 351, Par. 10, SO # 214, Hqs. VASAC, APO 351.                  

 *9.  M/R 25 September, 1945                                                   

      T/Sgt. William C. Hadden (33080452) relieved from this organization      
      and transferred in grade to Hq. & Hq. Sq. 81st AIr Depot Group,          
      APO 351, Par. 9, SO # 214, Hqs. VASAC, APO 351.                          

*10.  M/R 26 September, 1945                                                   

      Company consisting of 59 EM and 4 Officers departed from Nichols         
      Field, Manila, P. I. by water for APO 611 at 2000 hours. LSM 240         
      and LSM 45.                                                              



                                                ROBERT B. PAUL                 
                                                1st Lt., Ord. Dept.,           
                                                Historical Officer.            












                               - 3 -                                           


===============================================================================
   UNIT HISTORY OF THE 1535TH ORDNANCE S&M CO (AVN) FOR OCTOBER, 1945          


     The company spent the first half of the month dodging typhoons and        
beatin slowly northward to Japan aboard two LSM's.  On 12 October, 1945        
 the ambition of all Pacific troops was realized by the members of this        
organization as we debarked in Tokyo. *1.  After 45 long months, the original  
709th Ordnance Co. has completed the long trek from "Melbourne to Tokyo".      
True, it was with a new name, "1535th Ordnance S&M Co (Avn)", and a complete   
change of personnel, but the spirit still remained.                            
     Before the landing ramp was down, Capt. Hollingsworth had gone ashore     
to find our quarters and make all necessary arrangements.  This done, the      
unloading began on a 24-hour, three shift basis. In general, the unloading     
moved along smoothly, marred only by the usual flat tires and broken boxes.    
     The company was assigned to VII ASAC and the men went to work in VIIASAC  
shops. *2.  This was a new experience for the unit, as in the past we have     
operated independently.  Under the centralized system there are no 1535th      
shops as such.  Therefore it is difficult to compile material for an historical
record of Ordnance operations.                                                 
     Soon after debarking, several problems developed: food, mail, hot         
showers, and the demobilization program among others.  For several weeks the   
 messing situation has been rather tedious with much repetiton of such staples 
as pancakes and beans, and no bread.  Toward the end of the month, the         
situation improved noticeably.  Hot showers were finally set up, much to the   
relief of the tropically acclimatized troops.  Mail was unknown for the first  
ten days, then came a deluge.  At the end of the month it was coming fairly    
regularly.                                                                     
     Of course the biggest topic of discussion was the demobilization program. 
Everyone was greatly relieved to see that the situation was well under control 
 in Japan.  During the month 13 EM and 1 Off were transferred to the           
Replacement Depot. *3,4,5.  With the loss of our Commanding Officer, Capt.     
Hollingsworth, 1st. Lt. Carl Braverman assumed command. *6                     
     The recreational program was excellent with one netable exception:        
the absence of feeding facilities in Tokyo makes eating in town impossible.    
A recreational vehicle is provided evenings and Sundays, and the Japanese      
railroad system carries men on weekend pass to the resorts.  Beer, candy, and  
tobacco are obtainable, and a club has been opened to handle the former.       




            Strength of Personnel - Commissioned and Enlisted                  
                                  Grd Off    Flyg Off   Grd EM    FlygEM       
(a)  At beginning of period          4          0         68        0          
(b)  Net increase during period      0          0          0        0          
(c)  Net loss during period          1          0         13        0          
(d)  At end of period                3          0         55        0          


                            --1--                                              

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           APPENDIX                                            

     Extracts from morning reports.                                            

*1.  M/R  12 October, 1945                                                     

     Record of events;  Company consisting of 60 EM and 4 Off arrived          
     at Hanesa Airdrome, Tokyo, Japan.                                         

*2.  M/R 12 October, 1945                                                      

     1535th Ord S&M Co (Avn) assigned VII ASAC Par 1, TMB # 3, Head-           
     quarters, FEASC, APO 323, dated 25 September, 1945.                       

*3.  M/R 19 October, 1945                                                      

     T/4 Robert A. Yoos (33360805)  Relieved from assignment this              
     organization and attached unassigned to 11th Replacement Bn.,             
     (Avn) APO 710, Par 2 SO #38, Hqs, VII ASAC, APO 611, dated                
     16 October, 1945.                                                         

*4.  M/R 24 October, 1945                                                      

     T/Sgt Salvatore P. Andreachhi (32179219)                                  
     T/Sgt Granual L. Masingale (38444791)                                     
     S/Sgt Norman H. Burmeister (39249034)                                     
     S/Sgt Raymond G. Switzer (37340247)                                       
     T/3   William S. Behs (33051170)                                          
     T/4   Alois W. Stratman (18070171)                                        
     T/5   Joseph O. Johnson (34842829)                                        

     Above EM relieved from assignment this organization and attached          
     unassigned to 11theReplacement Bn. (Avn) APO 710 Par 1 SO #38,            
     Hqs, VII ASAC, APO 611, dated 17 October, 1945.                           

     Capt. Merle C Hollingsworth (O-264540)  Relieved from assignment          
     this organization and attached unassigned to 11th Replacement             
     Bn. (Avn) APO 710 Par 1 SO #40, Hqs. VII ASAC APO 611 dated               
     19 October, 1945                                                          

*5.  M/R 27 October, 1945                                                      

     T/Sgt Harold D. Woods (35163871)                                          
     S/Sgt Omni l Pajula (39662695)                                            
     T/4   Dominici A. Aruzzese (32404671)                                     
     T/5   Joseph M Larkin (6856555)                                           
     Above EM relieved from assignment this organization and attached          
     unassigned to 11th Repl. Bn. (Avn) APO 710. dated 25 October 1945.        

*6.  M/R 25 October, 1945                                                      

     1st Lt Carl Braverman (O-1576950)  Asuumed command this                   
     organization Par 19 SO #39, Hqs., VII ASAC, APO 611, dated                
     25 October, 1945.                                                         

                                           ROBERT B. PAUL                      
                                           1st Lt., Ord Dept.,                 
                                           Historical Officer.                 
                          -2-                                                  
===============================================================================

Prior