1943 ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT DIARY COVERING 52 BOMBING MISSIONS FROM HANSA BAY TO THE BATTLE OF THE BISMARCK SEA HANDWRITTEN BY ONE OF THE 'JOLLY ROGERS'

On offer is a super, original World War II diary dated November 1943 to November 1944 handwritten by Lieutenant Claude A. Ashley. Claude proves to be a dedicated diarist rarely missing a day reporting all his activities from hunting for beers or seeking to bomb the enemy. Covering 52 missions this young, personable officer and true American hero serves his country with distinction, rarely griping, always ready for the next mission but never with drama, in fact the Lieutenant proves to be one cool customer. Here are some snippets: "April 3rd B-24 and B-25 lost this morning. 24 lost engine and hit 25. Both blew up and burned having a lot of bad luck lately. April 8 30th Mission finally made it. Really hit Hollandia hard. Little weather but not to bad. April 10 31st Mission Hit Hansa Bay today. Nice and leisurely trip but they still shoot close. Shrapnel came through window about a foot from my head. One plane from 321st got knocked down. May 1 Left wonderful Sydney this morning…. [next day] Well we didn't leave…suits me as I can use some more of the milk shakes and steak. [next day]…we get another go at streak and milk shakes….[next day]….Finally we got off…Worse luck we got stuck in Morsby…boy what a hole Morsby is." Then: "52nd and LAST Mission" until Nov 23rd he writes with such obvious relief after arrival in San Francisco "End of Journey. Mission Completed." There are 53 pages with 6 days to a page, which is 318 days. The diary measures 8¼ x 5½ inches. Overall G+. HISTORICAL NOTES: One online source: "The "Jolly Rogers" self-styled, "The Best D - - n Heavy Bomb Group in the World," have been operating in the southwest Pacific for the last II months. In this time they have sunk more enemy shipping, shot down more planes, and have flown more successful missions than any other heavy group in the southwest. The group insignia, proudly displayed on all their planes are the skull and crossed bones."; Manuscript; 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall; KEYWORDS: HISTORY OF, BATTLE OF THE BISMARCK SEA, WWII, HANSA BAY, 320TH BOMBER SQUADRON 90TH BOMB GROUP, JOLLY ROGERS, LIEUTENANT CLAUDE A. ASHLEY, WORLD WAR II, WW2, PACIFIC THEATRE, SOUTH PACIFIC, WAR IN THE PACIFIC, AMERICANA,HANDWRITTEN, MANUSCRIPT, AUTOGRAPHED, AUTHORS, DOCUMENT, LETTER, AUTOGRAPH, KEEPSAKE, WRITER, HAND WRITTEN, DOCUMENTS, SIGNED, LETTERS, MANUSCRIPTS, HISTORICAL, HOLOGRAPH, WRITERS, AUTOGRAPHS, PERSONAL, MEMOIR, MEMORIAL, PERSONAL HISTORY, ARCHIVE, DIARY, DIARIES, JOURNAL, LOG, PRIMARY SOURCE, FIRST HAND ACCOUNT, SOCIAL HISTORY, PERSONAL STORIES, LIVING HISTORY, ANTIQUITÉ, CONTRAT, VÉLIN, DOCUMENT, MANUSCRIT, PAPIER ANTIKE, BRIEF, PERGAMENT, DOKUMENT, MANUSKRIPT, PAPIER OGGETTO D'ANTIQUARIATO, ATTO, VELINA, DOCUMENTO, MANOSCRITTO, CARTA ANTIGÜEDAD, HECHO, VITELA, DOCUMENTO, MANUSCRITO, PAPEL,