My Final Mission

My name is Jack Marsh, and I was assigned to the 340th bomb group on September 11, 1942, at Columbia, South Carolina. We left Columbia in the latter part of 1942 and proceeded to fly into combat. We took off from Palm Beach, Florida, and flew down the coast of South America. I recall Belen, Brazil, then proceeding to fly across the Atlantic to the Gold Coast of Africa. We then flew across Africa to El Alamain. We were attached to Montgomery's forces who were chasing the retreating Rommel from El Alamain to Tunisia.
A number of our missions involved flying over Rommel's tank concentrations and other Axis airfields in North Africa. When we first arrived for combat duty at El Alamain, we were advised that Standing: Walter Stauffer, James H. Manning, Jack Marsh
Squatting: Walter Gill, Robert Corcoran

after 25 combat missions we would be eligible to return to the States. I was the first person in the 340th to complete 25 combat missions, but was regrettably informed that the minimum number had been increased to 35 missions, NOT 25. Well, as it turned out, I was the first airman in the group to complete 35 missions, but again, we were advised that we would need to fly 50 missions before being eligible to return to the states.

Again, I was the first of the group to complete the 50 combat missions required, and the airman that was second had just returned from his 38th mission. I was able to fly the extra missions because I was trained as both a bombardier and a navigator, which means I was included on seven night missions in individual planes with specific targets. Also, whenever possible I volunteered to take the place of any bombardier that was scheduled to fly but was unable to because of illness.

Orders were being cut for me to return to the States in mid-September 1943. However, there was approximately a six-week delay since I was the first man in our group to be returned after 50 missions. During that six-week period the United States invaded Italy at Salerno. I believe that Mark Clark was the Army General for the Salerno invasion. Apparently, Clark did not have much appreciation for the Air Force in comparison to his infantry. But, a few days after the invasion, Clark's forces were being pushed back into the sea. They were in a pocket at Salerno with the mountains all around them. On the mountainous trails the Axis were moving in heavy artillery, tanks and so forth, but it was a slow process. So, Clark did call for air support. We were informed that our 340th Group would send all 48 of its planes, and we would be the first over the target. Next, would come 48 B-25's from the Bomb Group that had been formerly based in Algeria, and they would be followed by a group of Martin B-26's that were now based in Sicily. These would all be followed by a group of B-24's flying out of North Africa.
Our target was only 500 yards beyond our own troops bomb line, but the 340th had flown many such missions in North Africa supporting General Montgomery. Adolph Tokaz was my commanding officer while I was waiting for my orders to return to the states. He requested that I join him in the lead ship with Major Randall Cassada as the pilot, and Lieutenant Colonel Tokaz as the co-pilot. So I volunteered for my 51st mission out of Catania, Italy which was approximately 100
Colonel Bailey, Colonel Tokaz, Captain Gamkey, Captain Culver, and Lt. Young hours, but as we landed back at Catania, we were told not to leave our planes. They were being reloaded with bombs and

ammunition, which meant we were expected to fly a second mission back to the first target area. SO, I ended up flying mission number 52.

To the left you will see a copy of the letter of commendation given to me by Adolph Tokaz as Lt. Col. Commanding on September 13, 1943. Note that the letter states that I had only flown 50 missions, since the final two missions were flown in the latter part of September.

While reading the 2001 Fall issue of Men of the 57th, I was saddened to read the notice that Adolph E. Tokaz had passed away. He was a great leader, and I feel honored to have served under him as Group Commander of the 340th Bomb Group.