December 1942 had been a dismal month for the CATF. Items like soap, warm clothing and mail were in short supply; fighters and bombers were grounded for days because of bad weather and a lack of supplies. The Hump airlift failed to deliver all of the 1,998 tons of supplies Chennault had been promised each month. The CATF got only 300 tons of supplies over the Hump in January 1943, 400 tons in February and 615 tons in March. CATF fighters flew a few strafing missions into Burma during January, despite a fuel shortage so acute that Chennault forbade victory rolls. The CATF's gasoline supply was nearly exhausted after those missions, and its planes were grounded for 33 days.

The India-based squadrons of the Group fully entered into combat early in 1943 and operated chiefly against enemy transportation in central Burma. One of the responsibilities for the squadrons was the destruction of the enemy land transport system. Railyards and rolling stock came under attack by the B-25s of the 341st. They bombed the bridges, locomotives and other targets to delay movement of supplies to the Japanese troops fighting in northern Burma.

On January 8, 1943, Maj. Frank Sharp was sent to the hospital at New Delhi, India. Capt. Robert S. Puckett assumed command of the 22nd Bm Sq following Maj. Sharp's transfer. In mid-January, Lt. Col. Bayse was relieved of command of the 11th Bm Sq and joined 341st Hq. When Bayse was transferred to HQ 10th Air Force, Maj. James A. Philpott was relieved of command of the 490th, and assigned as 341st Group Executive officer. Capt. Robert D. McCarten assumed command of the 490th. On March 27, Maj. Blair M. Sorenson was relieved of command of the 491st and assigned as Group S-3 Officer. Capt. Edward M. Garrett assumed command of the 491st.

After a six-day train ride from Karachi, the majority of the 491st personnel arrived at Chakulia, India. The air echelon arrived almost simultaneously, circling over the airfield while the 'grounded' squadron mates exited from the train. The remainder, transportation and special duty personnel who had departed Karachi on 30 December in a motorcade, arrived on the evening of 9 Jan. This nearly coincided with the 491st's first combat mission. On 10 Jan 43, Maj. Blair Sorenson, Commander, led a flight of three B-25Cs from Chakulia to bomb the Mytinge Bridge in Burma. Although no direct hits were scored, fires near the bridge were started by the bombs. Heavy, accurate anri-aircraft fire was encountered and slightly damaged one aircraft, although no crew members were injured.

The Air Echelon of Group Headquarters departed Malir, India on January 9, 1943, and arrived at Chakulia, India on 10 January. The Echelon consisted of five (5) officers; Colonel Torgils Wold, Group Commander; Capt. R. O. Nelson, Group Adjutant; Cap. Harold L. Lewis, Group S-2; Capt. Alexander A. Lansberg, Group S-3; and Capt. Roy F. Galloway, Group S-4; and two (2) enlisted men.

After a

The first combat sortie for the "Skull & Wings" (490th) occurred on 18 Feb 43, when six gulls (B-25s) flew a mission against the Sagaing, Burma, railroad yards. The Squadron completed their combat initiation with four more missions by the end of the month, with no losses.

A mission of twelve aircraft, four from each of the 22nd, 490th and 491st, led by Capt McElroy (22nd) bombed the Gokteik Viaduct on 24 Feb. During the mission the 491st suffered its first combat casualty when 2Lt. Carl G Wofford, co-pilot on Maj. Sorenson's (C.O. 491st) plane was struck by fire from a Jap 01.

The heartbreak and sacrifice of war was driven home to the members of the 490th on 5 Apr 43, as twelve aircraft were beginning a mission. All were loaded with bombs, including 'wing' bombs. The first flight was already airborne and circling high over the field at Kurmitola, India, as 1Lt William H. Stephens applied full throttle for takeoff. For unknown reasons the plane never left the ground, lurching off the runway, entering and breaking up in a drainage ditch. The craft was totally destroyed by the burning fuel and exploding munitions, with the loss of all the crew. The entire Squadron attended the funeral of Lt Stephens, 2Lt. Rex J. Bevins, 2Lt Karl H. French, SSgt Carl J. Temperate, and Sgt Walter J. Cserwinski, a the were buried in the Asansol English Cemetary.

During July 1943 four officers and three enlisted, all combat personnel, were relieved form assignment and returned to the Zone of Interior. These were followed by 15 officers and 13 enlisted men in August. This was the beginning of the slow turn over of Combat men. But, there were no indications of Groumd Personnel rotations, even though many in the Group had completed 21 months of foreign duty. They ground personnel continued to look forward to the anticipated time when they too would be relieved of duty and returned to the United States.

By the end of August the 341st Bomb Group had performed two hundred, sixty-eight bombing missions, dropping two thousand, three hundred, forty-five tons of bombs. A total of sixteen officers and eleven men had been lost along with six aircraft. Confirmed enemy aircraft losses were 8 destroyed in the air, fifteen on the ground with 12 probables.

Aug 31, 1943:

On September 21st, 1943, Col. Torgils G. Wold, CO of 341st, was ordered to Calcutta, India, to take Command of the India Air Task Force. Lt. Col. James A. Philpott assumed Command of the Group.

During September twelve officers and nine enlisted men, all combat crews, were relieved from duty and returned to the Z.I. Still no indication of rotation for ground personnel.

The average number of missions per plane per month is eight or nine. This is affected by cancellations due to weather as well as maintenance. Further, due to distance from the objectives, planes are limited to one bombing mission per day. The average distance flown on missions is approximately 1000 miles.

Due to weather conditions in Burma, alternate targets have frequently been take. Observation of bombing results are difficult due to considerable low clouds. With the end of the monsoon season it is believed more missions per airplane per month will be possible. Also the number of alternate targets bombed will decrease with the beginning of better weather conditions.

For months, tales had drifted back from the end of the longest supply line in the world where the 11th Bomb Squadron was really in the thick of the fighting in China.

Living Conditions, Food & Morale 1943:

During the months the Group was stationed at Kurmitola the living conditions were not very good. Kurmitola is in the middle of Bengal jungles, and the climate left much to be desired. What the monsoon and it eternal rain, the blistering heat, and the sudden plainable cold spells combined with woven bamboo huts and rou### the morale of the Command was not as high as could have desired. However, to the eternal credit of the air and ground crews, mi## men who slogged their way through mud daily; with prickley heat### their bodies, and in sweltering heat; in order to keep their conditioning.

It was rather hard to get in supplies at Kurmitola, as such the food suffered slightly. Some of the older men there can remember days at the mess hall when the menu consisted of egg plant, be333 beef, tea, and bread for all three meals. However, with the assignment of Sergeant J. J. DiMezza as mess Sergeant, a marked improvement in the mess hall and mess was noticeable. All the men contributed 10 dollars, voluntarily, purchasing trips to Calcutta were made; the mess suddenly blossomed forth with table cloths, real plates and silverware and sit-down style service plus a number of Indian table waiters and a real maitre'd. Then, with the advent of Col. Taber as Commanding Officer, the formation of an enlisted men's Council was announced. The Council was to consist of the senior N.C.O. of each organization, plus one representative to be elected by the enlisted men of the organization. The Council had direct access to the Colonel at any time without going through intermediate steps, and he charged them with the responsibility of placing the complaints or suggestions from the enlisted men of the command before him for action. He announced inauguration of a pass system and began preparations to place the city of Dacca, India in bounds for the Command. Morale hit a new high when word concerning the fo??? (unreadable word) passed around. It was about this time that the Group began "swinging" from the 10th to the 14th Air Force and back again. Oreders were issued assigning us to the 14th in China. Everyone wanted to go to China, due to the unanimous hate of the Indian climate. Offices were packed, advance details were ordered out. One man was later heard to moan, "Christ I pack and give all my underwear and extra clothing to my bearer, and then have to unpack it again."

As of 25 October, 1943, the Group was relieved of assignment to the 10th Air Force and reassigned to the 14th Air Force. The 11th Bm Sq was reassigned to the Group and the 490th was relieved of assignment to the Group and assigned to HQ 10th Air Force.

2 Nov, Col Torgils G. Wold assigned and assumed command of the Group.

23 November, Lt. Col. Morris Taber assigned and assumed command of the Group. He is promoted to full Colonel on 6 December 19443.

26 Nov, Lt. Col Philpott, former Commanding Officer, is transferred to HQ 10th Air Force.

Jul-Aug History quoted; "During the month of July 1943, the first Low-level Altitude Bombing missions were performed by this Group. This type of bombing is of questionable value in this theater at the present time. The exact results have not been determined but two (2) complete airplanes with crews have been lost in low level attacks against the enemy. Few, if any targets within range of medium bombers in Burma are worth this price until beginning the major operation."