By this time, the strain of combat flying and the fear of his own fiery death got to Mannock.
Soon after arriving the squadron initiated a training program which included all phases of combat flying, bombing, and gunnery.
Two C-47 Skytrain squadrons, earmarked for Burma were trained in combat flying and techniques during the summer of 1944.
After July 1944, No. 1 Wing's combat flying was limited to occasional raids on Japanese positions.
The ban on Oesau's combat flying was lifted.
From now until 30 July the combat flying of the squadron was constant and severe, every pilot being on duty from daylight until dark.
It was established chiefly for the purpose of training newly graduated pilots the art of combat flying.
The 918th, after hasty refresher training, resumes combat flying.
In one month of combat flying, the squadron flew over 360 sorties and 640 hours of flight time.
It dropped over 13,000 tons of bombs in over 46,000 hours of combat flying.