Robert P Martin - Bombers over Haiphong

Soldiers of the press. This week, farmers over high fong. Operational for Sunday. Order issued from bomber command to 15th bombardment group. To all staff and squadron commanders. A raid in force will be made on the Japanese held forward of high fong. Clearing eardrum at 0700. Sign, Brigadier General Claire Chanel.

That operational was of exceptional interest to United Press staff correspondent Robert P. Martin, assigned to a U.S. Army Bomber Command Headquarters base in China. This is his eyewitness account of the first great raid on Haifong, the strongest naval base in Jap held Indo-China.

From an advanced base in Yunnan, I flew with a group of American bombers when they sank their first ocean-going Japanese vessel from this base and then plastered the entire waterfront of high-fawn. It was 0600 when we piled out of bed for the final briefing.

Six o'clock in the morning. We had to feel our way into the blacked-out headquarters building where the last discussion of the raid was to be held. I just barely managed to get a cup of coffee under my belt before the briefing started. You awake yet, Bob?

Just about. I don't see why you guys can arrange to hold this war to more civilized hours. I'll speak to the general about it. I better grab yourself a seat. We're gonna I gentlemen, I gentlemen will start now be seated. I'll have to presume that most of you are awake. I don't hear any snor.

But just to make certain that you stay awake, I'll ask you to take notes. Now we discussed the preliminary details last night so I needn't go over the formation again. However, let me review briefly.