Hello and thank you for checking out my sale.
Offered here is an exceptional and deeply personal World War II combat diary attributed to airman Vasil “Mike” Markoff of the 94th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force. Evidence from the diary, surviving crew records, and period sources strongly indicates Markoff first served with the Dauth Crew aboard B-17F “Wolf Pack” #42-29723, and later flew with the Shackeroo II crew under Lt. Howard Kirk.
The diary further suggests Markoff served primarily as a co-pilot, though on some missions he also flew as a tail gunner, a highly unusual and compelling detail confirmed within the entries themselves and supported by unit histories.
This diary provides a vivid firsthand account of bomber operations over Germany and occupied France, including some of the most dangerous missions of the European air war, with repeated references to aircraft losses, crew casualties, enemy fighters, flak damage, formation accidents, and the immediate human aftermath of combat. It continues beyond a standard combat tour, documenting later service, staff duties, and continued concern for his crew.
In more than 15 years of collecting, I have never encountered a more historic, detailed and compelling USAAF airman combat diary.There is so much contained in the diary it is impossible to explain the full breadth or subject matter contained within.
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HIGHLIGHTS
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CREW LIST (FROM OPENING PAGE)
The diary begins with a handwritten crew roster, providing important context to both his identity and the missions that follow. Names recorded include:
This opening page strongly supports attribution to the original Wolf Pack crew.
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KIEL MISSION – JUNE 13, 1943 – LOSS OF “WOLF PACK”
One of the most emotional sections of the diary documents the destruction of Wolf Pack during operations against Kiel.
Markoff writes:
“3 chutes opened… the ship blew up…”
He then records the scale of losses:
“9 ships from our group were lost…”
“26 ships in the air wing…”
The human aftermath is devastating. The following day he writes:
“We packed up the boys’ things…”
And adds:
“What a hell of a job to do when it’s your own men that went down…”
A rare and deeply personal account of losing comrades and immediately continuing operations.
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OPERATIONS OFFICE CONNECTION
An early June 29, 1943 entry states that Markoff was “left holding Sq. operations officer’s job,” referring to duties within the 410th Bomb Squadron. This may explain the diary’s exceptional level of detail regarding crew movements, losses, mission scheduling, and internal squadron activity. It suggests the author had access to information beyond that of an ordinary enlisted observer.
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PARIS RAID – JULY 14, 1943
One of the most vivid entries in the diary covers the Bastille Day raid on Paris.
Markoff writes:
“Today we raided Paris, France…”
“Our target was just north of Gay Paris.”
“I went with Kirk and was on a wing in the high squadron.”
“It sure was a rough one. A second Kiel…”
Enemy opposition was intense:
“We were under fire for about 55 min with 109s, 190s pulling their usual suicide stuff.”
He then records a shocking collision:
“One ran smack dab into Purdy…”
“Several chutes opened after the explosion.”
Losses included:
“We only lost 4 ships from the group. Capt. Harrison, Maj. Saltzman, Lt. Purdy, and another boy I didn’t know.”
He adds:
“We got about 50 fighters.”
And concludes:
“Simpson came home from the I.P. with 2 engines and his ship was shot to hell.”
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AUGUST 15, 1943 – MID-AIR COLLISION IN FORMATION
Markoff records a dramatic formation accident:
“Two of our planes ran into each other…”
“The tail gunner fell out but pulled out a chute…”
“The rest of the ship almost fell on us…”
He notes multiple aircraft losses overall, emphasizing the danger of formation flying itself.
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REGENSBURG / SCHWEINFURT MISSION – AUGUST 17, 1943
Markoff’s account of the famous Schweinfurt–Regensburg double strike is one of the strongest sections of the diary. According to records Colonel Castle the Commander of the 94th BG and later the CO of the 487th BG and posthumous Medal of Honor recipient accompanied the Kirk crew on this famous mission, according to 94th Bomb Group records
He writes:
“Today we raided Regensburg… deep in southern Germany.”
He notes formation position:
“We led the 2nd wing and 2nd made 2 passes at the target.”
He describes the defenses:
“It was hit harder than any other target since the war…”
And comments on the scale of the operation:
“It was the greatest air fleet since war started.”
Instead of returning to England he describes the diversion afterward:
“Instead of coming home to England we went over the Alps to N. Africa…”
Losses are clearly recorded:
“We had 7 GPs and our division lost about 26 ships and 1 from our group, Nayowitz.”
He further notes:
“The 1st division hit the ball bearing factory at Schweinfurt. They didn’t do such a good job so may have to go back.”
This is an exceptional firsthand account of one of the most famous and costly Eighth Air Force missions of the war.
This is an exceptional firsthand account of one of the most famous and costly Eighth Air Force missions of the war.
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PARIS RAID – SEPTEMBER 15, 1943
Markoff records another Paris mission:
“4 passes at the target…”
“I saw 4 blow ups by flack…”
“It was so thick we almost turned loose.”
“All targets were hit… 4 ships were lost.”
He also notes they remained over enemy territory into darkness.
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BREMEN RAID – OCTOBER 8, 1943
A standout entry describing extreme flak and damage:
“Today we led the wing to Bremen…”
“They blew the hell out of the whole city…”
“The flak was the heaviest I’ve ever seen or anyone else.”
“No ship in our group had less than 50 holes.”
His aircraft suffered severe damage:
“We lost No. 4 engine and gas lines… filled the whole plane with gasoline…”
“We couldn’t fire our guns and we shut off all elect.”
He also records a major milestone:
“I finished my 25th raid. Lt. Moret & Capt. Richardson also finished.”
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PARIS RAID – NOVEMBER 26, 1943
Despite completing his tour, Markoff got roped into flying another mission, this time as a Tail Gunner.
He records that he became:
“The first man in the 94th to go over 25 raids.”
He adds:
“I sure won't get anything out of it but just the same it sure sounds good.”
This rare detail highlights extended combat service beyond required missions.
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LATER SERVICE, STAFF ROLE & SCHWEINFURT (BLACK THURSDAY)
The diary continues beyond combat operations, documenting Markoff’s transition into a staff role while still recording group activity.
Notably, he references ongoing operations including the second Schweinfurt mission (Black Thursday, October 14, 1943), placing the diary within the broader historical context of heavy 8th Air Force losses.
He later transfers to the 447th Bomb Group on December 2, 1943, alongside Lt. Simpson.
Throughout his missions and after Markoff remains focused on his fellow airmen.
He notes on July 15th that Schmidt was lost, reducing the original Wolf Pack crew down to 4 menbers.
In the final page, he writes:
“…hope the boys are OK…”
AIRCRAFT LOSSES & COMBAT CONDITIONS
Throughout the diary, Markoff records:
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ATTRIBUTION
While unsigned, the names, crew references, aircraft associations, and internal chronology strongly support attribution to Vasil “Mike” Markoff of the 94th Bomb Group.
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This diary represents:
Few surviving airman diaries contain this level of detail, continuity, and human perspective.
CONDITION
Typical wartime wear. Pages intact and legible. Written in roughly 1/4 pencil and 3/4 various ink. Honest age and service use. No modern alterations observed. Roughly 7 inches tall and 4 inches wide. It is written legible and is on loose leave paper that is bound with a piece of yellow electrical wire.
The pages are all numbered and the first 23 pages are only written on the front. The last 19 pages are written on both sides. Giving a total of 61 full single pages of wartime diary.It begins on April 17th 1943 and the final entry begins on March 16th 1944.The Regensburg Flight Diagram is *NOT INCLUDED* and is included for reference. It was accessed through the 94th BG Research Database on Facebook and is not included. For research purposes there are around 20 Flight Diagrams of the author's missions on this website.
The plaque or image of the Shakeroo II plaque is *NOT INCLUDED* and is merely for reference and was accssed through the American Air Museum at Duxford Database.
SHIPPING
The utmost care will be taken while shipping this precious diary. It will be carefully wrapped and packaged and shipped with full insurance, tracking, signature confirmation and any other security measures I am offered. I want to keep this in the United States, but I know of AAF collectors in England so would be willing to discuss shipping there, if the shipping is covered..
FINAL NOTES
This is not simply a wartime relic, it is a direct, unfiltered account of aerial warfare by a combat airman who survived some of the most dangerous missions of 1943 and continued to serve beyond them. It is powerful, frightening, contains historic subject matter, and heroism. With outstanding research and display potential.This could easily represent a valuable keystone piece to a collection.
Please carefully read description and see images for condition and content. Please feel free to contact me as I am happy to answer any questions or discuss the history, or the history of the diary. As a collector myself, I strive to make professional and friendly transactions that are positive for both myself and the buyer.
