FRIDAY, 20 FEBRUARY 1942
(ETO) Army Air Forces in Britain (AAFIB)]: Brigadier General Ira C Eaker arrives in the UK with 6 staff officers.
SUNDAY, 22 FEBRUARY 1942
(ETO) (8th Air Force): HQ VIII Bomber Command arrives at Daws Hill, England from the US; Major General Ira C Eaker assumes command.
TUESDAY, 24 FEBRUARY 1942
(ETO) US Army Forces in British Isles (USAFBI)]: Major General James E Chaney, Commanding General USAFBI, instructs Brigadier General Ira C Eaker and the staff of the VIII Bomber Command to proceed to HQ, RAF Bomber Command for a study of bombing operations, and to make reconnaissance of certain airfields and submit plans for the reception and assignment of Army Air Forces units. FRIDAY, 20 MARCH 1942 (ETO) Army Air Forces in Britain (AAFIB)]: A report submitted by Brigadier General Ira C Eaker in compliance with Major General James E Chaney's instructions of 25 Feb indicates completion of studies of Royal Air Force (RAF) Bomber Command operations and of airfields, training, tactical doctrine, equipment, and methods of conducting air offensive in cooperation with the RAF. The report also indicates much dependence upon the British for the present but emphasizes the apparent compatibility of the tactical doctrines of the US (daylight precision bombing) and RAF (night area bombing), and implies the principle of coordinating these attacks to complement each other.
WEDNESDAY, 25 MARCH 1942
(ETO) (AAFIB): Major Cecil P Lessig becomes the first AAF pilot to fly a mission over France in World War II. Flying a Spitfire VB with RAF 64 Squadron from Hornchurch, England, Lessig participates in a 36-aircraft fighter sweep that is recalled when 50 Luftwaffe fighters challenge them.
TUESDAY, 7 APRIL 1942
ZONE OF INTERIOR (HQ War Department): The War Department officially states that the 8th Air Force will be established in the UK as an intermediate command between US Army Forces in British Isles (USAFBI) and the AAF commands. General George C Marshall notifies Major General James E Chaney of this decision.
WEDNESDAY, 8 APRIL 1942
(ETO): Harry L Hopkins, Special Assistant to President Franklin D Roosevelt, and General George C Marshall, US Army Chief of Staff, arrive in London for talks with British service and supply chiefs concerning the integration of US and British manpower and war production for action in Europe. General Marshall urges an offensive in the west to relieve pressure upon the USSR and promises a constant flow of US troops, including many air units, to the UK.
SUNDAY, 12 APRIL 1942
ZONE OF INTERIOR (HQ AAF): Lieutenant General Henry H "Hap" Arnold sends air plans for Operation BOLERO, the buildup of US armed forces in the UK for an attack on Europe, to General George C Marshall in London. The plan calls for establishment of the 8th Air Force in the UK.
TUESDAY, 14 APRIL 1942
(ETO): The British Government and Chiefs of Staff (CoSs) accept General George C Marshall's Operation BOLERO plan for the Allied build-up in the UK for an attack on Germany.
MONDAY, 27 APRIL 1942
(ETO) (8th Air Force): Advanced echelon (ADVON) of HQ 8th Air Force and bomber, interceptor and base commands, along with 15th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 2d Air Depot Group, and a weather detachment totalling about 1,800 men, sail from Boston, Massachusetts for the UK.
TUESDAY, 28 APRIL 1942
(ETO) (8th Air Force): HQ VIII Ground Air Support Command is activated at Bolling Field, Washington, DC.
TUESDAY, 7 APRIL 1942
ZONE OF INTERIOR (HQ War Department): The War Department officially states that the 8th Air Force will be established in the UK as an intermediate command between US Army Forces in British Isles (USAFBI) and the AAF commands. General George C Marshall notifies Major General James E Chaney of this decision.
WEDNESDAY, 8 APRIL 1942
(ETO): Harry L Hopkins, Special Assistant to President Franklin D Roosevelt, and General George C Marshall, US Army Chief of Staff, arrive in London for talks with British service and supply chiefs concerning the integration of US and British manpower and war production for action in Europe. General Marshall urges an offensive in the west to relieve pressure upon the USSR and promises a constant flow of US troops, including many air units, to the UK.
SUNDAY, 12 APRIL 1942
ZONE OF INTERIOR (HQ AAF): Lieutenant General Henry H "Hap" Arnold sends air plans for Operation BOLERO, the buildup of US armed forces in the UK for an attack on Europe, to General George C Marshall in London. The plan calls for establishment of the 8th Air Force in the UK.
TUESDAY, 14 APRIL 1942
(ETO): The British Government and Chiefs of Staff (CoSs) accept General George C Marshall's Operation BOLERO plan for the Allied build-up in the UK for an attack on Germany.
MONDAY, 27 APRIL 1942
(ETO) (8th Air Force): Advanced echelon (ADVON) of HQ 8th Air Force and bomber, interceptor and base commands, along with 15th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 2d Air Depot Group, and a weather detachment totalling about 1,800 men, sail from Boston, Massachusetts for the UK.
TUESDAY, 28 APRIL 1942
(ETO) (8th Air Force): HQ VIII Ground Air Support Command is activated at Bolling Field, Washington, DC.
SATURDAY, 2 MAY 1942
(ETO) (8th Air Force): Major General Carl Spaatz is designated 8th Air Force commander.
TUESDAY, 5 MAY 1942
(ETO) (8th Air Force): Major General Carl Spaatz assumes command of HQ 8th Air Force at Bolling Field, Washington, DC.
MONDAY, 11 MAY 1942
(ETO) (8th Air Force): The transport SS ANDES docks in the UK, carrying about 1,800 personnel for various 8th Air Force units. This is the first large shipment of AAF troops to the UK.
TUESDAY, 12 MAY 1942
(ETO) (8th Air Force): 39 officers and 348 enlisted men of HQ and the bomber, interceptor and service commands arrive at High Wycombe, England where the VIII Interceptor Command sets up HQ.
WEDNESDAY, 13 MAY 1942
(ETO) (8th Air Force): Flying personnel of the 15th Bombardment Squadron (Light), VIII Bomber Command, the first US bomb unit sent to the UK, arrive at Newport, UK without aircraft.
THURSDAY, 14 MAY 1942
(ETO) (8th Air Force): Major General Ira C Eaker is designated commander of Detachment, HQ 8th Air Force in addition to his duties as Commanding General VIII Bomber Command. Brigadier General Frank O'D Hunter assumes command of VIII Interceptor Command. 15th Bombardment Squadron (Light), VIII Bomber Command, arrives at Grafton Underwood, England without aircraft.
FRIDAY, 15 MAY 1942
(ETO) (8th Air Force): HQ VIII Bomber Command transfers from Daws Hill to High Wycombe, England.
SUNDAY, 17 MAY 1942
(ETO) (8th Air Force): Detachment, 8th Air Force, with the help of the VIII Bomber Command staff, issues a directive defining its mission, which is the organization, training and supplying of units advanced echelons of 8th Air Force to prepare for immediate operations upon arrival of tactical elements of the 8th. 50 US intelligence officers arrive in the UK for training by the Royal Air Force (RAF) Bomber Command.
TUESDAY, 19 MAY 1942
(ETO) (8th Air Force): Detachment, HQ 8th Air Force under Major General Ira C Eaker, assumes control of all AAF organizations in the British Isles.
SATURDAY, 23 MAY 1942
(ETO) (8th Air Force): Agreement is reached on a plan to transfer the repair depot at Burtonwood, UK to US forces following a period of joint control to begin at the end of Jun 42; Burtonwood later becomes the greatest AAF depot overseas.
SUNDAY, 24 MAY 1942
(ETO) (8th Air Force): VIII Air Force Base Command, under overall logistical control of Service of Supply, is given primary responsibility for all supply and maintenance peculiar to the AAF, thus leaving much logistical autonomy to the Army Air Forces in Britain (AAFIB).
MONDAY, 25 MAY 1942
(ETO): Lieutenant General Henry H "Hap" Arnold, Rear Admiral John H Towers and Air Chief Marshall Sir Charles F Portal attend an Anglo-American air conference in London. Topics of discussion include allocation of aircraft and the establishment of US air forces in the UK. The meeting begins at 10 Downing Street with Prime Minister Winston S Churchill.
SATURDAY, 30 MAY 1942
(ETO): During conferences with Air Chief Marshall Sir Charles F Portal, Lieutenant General Henry H "Hap" Arnold presents "Programme of Arrival of US Army Air Forces in the United Kingdom" providing for 66 combat groups, exclusive of observation squadrons, by Mar 43. THURSDAY, 4 JUNE 1942
(ETO, 8th Air Force): A HQ AAF schedule, with tables of composition and strength, indicating a total of 3,649 aircraft, is set up for the AAF in the UK.
FRIDAY, 5 JUNE 1942
(ETO) (8th Air Force): VIII Air Force Base Command, activated in the US on 28 Jan 42, is redesignated VIII Air Force Services Command. Colonel Harold A McGinnis assumes command.
MONDAY, 8 JUNE 1942
(ETO): US Army (ETOUSA) established by presidential directive. Major General James E Chaney is designated commander of all US forces of ETOUSA.
TUESDAY, 9 JUNE 1942
(ETO) (8th Air Force): The second contingent of personnel for HQ 8th Air Force and subordinate commands, including the main body of the VIII Air Force Services Command, arrives in the UK. 15th Bombardment Squadron (Light), VIII Bomber Command, moves from Grafton Underwood to Molesworth, England with A-20s; first mission is 4 Jul. Ground echelon of 27th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, arrives at Goxhill, England from the US.
WEDNESDAY, 10 JUNE 1942
(ETO) (8th Air Force): The main part of the ground echelon, including ground echelons of the 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 1st and 31st Fighter Groups, 60th Transport Group and 5th Air Depot Group, and service units arrive in the UK aboard the QUEEN ELIZABETH. Units arriving in England from the US: HQ 1st Fighter Group and 71st and 94th Fighter Squadrons at Goxhill (first missions are 1 Sep and 3 Aug respectively); 12th Transport Squadron, 60th Transport Group, at Chelveston with C-47s; and 308th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, at Atcham (first mission is 17 Aug).
THURSDAY, 11 JUNE 1942
(ETO) (8th Air Force): Units arriving in England from the US: HQ 31st Fighter Group at Atcham; 10th and 11th Transport Squadron, 60th Transport Group, at Chelveston; 307th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, at Atcham (first mission is 17 Aug); and 340th and 414th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy) at Polebrook with B-17s (first mission is 17 Aug).
FRIDAY, 12 JUNE 1942
(ETO) (8th Air Force): Another contingent of personnel for HQ 8th Air Force and subordinate commands arrive in the UK. Units arriving in England from the US: HQ 60th Transport Group at Chelveston; 309th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, at High Ercall (first mission is 17 Aug); 341st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy), at Polebrook with B-17s (first mission is 17 Aug).
SATURDAY, 13 JUNE 1942
(ETO) (8th Air Force): HQ 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy) arrives at Polebrook, England from US.
SUNDAY, 14 JUNE 1942
(ETO) (8th Air Force): The aircraft program for the AAF in the UK is revised downward from 3,649 to 3,266, and the date of anticipated final strength is advanced 1 month to 1 Apr 43.
MONDAY, 15 JUNE 1942
(ETO) (8th Air Force): Major General Carl Spaatz, Commanding General 8th Air Force, arrives in the UK. The VIII Bomber Command takes a significant step toward development of the organization for control of combat operations by establishing the 1st Bombardment Wing (Provisional) at Brampton Grange, England.
WEDNESDAY, 17 JUNE 1942
(ETO) (8th Air Force): 5th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 8th Air Force, arrives at Molesworth, England from the US with F-4s; first mission is in Nov 42.
THURSDAY, 18 JUNE 1942
(ETO) (8th Air Force): HQ 8th Air Force opens in London with Major General Carl Spaatz commanding. The British Air Ministry publishes a tentative list of 87 airfields to be made ready for the 8th Air Force.
SATURDAY, 20 JUNE 1942
(ETO) (8th Air Force): General George C Marshall's letter of instruction to Brigadier General Dwight D Eisenhower reveals plan to integrate all US air units in the UK into the 8th Air Force. The broad objective of the AAF in the ETO is to attain "air supremacy over Western Continental Europe" in preparation for a future invasion of the Continent.
SUNDAY, 21 JUNE 1942
ZONE OF INTERIOR: An agreement is signed by Lieutenant General Henry H "Hap" Arnold, USAAF; Air Chief Marshall Sir Charles F Portal, RAF; and Rear Admiral John H Towers, USN dealing with US air commitments and provides for a strong air force for Operation BOLERO (the buildup of US armed forces in the UK for an attack on Europe).
TUESDAY, 23 JUNE 1942
(ETO) (8th Air Force): Major General Carl Spaatz is informed that Operation ROUNDUP (plans for the invasion of Western Europe) has been put off until Spring 1943. This postponement is due to a decision to mount Operation TORCH (plan for Allied landings in North and Northwest Africa in Nov 42), which will necessitate the diversion of large numbers of aircraft earlier slated for the 8th Air Force in the UK.
WEDNESDAY, 24 JUNE 1942
(ETO) (8th Air Force): Lieutenant General Dwight D Eisenhower arrives in the UK.
THURSDAY, 25 JUNE 1942
(ETO) (8th Air Force): HQ 8th Air Force moves from London to Bushy Park, a London suburb.
FRIDAY, 26 JUNE 1942
(ETO) (8th Air Force): Air echelons of the 31st Fighter Group are established at Atcham and High Ercall, England by this date. These are the first combat personnel of the VIII Fighter Command to reach the UK.
SUNDAY, 28 JUNE 1942
(ETO): Lieutenant General Dwight D Eisenhower assumes command of ETOUSA, succeeding Major General James E Chaney.
MONDAY, 29 JUNE 1942
(ETO) (8th Air Force): Captain Charles C Kegelman [Commanding Officer, 15th Bombardment Squadron (Light)], flying on a mission with 12 RAF Bostons against Hazebrouck marshalling yard, France, becomes the first member of the 8th Air Force drop bombs on enemy-occupied Europe. The first pilot fatality of the 8th Air Force in the ETO is suffered when First Lieutenant Alfred W Giacomini of the 31st Fighter Group crashes a Spitfire while landing at Atcham, England.
TUESDAY, 30 JUNE 1942
(ETO) (8th Air Force): Joint Anglo-American control of Burtonwood air depot begins with a view toward subsequent exclusive control by the AAF. VIII Air Force Services Command is designated the US agent at Burtonwood.
WEDNESDAY, 1 JULY 1942
(ETO) (8th Air Force): The first B-17, assigned to the 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy) of the BOLERO air movement via the N Atlantic route lands at Prestwick, Scotland..
THURSDAY, 2 JULY 1942
(ETO, 8th Air Force): First USAAF air operation over W Europe. 15th Bombardment Squadron (Light) flying 6 American-built Bostons belonging to No. 226 Squadron Royal Air Force, join a RAF low-level attack on De Koog (2 aircraft), Bergen/Alkamaar, Haanstede and Valkenberg (2 aircraft) Airfields in the Netherlands; 2 aircraft are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 1 damaged; 6 airmen are MIA. Aircraft flown by Captain Charles C Kegelman, Squadron Commander, is severely damaged, but Kegelman succeeds in bringing it back to base at Swanton Morley. VIII Air Force Composite Command is activated in the US. Second B-17 arrives in the UK via the N Atlantic ferry route.
MONDAY, 6 JULY 1942
(ETO, 8th Air Force): The RAF invites the Eighth Air Force to share membership in important RAF operational committees dealing with targets, operational research, interception, and bomber operations. VIII Air Force Service Command sets up HQ at Bushy Park with Major General Walter H Frank as Commanding General. 6 B-17s arrive in the UK via the N Atlantic ferry route.
THURSDAY, 9 JULY 1942
(ETO, 8th Air Force): 7 P-38s arrive in the UK via the N Atlantic route, this being the first time single-seater USAAF aircraft have flown this route.
SATURDAY, 11 JULY 1942
(ETO, 8th Air Force): First formal decoration ceremony held in the Eighth Air Force takes place when Major General Carl Spaatz pins the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) on Major Charles C Kegelman for extraordinary gallantry and heroism during the raid of 4 Jul.
SUNDAY, 12 JULY 1942
(ETO, 8th Air Force): 6 of 6 Bostons borrowed from the RAF hit Abbeville/Drucat Airfield, France; 2 aircraft are damaged; no casualties. The 15th Bombardment Squadron (Light) stands down after this mission to prepare their own Bostons which are ex-RAF machines.
MONDAY, 13 JULY 1942
(ETO, 8th Air Force): HQ 52d Fighter Group arrives at Eglinton, Co. Derry, Ireland from the US.
SATURDAY, 18 JULY 1942
(ETO): Harry Hopkins, General George C Marshall, Admiral Ernest V King, Prime Minister Winston S Churchill and the British Chiefs of Staff begin a conference in London on the proposed invasion of N Africa (Operation TORCH).
TUESDAY, 21 JULY 1942
(ETO, 8th Air Force): Lieutenant General Dwight D Eisenhower assigns to the 8th Air Force the mission of carrying out, in collaboration with the RAF, the degree of air operations with the view of attaining air domination over W France by 1 Apr 43.
SUNDAY, 26 JULY 1942
(ETO, 8th Air Force): Lieutenant Colonel Albert P Clark, Executive Officer of the 31st Fighter Group, is shot down while flying an RAF fighter on a sweep over France, thus becoming the first 8th Air Force fighter pilot to be shot down in the ETO; he survives and is taken prisoner by the Germans.
MONDAY, 27 JULY 1942
(ETO, 8th Air Force): HQ VIII Bomber Command issues an order establishing 1st Bombardment Wing at Brampton Grange [replacing 1st Bombardment Wing (Provisional), established there on 15 Jun) and 2d Bombardment Wing at Old Catton. 1st Bombardment Wing is commanded by Colonel Claude E Duncan; 2d Bombardment Wing by Colonel Newton Longfellow. US aircraft of 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 1st Fighter Group land at Prestwick, Scotland, thus completing the first series of flights in Operation BOLERO, air movement across the N Atlantic ferry route. 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy) becomes the first US heavy bomber group complete with air and ground echelons in the UK. Lieutenant General Ira C Eaker and officers of the RAF Fighter Command agree to use Spitfire Mk IX's as high fighter cover for B-17s of the VIII Bomber Command until the VIII Fighter Command is ready for escort duty; this also will provide a test of the Spitfire Mk IX against Fw 190s at high altitude. HQ VIII Fighter Command moves from High Wycombe to Bushey Hall, England.
TUESDAY, 28 JULY 1942
(ETO, 8th Air Force): HQ VIII Fighter Command opens at Bushey Hall, England following move from temporary HQ at High Wycombe. Brigadier General Frank O'D Hunter, designated Commanding General VIII Fighter Command on 14 May in the US, assumes command in England. HQ VIII Ground Air Support Command, Brigadier General Robert C Candee, Commanding General, arrives at Bushy Park, England from the US. General Candee announces staff assignments and begins the organization of his command in the UK.
WEDNESDAY, 29 JULY 1942
(ETO, 8th Air Force): 28th Troop Carrier Squadron, 60th Troop Carrier Group arrives at Podington, England from the US with C-47s.
FRIDAY, 31 JULY 1942
(ETO, 8th Air Force): Units of the Provisional Troop Carrier Command are organized in UK.
SATURDAY, 1 AUGUST 1942
(ETO, 8th Air Force): Lieutenant General Ira C Eaker describes the mission of the VIII Bomber Command as the destruction of carefully chosen strategic targets in Europe. HQ 31st Fighter Group and 307th, 308th and 309th Fighter Squadrons move from Atcham to Westhampnett, Biggin Hill, Kenley and Westhampnett, England respectively with Spitfire Mk Vs.
WEDNESDAY, 5 AUGUST 1942
ETO (8th AF): VIII Fighter Command dispatches its first mission-11 Spitfire Mk Vs of the 31st Fighter Group on a practice run over France.
FRIDAY, 7 AUGUST 1942
ETO (8th AF): HQ 60th Troop Carrier Group and 10th and 28th Troop Carrier Squadrons move from Chelveston and Podington to Aldermaston, England with C-47s.
SUNDAY, 9 AUGUST 1942
ETO (8th AF): Unit moves in England: HQ 301st Bombardment Group (Heavy) to Chelveston from the US; 27th Fighter Squadron from Goxhill to Atcham (the squadron is operating their P-38s from Reykjavik, Iceland).
TUESDAY, 11 AUGUST 1942
ETO (8th AF): Referring to Operation TORCH (plans for the invasion of N Africa in Nov 42), Major General Carl Spaatz informs General Henry H "Hap" Arnold that, in his opinion, the UK remains the only base from which air supremacy over Germany can be established.
WEDNESDAY, 12 AUGUST 1942
ETO (8th AF): 31st Fighter Group at Westhampnett, England with Spitfire Mk Vs, is declared fully operational and ready for combat operations under Royal Air Force (RAF) control until it gains enough experience to be able to fight as a group; this is first US fighter unit in the UK to reach this operational status.
SATURDAY, 15 AUGUST 1942
ETO (8th AF): 11th Troop Carrier Squadron, 60th Troop Carrier Group, moves from Chelveston to Aldermaston, England with C-47s.
SUNDAY, 16 AUGUST 1942
ETO (8th AF): HQ 6th Fighter Wing arrives at Bushey Hall, England from the US; the wing will train replacement pilot for fighter organizations until Sep 43.
MONDAY, 17 AUGUST 1942
ETO (8th AF): Mission 1: 12 of 12 B-17s bomb Rouen/Sotteville marshalling yard in France at 1739-1746 hours; they claim 0-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 B-17s are damaged. 6 B-17s also fly a diversion without loss; escort is provided by RAF Spitfires.
TUESDAY, 18 AUGUST 1942
ETO (8th AF): Units arriving in England from the US: HQ 14th Fighter Group at Atcham; HQ 64th Troop Carrier Group and 16th, 17th, 18th and 35th Troop Carrier Squadrons at Ramsbury with C-47s; HQ 92d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 325th, 326th, 327th and 407th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) at Bovingdon with B-17s (they will fly some combat missions while training replacement crews, Aug 42-Jan 43); 32d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 301st Bombardment Group (Heavy), at Chelveston with B-17s (first mission is 2 Oct).
WEDNESDAY, 19 AUGUST 1942
ETO (8th AF): Mission 2: 22 of 24 B-17s bomb Abbeville/Drucat Airfield, France at 1032-1040 hours; 3 B-17s are damaged; 6 B-17s fly a diversion and 2 airmen are WIA. This mission is flown to occupy the Luftwaffe and prevent them from opposing an invasion by over 5,000 Allied troops, mostly Canadians, who raid Dieppe, France. 123 Spitfire Mk Vs of the 31st Fighter Group support the raid on Dieppe and claim 1-1-5 Luftwaffe aircraft with the loss of 8 Spitfires (4 pilots are MIA); 2d Lieutenant Samuel F Junkin Jr of the 309th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, flying a Spitfire Mk V in support of the amphibious raid on Dieppe, shoots down a German fighter, this being the first aerial victory won by an 8th Air Force fighter pilot flying from the UK. Units arriving in England from the US: HQ 1st Bombardment Wing at Brampton Grange; 353d and 419th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 301st Bombardment Group (Heavy), at Chelveston with B-17s (first mission is 2 Oct). 2d, 4th and 5th Fighter Squadron, 52d Fighter Group arrive at Eglinton, Co Derry, Ireland from the US (squadrons will be equipped with Spitfire Mk Vs and 2d and 4th Fighter Squadrons will fly their first mission on 27 Aug; 5th Fighter Squadron will not fly missions).
THURSDAY, 20 AUGUST 1942
ETO (8th AF): The principle of coordinated day and night bombing receives its first formal definition in the "Joint British/American Directive on Day Bomber Operations involving Fighter Cooperation." The emphasis is placed on achieving continuity in the bombing offensive from the UK. Mission 3: 11 of 12 B-17s bomb Amiens/Longeau marshalling yard, France at 1801 hours without loss. Unit moves in England: 27th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, from Atcham to High Ercall (the squadron is operating from Reykjavik, Iceland with P-38s); 352d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 301st Bombardment Group (Heavy) to Podington from the US with B-17s (first mission is 5 Sep).
FRIDAY, 21 AUGUST 1942
ETO (8th AF): At General Henry H "HAP" Arnold's request, Lieutenant General Dwight D Eisenhower gives Major General Carl Spaatz additional duties as Air Officer for the ETO and head of the air section of its staff, thus assuring active participation by the 8th Air Force in theater planning. Mission 4: 12 B-17s are dispatched to the bomb the shipyards at Rotterdam, The Netherlands but the mission is aborted due to an attack by 25 Bf 109s and Fw 190s; the bombers claim 2-5-6 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 bomber is damaged; 1 airman is KIA and 5 WIA. Lack of proper coordination with the Spitfire escorts is a major factor in the failure of the mission. HQ VIII Ground Air Support Command moves from Bushy Park to Membury, England.
MONDAY 24 AUGUST 1942
ETO (8th AF): Mission 5: 12 of 12 B-17s bomb the shipyard of Ateliers et Chantiers Maritime de la Seine at Le Trait, France; 3 B-17s are damaged and 5 airmen are WIA. Major General Carl Spaatz reports the the RAF attitude towards US daylight precision bombing seems to be changing from one of skepticism to one of tentative approval. Unit moves in England: HQ 6th Fighter Wing from Bushey Hall to Atcham; HQ 1st Fighter Group and 71st Fighter Squadron from Goxhill to Ibsley with P-38s (first mission is 1 Sep); 307th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, from Biggin Hill to Merston.
TUESDAY, 25 AUGUST 1942
ETO (8th AF): Units of the Provisional Troop Carrier Command, organized in the UK on 31 Jul pending arrival of the VIII Troop Carrier Command, are transferred to the VIII Ground Air Support Command after plans to organize the VIII Troop Carrier Command are abandoned. 308th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, moves from Kenley to Westhampnett, England with Spitfires.
WEDNESDAY, 26 AUGUST 1942
ETO (8th AF): Unit moves in England: HQ 52d Fighter Group and 2d, 4th and 5th Fighter Squadrons from Eglinton, Ireland to Goxhill with Spitfires; 27th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, stops operating from Reykjavik, Iceland with P-38s and moves to High Ercall.
THURSDAY, 27 AUGUST 1942
ETO (8th AF): Mission 6: 7 of 9 B-17s bomb the shipyards at Rotterdam, The Netherlands at 1740 hours; 3 B-17s are damaged; 1 airman is WIA. 92d Bombardment Group (Heavy) completes nonstop flight of the last of its 4 squadrons from Newfoundland to UK without a loss. A Combat Crew Replacement Center (CCRC), the first in the Eighth Air Force, is established at Bovingdon, England. 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, moves from Kirton in Lindsey to Ibsley, England with P-38s.
FRIDAY, 28 AUGUST 1942
ETO (8th AF): Mission 7: 11 of 14 B-17s bomb the Avions Potez aircraft factory at Meaulte at 1337-1344 hours; 3 B-17s are damaged; 1 airman is KIA.
SATURDAY, 29 AUGUST 1942
ETO (8th AF): Mission 8: In France, 11 of 13 B-17s attack Courtrai Airfield at 1131-1136 hours; 1 B-17 hits Steene Airfield at 1137; they claim 0-1-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 3 B-17s are damaged.
TUESDAY, 1 SEPTEMBER 1942
(ETO, 8th Air Force): During Jul, the following units arrive in England from the US: HQ 51st Troop Carrier Wing at Greenham Common.
FRIDAY, 4 SEPTEMBER 1942
(ETO, 8th Air Force): The 352d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 301st Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Podington to Chelveston, England with B-17s (first mission is tomorrow).
SUNDAY, 6 SEPTEMBER 1942
(ETO, 8th Air Force): Mission 10: 76 bombers and 37 fighters bomb targets in France; 2 B-17s are lost: 1. 12 of 12 DB-7s attack the Abbeville/Drucat Airfield at 1702 hours; escort is provided by 37 Spitfires, all without loss. 2. 30 of 51 B-17s, 30 attack the Avions Potez aircraft plant at Meaulte at 1740-1748 hours; they claim 4-19-20 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 B-17s are lost and 7 damaged; 1 airman is KIA, 5 WIA and 18 MIA. This is the VIII Bomber Command's first loss of aircraft in combat. 3. Of 13 B-17s, 11 hit St Omer/Longuenesse Airfield and 2 St Omer/Ft Rouge Airfield without loss. Arrivals in England from the US: HQ 67th Observation Group at Membury; and the 367th, 368th and 369th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 306th Bombardment Group (Heavy), at Thurleigh with B-17s.
MONDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 1942
(ETO, 8th Air Force): Mission 11: 29 bombers attack targets in the Netherlands without loss: 1. 4 of 15 B-17s ineffectively raid the Wilton shipyards at Rotterdam in bad weather; they claim 8-4-7 Luftwaffe aircraft; 4 B-17s are damaged; 1 airman is KIA and 3 WIA. 2. 5 of 14 B-17s seek targets of opportunity in the vicinity of Utrecht; they claim 4-6-5 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 B-17 is damaged and 1 airman is WIA. Units arriving in England from the US: HQ 2d Bombardment Wing at Old Catton; HQ 93d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 328th, 329th, 330th and 409th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) at Alconbury with B-24s (first mission is 9 Oct 42); HQ 306th Bombardment Group (Heavy) at Thurleigh; 12th, 107th, 109th and 153d Observation Squadrons, 67th Observation Group, at Membury with no aircraft (first mission is in Aug, Dec 43 and Jan 44 respectively); and 15th Photographic Mapping Squadron, 3d Photographic Group, at Membury with B-17s (first mission is Nov 42).
TUESDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER 1942
(ETO, 8th Air Force): The "Joint British American Directive on Day Bomber Operations Involving Fighter Cooperation" is issued; worked out between Major General Carl Spaatz and the RAF, it consigns night bombing to the RAF and day bombing to the Eighth Air Force; the purpose is to achieve continuity in the bombing offensive and secure RAF fighter support for US bombers; General Spaatz orders all tactical operations to give way to activity in support of Operation TORCH (plan for Allied landings in N and NW Africa in Nov 42); processing of units of the newly created Twelfth Air Force destined for N Africa takes priority over combat operations for the present. In England, HQ 3d Photographic Group arrives at Membury from the US; 342d and 414th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy), move from Grafton Underwood to Polebrook with B-17s.
WEDNESDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER 1942
(ETO, 8th Air Force): The 423d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 306th Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrives at Thurleigh, England from the US with B-17s (first mission is 9 Oct).
THURSDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER 1942
UK (8th Air Force): The 364th and 365th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 305th Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrive at Grafton Underwood, England from the US with B-17s.
SATURDAY, 12 SEPTEMBER 1942
(ETO) 8th Air Force: HQ VIII Air Force Composite Command arrives in Ireland and is temporarily stationed at Long Kesh, County Down. Following units arrive in England from the US: HQ 3d Bombardment Wing at Elveden Hall; HQ 4th Bombardment Wing at Camp Lynn but soon loses its personnel to the XII Bomber Command and is not manned again until Jan 43; HQ 91st Bombardment Group (Heavy) at Kimbolton; HQ 303d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 358th, 359th, 360th and 427th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) at Molesworth with B-17s (first mission 17 Nov); HQ 305th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 366th and 422d Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) at Grafton Underwood with B-17s (first mission 17 Nov); 66th and 68th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) at Cheddington with B-24s (first mission is 7 Nov). In England, HQ 4th Fighter Group and 334th, 335th and 336th Fighter Squadrons are activated at Bushey Hall with Spitfires to be manned by US pilots who formerly flew with the RAF Eagle Squadrons; and the 27th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, moves from High Ercall to Colerne with P-38s (first mission is 2 Oct).
SUNDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 1942
8th Air Force: In England, the 15th Bombardment Squadron (Light), VIII Bomber Command, moves from Molesworth to Podington, with DB-7s; the 322d, 323d, 324th and 401st Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 91st Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrive at Kimbolton from the US with B-17s (first mission is 7 Nov).
MONDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 1942
8th Air Force: After the transfer of the combat unit to the Twelfth Air Force (see below), the combat units assigned to the Eighth are: HQ 3d Photographic Group and 5th, 12th, 13th and 14th Photographic Squadrons and 15th Photographic Mapping Squadron with F-4s, F-5s and B-17Fs; HQ 4th Fighter Group and 334th, 335th and 336th Fighter Squadrons at Steeple Morden with Spitfire Vs; HQ 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 66th, 67th and 68th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) at Cheddington with B-24s; HQ 67th Observation Group and 12th, 107th, 109th and 153d Observation Squadrons at Membury with no aircraft; HQ 91st Bombardment Group and 322d, 323d, 324th and 401st Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) at Kimbolton with B-17Fs; HQ 92d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 325th, 326th, 327th and 407th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) at Bovingdon with B-17Fs; HQ 93d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 328th, 329th, 330th and 409th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) at Alconbury with B-24Ds; HQ 303d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 358th, 359th, 360th and 427th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) at Molesworth with B-17Fs; HQ 305th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 364th, 365th, 366th and 422d Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) at Grafton Underwood with B-17Fs; and HQ 306th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 367th, 368th, 369th and 423d Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) at Thurleigh with B-17Fs.
WEDNESDAY, 16 SEPTEMBER 1942
8th Air Force: The VIII Air Force Services Command selects Honington and Watton, England as sites for Bomber Command advance depots; the site for the VIII Fighter Command awaits a final settlement of question of location and mission of the Fighter Command.
FRIDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 1942
Eighth Air Force: VIII Ground Air Support Command at Membury, England is redesignated VIII Air Support Command.
TUESDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER 1942
(ETO) Eighth Air Force: US pilots who had been members of the 3 RAF Eagle Squadrons (Numbers 71, 121 and 133 Squadrons) are taken over by the VIII Fighter Command and organized into the 4th Fighter Group as the 334th, 335th and 336th Fighter Squadrons; the group HQ and all squadrons move from Bushey Hall to Debden, England with Spitfires.
THURSDAY, 1 OCTOBER 1942
Eighth Air Force: HQ 350th Fighter Group and the 345th, 346th and 347th Fighter Squadrons are activated at Bushey Hall, England; the ground echelons of the squadrons are at Harding Field, Louisiana and will sail to North Africa for the invasion.
FRIDAY, 2 OCTOBER 1942
(ETO) Eighth Air Force: Mission 13: 61 bombers and 54 fighters are dispatched to attack 3 targets in France; 1 fighter is lost: 1. 32 of 43 B-17s dispatched hit the Avions Potez aircraft factory at Meaulte; they claim 4-9-5 aircraft; 6 B-17s are damaged; 3 airmen are WIA. Escort is provided by 31 P-38s; 1 P-38 is lost. 2. 6 of 6 B-17s fly a diversionary missions to St Omer/Longuenesse Airfield; they claim 5-4-4 aircraft. Escort is provided by 23 Spitfires; they claim 4-0-1 aircraft without loss. 3. 11 of 12 unescorted DB-7s attack a ship in a dock at Le Havre without loss.
SATURDAY, 3 OCTOBER 1942
Eighth Air Force: The 95th Fighter Squadron, 82d Fighter Group, arrives at Eglington, Co Derry, Ireland from the US with P-38s.
SUNDAY, 4 OCTOBER 1942
Eighth Air Force: The 347th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group, moves from Bushey Hall to Snailwell, England with P-39s and P-400s.
MONDAY, 5 OCTOBER 1942
Eighth Air Force: HQ 82d Fighter Group and the 96th and 97th Fighter Squadrons arrive at Eglington, Co Derry, Ireland from the US with P-38s.
WEDNESDAY, 7 OCTOBER 1942
Eighth Air Force: In letter to Major General George E Stratemeyer, Chief of the Air Staff, Major General Ira C Eaker, Commanding General Eighth Air Force, indicates plans for developing a highly-skilled intruder force capable of using bad weather as a cloak for small blind-bombing operations. These missions are also to serve the purpose of keeping the enemy from resting during periods of bad weather when big strategic missions cannot be flown.
FRIDAY, 9 OCTOBER 1942
(ETO) Eighth Air Force: Mission 14: 108 bombers are dispatched to bomb the steel and engineering works of the Compagnie de Fives at Lille, France and the locomotive and freight car works of Ateliers d'Hellemmes at Lille; 59 B-17s and 10 B-24s hit the primary targets; 2 B-17s hit the secondary target, Courtrai Airfield; other targets hit are Longuenesse Airfield (6) and Roubaix (2); the bombers claim 25-38-44 Luftwaffe aircraft; 4 bombers are lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 46 damaged; 10 airmen are WIA and 29 MIA.
SATURDAY, 10 OCTOBER 1942
Eighth Air Force: HQ 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and the 66th, 67th and 68th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) arrive at Shipham, England from the US with B-24s (first mission is 7 Nov).
MONDAY, 12 OCTOBER 1942
Eighth Air Force: The VIII Fighter Command is made responsible for the preparation and movement of air echelons of the Twelfth AF from the UK to N Africa.
WEDNESDAY, 14 OCTOBER 1942
Eighth Air Force: HQ 91st Bombardment Group (Heavy) and the 322d, 323d, 324th and 401st Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) move from Kimbolton to Bassingbourn, England with B-17s (first mission is 7 Nov).
THURSDAY, 15 OCTOBER 1942
Eighth Air Force: Lieutenant General Dwight D Eisenhower issues a directive reflecting the immediate urgency of Operation TORCH (plan for the Allied landings in N and NW Africa in Nov 42) as the currently important item of Allied strategy and requiring the Eighth AF, as a matter of first priority, to protect the movement of men and supplies from the UK to N Africa by attacking German submarine bases on the W coast of France, with shipping docks on the French W coast as a secondary targets for these missions and with German aircraft factories and depots in France as second priority.
WEDNESDAY, 21 OCTOBER 1942
Eighth Air Force: Mission 15: 107 bombers are dispatched to hit submarine bases and an airfield in France; 3 bombers are lost: 1. 66 B-7s and 24 B-24s are dispatched to hit the U-boat pens at Lorient/Keroman; clouds prevent all but 15 B-17s from bombing from 17,500 feet (5,334 m), 5,000 to 10,000 feet (1,524 to 3,048 m) lower than usual; 36 Fw 190s intercept and shoot down 3 B-17s. 2. 8 of 17 B-17s hit Cherbourg Airfield; they claim 10-4-3 aircraft without loss.
THURSDAY, 22 OCTOBER 1942
Eighth Air Force: The 330th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 93d Bombardment Group (Heavy), based at Alconbury, England with B-24s, begins operating from Holmsley, England.
WEDNESDAY, 28 OCTOBER 1942
Eighth Air Force: The last 2 squadrons of the 14th Fighter Group, the 48th and 49th Fighter Squadrons, leave the UK for N Africa; this completes the transfer of VIII Fighter Command's fighting units to the XII Fighter Command and leaves the VIII Fighter Command with only the 4th Fighter Group operational.
SATURDAY, 31 OCTOBER 1942
Eighth Air Force: Major General Spaatz, Commanding General Eighth AF, informs Lieutenant General Henry H "Hap" Arnold, Commanding General AAF, that operations against submarine pens may prove too costly for results obtained; believing the pens impervious to normal high-altitude bombing, Spaatz plans to operate as low as 4,000 feet (1,219 m) and accept higher casualty rates.
(ETO) Eighth Air Force: Brigadier General Robet C Candee, Commanding General VIII Air Support Command, states that the effort expended and personnel lost in organizing the Twelfth AF and preparing for its move from the UK to N Africa has severely retarded organization of his HQ and staff.
MONDAY, 2 NOVEMBER 1942
Eighth Air Force: Brigadier General Robet C Candee, commanding General VIII Air Support Command, states that the effort expended and personnel lost in organizing the Twelfth AF and preparing for its move from the UK to N Africa has severely retarded organization of his HQ and staff.
SATURDAY, 7 NOVEMBER 1942
(ETO) Eighth Air Force: Mission 16: 23 of 56 B-17s and 11 of 12 B-24s attack the U-boat pens at Brest, France; they claim 4-3-7 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 B-17 is damaged beyond repair and 12 damaged; 3 airmen are KIA. 7 B-24s fly a diversion.
SUNDAY, 8 NOVEMBER 1942
(ETO, Eighth Air Force): Mission 17: 53 bombers are dispatched to hit two targets in France; 1 B-17 is lost: 1. 11 of 15 B-17s bomb the Abbeville/Drucat Airfield; they claim 1-2-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 5 B-17s are damaged and 5 airmen are WIA. 2. 31 of 38 B-17s bomb the Atclier d'Hellemmes locomotive works at Lille; they claim 10-4-13 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 B-17 is lost and 8 damaged; 3 airmen are WIA and 11 MIA.
MONDAY, 9 NOVEMBER 1942
(ETO, Eighth Air Force): Lieutenant General Carl Spaatz, Commanding General Eighth Air Force, in a memo to Lieutenant General Dwight D Eisenhower, agrees that any increase in air commitments to N Africa must necessarily be made at the expense of US forces in the UK as US forces in other theaters are considered irreducible. Mission 18: 31 of 33 B-17s and 12 of 14 B-24s attack the U-boat base at Saint Nazaire, France from reduced altitude; only 1 of the 12 B-24s bombing from 17,500 to 18,300 feet (5,334 to 5,578 m) suffer AA damage, but 31 B-17s at 7,500 to 10,000 feet (2,286 to 3,048 m) lose 3 of aircraft and have 22 damaged by AA fire, 1 airman KIA, 11 WIA and 32 MIA; this ends the experiment with low-level attacks of heavy bombers, against submarine bases.
FRIDAY, 13 NOVEMBER 1942
(ETO, Eighth Air Force): HQ VIII AF Composite Command moves from the temporary station at Long Kesh to Kirkassock House, Ireland.
SATURDAY, 14 NOVEMBER 1942
(ETO, Eighth Air Force): Mission 19: 34 bombers are dispatched to hit U-boats pens at La Pallice, France but the target is covered by 10/10 clouds and 15 of 21 B-17s and 9 of 13 B-24s hit the secondary, the port area at St Nazaire, France; 1 B-24 is damaged. 6 B-24s fly a diversion for this mission.
TUESDAY, 17 NOVEMBER 1942
(ETO, Eighth Air Force): Mission 20: 2 locations are targetted: 1. 23 of 49 B-17s and 12 of 14 B-24s hit the U-boats pens at St Nazaire, France; they claim 6-8-2 Luftwaffe aircraft; 9 B-17s and 7 B-24s are damaged; 1 airman is KIA and 3 WIA. 2. 6 B-24s are dispatched to hit Maupertus Airfield at Cherbourg but abort due to cloud cover. 3. 10 B-17s fly a diversion to covert the missions above.
WEDNESDAY, 18 NOVEMBER 1942
(ETO, Eighth Air Force): Mission 21: 65 bombers are dispatched to hit targets against U-boat bases in France; 1 bomber is lost: 1. 13 of 13 B-24s hit Lorient; 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair and 3 are damaged; 5 airmen are KIA and 8 WIA. 2. 19 of 21 B-17s hit St Nazaire; 15 B-17s are damaged and 3 airmen are WIA. 3. 21 of 34 B-17s hit La Pallice; 1 B-17s is lost and 9 damaged; 1 airman is KIA and 3 WIA. 4. 20 B-17s and 6 B-24s fly diversions for the above missions.
THURSDAY, 19 NOVEMBER 1942
(ETO, Eighth Air Force): Submarine yards at Vegesack, Bremen, and Kiel, Germany are added to day bombardment program as top priority objectives.
SATURDAY, 21 NOVEMBER 1942
(ETO, Eighth Air Force): The 109th Observation Squadron, 67th Observation Group, moves from Membury to Atcham, England with A-20s (first mission is Dec 43).
SUNDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 1942
(ETO, Eighth Air Force): Mission 22: 68 B-17s and 8 B-24s are dispatched to hit the Keroma U-boat pens at Lorient, France; only 11 B-17s find a gap in the 10/10 cloud cover and bomb at 1410 hours local without loss.
MONDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 1942
(ETO, Eighth Air Force): Mission 23: 50 B-17s and 8 B-24s are dispatched to hit the St Nazaire submarine base in France for the 5th time in 2 weeks; the cumulative effect of the operation on the base is large though the sub shelter shows little permanent damage; 28 B-17s and 8 B-24s hit the target; they claim 16-2-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; the AAF crews report a change in fighter tactics from rear to head-on attack as the Luftwaffe learns that the B-17 and B-24 are weak in forward firepower; 4 B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 16 B-17s and 1 B-24 are damaged; 3 airmen are KIA, 16 WIA and 43 MIA. Admiral Sir Dudley Pound, First Lord of the Admiralty, writes to Lieutenant General Ira C Eaker, Commanding General Eighth AF, praising the effects of the US bomber attacks on disorganizing the servicing schedule of the German U-boat bases on the French W coast.
WEDNESDAY, 25 NOVEMBER 1942
(ETO, Eighth Air Force): The 107th Observation Squadron, 67th Observation Group, moves from Membury to Aldermaston, England with A-20s, L-4s and Spitfires (first mission is 20 Dec 43).
SATURDAY, 28 NOVEMBER 1942
(ETO, Eighth Air Force): In England, the 153d Observation Squadron, 67th Observation Group, moves from Membury to Keevil with A-20s, L-4s and P-51s (first mission is 18 Aug 43); the 330th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 93d Bombardment Group (Heavy), ceases operating from Holmsley with B-24s and returns to base to Alconbury.
MONDAY, 30 NOVEMBER 1942
(ETO, Eighth Air Force): In a meeting at the Air Ministry a joint decision is made on the allocation of responsibility, with the RAF to provide aerial defense of sectors in which US airfields are located while the VIII Fighter Command operates principally as escort for bomber strikes against the Continent.
TUESDAY, 1 DECEMBER 1942
(Eighth Air Force) Major General Ira C. Eaker replaces Major General Carl Spaatz as Commanding General Eighth Air Force. Spaatz flies to Algeria to serve as air adviser to Lieutenant General Eisenhower, Commanding General . Headquarters 78th Fighter Group and its 82d, 83d and 84th Fighter Squadrons is established at Goxhill England upon arrival from the US. The three squadrons are equipped with P-38Gs but begin transitioning to the P-47C in Jan 43 and enter combat with their P-47s on 13 Apr 43. Headquarters 315th Troop Carrier Group and its 34th and 43d Troop Carrier Squadrons is established at Aldermaston, England upon arrival from the US. The air echelon is flying their C-47s across the North Atlantic with the first aircraft arriving on 12 Dec. Headquarters 322d Bombardment Group (Medium) and its 449th, 450th, 451st and 452d Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) is established at Rougham, England upon arrival from the US. The air echelon with B-26C-6s will not depart the US until Mar 43; they will fly their aircraft via the southern route with the last aircraft arriving until 29 May 43. The group will not fly it's first combat mission until 14 May 43.
WEDNESDAY, 2 DECEMBER 1942
(Eighth Air Force) The 13th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron arrives at Podington, England from the US. The squadron, which was scheduled to go to North Africa with the 3d Photographic Group, is reassigned to the Eighth Air Force due to lack of equipment, personnel and aircraft and will remain in England for the rest of the war. The squadron will be equipped with F-5s and will fly it's first combat mission on 28 Mar 43.
SUNDAY, 6 DECEMBER 1942
(Eighth Air Force) On Mission 24, 103 heavy bombers are dispatched against France. Nineteen are dispatched against the Abbeville/Drucat Airfield; six bomb the target with one aircraft lost. Sixty six are dispatched against the Atelier d'Hellemmes locomotive works at Lille; 36 bomb the target with the loss of one aircraft. Eighteen other aircraft fly a diversion.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1942
(Eighth Air Force) An VIII Bomber Command study of air attacks on submarine pens indicates that available US bombs are incapable of penetrating roofs of the pens from any bombing level low enough to maintain accuracy.
SATURDAY, 12 DECEMBER 1942
(Eighth Air Force) During Mission Number 25, 90 bombers are dispatched to bomb two targets in France; 78 aircraft are dispatched to the Rouen-Sotteville Marshalling Yard; 17 attack the target with the loss of two aircraft. A diversion is flown against the Abbeville/Drucat Airfield by 12 aircraft but the target is overcast and the aircraft return without attacking.
MONDAY, 14 DECEMBER 1942
(Eighth Air Force) An Inspector General report states that the drain of stocks from the Eighth Air Force for the purpose of equipping the Twelfth Air Force in Northwest Africa is hindering greatly the training and combat program of the Eighth Air Force.
SUNDAY, 20 DECEMBER 1942
During Mission Number 26, 80 B-17s and 21 B-24s are dispatched to attack the Luftwaffe air depot at Romilly-sur-Seine; 72 bomb the target with the loss of six B-17s to German fighters.
THURSDAY, 24 DECEMBER 1942 (CHRISTMAS EVE)
The first P-47s arrive in England however, because of VHF radio and engine difficulties, the P-47s are not sent into combat until Apr 43.
FRIDAY, 25 DECEMBER 1942 (CHRISTMAS DAY)
HQ 24th Composite Wing is activated in Iceland to control all USAAF units on the island.
WEDNESDAY, 30 DECEMBER 1942
During Mission Number 27, 77 bombers are dispatched to the submarine base at Lorient, France; 40 aircraft attack with the loss of three B-17s to German fighters. The submarine base shows the cumulative effect of repeated bombardment.
JANUARY 1943SATURDAY, 2 JANUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) Four radar-equipped B-24s of the 329th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 93d Bombardment Group (Heavy) fly a "moling" or intruder, mission aimed at harassing the enemy in weather unsuitable for large missions by alerting air-raid crews in the area north of the Ruhr. The 329th has been in training for these operations since 14 Dec. This mission and two subsequent missions in Janauary are foiled by clear weather over the target area. Twenty Spitfire Mk Vs of the 4th Fighter Group are dispatched on fighter patrols. HQ 2d Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy) with B-24s is established at St. Eval, England upon arrival from the U.S.
SUNDAY, 3 JANUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) Sixteen Spitfire Vs of the 4th Fighter Group fly ship protection patrols. VIII Bomber Command Mission 28: The primary target is the St Nazaire U-Boat base in France; this is the first attack on this installation since 23 Nov 42 and the heaviest attack to date against U-Boat bases. The 1st Bombardment Wing dispatches 85 B-17s of the 91st, 303, 305th and 306th Bombardment Groups (Heavy); the 4th Bombardment Wing dispatches 13 B-24s of the 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy); 60 B-17s and eight B-24s hit the target dropping 171 tons of bombs between 1130 and 1140 hours local. Formation (instead of individual) precision bombing is used for the first time by the VIII Bomber Command, and considerable damage is done to the dock area. The mission stats are: We claim 14 enemy aircraft shot down, 18 probably shot down and 4 damaged; we loose seven B-17s, three B-24s are damaged beyond repair, 44 B-17s and three B-24s are damaged. Human casualties are 5 KIA, 29 WIA and 70 MIA.
MONDAY, 4 JANUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) Twenty Sptifire Vs of the 4th Fighter Group fly ship protection patrols. HQ 92d Bombardment Group (Heavy) moves from Bovingdon to Alconbury, England.
WEDNESDAY, 6 JANUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) The 325th, 326th, 327th and 407th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 92d Bombardment Group (Heavy) with B-17s move from Bovingdon to Alconbury, England.
FRIDAY, 8 JANUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) Twelve Spitfire Mk Vs fly defensive patrols. The 107th Observation Squadron (originally a Michigan National Guard unit), 67th Observation Group moves its Spitfires and L-4s from Aldermaston to Membury, England.
MONDAY, 11 JANUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) Two Spitfire Mk Vs from the 4th Fighter Group fly ship protection patrols.
TUESDAY, 12 JANUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) Two Spitfire Mk Vs of the 4th Fighter Group are used on a fighter patrol. The 12th Bombardment Wing, VIII Bomber Command transfers from Chelveston, England to Marks Hall, England when all personnel and equipment are transferred to other units. This unit will remain a paper unit until being disbanded in England on 9 Oct 44.
WEDNESDAY, 13 JANUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission 29: The primary targets are the steel and locomotive works and marshaling yard at Lille, France. The 1st Bombardment Wing dispatches 72 B-17s; 64 drop 125 tons of bombs on the targets between 1427 and 1430 hours local. Locomotive construction and repair work is seriously imparied.
THURSDAY, 14 JANUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) Eight Spitfire Mk Vs of the 4th Fighter Group carry out three Rhubarbs ( a small number of aircraft attacking ground targets usually in bad weather) and engage Fw 190s west of Ostend. We claim 2 enemy aircraft destroyed; two Spitfires are damaged one making a forced landing at Bradwell Bay with flak damage. One of the three squadrons of the 4th Fighter Group completes its transition from the Spitfire Mk V to P-47Cs; the group will fly its first P-47 mission on 10 Mar 43.
FRIDAY, 15 JANUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) Twelve Spitfire Mk Vs of the 4th Fighter Group fly uneventful fighter patrols.
SATURDAY, 16 JANUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) RAF heavy bombers attack Berlin during the night of 16/17 Jan for the first time since 7 Nov 41. Target indicator bombs are used for the first time.
SUNDAY, 17 JANUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) Four Sptifire Mk Vs of the 4th Fighter Group fly uneventful ship protection patrols.
MONDAY, 18 JANUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) HQ 4th Bombardment Wing transfers from Camp Lynn to Marks Hall, England.
WEDNESDAY, 20 JANUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) Twenty-two Spitfire Mk Vs of the 4th Fighter Group fly three missions. Two engage in a Rhubarb (small number of aircraft attacking ground targets usually in bad weather) and attack three locomotives at Calais, France; 14 fly an interception mission; and six fly defensive patrols. One aircraft is damaged beyond repair.
THURSDAY, 21 JANUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) At the Casablanca Conference between Prime Minister Churchill, President Roosevelt and the Combined Chiefs of Staff (CCS), the CCS issue the "Casablanca Directive." It broadly outlines the operations of the USAAF VIII Bomber Command and the RAF Bomber Command located in the UK as having the primary object of the destruction of the German military, economic and industrial systems and undermining of morale of the German people. Primary targets listed in order of priority are submarine construction yards, the aircraft industry, transportation, oil plants and other war industries. It largely relieves the VIII Bomber Command of supporting North African operations.
Lieutenant General Ira C. Eaker, Commanding General Eighth Air Force, completes a paper called "The Case For Day Bombing" which he presents to General Henry "Hap" Arnold, Commanding General Army Air Forces at the Casablanca Conference. Eaker then discusses these ideas on the merits of daylight bombing with Churchill in an attempt to convince him of its effectiveness. Churchill later concurs. This paper leads to development of the Combined Bomber Offensive (CBO) program. Spitfire Mk Vs of the 4th Fighter Group fly 49 sorties during the day. Early in the day, 26 escort RAF Venturas attacking Caen/Carpiquet, France. Later in the day, 23 support a Circus (heavy fighter escort of a small force of bombers in an attempt to provoke a Luftwaffe fighter response) to Caen, France.
A 93d Bombardment Group (Heavy) B-24 attempts a Moling mission, i.e., bad weather operation by single aircraft designed to alert the Luftwaffe.
FRIDAY, 22 JANUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) Twenty five Spitfire Mk Vs of the 4th Fighter Group support RAF Bostons on missions. We claim four enemy aircraft destroyed; one Spitfire is lost, one damaged beyond repair, one damaged and one pilot is MIA.
SATURDAY, 23 JANUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission 30: The 1st Bombardment Wing dispatches 73 B-17s against the port area of Lorient, France; 35 aircraft hit the primary target between 1348 and 1351 hours local and drop 86 tons on the target. We claim 7 enemy aircraft destroyed, 5 probably destroyed and 4 damaged; five B-17s are lost and one aircraft is declared damaged beyond repair upon returning to England; human casualties are 1 KIA, 19 WIA and 50 MIA. Nineteen B-17s hit the secondary target, the U-Boat base at Brest at 1413 hours; they drop 45.25 tons of bombs on the target and claim one enemy aircraft damaged; no B-17s are lost and only two are WIA. The 2d Bombardment Wing dispatches 17 B-24s on a diversionary raid. Four Spitfire Mk Vs of the 4th Fighter Group fly uneventful ship protection patrols.
MONDAY, 25 JANUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Fighter Command Circus 255: 17 Spitfire Mk Vs of the 4th Fighter Group escort RAF Bostons on uneventful Circus 255. Circus is a large number of fighters escorting a small number of bombers in an attempt to get the Luftwaffe to respond.
TUESDAY, 26 JANUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Fighter Command Circus 256: 22 Spitfire Mk Vs of the 4th Fighter Group escort 12 RAF Venturas on a Circus mission; 1 Spitfire is lost. A 93d Bombardment Group (Heavy) B-24 attempts a Moling mission.
WEDNESDAY, 27 JANUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission 31: The Eighth Air Force makes its first raid on Germany. The 1st and 2d Bombardment Wings dispatch 64 B-17s and 27 B-24s against the primary target, the Wilhelmshaven, Germany Naval Base; 53 B-17s hit the target between 1110 and 1113 hours local dropping 137.5 tons of bombs; two other B-17s attack the submarine base at Emden at 1135 hours as a target of opportunity; the B-24s are unable to locate the target due to bad weather and a navigational error and return to base. Mission stats: we claim 22 enemy aircraft destroyed, 14 probably destroyed and 13 damaged; 1 B-17 and 2 B-24s are lost; 32 B-17s and 11 B-24s are damaged; casualties are 2 KIA, 3 WIA and 30 MIA.
Seven Spitfire Mk Vs of the 4th Fighter Group fly uneventful fighter patrols.
FRIDAY, 29 JANUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) Six Spitfire Mk Vs of the 4th Fighter Group fly an uneventful defensive patrol.
A 93d Bombardment Group (Heavy) B-24 attempts a Moling mission.
MONDAY 1 FEBRUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) The 4th Fighter Group dispatches 20 Spitfire Mk Vs on uneventful defensive and fighter patrols.
TUESDAY, 2 FEBRUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission 32: 61 B-17s and 22 B-24s are dispatched against the Hamm, Germany marshalling yards. The formation encounters bad weather over the North Sea and returns to base. VIII Fighter Command Circus 257 (a Circus was a heavy fighter escort of a small force of attack or bomber aircraft to entice the Luftwaffe up): 25 Spitfire Mk Vs of the 4th Fighter Group escort 12 Venturas on an uneventful Circus. Nine other Spitfires of the 4th Fighter Group fly an uneventful ship patrol.
WEDNESDAY, 3 FEBRUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Fighter Command Circus 258 (a Circus was a large force of fighters escorting a small force of bombers to entice the Luftwaffe up to fight): 22 Spitfire Mk Vs of the 4th Fighter Group escort 12 Venturas on an uneventful Circus 258. The 4th Fighter Group also flies 25 sorties on uneventful offensive missions.
THURSDAY, 4 FEBRUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) Lieutenant General Frank M. Andrews, USAAF, assumes command of the European Theater of Operations, US Army. (Also see Western Mediterranean below.) VIII Bomber Command Mission 33: 65 B-17s of the 1st Bombardment Wing and 21 B-24s of the 2d Bombardment Wing are dispatched against the Hamm, Germany marshalling yards. The B-24s turn back before hitting the Dutch coast when the temperature drops below the lowest limit of the thermometers (-40 degrees C). Heavy clouds cover Hamm so three of four B-17 groups (39 B-17s) attack the marshalling yard, port area and industries in Emden, Germany between 1200 and 1215 hours local dropping 92.25 tons of bombs. We claim 25 enemy fighters destroyed, 8 probably destroyed and 6 damaged; 5 B-17s are lost; human casualties are 17 WIA and 50 MIA. Bombers are opposed for the first time by Ju 88 and Me 110 twin-engine fighters. The 4th Fighter Group dispatches 21 Spitfire Mk Vs on uneventful fighter patrols and an air-sea rescue search.
FRIDAY, 5 FEBRUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) Spitfires of the 4th Fighter Group fly 8 sorties; 2 on uneventful patrols and 6 to strafe an shipping convoy. Two corvettes and a merchant ship are damaged in the convoy; 1 Spitfire is shot down and the pilot is listed as MIA.
SATURDAY, 6 FEBRUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) Six Spitfire Mk Vs of the 4th Fighter Group fly uneventful shipping patrols.
WEDNESDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) German submarine, U-519, is sunk northwest of Spain (47-05N 18-34W) by a B-24 of the 2d Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy), 25th Antisubmarine Wing attached to the 1st Antisubmarine Group (Provisional). Spitfire Mk Vs of the 4th Fighter Group fly two uneventful sorties on shipping patrol.
FRIDAY, 12 FEBRUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) Spitfire Mk Vs of the 4th Fighter Group fly 18 uneventful sorties, 16 on shipping patrols and 2 on defensive patrols.
SATURDAY, 13 FEBRUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) Spitfire Mk Vs of the 4th Fighter Group fly 24 sorties on shipping patrols. One aircraft is lost and the pilot was killed.
SUNDAY, 14 FEBRUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission 34: The 1st Bombardment Wing dispatches 74 B-17s against the Hamm, Germany marshalling yards. The mission is cancelled due to weather and the aircraft are recalled before they pass the European coast. We claim 1 enemy aircraft destroyed; 1 B-17 is damaged. Spitfire Mk Vs of the 4th Fighter Group fly 18 uneventful sorties on shipping patrols.
MONDAY, 15 FEBRUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission 35: The 2d Bombardment Wing dispatches 23 B-24s against the port area and shipping at Dunkirk, France; 21 aircraft drop 62 tons of bombs at 1540 hours local. We claim 3 enemy aircraft destroyed and 1 possibly destroyed; we lose 2, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 7 are damaged; casualties are 1 KIA and 24 MIA. The Spitfire Mk Vs of the 4th Fighter Group fly 30 uneventful sorties on shipping patrols.
TUESDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission 36: 71 B-17s of the 1st Bombardment Wing and 18 B-24s of the 2d Bombardment Wing are dispatched against the locks and U-boat base at Saint-Nazaire, France; 59 B-17s and 6 B-24s drop 160 tons of bombs between 1052 and 1055 hours local. We claim 20 Luftwaffe aircraft destroyed, 12 probably destroyed and 2 damaged; we lose 6 B-17s and 2 B-24s with 28 B-17s and 2 B-24s damaged; casualties are 1 KIA, 7 WIA and 81 MIA. Spitfire Mk Vs of the 4th Fighter Group fly 34 uneventful sorties on fighter patrols.
The 13th Photographic Squadron (Light), 3d Photographic Group with F-5s and L-4s transfers from Podington to Mount Farm, England.
WEDNESDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) The Spitfire Mk Vs of the 4th Fighter Group fly 38 uneventful sorties on patrol during the day.
THURSDAY, 18 FEBRUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) Spitfire Mk Vs of the 4th Fighter Group fly 26 uneventful sorties during the day on shipping and defensive patrols.
FRIDAY, 19 FEBRUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) The Spitfire Mk Vs of the 4th Fighter Group fly 26 uneventful sorties during the day; 2 on defensive patrols and 24 on an offensive sweep of the St. Omer, France area.
SATURDAY, 20 FEBRUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) Spitfire Mk Vs of the 4th Fighter Group fly 14 uneventful sorties during the day on shipping patrols.
WEDNESDAY, 24 FEBRUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) Lieutenant General Ira C Eaker, Commander Eighth Air Force, is advised by the War Department of the Combined Chiefs of Staff decision to employ his fighter units primarily in an offensive role in support of the bombers. Spitfire Mk Vs of the 4th Fighter Group fly 14 uneventful sorties on shipping patrols.
FRIDAY, 26 FEBRUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission 37: 76 B-17s of the 1st Bombardment Wing and 17 B-24s of the 2d Bombardment Wing are dispatched against Bremen, Germany. The primary target is overcast so 59 B-17s and 6 B-24s attack the docks and surrounding areas of Wilhelmshaven, Germany dropping 164.25 tons of bombs between 1123 and 1125 hours local. We claim 21 Luftwaffe fighters destroyed, 9 probably destroyed and 5 damaged; we lose 5 B-17s and 2 B-24s plus 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair; casualties are 14 WIA and 73 MIA. The Luftwaffe attempts air-to-air bombing by fighter aircraft and the use of parachute bombs fired by AAA.
Spitfire Mk Vs of the 4th Fighter Group fly 82 uneventful sorties; 6 on shipping patrols and 76 on 3 missions escorting Venturas attacking Dunkirk, France. [NOTE: At this time, there were 3 squadrons flying Ventura Mk Is and Mk IIs assigned to RAF Bomber Command and based in Norfolk, England. No. 21 Squadron, RAF, was based at Methwold; the other 2 squadrons, No. 464 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and No. 487 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), were based at Feltwell.]
SATURDAY, 27 FEBRUARY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission 38: 63 B-17s of the 1st Bombardment Wing and 15 B-24s of the 2d Bombardment Wing are dispatched against the U-boat pens, port and naval facilities at Brest, France; 46 B-17s and 14 B-24s drop 155 tons of bombs on the target between 1455 and 1500 hours local; 2 B-24s are damaged; there are no casualties. Spitfire Mk Vs of the 4th Fighter Group fly 40 uneventful sorties; 16 on shipping patrols and 24 as part of an escort for RAF Venturas bombing Dunkirk, France.
THURSDAY, 4 MARCH 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission 39: 71 B-17s of the 1st Bombardment Wing are dispatched against the marshalling yard at Hamm, Germany; 16 drop 40 tons of bombs on the target at 1043 hours; we claim 13 enemy aircraft destroyed, 3 probably destroyed and 4 damaged. We lose 4 B-17s and 9 others are damaged; casualties are 1 KIA, 7 WIA and 33 MIA. Another 28 B-17s hit the shipyards at Rotterdam, The Netherlands dropping 70 tons between 1020 and 1021 hours. We claim 3 enemy aircraft destroyed; we lose 1 B-17 while 15 others are damaged; casualties are 9 MIA. This is the first Eighth Air Force attack on a Ruhr industrial target. To divert the enemy, 14 B-24s of the 2d Bombardment Wing fly a diversion without a loss.
The Spitfire Mk Vs of the 4th Fighter Group fly 26 uneventful sorties, 24 on fighter patrols and 2 on offensive patrols over the Ostend/Dunkirk, France area.
SATURDAY, 6 MARCH 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission No. 40: 71 B-17's of the 1st Bombardment Wing are dispatched against the power plant, bridge and the port area at Lorient, France; 65 drop 162.5 tons on the target between 1441 and 1445 hours local. We claim 7 aircraft destroyed, 2 probably destroyed and 1 damaged; we lose 3 B-17's and 8 others are damaged; casualties are 30 MIAs. Fifteen B-24's of the 2d Bombardment Wing fly a diversionary mission against the a bridge and the U-boat facilities at Brest, France; all 15 drop 44.5 tons of bombs at 1416-1417 hours local. We claim 2 aircraft destroyed and 2 damaged; 3 B-24's are damaged but there are no casualties.
MONDAY, 8 MARCH 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission No. 41: 67 B-17's of the 1st Bombardment Wing and 16 B-24's of the 2d Bombardment Wing are dispatched against the marshalling yard at Rouen, France. Thirteen B-24's drop 39 tons of bombs on the target at 1402-1403 hours local; we claim 14 aircraft destroyed, 3 probably destroyed and 3 damaged; we lose 2 B-24's, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 3 others are damaged; casualties are 5 KIA, 3 WIA and 17 MIA. 54 B-17's hit the target at 1430 hours dropping 134.75 tons of bombs; they claim 14 enemy aircraft destroyed, 1 probably destroyed and 5 damaged; we lose 2 B-17's, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 9 others are damaged; casualties are 8 WIA and 20 MIA. The bomb run over Rouen is considerably disrupted by the well-executed attack of fighters which down 2 bombers including the lead aircraft. This action is preceded by an earlier wave of German fighters which occupy the fighter escort while the second wave attacks the bombers
WEDNESDAY, 10 MARCH 1943
(Eighth Air Force) The 4th Fighter Group flies 32 uneventful sorties during the day, 14 in P-47's. Aircraft-to-aircraft communication proves impossible because of VHF radio malfunctions in the Thunderbolts.
THURSDAY, 11 MARCH 1943
FRIDAY, 12 MARCH 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission No. 42: 72 B-17's are dispatched by the 1st Bombardment Wing against the Rouen-Sotteville marshalling yard; 63 drop 156.5 tons of bombs on the target between 1241 and 1244 hours local. There are no losses and no claims on this mission; good fighter escort is a major factor in this no-loss mission. Eighteen B-24's of the 2d Bombardment Wing fly a diversionary mission with no losses or claims. The 4th Fighter Group flies 43 sorties in their Spitfire Mk V's; 41 are flown on a flighter sweep and 1 Spitfire is shot down near St. Omer, France; the pilot is listed as MIA; we claim 2 enemy aircraft damaged. The other 2 sorties were shipping patrols.
SATURDAY, 13 MARCH 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission No. 43: 80 B-17's of the 1st Bombardment Wing are dispatched against the marshalling yard at Amiens, France; 44 bomb the marshalling yard while 31 hit targets of opportunity. A total of 223.5 tons of bombs are dropped between 1515-1517 hours local. We claim 2 enemy fighters destroyed and 2 damaged; 11 B-17's are damaged and 6 men WIA. Sixteen B-24's of the 2d Bombardment Wing fly a diversion without loss.
WEDNESDAY, 17 MARCH 1943
(ST. PATRICK'S DAY)(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission No. 44: 78 B-17's of the 1st Bombardment Wing are dispatched against the Rouen-Sotteville marshalling yard. Due to bad weather, the aircraft are recalled before they leave England. 28 B-24's of the 2d Bombardment Wing are dispatched on a diversionary mission over the North Sea but are also recalled.
The 506th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) with B-24's arrives at Shipdham, England from the U.S.
THURSDAY, 18 MARCH 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission No. 45: 76 B-17's of the 1st Bombardment Wing and 27 B-24's of the 2d Bombardment Wing are dispatched against the submarine yards at Vegesack, Germany; 73 B-17's and 24 B-24's drop 268 tons of bombs on the target at 1531-1535 local. Seven U-boat hulls appear severely damaged. This mission marks the first successful combat use of automatic flight control linked with bombsights. Our claims are 52-20-23; we lose 1 B-17 and 1 B-24; 1 B-17 is damaged beyond repair; 9 B-17's and 14 B-24's are damaged; casualties are 1 KIA, 16 WIA and 20 MIA.
MONDAY, 22 MARCH 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission No. 46: 76 B-17's and 26 B-24's are dispatched against the U-boat yards at Wilhelmshaven, Germany; 69 B-17's and 15 B-24's drop 224 tons of bombs on the target at 1501-1510 hours local. We claim 28-9-9; we lose 1 B-17 and 2 B-24's; 12 B-17's and 10 B-24's are damaged; casualties are 1 KIA, 18 WIA and 32 MIA. The 452d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 322d Bombardment Group (Medium) with B-26's transfers from Rattlesden to Rougham, England.
SUNDAY, 28 MARCH 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission No. 47: 79 B-17's and 24 B-24's are dispatched against the Rouen-Sotteville, France marshalling yard. The B-24's are recalled at 1245 due to bad weather; 70 B-17s drop 209 tons of bombs on the target at 1249-1250 hours. We claim 5-4-1; we lose 1 B-17 and 9 others are damaged; casualties are 2 WIA and 10 MIA.
WEDNESDAY, 31 MARCH 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission No. 48: 78 B-17's and 24 B-24's are dispatched against the shipyards and dock area at Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The target is clouded and only 33 B-17's drop 99 tons of bombs at 1225 hours; we claim 1-1-2; we lose 3 B-17's and 1 B-24 plus 3 B-17's are damaged beyond repair and 4 B-17's and 1 B-24 are damaged; casualties are 16 KIA, 10 WIA and 10 MIA.
The air echelons of the 414th and 415th Night Fighter Squadrons, AAF School of Applied Tactics arrive in England from the U.S.; the ground echelons are enroute to Algeria. Both squadrons will train with Beaufighters before moving to North Africa.
THURSDAY, 1 APRIL 1943
(Eighth Air Force) The 83d and 84th Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group with P-47C's transfer from Goxhill, England to Duxford, England.
SATURDAY, 3 APRIL 1943
(Eighth Air Force) HQ, 78th Fighter Group transfers from Goxhill, England to Duxford, England.
SUNDAY, 4 APRIL 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission 49: 97 B-17's of the 1st Bombardment Wing are dispatched against industrial installations in the Paris, France area including the Renault armament works and motor works. 85 aircraft drop 251 tons of bombs on the target between 1414 and 1417 local and cause severe damage. We claim 47-13-6 Luftwaffe aircraft; we lose 4 B-17s and 16 others are damaged by fierce fighter opposition. Casualties are 6 WIA and 39 MIA. The 13th Photographic Squadron (Light) flew 3 F-5 sorties in Belgium and France; 1 F-5 is missing.
MONDAY, 5 APRIL 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission 50: 104 B-17's of the 1st Bombardment Wing are dispatched against industrial targets in the Antwerp, Belgium area. The main force is directed at the Erla aircraft factory and Erla engine works. 82 B-17's drop 245.5 tons of bombs at 1530 hours local. We claim 23-8-4 Luftwaffe aircraft; we lose 4 to strong Luftwaffe fighter opposition; 13 aircraft are damaged. Casualties are 3 WIA and 40 MIA. HQ 56th Fighter Group and it's 61st, 62d and 63d Fighter Squadrons with P-47C's transfer from Horsham St Faith, England to Halesworth, England.
THURSDAY, 8 APRIL 1943
(Eighth Air Force) In England, 56th and 78th Fighter Groups become operational. Added to the 4th Fighter Group (already operational), this enables VIII Fighter Command to increase activity and paves the way for its coming role of escorting bombers on deep penetrations into enemy territory.
MONDAY, 12 APRIL 1943
(Eighth Air Force) In England, a Board of 5 officers of the Eighth Air Force and 1 of the Royal Air Force complete formulation of a plan for the Combined Bomber Offensive (CBO) from the United Kingdom in accordance with the mission prescribed by the Combined Chiefs of Staff (CCS) in the Casablanca Directive.
FRIDAY, 16 APRIL 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 51: 25 B-24's are dispatched against the Brest, France U-Boat base while 83 B-17's are dispatched against the Lorient, France U-Boat base. 19 B-24's drop 52 tons on Brest at 1337-1338 hours; the B-24's claim 2-3-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 3 B-24's are lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 9 are damaged; casualties are 3 WIA and 31 MIA. 59 B-17's bomb Lorient at 1412-1414 hours dropping 147 tons of bombs; they claim 9-4-2 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 B-17 is lost and 8 are damaged; casualties are 7 WIA and 10 MIA. The attack is hindered by an effective smoke screen and strong fighter opposition.
HQ 96th Bombardment Group (Heavy) arrives at Great Saling, England from the U.S.
SATURDAY, 17 APRIL 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 52: 115 B-17's are dispatched against the Focke-Wulf factory at Bremen, Germany the Eighth Air Force's largest mission to date. A mass of fighters attacks during bomb run, shooting down 15 while flak claims another. We claim 63-15-17 Luftwaffe aircraft; 39 B-17's are damaged; casualties are 2 KIA, 4 WIA and 159 MIA. The Commanding General, VIII Fighter Command, expresses the need for 20 fighter groups to neutralize growing German fighter opposition to the Combined Bomber Offensive (CBO).
SATURDAY, 1 MAY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission No. 53: 78 B-17's are dispatched against the Sainte-Nazaire, France U-boat base and shipyard. They find bad weather over the target and only 29 B-17's hit the target between 1125 and 1131 hours local. We claim 18-6-8 Luftwaffe aircraft; 7 B-17's are lost, 2 are damaged beyond repair and 20 others are damaged. Casualties are 3 KIA, 17 WIA and 73 MIA. At the same time, 24 B-24's fly a diversion along the Brittany Coast.
HQ 351st Bombardment Group (Heavy) arrives at Polebrook, England from the US.
MONDAY, 3 MAY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) In Iceland, Lieutenant General Frank M. Andrews, the USAAF officer who is Commanding General , U.S. Army (ETOUSA), is killed in an aircraft crash while landing. There has been speculation over the years whether Andrews instead of Eisenhower would have commanded the Allied forces in Europe if he had lived. Camp Springs Army Air Field, Camp Springs, Maryland was renamed Andrews Army Air Field (now Air Force Base) in 1945 in his memory.
TUESDAY, 4 MAY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission No. 54: 79 B-17's are dispatched against the former Ford and General Motors plants at Antwerp, Belgium; 65 aircraft hit the target between 1839 and 1843 hours local. We claim 10-0-2 Luftwaffe aircraft; 16 B-17's are damaged. Casualties are 3 WIA. The B-17's are escorted by 117 P-47C's up to 175 miles (280 km) from base. A diversion is flown by 20 B-17's and 13 B-24's towards the French coast arousing more than 100 German fighters (about half of the total number in the region) and keeping many of them airborne long enough to prevent their attacking the main effort. None of the 33 diversionary aircraft are damaged or lost.
FRIDAY, 7 MAY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) In England, Lieutenant General Jacob L. Devers is appointed Commanding General , U.S. Army replacing General Andrews who was killed in Iceland on Monday.
TUESDAY, 11 MAY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) HQ 94th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 331st, 332d, 333d and 410th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) with B-17F's, arrive at Earls Colne, England from the US. The group will fly it's first combat mission on Thursday. The 334th, 335th, 336th and 412th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 95th Bombardment Group (Heavy), with B-17F's, arrive at Framlingham, England from the US. The squadrons will fly their first combat mission on Thursday.
WEDNESDAY, 12 MAY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) HQ 95th Bombardment Group (Heavy) arrives at Framlingham, England from the US. HQ 323d Bombardment Group (Medium) and it's 453d and 455th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) with B-26C's arrive at Horham, England from the US. The group will fly it's first combat mission on Friday. The 14th Photographic Squadron (Light), 3d Photographic Group, with F-5A's, arrives at Mount Farm, England from the US.
The 337th, 338th, 339th and 413th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 96th Bombardment Group (Heavy) with B-17F's, arrive at Great Saling, England from the US. The squadrons will fly their first combat mission tomorrow. The 417th Night Fighter Squadron, VIII Fighter Command arrives at Ayr, Scotland from the US. and begins training with Beaufighters. The 508, 509th 510th and 511th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 351st Bombardment Group (Heavy), with B-17F's, arrive at Polebrook, England from the US. They will fly their first combat mission on Friday.
THURSDAY, 13 MAY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 55: 97 B-17s' are dispatched against the Avions Potez aircraft factory at Meaulte, France; 88 aircraft hit the target at 1628-1630 hours local. We claim 11-31-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; we lose 3 and 11 others are damaged. Casualties are 1 WIA and 31 MIA. In a second raid, 72 B-17's are dispatched against the Longuenesse and Ft. Rouge Airfields at St. Omer, France; 31 bomb Longuenesse at 1637-1638 hours; 1 B-17 is lost and 1 is damaged beyond repair. Casualties are 1 KIA and 2 WIA.
The 416th Night Fighter Squadron, VIII Fighter Command arrives at Honiley, England from the US. Detachments are dispersed to Cranfield, Usworth and Bath to train with Beaufighters under control of the RAF. The 456th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 323d Bombardment Group (Medium), with B-26C's, arrives at Horham, England from the US.
FRIDAY, 14 MAY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 56: A maximum force is put in the air as part of a combined offensive against the Wehrmacht. 154 B-17's, 21 B-24's and 12 B-26's are dispatched against 4 targets. The principal attack is against submarine yards and naval installations at Kiel, Germany; 136 B-17's and 21 B-24's are dispatched with 126 B-17's and 17 B-24's hitting the target at 1200-1203 hours local. We claim 62-24-27 Luftwaffe aircraft; we lose 5 B-24's and 3 B-17's with 1 B-24 damaged beyond repair and 9 B-24's and 27 B-17's damaged. Casualties are 3 KIA, 17 WIA and 81 MIA. 42 B-17's are dispatched against the former Ford and General Motors plants at Antwerp, Belgium; 38 hit the target at 1320 hours local; we claim 5-1-4 Luftwaffe aircraft; we lose 1 and 15 others and damaged; casualties are 3 WIA and 10 MIA; in the third raid, 39 B-17's are dispatched against Courtrai Airfield, France; 34 hit the target; we claim 0-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; we lose 2 B-17's and 10 others are damaged; casualties are 20 MIA. In the 4th raid, 12 B-26's are dispatched against the Velsen power station at Ijmuiden, The Netherlands; 11 hit the target at 1100 hours; 1 B-26 is damaged beyond repair when it crashes upon returning to base and 9 others are damaged; casualties are 1 KIA and 7 MIA. This is first time more than 200 US bombers are dispatched. The attack at Ijmuiden is made at low level by the 322d Bombardment Group (Medium), the first US medium bomber group to become operational in the UK.
The Antwerp mission is escorted by 118 P-47's; they claim 4-6-11 Luftwaffe aircraft; we lose 3 P-47's and 1 is damaged; casualties are 3 MIA.
A detachment of the 416th Night Fighter Squadron, VIII Fighter Command is sent to Bristol, England for training with the RAF. The 417th Night Fighter Squadron, VIII Fighter Command transfers from Ayr, Scotland to Cranfield, England. The squadron is training on Beaufighters with the RAF and has detachments at Ayr, Uxbridge, Coltishall and Bristol, England.
SATURDAY, 15 MAY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 57: 113 B-17's are dispatched against various targets in Germany as well as airfield and naval installations on Helgoland Island and the naval base and submarine construction works at Wilhelmshaven; 76 bomb the targets at 1050-1055 hours local; we claim 29-20-30 Luftwaffe aircraft destroyed; we lose 5 B-17's, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 26 damaged; casualties are 1 KIA, 7 WIA and 51 MIA. 80 B-17's are dispatched against the U-boat yard, marshalling yard and airfield at Emden, Germany; 59 bomb at 1056-1103 hours local; they claim 14-3-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; we lose 1 B-17 and 9 others are damaged; casualties are 10 MIA.
116 P-47's are dispatched on a high altitude sweep of the Amsterdam/Rotterdam area prior to the bombing raids; they claim 2 Luftwaffe aircraft damaged; 1 P-47 is lost and the pilot is listed as MIA. The 109th Observation Squadron, 67th Observation Group, with Spitfire VB's, transfers from Atcham, England to Membury, England.
MONDAY, 17 MAY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 58: 159 B-17's are dispatched to hit the port area and U-boat base at Lorient, France; 118 bomb the target at 1213-1217 hours local; we claim 47-8-29 Luftwaffe aircraft; we lose 6 B-17's, another is damaged beyond repair and 27 others are damaged; casualties are 1 KIA, 8 WIA and 57 MIA. An additional 39 B-17's are dispatched to hit the docks and sub pens at Bordeaux, France; 34 bomb at 1238-1244 hours local; we claim 0-1-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; we lose 1 B-17 and another is damaged; casualties are 2 WIA and 11 MIA. In a third mission 11 B-26's of the 322d Bombardment Group (Medium) are dispatched on a low-level mission to bomb power stations at Haarlem and Ijmuiden, The Netherlands; 1 B-26 aborts, the other 10 are all shot down before they reach the target; casualties are 58 MIA. This mission prompts the Eighth Air Force to abandon low-level medium bomber attacks.
TUESDAY, 18 MAY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) The Combined Bomber Offensive (CBO) plan for the round-the-clock bombing of the enemy from the UK by the RAF and Eighth Air Force is approve by the Combined Chiefs of Staff (CCS). The Eighth Air Force now has authorization to proceed with daylight strategic bombing within the type of combined offensive it has long wished to initiate. The CBO plan lists the destruction of German fighters as the immediate priority objective. Primary objectives in order are German submarine yards and bases, the German aircraft industry, ball bearings, and oil (the last being contingent upon attacks from the Mediterranean against Ploesti, Rumania). Secondary objectives in order of priority are synthetic rubber and tires, and military motor transport vehicles.
WEDNESDAY, 19 MAY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 59: 123 B-17's are dispatched against the U-boat yards at Kiel, Germany; 103 bomb the target at 1329-1333 hours local; we claim 48-7-21 Luftwaffe aircraft; we lose 6 B-17's and 28 others are damaged; casualties are 1 KIA, 7 WIA and 60 MIA. A smaller force, 64 B-17's, is dispatched against the naval yards at Flensburg, Germany; 55 attack the target at 1325-1328 hours local; we claim 12-4-14 Luftwaffe aircraft; 9 B-17's are damaged; casualties are 2 KIA and 4 WIA. An uneventful diversion is flown by 24 B-17's.
THURSDAY, 20 MAY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) The 524th, 525th, 526th and 527th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 379th Bombardment Group (Heavy) arrive at Kimbolton, England from the US with B-17F's. They will fly their first mission on 29 May 43.
FRIDAY, 21 MAY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 60: 98 B-17's are dispatched against the U-boat yards at Wilhelmshaven, Germany; 77 hit the target at 1244-1245 hours local; we claim 47-5-17 Luftwaffe aircraft; we lose 7 B-17's with another 24 damaged; casualties are 1 KIA, 9 WIA and 60 MIA. A second, smaller strike of 63 B-17's is dispatched against the U-boat yards at Emden, Germany; 46 bomb the target at 1244-1246 hours local; we claim 31-6-6 Luftwaffe aircraft; we lose 5 B-17's with 2 others damaged beyond repair and 9 others damaged; casualties are 2 KIA, 5 WIA and 50 MIA. At Wilhelmshaven German fighters are reported firing rockets.
VIII Fighter Command Field Order Number 105: 105 P-47's are dispatched on a fighter sweep in the Ostend/Ghent area; they claim 0-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; we lose 3 and all pilots are listed as MIA.
HQ 379th Bombardment Group (Heavy) arrives at Kimbolton, England from the US.
SATURDAY, 22 MAY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) The 451st Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 322d Bombardment Group (Medium) transfers with B-26C's from Rattlesden, England to Rougham, England.
SUNDAY, 23 MAY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) The 417th Night Fighter Squadron, VIII Fighter Command based at Cranfield, England sends a detachment to Scorton, England to train with the RAF on Beaufighters.
SATURDAY, 29 MAY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 61: 169 B-17's are dispatched against the submarine pens and locks at Saint-Nazaire, France; 147 aircraft hit the target at 1706-1711 hours local; we claim 6-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; we lose 8 B-17's, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 58 are damaged; casualties are 10 WIA and 71 MIA. 7 YB-40's, heavily armored B-17's with increased firepower for escorting bombers, fly their first mission. YB-40's show an inability to keep up with B-17's and the need for modification of waist and tail gun feeds and ammunition supplies. In two other raids, 72 B-17's are dispatched against the Rennes, France naval depot; 57 hit the target at 1601-1605 hours; we claim 19-5-14 Luftwaffe aircraft; we lose 6 B-17's, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 30 others are damaged; casualties are 1 KIA, 10 WIA and 64 MIA. In the third raid, 38 B-24's are dispatched against the U-boat yards at La Pallice, France; 34 hit the target without any casualties on either side.
TUESDAY, 1 JUNE 1943
(Eighth Air Force) During the month of June, HQ 40th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) arrives at Brampton Grange, England from the US.
WEDNESDAY, 2 JUNE 1943
(Eighth Air Force) HQ 13th Bombardment Wing (Medium) arrives at Marks Hall, England from the US.
HQ 100th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 350th, 351st and 418th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) with B-17's arrives at Thorpe Abbots, England from the US. They will fly their first combat mission on 25 Jun 43.
HQ 381st Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 532d, 533d, 534th and 535th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) with B-17's arrive at Ridgewell, England from the US. They will fly their first combat mission on 22 Jun 43.
THURSDAY, 3 JUNE 1943
(Eighth Air Force) HQ 5th Air Defense Wing arrives at Duxford, England from the US. This unit will be redesignated the 66th Fighter Wing in Jul 43. HQ 384th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 545th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) arrive with B-17's at Grafton Underwood, England from the US. HQ 386th Bombardment Group (Medium) and it's 552d, 553d and 554th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) arrive with B-26's at Snetterton Heath, England from the US.
FRIDAY, 4 JUNE 1943
(Eighth Air Force) HQ 4th Air Defense Wing arrives at Debden, England from the US. This unit will be redesignated the 65th Fighter Wing in Jul 43. HQ 14th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) arrives at Camp Lynn, England from the US.
The 544th, 546th and 547th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 384th Bombardment Group (Heavy) arrive with B-17's at Grafton Underwood, England from the US. The group will fly it's first mission on 22 Jun. The 555th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 386th Bombardment Group (Medium) arrives at Snetterton Heath, England from the US with B-26's.
SUNDAY, 6 JUNE 1943
(Eighth Air Force) The detachment of the 416th Night Fighter Squadron, VIII Fighter Command training with the RAF at Bristol, England with Beaufighters returns to it's base at Honiley, England.
MONDAY, 7 JUNE 1943
(Eighth Air Force) HQ 353d Fighter Group arrives at Goxhill, England from the US.
TUESDAY, 8 JUNE 1943
(Eighth Air Force) The 22d Photographic Squadron (Light), 5th Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping Group, attached to the Eighth Air Force, arrives at Mount Farm, England from the US with F-5's. The squadron will fly it's first mission in Jul 43.
The 350th, 351st and 352d Fighter Squadrons, 353d Fighter Group arrives at Goxhill, England from the US with P-47D's. The group will fly it's first mission in Aug 43.
THURSDAY, 10 JUNE 1943
(Eighth Air Force) The Combined Chiefs of Staff (CCS) issues a directive through the Chief of Air Staff (C/AS), Royal Air Force (RAF), marking the official beginning of the Combined Bomber Offensive (CBO) of the USAAF and RAF against sources of German war power. The RAF is to bomb strategic city areas at night and the USAAF is to hit precise targets by daylight. The CCS sanctions the Combined Operational Planning Committee as the agency for coordinating the efforts of the CBO forces.
HQ 386th Bombardment Group (Medium) and it's 552d, 553d, 554th and 555th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) with B-26's transfer from Snetterton Heath, England to Boxted, England. The group will fly it's first combat mission on 30 Jul 43.
The detachments of the 416th Night Fighter Squadron, VIII Fighter Command at Cranfield, Usworth, and Bath, England return to their base at Honiley, England. The squadron is attached to the RAF for training on Beaufighters. The 417th Night Fighter Squadron, VIII Fighter Command transfers from Cranfield, England to Scorton, England. The detachments at Ayr, Scotland and Uxbridge, Coltishall and Bristol, England transfer to Scorton. The squadron is attached to the RAF for training on Beaufighters.
FRIDAY, 11 JUNE 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 62: 252 B-17's are dispatched against the U-boat yard at Wilhelmshaven, Germany and the port area at Cuxhaven, Germany; 218 hit the targets; we claim 85-20-24 Luftwaffe aircraft; we lose 8 and 62 are damaged. Casualties are 3 KIA, 20 WIA and 80 MIA. The raid on Wilhelmshaven demonstrates the difficulty of operating beyond range of fighters escort as enemy fighters attacks prevent accurate bombing of the target.
HQ 388th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 560th, 561st, 562d and 563d Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) arrive at Knettishall, England from the US with B-17's. The group will fly it's first combat mission on 17 Jul 43. HQ 389th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 564th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) arrive at Hethel, England from the US with B-24's. The group will fly it's first mission on 9 Jul.
The 416th Night Fighter Squadron, VIII Fighter Command transfers with Beaufighters from Honiley, England to Acklington, England.
SATURDAY, 12 JUNE 1943
(Eighth Air Force) HQ 3d Bombardment Wing transfers from Elveden Hall, England to Marks Hall, England.
HQ 96th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 337th, 339th and 413th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) transfer with B-17's from Great Saling, England to Snetterton Heath, England.
The 449th, 450th, 451st and 452d Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 322d Bombardment Group (Medium) transfer with B-26's from Rougham, England to Great Saling, England.
SUNDAY, 13 JUNE 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 63: 151 B-17's are dispatched against the Bremen, Germany U-boat yards; 122 hit the target claiming 2-2-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; we lose 4 and 31 are damaged; casualties are 8 WIA and 32 MIA. A smaller force of 76 B-17's is dispatched against the Kiel, Germany U-boat yards; 60 hit the target and claim 39-5-14 Luftwaffe aircraft; we lose 22, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 23 are damaged; casualties are 3 KIA, 20 WIA and 213 MIA. Heaviest fighter attacks to date against Eighth Air Force accounts for 26 B-17's, mostly of the force attacking Kiel.
HQ 13th Bombardment Wing (Medium) transfers from Marks Hall, England to Camp Blainey, England.
The 331st, 332d, 333d and 410th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 94th Bombardment Group (Heavy) transfer with B-17's from Earls Colne, England to Bury St Edmunds, England.
The 338th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 96th Bombardment Group (Heavy) transfers with B-17's from Great Saling, England to Snetterton Heath, England.
MONDAY, 14 JUNE 1943
(Eighth Air Force) HQ 323d Bombardment Group (Medium) and it's 453d, 454th , 455th and 456th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) transfer with B-26's from Horham, England to Earls Colne, England.
The 349th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 100th Bombardment Group (Heavy) arrives at Thorpe Abbots, England from the US with B-17's. The squadron will fly it's first mission on 25 Jun.
TUESDAY, 15 JUNE 1943
(Eighth Air Force) Additional modifications of YB-40 escort bombers are completed in the United Kingdom. It is now hoped that these B-17's converted to heavily armored aircraft with great firepower will solve the problem of long-range escort for bombers HQ 94th Bombardment Group (Heavy) transfers from Earls Colne, England to Bury St Edmunds, England.
HQ 95th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 334th, 335th, 336th and 412th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) transfer with B-17's from Framlingham, England to Horham, England.
The 329th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 93d Bombardment Group (Heavy) transfers with B-24's from Bungay, England to Hardwick, England. The 565th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 389th Bombardment Group (Heavy) arrives at Hethel, England from the US with B-24's.
WEDNESDAY, 16 JUNE 1943
(Eighth Air Force) The 566th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 389th Bombardment Group (Heavy) arrives at Hethel, England from the US with B-24's.
THURSDAY, 17 JUNE 1943
(Eighth Air Force) HQ 4th Air Defense Wing transfers from Debden, England to Saffron Walden, England. This unit will be redesignated 65th Fighter Wing on 7 Aug 43. The 567th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 389th Bombardment Group (Heavy) arrives at Hethel, England from the US with B-24's.
SATURDAY, 19 JUNE 1943
(Eighth Air Force) During the month of June, the 40th Bombardment Wing arrives at Brampton Grange, England from the US.
TUESDAY, 22 JUNE 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 65: In the first large-scale daylight raid on the Ruhr, 235 B-17's are dispatched to hit the chemical works and synthetic rubber plant at Huls in the main attack; 183 bomb the target; we claim 46-21-35 Luftwaffe aircraft; we lose 16 and 75 others are damaged; casualties are 2 KIA, 16 WIA and 151 MIA; this plant, representing a large percentage of the country's producing capacity, is severely damaged. 11 YB-40's accompany the Huls raid; 1 is lost. In a second raid, 42 B-17's are dispatched to bomb the former Ford and General Motors plants at Antwerp; 39 hit the target; they claim 1-2-9 Luftwaffe aircraft; we lose 4, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 17 others are damaged; casualties are 1 KIA, 3 WIA and 40 MIA. An additional 21 B-17's fly an uneventful diversion.
FRIDAY, 25 JUNE 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 67: 275 B-17's make scattered attacks on targets of opportunity in NW Germany when primary targets at Bremen and Hamburg are obscured by clouds; 167 bomb targets and claim 62-11-40 Luftwaffe aircraft; we lose 18 B-17's, 1 is damaged beyond repair and another 61 are damaged; casualties are 3 KIA, 14 WIA and 172 MIA. Of 7 YB-40 escort bombers dispatched only 4 are able to accompany formations to the target area.
HQ 387th Bombardment Group (Heavy) arrives at Chipping Ongar, England from the US.
SATURDAY, 26 JUNE 1943
(Eighth Air Force) Air Marshall Trafford L Leigh-Mallory is given responsibility for drafting air plans for the invasion of the Continent. His deputy is Brigadier General Haywood S Hansell, Jr. Eighth Air Force Mission Number 68: 165 B-17's are dispatched against the Vilacoublay, France air depot; 12 hit the target while 6 hit the secondary target, Poissy Airfield, and 39 bomb Tricqueville Airfield; they claim 17-5-10 Luftwaffe aircraft; we lose 5 B-17's and 14 others are damaged; casualties are 1 KIA, 3 WIA and 51 MIA. 5 YB-40 escort bombers take off to accompany heavy bombers but none are able to complete the attack.
MONDAY, 28 JUNE 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 69: 191 B-17's are dispatched against the locks and submarine pens at Saint-Nazaire, France; 158 hit the target between 1655 and 1713 hours local; we claim 28-6-8 Luftwaffe aircraft; we lose 8 B-17's and 57 others are damaged; casualties are 3 KIA, 14 WIA and 50 MIA. 50 other B-17's are dispatched against Beaumont-le-Roger Airfield; 43 bomb the target between 1736 and 1740 hours local; 6 B-17's are damaged.
TUESDAY, 29 JUNE 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 70: 108 B-17's are dispatched against the air depot at Villacoublay, France and another 40 against the airfield at Tricqueville, France; neither groups hit the target due to heavy cloud cover and return to base; they claim 0-3-3 Luftwaffe aircraft; 14 B-17's are damaged. Another 84 B-17's are dispatched against the aeroengine works at Le Mans, France; 76 hit the target between 1959 and 2003 hours local. Both of the 2 YB-40's dispatched as escorts are forced to abort. The lack of success of the YB-40's in this and previous missions in Jun 43 convinces Lieutenant General Ira C. Eaker, Commanding General Eighth Air Force, that if the escort bomber is to succeed it must be able to carry bombs and must be endowed with the same flight performance as the B-l7. The 548th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 385th Bombardment Group (Heavy) arrives at Great Ashfield, England from the US with B-17's. The squadron will fly it's first mission on 17 Jul 43.
WEDNESDAY, 30 JUNE 1943
(Eighth Air Force) The VIII Fighter Command becomes independent of Royal Air Force (RAF) operational control. All fighter groups are placed under control of the 4th Air Defense Wing.
The 4th and 19th Antisubmarine Squadrons (Heavy), AAF Antisubmarine Command arrive at St Eval, England from Newfoundland with B-24's.
THURSDAY, 1 JULY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) A memo by Major General Barney Mc Giles for General Henry H "Hap" Arnold, Commanding General, USAAF, stresses great need for more fighter escort for strategic bombing missions. The present ratio of less than 1 fighter group to 4 heavy bomber groups is held to be completely insufficient and a minimum ratio of 1 to 2 is suggested. Brigadier General Frederick L Anderson Jr replaces Brigadier General Newton Longfellow as Commanding General VIII Bomber Command. HQ 14th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) transfers from Hethel, England to Camp Thomas, England.
HQ 20th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) transfers from Camp Lynn, England to Cheddington, England.
The 556th, 557th, 558th and 559th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 387th Bombardment Group (Medium) arrive at Chipping Ongar, England from the US with B-26's.
During the month of July, HQ 99th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) arrives at Aldermaston, England from the US.
SATURDAY, 3 JULY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) Lieutenant General Jacob L Devers, Commanding General European Theater of Operations, US Army (ETOUSA), in a report to General Henry H "Hap" Arnold, praises the proficiency of the VIII Bomber Command bombardiers but stresses a dire need for high-altitude gunnery training.
SUNDAY, 4 JULY 1943
(INDEPENDENCE DAY)(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 71: 192 B-17's are dispatched against aircraft factores at Le Mans and Nanes, France; 166 make a very effective attack; we claim 52-14-22 Luftwaffe aircraft; we lose 7 with 1 damaged beyond repair and 53 others damaged; casualties are 1 KIA, 9 WIA and 70 MIA. 83 other B-17's are dispatched against submarine yards at La Pallice, France; 71 hit the target between 1201 and 1204 local; we claim 0-1-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; we lose 1 and 1 is damaged; casualties are 10 MIA. Bombing is extremely accurate.
TUESDAY, 6 JULY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) HQ 385th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 549th, 550th, and 551st Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) with B-17's arrive at Great Ashfield, England from the US joining the 548th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) which arrived on 29 Jun 43. The group will fly it's first combat mission on 17 Jul 43.
WEDNESDAY, 7 JULY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) HQ 7th Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping Group arrives at Mount Farm, England from the US.
HQ 352d Fighter Group and it's 328th, 486th and 487th Fighter Squadrons with P-47D's arrive at Bodney, England from the US. The group will fly it's first combat mission on 9 Sep 43.
THURSDAY, 8 JULY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) HQ 479th Antisubmarine Group is activated at St Eval, England. The group is assigned to the AAF Antisubmarine Command and controls all Antisubmarine Squadrons in England. The 354th, 357th and 358th Fighter Squadrons, 355th Fighter Group, arrive at Steeple Morden, England from the US with P-47D's. They will fly their first combat mission on 14 Sep 43.
FRIDAY, 9 JULY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) HQ 56th Fighter Group and it's 63d Fighter Squadron with P-47D's transfer from Horsham St Faith, England to Halesworth, England. HQ 355th Fighter Group arrives at Steeple Morden, England from the US to join the three squadrons that arrived yesterday.
SATURDAY, 10 JULY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VII Bomber Command Mission Number 72: 121 B-17's and 5 YB-40's are dispatched to the Caen/Carpiquet Airfield and 64 B-17's are dispatched to the Abbevile/Drucat Airfield, both in France; 34 hit Caen at 0832 hours while 36 hit Abbeville at 0729-0735 hours; they claim 17-7-6 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 B-17 is lost while 33 others are damaged; casualties are 1 WIA and 10 MIA. In a second raid, 101 B-17's are dispatched against Le Bourget Airfield, Paris but the mission is abandoned due to cloud cover.
WEDNESDAY, 14 JULY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 73: Three targets are struck in France, i.e.:
FRIDAY, 16 JULY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Air Support Command Mission Number 1: 16 B-26B's are dispatched against the marshalling yard at Abbeville, France; 14 hit the target at 2000 hours; 10 aircraft are damaged; casualties are 2 WIA. With this mis-sion, the VIII Air Support Command begins combat operations, having acquired the 322d, 323d, 386th, and 387th Bombardment Groups (Medium).
SATURDAY, 17 JULY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 74: The two primary targets are the rail industry at Hannover, Germany and the aviation industry at Hamburg, Germany. Both missions are recalled due to weather but the bombers hit three targets, i.e.:
THURSDAY, 22 JULY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) The results of the first phase of the Combined Bomber Offensive (CBO) are good according to a report of the British Joint Intelligence Commit-tee. The report maintains the CBO has caused Germany to adopt a defensive air strategy resulting in more than half its fighter strength being employed on the Western Front at the expense of the Eastern and Mediter-ranean Fronts as well as causing considerable damage to transportation, the synthetic rubber industry, and the fuel, iron, and coal industries of the Ruhr.
SATURDAY, 24 JULY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 75: Three targets in Norway are attacked. This is Eighth's first mission to Norway and its longest (1,900 miles or 3,040 km round trip) to date.
SUNDAY, 25 JULY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 76: Three locations in Germany are targetted; 19 heavy bombers are lost, mostly to effective formation attacks by German fighters. The raid on Hamburg is part of 6 Combined Bomber Offensive (CBO) missions against that port city and follows a raid of the previous night during which nearly 750 Royal Air Force (RAF) heavy bombers did tremendous damage to the target. The three targets are: 1. 123 B-17's are dispatched against the diesel engine works at Hamburg but due to cloud cover, 100 hit the shipyard at 1630-1645 hours; they claim 38-6-27 Luftwaffe aircraft; 15 B-17's are lost and 67 damaged; casualties are 1 KIA, 5 WIA and 150 MIA. 2. 59 B-17's are dispatched against the Kiel Shipyard but return because of cloud cover. 3. 141 B-17's are dispatched against the aviation industry at Warnem-unde; 118 hit the Kiel Shipyard at 1630-1700 hours; they claim 6-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 4 B-17's are lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 50 are damaged; casualties are 1 KIA, 3 WIA and 40 MIA. VIII Air Support Command Mission Number 3: 18 B-26B's are dispatched against the coke ovens at Ghent, Belgium; 13 hit the target at 1458 hours; 6 aircraft are damaged.MONDAY, 26 JULY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 77: Two targets in Germany and a convoy are hit, i.e.: 1. 119 B-17's and 2 YB-40's are dispatched against rubber factories at Hannover; 96 hit the target at 1200-1243 hours; they claim 40-9-28 Luftwaffe aircraft; 16 B-17's are lost; casualties are 4 KIA, 22 WIA and 126 MIA. 2. 49 of 61 B-17's dispatched against Hannover hit a convoy and other targets of opportunity; they claim 15-1-7 Luftwaffe aircraft; 6 B-17's are lost; casualties are 1 KIA, 3 WIA and 51 MIA. 3. 54 of 121 B-17's dispatched against Hannover hit the U-boat yards at Hamburg at 1159-1200 hours; they claim 5-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 B-17's are lost; casualties are 1 KIA, 3 WIA and 20 MIA. A total of 3 B-17's are damaged beyond repair and 86 are damaged on this mission. Mission results are good but costly; 24 aircraft are lost, mostly to enemy fighters. VIII Air Support Command Mission Number 4: 18 B-26B's are dispatched against the Saint-Omer/Longuenesse Airfield in France; 15 hit the target at 1112 hours; 4 aircraft are damaged. HQ 41st Bombardment Wing (Heavy) arrives at Brampton Grange, England from the US. This unit will be redesignated 41st Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) on 13 Sep 43. HQ 390th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 568th, 569th, 570th and 571st Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) arrive at Framlingham, England from the US with B-17's. The group will fly it's first mission on 12 Aug and remain at this station until Aug 45.TUESDAY, 27 JULY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Air Support Command Mission Number 5: 18 B-26B's are dispatched against Tricqueville Airfield, France; 17 hit the target at 1825 hours.WEDNESDAY, 28 JULY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 78: The aviation industry in Germany is targetted but bad weather hampers the raids. The targets are: 1. 182 B-17's are dispatched against the Fieseler Works at Kassel, Germany; 58 hit the target at 1027-1054 hours; they claim 27-15-22 Luftwaffe aircraft; 7 B-17's are lost, 4 are damaged beyond repair and 54 damaged; casualties are 15 WIA and 71 MIA. 2. 120 B-17's are dispatched to the Fw 190 plant at Oschersleben, Germany; 37 hit the target; they claim 56-19-41 Luftwaffe aircraft; 15 B-17's are lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 64 damaged; casualties are 11 WIA and 134 MIA. This is the deepest US bomber penetration into Germany to date. The raid achieves good results however, 22 B-17's are lost as fighters score first effective results with rockets. 105 P-47's, equipped with jettison-able belly tanks for the first time on a mission, escort the B-17's into Germany; other P-47's, going more than 30 miles (48 km) deeper into Germany than they have penetrated before, meet the returning bombers. They surprise about 60 German fighters and destroy 9 of them; 1 P-47 is lost. VIII Air Support Command Mission Numbers 6 and 7: The primary targets are in Belgium and France, i.e.: 1. 18 B-26B's are dispatched against the coke ovens at Zeebrugge, Belgium; 17 hit the target at 1105 hours; 3 B-26's are damaged. 2. 18 B-26B's are dispatched against Tricqueville Airfield, France but the mission is recalled when the accompanying fighters do not join up.THURSDAY, 29 JULY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 79: 2 locations in Germany are the targets for this mission: 1. 167 B-17's and a YB-40 are dispatched to the shipyards at Kiel; 91 hit the shipyard at 0901 hours and 48 hit targets of opportunity; they claim 48-6-33 Luftwaffe aircraft; 6 B-17's are lost, 2 are damaged beyond repair and 62 are damaged; casualties are 2 KIA, 8 WIA and 61 MIA. 2. 81 B-17's are dispatched to the Heinkel Works at Warnemunde; 54 hit the target at 0922-0924 hours; they claim 0-2-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 4 B-17's are lost and 7 damaged; casualties are 40 MIA. VIII Air Support Command Missions 8 and 9: 2 airfields are the target: 1. 18 B-26B's are dispatched against Schipol Airfield at Amsterdam, The Netherlands; the mission is aborted due to a navigational error. 2. 21 B-26B's are dispatched against Ft. Rouge Airfield, France; 19 hit the target at 1828 hours; 8 B-26's are damaged.FRIDAY, 30 JULY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 80: The aviation industry at Kassel, Germany is targetted for today: 1. 119 B-17's are dispatched to the Bettenhausen Fieseler Works; 94 hit the target at 0910-0917 hours; they claim 40-7-29 Luftwaffe aircraft; 6 B-17's are lost, 5 are damaged beyond repair and 64 are damaged; casualties are 11 KIA, 10 WIA and 52 MIA. 2. 67 B-17's are dispatched to the Waldau Fieseler Works; 40 hit the target at 0925-0928 hours; they claim 8-6-3 Luftwaffe aircraft; 6 B-17's are lost and 18 are damaged; casualties are 1 WIA and 45 MIA. 107 P-47's with auxiliary tanks escort these raids and they surprise the attacking Luftwaffe fighters over Bocholt, Germany as the enemy is not yet accustomed to fighter escort penetration beyond the coastal fringe. They claim 25-4-8 Luftwaffe aircraft; 7 P-47's are lost and 1 is damaged beyond repair; casualties are 6 MIA. VIII Air Support Command Mission Numbers 10A and 10B: 2 airfields are targetted: 1. 24 B-26B's are dispatched to the Woensdrecht Airfield, The Nether-lands; 11 hit the target at 0657 hours; 1 B-26 is lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 5 are damaged; casualties are 7 WIA and 6 MIA. 2. 24 B-26B's are dispatched to the Courtrai/Wevelghem Airfield, France but the mission is recalled because the escorting fighters are fog bound on the ground. In the 2 B-26 missions, the B-26 crews claim 6-5-1 Luftwaffe aircraft.SATURDAY, 31 JULY 1943
(Eighth Air Force) VIII Air Support Command Missions Number 11A, 11B, 11C and 11D: The targets are 4 airfields in France:
Lille and Amiens, France are bombed by Royal Air Force (RAF) bombers, also fighter-escorted, in conjunction with US raids. HQ 392d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 576th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) arrive at Wendling, England from the US with B-24's. They will fly their first combat mission on 6 Sep 43 and remain at this station until Jun 45.
SUNDAY, 1 AUGUST 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The 577th, 578th and 579th Bom-bardment Squadrons (Heavy), 392d Bombardment Group (Heavy) arrive at Wend-ling, England from the US with B-24's. The squadrons will fly their first mission on 6 Sep 43 and remain at this station until Jun 45.
MONDAY, 2 AUGUST 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Air Support Command Missions 12A and 12B: Two airfields in France are targetted.
TUESDAY, 3 AUGUST 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Major General William E. Kepner becomes Commanding General, VIII Fighter Command. HQ 353d Fighter Group and it's 350th Fighter Squadron transfer from Goxhill to Metfield, England with P-47's; the squadron will fly it's first mission on 9 Aug. These units will remain at this station until Apr 44.
WEDNESDAY, 4 AUGUST 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Air Support Command Mission 14: 36 B-26's are dispatched to shipyards at Le Trait, France; 33 hit the target at 1926 hours without loss or casualties.
The 416th Night Fighter Squadron, VIII Fighter Command, begins moving from Acklington, England to Algiers, Algeria with Beaufighters.
THURSDAY, 5 AUGUST 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The 351st Fighter Squadron, 353d Fighter Group, transfers from Goxhill to Metfield, England with P-47's. The squadron will fly it's first mission on Monday and remain at this station until Apr 44.
FRIDAY, 6 AUGUST 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The 352d Fighter Squadron, 353d Fighter Group, transfers from Goxhill to Raydon, England with P-47's. The squadron will fly it's first combat mission on Monday and will remain at this station until Apr 44.
SUNDAY, 8 AUGUST 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Air Support Command Mission 15: 36 B-26's are dispatched to Poix/Nord Airfield, France but the forma-tion is turned back by weather.
MONDAY, 9 AUGUST 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Air Support Command Mis-sions 16A and 16B: 72 B-26's are dispatched to the St Omer/Ft Rouge Air-field in France; clouds prevent bombing and only 1 aircraft hits the target at 1904 hours; 11 aircraft are damaged and 6 men are WIA.
THURSDAY, 12 AUGUST 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 81: The Ruhr is targetted with the bombers concentrating on manufacturing installations and synthetic oil.
SUNDAY, 15 AUGUST 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 82: Luftwaffe airfields in France and the Netherlands are targetted today.
MONDAY, 16 AUGUST 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 83: Luftwaffe facilities in France are targetted today.
TUESDAY, 17 AUGUST 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 84: On the first anniversary of US heavy bomber operations from the UK, a two-pronged attack into Germany is launched, marking the deepest penetra-tion of German territory to date. The critical targets are the Messer-schmitt complex at Regensburg, and the anti-friction-bearing factories at Schweinfurt.
WEDNESDAY, 18 AUGUST 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Air Support Command Missions 25A and 25B: Two Luftwaffe airfields are targetted: 1. 36 B-26's are dispatched to Lille/Vendeville Airfield in France; because of mechanical trouble with communications equipment and the bombsight in the lead plane, 22 aircraft bomb the Ypres/Vlamertinge Air-field in Belgium at 1016 hours; 23 aircraft are damaged; there are no casualties. 2. 36 B-26's are dispatched to Woensdrecht Airfield in the Netherlands; 32 hit the target at 1032 hours; 8 aircraft are damaged; there are no casualties.
THURSDAY, 19 AUGUST 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 85: Three Luftwaffe airfields in The Netherlands are targetted:
FRIDAY, 20 AUGUST 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ 66th Fighter Wing transfers from Duxford, England to Sawston, England where it will remain until Oct 45. HQ 482d Bombardment Group (Pathfinder) and it's 812th, 813th and 814th Bombardment Squadrons (Pathfinder) are activated at Alconbury, England where they will remain until May/Jun 45. The 812th and 813th, equipped with B-17's, will fly their first pathfinder mission on 27 Sep 43 and 24 Sep respectively; the 814th, equipped with B-24's, will fly it's first path-finder mission on 11 Jan 44.
SUNDAY, 22 AUGUST 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Air Support Command Missions 30A and 30B: Two Luftwaffe airfields in France are the targets:
TUESDAY, 24 AUGUST 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 86 Part I: An air depot and airfields in France are targetted:
WEDNESDAY, 25 AUGUST 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): US heavy bombers are assigned i role of bombing important Luftwaffe targets in Operation STARKEY, designed to contain enemy forces in the west to prevent their transfer to Eastern Front, and to serve as a dress rehearsal in the Pas de Calais, France area for the invasion of W Europe. The Allies hope to provoke the Luftwaffe into a prolonged air battle. VIII Air Support Command Missions 34A & 34B: Two locations in France are targetted:
THURSDAY, 26 AUGUST 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Air Support Command Mission 35: 36 B-26's are dispatched to Caen/Carpiquet Airfield, France; all hit the target at 1846 hours; 1 B-26 is damaged beyond repair when it crashes on landing.
HQ 67th Fighter Wing arrives at Walcot Hall, England from the US. The wing will remain at this station until Oct 45. HQ 20th Fighter Group arrives at Kings Cliffe, England from the US. The group will remain at this station until Oct 45. The 359th and 360th Fighter Squadrons, 356th Fighter Group, arrive at Goxhill, England from the US with P-47's.
FRIDAY, 27 AUGUST 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 87: 224 B-17's are dispatched to the German rocket-launching site construction at Watten, France; 187 hit the target at 1846-1941 hours; they claim 7-0-6 Luftwaffe aircraft; 4 B-17's are lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 98 damaged; casualties are 1 KIA, 18 WIA and 32 MIA. The mission escort consists of 173 P-47's; they claim 8-1-2 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-47 is lost and the pilot is listed as MIA. This is the first of the Eighth Air Force's missions against V-weapon sites (later designated NOBALL targets). VIII Air Support Command Missions 36A & 36B: Two missions are scheduled to targets in France:
SATURDAY, 28 AUGUST 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Major General William E Kepner succeeds Major General Frank O Hunter as Commanding General VIII Fighter Command.
MONDAY, 30 AUGUST 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The 482d Bombardment Group (Pathfinder), a Pathfinder (PFF) group fitted with British Oboe and H2S and US H2X blind-bombing equipment, becomes operational.
VIII Air Support Command Mission 38: 36 B-26's are dispatched to an ammunition dump at Foret d'Eperlecques near Saint-Omer, France; 33 hit the target at 1859 hours; 14 aircraft are damaged; casualties are 3 WIA.
TUESDAY, 31 AUGUST 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 88: Two aviation locations in France are targetted:
VIII Air Support Command Missions 41 and 42: 216 B-26's are dispatched to Rouen and Mazingarbe power stations; Poix/Nord and Lille/Nord Airfields; and the Hesdin fuel dump; 104 hit the targets; 1 B-26 is lost and 13 damaged; casualties are 5 WIA and 6 MIA.
WEDNESDAY, 1 SEPTEMBER 1943
(Eighth Air Force): The 506th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy), ceases operating from Benina, Libya with B-24's and returns to it's base at Shipdham, England.
THURSDAY, 2 SEPTEMBER 1943
(Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 89: Airfields in France are targeted; because of unfavorable cloud conditions only part of one force is able to attack a target.
FRIDAY, 3 SEPTEMBER 1943
(Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 90: Luftwaffe air installations in France are the target.
VIII Air Support Command Mission 44: 36 B-26's are dispatched to the Beaumont le Roger Airfield and 31 hit the target at 1007 hours; 36 are dis-patched to Beauvais/Tille Airfield and all hit the target at 0907 hours; and 69 are dispatched to the Lille/Nord Airfield and 31 hit the target at 0828 hours; 20 B-26's are damaged; casualties are 1 WIA.
SATURDAY, 4 SEPTEMBER 1943
(Eighth Air Force): VIII Air Support Command Mission 47: 144 B-26's are dispatched to 4 marshalling yards in France (36 B-26's to each target); 33 hit Courtrai marshalling yard at 1756 hours; 33 hit the Lille/Deliverance marshalling yard at 1756 hours; 34 hit the Hazebrouck marshalling yard at 1831 hours; and 23 hit the St Pol marshalling yard at 1833 hours; 22 B-26's are damaged; casualties are 3 WIA.
MONDAY, 6 SEPTEMBER 1943
(Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 91: Aircraft and bearing factories in and around Stuttgart, Germany are targeted but extensive clouds prevent all but a few B-17's from attacking the primary targets. Formations become separated and disorganized and attack targets of opportunity in a wide area.
VIII Air Support Command Missions 50 and 51.
TUESDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 1943
(Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 92.
WEDNESDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER 1943
(Eighth Air Force): The 44th and 93d Bombard-ment Groups (Heavy) resume operations in the UK after detached service in Africa; the 389th Bombardment Group (Heavy), previously diverted to Africa, becomes operational in the UK. VIII Air Support Command Missions 53 and 54.
THURSDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER 1943
(Eighth Air Force): On D-day for Operation STARKEY (a rehearsal for the invasion of France), the Eighth Air Force dispatches a record number of 330 heavy bombers against various targets in France:
SATURDAY, 11 SEPTEMBER 1943
(Eighth Air Force): VIII Air Support Command Mission 56: Two locations in France are targeted:
HQ 92d Bombardment Group (Heavy) transfers from Alconbury to Podington, England. The group will remain at this station until Jun 45.
MONDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 1943
(Eighth Air Force): The 1st, 2d, and 3d Bombardment Divisions are activated at Brampton Grange, Horsham St Faith and Camp Blainey, England respectively. They are formed from complements of VIII Bomber Command's 4 bombardment wings which are redesignated Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) effective this date; each bombardment division is organized into combat bombardment wings. Commanding Officers of the Bombardment Divisions are Major General Robert B Williams (1st), Brigadier General James P Hodges (2d), and Major General Curtis E LeMay (3d). HQ 6th Fighter Wing is inactivated at Atcham, England. HQs of the following Combat Bombardment Wings (Heavy) transfer as follows:
TUESDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 1943
(Eighth Air Force): VIII Air Support Command Mission 57: 108 B-26's are dispatched to the Woenisdrecht Airfield in the Netherlands and Lille/Nord Airfield in France; they are recalled due to weather; 18 B-26's are damaged; casualties are 3 WIA.
HQ 2d Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) transfers from Old Catton to Hethel, England and HQ 20th Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) transfers from Cheddington to Horsham St Faith, England.
HQ 55th Fighter Group and it's 38th, 338th and 343d Fighter Squadrons arrive at Nuthampstead, England from the US with P-38's. The group will fly it's first combat mission on 15 Oct.
WEDNESDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER 1943
(Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 95: Aviation facilities in France are targeted:
The 325th, 326th, 327th and 407th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 92d Bombardment Group (Heavy) transfers from Alconbury to Podington, England with B-17's.
THURSDAY, 16 SEPTEMBER 1943
(Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 97: 5 targets in France are hit:
VIII Bomber Command Mission 98: 5 B-17's of the 422d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 305th Bombardment Group (Heavy), join the RAF in a night attack on the marshalling yard at Modane, France; there are no losses or casualties.
VIII Air Support Command Mission 59: 67 of 72 B-26's hit the Beaumont le Roger Airfield at 1735 hours and Tricoueville Airfield in France at 1735 hours; 2 B-26's are damaged.
HQ 40th and 41st Combat Bombardment Wings (Heavy) transfer from Brampton Grange to Thurleigh and Molesworth, England respectively.
SATURDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 1943
(Eighth Air Force): VIII Air Support Command Missions 61 and 62: 3 installations in France are targeted:
SUNDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER 1943
(Eighth Air Force): VIII Air Support Command Missions 63 and 64: 2 airfields in France are targeted:
TUESDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER 1943
(Eighth Air Force): VIII Air Support Command Mission 65: 44 of 73 B-26's hit the Beauvais/Tille Airfield in France at 0937-0938 hours; bad weather causes 20+ to abort; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 B-26 is lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 12 damaged; casualties are 2 KIA, 4 WIA and 7 MIA.
WEDNESDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER 1943
(Eighth Air Force): VIII Air Support Command Mission 66: 2 airfields in France are targeted:
240 P-27's sweep over NE France and Belgium and claim 2-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-47 is lost and 1 damaged beyond repair; casualties are 1 MIA; and 155 P-47's sweep over N Belgium and Dutch Islands.
VIII Bomber Command Mission 99: 5 B-17's of the 422d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 305th Bombardment Group (Heavy), join the RAF in a night attack on Hannover, Germany at 2143-2209 hours; there are no losses or casualties.
THURSDAY, 23 SEPTEMBER 1943
(Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 100: 3 locations in France are targeted.
VIII Bomber Command Mission 101: 80 of 91 B-17's hit the port area at Nantes (61 aircraft) at 1810-1815 and Rennes/St Jacques Airfield (19 aircraft) at 1834 hours; 2 B-17's are lost, 12 damaged beyond repair and 6 damaged; casualties are 12 WIA and 20 MIA.
VIII Bomber Command Mission 102: 4 of 5 B-17's of the 422d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 305th Bombardment Group (Heavy), hit Mannheim at 2211-2222 hours with the RAF in a night attack; 1 B-17 is damaged.
FRIDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER 1943
(Eighth Air Force): VIII Air Support Command Missions 69 & 70: 2 airfields in France are targeted.
HQ 20th Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) transfers from Horsham St Faith to Hethel, England.
HQ 386th Bombardment Group (Medium) and it's 552d, 553d, 554th and 555th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) transfer from Boxted to Great Dunmow, England with B-26's.
SATURDAY, 25 SEPTEMBER 1943
(Eighth Air Force): VIII Air Support Command Mission 71: 68 of 72 B-26's hit St Omer/Longuenesse Airfield at 1717-1718 hours; 4 B-26's are damaged.
SUNDAY, 26 SEPTEMBER 1943
(Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 103. Today's targets are in France with 1 B-17 lost.
VIII Air Support Command Mission 72: 72 B-26's are dispatched to Conches Airfield in France; they are recalled due to weather.
MONDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER 1943
(Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 104: The port of Emden, Germany is the target. 2 of 3 H2S equipped pathfinder B-17's of the 482d Bombardment Group (Pathfinder) lead the mission. This is the first Pathfinder (PFF) mission.
VIII Bomber Command Mission 105: 4 of 5 B-17's of the 422d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 305th Bombardment Group (Heavy), hit Hannover at 2208-2217 hours in a night raid with the RAF; 1 B-17 is lost; casualties are 10 MIA.
VIII Air Support Command Missions 73 & 74: 2 airfields in France are targeted.
FRIDAY, 1 OCTOBER 1943
(Eighth Air Force): A report by the intelligence section of the Eighth Air Force shows that despite recent efforts of the Allies to destroy the German aircraft industry, fighter production has expanded greatly and enemy fighter strength on the Western Front has increased.
SATURDAY, 2 OCTOBER 1943
(Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 106: 349 B-17's are dispatched to the industrial area of Emden, Germany; led by 2 B-17 pathfinders, 339 hit the target at 1557-1603 hours; they claim 15-6-12 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 B-17's are lost and 34 damaged; casualties are 2 WIA and 21 MIA. The B-17's are escorted by 227 P-47's who claim 5-3-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-47 is damaged. In addition to the above, 21 B-24's are dispatched to Woensdrecht Airfield, The Netherlands; the target is obscured by clouds and the mission is aborted. VIII Air Support Command Mission 75: 72 B-26's are dispatched to the St Omer/Longuenesse Airfield in France; because of cloud cover, only 6 hit the target at 1715 hours; the remainder refrain from bombing because the target is in occupied territory; 12 B-26's are damaged; casualties are 1 KIA and 4 WIA.
VIII Bomber Command Mission 107: 2 B-17's join the Royal Air Force (RAF) in a night mission to Munich; no losses or casualties.
SUNDAY, 3 OCTOBER 1943
(Eighth Air Force): VIII Air Support Command Missions 76, 77 and 78:The 153d Liaison Squadron, 67th Observation Group, transfers from Keevil to Membury, England with A-20's and L-4's.
The 328th, 329th, 330th and 409th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 93d Bombardment Group (Heavy), cease operating from Oudna, Tunisia and return to their base at Hardwick, England with B-24's.
The 564th, 565th, 566th and 567th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 389th Bombardment Group (Heavy), cease operating from Massicault, Tunisia and return to their base at Hethel, England with B-24's.
MONDAY, 4 OCTOBER 1943
(Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 108: 4 targets in Germany and a diversion are flown. 12 B-17's and 4 B-24's are lost.
VIII Air Support Command Mission 79: 25 B-26's are dispatched to Beauvais/Nivilliers and Evreux/Fauville Airfield in France; they return to base without bombing.
VIII Bomber Command Mission 109: 4 B-17's drop 240,352 leaflets over Paris between 2257-2307 hours.
TUESDAY, 5 OCTOBER 1943
(Eighth Air Force): HQ 356th Fighter Group transfers from Goxhill to Martlesham, England.
THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 110. During the night of 7/8 Oct, 4 B-17's drop 240,352 leaflets over Paris at 2257-2307 hours; no losses or casualties.
FRIDAY, 8 OCTOBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 111. 4 locations in Germany are targetted. On this mission the Eighth Air Forces uses, for the first time, airborne transmitters (Carpet equipment) to jam German radar. 30 bombers and 3 fighters are lost.
The B-17's are escorted by 274 P-47's; they claim 12-2-4 Luftwaffe aircraft; 3 P-47's are lost and 5 damaged; casualties are 2 WIA and 3 MIA. VIII Air Support Command Mission 80: 144 B-26's are dispatched to Lille/Vendeville and Chievres Airfields in France; the mission is abandoned due to thick haze and generally unsuitable weather; 4 B-26's are damaged. VIII Bomber Command Mission 112: 2 B-17's drop 266,336 leaflets over Rennes at 0005-0011 hours, 9 Oct 43.
SATURDAY, 9 OCTOBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 113. 2 targets in Germany and 2 in Poland are hit; 26 B-17's and 2 B-24's are lost.
VIII Air Support Command Mission 81: 66 of 72 B-26's bomb the Woensdrecht Airfield in the Netherlands at 1516-1526 hours; 26 B-26's are damaged. This is the final Eighth Air Force B-26 operation; the B-26's will be transfered to the Ninth Air Force.
SUNDAY, 10 OCTOBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 114. 236 of 274 B-17's hit the railroads and waterways in and around Munster, Germany at 1503-1518 hours plus targets of opportunity at Coesfeld, Germany and Enschede Airfield in the Netherlands; they claim 183-21-51 Luftwaffe aircraft; 30 B-17's are lost, 3 damaged beyond repair and 102 damaged; casualties are 2 KIA, 18 WIA and 306 MIA. 39 B-24's fly a diversion without loss or casualties. The B-17's are escorted by 216 P-47's; they claim 19-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-47 is lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 1 damaged; casualties are 1 MIA.
The 360th Fighter Squadron, 356th Fighter Group, transfers from Goxhill to Martlesham, England with P-47's. The squadron will fly it's first mission on 15 Oct.
TUESDAY, 12 OCTOBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The 359th Fighter Squadron, 356th Fighter Group, transfers from Goxhill to Martlesham, England with P-47's. The squadron will fly it's first combat mission on 15 Oct.
THURSDAY, 14 OCTOBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 115: 229 of 291 B-17's hit the city area and ball bearing plants at Schweinfurt, Germany in 2 group; the first group bombs at 1439-1445 hours, the second group at 1451-1457 hours; they claim 186-27-89 Luftwaffe aircraft; 60 B-17's are lost, 7 damaged beyond repair and 138 damaged; casualties are 5 KIA, 40 WIA and 594 MIA. The attack, which causes great damage and interference with production, results in German reorganization of the bearing industry. Fierce opposition of great numbers of fighters, many of them firing rockets, accounts for the 60 US aircraft shot down. As a result of these heavy losses, daylight bombing against strategic targets deep in Germany is discontinued for a short period.
Only 29 of 60 B-24's are able to form up in poor weather; they abandoned their planned mission and fly a diversion towards Emden, Germany.
FRIDAY, 15 OCTOBER 1943
HQ U.S. Army Air Forces in United Kingdom (USAAFUK) is activated to exercise supervision over and provide coordination between the Eighth and Ninth Air Forces in the UK. Lieutenant General Ira C Eaker is appointed Commanding General in addition to his duties as Commanding General Eighth Air Force.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The 55th Fighter Group (38th, 338th and 343d Fighter Squadrons), a much needed P-38 group group, becomes operational in the UK.
MONDAY, 18 OCTOBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The 369th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group, arrives at East Wretham, England from the US with P-47's. The squadron will fly it's first mission on 13 Dec 43.
TUESDAY, 19 OCTOBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ 359th Fighter Group and it's 369th Fighter Squadron arrives at East Wretham, England from the US with P-47's. The group will fly it's first mission on 13 Dec 43.
WEDNESDAY, 20 OCTOBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 116. The industrial area at Duren, Germany is the primary target. 97 of 170 B-17's hit the primary target at 1413-1416 bombing from 30,000-feet (48,000 m) because the cloud tops were at 29,500-feet (47,200 m); the 1st Bombardment Division uses Oboe PFF for the first time but the equipment fails and 60 aircraft return to base without bombing; 42 of the 1st Bombardment Division's aircraft hit Woensdrecht Airfield in the Netherlands as a target of opportunity; and 70 B-24's fly a diversion; the totals are 4-1-1 Luftwaffe aircraft claimed; 9 B-17's lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 10 damaged; casualties are 4 KIA (including 3 gunners who died from oxygen system failure), 2 WIA and 85 MIA.
VIII Bomber Command Mission 117: During the night of 20/21 Oct, 5 B-17's drop 876,960 leaflets over Roen and Paris at 2211-2217 hours. HQ 358th Fighter Group and it's 365th, 366th and 367th Fighter Squadrons arrive at Goxhill, England from the US.
MONDAY, 1 NOVEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): A progress report, assessing results of the Combined Bomber Offensive (CBO), estimates that 19 important German towns and cities have been virtually destroyed, 19 severely damaged and 9 more effectively damaged. A joint report of the British Ministry of Economic Warfare and Air Ministry lntelligence Branch claims that 10 percent of the total war potential of Germany has been destroyed. HQ 92d Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) is activated at Polebrook, England. HQ 93d Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) is activated at Horsham St. Faith, England.
HQ 401st Bombardment Group (Heavy) arrives at Deenethorpe,England from the U.S.
TUESDAY, 2 NOVEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The 406th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), Eighth Air Force, transfers from the U.S. to Alconbury, England without personnel or equipment. The squadron will be equipped with B-24's and begin CARPETBAGGER operations (dropping supplies to partisans) on 5 Jan 44. The 700th, 701st, 702d and 703d Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 445th Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrive at Tibenham, England from the U.S. with B-24's. They will fly their first mission on 13 Dec.
WEDNESDAY, 3 NOVEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 119. 539 of 566 B-17's and B-24's dispatched to the Wilhemshaven, Germany port area hit the target at 1307-1335 hours. They claim 21-3-24 Luftwaffe aircraft; 7 B-17's are lost, 2 damaged beyond repair, and 47 damaged; casualties are 12 WIA and 70 MIA. The mission includes 11 Pathfinders, 9 using new H2X blind-bombing device (first time on a US mission) and 2 using H2S. This is the first Eighth Air Force blind-bombing mission in which the aiming point is completely destroyed and is also the Eighth's first 500-plane mission. 333 P-47's and 45 P-38's escort the bombers with the P-38's escorting the heavy bombers almost the entire trip and see their first real ETO combat, claiming 3-5-5 Luftwaffe aircraft.
VIII Bomber Command Mission 120. During the night of 3/4 Nov, 2 B-17's drop 1.5+ million leaflets on Antwerp at 1915 hours and Rotterdam at 2008 hours. The 612th and 613th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 401st Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrive at Deenethorpe, England from the U.S. with B-17's. They will fly their first mission on 26 Nov.
THURSDAY, 4 NOVEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ 445th Bombardment Group (Heavy) arrives at Tibenham, England from the U.S. HQ 446th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 704th, 705th, 706th and 707th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) arrive at Flixton, England with B-24's. They will fly their first mission on 16 Dec.
The 27th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping Group, arrives at Mount Farm, England from the U.S. with F-5's.
The 614th and 615th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 401st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), arrive at Deenethorpe, England from the U.S. with B-17's. They will fly their first mission on 26 Nov.
FRIDAY, 5 NOVEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 121. Two targets in Germany are hit with the loss of 8 B-17's and 3 B-24's.
SATURDAY, 6 NOVEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 123. 2 B-17's drop 440,000 leaflets over Paris at 0241-0250 hours. The 36th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), Eighth Air Force, arrives at Alconbury, England from the U.S. The squadron will begin flying CARPETBAGGER missions in Dec 43.
MONDAY, 8 NOVEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 125: 2 B-17's drop 312,000 leaflets over Paris at 0038-0042 hours.
WEDNESDAY, 10 NOVEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 126: 5 B-17's drop 1 million leaflets over Paris, Rennes, Le Mans and Rouen, France at 2020-2051 hours.
THURSDAY, 11 NOVEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 127: Two areas in Germany are targetted.
The two missions above are escorted to 59 P-38's and 342 P-47's; the P-47's claim 8-1-2 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 P-47's are lost and 1 is damaged; casualties are 2 MIA.
VIII Bomber Command Mission 128: 1 PFF B-17 is dispatched to Emmerich, Germany but hits Rees at 2057 hours in an Oboe test. VIII Bomber Command Mission 129: 1 PFF B-17 hits Emmerich at 2115 in an Oboe test.
The 406th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 1st Bombardment Division, transfers to Alconbury, England with B-24's. The squadron will begin flying CARPETBAGGER missions on 5 Jan 44.
SATURDAY, 13 NOVEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 130: 79 of 159 B-17's, 61 of 109 B-24's and 3 of 4 B-17 PFF aircraft hit the port area at Bremen and targets of opportunity in the Kiel-Flensburg area at 1120-1145 hours; 100+ aircraft abort the mission due to weather; they claim 20-14-13 Luftwaffe aircraft; 3 B-17's and 13 B-24's are lost; 3 B-17's and 3 B-24's are damaged beyond repair and 12 B-17's and 10 B-24's are damaged; casualties are 21 KIA, 26 WIA and 162 MIA. The bombers are escorted by 45 P-38's (all the way to the target) and 345 P-47's; they claim 10-3-6 Luftwaffe aircraft; 7 P-38's and 3 P-47's are lost; 2 P-38's are damaged beyond repair; 5 P-38's and 2 P-47's are damaged; casualties are 9 MIA.
TUESDAY, 16 NOVEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 131. Two targets in Norway are hit with the loss of 2 bombers.
THURSDAY, 18 NOVEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 132. 82 of 102 B-24's hit the Oslo/Kjeller Airfield in Norway; they claim 10-7-5 Luftwaffe aircraft; 9 B-24's are lost, 3 are damaged beyond repair and 10 damaged; casualties are 2 KIA, 9 WIA and 91 MIA. VIII Bomber Command Mission 133: 5 B-17's drop 980,000 leaflets over Paris, Orleans, Chartres, Rennes and Le Mans, France between 2015 and 2041 hours; no losses or casualties.
FRIDAY, 19 NOVEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 134: 127 of 161 B-17's and 3 of 6 B-17 PFF aircraft are dispatched to Gelsenkirchen, Germany but the malfunction of blind-bombing equipment and the weather causes the force to attack targets of opportunity on the German-Dutch border at 1241-1251 hours; 1 B-17 crashes after takeoff; the crew of 10 are KIA. VIII Bomber Command Mission 135: 6 B-17's drop 2.316 million leaflets on Amiens and Reims, France; Brussels and Ghent, Belgium; and Amsterdam and The Hague, The Netherlands at 1915-2011 hours; no losses.
THURSDAY, 24 NOVEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 136: 7 B-17's dropped 2.4 million leaflets over Lille, France; and Brussels, Antwerp, Charleroi/Gosselies and Ghent, Belgium between 2026-2111 hours. No losses or casualties.
THURSDAY, 25 NOVEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): In France, bombing by P-47's is inaugurated by the VIII Fighter Command in an attack on Saint-Omer airfield by the 56th and 353d Fighter Groups; two other fighter groups, the 55th (P-38's) and 352d (P-47's), carry out offensive sweeps in the Lille area; the fighters, including 2 escorting groups, fly over 330 offensive sorties. The 401st Bombardment Group (Heavy) reaches operational status, making 22 heavy bomber groups now operational in the Eighth Air Force.
The 712th and 713th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 448th Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrive at Seething, England from the US with B-24's. They will fly their first mission on 22 Dec.
MONDAY, 29 NOVEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 140. 154 of 360 B-17's hit the port of Bremen, Germany and targets of opportunity in the area at 1429-1450 hours; unfavorable cloud conditions and malfunction of blindbombing equipment cause 200+ B-17's to abort; they claim 15-11-10 Luftwaffe aircraft; 13 B-17's are lost, 3 damaged beyond repair and 43 damaged; casualties are 2 KIA, 13 WIA and 131 MIA. The B-17's are escorted by 38 P-38's and 314 P-47's; they claim 15-4-6 Luftwaffe aircraft; 7 P-38's and 9 P-47's are lost; 1 P-47 is damage beyond repair and another damaged; casualties are 1 WIA and 16 MIA.
VIII Bomber Command Mission 141: 8 B-17's drop 1.6 million leaflets over Paris, Reims, Le Mans, Orleans, Chartres, Amiens and Rouen, France; no casualties.
VIII Bomber Command Mission 142: 1 B-17 drops two 2,000 pound (907 kg) bombs and 1 photoflash on Emmerich, Germany at 2108 hours; no casualties. HQ 358th Fighter Group transfers from Goxhill to Leiston, England. HQ 447th Bombardment Group (Heavy) arrives at Rattlesden, England from the US.
The 714th and 715th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 448th Bombardment Group (Heavy) arrive at Seething, England from the US with B-24's. They will fly their first mission on 22 Dec.
TUESDAY, 30 NOVEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 143. 349 B-17's, 29 B-24's and 3 PFF B-17's are dispatched to the industrial area at Solingen, Germany; 270 B-17's, the B-24's and 2 PFF B-17's abort the mission due to cloud formations which cause assembly difficulties and require flying at altitudes not feasible for the B-24's; 79 B-17's and 1 PFF B-17 use blind-bombing equipment to hit Solingen plus 1 aircraft drops on Wermelskirchen; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 3 B-17's are lost; 3 are damaged beyond repair and 9 damaged; casualties are 11 KIA, 20 WIA and 23 MIA. This mission is escorted by 20 P-38's and 327 P-47's; they claim 0-2-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-38 and 5 P-47's are lost and 1 each damaged; casualties are 6 MIA.
VIII Bomber Command Mission 144: 6 B-17's drop 1.4075 million leaflets on Paris, Rouen and Tours, France; and Krefeld and Opladen, Germany during the evening; no casualties.
HQ 357th Fighter Group arrives at Raydon, England from the US. HQ 361st Fighter Group and it's 374th, 375th and 376th Fighter Squadrons arrive at Bottisham, England from the US with P-47's. They will fly their first mission on 22 Jan 44.
WEDNESDAY, 1 DECEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 145: The industrial area at Solingen, Germany is the target. 206 of 215 B-17's, 69 of 78 B-24's and 5 of 6 B-17 PFF aircraft hit the target at 1159-1212 hours; they claim 4-5-5 Luftwaffe aircraft; 19 B-17's and 5 B-24's are lost, 2 B-17's and 1 B-24 are damaged beyond repair and 85 bombers are damaged; casualties are 13 KIA, 23 WIA and 227 MIA. The mission is escorted by 42 P-38's and 374 P-47's; the P-47's claim 20-4-7 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 P-38's and 5 P-47's are lost, 1 each are damaged beyond repair and 3 P-47's are damaged; casualties are 7 MIA. HQ VIII Air Support Command is disbanded at Sunninghill, England. HQ 448th Bombardment Group (Heavy) arrives at Seething, England from the US.
The 362d, 363d and 364th Fighter Squadrons, 357th Fighter Group, arrive at Raydon, England from the US with P-51B's. They will fly their first mission on 11 Feb 44.
The 708th, 709th, 710th and 711th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 447th Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrive at Rattlesden, England from the US with B-17G's. They will fly their first mission on 24 Dec.
THURSDAY, 2 DECEMBER 1943
ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY AIR FORCE (AEAF): The Combined Chiefs of Staff (CCS) authorizes AEAF to attack "sky sites" in the Pas de Calais area and on the Cherbourg Peninsula in France, which RAF photography and British intelligence have virtually identified as missile-launching sites.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 146: 1 B-17 flies an Oboe test over Huls, Germany at 2139 hours dropping two 2,000 pound (907 kg) GP bombs and 1 photoflash bomb. 4 B-17's drop 2.09 million leaflets on Bremen, Oldenburg and Hamburg, Germany. No casualties on either mission.
FRIDAY, 3 DECEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): A note from Air Chief Marshall Sir Charles F Portal, RAF, to the CCS states that OPERATION POINTBLANK, the Combined Bomber Offensive (CBO) of the USAAF and RAF against the Luftwaffe and the German aircraft industry, is 3 months behind in relationship to the tentative date for OPERATION OVERLORD, the overall plan for the invasion of W Europe, which had been set for 1 May 44. This brings more pressure on the Eighth Air Force to destroy industrial plants of importance to aircraft production.
The 365th and 366th Fighter Squadrons, 358th Fighter Group, transfer from Goxhill, England to Leiston, England with P-47D's. They will fly their first mission on 20 Dec.
SATURDAY, 4 DECEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 147: 4 B-17's drop 800,000 leaflets on Rouen, Lille and Paris, France at 0222-0333 hours.
VIII Bomber Command Mission 148: 4 B-17's drop 800,000 leaflets on Le Mans, Orleans, Tours and Laval, France at 2037-2125 hours. The 367th Fighter Squadron, 358th Fighter Group, transfers from Goxhill to Leiston, England with P-47D's.
SUNDAY, 5 DECEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 149. Airfields in France are targetted; 8 B-17's and 1 B-24 are lost.
These missions are escorted by 34 P-38's and 266 P-47's plus 36 Ninth Air Force P-51's; 1 P-47 is lost; the pilot is MIA.
FRIDAY, 10 DECEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 150: 1 B-17 is dispatched on an OBOE test flight but turns back due to an oxygen leak; two 2,000 pound (907 kg) bombs and a Photoflash are jettisoned off the French coast. In the second part of this mission, 6 of 6 B-17's drop 1.2 million leaflets on Rouen, Paris, Caen and Amiens, France and Ghent, Belgium at 2026-2102 hours. No losses.
HQ 2d Bombardment Division transfers from Horsham St Faith to Ketteringham Hall, England.
SATURDAY, 11 DECEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 151: 437 of 490 B-17's and 86 of 93 B-24's hit the industrial area at Emden, Germany at 1220-1312 hours; they claim 86-22-23 Luftwaffe aircraft; 15 B-17's and 2 B-24's are lost, 1 B-17 is damaged beyond repair and 120 B-17's and 18 B-24's are damaged; casualties are 2 KIA, 20 WIA and 185 MIA. This mission is escorted by 31 P-38's, 313 P-47's and 44 Ninth Air Force P-51's; they claim 21-0-7 Luftwaffe aircraft; 3 P-47's and 1 P-51 are lost; 1 P-47 and 1 P-51 are damaged beyond repair and 3 P-47's are damaged; casualties are 1 KIA and 4 MIA.
VIII Bomber Command Mission 152: 4 of 4 B-17's drop 800,000 leaflets on Laval, Rennes, Le Mans and Nantes, France at 2026-2039 hours; no casualties.
SUNDAY, 12 DECEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 153: 4 B-17's drop 800,000 leaflets on Paris, Amiens and Orleans, France at 2033-2044 hours; no casualties.
HQ 92d and 94th Combat Bombardment Wings (Heavy) transfer from Polebrook to Camp Blainey and Alconbury, England respectively.
HQ 95th Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) is activated at Attlebridge, England.
MONDAY, 13 DECEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 154; the port area at Bremen and Kiel, Germany are hit; 5 aircraft are lost. This is the first mission where more than 600 aircraft are dispatched.
These missions are escorted by 31 P-38's, 322 P-47's and 41 Ninth Air Force P-51's; they claim 1-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-47 and 1 P-51 are lost, 1 P-38 and 1 P-47 are damaged beyond repair and 1 P-38 is damaged; casualties are 2 WIA and 1 MIA. P-51's escorting the heavy bombers reach the limit of their escort range for the first time.
VIII Bomber Command Mission 155: 5 B-17's drop 1 million leaflets on Le Mans, Rennes, Tours, Nantes and Chartres, France at 2138-2155 hours; no losses.
THURSDAY, 16 DECEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 156: the port area at Bremen, Germany is the target. 402 of 479 B-17's, 133 of 141 B-24's and 10 of 11 PFF aircraft hit the target at 1309-1322 hours; they claim 18-11-11 Luftwaffe aircraft; 10 B-17's are lost; 2 B-17's and 2 B-24's are damaged beyond repair; 128 B-17's, 22 B-24's and 5 PFF aircraft are damaged; casualties are 6 KIA, 8 WIA and 104 MIA. The mission is escorted by 31 P-38's, 131 P-47's and 39 Ninth Air Force P-51's; they claim 2-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-47 is lost, 1 P-38 is damaged beyond repair and 1 P-38 damaged; casualties are 1 KIA and 1 MIA.
VIII Bomber Command Mission 157: 4 B-17's drop 1.952 million leaflets over Hannover, Germany; Brussels, Belgium; and Lille, France at 1903-1943 hours; no losses or casualties.
SUNDAY, 19 DECEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 158: 5 B-17's drop 1 million leaflets on Paris, Amiens and Chartres, France at 2059-2135 hours; no losses or casualties.
MONDAY, 20 DECEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 159: the port area at Bremen, Germany is hit. 357 of 407 B-17's, 103 of 127 B-24's and 12 of 12 PFF aircraft hit the target at 1142-1214 hours; they claim 21-14-23 Luftwaffe aircraft; 21 B-17's and 6 B-24's are lost; 3 B-17's are damaged beyond repair; 213 B-17's and 34 B-24's are damaged; casualties are 9 KIA, 41 WIA and 270 MIA. Window-metal foil strips which, when dropped from an airplane, provide an echo which confuses radar locating equipment is used for the first time on an Eighth Air Force mission. This mission is escorted by 26 P-38's, 418 P-47's and 47 Ninth Air Force P-51's; they claim 19-3-6 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 P-47's and 4 P-51's are lost; 1 P-47 is damaged beyond repair and 5 P-47's are damaged; casualties are 1 WIA and 5 MIA. Twin-engine, rocket-firing Luftwaffe fighters attack under protection of single engine airplanes.
VIII Bomber Command Mission 160: 5 B-17's drop 1 million leaflets on Lille and Lens, France and Ghent and Brussels, Belgium at 2005-2015 hours; no losses.
WEDNESDAY, 22 DECEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 161: Marshalling yards at Osnabruck and Munster, Germany are targetted; 22 US bombers are lost. Heavy cloud conditions along with a malfunction of Pathfinder equipment result in a large number of heavy bombers failing to attack targets.
VIII Bomber Command Mission 162: 6 B-17's drop 1.212 million leaflets on Paris, Amiens, Chartres, Orleans and Rennes, France at 1942-2018 hours; no casualties.
VIII Bomber Command Mission 163: 1 B-17 drops two 2,000 pound (907 kf) general purpose bombs and 1 Photoflash on Cologne, Germany at 2020 hours; no casualties. RAF light bombers attack numerous NOBALL (V-weapons) targets in France in conjunction with the Osnabruck-Munster raids.
THURSDAY, 23 DECEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 92 P-47's are dispatched to Gilze-Rijen Airfield in The Netherlands; 2 squadrons dive-bomb the target while the 1 squadron provides escort; no casualties. HQ 453d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 732d, 733d, 734th and 735th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) arrive at Old Buckenham, England from the US with B-17's. They will fly their mission on 5 Feb 44.
FRIDAY, 24 DECEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 26 heavy bomber groups are now operational.
VIII Bomber Command Mission 164: 23 V-weapon sites in the Pas de Calais area of France are hit. 478 of 526 B-17's 192 of 196 B-24's hit the targets at 1330-1510 hours; 2 B-24's are damaged beyond repair and 85 B-17's are damaged; casualties are 4 WIA. This is the largest number of aircraft carrying out attacks of any Eighth Air Force mission to date and the first of its major strikes against missile sites. The heavies are escorted by 40 P-38's, 459 P-47's and 42 Ninth Air Force P-51's; 2 P-38's are damaged beyond repair and 2 P-51's are damaged; no casualties.
MONDAY, 27 DECEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 165: 7 B-17's drop 1.392 million leaflets on Paris, Lille, Evreux, Rouen and Caen, France at 1735-1812 hours; no losses. VIII Bomber Command Mission 166: 1 B-17 is dispatched to Quadrath (??) but drops two 2,000 pound (907 kg) bombs and a Photoflash bomb on an unknown target.
TUESDAY, 28 DECEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The 20th Fighter Group (P-38) becomes operational, making a total of 11 operational fighter groups in the Eighth Air Force. The VIII Fighter Command has flown over 17,500 sorties and destroyed more than 200 aircraft. The VIII Bomber Command is charged with forming and training a special organization (the Radio Counter Measure Unit) to use radio countermeasures against enemy defenses; 24 specially equipped B-17's are to operate in support of both night and day raids.
VIII Bomber Command Mission 167: A B-17 drops two 2,000 pound (907 kg) bombs and a Photoflash bomb on Dusseldorf, Germany in an Oboe test. VIII Bomber Command Mission 168: 6 B-17's drop 2.84 million leaflets on Hannover, Osnabruck, Hildsheim, Germany; Zwolle, The Netherlands; and Amiens, France at 1950-2027 hours. No losses.
THURSDAY, 30 DECEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 169: The port area and oil refinery at Ludwigshafen, Germany are hit at 1156-1300 hours. 502 of 530 B-17's 145 of 168 B-24's, and 11 of 12 PFF aircraft attack the target; they claim 12-4-9 Luftwaffe aircraft; 14 B-17's and 9 B-24's are lost, 4 B-17's and 1 B-24 are damaged beyond repair and 106 B-17's and 11 B-24's are damaged; casualties are 11 KIA, 19 WIA and 200 MIA. The mission is escorted by 79 P-38's, 463 P-47's and 41 Ninth Air Force P-51's; they claim 8-3-6 Luftwaffe aircraft; 11 P-47's and 2 P-51's are lost, 1 P-47 is damaged beyond repair and 5 P-47's are damaged; casualties are 12 MIA.
VIII Bomber Command Mission 170: 5 B-17's drop 1 million leaflets on Antwerp, Ghent, Lens, Belgium and Cambrai, France at 2319-2340 hours; no losses.
FRIDAY, 31 DECEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 171: Various targets in France are hit; 19 B-17's and 6 B-24's are lost.
The total bomb tonnage dropped by the Eighth Air Force in Dec 43, 13,142 tons (14,486 tonnes), for the first time exceeds that dropped by the RAF Bomber Command.
JANUARY 1944SATURDAY, 1 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The Operational Research Section, organized at Hq VIII Bomber Command in Oct 43, is made a special staff section, accountable directly to the US Chiefs of Staff (CoS). It is composed mostly of civilian specialists trained in statistical analysis and other disciplines pertinent to studying operations of a strategic bombing force. The section subsequently proves of great value in improving the effectiveness of strategic bombing.
HQ 491st and it's 852d, 853d, 854th and 855th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) transfer without personnel and equipment from the US to England. They will be equipped with B-24's and fly their first mission on 2 Jun.
The 856th, 857th, 858th and 859th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 492d Bombardment Group (Heavy) transfer from the US to North Pickenham, England with B-24's. They will fly their first mission on 11 May.
HQ 493d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 860th, 861st, 862d and 863d Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) transfer without personnel and equipment from the US to England; they will fly their first mission with B-24's on 6 Jun.
US STRATEGIC AIR FORCES IN EUROPE (USSAFE): USSAFE is established for operational control of the Eighth and Fifteenth Air Forces.
MONDAY, 3 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Special Night Operation: 1 B-17 is dispatched on an Oboe test against Germany but turns back due to an oxygen failure in the tail gun position.
HQ 452d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 728th, 729th, 730th and 731st Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) arrives at Deopham Green, England from the US with B-17's; first mission is 5 Feb.
TUESDAY, 4 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 174: 2 targets in Germany are hit; 19 bombers and 2 fighters are lost.
Mission 175: During the evening, 4 B-17's drop 800,000 leaflets on Orleans, Lorient, Rouen and Tours, France at 2005-2021 hours; no losses. This is the first CARPETBAGGER operation from Tempsford, England on this night. US airplanes begin flying supplies from UK to underground resistance forces in W Europe, this operation being coded CARPETBAGGER.
WEDNESDAY, 5 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): An Eighth Air Force report concludes that the US daylight strategic bombing program against Germany will be threatened unless steps are taken to reduce the enemy's fighter force, which has increased in strength in the W as a result of step-up in production, strengthening of firepower, and transfer of a larger percentage of fighters to the Western Front.
Mission 176: Four targets are hit costing 24 bombers and 12 fighters.
THURSDAY, 6 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Lieutenant General James H Doolittle assumes command, replacing Lieutenant General Ira C Eaker who will go to Italy as Commanding General Mediterranean Allied Air Force (MAAF). Mission 177: During the evening, 5 B-17's drop 984,000 leaflets on Amiens, Lille, Valenciennes, Cambrai and Reims, France without loss.
FRIDAY, 7 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 351 of 382 B-17's and 69 of 120 B-24's hit the I G Faren Industrie plant at Ludwigshafen, Germany; they claim 30-6-17 Luftwaffe aircraft; 5 B-17's and 17 B-24's are lost, 2 B-17's and 2 B-24's are damaged beyond repair and 104 B-17's and 18 B-24's are damaged; casualties are 14 KIA, 13 WIA and 121 MIA. 71 P-38's, 463 P-47's and 37 Ninth Air Force P-51's escort; they claim 7-0-3 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-38 and 5 P-47's are lost and 1 P-47 is damaged; casualties are 6 MIA.
Mission 179: During the evening, 5 B-17's drop 1.08 million leaflets on Paris, Chartres, Caen and Evreux, France without loss.
SATURDAY, 8 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 180: During the evening, 5 B-17's drop 2.292 million leaflets on Antwerp and Brussels, Belgium; and Rennes, Brest and Nantes, France without loss.
MONDAY, 10 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 181: During the evening, 5 B-17's drop 4.8 million leaflets on Orleans, Chateauroux, Rouen, Le Mans and Tours, France without loss.
HQ 93d Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) transfers from Horsham St Faith to Elveden Hall, England.
TUESDAY, 11 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 182. Three aviation industry targets in Germany are hit; fierce opposition estimated at 500 Luftwaffe fighters is encountered and 60 bombers and 5 fighters are lost.
HQ 96th Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) is activated at Horsham St Faith, England.
FRIDAY, 14 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 183: 356 of 374 B-17's and 156 of 178 B-24's hit 20 of 21 V-weapon sites in the Pas de Calais area of France; 19 B-24's hit targets of opportunity; they claim 8-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 B-17's and 1 B-24 are lost, 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair and 66 B-17's and 9 B-24's are damaged; casualties are 1 KIA, 11 WIA and 31 MIA. 98 P-38's, 504 P-47's and 43 Ninth Air Force P-51's escort; they claim 14-1-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-38, 1 P-47 and 1 P-51 are lost, 1 P-47 is damaged beyond repair and 9 P-47's and 1 P-51 are damaged; casualties are 3 MIA. Mission 184: During the evening, 4 B-17's drop 840,000 leaflets on Amiens, Lille, Cambrai and St. Omer France without loss.
Mission 185: 2 B-17's are dispatched to Wesel, Germany for a night test of Oboe Mk II; 1 aircraft aborts and 1 drops 2 tons of high explosive bombs on the target without loss.
SUNDAY, 16 JANUARY 1944
General Dwight D Eisenhower assumes duties of Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force (AEF).
THURSDAY, 20 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 186: during the evening, 4 of 5 B-17's drop 960,000 leaflets on Lille, Brest, Caen and Chartres, France without loss.
FRIDAY, 21 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 187: 36 V-weapon sites in France, 34 in the Pas de Calais area and 2 in the Cherbourg area, are targetted; 24 are attacked by 302 of 597 B-17's and 68 of 198 B-24's; 15 B-17's and 9 B-24's hit targets of opportunity (2 V-weapon sites and 3 airfields); they claim 5-1-2 Luftwaffe aircraft; 5 B-24's and a B-17 are lost, 3 B-24's are damaged beyond repair, and 103 B-17's and 41 B-24's are damaged; casualties are 2 KIA, 31 WIA and 74 MIA. This mission is escorted by 49 P-38's, 531 P-47's and 48 Ninth Air Force P-51's; they claim 6-0-4 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 2-2-0 on the ground; 1 P-47 is lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 1 damaged; casualties are 1 MIA.
Mission 188: During the night, 5 of 5 B-17's drop 1.2 million leaflets on Reims, Nantes, Le Mans, Tours and Orleans, France without loss.
SATURDAY, 22 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ 457th Bombardment Group (Heavy) arrives at Glatton, England from the US.
SUNDAY, 23 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 232: 5 B-17's drop 250 bundles of leaflets on Rennes, Le Mans, Chartres, Lille and Orleans, France at 2136-2232 hours without loss.
MONDAY, 24 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 191: 857 B-17's and B-24's are put into the air with intentions of bombing transportation and industrial targets at Frankfurt-Heddernheim, Frankfurt/Main and Russelsheim. Most bombers had trouble forming up in bad weather and only 563 of the 857 airborne were dispatched; all of the B-24's were recalled. Because of worsening weather all groups were recalled at 1020 hours but 58 B-17's bombed the Zukunft Power Station near Eschweiler; they claimed 1-0-3 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 B-17's were lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 5 damaged; casualties were 5 KIA and 21 MIA.
Escorting were 101 P-38's, 535 P-47's and 42 Ninth Air Force P-51's; the fighters were assigned area patrol, protecting all bombers as they passed through their designated area but this was abandoned when the bombers were recalled; they claim 19-4-9 Luftwaffe aircraft; 4 P-38's, 3 P-47's and 2 P-51's were lost and 6 P-47's were damaged; casualties are 9 MIA. The RAF and USAAF in the United Kingdom, agree to place most of the available P-51's in the Eighth Air Force for long range escort of heavy bomber's. Eventually the Eighth is to be equipped almost exclusively with P-51's, with the P-38's and P-47's to be transferred to the Ninth Air Force.
THURSDAY, 27 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 194: 5 of 5 B-17's drop 1.44 million leaflets on Paris, Rennes, Le Mans and Orleans, France without loss.
FRIDAY, 28 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 195: 54 B-24's in 2 groups are dispatched to the Bonnieres V-weapon site in France; 2 Gee-H equipped PFF aircraft lead each group; due to technical difficulties, the second formation was ordered to follow the lead and bomb the same target as a secondary; 4 minutes before the target the leader of one section accidentally released and the following 11 aircraft did likewise; 31 hit the primary; 1 B-24 is damaged. 122 P-47's provide escort without loss.
Gee-H is more accurate than H2X but is of use only against targets within the 200-mi (320 km) beacon range; later, aircraft are equipped with both devices.
Mission 196: During the evening, 5 of 5 B-17's drop 1.36 million leaflets on Amiens, Rouen, Cambrai, Reims and Caen, France without loss. Mission 197: During the night, 1 B-17 on an Oboe Mk II test drops 2 tons of bombs on Emmerich, Germany.
748th, 749th, 750th and 751st Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 457th Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrive at Glatton, England from the US with B-17's; first mission is 21 Feb.
SATURDAY, 29 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 198: Led by PFF aircraft, 675 B-17's and 188 B-24's are dispatched to hit the industrial area at Frankfurt, Germany; 590 B-17's and 170 B-24's hit the primary target; 46 B-17's bomb Ludwigshafen due to a deviation from planned bomb route; they claim 75-27-48 Luftwaffe aircraft; 24 B-17's and 5 B-24's are lost, 2 B-17's and 3 B-24's are damaged beyond repair and 116 B-17's and 19 B-24's are damaged; casualties are 22 KIA, 32 WIA and 299 MIA. Escort is 89 P-38's, 503 P-47's and 40 Ninth Air Force P-51's; they claim 47-6-14 Luftwaffe aircraft; 5 P-38's and 10 P-47's are lost, 1 P-38 is damaged beyond repair and 3 P-38's and 1 P-47 are damaged; casualties are 14 MIA. This is first Eighth Air Force mission in which more than 700 aircraft attack targets.
Mission 199: During the evening, 5 of 5 B-17's drop 1.2 million leaflets on Lille, Tours, Lorient, Nantes and Valenciennes, France without loss. HQ 458th Bombardment Group (Heavy) arrives at Horshal St Faith, England from the US.
SUNDAY, 30 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 200: 623 B-17's and 154 B-24's are dispatched to hit aviation industry plants in Brunswick, Germany but cloud cover prevents visual bombing; 597 B-17's hit the secondary target, the city of Brunswick and 2 others hit targets of opportunity; the B-24's find dense smoke and contrails over the secondary and 104 bomb Hannover and 39 hit other targets of opportunity; the bombers claim 51-7-27 Luftwaffe aircraft; 18 B-17's and 2 B-24's are lost, 3 B-17's are damaged beyond repair and 104 B-17's and 11 B-24's are damaged; casualties are 4 KIA, 14 WIA and 206 MIA. Escort includes 635 P-38's, P-47's and Ninth Air Force P-51's; they claim 45-15-31 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 P-38's and 2 P-47's are lost, 2 P-38's, 3 P-47's and 2 P-51's are damaged; casualties are 1 WIA and 4 MIA.
Mission 201: During the evening, 5 of 5 B-17's drop 1.2 million leaflets on Chateauroux, Brest, Chartres, Le Mans and Caen, France without loss. Mission 202: In a night Oboe Mk II test, 1 B-17 drops 2 bombs on Duren, Germany.
MONDAY, 31 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 203: 74 of 74 B-24's hit V-weapon site construction at St. Pol/Siracourt, France; 2 aircraft are damaged beyond repair; no losses. The B-24's are escorted by 114 P-47's. Mission 204: 70 of 75 P-47 fighter-bombers, escorted by 47 P-38's and 87 P-47's bomb Gilze-Rijen Airfield, The Netherlands; they claim 13-1-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 6 P-38's are lost, 1 P-38 is damaged beyond repair and 2 P-47's damaged; casualties are 1 WIA and 6 MIA.
Transfers in England: HQ 357th Fighter Group and 362d Fighter Squadron from Raydon to Leiston with P-51's (first mission is 11 Feb); HQ 358th Fighter Group and 367th Fighter Squadron from Leiston to Raydon with P-47's and is reassigned to the Ninth Air Force on 1 Feb.
MONDAY, 1 FEBRUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Transfers in England: 363d Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group from Raydon to Leiston with P-51s (first mission is 11 Feb); 752d, 753, 754th and 755th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy, 458th Bombardment Group (Heavy) from US to Horsham St Faith with B-24s (first mission is 24 Feb).
Transfers in England during Feb 44: HQ 95th Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) from Attlebridge to Ketteringham; HQ 491st Bombardment Group (Heavy) to North Pickenham.
WEDNESDAY, 2 FEBRUARY 1944
Marshall Josef V Stalin agrees to provide 6 bases for US aircraft in the USSR.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 205: 95 of 110 B-24s hit V-weapon construction sites at St Pol/Siracourt and Watten, France; 2 B-24s are lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 2 damaged; casualties are 10 KIA and 19 MIA. 183 P-47s escort the B-24s without loss.
364th Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group, transfers from Raydon to Leiston, England with P-51s; first mission is 11 Feb.
THURSDAY, 3 FEBRUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 206: 553 of 671 B-17s hit the port area at Wilhelmshaven, Germany; another 56 hit the Emden area; and 1 hits Oldenburg; 1.8 million leaflets are dropped by B-17s; 193 B-24s are dispatched but they abort the mission over the Zuider Zee due to clouds; 0-1-0 Luftwaffe aircraft are claimed; 4 B-17s are lost, 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair and 47 B-17s are damaged; casualties are 2 KIA, 9 WIA and 42 MIA. Escort is provided by 74 P-38s, 508 P-47s of the Eighth and Ninth Air Force and 50 Ninth Air Force P-51s; they claim 8-0-3 Luftwaffe aircraft; 8 P-47s and 1 P-51 are lost, 3 P-47s are damaged beyond repair and 13 P-47s are damaged; casualties are 9 MIA.
Mission 207: 7 of 7 B-17s drop 420 bundles of leaflets on Paris, Rouen, Amiens, Reims, Orleans and Rennes, France at 2110-2146 hours; no losses.
FRIDAY, 4 FEBRUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 208: 589 B-17s and 159 B-24s are dispatched to attack industry and railroad yards at Frankfurt/Main, Germany; 346 B-17s and 27 B-24s hit the target; due to weather and navigational problems, 122 B-17s hit Giessen, 51 B-17s hit Wiesbaden, 17 B-24s hit the Trier area, 15 B-24s hit the Arloff area, 2 B-24s hit the Russelheim area, 1 B-24 hits Grafenhausen, 1 B-24 hits Darmstadt, 1 B-17 and 1 B-24 hit Koblenz and 26 B-24s and 23 B-17s hit unknown targets; they claim 4-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 18 B-17s and 2 B-24s are lost, 2 B-17s and 1 B-24 are damaged beyond repair and 359 aircraft are damaged; casualties are 7 KIA, 20 WIA and 203 MIA. Escort is provided by 56 P-38s, 537 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s and 44 Ninth Air Force P-51s; they claim 8-0-4 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-38 is lost, 1 P-47 is damaged beyond repair and 5 P-38s and 4 P-47s are damaged; casualties are 1 MIA.
Mission 209: 7 of 7 B-17s drop 319 bundles of leaflets on Lorient, Tours, Nantes, Raismes, Lille and Cambrai, France and Antwerp, Belgium at 2102-2132 hours without loss.
SATURDAY, 5 FEBRUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): In view of the previous decision to concentrate most of the training activities of the Eighth Air Force in the VIII Air Force Composite Command, a decision is made to transfer HQ from Limavady, County Derry, Ireland, to Cheddington, England, to bring it closer to the combat crew training stations over which it is to be given supervision. Most of the transfer is completed between 7 and 15 Feb.
Mission 210: Airfields in France are targetted. 103 B-17s are dispatched to Chateauroux/Martinerie and Avord Airfields with 50 hitting each target; 121 B-17s are dispatched to Chateaudun (61 bomb) and Orleans/Bricy (60 bomb) Airfields; 182 B-17s are dispatched to Romilly-sur-Seine air depot but 133 hit Villacoublay; 103 B-24s are dispatched to Meslay Airfield (90 bomb) and 8 hit Chateaudun; they claim 5-0-5 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 B-24s are lost, 3 B-17s and 1 B-24 are damaged beyond repair and 39 B-17s and 31 B-24s are damaged; casualties are 1 KIA, 15 WIA and 22 MIA. Escort is provided by 92 P-38s, 496 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s and 46 Ninth Air Force P-51s; they claim 6-0-4 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 P-47s are lost, 1 P-38 and 1 P-47 are damaged beyond repair and 1 P-38 and 1 P-47 are damaged; casualties are 2 MIA.
Mission 211: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 300 bundles of leaflets during a CARPETBAGGER mission on Ghent, Monceau-sur-Sambre, Antwerp and Brussels, Belgium at 2026-2037 hours without loss.
SUNDAY, 6 FEBRUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 212: Airfields in France are targetted but weather forces 400+ bombers to abort the mission. 189 B-17s are dispatched against the Romilly-sur-Seine Air Depot and 60 hit St Andre de L'Eure Airfield and 40 hit Evreux/Fauville Airfield; 303 B-17s are dispatched to Nancy/Essay and Dijon/Longvic Airfields but only 60 hit Caen/Carpiquet Airfield; 150 B-24s are dispatched to St Pol/Siracourt V-weapon site but 37 hit Chateaudun Airfield and 9 hit the Eclimeux V-weapon site; they claim 3-3-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 4 B-17s are lost, 1 B-17 and 1 B-24 are damaged beyond repair and 43 B-17s and 7 B-24s are damaged; casualties are 7 KIA, 3 WIA and 43 MIA. Escorting are 85 P-38s, 506 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s and 47 Ninth Air Force P-51s; they claim 11-2-3 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 2-0-7 on the ground; 3 P-38s and 1 P-47 are lost, 1 P-38 and 2 P-47s are damaged beyond repair and 1 P-38 and 1 P-47 are damaged; casualties are 2 WIA and 4 MIA.
Mission 213: 6 of 6 B-17s drop 363 leaflet bundles in a CARPETBAGGER mission over Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, Liege and Monceau-sur-Sambre, Belgium at 2202-2225 hours without loss.
MONDAY, 7 FEBRUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 36th and 406th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 1st Bombardment Division attached to 482d Bombardment Group (Heavy), transfer from Alconbury to Watton (36th continues operating from Alconbury) with B-24s; the squadrons fly CARPETBAGGER missions.
TUESDAY, 8 FEBRUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 214: 53 of 54 B-24s hit the V-weapon site at Siracourt, France while 57 of 73 B-24s hit the V-weapon site at Watten, France; 41 B-24s are damaged and 10 airmen are WIA; escort is 89 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s. 88 of 236 B-17s hit the marshalling yards at Frankfurt, Germany using blind-bombing techniques; 107 other B-17s hit targets of opportunity; they claim 1-3-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 13 B-17s are lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 108 damaged; casualties are 11 KIA, 4 WIA and 130 MIA; escort is provided by 77 P-38s, 435 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s and 41 Ninth Air Force P-51s; they claim 16-1-8 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 P-38s, 3 P-47s and 4 P-51s are lost, 1 P-47 is damaged beyond repair and 4 P-47s are damaged; casualties are 9 MIA. Mission 215: 6 of 6 B-17s drop 360 bundles of leaflets in a CARPETBAGGER operation over Caen, Rouen, Paris, Rennes and Amiens, France at 2106-2136 hours without loss.
THURSDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 216: 141 of 169 B-17s hit the industrial area at Brunswick, Germany and 2 hit targets of opportunity; they claim 42-30-61 Luftwaffe aircraft; 29 B-17s are lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 52 damaged; casualties are 2 KIA, 3 WIA and 295 MIA; escort is provided by 64 P-38s, 357 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s and 45 Ninth Air Force P-51s; they claim 56-1-40 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 0-0-2 on the ground; 5 P-38s and 4 P-47s are lost, 1 P-38 and 1 P-51 are damaged beyond repair and 6 P-47s are damaged; casualties are 1 KIA, 1 WIA and 9 MIA. 27 of 81 B-24s hit the Gilze-Rijen Airfield, The Netherlands; dense contrails and frost prevent most aircraft from attacking; 4 B-24s are damaged beyond repair; casualties are 26 KIA and 14 WIA; escort is provided by 91 P-47s without loss.
Mission 217: In a CARPETBAGGER mission, 5 of 5 B-17s drop 260 bundles of leaflets on Rennes, Caen, Rouen and Amiens, France and Antwerp, Belgium at 2111-2145 hours without loss.
HQ 364th Fighter Group and 383d, 384th and 385th Fighter Squadrons arrive at Honington, England from the US with P-38J's; first mission is 2 Mar.
FRIDAY, 11 FEBRUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 218: 94 of 201 B-24s bomb the Siracourt V-weapon site in France with PFF equipment; the remaining aircraft were assigned individual targets without PFF and were unable to locate their targets; 1 B-24 is lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 17 damaged; casualties are 1 KIA, 1 WIA and 10 MIA; escort is provided by 85 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47's and 41 P-51s without loss. The primary target for 223 B-17s is the marshalling yard at Frankfurt, Germany; 157 hit the primary, 32 hit Ludwigshafen, 19 hit Saarbrucken and 4 hit other targets of opportunity; they claim 3-0-2 Luftwaffe aircraft; 5 B-17s are lost, 3 damaged beyond repair and 124 damaged; casualties are 1 KIA, 26 WIA and 51 MIA; escort is provided by 82 P-38s, 486 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47's and 38 Ninth Air Force P-51s; they claim 30-2-28 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 2-1-4 on the ground; 8 P-38s, 4 P-47's and 2 P-51s are lost, 2 P-47's and 1 P-51 are damaged beyond repair and 2 P-38s and 4 P-47's are damaged; casualties are 14 MIA.
Mission 219: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 250 bundles of leaflets on Ghent, Brussels and Antwerp, Belgium at 2118-2146 hours without loss.
SATURDAY, 12 FEBRUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 220: 97 of 99 B-24s hit the V-weapon site at St Pol/Siracourt, France; 29 B-24s are damaged; no losses or casualties; escort is provided by 84 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47's and 41 P-51s; no claims, losses or casualties.
SUNDAY, 13 FEBRUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 221: V-weapon sites in the Pas de Calais area of France are hit; 266 of 277 B-17s hit 12 sites and 138 of 192 B-24s hit 5 sites; 12 B-24s hit targets of opportunity; they claim 0-1-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 4 B-17s are lost, 2 B-17s and 2 B-24s are damaged beyond repair, and 74 B-17s and 57 B-24s are damaged; casualties are 7 KIA, 23 WIA and 24 MIA. Escort is provided by 189 P-47s and 43 P-51s; they claim 6-1-4 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 0-0-4 on the ground; 1 P-51 is lost and 4 P-47s damaged; no casualties.
MONDAY, 14 FEBRUARY 1944
General Dwight D Eisenhower establishes HQ Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF). Chief of Staff, Supreme Allied Commander (COSSAC) comes under control of SHAEF.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 222: 48 P-47s are dispatched to Eindhoven Airfield in the Netherlands; the primary target is overcast and 46 of 48 hit Gilze-Rijen Airfield without loss. 22d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) based at Mount Farm, England, sends a detachment to operate from Attlebridge, England with F-5s.
TUESDAY, 15 FEBRUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 223: 52 of 54 B-24s hit V-weapon sites at St Pol/Siracourt, France; 29 B-24s are damaged; no losses or casualties.
Mission 224: 95 P-47s are dispatched to bomb 2 airfields in France but are recalled; 1 P-47 is damaged; no casualties Mission 225: 6 of 6 B-17s drop 300 bundles of leaflets on Orleans, Chartres, Cambrai, Le Mans, Lille and Reims, France at 2124-2155 hours without loss.
FRIDAY, 18 FEBRUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ Eighth Air Force issues orders to establish a photographic reconnaissance wing [8th Reconnaissance Wing (Provisional)] in Cheddington. The purpose is to make the Eighth independent in aerial reconnaissance and to consolidate the efforts of units presently engaged in this and related activities. Colonel Elliott Roosevelt, the President's son and currently Director of Reconnaissance for the Ninth Air Force, is named Commanding Officer.
SUNDAY, 20 FEBRUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 226: The Eighth Air Force begins "Big Week," attacks on German aircraft plants and airfields. For the first time, over 1,000 bombers are dispatched; 21 bombers and 4 fighters are lost hitting 3 areas in Germany, i.e.:
Missions 1 and 3 above are escorted by 94 P-38s, 668 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s and 73 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s; they claim 61-7-37 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-38, 2 P-47s and 1 P-51 is lost, 2 P-47s are damaged beyond repair and 4 aircraft are damaged; casualties are 4 MIA. Mission 227: 4 of 5 B-17s drop 200 bundles of leaflets on Tours, Nantes, Brest and Lorient, France at 2123-2200 hours without loss.
MONDAY, 21 FEBRUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 228: "Big Week" continues with 3 areas in Germany targetted with the loss of 16 bombers and 5 fighters:
Escort for Mission 228 is provided by 69 P-38s, 542 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s and 68 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s; the P-38s claim 0-1-0 Luftwaffe aircraft, 1 P-38 is damaged beyond repair; the P-47s claim 19-3-14 Luftwaffe aircraft, 2 P-47s are lost, 2 are damaged beyond repair, 3 are damaged and 2 pilots are MIA; the P-51s claim 14-1-4 Luftwaffe aircraft, 3 P-51s are lost and the pilots are MIA.
Mission 229: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 250 bundles of leaflets on Rouen, Caen, Paris and Amiens, France at 2215-2327 hours without loss.
TUESDAY, 22 FEBRUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force) HQ VIII Bomber Command is designated as HQ, Eighth Air Force. “Big Week” continues with 799 aircraft dispatched against German aviation and Luftwaffe airfields; 41 bombers and 11 fighters are lost.
Mission 230: "Big Week" continues with 799 aircraft dispatched against German aviation and Luftwaffe airfields; 41 bombers and 11 fighters are lost.
These missions are escorted by 67 P-38s, 535 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s, and 57 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s; the P-38s claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft, 1 P-38 is damaged beyond repair and 6 are damaged; the P-47s claim 39-6-15 Luftwaffe aircraft, 8 P-47s are lost and 12 damaged, 8 pilots are MIA; the P-51s claim 19-1-10 Luftwaffe aircraft, 3 P-51s are lost and 3 damaged, 3 pilot are MIA.
WEDNESDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eight Air Force): Heavy bomber operations are curtailed for one day to give bomber crews a break from “maximum effort” operations. Two small missions are flown:
Mission 231: 40 P-38 fighters from the 20th Fighter Group are dispatched to make a high altitude reconnaissance sweep of coastal areas of Holland, Belgium and France without loss.
Mission 232: 5 of 5 B-17s are dispatched to drop 250 bundles of leaflets on Rennes, Le Mans, Chartres, Lille and Orleans, France at 2136-2232 hours without loss.
THURSDAY, 24 FEBRUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Two missions are flown today. The first mission, 233, is dispatched to attack the German aviation industry at Gotha, Rostock, Poznan (Posen, Poland) and Schweinfurt. This mission is the second largest operation mounted during “Big Week” with 809 bombers dispatched with support from 767 fighters of Eighth and Ninth Air Force. The second mission, 234, is a night mission to drop leaflets on towns in France.
Mission 233: This mission is composed of three elements:
1. 239 B-24s are dispatched to the primary target at Gotha, Germany (169 bomb Gotha); the lead bombardier from 2AD suffered from anoxia due to a faulty oxygen mask and mistook Eisenach as the primary target, 43 other B-24s released on his mistake (44 bomb Eisenach); they claim 50-10-20 Luftwaffe aircraft; 34 B-24s are lost and 29 are damaged; casualties are: 3 KIA, 6 WIA and 324 MIA.2. 266 B-17s are dispatched to the primary target at Schweinfurt (238 bomb); they claim 10-1-7 Luftwaffe aircraft; 11 B-17s are lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair while crashing on take-off for the mission, and 161 are damaged; casualties are: 2 KIA, 5 WIA and 110 MIA.
These two elements are supported by: 70 P-38s from Eighth Air Force’s 20th Fighter Group and 55th Fighter Group; 609 P-47s from Eighth and Ninth Air Force; and 88 P- 51s from Eighth and Ninth Air Force; the P-38s claim 2-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; the P- 47s claim 30-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; the P-51s claim 6-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; casualties are: 4 P-38s are lost and the 4 pilots are MIA; 4 P-47s are lost and the 4 pilots are MIA, 11 P-47 are damaged with 1 pilot WIA; 2 P-51s are lost and the 2 pilots are MIA.
3. 304 B-17s are dispatched to the primary target of Poznan, Poland, but 9 abort. Cloud cover hampers bombing and only 32 manage to bomb Poznan using PFF. The remaining 263 divert to the secondary target of Rostock and other targets of opportunity. All 263 are effective. While Tutow and Kreising are also primary targets, neither target is bombed; the bomber gunners claim 23-11-45 Luftwaffe aircraft; 5 B-17s are lost, 1 B-17 makes a forced landing in Sweden (10 crew interned) and 60 are damaged; casualties are: 8 WIA, 40 MIA.
Mission 234: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 230 bundles of leaflets on the French towns of Lorient, Tours, Nantes, Rheims and Brest during the night; there are no losses, claims or casualties.
FRIDAY, 25 FEBRUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 235: In the final "Big Week" mission, 4 targets in Germany are hit; 31 bombers and 3 fighters are lost.
Escort is provided by 73 P-38s, 687 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s and 139 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s; the P-38s claim 1-2-0 Luftwaffe aircraft, 1 P-38 is damaged beyond repair; the P-47s claim 13-2-10 Luftwaffe aircraft, 1 P-47 is lost and 6 damaged, 1 pilot is MIA; the P-51s claim 12-0-3 Luftwaffe aircraft, 2 P-51s are lost and 1 damaged beyond repair, 2 pilots are MIA.
Mission 236: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 250 bundles of leaflets on Grenoble, Toulouse, Chartres, Caen and Raismes, France at 2129-2335 hours without loss.
MONDAY, 28 FEBRUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Missions 237, 238 and 239 are flown today against targets in France; 7 B-17s are lost. Heavy clouds cause over half the bombers dispatched to return without bombing.
Mission 237: 49 of 81 B-24s hit the Ecalles sur Buchy V-weapon sites; 1 B-24 is damaged. Escort is provided by 61 P-47s.
Mission 238: 258 B-17s are dispatched against V-weapon sites in the Pas de Calais; 109 hit the primary target, 10 hit a road junction E of Yerville, 7 hit a rail siding SW of Abbeville and 6 hit targets of opportunity; 7 B-17s are lost and 75 damaged; casualties are 5 WIA and 63 MIA. Escort is provided by 81 P-38s, 94 P-47s and 22 P-51s; 1 P-38 is damaged beyond repair; the P-51s claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground.
Mission 239: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 250 bundles of leaflets on Amiens, Rennes, Paris, Rouen and Le Mans, France at 2023-2055 hours without loss.
TUESDAY, 29 FEBRUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Missions 240, 241 and 242 are flown; 1 bomber and 5 fighters are lost.
Mission 240: 218 of 226 B-17s hit aviation industry targets at Brunswick, Germany and targets of opportunity; 1 B-17 is lost and 54 damaged; casualties are 4 WIA and 10 MIA. Escorting are 61 P-38s, 346 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s and 147 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s; 2 P-38s are lost and 1 damaged, 2 pilots are MIA; the P-47s claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft, 1 P-47 is lost and 1 damaged, 1 pilot is MIA; 1 P-51 is lost, the pilot is MIA.
Mission 241: 38 of 48 B-24s hit the V-weapon site at Lottinghen, France without loss. Escorting are 79 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s; 1 is lost and the pilot is MIA.
Mission 242: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 250 bundles of leaflets on Orleans, Lille, Reims, Cambrai and Chateauroux, France at 2025-2121 hours without loss.
WEDNESDAY, 1 MARCH 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ and HQ Squadron, VIII Air Force Services Command is redesignated as HQ and HQ Squadron, Air Service Command, US Strategic Air Forces in Europe (USSTAF), after functioning as such during Jan and Feb 44 while redesignation was being authorized. 8th Strategic Air Depot Area is redesignated VIII Air Force Services Command.
Mission 243: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 250 bundles of leaflets on Brest, Tours, Lorient, Nantes and Reims at 2005-2115 hours without loss.
During Mar, HQ 491st Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 852d, 853d, 854th and 855th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) move from North Pickenham to Metfield, England with B-24s; first mission is 2 Jun.
THURSDAY, 2 MARCH 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 244:
Mission 245: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 250 bundles of leaflets on Caen, Amiens, Rouen, Chartres and Rennes, France at 2015-2054 hours without loss. HQ 92d Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) moves from Camp Blainey to Sudbury, England.
FRIDAY, 3 MARCH 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 246: 555 B-17s and 193 B-24s are dispatched to industrial areas and aviation industry plants at Berlin, Erkner and Oranienburg but deteriorating weather and dense contrails force the formations to abort or seek targets of opportunity, i.e.:
SATURDAY, 4 MARCH 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 247: 502 B-17s are dispatched to hit industrial areas in the suburbs of Berlin; bad weather forces aircraft to either turn back or hit targets of opportunity and only 1 wing attacks the primary target and a total of 249 bomb. 15 B-17s are lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 120 damaged; casualties are 3 KIA, 11 WIA and 141 MIA. Targets: 100 hit Bonn, 35 hit Cologne, 33 hit Dusseldorf, 30 hit Berlin/Klein Machnow, 7 hit Frankfurt and 33 hit other targets of opportunity. B-24s were also dispatched but abort because of the weather. Escort is provided by 86 P-38s, 563 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s and 121 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s; 24 fighters were lost. Details are:
SUNDAY, 5 MARCH 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 248: 219 B-24s are dispatched to hit airfields at Mont De Marsan, Cayeux and Bordeaux/Merignac, France but bad cloud conditions force a target change and multiple aborts; 62 hit Bergerac Airfield, 60 hit Cognac/Chateaubernard Airfield, 41 hit Landes de Bussac Airfield and 1 hits La Roche Airfield; they claim 14-2-5 Luftwaffe aircraft; 4 B-24s are lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 23 damaged; casualties are 1 WIA and 35 MIA. Escort is provided by 34 P-38s, 185 P-47s and 88 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s; 2 P-38s are lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 1 pilot is killed and another MIA; 1 P-47 is damaged and 1 pilot is KIA; the P-51s claim 14-0-6 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 0-0-6 on the ground; 3 P-51s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 1 damaged; 1 pilot is WIA and 4 MIA.
Mission 249: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 250 bundles of leaflets on Le Mans, Paris, Orleans and Reims, France at 2132-2152 hours without loss. A CARPETBAGGER mission is also flown.
MONDAY, 6 MARCH 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 250: 504 B-17s and 226 B-24s are dispatched to hit industrial areas in the suburbs of Berlin; fierce fighter opposition claims 69 bombers (the highest number lost by the Eighth Air Force in a single day) and 11 fighters; the bombers claim 97-28-60 Luftwaffe fighters; details are:
Escort is provided by 86 P-38s, 615 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s and 100 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s; results are:
The fighters also claim 1-0-12 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground. Mission 251: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 250 bundles of leaflets on Nantes, Cambrai, Lille, Chateauroux and Lorient, France at 2029-2130 hours without loss. CARPETBAGGER missions are also flown.
A detachment of 22d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), ceases operating from Attlebridge and returns to base at Mount Farm, England with F-5s.
TUESDAY, 7 MARCH 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ 466th Bombardment Group (Heavy) arrives at Attlebridge, England from the US.
WEDNESDAY, 8 MARCH 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 252: The primary target is the ball bearing plant at Erkner, a suburb of Berlin; enemy opposition is fierce and 37 bombers and 16 fighters are lost; 320 of 414 B-17s and 150 of 209 B-24s dispatched hit the primary; 36 B-17s hit Wildau and targets of opportunity; 33 B-24s hit Berlin and targets of opportunity; the bombers claim 63-17-19 Luftwaffe aircraft; 28 B-17s and 9 B-24s are lost, 1 B-17 and 2 B-24s are damaged beyond repair; casualties are 4 KIA, 14 WIA and 364 MIA. Escort is provided by 104 P-38s, 613 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s and 174 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s; claims/losses are:
An additional 8-4-7 Luftwaffe aircraft are claimed on the ground. 786th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 466th Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrives at Attlebridge, England from the US with B-24s; first mission is 22 Mar.
THURSDAY, 9 MARCH 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 253: 8 bombers and 1 fighter are lost on missions to Germany; the bombers claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 221 bombers are damaged; details are:
Escort is provided by 83 P-38s, 572 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s and 153 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s; no claims are made; 1 P-38 is lost, 2 P-38s and 1 P-51 are damaged beyond repair; casualties are 1 KIA, 1 WIA and 1 MIA.
784th, 785th and 787th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 466th Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrive at Attlebridge, England from the US with B-24s; first mission is 22 Mar.
FRIDAY, 10 MARCH 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 254: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 250 bundles of leaflets on Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent and Monceau-sur-Sambre, Belgium at 2127-2137 hours without loss.
SATURDAY, 11 MARCH 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 255: France and Germany are hit in two raids; 1 B-17 and 4 fighters are lost; both forces use blind-bombing techniques due to thick overcast:
2. 34 of 51 B-24s hit V-weapon sites at Wizernes, France; 1 B-24 is damaged. Escort is provided by 40 P-38s and 213 P-47s; 2 P-47s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 2 damaged; casualties are 1 WIA and 2 MIA.
HQ 467th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 789th, 790th and 791st Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) arrive at Rackheath, England from the US with B-24s; first mission is 10 Apr.
SUNDAY, 12 MARCH 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 256: 46 of 52 B-24s dispatched hit a V-weapon site at St Pol/Siracourt, France and 6 hit targets of opportunity, all using blind-bombing techniques; 1 B-24 is lost and 26 damaged; casualties are 1 WIA.
788th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 467th Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrives at Rackheath, England from the US with B-24s; first mission is 10 Apr.
MONDAY, 13 MARCH 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 257: 127 B-17s and 144 B-24s are dispatched to bomb V-weapon sites in the Pas de Calais, France area but the strike is cancelled due to bad weather; 7 B-17s bomb Poix Airfield as a target of opportunity; 2 B-17s are lost, 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair and 61 B-17s and 13 B-24s are damaged; casualties are 6 KIA, 1 WIA and 20 MIA. Escort is provided by 213 P-47s; 1 P-47 is damaged.
Mission 258: 7 of 7 B-17s drop 350 bundles of leaflets on Reims, Orleans, Paris, Amiens, Rouen and Chartres, France at 2104-2137 hours without loss.
WEDNESDAY, 15 MARCH 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 259: 185 of 187 B-17s and 145 of 157 B-24s hit the industrial area at Brunswick, Germany and targets of opportunity; they claim 0-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 B-17 and 2 B-24s are a lost and 31 B-17s and 15 B-24s are damaged; casualties are 1 KIA, 4 WIA and 30 MIA. Escort is provided by 121 P-38s and 467 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s; 4 P-38s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 4 pilots MIA; P-47s claim 39-3-13 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 1-0-0 on the ground, 1 P-47 is lost and 5 damaged, casualties are 1 MIA.
Mission 260: 8 P-47s are dispatched, 2 with 2x1,000 pound (454 kg) bombs, against an enemy barge in the Zuider Zee, The Netherlands to test the feasibility of this type of operation; near misses are scored.
Mission 261: 7 of 7 B-17s drop 350 bundles of leaflets on Rennes, Lille, Reims, Le Mans, Paris and Chartres, France at 2115-2152 hours without loss.
THURSDAY, 16 MARCH 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 262: 2 primary targets and targets of opportunity in Germany are attacked; fighter opposition is heavy against the first force of bombers over France and Germany; the bombers claim 68-32-43 Luftwaffe aircraft; 23 bombers and 10 fighters are lost and 179 damaged:
Escort is provided by 125 P-38s, 608 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s and 135 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s; claims and losses are:
FRIDAY, 17 MARCH 1944
- ST PATRICK'S DAYSTRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 263: 135 P-47s are dispatched on low level strafing attacks against airfields in France; 25 attack Soesterburg Airfield, The Netherlands and 25 attack Chartres, France; they claim 3-2-8 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground, 2 P-47s are lost, the pilots are MIA.
SATURDAY, 18 MARCH 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 264: Aircraft plants and airfields in Germany are targetted; enemy fighters attack in force and AA fire is heavy; the bombers claim 45-10-17 Luftwaffe aircraft; 43 bombers and 13 fighters are lost;
Escort is provided by 113 P-38s, 598 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s and 214 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s. Details are:
The fighters also claim 3-2-2 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground. Mission 265: 6 of 6 B-17s drop 300 bundles of leaflets on Cambrai, Lille, Paris, Amiens, Rouen and Caen, France at 2115-2139 hours without loss.
SUNDAY, 19 MARCH 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 266: V-weapon sites in France are hit.
Escort is provided by 82 P-47s; 1 is damaged and the pilot is WIA. Mission 267: 6 of 6 B-17s drop 300 bundles of leaflets on The Hague, Rotterdam, Leeuwarden, Utrecht and Amsterdam, The Netherlands at 2114-2140 hours without loss.
Mission 268: 35 P-47s [25 with 500-pound (227 kg) bombs] are dispatched to Gilze-Rijen Airfield, The Netherlands; 20 of the 25 bomb without loss; 39 P-51s fly a supporting sweep.
MONDAY, 20 MARCH 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 269: 353 B-17s and 92 B-24s are dispatched to targets in Germany but high clouds and the malfunction of blind-bombing equipment cause nearly 300 bombers to abort the mission; 7 bombers and 8 fighters are lost; the bombers claim 2-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; the bombers also drop 900,000 leaflets; details are:
Escort is provided by 44 P-38s, 345 P-47s and 205 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s; claims and losses are:
TUESDAY, 21 MARCH 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 270: 56 of 65 B-24s hit V-weapon sites at Watten, France; 7 B-24s are damaged; escort is provided by 48 P-47s without loss.
Mission 271: 41 P-51s carry out a sweep of the Bordeaux, France area; they claim 12-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 9-0-4 on the ground; 7 P-51s are lost and 2 damaged; casualties are 1 WIA and 7 MIA.
Mission 272: 6 of 6 B-17s drop 300 bundles of leaflets on The Hague, Amsterdam, Leeuwarden, Rotterdam and Utrecht, The Netherlands at 2102-2133 hours without loss.
WEDNESDAY, 22 MARCH 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 273: 474 B-17s and 214 B-24s are dispatched to bomb aviation industry plants at Oranienburg and Basdorf, Germany but 8/10 to 10/10 cloud cover prevents an attack; the bombers hit the secondary target, Berlin, and targets of opportunity; the bombers also drop 6.368 million leaflets; 1 bomber is damaged beyond repair and 347 bombers are damaged; casualties are 20 WIA and 135 MIA. Details are:
Mission 274: 6 of 6 B-17s drop 263 bundles of leaflets on Paris, France; and The Hague, Amsterdam and Leeuwarden, The Netherlands at 2135-2207 hours without loss.
THURSDAY, 23 MARCH 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 275: 524 B-17s and 244 B-24s are dispatched to attack airfields in W Germany and aircraft factories in the Brunswick area; due to unfavorable weather conditions, only 68 B-24s hit a primary target and 639 bombers hit secondary targets and targets of opportunity; the bombers claim 33-8-11 Luftwaffe aircraft; 22 B-17s, 6 B-24s and 4 P-51s are lost; details are:
Escort is provided by 119 P-38s, 539 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s and 183 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s; details are:
The fighters also claim 2-0-10 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground. Mission 276: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 262 bundles of leaflets on Grenoble, Vichy, Lyon, Toulouse and Limoges, France at 2227-2304 hours without loss.
FRIDAY, 24 MARCH 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 277: The B-17 primary target is Schweinfurt, Germany; the B-24 primary target are airfields at Metz and Nancy, France; the bombers make no claims of Luftwaffe aircraft:
Escort is provided by 84 P-38s, 301 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s and 155 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s; details are:
Mission 278: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 250 bundles of leaflets on Tours and Lorient, France; and Charleroi, Brussels and Antwerp, Belgium at 2133-2210 hours without loss.
SATURDAY, 25 MARCH 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 406th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), VIII Air Force Composite Command (attached to 328th Service Group), moves from Watton to Harrington, England with B-24s; the squadron began flying CARPETBAGGER missions in Jan 44.
SUNDAY, 26 MARCH 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 280: V-weapon sites in France are hit.
Escort is provided by 266 P-47s; they claim 1-1-4 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground; 1 P-47 is lost (pilot is MIA) and 5 damaged.
Mission 281: 6 of 6 B-17s drop 300 bundles of leaflets on Caen, Rennes, Amiens, Paris and Rouen, France at 2114-2206 hours without loss.
MONDAY, 27 MARCH 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 282: Airfields in France are attacked by 701 bombers.
TUESDAY, 28 MARCH 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 283: 2 formations of B-17s are dispatched to hit airfields in France while B-24s are dispatched to The Netherlands.
Escort for the B-17s is provided by 46 P-38s, 284 P-47s and 123 P-51s; details are:
36th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), VIII Air Force Composite Command [attached to 801st Bombardment Group (Provisional)] moves from Watton to Harrington, England with B-24s; the squadron flies CARPETBAGGER missions.
WEDNESDAY, 29 MARCH 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 284:
THURSDAY, 30 MARCH 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 285: In The Netherlands, 24 P-47 fighter-bombers escorted by 50 other P-47s dive-bomb Eindhoven and Sosterburg, Airfields without loss; 22 other P-47s strafe Venlo, Deelen and Twente/Enschede Airfields; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 1-0-2 on the ground; 1 P-47 is lost and 3 damaged; 1 pilot is MIA.
Mission 286: 6 of 6 B-17s drop 300 bundles of leaflets on Rouen, Rennes, Reims, Paris and Amiens, France at 2125-2155 hours without loss. HQ 93d Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) moves from Elveden Hall to Mendlesham, England; groups will be assigned in May 44.
FRIDAY, 31 MARCH 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ 486th Bombardment Group (Heavy) arrives at Sudbury, England from the US.
SATURDAY, 1 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 287: 440 bombers and 475 fighters are dispatched to bomb the chemical industry at Ludwigshafen, Germany (the largest in Europe).
Escort is provided by 280 P-47s and 195 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s: P-47s claim 13-1-19 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground 2 P-47s are lost and 12 damaged, 2 pilots are MIA; P-51s claim 5-2-4 aircraft, 2 P-51s are lost and 2 damaged, 2 pilots are MIA.
TUESDAY, 4 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Units arriving in England from the US: HQ 339th Fighter Group at Fowlmere; and 836th, 837th, 838th and 839th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 487th Bombardment Group, at Lavenham with B-24s (first mission is 7 May).
WEDNESDAY, 5 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 288: 21 of 50 B-24s dispatched hit V-weapon sites at St Pol/Siracourt, France without loss; heavy clouds and the failure of blind-bombing equipment cause other B-24s to return to base without bombing. 50 P-47s escort the B-24s without loss.
Mission 289: 96 P-38s, 236 P-47s and 124 P-51s are dispatched to attack airfields in Germany; heavy cloud hinders most groups: 1 P-38s is lost and 4 damaged, 1 pilot is MIA; P-47s claim 2-0-2 Luftwaffe aircraft, 1 P-47 is lost and 4 damaged, 1 pilot is MIA; P-51s claim 96-4-120 aircraft, 7 P-51s are lost and 3 damaged, casualties are 1 KIA and 6 MIA.
During the night of 5/6 Apr, 801st Bombardment Group (Provisional) dispatches 17 B-24s on CARPETBAGGER (air operations to drop supplies to guerillas in Europe) missions; 1 B-24 is lost.
Units arriving in England from the US: HQ 487th Bombardment Group (Heavy) at Lavenham; 503d, 504th and 505th Fighter-Bomber Squadrons, 339th Fighter-Bomber Group at Fowlmere with P-51s (first mission is 30 Apr); and 832d, 833d, 834th and 835th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 486th Bombardment Group (Heavy), with B-24s (first mission is 7 May).
THURSDAY, 6 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 290: 12 of 12 B-24s hit V-weapon sites at Watten, France without loss. Escort is provided by 27 P-47s without loss.
SATURDAY, 8 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 291: 3 separate forces, a total of 664 bombers divided into 13 combat wings, escorted by 780 fighters, are dispatched against airfields in NW Germany and aircraft factories in the Brunswick area; 34 bombers and 23 fighters are lost.
Escort is provided by 136 P-38s, 438 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s and 206 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s; the fighters claim 88-3-46 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 49-6-38 on the ground: 5 P-38s are lost and 3 damaged, 5 pilots are MIA; 4 P-47s are lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 12 damaged, 4 pilots are MIA; 14 P-51s are lost and 3 damaged, 14 pilots are MIA. Mission 292: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 1 million leaflets on Liege, Brussels, Ghent, Antwerp, and Mont-sur-Sombre, Belgium at 2215-2227 hours without loss.
SUNDAY, 9 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 293: 542 bombers and 719 fighters are dispatched to aircraft factories and airfields in Germany and Poland; the bombers claim 45-8-14 Luftwaffe aircraft; 32 bombers and 10 fighters are lost; 10 bombers are damaged beyond repair. Details are:
MONDAY, 10 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 295: 729 bombers and 496 fighters are dispatched to hit aviation industry targets and airfields in Belgium and France; 3 bombers and 2 fighters are lost.
Escort is provided by 51 P-38s, 295 P-47s and 150 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s: P-38s haveno claims or losses; P-47s claim 12-0-7 Luftwaffe aircraft, 1 P-47 is lost and 4 damaged, 1 pilot is MIA; P-51s claim 40-0-16 aircraft, 1 P-51 is lost and 1 damaged, 1 pilot is MIA. Mission 296: Three forces are dispatched on fighter-bomber missions; all include P-38 Droopsnoot aircraft:
TUESDAY, 11 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 298: 917 bombers and 819 fighters are dispatched in 3 separate forces to bomb production centers (primarily fighter aircraft factories) and targets of opportunity in N Germany; 64 bombers are lost, one of the heaviest single-day losses of World War II. The bombers also drop 2.4 million leaflets. Details are:
Mission 299: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 2 million leaflets on Paris, Rouen, Le Mans, Rennes, Vichy, Lyon, Limoges and Toulouse between 2301 and 0055 hours local without loss.
12 B-24s are dispatched on CARPETBAGGER operations.
WEDNESDAY, 12 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 300: 455 bombers and 766 fighters dispatched to bomb industrial targets at Schweinfurt, Zwickau, Oscheresleben, Schkeuditz, Halle and Leipzig are forced to abandon the mission because of haze and multilayer clouds; Luftwaffe fighter opposition is concentrated over N France and the bombers claim 10-6-7 fighters; 6 B-17s are lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 1 damaged; 25 B-24s are damaged; casualties are 12 KIA, 16 WIA and 56 MIA. Escort is provided by 124 P-38s, 449 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s and 193 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s; they claim 18-1-3 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 1-0-8 on the ground; 3 P-38s and 2 P-51s are lost, 2 P-47s are damaged beyond repair and 3 P-38s, 17 P-47s and 1 P-51 are damaged; 5 pilots are MIA. HQ 353d Fighter Group moves from Metfield to Raydon, England.
THURSDAY, 13 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 301: 626 bombers and 871 fighters are dispatched to hit targets in Germany; the bombers claim 22-13-34 Luftwaffe aircraft and the fighters claim 42-8-10 in the air and 35-0-21 on the ground; 38 bombers and 9 fighters are lost; the bombers also drop 5.2 million leaflets on Germany; this mission is flown in conjunction with a raid on Hungary by 500+ Fifteenth Air Force bombers and a Ninth Air Force B-26 raid in S The Netherlands; details are:
Escort is provided by 134 P-38s, 504 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s and 233 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s; 3 P-38s are lost and 1 damaged beyond repair; 2 P-47s are lost; and 4 P-51s are lost and 1 damaged beyond repair; a total of 11 fighters are damaged; casualties are 2 WIA and 8 MIA. Mission 302: 4 of 5 B-17s dispatched drop 800,000 leaflets on Amsterdam, The Hague and Eindhoven, The Netherlands at 2235-2252 hours without loss.
SUPREME HEADQUARTERS ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCE (SHAEF): General of the Army Dwight D Eisenhower formally assumes direction of air operations out of the UK at 0000 hours (though he began informal exercise of this authority in late Mar 44). This assumption of authority gives Eisenhower direction over the Allied Expeditionary Air Force (AEAF), Royal Air Force (RAF) Bomber Command, and US Strategic Air Forces in Europe (USSTAF) (the Fifteenth Air Force retains some degree of independence) along with the US 1st Army Group, British 21 Army Group, and Allied Naval Forces.
FRIDAY, 14 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 350th and 351st Fighter Squadrons, 353d Fighter Group, move from Metfield to Raydon, England with P-47s.
SATURDAY, 15 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 303: 616 fighters are dispatched on strafing sweeps of C and W Germany, airfields being the primary objectives; 33 fighters are lost: 132 P-38s claim 7-0-2 Luftwaffe aircraft, 11 P-38s are lost and 16 damaged, 11 pilots are MIA; 262 P-47s claim 20-1-23 aircraft, 7 P-47s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 13 damaged, 7 pilots are MIA; 222 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s claim 30-0-10 aircraft, 15 P-51s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 5 damaged; 12 pilots are MIA.
SUNDAY, 16 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ 55th Fighter Group and 338th and 343d Fighter Squadrons move from Nuthampstead to Wormingford, England with P-38s.
MONDAY, 17 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 304: 14 of 15 B-24s bomb the V-weapon site at Wizernes, France without loss; escort is provided by 33 P-47s.
Mission 305: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 1.48 million leaflets on Rennes, Brest, Nantes, Lorient and St Nazaire, France at 2248-2258 hours without loss. HQ 493d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 860th, 861st, 862d and 863d Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) move from Elveden Hall to Debach, England with B-24s; first mission is 6 Jun.
TUESDAY, 18 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 306 Part 1: 776 bombers and 634 fighters are dispatched to hit airfields and aviation industry targets in Germany; the AAF claims 33-5-19 Luftwaffe aircraft; 19 bombers and 5 fighters are lost; due to poor weather, several units bomb targets of opportunity in the Berlin area; details are:
Escort is provided by 119 P-38s, 296 P-47s and 219 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s; 1 P-38, 1 P-47 and 3 P-51s are lost; 3 P-38s are damaged beyond repair and 7 P-38s, 3 P-47s and 18 P-51s are damaged; 4 pilots are MIA. Mission 306 Part 2: 12 of 12 B-24s hit V-weapon sites at Watten, France; 1 B-24 is damaged; escort is provided by 36 P-47s without loss.
Mission 307: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 2.56 million leaflets on Stavanger, Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim, Norway at 2336-0041 hours without loss.
HQ 492d Bombardment Group (Heavy) arrives at North Pickenham, England from the US.
WEDNESDAY, 19 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 308 Part 1: 772 bombers and 697 fighters are dispatched in 3 forces to bomb Germany; they claim 17-1-6 Luftwaffe aircraft; 5 bombers and 2 fighters are lost:
Escort is provided by 127 P-38s, 439 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s and 131 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s; they claim 16-1-2 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 P-51s are lost and 4 P-47s and 5 P-51s are damaged; 2 pilots are MIA.
Mission 308 Part 2: 27 of 27 B-24s bomb V-weapon sites at Watten, France; 1 B-24 is lost; escort is provided by 47 Ninth Air Force P-47s without loss. HQ 56th Fighter Group and 61st and 63d Fighter Squadrons move from Halesworth to Boxted, England with P-47s.
THURSDAY, 20 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 309: 842 bombers and 388 fighters are dispatched to hit V-weapon sites in France; 24 of 33 sites briefed are hit; 9 bombers and 2 fighters are lost:
Escort is provided by 89 P-38s, 211 P-47s and 88 P-51s; they claim 4-0-2 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 4-0-0 on the ground; 2 P-51s are lost and 1 damaged; 2 pilots are MIA.
VIII Fighter Command flies 2 missions:
Mission 310: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 1.92 million leaflets on Nantes, Orleans, Paris and Tours, France at 2238-2246 hours without loss. Six B-24s are dispatched on CARPETBAGGER operations.
FRIDAY, 21 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Eighth Air Force offensive against German oil targets is scheduled to start on this date, but the mission is cancelled because of bad weather.
309th and 310th Troop Carrier Squadrons, Eighth Air Force, arrive at Spanhoe, England from the US with C-47s; they will be reassigned to the Ninth Air Force on 26 Apr.
SATURDAY, 22 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 311: 803 bombers and 859 fighters are dispatched to hit a marshalling yard at Hamm, Germany; the bombers claim 20-6-8 Luftwaffe aircraft and the fighters claim 40-2-16; 15 bombers and 13 fighters are lost:
Escort is 132 P-38s, 485 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s and 242 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s; 2 P-38s, 5 P-47s and 6 P-51s are lost, 1 P-38 is damaged beyond repair and 22 aircraft are damaged; casualties are 1 WIA and 12 MIA.
Mission 312: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 1.44 million leaflets on Orleans, Tours, Paris, Nantes, Lille, Reims, Chartres and Rouen, France at 2251-2344 hours without loss.
Units arriving in England from the US: HQ 398th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 600th, 601st, 602d and 603d Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) at Nuthampstead with B-17s (first mission is 6 May); 844th, 845th, 846th and 847th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 489th Bombardment Group (Heavy), at Halesworth with B-24s (first mission is 30 May).
SUNDAY, 23 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 313: 382 fighters attack airfields and other targets in N France, Belgium and NW Germany; results are generally good:
Mission 314: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 1.78 million leaflets on Rennes, Brest, Lorient, St Nazaire and Nantes, France at 2354-0012 hours without loss. 9 B-24s are dispatched on CARPETBAGGER operations.
4th, 7th, 18th and 391st Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 34th Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrive at Mendelsham, England from the US with B-24s (first mission is 23 May).
MONDAY, 24 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 315: 754 bombers and 867 fighters are dispatched to bomb airfields, aircraft production industries and targets of opportunity in Germany; the bomber claim 20-1-36 Luftwaffe aircraft and the fighters claim 124-6-58 fighters; 40 bombers and 17 fighters are lost; details are:
Escort is provided by 131 P-38s, 490 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s and 246 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s: P-38s claim 4-1-0 Luftwaffe aircraft, 1 P-38 is damaged beyond repair and 7 damaged; P-47s claim 2-1-0 aircraft in the air and 36-0-16 on the ground, 5 P-47s are lost and 15 damaged, 5 pilots are MIA; P-51s claim 64-4-2 aircraft in the air and 21-0-20 on the ground, 12 P-51s are lost and 8 damaged; 12 pilots are MIA.
Mission 316: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 1.12 million leaflets on Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht, The Netherlands and Lille and Reims, France at 2322-2344 hours without loss.
8 B-24s are dispatched on CARPETBAGGER operations.
TUESDAY, 25 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 317 Part 1: 554 bombers and 719 fighters are dispatched to hit marshalling yards and airfields in France and Germany; 7 bombers and 2 fighters are lost; the bombers make no Luftwaffe aircraft claims.
Escort is provided by 177 P-38s, 296 P-47s and 246 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s; the fighters claim 5-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 29-7-42 on the ground; details are: P-38s claim 5-0-9 aircraft, 1 P-38 is damaged beyond repair and 2 damaged, no casualties; P-47s claim 5-0-8 aircraft; 3 P-47s are damaged; 1 pilot is KIA; P-51s claim 24-7-26 aircraft, 2 P-51s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 1 damaged, 2 pilots are MIA. Mission 317 Part 2: 27 of 28 B-24s bomb V-weapons sites at Wizerenes, France without loss. Escort is provided by 40 P-47s.
Mission 318: 6 of 6 B-17s drop 4.2 million leaflets on 20 towns in France including Calais, Metz, Blainville, Paris, Mulhouse and Reims without loss. 852d, 853d, 854th and 855th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 491st Bombardment Group (Heavy), move from North Pickenham to Metfield, England with B-24s; first mission is 2 Jun.
WEDNESDAY, 26 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 319 Part 1: 589 bombers and 554 fighters are dispatched to targets in Germany; no claims of enemy aircraft are made; 5 fighters are lost:
Mission 319 Part 2: 62 B-17s are dispatched to Cologne but are recalled at mid-English Channel because of weather; some aircraft carry 2,000 lb (907 kg) glide bombs on external racks. Escort is provided by 43 P-47s and 47 P-51s; the P-47s claim 2-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft Fighter-bomber missions: 33 P-38s (including Droopsnoot aircraft), plus escorts, hit Le Mans Airfield, France without loss; 24 P-51s, plus 4 escorts, bomb Cormeilles-en-Vexin Airfield, France without loss.
Mission 320: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 800,000 leaflets on Ghent, Antwerp, Brussels, Liege and Gosselies, Belgium at 2330-2358 hours without loss. HQ 34th Bombardment Group (Heavy) arrives at Mendlesham, England from the US.
THURSDAY, 27 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 322: 596 bombers and 357 fighters are dispatched to bomb V-weapon sites in the Pas de Calais and Cherbourg areas of France; 4 bombers and 2 fighters are lost; the fighters claim 0-0-2 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground; 307 of 393 B-17s and 169 of 203 B-24s hit the target; 3 B-17s are lost and 227 damaged; 1 B-24 is lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 25 damaged; B-17s casualties are are 7 WIA and 30 MIA; B-24 casualties are 3 KIA, 9 WIA and 10 MIA; escort is provided by 47 P-38s, 262 P-47s and 48 P-51s; 1 P-47 and 1 P-51 are lost; both pilots are MIA.
Mission 323: 486 bombers and 543 fighters are dispatched to bomb airfields, marshalling yards and targets of opportunity in France and Belgium; 4 bombers and 4 fighters are lost.
Escort is provided by 106 P-38s, 283 P-47s and 154 P-51s; the fighters claim 3-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 4-0-5 on the ground; 4 P-47s are lost and 2 P-47s and 1 P-51 are damaged; 3 airmen are MIA.
Mission 324: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 3.36 million leaflets on 23 towns in France including Cambrai, Orleans, Rennes, Nantes, Brest, Tours, Lorient, Caen, Le Mans, Limoges and Chatearuoux without loss. Other missions:
FRIDAY, 28 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): MORNING OPERATIONS: Mission 325: 223 bombers are dispatched:
AFTERNOON OPERATIONS: Mission 325: 47 of 47 B-24s bomb the Marquise/Mimoyecques, France V-weapon sites; 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair and 6 damaged; 9 airmen are WIA. Escort is provided by 50 P-47s without loss. 16 P-47s, with 8 escorts, dive bomb an unidentified airfield near Paris without loss.
NIGHT OPERATIONS: Mission 326: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 1.64 million leaflets on 17 towns in Belgium, France and The Netherlands including Antwerp, Brussels, Paris, Tours, Lorient, Nantes, Orleans, Zwolle, Leeuwarden, Turnhout and Amersfoort without loss.
21 B-24s are dispatched on CARPETBAGGER missions without loss. 848th and 851st Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 490th Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrive at Eye, England from the US with B-24s; first mission is 4 Jun and 31 May respectively.
SATURDAY, 29 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 327: 679 bombers and 814 fighters are dispatched to bomb Berlin, concentrating on railway facilities; they claim 95-33-48 Luftwaffe aircraft; 63 bombers and 13 fighters are lost:
Mission 328: 4 of 4 B-17s drop 1.06 million leaflets on 21 towns in Northern France and The Netherlands without loss. 14 B-24s are dispatched on CARPETBAGGER missions without loss.
SUNDAY, 30 APRIL 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 329: 295 bombers and 644 fighters are dispatched to 3 targets in France; the bombers claim 3-0-6 Luftwaffe aircraft and the fighters claim 18-1-5 in the air and 11-0-17 on the ground; 1 bomber and 5 fighter are lost:
Escort is provided by 128 P-38s, 268 P-47s and 248 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s: 44 P-38s, using the Droopsnoot method, bomb Tours Airfield, 1 P-38 is lost and 1 damaged, 1 pilot is MIA; 14 P-47s dive-bomb Romorantin Airfield plus escort the bombers and claim 9-1-5 Luftwaffe aircraft, 4 P-47s are damaged; P-51s claim 20-0-17 aircraft, 4 P-51s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 6 damaged, 1 airman is WIA and 3 MIA.
Mission 330: 4 of 4 B-17s drop 2.23 million leaflets on 21 towns in Belgium, France and The Netherlands including Zwolle, Hala, Alost, Louvain, Leeuwarden, Reims, Metz, Strasburg, Epinal, Tours, Saarguemines, Mulhouse, Troyes and Orleans without loss.
Mission 331: 128 fighters carry out fighter-bomber attacks in France; 22 P-38s, with 24 escorts, attack Orleans/Bricy Airfield using the Droopsnoot method, 2 are damaged; 21 P-47s, with 10 escorts, bomb the same target shortly later and 5 hit a V-weapon site as a target of opportunity, 3 are damaged; 51 P-51s swept the area before the attacks without loss.
20 B-24s are dispatched on CARPETBAGGER missions without loss.
MONDAY, 1 MAY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 332: Operation CROSSBOW (operations against German missile launching sites) targets are hit in France in the early morning; 531 bombers and 209 fighters are dispatched but weather causes many aborts and only 3 of 23 V-weapons sites targetted are bombed:
Escort is provided by 119 P-47s and 90 P-51s without loss or claims. Mission 333: In the afternoon, 386 bombers and 558 fighters are dispatched to hit marshalling yards in France and Belgium; 3 bombers and 3 fighters are lost:
Escort is provided by 120 P-38s, 272 P-47s and 166 P-51s; The P-47s claim 1-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft and the P-51s claim 5-0-2; 2 P-38s and 1 P-51 are lost; 4 P-47s and 1 P-51 are damaged; 4 pilots are MIA.
Mission 334: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 1.55 million leaflets on 25 towns in France and The Netherlands without loss.
25 B-24s are dispatched on CARPETBAGGER operations without loss. HQ 489th Bombardment Group (Heavy) arrives at Halesworth, England from the US.
TUESDAY, 2 MAY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 335: 50 of 50 B-24s bomb V-weapon sites in the Pas de Calais area of France without loss; escort is provided by 50 P-47s and 52 P-51s.
WEDNESDAY, 3 MAY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 336: 47 of 51 B-24s bomb the V-weapon site at Wizernes, France; 33 are damaged; 3 airmen are WIA. Escort is provided by 48 P-47s and 53 P-51s without loss.
Mission 337: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 960,000 leaflets on 26 towns in France, Belgium and The Netherlands; 1 B-17 is damaged. 9 B-24s are dispatched on CARPETBAGGER operations.
THURSDAY, 4 MAY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 338: 591 bombers and 516 fighters are dispatched to Berlin, Brunswick and targets in C Germany; the mission is recalled due to cloud cover but 40 B-17s bomb Bergen/Alkmaar Airfield, The Netherlands; 1 B-17 is damaged beyond repair and 15 damaged; 2 airmen are KIA and 1 WIA. Escort is provided by 50 P-38s, 179 P-47s and 287 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s; the P-47s claim 8-2-5 Luftwaffe aircraft and the P-51s claim 1-0-1; 2 P-47s and 1 P-51 are lost, 3 P-47s and 2 P-51s are damaged beyond repair and 1 P-38 and 8 P-47s are damaged; 1 airman is WIA and 3 MIA.
HQ 95th Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) moves from Ketteringham to Halesworth, England.
FRIDAY, 5 MAY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 339: 33 of 46 B-24s hit the V-weapon site at Sottevast, France; 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair and 6 damaged; 4 airmen are KIA. Escort is provided by 52 P-51s without loss. Duing the night, 21 B-24s are dispatched on CARPETBAGGER missions; 1 B-24 is lost.
HQ 95th Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) moves from Ketteringham to Halesworth, England.
SATURDAY, 6 MAY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 340: 168 bombers and 185 fighters are dispatched to hit NOBALL (V-weapon) targets in France; 90 B-17s dispatched to the Pas de Calais area return to base with bombs due to cloud cover over the target; 70 of 78 B-24s hit Siracourt; 48 B-17s are damaged. Escort is provided by 57 Ninth Air Force P-38s, 47 P-47s and 81 P-51s without loss.
Mission 341: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 3.22 million leaflets on 19 towns in France and Belgium; 1 B-17 encounters a night fighter and claims 0-1-0; the B-17 is damaged.
22 B-24s are dispatched on CARPETBAGGER operations.
SUNDAY, 7 MAY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 342: In the morning, 922 bombers and 764 fighters are dispatched to bomb targets in Germany; 9 bombers and 4 fighters are lost; 1 Luftwaffe aircraft is claimed shot down:
Escort is provided by 153 P-38s, 317 P-47s and 284 P-51s; 2 P-38s, 1 P-47 and 1 P-51 are lost, 1 P-51 is damaged beyond repair and 5 P-38s, 3 P-47s and 1 P-51 damaged; 3 pilots are MIA.
In the afternoon, 29 of 67 B-24s bomb the marshalling yard at Liege, Belgium without loss; escort is provided by 24 P-47s and 51 P-51s without loss.
Mission 343: 3 of 4 B-17s drop 1.6 million leaflets on 16 towns in C France without loss.
14 B-24s are dispatched on CARPETBAGGER missions without loss.
MONDAY, 8 MAY 1944
General Dwight D Eisenhower sets D-Day for the Normandy invasion as 5 Jun; the date subsequently will be changed to 6 Jun.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 344: In the morning, 807 bombers and 729 fighters are dispatched to hit targets in Germany in a PFF mission; the bombers claim 76-16-16 Luftwaffe fighters, the fighters claim 55-4-20; 36 bombers and 13 fighters are lost:
Escort is provided by 152 P-38s, 295 P-47s and 282 P-51s; the P-38s claim 6-0-3 Luftwaffe aircraft, the P-47s claim 9-1-5 and the P-51s claim 40-3-12; 4 P-38s, 4 P-47s and 5 P-51s are lost; 1 P-47 and 1 P-51 are damaged beyond repair; 3 P-47s and 1 P-51 are damaged; 1 pilot is WIA and 13 MIA.
Mission 345: In the afternoon, 164 bombers and 97 fighters are dispatched against targets in France and Belgium; 5 bombers are lost: 1. 92 of 101 B-17s bomb V-weapon sites at Glacerie and Sottevast, France; 5 B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 29 damaged; 28 airmen are MIA. 2. 57 of 63 B-24s hit Brussels/Schaerbeck marshalling yard, Belgium; 29 B-24s are damaged; 2 airmen are KIA, 2 WIA and 19 MIA.
Escort is provided by 97 P-47s without loss. Mission 346: 3 of 4 B-17s drop 1.6 million leaflets on 10 towns in France without loss.
TUESDAY, 9 MAY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 347: 823 bombers and 668 fighters are dispatched to hit marshalling yards and airfields in France, Belgium and Luxembourg; this is the beginning of the pre-invasion bombing of enemy installations; 6 bombers and 7 fighters are lost:
Escort is provided by 144 P-38s, 277 P-47s and 247 P-51s; the P-47s claim 2-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 1-0-4 on the ground, the P-51s claim 1-0-0 in the air; 1 P-38 and 6 P-51s are lost; 1 P-38 is damaged beyond repair and 1 P-51 is damaged; 6 pilots are MIA.
Mission 348: 3 of 3 B-17s drop 1.34 million leaflets on 4 towns in The Netherlands and 3 in Belgium.
13 B-24s are dispatched on CARPETBAGGER missions without loss.
WEDNESDAY, 10 MAY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): A bomber mission to Germany is abandoned dur to deteriorating weather.
THURSDAY, 11 MAY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 350: 364 B-24s and 536 fighters are dispatched to bomb marshalling yards in France; 8 B-24s and 5 fighters are lost:
Escort is provided by 147 P-38s, 188 P-47s and 201 P-51s; the P-38s claim 2-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground, the P-47s claim 3-0-2 in the air and 2-0-6 on the ground and the P-51s claim 3-0-0 on the ground; 2 P-4s and 3 P-51s are lost, 1 P-51 is damaged beyond repair and 2 P-38s, 6 P-47s and 2 P-51s are damaged; 5 pilots are MIA.
Mission 351: In the afternoon, 609 B-17s and 471 fighters are dispatched to hit marshalling yards in Belgium, France, Germany and Luxembourg; 8 B-17s and 4 fighters are lost; primary targets are Brussels/Midi (55 bomb), Brussels (49 bomb) and Liege, Belgium (119 bomb, 2 lost); Saarbrucken (58 bomb, 5 lost), Kons Karthaus (55 bomb) and Ehrang (60 bomb, 1 lost), Germany; and Luxembourg (53 bomb); 12 hit the secondary target at Thionville, France; and 16 hit Volkingen, Germany; 19 hit Bettembourg, Luxembourg and 51 hit other targets of opportunity; 8 B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 172 damaged; 2 airmen are KIA, 23 WIA and 83 MIA. Escort is provided by 99 P-38s, 182 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s and 190 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s; the P-51s claim 11-0-4 Luftwaffe aircraft; 4 P-51s are lost, the pilots are MIA.
Mission 352: 4 of 5 B-17s drop 2.4 million leaflets over Denmark; 2 airmen are KIA and 3 WIA.
4 B-24s are dispatched on CARPETBAGGER missions.
850th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), VIII Air Force Composite Command attached to 801st Bombardment Group (Provisional), moves from Eye to Cheddington, England with B-24s; the squadron is flying CARPETBAGGER missions.
FRIDAY, 12 MAY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 353: 886 bombers and 735 fighters are dispatched to hit oil production facilities in Germany and Czechoslovakia; there is strong Luftwaffe fighter reaction and 46 bombers and 7 fighters are lost:
Escort is provided by 153 P-38s, 201 P-47s and 381 P-51s; P-38s claim 2-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft, P-47s claim 26-0-8 and P-51s claim 33-0-3 in the air and 5-0-2 on the ground; 4 P-47s and 3 P-51s are lost and 4 P-47s and 9 P-51s are damaged; 7 pilots are MIA.
Mission 354: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 1.74 million leaflets on Denmark; 1 aircraft is damaged; 2 airmen are KIA and 3 WIA.
SATURDAY, 13 MAY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 355: 749 bombers and 737 fighters hit targets in Germany; 12 bombers and 5 fighters are lost; they claim 58-5-13 Luftwaffe aircraft:
Escort is provided by 153 P-38s, 238 P-47s and 346 P-51s; the P-47s claim 14-2-9 Luftwaffe aircraft, the P-51s claim 33-1-4; 1 P-38, 2 P-47s and 2 P-51s are lost, 1 P-47 is damaged beyond repair and 5 P-38s and 7 P-51s are damaged; 1 pilot is WIA and 5 MIA.
SUNDAY, 14 MAY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 435th Fighter Squadron, 479th Fighter Group, arrives at Wattisham, England from the US with P-38Js; first mission is 26 May.
MONDAY, 15 MAY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 356: 166 bombers and 104 fighters hit V-weapon sites in France with 1 fighter lost; 38 of 58 B-17s bomb Marquise/Mimoyecques with 5 B-17s damaged; 90 of 108 B-24s bomb Siracourt with 8 B-24s damaged; escort is provided by 104 P-51s with 1 lost (pilot is MIA).
Mission 357: 3 of 3 B-17s drop 1.1 million leaflets on 10 towns in Belgium and France; 1 B-17 crash lands on returning to base, 1 airman is KIA, 3 WIA.
5 B-24s are dispatched on CARPETBAGGER operations.
HQ 479th Fighter Group and 434th and 436th Fighter Squadrons arrive at Wattisham, England from the US with P-38Js; first mission is 26 May.
FRIDAY, 19 MAY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 358: 888 bombers and 700 fighters are dispatched to hit targets in Germany; very heavy cloud cover forces the bombers to use H2X PFF methods; Luftwaffe resistance is heavy and 28 bombers and 19 fighters are lost; the fighters claim 77-0-33 Luftwaffe aircraft:
Escort is provided by 155 P-38s, 182 P-47s and 363 P-51s of the Eighth Air Force and 264 Ninth Air Force aircraft; the P-38s claim 0-0-2 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 1-0-0 on the ground, the P-47s claim 29-0-16 in the air and 2-0-0 on the ground and the P-51s claim 41-0-5 in the air and 4-0-10 on the ground; 4 P-38s, 4 P-47s and 11 P-51s are lost; 2 P-38s are damaged beyond repair; 5 P-38s, 4 P-47s and 7 P-51s are damaged; 17 pilots are MIA.
SATURDAY, 20 MAY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 359: 638 bombers and 657 fighters are dispatched to hit targets in France and Belgium; 2 bombers and 4 fighters are lost; AAF claims 2-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 1-0-1 on the ground:
Escort is provided by 146 P-38s, 177 P-47s and 334 P-51s; P-38s claim 2-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 1-0-1 on the ground; 1 P-38, 1 P-47 and 2 P-51s are lost; 5 P-38s are damaged; 4 pilots are MIA.
SUNDAY, 21 MAY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 360: 150 bombers and 48 fighters hit V-weapon sites in France without loss; 25 of 40 B-17s hit Marquise/Mimoyecques and 13 B-17s are damaged; 99 of 110 B-24s hit Siracourt and 1 B-24 is damaged. Escort is provided by 48 P-47s without loss.
617 fighters are dispatched on strafing missions to attack rail stock in Germany; 27 fighters are lost; 91 of 225 locomotives attacked are destroyed; P-47s also dive bomb rail bridges in W Germany; and 1 P-51 pilot claims 25 cows killed; participating are:
MONDAY, 22 MAY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Occupancy of all planned Eighth Air Force stations in Britain is completed with the transfer of the airfield at N Pickenham from the RAF to the Eighth; total stations number 77, including 66 airfields, occupied by 82 operational or HQ units.
Mission 361: 438 bombers and 568 fighters are dispatched on PFF attacks to targets in Germany and France; 5 bombers and 7 fighters are lost:
Escort is provided by 145 P-38s, 95 P-47s and 328 P-51s; P-38s claim 8-1-5 Luftwaffe aircraft, P-47s claim 12-1-2 and P-51s claim 2-2-1; 3 P-38s, 3 P-47s and a P-51 are lost; 1 P-38 and 2 P-47s are damaged beyond repair; 1 P-38, 2 P-47s and a P-51 are damaged; 6 pilots are MIA.
130 P-47s are dispatched on a fighter-bomber attack railroad bridges at Hasselt and Liege, Belgium; 1 P-47 is lost and 1 damaged. Mission 363: 4 of 4 B-17s drop 320,000 leaflets on The Hague, Haarlem, Rotterdam and Utrecht, The Netherlands without loss.
12 B-24s are dispatched on CARPETBAGGER missions without loss.
TUESDAY, 23 MAY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 364: 1,045 bombers and 562 fighters are dispatched to hit airfields and rail targets in France; 3 bombers are lost:
Mission 365: 103 P-51s are dispatched to bomb a railroad bridge at Hasselt, Belgium; 75 bomb escorted by 14 acting as top cover; 1 P-51 is lost, the pilot is MIA.
Mission 366: 4 of 5 B-17s drop 928,000 leaflets on Belgium and The Netherlands without loss.
7 B-24s are dispatched on CARPETBAGGER operations.
WEDNESDAY, 24 MAY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 367: 1,106 bombers and 602 fighters are dispatched on visual attacks on airfields in the Paris area and PFF and visual bombing of Berlin; 33 bombers and 10 fighters are lost; the fighters claim 33-7-6 Luftwaffe aircraft:
Escort is provided by 144 P-38s, 178 P-47s and 280 P-51s; P-38s claim 6-0-2 Luftwaffe aircraft and P-51s claim 27-7-4; 1 P-38, 1 P-47 and 8 P-51s are lost; 1 P-51 is damaged beyond repair; 1 P-38, 1 P-47 and 4 P-51s are damaged; 1 pilot is WIA and 10 MIA.
Mission 368: 222 fighter are dispatched to attack rail bridges in France;
Mission 369: 4 of 4 B-17s drop 2.54 million leaflets on France and Belgium without loss.
3 B-24s are dispatched on CARPETBAGGER operations without loss.
THURSDAY, 25 MAY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 370: 406 bombers and 604 fighters make visual attacks on rail installations and airfields in Belgium and France; 4 bombers and 12 fighters are lost; the fighters claim 13-2-3 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 3-0-5 on the ground; unless otherwise indicated, all targets are in France:
MISSION 371: 4 of 4 B-17s drop leaflets in France without loss.
FRIDAY, 26 MAY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 372: 4 of 4 B-17s drop leaflets in The Netherlands without loss.
P-38s participate in 2 sweep over The Netherlands for familiarization purposes without loss; 1 sweep consists of 30 aircraft, the second consists of 28 aircraft.
SATURDAY, 27 MAY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 373: 1,126 bombers and 710 fighters are dispatched against rail targets in France and Germany and gun batteries in France; 24 bombers and 7 fighters are lost; the fighters claim 35.5-1-5 aircraft in the air and 9-0-2 on the ground:
Mission 374: 24 of 24 P-47s hit a barge convoy between Willenstadt and Meerije, The Netherlands; 1 P-47 is damaged and 2 barges destroyed.
Mission 375: 3 of 4 B-17s drop leaflets in Belgium and France without loss. 788th and 850th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), VIII Air Force Composite Command attached to 801st Bombardment Group (Provisional), move from Rackheath and Cheddington respectively to Harrington, England with B-24s; the 788th flies CARPETBAGGER missions over Europe and the 850th will commence these missions on 31 May.
SUNDAY, 28 MAY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 376: 1,341 bombers and 697 fighters are dispatched to hit oil targets in Germany; 32 bombers and 9 fighters are lost; they claim 64-30-31 Luftwaffe aircraft:
Escort is provided by 182 P-38s, 208 P-47s and 307 P-51s; no P-38s are lost; P-47s claim 2-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 0-0-1 on the ground with the loss of 4 P-47s (pilots are MIA), 2 damaged beyond repair and 3 damaged; P-51s claim 25-1-5 Luftwaffe aircraft with the loss of 5 (pilots are MIA), 1 damaged beyond repair and 8 damaged. 527 Ninth Air Force fighters also fly escort and claim 33-0-10 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 5-0-7 on the ground for the loss of 5 fighters.
Mission 377: 5 of 5 B-17s drop leaflets in Belgium and Norway. 22 B-24s are dispatched on CARPETBAGGER missions; 1 is lost
.MONDAY, 29 MAY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 379: 993 bombers and 673 fighters are dispatched to attack aircraft plants and oil installations in Germany and Poland; they claim 117-38-49 Luftwaffe aircraft; 34 bombers and 10 fighters are lost:
Escort is provided by 184 P-38s, 187 P-47s and 302 P-51s; the P-38s claim none and none are lost; the P-47s claim 1-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft with the loss of 4 P-47s (3 pilots are MIA) and 3 damaged; the P-52s claim 38-1-4 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 16-0-15 on the ground with the loss of 6 P-51s (5 pilots are MIA) and 6 damaged. 592 Ninth Air Force fighters also support the mission; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft and lose 2 fighters. 23 B-24s are dispatched on CARPETBAGGER missions; 1 is lost.
TUESDAY, 30 MAY 1944
Loading of assault forces for Operation OVERLORD (invasion of Normandy) begins.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 380: 928 bombers and 672 fighters in 6 forces are dispatched to hit aircraft industry targets in Germany and marshalling yards in France and Belgium; they claim 65-8-6 Luftwaffe aircraft; 12 bombers and 9 fighters are lost:
Escort is provided by 186 P-38s, 184 P-47s and 302 P-51s; 3 P-38s are damaged; P-47s claim 2-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft with 1 loss (pilot is MIA); P-51s claim 48-3-2 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 7-0-3 on the ground with the loss of 8 P-51s (pilots are MIA), 2 damaged beyond repair and 4 damaged; 637 Ninth Air Force fighters support the mission; they claim 8-0-2 aircraft in the air and 0-0-4 on the ground for the loss of 3.
100 P-47s are dispatched to bomb 4 rail bridges in NW France; 37 hit Longueil bridge, 26 hit Beaumont-sur-Oise bridge, 23 hit Canly-le-Jouque bridge and 12 hit the Creil bridge; 1 P-47 is lost (pilot is MIA).
WEDNESDAY, 31 MAY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 382: 1,029 bombers and 682 fighters attack marshalling yards and aircraft industry targets in Germany and rail targets in France and Belgium; the fighters claim 4-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground; 1 bomber and 3 fighters are lost:
Escort is provided by 193 P-38s, 180 P-47s and 309 P-51s; P-38s claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground with 1 P-38 being damaged; 1 P-47 is lost (pilot is MIA) and 3 are damaged; P-51s claim 3-0-1 aircraft on the ground with 2 P-51s lost (pilots are MIA). 674 Ninth Air Force fighters provide support; no claims or losses.
Fighter-bomber missions against German airfields with 500 lb (227 kg) and 100 lb (45 kg) GP bombs:
22 B-24s are dispatched on CARPETBAGGER missions over France without loss.
FRIDAY, 2 JUNE 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The role of the heavy bombers from 2-5 Jun in preparation for the invasion of Normandy on 6 Jun includes continuation of attacks against transportation and airfield targets in N France and the institution of a series of blows against coastal defenses, mainly located in the Pas de Calais coastal area, to deceive the enemy as to the sector to be invaded (Operation COVER).
Mission 384: In the morning, 521 of 633 B-17s and 284 of 293 B-24s hit V-weapon sites in the Pas de Calais area; 11 B-17s are damaged; 1 airman is KIA, 1 WIA and 1 MIA.
Mission 385: In the afternoon, 242 B-17s are dispatched to railroad targets in the Paris area; 163 hit the primaries, 49 hit Conches Airfield, 12 hit Beaumont-sur-Oise Airfield and 1 hits Caen/Carpiquet Airfield; 77 B-24s are dispatched to Bretigny Airfield in France; 13 hit the primary target, 47 hit Creil Airfield and 14 hit Villeneuve Airfield; 2 B-17s and 5 B-24s are lost, 2 B-24s are damaged beyond repair and 90 B-17s and 37 B-24s damaged; 1 airman is KIA, 4 WIA and 68 MIA.
3 of 7 P-38s hit the Ostend Bridge, Belgium without loss.
3 B-17s fly weather reconnaissance over the Atlantic. During the evening, 5 B-17s drop leaflets on targets in Belgium and France; and 18 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER operations.
SATURDAY, 3 JUNE 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): In Operation COVER, two missions, both designated Mission 388, are flown. In the first, 219 of 238 B-17s and 120 of 124 B-24s attack coastal defenses in the Pas de Calais, France area, bombing a total of 22 targets; 21 B-17s and 24 B-24s are damaged; no casualties. Escort is provided by 91 P-38s and 129 P-47s. In the second raid, 97 of 102 B-17s and 98 of 104 B-24s hit 16 of the same targets hit in the morning; 2 B-17s are damaged. Escort is provided by 102 P-38s, 34 P-47s and 83 P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost and 1 P-38 is damaged; 1 airman is MIA.
During the night, 23 B-24s participate in CARPETBAGGER operations in France.
SUNDAY, 4 JUNE 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Three mission are flown to France. In the first mission (Mission 389), the effort is to be divided between the Pas de Calais (COVER) area and the Normandy assault (NEPTUNE) area, however, D-Day is postponed 24 hrs and the NEPTUNE force is cancelled. 183 of 201 B-17s and 51 of 56 B-24s attack 7 targets in the Pas de Calais area; 10 B-17s are damaged; no casualties. Escorting are 130 P-47s and 42 P-51s; 2 P-51s are lost; no casualties. In the second mission (Mission 390) 222 of 246 B-17s and 53 of 68 B-24s bomb 8 coastal defense positions in the same area using PFF; 1 B-17 is damaged beyond repair and 12 B-17s and 6 B-24s are damaged; 1 airman is KIA. The third mission consists of 263 B-17s and 185 B-24s hitting airfields, railway junctions and bridges; of the B-17s, 96 hit the Massey/Palaiseau railroad bridge, 50 hit the Versailles/Metelots railroad bridge and 34 hit the Villeneuve/St George railroad bridge; of the B-24s, 23 hit Brourges Airfield, 72 hit the Romorantin/Prunieres Airfield, 56 hit the Avord Airfield, 55 hit the Bretigny Airfield and 8 hit the Melun bridges; 1 B-17 and 3 B-24s are damaged beyond repair; 34 B-17s and 27 B-24s are damaged; 10 airmen are KIA and 4 WIA. Escort is 135 P-47s and 277 P-51s; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-51 is lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 1 damaged; no casualties.
2 B-17s fly weather reconnaissance over the UK and the Atlantic.
MONDAY, 5 JUNE 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 392: 423 of 464 B-17s and 203 of 206 B-24s hit coastal defenses in the Le Havre, Caen, Boulogne and Cherbourg, France areas; 4 B-17s and 2 B-24s are lost, 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair and 37 B-17s and 39 B-24s are damaged; 1 airman is KIA, 10 WIA and 47 MIA. Escorting are 127 P-47s and 245 P-51s; 1 P-47 and 1 P-51 are lost and 1 P-47 is damaged beyond repair.
Mission 393: In France, 7 of 8 P-51 fighter-bomber attack a truck convoy near Lille; the 8th P-51 bombs Lille/Vendeville Airfield; no losses. In preparation for D-Day, 3 B-17s fly weather reconnaissance over the UK and the Atlantic Ocean.
During the night, 11 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions; 1 B-24 is lost over Belgium.
TUESDAY, 6 JUNE 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The Eighth Air Force reaches its top strength as the 493d Bombardment Group (Heavy) becomes operational, making a total of 40 heavy bomber groups now operational. Heavy bombers fly 4 missions in support of the Normandy invasion:
In all, 1,729 bombers drop 3,596 tons of bombs during D-Day. The VIII Fighter Command has the threefold mission of escorting bombers, attacking any movement toward the assault area, and protecting Allied shipping. The fighters fly 1,880 sorties including fighter-bomber attacks against 17 bridges, 10 marshalling yards, and a variety of other targets including convoy, railroad cars, siding, rail and highway junctions, tunnel, and a dam. Very little air opposition is encountered. The fighters claim 26-0-8 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 4-0-9 on the ground. Also destroyed are 21 locomotives and 2 carloads of ammunition. Numerous targets are damaged including locomotives, trucks, tank cars, armored vehicles, goods carriers, barges, and tugboats. Targets attacked with unreported results include warehouses, radar towers, barracks, troops, artillery, staff cars, 85 trains, and a variety of other targets. 25 fighters are lost.
Mission 396: During the night, 12 B-17s drop leaflets in France and the Low Countries.
WEDNESDAY, 7 JUNE 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The Allied Expeditionary Air Force (AEAF) directs air attacks against congested points to delay movement of more enemy forces into the assault area. In the first mission (Mission 397) in the morning, 182 B-17s and 291 B-24s, including 20 PFFs, are dispatched; of the B-17s, 58 hit Conde sur Noireau, 60 hit Flers, and 54 hit Falaise; of the B-24s, 66 hit Argentan, 19 hit Vascoeuil, 61 hit Laigle and 83 hit Lisieux; 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair and 17 B-17s are damaged; 8 airmen are KIA and 3 WIA.
In the second mission (Mission 398) in the afternoon, 487 B-17s and 88 B-24s are dispatched; the primary targets for the B-17s are Nantes (190 bomb) and the Kerlin/Bastard Airfield (132 bomb); 23 B-17s hit Niort and 40 hit the Nantes Bridge; the primary target for the B-24s is Tours/La Roche (12 bomb) and 13 hit Pouance, 13 hit Blain, 13 hit Chateaubriand, 25 hit Laval Airfield, 12 hit Vitre and 3 hit Tours; 1 B-17 and 1 B-24 are lost, 1 B-17 and 7 B-24s are damaged beyond repair and 78 B-17s and 96 B-24s are damaged; 21 airmen are KIA, 12 WIA and 12 MIA. Heavy cloud prevents almost 100 others from bombing targets.
VIII Fighter Command furnishes area support for beachhead areas in the early morning and to heavy bomber operations at midday and in the late afternoon, at the same time maintaining harassment of communications and flying shipping patrol. 526 P-38s and 294 P-51s patrol the beachhead and provide escort in N France; they claim 2-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 0-0-2 on the ground; 8 P-51s are lost; 1 airman is KIA and 7 MIA. 505 P-47s and 148 P-51s engage in general strafing over N France and claim 29-1-12 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 25-0-12 on the ground; 10 P-47s and 4 P-51s are lost and 3 P-51s are damaged beyond repair; 1 airman is KIA and 12 MIA.
Mission 399: 10 B-17s drop leaflets over The Netherlands, France and Belgium.
14 B-24s participate in CARPETBAGGER operations in France.
THURSDAY, 8 JUNE 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 400: 1,178 bombers and 1,353 fighter sorties are flown on communications in France to isolate German forward elements, and airfields are bombed to prevent Luftwaffe support. Cloud conditions prevent 400+ bombers from executing attacks.
Overall, the fighters fly 1,405 sorties and attack nearly 75 targets; 1 pilot is KIA and 21 MIA during the day.
FRIDAY, 9 JUNE 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Bad weather prevents bomber operations; P-38s attempt to cover shipping in the English Channel; 7th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) dispatches 5 aircraft but they all turn back due to weather; and 2 B-17s fly weather flights over the UK and the Atlantic Ocean.
SATURDAY, 10 JUNE 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 403: Bad weather restricts operations to NW France; 883 bombers and 1,491 fighter sorties are flown but 200+ bombers abort due to cloud conditions; 1 bomber and 24 fighters are lost.
VIII Fighter Command missions during the day are:
During the day, 1 fighter pilot is KIA and 24 are MIA.
Mission 404: During the evening, 11 B-17s drop leaflets on Norway and France without loss.
SUNDAY, 11 JUNE 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 405: Weather prevents operations against priority targets in Germany so the bombers attack targets in France; 1,055 bombers and 914 fighter sorties are flown; over 400 bombers abort or fail to bomb due to clouds and absence or malfunction of Pathfinders; 3 bombers and 8 fighters are lost:
87 P-47s and 144 P-51s provide escort for the bombers without loss. Other fighter missions are:
Mission 406: During the night, 5 B-17s drop leaflets on France and the Low Countries without loss.
MONDAY, 12 JUNE 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 407: With bad weather over top priority targets in Germany, 1,442 bombers are dispatched against airfields and landing grounds in NE France and rail and road bridges on the Brest Peninsula; 691 of 769 B-17s and 586 of 673 B-24s hit 16 airfields and 6 railroad bridges in the Rennes and St Nazaire area; they claim 1-1-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 6 B-17s and 2 B-24s are lost; 1 B-17 and 2 B-24s are damaged beyond repair; and 188 B-17s and 52 B-24s are damaged; 7 airmen are KIA, 14 WIA and 58 MIA.
988 fighter sorties are flown with the loss of 16 aircraft; 15 pilots are MIA:
16 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions.
TUESDAY, 13 JUNE 1944
The first V-1 "buzz bomb" lands in S England; more land during the night of 13/14 Jun, and throughout the rest of the month.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Bad weather cancels large-scale bombing of high priority targets in Germany; overcast bombing against tactical targets in NW France is undertaken:
Mission 409: In the first mission of the day cloud cover is less than anticipated and visual runs are made by 129 of 139 B-17s against Evreux/Fauville Airfield (37 bomb), Dreux Airfield (52 bomb) and St Andre de L'Eure (40 bomb); 30 B-17s are damaged; escort is provided by 101 of 113 P-51s dispatched; they claim 4-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft.
Mission 410: In the second mission, 112 B-17s and 260 B-24s are dispatched:
Escort for Mission 410 is provided by 12 P-38s, 47 P-47s and 174 P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost and the pilot is MIA.
Other fighter sorties during the day are:
Mission 411: 8 of 8 B-17s drop leaflets on France during the night. 6 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions over France.
WEDNESDAY, 14 JUNE 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 412: Bad weather again covers all strategic targets in Germany except one in the extreme N; a major effort is against tactical objectives, mainly in France; 1,357 of 1,525 bombers dispatched hit the targets listed below; 14 bombers are lost:
Other fighter missions are:
Mission 413: 3 of 4 B-17s drop leaflets in France during the night. 20 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions.
THURSDAY, 15 JUNE 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 414: 1,361 bombers are dispatched in 8 forces to bomb an oil refinery Germany and numerous tactical targets in France, including 9 airfields, an aircraft plant, a CROSSBOW (V-weapon) sites, 11 bridges, a marshalling yard, and various scattered targets; 2 B-17s are lost:
Fighter operations are:
FRIDAY, 16 JUNE 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 416: 370 bombers, including 22 Pathfinders are dispatched to 4 airfields and 4 CROSSBOW (V-weapon) supply sites in France; 1 B-17 is lost:
VIII Fighter Command missions for the day are:
Mission 417: 10 of 10 B-17s drop leaflets in France during the evening.
SATURDAY, 17 JUNE 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Targets in France, primarily airfields, are hit; 2 B-17s are lost; fighters fly 1,027 sorties during the day and destroy 15 locomotives, train cars, trucks and other vehicles. Mission 418: 232 of 332 bombers attack targets in France:
99 P-38s fly fighter-bomber missions against railroad bridges at Corbie and Peronne; 4 P-38s are lost (pilots are MIA).
Mission 419: Of 312 B-24s dispatched, 80 hit Angers Airfield, 75 hit Laval Airfield, 55 hit Tours Airfield, 38 hit Essay airstrip, 25 hit Lonray airstrip and 1 hits LeMans; 1 B-24 is lost and 35 damaged; 10 airmen are MIA. Escort is provided by 122 P-47s and 148 P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot is MIA).
49 P-38s and 39 P-47s, escorted by 47 P-38s, make fighter-bomber attacks on Corbie-Peronne railroad bridges; 2 P-38s are lost (pilots are MIA). Mission 420: 9 of 10 B-17s drop leaflets in France during the night.
SUNDAY, 18 JUNE 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 421: 1,378 bombers are dispatched to targets in Germany; 11 bombers are lost, 10 to AA fire and 1 to unknown causes:
Escort is provided by 198 P-38s, 172 P-47s and 215 P-51s; 1 P-38 is damaged beyond repair; no losses or claims.
Other VIII Fighter Command missions in France are:
MONDAY, 19 JUNE 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Morning and afternoon missions are made against targets in France.
Mission 423: In the morning, 464 B-17s are dispatched against airfields in the Bordeaux area: 92 hit Cormes Ecluse, 84 hit Bordeaux/Merignac, 39 hit Cazaux, 34 hit Landes-de-Bussac, 12 hit Cabanac and 3 hit targets of opportunity; 7 B-17s are lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 11 damaged; 3 airmen are WIA and 59 MIA; escort is provided by 88 P-38s and 261 P-51s; 4 P-38s and 6 P-51s are lost (all pilots MIA).
Mission 424: In both morning and afternoon missions, 216 of 391 B-17s and 294 of 312 B-24s hit 35 V-weapon sites in the Pas de Calais area; 1 B-24 is lost, 1 B-24 damaged beyond repair and 65 B-17s and 22 B-24s damaged; 2 airmen are WIA and 10 MIA. Escort is provided by 196 P-38s, 122 P-47s and 48 P-51s; 1 P-38 is damaged beyond repair; 1 P-38 group, after completing escort duty, dive-bombs and strafes transportation targets in NE France, destroying a locomotive and 3 barges.
858th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), VIII Air Force Composite Command, moves from North Pickenham to Cheddington, England with B-24s (the squadron begins flying leaflet missions).
TUESDAY, 20 JUNE 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 425: In the morning 1,548 bombers are dispatched to attack 14 strategic targets in N Germany and V-weapon sites in France; 49 bombers are lost:
Mission 426: In the afternoon, 33 of 37 B-17s and 196 of 380 B-24s attack 10 V-weapon sites in the Pas de Calais area; 1 B-24 is lost and 96 damaged. Escort is provided by 72 P-47s and 40 P-51s without loss. Mission 427: 5 of 5 B-17s drop leaflets in France during the night.
25 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions in France.
WEDNESDAY 21 JUNE 1944STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 428: 1,234 bombers and 1,170 fighters are dispatched to hit targets in Germany; 45 bombers and 4 fighters are lost:
Mission 429: In the late afternoon, 31 B-24s bomb CROSSBOW (V-weapon) supply sites at Oisemont/Neuville and Saint-Martin-L'Hortier and 39 bomb a rocket site at Siracourt, France. AA fire shoots down 1 B-24; escort is provided by 99 P-47s, meeting no enemy aircraft, but 1 group strafes railroad and canal targets.
Mission 430: 5 of 5 B-17s drop leaflets in France.
21 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions in France during the night.
THURSDAY, 22 JUNE 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Because of the attack on B-17s at Poltava, USSR, on yesterday's shuttle mission, the B-17s at Mirgorod and P-51s at Piryatin are moved farther E; they are to be returned to Mirgorod and Piryatin to be dispatched to bases in Italy as soon as the weather permits; the move is fortunate as German bombers strike both Piryatin and Mirgorod during the night of 22/23 Jun.
Mission 431: In a morning mission 85 of 108 B-17s and 132 of 194 B-24s attack 12 CROSSBOW (V-weapon) installations in the Pas de Calais area; 1 B-17s is lost; 64 B-17s and 59 B-24s are damaged; 10 airmen are MIA. Escort is provided by 165 P-47s and 97 P-51s; some of the support fighters strafe coastal defenses; 1 P-51 is lost and 2 P-47s are damaged beyond repair; 1 pilot is KIA and 1 MIA.
Mission 432: During the afternoon 797 bombers are dispatched to attack 22 targets in France and Belgium; 9 bombers are lost:
10 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions in France during the night.
FRIDAY, 23 JUNE 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 435: at midday 110 of 134 B-17s and 102 of 106 B-24s attack 12 CROSSBOW (V-weapon) installations, damaging at least 6 of them; 3 B-17s and 2 B-24s are damaged. Fighter support is furnished by 4 P-51 groups (141 of 161 aircraft) all of which afterward strafe transportation targets in the Paris area, destroying 3 locomotives, 100 pieces of rolling stock, and 14 motor vehicles; An exploding ammunition train causes a low-flying P-51 to crash, the only aircraft lost on the mission (pilot is MIA).
Mission 436: During the late afternoon, 109 B-17s are dispatched to Nanteuil; 13 hit the primary and 2 hit targets of opportunity; the rest abort due to heavy cloud cover; 1 B-17 is lost and 2 are damaged; 1 airman is WIA and 10 MIA. Of 219 B-24s dispatched to airfields in France, 113 hit Juvincourt, 46 hit Laon/Athies, 23 hit Coulommiers and 1 hits Soissons; 6 B-24s are lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 81 are damaged; 1 airman is KIA, 3 WIA and 58 MIA. Escort is provided by 155 P-47s and 83 P-51s; afterwards part of a P-47 group bombs and strafes a marshalling yard while the remainder of the group bombs and strafes a train carrying trucks and armored cars, destroying the locomotive, 3 trucks, and an armored car, and damaging 20 freight 169 of 195 P-38s fly flighter-bomber missions in the Paris area; 2 P-38s are lost (pilots are MIA.
21 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER mission during the night.
SATURDAY, 24 JUNE 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 438: During the morning 967 bombers are dispatched to hit targets in Germany and France: 5 bombers are lost:
Mission 439: During the afternoon 62 B-17s and 167 B-24s are dispatched to targets in France; 2 B-24s are lost; escort for the mission is provided by 71 P-47s and 50 P-51s without loss; 25 other P-51s fly a sweep of the Angers/Le Mans area and claim 25-0-6 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground:
Mission 440: 5 of 5 B-17s drop leaflets in France during the night.
SUNDAY, 25 JUNE 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 441: During the morning 658 bombers are dispatched to hit targets in France; 7 bombers are lost:
Mission 442: During the midday 463 bombers are dispatched to targets in France; 6 bombers are lost; escort is provided by 127 P-38s, 35 P-47s and 181 P-51s; they claim 4-0-3 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot is MIA):
41 of 43 P-47s fly a flight-bomber mission against Evreux/Fauville landing ground.
In the USSR, B-17s and P-51s are flown, at daybreak, from dispersal bases to Poltava and Mirgorod and loaded and fueled with intentions of bombing the oil refinery at Drohobycz, Poland and proceed to base in Italy. Bad weather cancels the mission until the tomorrow. The aircraft return to dispersal bases for the night as precaution against air attacks.
24 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER mission.
MONDAY, 26 JUNE 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 72 B-17s leave Poltava and Mirgorod, USSR, rendezvous with 55 P-51s from Piryatin, bomb the oil refinery and marshalling yard at Drohobycz, Poland (1 returns to the USSR because of mechanical trouble), and then proceed to Italy; Fifteenth Air Force P-51s meet the formation 1 hour after the attack and escort the B-17s to Foggia; it is planned to return the B-17s to bases in the UK on 27 Jun but bad weather delays this move until 5 Jul.
TUESDAY, 27 JUNE 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 443: 251 bombers and 191 fighters are dispatched to hit CROSSBOW (V-weapon) supply sites around Pas de Calais, Criel and Chantilly, France; 195 B-17s hit the Pas de Calais area, 12 B-24s hit targets of opportunity and 11 B-24s hit Criel Airfield; 5 B-24s are downed by AA fire, 2 B-24s are damaged beyond repair and 104 B-24s and 8 B-17s are damaged; 2 airmen are KIA, 7 WIA and 51 MIA. Escort is provided by 149 of 191 P-51s; they claim 6-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft and lose 2 (pilots MIA); 1 P-51 is damaged; after completing the escort, the P-51s bomb and strafe targets of opportunity, including marshalling yards, bridges, railroads, transportation and airfield installations, and dispersal areas. VIII Fighter Command fighter-bomber missions:
Mission 444: 4 of 4 B-17s drop leaflets in France during the night. 16 B-24s are dispatched on CARPETBAGGER missions in France. A B-24 on a training flight in England is shot down by an intruder.
WEDNESDAY, 28 JUNE 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 445: 992 bombers and 638 fighters are dispatched to targets in France, Germany and Belgium; 2 bombers and 2 fighters are lost. 485 B-17s attack targets in France: 72 hit Laon/Couvron Airfield, 64 hit Juvincourt Airfield, 60 hit Laon/Athies Airfield, 36 hit Fismes bridge, 28 hit Denain/Prouvy Airfield, 24 hit targets of opportunity, 20 hit Anizy le Chateau bridge, 19 hit Le Bourget Airfield and 18 hit the Dugny oil depot; 1 B-17s is lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 99 damaged; 2 airmen are WIA and 9 MIA. Of 378 B-24s, 331 hit Saarbrucken marshalling yards, 11 hit Florennes/Juzaine Airfield and 1 hits Givet Bridge; 1 B-24 is lost and 125 damaged; 8 airmen are WIA and 10 MIA. Escort is provided by 188 P-38s, 169 P-47s and 231 P-51s; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-47 and 1 P-51 are lost (pilots are MIA) and 2 P-51s damaged beyond repair. About one-third of the escorting fighters afterward bomb and strafe transport targets, claiming 3 locomotives and an armored vehicle destroyed.
30 of 50 P-47s fly a fighter-bomber mission against La Perthe Airfield without loss.
18 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions in France.
THURSDAY, 29 JUNE 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 447: 1,150 bombers and 779 fighters are dispatched to hit targets in Germany and the Netherlands; 15 bombers and 3 fighters are lost; cloud cover causes 400+ aircraft to abort the mission:
The missions above are escorted by 203 P-38s, 216 P-47 and 352 P-51s of the Eighth and Ninth Air Forces; they claim 34-0-9 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 16-0-8 on the ground; 3 P-51s are lost (pilots are MIA).
4 of 8 P-38s fly a fighter-bomber mission against shipping at Ijmuiden, the Netherlands without loss.
FRIDAY, 30 JUNE 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 448: 153 bombers and 539 fighters are dispatched to attack airfields; 1 fighter is lost; of 75 B-17s, 39 hit Montdidier Airfield, 24 hit Le Culot Airfield and 11 hit Coxyde/Furnes Airfield, Belgium; 27 B-17s are damaged; of 78 B-24s, 35 hit Conches Airfield and 26 hit Evreux/Fauville Airfield, France without loss. Escort is provided by 168 of 178 P-51s without loss escort and afterwards strafe marshalling yards, airfields, barges, barracks, a train, a factory, and a warehouse with good results. No enemy aircraft are encountered and no aircraft are lost. Other P-38s, P-47s and P-51s hit bridges, marshalling yards and other targets in France; they claim 3-3-4 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 1-0-0 on the ground; 1 P-38 is lost (pilot is MIA) and 1 P-47 is damaged beyond repair (pilot is KIA).
SATURDAY, 1 JULY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 449: 323 bombers (78 B-17s and 245 B-24s) and 166 P-51s are dispatched to bomb 14 V-weapon sites in N France but are recalled because of clouds; the recall messages by mistake are not sent to 3 squadrons; 2 of these abort on a decision of the squadron leaders; the other continues on the mission and 9 B-24s bomb a V-weapon site at Mont Louis Ferme; 1 B-24 is lost and 10 are damaged; 1 airman is WIA and 9 MIA; 124 P-51s, relieved of escort duty by the recall of the bombers, claim 5-0-5 Luftwaffe aircraft, 1 P-51 is lost.
82 fighters of a force of 97 P-38s, 169 P-47s and 99 P-51s attack rail and road targets in N France; they claim 3-0-3 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-47 is lost and 2 damaged beyond repair; 2 pilots are KIA and 2 MIA. 18 B-24s participate in CARPETBAGGER missions in France.
SUNDAY, 2 JULY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 450: 350 bombers and 171 P-51s are dispatched to hit 13 V-weapon sites in the Pas de Calais area; 1 B-24 is lost:
Escort for the above is provided by 166 of 171 P-51s without loss.
41 P-51s, temporarily in Italy while en route from the USSR to the UK during a shuttle mission, join Fifteenth Air Force fighters in escorting Fifteenth AF bombers against targets in the Budapest, Hungary area, claiming 9 aircraft destroyed and suffering 4 losses.
37 B-24s CARPETBAGGER missions in France during the night.
MONDAY, 3 JULY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 55 B-17s in Italy on the USSR shuttle mission join Fifteenth AF bombers in bombing marshalling yards at Arad, Rumania; 38 P-51s of the VIII Fighter Command, also on the shuttle run, fly escort on the mission.
TUESDAY, 4 JULY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 451: 558 bombers and 632 fighters are dispatched to attack 7 airfields N and W of Paris; bad weather and mechanical failures cause 350+ bombers to abort; 1 B-17 and 4 fighters are lost:
199 P-38s, 189 P-47s and 244 P-51s are dispatched to escort the bombers but 63 abort; 2 P-38s, 1 P-47 and 1 P-51 are lost and 1 P-47 is damaged. Of 144 P-38s and 176 P-47s, 29 hit Nevers marshalling yard, 25 hit Joinville Bridge, 16 hit Chartre-Chateaudun marshalling yard, 14 hit Perrigny marshalling yard, 14 hit Fresnes Bridge, 8 hit Cercy/La Tours marshalling yard, 8 hit Cambrai marshalling yard, 6 hit St Florentin, 5 hit targets of opportunity and 4 hit Rouen Bridge; they claim 17-0-10 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 1-0-0 on the ground; 1 P-38 is lost and 1 damaged. Total VIII Fighter Command casualties are 1 KIA, 4 WIA and 7 MIA.
36 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions during the night; 3 airmen are MIA after a plane crashes.
WEDNESDAY, 5 JULY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 453: 371 bombers and 445 fighters are dispatched to attack 3 airfields in the Netherlands and 2 in Belgium, a factory near Mol, and 3 V-weapon supply sites in France; 5 fighters are lost:
During the night, 8 of 8 B-17s drop leaflets in France with the loss of 1 B-17; and 8 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions.
70 B-17s on shuttle mission (UK-USSR-Italy-UK) attack a marshalling yard at Beziers, France (with Fifteenth AF B-24s) while on the last leg from Italy to the UK; 42 P-51s return to UK with the B-17s (of the 11 P-51s remaining in Italy, 10 return to the UK the following day and the last several days later).
THURSDAY, 6 JULY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 455: In the morning, missions are flown to France and Germany:
Mission 456: In the late afternoon 73 of 104 B-17s and 148 of 176 B-24s strike 6 V-weapon sites and supply installations, 3 railroad bridges, a highway bridge, and an airfield in N France. Escort is provided by 443 P-38s, P-47s and P-51s; 1 P-47 is lost; afterwards a squadron of P-47s dive-bombs 3 airfields in the Conches area.
212 P-38s and P-47s, fly fighter-bomber missions against rail and road traffic in the Paris area; they claim 11-1-2 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 P-47s are lost (pilots are MIA).
Mission 457: 7 of 7 B-17s drop leaflets in Belgium and France during the night.
20 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions; 1 B-24 is lost. A C-47 makes the first landing at a secret airstrip in the Ain, France area.
FRIDAY, 7 JULY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 458: 1,129 bombers and 756 fighters are dispatched to attack synthetic oil plants, aircraft assembly plants and engine works, airfields and an equipment depot, marshalling yards railway station and railway repair shops in Germany; 37 bombers and 6 fighters are lost:
Mission 459: 6 of 6 B-17s drop leaflets in France and Belgium during the night.
19 B-24s participate in CARPETBAGGER operations during the night.
SATURDAY, 8 JULY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 460: 1,029 bombers and 714 fighters, in four forces, are dispatched to hit bridges, tunnels, rail targets and NOBALL (V-weapon) sites in France; only 462 aircraft bomb due to bad weather; 9 bombers and 1 fighter are lost:
Forces 3 and 4 are escorted by 286 P-38s, P-47s and P-51s; they claim 0-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground.
86 of 91 P-47s bomb St Andre de l'Eure Airfield without loss.
Mission 461: 4 of 5 B-17s drop leaflets in France during the night. 17 B-24s are dispatched on CARPETBAGGER missions.
SUNDAY, 9 JULY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 462: during a morning mission 150 B-17s are dispatched to bomb bridges and airfields in France but cloud cover causes the bombers to hit targets of opportunity; 68 hit Chalonnes Bridge, 36 hit Chateaudun Airfield, 12 hit Bouchemaine Bridge, 12 hit Chalonnes highway bridge and 12 hit Le Creusot Bridge; 1 B-17 is lost and 10 damaged; 9 airmen are MIA. Escort is provided by 155 P-47s and P-51s; 1 P-47 and 1 P-51 are lost (1 pilot is MIA).
Mission 463: 104 B-24s and 77 B-17s are dispatched to hit CROSSBOW (V-weapon) sites in France but encounters poor weather; Only 37 B-24s bomb V-weapon sites; 12 B-17s hit St Omber Longuenesse Airfield and 3 hit targets of opportunity; 1 B-24 is lost and 60 damaged; 2 airmen are WIA. Escort is provided by 158 P-47s and P-51s; they claim 5-0-3 Luftwaffe aircraft. 90 of 96 P-38s strafe the Moulin-Nevers-Tour area claiming 1-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-38 is lost (pilot is MIA).
Mission 464: During the night, 5 of 6 B-17s drop leaflets in France. 37 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions during the night.
MONDAY, 10 JULY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 465: 6 of 6 B-17s drop leaflets in France and the Netherlands during the night. 12 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions during the night.
TUESDAY, 11 JULY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 466: 1,176 bombers and 795 fighters attack targets in Germany; 20 bombers and 4 fighters are lost:
Mission 467: During the night, 6 of 6 B-17s drop leaflets on France. 29 of 30 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions during the night.
WEDNESDAY, 12 JULY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 468: 131 B-24s, escorted by by 144 Royal Air Force (RAF) Spitfires, are dispatched to bomb 10 CROSSBOW (V-weapon) sites in the Rouen area but abort because of a thick blanket of low cloud over the target area; no losses.
Mission 469: 1,271 bombers and 803 fighters are dispatched to bomb Munich, Germany; 1,124 bombers bomb the city of Munich, 16 hit Enstingen and 10 hit targets of opportunity; 24 bombers are lost, 4 are damaged beyond repair and 297 are damaged; 2 airmen are KIA, 7 WIA and 216 MIA. Escort is provided by 717 P-38s, P-47s and P-51s; 1 P-38 is damaged beyond repair (pilot is WIA). Mission 470: During the night, 6 of 6 B-17s drop leaflets in France.
THURSDAY, 13 JULY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 471: 1,043 bombers and 609 fighters in 3 forces are dispatched to bomb targets in Germany; 10 bombers and 5 fighters are lost:
28 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions during the night.
FRIDAY, 14 JULY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): With the conversion of the 55th Fighter Group from P-38s to P-51s, the Eighth acquires a majority of P-51 groups to provide longer-range high-altitude escort for the heavy bombers. Conversion to P-51s will continue until by the end of the year every group except 1 will be equipped with them.
Mission 472: In a morning mission 319 of 359 B-17s drop 3,700 containers of supplies to French interior forces in S France; they claim 5-2-2 Luftwaffe aircraft; 15 B-17s are damaged. Escort is provided by 465 P-47s and P-51s; they claim 4-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft.
Mission 473: During the evening 131 B-24s are dispatched to hit airfields in France; 54 hit Montdidier Airfield and 39 hit Peronne Airfield; 9 B-24s are damaged. 40 other B-24s fail to bomb because of failure of blind-bombing equipment. Escort is provided by 79 P-38s and P-51s; 1 P-38 is damaged beyond repair.
94 of 100 P-38s fly fighter-bomber missions against rail targets E and SE of Paris; they claim 2-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-38 is lost (pilot is MIA).
SATURDAY, 15 JULY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 474: 169 P-38s and P-47s make fighter-bomber attacks on enemy transport SE of Paris; 2 P-38s and 1 P-47s are lost; 1 P-38 is damaged beyond repair and 10 P-38s and 2 P-47s are damaged; 4 pilots are MIA.
Mission 475: 6 of 6 B-17s drop leaflets in France during the night.
27 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions to France during the night.
SUNDAY, 16 JULY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 476: 1,087 bombers and 712 fighters are dispatched to hit targets in Germany; 11 bombers and 3 fighters are lost:
MONDAY, 17 JULY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 478: In the morning 670 bombers and 472 fighters are dispatched to hit tactical targets in France; 1 bomber and 1 fighter are lost:
Escort for the 2 groups above is 433 P-38s, P-47s and P-51s; 1 P-47 is lost (pilot is MIA); elements of 4 fighter groups afterwards strafe ground targets, claiming 23 locomotives, 18 trucks, and 55 train cars destroyed. Mission 479: During the evening 34 of 69 B-17s and 106 of 115 B-24s attack 12 V-weapon sites in the Pas de Calais area; 3 B-24s are damaged beyond repair and 23 B-24s and 28 B-17s are damaged; 1 airman is KIA and 5 WIA. Escort is provided by 209 of 227 P-51s; 1 is damaged beyond repair. Mission 480: 5 of 5 B-17s drop leaflets in France and the Netherlands during the night.
16 B-24s participate in CARPETBAGGER missions during the night.TUESDAY, 18 JULY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 481: 1,394 bombers and 476 fighters are dispatched to hit targets in Germany and tactical targets in France; 3 bombers and 3 fighters are lost:
25 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions in France during the night; 1 B-24 collides with an RAF aircraft over France and is lost.
WEDNESDAY, 19 JULY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 482: 1,082 of 1,242 B-17s and B-24s and 670 of 761 P-38s, P-47s, and P-51s dispatched, operating in 5 forces, attack targets in W and SW Germany including 2 plants producing hydrogen peroxide (an ingredient in V-weapon fuels), a chemical plant, 2 aircraft factories, 4 ball bearing plants, 6 marshalling yards, 4 airfields, and a river dam; 17 bombers and 7 fighters are lost. Attacks in the the Munich area are followed, within 90 minutes, by Fifteenth Air Force attacks. 731 fighters, operating in 19 separate units support the bombers; 8 of these units afterwards strafe ground targets, including parked aircraft, locomotives and rolling stock, and road vehicles. The bombers claim 6-4-4 Luftwaffe aircraft; the fighters claim 17-0-4 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 38-0-14 on the ground.
Mission 483: 5 of 5 B-17s drop leaflets in France and Belgium during the night.
5 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions during the night.
THURSDAY, 20 JULY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 484: 1,172 bombers and 542 fighters are dispatched to hit oil and industrial targets in C Germany; 19 bombers and 8 fighters are lost:
Mission 485: 6 of 6 B-17s drop leaflets in France during the night.
12 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions.FRIDAY, 21 JULY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 486: 1,110 bombers and 795 fighters are dispatched in 4 forces to bomb targets in Germany, among them 4 aircraft plants and 2 ball bearing plants; 31 bombers and 8 fighters are lost:
Mission 487: 8 of 8 B-17s drop leaflets in France during the night; 1 B-17 is damaged.
SATURDAY, 22 JULY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 488: 7 of 7 B-17s drop leaflets on Bremen, Hamburg and Kiel, Germany; 1 B-17s is damaged. Escort is provided by 27 of 34 P-51s; 2 P-51s are damaged beyond repair; 1 airman is KIA.
Mission 489: 7 of 7 B-17s drop leaflets in France and the Netherlands during the night. 44 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions during the night.
SUNDAY, 23 JULY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 490: 280 bombers and 193 fighters are dispatched to attack airfields in France; 1 bomber is lost:
Escort for both groups above is provided by 177 P-38s and P-51s. Mission 491: 6 of 6 B-17s drop leaflets in France during the night. 21 of 25 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions during the night.
MONDAY, 24 JULY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 492: Heavy bombers are scheduled to participate in a US First Army offensive (Operation COBRA) to penetrate the German defenses W of Saint-Lo and secure Coutances; 1,586 bombers and 671 fighters are dispatched but bad weather causes the ground forces to delay the attack until next day, and cloud conditions cause 1,102 bombers to abort. Targets hit are:
143 of 169 P-51s fly a sweep over Lechfeld and Leipheim Airfields in Germany; they claim 3-0-0 aircraft in the air and 12-0-16 on the ground; 2 P-51s are lost (pilots are MIA), 1 damaged beyond repair and 6 damaged. Mission 493: 7 of 7 B-17s drop leaflets in France during the night. 6 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions during the night.
TUESDAY, 25 JULY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 494: 1,581 bombers and 500 fighters are dispatched to support a US First Army assault (Operation COBRA) with saturation bombing in the VII Corps area in the Marigny-Saint-Gilles region, just W of Saint-Lo; 5 bombers and 2 fighters are lost; 843 of 917 B-17s and 647 of 664 B-24s hit the Periers/St Lo area and 13 B-17s hit targets of opportunity; 1 B-17 and 4 B-24s are lost, 2 B-24s are damaged beyond repair and 41 B-17s and 132 B-24s are damaged; 9 airmen are WIA and 46 MIA. Escort is provided by 483 P-38s, P-47s and P-51s and also provide escort for Ninth Air Force B-26s; they claim 12-1-3 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 2-0-0 on the ground; 2 P-51s are lost (pilots are MIA) and 5 damaged. Due to a personnel error, bombs from 35 bombers fall within US lines; 102 US troops, including Lieutenant General Lesley J McNair, are killed and 380 wounded.
Mission 295: Late in the afternoon 106 B-24s are dispatched to bomb the Brussels/Melsbroek Airfield, Belgium but they are recalled because of heavy cloud formations. Escort for this mission is provided by 26 P-38s and 110 P-51s.
1 P-38 and 78 P-47s fly a fighter-bomber mission against the Fournival/Bois de Mont fuel dump; they claim 0-0-1 aircraft; 1 P-38 and 4 P-47s are damaged.
17 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions during the night.
WEDNESDAY, 26 JULY 1944
FTP SITESSTRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 496: Of 192 P-47s, 93 attack the St. Just marshalling yards and 40 attack Givet fuel dump in France; 1 P-47 is lost (pilot is MIA) and 10 damaged.
Mission 497: 7 of 7 B-17s drop leaflets in France during the night. 9 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions.
THURSDAY, 27 JULY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 498: 26 B-17s are dispatched to hit coastal batteries at Ostend and Cap Gris Nez/Calais area but weather prevented bombing. In Belgium, of 120 B-24s, 34 hit a Luftwaffe communication center at Brussels/Vilvorde, 20 hit a coastal battery at Gravelines, 11 hit oil installations and industrial plants at Ghent and 1 hits a target of opportunity; 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair and 32 damaged. Escort is provided by 154 P-38s, P-47s and P-51; they claim 1-0-0 aircraft on the ground; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot is MIA).
Mission 499: 193 P-38s, P-47s and P-51s fly fighter-bomber mission against rail traffic S of Rouen and Amiens; they claim 0-0-1 aircraft on the ground; 2 P-38s and 1 P-51 are lost (pilots are MIA); 1 P-51 is damaged beyond repair and 2 P-47s are damaged.
Mission 500: 7 of 7 B-17s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and France during the night.
FRIDAY, 28 JULY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 501: 1,057 bombers and 753 fighters are dispatched to bomb targets in Belgium, France and Germany; 7 bombers and 2 fighters are lost:
Mission 502: 6 of 6 B-17s drop leaflets in France during the night.
SATURDAY, 29 JULY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 503: 1,228 bombers and 755 fighters are dispatched to hit oil targets in Germany and airfields in France; 17 bombers and 7 fighters are lost:
Mission 504: 6 of 6 B-17s drop leaflets in France during the night. 44 B-24s are dispatched on CARPETBAGGER missions; 12 abort.
SUNDAY, 30 JULY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ issues an order regularizing under the VIII Air Force Composite Command certain special and provisional units carrying out special tactical activities; this is a result of suggestion made on 2 Mar by Lieutenant General James H Doolittle, Commanding General Eighth Air Force, that units engaged in CARPETBAGGER, H2X (blind-bombing), night leaflet, and weather missions be put under centralized control.
Mission 505: 237 P-47s and P-51s fly sweeps of Evreux, St Quentin, Paris and Orleans, France claiming 3-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 9-0-0 on the ground; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot is MIA) and 3 P-47s and 2 P-51s are damaged.
Mission 506: 1 B-17 is dispatched on a night leaflet mission but is recalled.
31 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions.
MONDAY, 31 JULY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 507: 1,295 bombers and 701 fighters are dispatched to hit targets in Germany and airfields in France; 16 bombers and 3 fighters are lost:
13 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions.
TUESDAY, 1 AUGUST 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 508: 1,291 bombers and 432 fighters are dispatched to attack airfields, bridges and tactical targets in France; 5 bombers and 4 fighters are lost:
Mission 509: 6 of 6 B-17s drop leaflets on France and Belgium during the night.
In Aug, HQ 95th Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) moves from Halesowrth to Ketteringham, England.
WEDNESDAY, 2 AUGUST 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Two missions are flown today. Mission 510: 319 bombers and 158 fighters are dispatched to attack oil and supply dumps and bridges in the Paris area (number in parenthesis indicates number of bombers attacking); 2 bombers and 2 fighters are lost:
The two forces above are escorted by 132 of 158 P-51s; 2 P-51s are lost and 1 damaged; 1 pilot is KIA and 2 MIA.
Mission 511: 517 bombers and 249 fighters are dispatched to attack CROSSBOW (V-weapon) sites and bridges in France; 3 bombers and 5 fighters are lost:
Escort for the 2 forces above is provided by 236 of 249 P-51s; 5 are lost and 1 is damaged beyond repair; 5 pilots are MIA.
49 P-38s, 183 P-47s and 51 P-51s fly fighter-bomber missions against rail and road transport in the Paris-Amiens-Brussels-St Quentin area; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-47 and 1 P-51 are lost, 1 P-38 is damaged beyond repair and 6 P-47s and 2 P-51s are damaged; 2 pilots are MIA.
42 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions during the night.
THURSDAY, 3 AUGUST 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Two missions are flown. Mission 512: 672 bombers and 352 fighters are dispatched to hit rail and other targets in the French/German border area and oil dumps and bridges SE of Paris; 6 bombers and 6 fighters are lost:
Mission 513: 482 bombers and 178 fighters are dispatched to oil installations and dumps in the Brussels, Paris and Lille areas and CROSSBOW (V-weapon) sites in the Pas de Calais; 2 bombers are lost:
133 P-38s and P-47s fly fighter-bomber missions against rail traffic in the Metz-Strasbourg-Saarbrucken area; they claim 1-0-0 aircraft in the air and 1-0-0 on the ground; 1 P-47 is lost.
FRIDAY, 4 AUGUST 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 3 missions are flown: Mission 514: 1,307 bombers and 746 fighters are dispatched to strategic targets in Germany; 15 bombers are lost:
Mission 516: In France, 154 B-17s and 36 fighters are dispatched to hit V-weapon sites in the Pas de Calais and coastal defenses at Middelkerke and Gravelines:
67 of 69 P-47s fly a fighter-bomber mission against Plantlunne Airfield; they claim 30-0-5 aircraft on the ground; 1 P-47 is lost (pilot is MIA), 1 is damaged beyond repair and 8 damaged.
SATURDAY, 5 AUGUST 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 519: In the morning, 1,171 bombers and 646 fighters are dispatched to attack strategic targets in the Magdeburg-Brunswick-Hannover region of Germany including oil refineries and tank and aircraft production; 13 bombers and 4 fighters are lost:
Mission 522: 6 of 6 B-17s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and France during the night.
19 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions during the night.
In England, HQ 492d Bombardment Group (Heavy) moves from North Pickenham to Harrington; and the 406th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), VIII Air Force Composite Command [attached to 801st Bombardment Group (Provisional)], moves from Harrington to Cheddington with B-24s.
SUNDAY, 6 AUGUST 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 524: 1,186 bombers and 740 fighters are dispatched to attack oil refineries, aircraft, ordnance and other factories in Germany and V-weapon sites in France; 24 bombers and 8 fighters are lost:
36 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions in France; 1 B-24 is MIA.
MONDAY, 7 AUGUST 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 4 missions are flown: Mission 527: 905 bombers and 471 fighters are dispatched to hit fuel dumps and bridges in France but heavy cloud cover forces many aircraft to return with bombs and other formations to be recalled; 1 bomber and 5 fighters are lost; targets hit (number in parenthesis indicates bombers bombing) are:
Mission 528: 1 of 3 B-17s flies a Mico H test mission (Micro H was a radar system which combned the Gee-H and H2X radar functionality for use by pathfinders).
Mission 529: 271 P-47s and P-51s fly fighter-bomber missions to marshalling yards and railroads N and E of Paris; they claim 4-0-1 aircraft on the ground; 3 P-47s and 2 P-51s are lost and 11 P-47s damaged; 5 pilots are MIA. And, 5 of 5 B-17s fly a leaflet mission over France during the night.
In the USSR, a shuttle mission is flown in accordance with a Soviet request; 55 B-17s and 29 P-51s attack an oil refinery at Trzebina, Poland without loss; the aircraft return to Operation FRANTIC bases in the USSR.
TUESDAY, 8 AUGUST 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Shuttle missions continue as 78 B-17s with 55 P-51s escort, leave bases in the USSR to hit airfields in Rumania; 38 hit Bizau and 35 hit Zlistea; no Luftwaffe fighters are encountered during the mission and the force flies to Italy.
Mission 530: 414 B-24s and 265 fighters are dispatched to attack airfields and V-weapon sites in France; 115 hit V-weapons sites in the Pas de Calais; 91 hit Clastres Airfield, 53 hit Romilly air depot, 50 hit La Perthe Airfield, 12 hit Laon/Athies Airfield, 14 hit railroad bridges, 13 hit targets of opportunity and 11 hit Bretigny Airfield; 1 B-24 is lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 139 are damaged; 11 airmen are KIA, 9 WIA and 9 MIA. Escort is provided by 265 P-47s and P-51s; 2 P-51s are lost (pilots are MIA).
Mission 531: 681 B-17s and 100 P-51s are dispatched to bomb enemy troop concentrations and strongpoints S of Caen; 25 Canadian soldiers are killed and 131 wounded by short bombing; 231 hit Cauvincourt, 99 hit Bretteville-sur-Laise strongpoint, 99 hit St Sylvain strong point, 67 hit targets of opportunity and 1 hits Gouvix strongpoint; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 7 B-17s are lost, 4 damaged beyond repair and 294 damaged; 8 airmen are KIA, 15 WIA and 35 MIA. Escort is provided by 91 of 100 P-51s; they claim 4-1-6 aircraft; 3 P-51s are lost (pilots are MIA).
41 of 50 P-51s escort RAF Coastal Command Beaufighters on a convoy strike in Norway; 3 P-51s are lost and 3 damaged; 1 pilot is WIA and 3 MIA.
175 P-38s, P-47s and P-51s fly a fighter-bomber mission against the railroad N and W of Dijon; 2 P-47s and 2 P-51s are lost; 1 P-38, 1 P-47 and 1 P-51 are lost; 5 airmen are MIA.
Mission 532: 5 of 5 B-17s drop leaflets in France during the night.
WEDNESDAY, 9 AUGUST 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 533: 824 bombers and 675 fighters are dispatched to strategic targets (aircraft and tank factories, airfields and fuel depots) in SE Germany; weather deteriorated enroute and many bombers were recalled when confronted with a front rising to 28,000-feet (8,534 m) and most units attacked targets of opportunity; only 25 bombers hit their primary (Sindelfingen); 18 bombers and 3 fighters are lost; targets were (numbers in parenthesis indicate number of bombers bombing):
Mission 535: 3 of 4 B-17s fly a Micro H test mission against Aubigny, France airstrip. Escort is provided by 16 P-38s without loss. Mission 536: 6 of 6 B-17s drop leaflets in France and the Netherlands during the night.
116 P-47s, escorted by 40 P-51s, are dispatched on fighter-bomber missions against communications in France without loss.
In England, HQ 325th Photographic Wing (Reconnaissance) is activated at High Wycombe; and HQ 25th Bombardment Group (Reconnaissance) and 652d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy, Weather Reconnaissance) with B-24s, the 653d Bombardment Squadron (Light, Weather Reconnaissance) with B-24s and Mosquito XVIs and 654th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy, Reconnaissance, Special) with B-24s, B-26s and Mosquito XVIs are activated at Watton.
THURSDAY, 10 AUGUST 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 45 P-51s in Italy during an Operation FRANTIC mission are dispatched with Fifteenth Air Force aircraft to escort a troop carrier evacuation mission.
Mission 537: 175 B-24 and 249 fighters are dispatched against fuel dumps and bridges SE of Paris; 38 hit Clamecy Bridge, 31 hit Joigny, 31 hit Pacy-sur-Armencon, 26 hit Sens, 23 hit St Florentin and 13 hit targets of opportunity; 1 B-24 is lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 19 damaged; 1 airman is WIA and 1 MIA. Escort is provided by 238 of 249 P-51s; they claim 8-0-0 aircraft; 3 P-51s are lost.
Mission 538: 138 fighters are dispatched to hit rail targets in C and E France; 5 fighters are lost.
Mission 539: 1 of 1 B-17s drops leaflets on Brest, France.
Mission 540: 4 of 4 B-17s drop leaflets in France and Norway during the night.
583 fighters are dispatched to hit rail targets in France; they claim 19-0-8 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 P-38s and 4 P-51s are lost.
In England, the 788th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 467th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Harrington to Rackheath with B-24s; and the 856th, 857th, 858th and 859th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 492d Bombardment Group (Heavy) move from North Pickenham to Harrington with B-24s (the squadrons fly CARPETBAGGER missions until Apr 45).
FRIDAY, 11 AUGUST 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Three missions are flown today (numbers in parenthesis indicate number of bombers attacking the target). Mission 541: 660 bombers and 300+ fighters are dispatched to attack 13 marshalling yards, fuel dumps, airfields, and targets of opportunity, in NE France and the Paris area; 4 bombers are lost:
Mission 542: 275 of 294 B-17s attack 23 arsenal areas, barracks, concrete emplacements and heavy artillery posts in and around Brest, France; 1 B-17 is lost and 37 damaged.
Mission 541 and 542 are escorted by 356 P-38s and P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost and 1 damaged beyond repair; 1 pilot is WIA and 1 MIA.
Mission 543: 1 of 2 B-17s flies a Micro H test against La Chenaie rail bridge. Escort is provided by 7 of 8 P-47s.
Mission 544: 6 of 6 B-17s drop leaflets in Franc during the night. 165 of 180 P-47s fly a fighter sweep of the Paris area; they claim 3-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 2-0-0 on the ground. 28 of 31 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions in France.
SATURDAY, 12 AUGUST 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The shuttle-bombing mission UK-USSR-Italy-UK is completed; of the 72 B-17s taking off from Fifteenth AF bases in Italy, 3 have various problems; the others bomb Toulouse/Francazal Airfield, France and then proceed to the UK; 62 P-51s (part of the shuttle-mission force) and 43 from the UK provide escort; no aircraft are lost; 70 B-17s and 58 P-51s land in the UK; 5 B-17s and 6 P-51s, either left in Italy or returning there during this mission, subsequently return to the UK. Mission 545: 577 bombers and 436 fighters are dispatched to make visual attacks on the Metz marshalling yard and airfield in C and E France; 3 bombers and 3 fighters are lost (number in parenthesis are the number of bombers attacking the target):
Mission 546: 6 of 6 B-17s drop leaflets in France during the night. 486 P-38s, P-47s and P-51s attack transportation targets in the Paris and Brussels areas; they claim 5-0-0 aircraft in the air and 13-0-0 on the ground; 1 P-38s, 5 P-47s and 7 P-51s are lost (pilots are MIA). 220 P-47s and P-51s attack transportation targets in NE France; 2 P-51s are lost (pilots are MIA) and 3 are damaged beyond repair.
1 fighter group escorts Ninth Air Force B-26s.
The 850th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 490th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Harrington to Eye, England with B-24s.
SUNDAY, 13 AUGUST 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 4 missions are flown: Mission 548: 1,264 bombers and 131 fighters are dispatched to make visual attacks in support of ground forces on coastal batteries and transportation choke points between Le Havre and Paris; 12 bombers are lost:
Mission 549: 1 APHRODITE B-17 with 2,000-pounds (907 kgs) of bombs is launched against Le Havre; B-17, P-38 and Mosquito support aircraft assist; the target is missed and the Mosquito is destroyed by the exploding bombs. Mission 550: 2 of 4 B-17s fly a Micro H test mission to La Chenaie rail junction.
Mission 551: 6 of 6 B-17s drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Belgium during the night.
36 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions during the night.
844 P-38s, P-47s and P-51s fly fighter-bomber missions against transportation targets in the Seine River area; they claim 0-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground; 4 P-47s and 9 P-51s are lost, 4 P-47s are damaged beyond repair and 1 P-47 is damaged; 1 pilot is KIA, 1 WIA and 13 MIA.
MONDAY, 14 AUGUST 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 552: 1,183 bombers and 429 fighters are dispatched to attack 9 airfields, 2 aero engine factories, 1 oil plant, 2 bridges, 2 rail junctions and other secondary and targets of opportunity in SW Germany, E France, and the Bordeaux, France region; 2 bombers and 1 fighter are lost (numbers in parenthesis indicate number of bombers attacking the target):
Mission 553: 6 of 6 B-17s drop leaflets in France during the night; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft. 37 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions in France; 1 B-24 is lost.
136 P-38s and P-47s fly fighter-bomber missions in the Paris area; they claim 3-0-0 aircraft; 1 P-38 and 2 P-47s are lost, 1 P-47 is damaged beyond repair and 2 P-47s are damaged; 2 pilots are MIA.
The 36th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), VIII Air Force Composite Command, moves from Harrington to Cheddington, England with B-24s; the squadron will convert from CARPETBAGGER to ECM missions over Europe.
TUESDAY, 15 AUGUST 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 554: 932 bombers and 443 fighters are dispatched to attack 11 airfields in NW Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium in conjunction with 1,000 Royal Air Force (RAF) heavy bombers and Mosquitos raiding 9 airfields in the Netherlands and Belgium; 16 bombers and 5 fighters are lost; numbers in parenthesis indicate the number of bombing attacking:
The two missions above are escorted by 118 of 124 P-51s without loss. 33 of 35 P-47s dive-bomb and skip-bomb a repair shop and locomotives in the marshalling yard at Braine-le-Comtes; 1 P-47 is lost and 4 damaged; 4 pilots are MIA.
12 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions during the night.
HQ 491st Bombardment Group (Heavy) and the 852d, 853d, 854th and 855th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) move from Metfield to North Pickenham, England with B-24s.
WEDNESDAY, 16 AUGUST 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 556: 1,090 bombers and 692 fighters are dispatched to make visual attacks on oil refineries and aircraft plants in C Germany; 23 bombers and 3 fighters are lost (number in parenthesis indicate number of bombers attacking):
Mission 557: 8 of 8 B-17s drop leaflets in France during the night.
THURSDAY, 17 AUGUST 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Three missions are flown:
33 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions during the night.
FRIDAY, 18 AUGUST 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Three missions are flown (numbers in parenthesis are numbers of bombers attacking):
Mission 561: 52 B-24s are dispatched to hit Roye/Amy Airfield, France (42) and 10 hit targets of opportunity; 2 B-24s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 37 damaged; 2 airmen are KIA, 1 WIA and 21 MIA. Escort is provided by 96 of 99 P-51s without loss.
Mission 562: 720 bombers and 242 fighters are dispatched against bridges, airfields, fueld dumps and an aircraft engine factory in France and Belgium; 2 bombers and 1 fighter are lost:
Mission 564: 7 of 7 B-17s drop leaflets in France during the night.
WEDNESDAY, 23 AUGUST 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 142 of 163 P-47s bomb and strafe rail transportation from Saint-Omer to Reims, France; 2 P-47s are damaged. Mission 567: 6 of 6 B-17s drop leaflets in France and Belgium during the night.
THURSDAY, 24 AUGUST 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 568: 1,319 bombers and 739 fighters are dispatched on visual attacks on strategic targets in Germany with some PFF on targets of opportunity; 26 bombers and 4 fighters are lost; targets are (numbers in parenthesis indicate bombers attacking):Mission 569: 1 B-17 drops leaflets on Brest, France during the night.
FRIDAY, 25 AUGUST 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Four missions are flown. Mission 570: 1,191 bombers and 708 fighters make visual bombing attacks against aircraft component plants, Luftwaffe experimental stations and the synthetic oil industry; 18 bombers and 7 fighters are lost; numbers in parenthesis indicate number of bombers attacking the target:
Mission 572: 107 bombers and 172 fighters are dispatched to make visual attacks on liquid oxygen and ammonia plants in Belgium and N France:
Mission 573: 6 of 6 B-17s drop leaflets on France and Belgium during the night.
1 C-47 flies a CARPETBAGGER mission during the night.
SATURDAY, 26 AUGUST 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 8 missions are flown (numbers in parenthesis indicate number of bombers attacking).
Mission 575: 359 B-17s are dispatched to attack gun batteries in the Brest, France area; targets are Brest/Pte de St Mathieu (35) and coastal batteries at Kerandieu (27), Cornovailles (21), Brest/Ile Longue (20), Brest/Kerviniov (9) and Brest/Ponscorf (7); targets of opportunity are Brest/Pte des Espagnoles II (21) and Brest/Pte des Espagnoles III (18); 3 B-17s are damaged beyond repair and 4 damaged; 18 airmen are KIA. Escort is provided by 48 of 49 P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost.
Mission 576: 588 bombers and 402 fighters attack oil refineries, fuel stores and chemical works in Germany; 10 bombers and 3 fighters are lost:
Mission 578: 37 B-17s are dispatched to hit liquid oxygen plants at La Louviere, Torte and Willebroeck, Belgium but the mission is aborted due to clouds. Escort is provided by 18 of 18 P-51s.
Mission 579: 3 of 3 B-17s fly a special bomb test using Micro H radar against aviation industry targets at Meaulte, France. Escort is provided by 7 P-47s.
Mission 580: 3 B-17s fly a Micro H test mission; 2 of the aircraft also drop leaflets.
Mission 581: 7 B-24s are dispatched on a radio countermeasures mission to aid the Royal Air Force (RAF) Bomber Command.
Mission 582: 6 of 6 B-17s drop leaflets in France and Belgium during the night.
183 P-47s and 206 P-51s attack transport targets in Belgium, E France and W Germany; they claim 1-0-0 aircraft; 2 P-47s and 7 P-51s are lost and 9 P-47s and 6 P-51s are damaged; 1 pilot is WIA and 8 are MIA.
SUNDAY, 27 AUGUST 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Two major missions are flown against Berlin and strategic targets in N and C Germany; 3 bombers and 10 fighters are lost:
Mission 583: 426 B-17s are dispatched but encounter very high clouds over Denmark and N Germany and are recalled; 5 hit Ausum Airfield, 4 hit targets of opportunity and 1 hits Flensburg marshalling yard; 2 B-17s are lost and 16 damaged; 9 airmen are MIA. Escort is provided by 180 of 194 P-51s; 3 P-51s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 2 damaged; 1 pilot is KIA and 3 MIA. Mission 584: 777 bombers and 351 fighters are dispatched:
316 of 326 P-47s fly fighter-bomber missions against transport in E France; they claim 14-0-4 aircraft on the ground; 1 P-47 is lost (pilot is MIA).
Mission 585: 6 of 6 B-17s drop leaflets in France and the Netherlands during the night.
MONDAY, 28 AUGUST 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Weather prevents heavy bomber operations; 835 fighters are dispatched on fighter-bomber and strafing attacks on rail targets in the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany: 20 fighters are lost:
Mission 588: 6 of 6 B-17s drop leaflets in France and the Netherlands during the night.
TUESDAY, 29 AUGUST 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Bad weather restricts bomber operations. 104 of 202 P-38s and P-47s attack transportation targets in France, Belgium and Germany; 2 airfields, 3 marshalling yards, rail lines at several points, and a large number of rail and road vehicles are attacked; they claim 20-0-7 aircraft on the ground; 3 P-47s are lost (pilots are MIA) and 8 damaged.
WEDNESDAY, 30 AUGUST 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Three missions are flown. Mission 590: 107 of 159 B-17s and 108 of 145 B-24s dispatched hit 8 V-weapon sites in the Pas de Calais area of France; one wing uses GH and H2X methods; 22 bombers are damaged. Escort is provided by 16 of 16 P-51s without loss.
Mission 591: Later in the day, 637 B-17s are dispatched to bomb the U-boat base and shipyards at Kiel (282), and aircraft plant and other industry in the Bremen area (327); 4 others hit targets of opportunity; 1 B-17 is damaged beyond repair and 136 damaged. Escort is provided by 258 of 294 P-51s without loss.
Mission 592: 6 of 6 B-17s drop leaflets in France and Belgium during the night.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 594: 6 of 6 B-17s drop leaflets in France during the night.
37 B-24s and C-47s fly CARPETBAGGER missions during the night.
FRIDAY, 1 SEPTEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 3 missions are flown.
VIII Fighter Command fighter-bomber missions:
31 of 44 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions during the night.
SATURDAY, 2 SEPTEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Missin 596: 34 of 36 P-47s strafe gun positions and road and rail traffic in the Bruges-Ghent-Courtrai-Roulers, Belgium area; 2 P-47s are damaged beyond repair and 7 are damaged. 2 C-47s fly CARPETBAGGER missions to France.
SUNDAY, 3 SEPTEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown.
125 of 127 P-47s strafe transportation targets in the Tilburg, the Netherlands, Namur, Belgium and Cologne, Germany areas; they claim 0-0-1 aircraft on the ground; 1 P-47 is lost (pilot MIA), 1 damaged beyond repair and 18 damaged; 1 pilot is WIA.
40 B-24s and 4 C-47s fly CARPETBAGGER missions during the night.
TUESDAY, 5 SEPTEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 3 missions are flown:
Mission 605: 739 bombers and 315 fighters are dispatched to SE Germany; 6 bombers are lost; during the missions, a P-51 shoots down a Swiss Bf 109 near Dubendorf.
Mission 606: 143 of 143 B-17s make a visual attack on enemy positions in the Brest, France area; 2 B-17s are lost and 1 damaged; 18 airmen are MIA. Escort is provided by 21 of 22 P-51s without loss. Mission 608: 7 of 8 B-17s drop leaflets in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany during the night.
46 B-24s and 2 C-47s fly CARPETBAGGER missions during the night; 1 B-24 is lost.
VIII Fighter Command fighter-bomber missions:
WEDNESDAY, 6 SEPTEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 607: 49 P-38s and 165 P-47s strafe rail and highway traffic in the Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and the Aachen and Koblenz, Germany areas; 1 P-38 and 3 P-47s are lost to flak (pilots are MIA) and 5 P-38s and 7 P-47s are damaged. 70 B-24s fly TRUCKIN' missions (carrying cargo to airfields in France).
FRIDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER 1944
ETO: The first V-2 fired in combat explodes in a Paris suburb; the second strikes a London suburb a few hours later.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 611: 1,070 bombers and 349 fighters are dispatched to hit industrial targets in the Mainz and Ludwigshafen, Germany area; attacks were visual at the primary targets; 10 bombers are lost:
Mission 615: 7 of 8 B-17s drop leaflets in the Low Countries, France and Germany during the night.
VIII Fighter Command fighter missions:
A C-47 flies a CARPETBAGGER mission in France.
110 B-24s fly TRUCKIN' mission to Orleans/Bricy Airfield, France.
SATURDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 3 missions are flown.Mission 613: 68 of 72 B-17s fly Operation GRASSY to drop 180 containers of supplies to French Resistance Fighters 25 miles (40 km) S of Besancon without loss. Escort is provided by 30 of 32 P-51s without loss.
Mission 614: 1,140 bombers and 435 fighters are dispatched to hit targets in W Germany; the primaries are attacked by both visual and PFF means; 14 bombers and 1 fighter are lost:
Mission 618: 7 of 7 B-17s drop leaflets on Belgium, France and Germany during the night.
VIII Fighter Command fighter-bomber missions:
40 B-24s and C-47s fly CARPETBAGGER mission during the night.
SUNDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 4 missions are flown.
Mission 619: 1,144 bombers and 570 fighters are dispatched to targets in the Stuttgart, Germany area; 7 bombers are lost mostly to flak and 5 fighters are lost:
Mission 620: 1 B-17 flies a mission to trial the GB-4 radio/visual control bomb against Duren, Germany
Mission 621: 3 of 3 B-17s fly a radar and photo reconnaissance mission over Germany; leaflets are also dropped.
6 of 7 B-17s drop leaflets on France, the Netherlands and Germany during the night.
121 of 135 P-47s strafe airfields and ground and rail traffic in a sweep over the Cologne, Frankfurt/Main, and Kassel areas; they claim 10-0-21 aircraft on the ground; 8 P-47s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 4 damaged; 8 pilots are MIA.
35 B-24s and C-47s fly CARPETBAGGER missions during the night.
MONDAY, 11 SEPTEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Two missions are flown. Mission 623: 1,131 bombers and 440 fighters are dispatched to hit synthetic oil plants and refineries in Germany; AAF encounters an estimated 525 Luftwaffe fighters; 40 bombers and 17 fighters are lost; AAF claim 115-7-23 aircraft in the air and 42-0-43 on the ground:
Mission 625: 6 of 6 B-17s drop leaflets on France and Germany during the night.
38 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions during the night.
TUESDAY, 12 SEPTEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Two missions are flown. Mission 626: For the second day, 888 bombers and 662 fighters are dispatched on a major assault on the German oil industry; they are intercepted by 400-450 Luftwaffe fighters; AAF claims 81-16-20 aircraft in the air; 35 bombers and 12 fighters are lost:
Mission 627: 7 of 7 B-17s drop leaflet in France, the Netherlands and Germany during the night.
36 B-24s and C-47s are dispatched on CARPETBAGGER missions during the night.
WEDNESDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 3 missions are flown. Mission 628: 1,015 bombers and 477 fighters attack oil and industrial targets in S Germany by visual means; 15 bombers and 8 fighters are lost:
Mission 629: 11 B-24s are dispatched on an Azon mission to the oil refinery at Hemminstedt (6); 5 hit the secondary target, ammunition dumps at Kropp. Escort is provided by 15 of 15 P-51s without loss. Mission 631: 8 of 8 B-17s drop leaflets on the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.
73 of 74 B-17s, escorted by 63 P-51s, continuing the UK-USSR-Italy-UK shuttle-bombing mission, take off from USSR bases, bomb steel and armament works at Diosgyor, Hungary and proceed to Fifteenth AF bases in Italy.
40 of 48 P-51s fly a strafing mission S of Munich hitting an aircraft dispersal area, airfield and marshalling yard; they claim 5-0-0 aircraft on the ground; 2 P-51s are lost.
THURSDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 632: 2 B-17 control aircraft and 2 B-17 CASTOR drones fly an APHRODITE mission to the oil refinery at Hemmingstedt, Germany; the target is missed.
FRIDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 632: As part of Operation FRANTIC, 110 B-17s are dispatched to drop supplies to Warsaw patriots and then proceed to bases in the USSR; a weather front is encountered over the North Sea and the bombers are recalled. Escort is provided by 149 of 156 P-51s; 2 P-51s collide in a cloud and are lost.
Three Fighter Wings and the 15 Fighter Groups are reassigned from the VIII Fighter Command to the three Bombardment Divisions as follows:
SATURDAY, 16 SEPTEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 635: 178 P-47s and 149 P-51s are dispatched to bomb and strafe the Hannover-Bremen-Osnabruck areas and bomb Ahlhorn Airfield and the Mannheim-Kaiserslautern area, all in Germany; they claim 6-0-1 aircraft on the ground; 1 P-51 is lost and 10 damaged; 1 pilot is MIA.
Mission 636: 7 of 9 B-17s drop leaflets in France, Germany and the Netherlands during the night.
32 B-24s and C-47s are dispatched on CARPETBAGGER missions; 1 B-24 is lost.
SUNDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The last UK-USSR-Italy-UK shuttle mission (Operations FRANTIC) is completed as 72 B-17s and 59 P-51s fly without bombs from Italy to the UK; 2 B-17s and a P-51 abort and a P-51 crashlands SW of Paris; 70 B-17s 57 P-51s land safely in the UK.
Mission 637: 875 B-17s are dispatched bomb 117 flak batteries and installations and an airfield, all in the Netherlands; 815 B-17s attack the primaries and 6 hit Eisenach; 2 B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 119 damaged; 9 airmen are KIA, 6 WIA and 15 MIA. Escort is provided by 141 of 153 P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot is MIA).
503 P-38s, P-47s and P-51s escort aircraft of the First Allied Airborne Army making a parachute and glider drop of 20,000 troops into the Netherlands to secure the axis of advance toward the Zuider Zee for the British Second Army, as part of Operation MARKET-GARDEN, 17-30 Sep; troops dropped are the I Airborne Corps, consisting of the British 1 Airborne Division (with Polish Parachute Brigade) and US 82d and 101st Airborne Divisions; the fighters also bomb and strafe flak positions and other ground targets, encountering intense flak and about 30 fighters; they claim 7-0-0 aircraft in the air, 1-0-0 on the ground and the destruction of 107 flak positions; 6 P-47s and 7 P-51s are lost, 3 P-47s and 2 P-51s damaged beyond repair and 41 P-47s and 6 P-51s damaged; 2 pilots are WIA and 11 MIA.
MONDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 3 missions are flown.
TUESDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 642: 796 B-17s are dispatched against marshalling yards in W Germany; weather prevents about half from bombing primary targets but most manage to bomb targets of opportunity; 7 bombers and 1 fighter are lost:
100 B-17s and 61 P-51s takeoff from bases in the USSR and bomb the marshalling yard at Szolnok, Hungary and continue to bases in Italy. 172 of 182 P-51s supporting the First Allied Airborne Army in the Netherlands engage 100+ fighters, claiming 23-4-14; 6 P-51s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 2 damaged; 1 pilot is KIA and 6 MIA.
WEDNESDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 679 P-38s, P-47s and P-51s are dispatched to support the First Allied Airborne Army in the Arnhem and Nijmegen areas of the Netherlands; 644 aircraft strafe and bomb ground targets; intense light flak claims 1 P-51 plus 1 P-38, 1 P-47 and 1 P-51 damaged beyond repair and 3 P-47s and 4 P-51s damaged; air attacks aid ground troops in taking valuable bridges in the area and in the advance toward Arnhem.
THURSDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 644: 486 bombers are dispatched to hit targets in W Germany using PFF methods; 2 bombers are lost:
90 P-47s and P-51s support the First Allied Airborne Army C-47s dropping supplies and paratroops of the Polish 1st Brigade near Driel, the Netherlands; they encounter about 50 Luftwaffe fighters, claiming 20-0-2; 3 P-47s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 2 damaged; 3 pilots are MIA.
FRIDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 645: 661 bombers are dispatched to hit armoured vehicle and votor vehicle factories at Kassel/Henschel, Germany bombing by PFF; 453 B-17s are dispatched; 410 hit the primary, 10 hit Wetzlar and 7 hit targets of opportunity; 3 B-17s are lost and 104 damaged; 7 airmen are WIA and 27 MIA; 208 of 208 B-24s hit the primary; 3 bombers are damaged. Escort is provided by 268 of 286 P-51s; 1 is lost (pilot MIA) and 1 damaged beyond repair.
The last Operations FRANTIC missions ends as 84 B-17s and 51 P-51s return to the UK from Italy; the remaining aircraft return on 8 Oct. 77 of 79 P-47s patrol the Arnhem, the Netherlands area; 1 P-47 is lost and 1 damaged beyond repair.
108 B-24s fly fuel to France.
SATURDAY, 23 SEPTEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 559 of 586 P-38s, P-47s and P-51s bomb and strafe flak positions and other ground targets in 2 landing zones in the Nijmegen, the Netherlands area, immediately preceding the arrival of the remainder of the US 82d and 101st Airborne Divisions and the Polish 1st Brigade; the P-38s are flown by Eighth and Ninth AF units; they engage 150+ Luftwaffe fighters; AAF claims 27-2-6 aircraft in the air; 4 P-47s and 10 P-51s are lost, 1 P-47 and 1 P-51 are damaged beyond repair and 25 P-47s and 10 P-51s are damaged; 1 pilot is WIA and 14 MIA. 162 B-24s fly a TRUCKIN' mission to France delivering fuel.
SUNDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Weather grounds the bombers and fighters. 47 of 53 B-24s fly a TRUCKIN' mission delivering fuel to France.
MONDAY, 25 SEPTEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 647: 1,306 bombers and 622 fighters are dispatched to attack marshalling yards in W Germany and the synthetic oil plant at Ludwigshafen bombed by PFF; 5 bombers and 3 fighters are lost:
176 B-24s on a TRUCKIN' mission fly fuel to France; 1 B-24 is lost.
TUESDAY, 26 SEPTEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 648: 1,159 bombers and 432 fighters are dispatched to hit rail targets and armored vehicle factories in W Germany; 9 bombers and 2 fighters are lost:
320 P-38s, P-47s and P-51s (P-38s from Ninth Air Force) support the First Allied Airborne Army in the Netherlands; they claim 32-1-8 aircraft in the air; 1 P-38 is lost (pilot MIA), 1 P-47 is damaged beyond repair and 5 P-47s and 4 P-51s are damaged.
165 B-24s fly a TRUCKIN' mission carrying fuel to France. HQ 361st Fighter Group moves from Bottisham to Little Walden, England.
WEDNESDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 650: 1,192 bombers and 678 fighters are dispatched to hit industrial and transportation targets in W Germany and use PFF methods for all targets; 28 bombers and 2 fighters are lost:
Mission 651: 8 of 10 B-17s drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany during the night.
163 B-24s on a TRUCKIN' mission carry fuel to France.
THURSDAY, 28 SEPTEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 652: 1,049 bombers and 724 fighters are dispatched to hit oil and military vehicle factories in C Germany using PFF means; they claim 37-8-18 Luftwaffe aircraft; 34 bombers and 7 fighters are lost:
Mission 653: 4 B-24s and 6 B-17s drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany during the night.
194 B-24s fly a TRUCKIN' mission to France with fuel. The 374th, 375th and 376th Fighter Squadrons, 361st Fighter Group, move from Bottisham to Little Walden, England with P-51s.
FRIDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 654: 5 B-17s and 5 B-24s drop leaflets on the Netherlands, France and Germany during the night.
SATURDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 655: 834 bombers and 629 fighters are dispatched to make PFF attacks on marshalling yards and airfields in W Germany; 8 bombers are lost:
86 of 97 P-51s fly a sweep over NW Germany; 1 P-51 is damaged beyond repair.
116 B-24s fly a TRUCKIN' mission carrying fuel to France.
SUNDAY, 1 OCTOBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 657: 9 of 10 B-17s drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Belgium during the night.
MONDAY, 2 OCTOBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 4 missions are flown: Mission 658: 887 B-17s and 549 fighters are dispatched to make PFF attacks on industrial targets at Cologne and Kassel, Germany; 2 B-17s are lost:
Mission 659: 308 B-24s are dispatched to make a PFF attack on the marshalling yard at Hamm (266); targets of opportunity are Handorf Airfield (29) and Munster (1); 2 B-24s are lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 144 damaged; 1 airman is KIA and 18 MIA. Escort is provided by 212 P-38s, P-47s and P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA), 2 damaged beyond repair and 1 damaged; 1 pilot is KIA.
Mission 660: 2 B-17s, escorted by 15 P-51s, drop leaflets on Dutch islands during the day.
Mission 661: 5 B-24s and 3 B-17s drop leaflets in the Netherlands, France and Germany during the night.
TUESDAY, 3 OCTOBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown: Mission 662: 1,065 bombers and 753 fighters make PFF and visual attacks against airfields and industrial targets in Geramny; 3 bombers and 4 fighters are lost:
Mission 663: 6 B-24s and 4 B-17s drop leaflets in France, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium during the night.
WEDNESDAY, 4 OCTOBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 664: 5 B-24s and 4 B-17s drop leaflets in the Low Countries, France and Germany during the night.
THURSDAY, 5 OCTOBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): General Order 507 implements the decision of 15 Sep to assign staff officers of HQ VIII Fighter Command to HQ Eighth AF to represent units in administrative functions, thus eliminating the administrative and operational control from HQ VIII Fighter Command and placing it under HQ Eighth AF; this is necessitated by the transfer of fighter groups to Bombardment Divisions. 2 missions are flown: Mission 665: 1,090 bombers and 733 fighters are dispatched to hit industrial targets, airfields and railways in W Germany; 9 bombers and 5 fighters are lost:
Mission 666: 8 of 10 bombers drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany during the night.
FRIDAY, 6 OCTOBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 667: 1,271 bombers and 784 fighter are dispatched to hit industrial targets in N Germany; with one exception, all attacks are visual; 19 bombers and 4 fighters are lost:
Mission 668: 6 B-24s and 4 B-17s drop leaflets in Germany, the Netherlands and France during the night without loss.
SATURDAY, 7 OCTOBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 669: 1,422 bombers and 900 fighters are dispatched to hit oil installations and armored vehicle plants in Germany; with one exception, bombing is visual; 40 bombers and 11 fighters are lost:
MONDAY, 9 OCTOBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 670: 1,110 bombers and 878 fighters are dispatched to make PFF attacks on industrial targets in S and C Germany; 1 bomber is lost:
WEDNESDAY, 11 OCTOBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 672: 135 B-17s are dispatched to bomb the Wesseling synthetic oil plant (57); 73 others hit the secondary, the Koblenz marshalling yard; 4 B-17s are lost and 61 damaged; 3 airmen are KIA, 6 WIA and 38 MIA. Escort is provided by 135 of 139 P-47s; 1 P-47 is lost.
Mission 673: 9 aircraft drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany during the night.
THURSDAY, 12 OCTOBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 674: 552 bombers and 514 fighters are dispatched to hit targets in Germany; they claim 18-3-1 aircraft; 3 bombers and 5 fighters are lost:
Mission 675: 8 aircraft are dispatched to drop leaflets in the Netherlands, France and Germany during the night; 2 B-24s are lost.
SATURDAY, 14 OCTOBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 676: 211 bombers and 258 fighters make GH attacks on 2 targets in Germany: 1 fighter is lost:
SUNDAY, 15 OCTOBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 3 missions are flown. Mission 677: 754 bombers and 464 fighters are dispatched to hit industrial, oil and rail targets in the Cologne, Germany area; all but 1 force bombs by PFF methods; 7 bombers and 3 fighters are lost:
Mission 678A: 2 of 9 B-17s make an APHRODITE attack on naval installations on Heligoland Island, Germany; 23 of 24 B-17s fly a cover mission to the same targets. Escort is provided by 15 of 16 P-51s and 2 P-38s without loss. Mission 679: 5 B-17s and 4 B-24s fly a night leaflet mission over the Netherlands, France and Germany without loss.
MONDAY, 16 OCTOBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 680: 2 B-17s and 7 B-24s are dispatched on a night leaflet mission to France, the Netherlands and Germany.
TUESDAY, 17 OCTOBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 681: 1,338 bombers and 811 fighters are dispatched on PFF attacks in the Cologne, Germany area; 4 bombers and 1 fighter are lost:
WEDNESDAY, 18 OCTOBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 682: 567 bombers and 604 fighters are dispatched to hit targets in Germany; 5 bombers and 5 fighters are lost:
THURSDAY, 19 OCTOBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 683: 1,022 bombers and 753 fighters attack targets in Germany using PFF or GH; 6 bombers and 2 fighters are lost:
Mission 684: 5 B-17s and 5 B-24s are dispatched to drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany during the night.
SUNDAY, 22 OCTOBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ 492d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and the 856th, 857th, 858th and 859th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), i.e., the CARPETBAGGER group assigned to HQ VIII Fighter Command, is transferred to the 1st Bombardment Division to operate as a night bombing group; only the 856th Squadron remains on CARPETBAGGER operations over the Netherlands, Norway and Denmark under operational control of HQ Eighth AF; this reduction of supply dropping forces results from the recapture of major portions of France. The 859th Squadron is sent to Italy in Dec 44 and did not return; the 857th and 858th started night bombing sorties on a limited scale in Dec 44.
Mission 685: 1,131 bombers and 785 fighters are dispatched on PFF attacks on targets in W Germany; 2 bombers and 1 fighter are lost:
MONDAY, 23 OCTOBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 686: 6 B-24s and 3 B-17s drop leaflets in France and the Netherlands during the night.
TUESDAY, 24 OCTOBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): By this date, all Pathfinder aircraft of the 482d Bombardment Group (Pathfinder), engaged in H2X and other radar training at RAF Alconbury, have been dispersed to bombardment groups within the bombardment division, which set up their own H2X training. In Germany, 415 P-47s and P-51s are dispatched to attack aircraft and ground targets in the Hannover-Kassel area; 73 bomb flak positions at Elburg, a factory near Nienburg, and miscellaneous ground targets; bad weather causes other fighter-bombers to jettison bombs in the English Channel and Zuider Zee; the fighter-bombers strafe transportation and other ground targets with good results.
WEDNESDAY, 25 OCTOBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 688: 1,250 bombers and 522 fighters are dispatched to hit oil and industrial targets in W Germany; 2 bombers and 1 fighter are lost; the first three forces use H2X while the 4th and 5th use GH:
THURSDAY, 26 OCTOBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 689: 1,225 bombers and 674 fighters make PFF attacks on industrial and communications targets in W Germany; 1 fighter is lost:
FRIDAY, 27 OCTOBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 690: 2 B-17s and 7 B-24s drop leaflets on 38 locations in the Netherlands, France and Germany during the night.
SATURDAY, 28 OCTOBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 691: 382 bombers and 217 fighters are dispatched on PFF attacks on marshalling yards in Germany; 3 bombers and 2 fighters are lost.
Mission 692: 3 B-17s and 6 B-24s drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany during the night.
MONDAY, 30 OCTOBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 3 missions are flown. Mission 693: 1,279 bombers and 978 fighters fly a major mission against German oil production facilities; 2 bombers and 5 fighters are lost:
Mission 693A: 2 of 5 B-17s make an APHRODITE attack on Heligoland Island, Germany; escort is provided by 7 of 7 P-47s. 26 of 27 B-17s, escorted by 8 of 8 P-47s, fly a cover mission to Heligoland without loss.
Mission 694: 2 B-17s and 7 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany during the night.
TUESDAY, 31 OCTOBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 695: 3 B-17s and 5 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands, France and Germany during the night.
WEDNESDAY, 1 NOVEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 696: 324 bombers and 321 fighters are dispatched to attack 2 synthetic oil plants near Gelsenkirchen and a bridge at Rudesheim, Germany; 1 P-51 is lost:
Mission 697: 3 B-17s and 5 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands during the night.
THURSDAY, 2 NOVEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force) 2 missions are flown. Mission 698: 1,174 bombers and 968 fighters are dispatched in 5 forces to make PFF attacks on the oil industry and rail targets in Germany. 40 bombers and 15 fighters are lost.
5. 107 of 13 B-17s dispatched, escorted by 20 P-47s, struck oil industries at Sterkrade, and 20 hit the rail yards at Rheine.
In all 2,648 tons of bombs were dropped.
Mission 699: Leaflet mission - 3 B-17s and 5 B-24s Holland and Germany. 36 BS dispatched 7 B-24s on RCM.
SATURDAY, 4 NOVEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 700: 1,160 bombers and 890 fighters are dispatched in 6 forces to make PFF attacks on the oil industry in W Germany; 5 bombers and 2 fighters are lost:
SUNDAY, 5 NOVEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 702: 1,272 bombers and 666 fighters in 3 forces attack marshalling yards in W Germany; H2X radar is used by all forces; 12 bombers and 6 fighters are lost.
MONDAY, 6 NOVEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 704: 1,131 bombers and 802 fighters in 6 forces make PFF attacks on the oil industry in W Germany; 5 bombers and 5 fighters are lost:
30 P-51s of the Scouting Forces patrol the area without loss.
WEDNESDAY, 8 NOVEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The transfer of training functions from VIII Air Force Composite Command to combat groups is completed; the VIII AF Composite Command ceases to function as personnel are attached to the Air Disarmament Command (Provisional) by the US Strategic Air Forces in Europe (USSTAF). The airfield at Denain/Prouvy, France is assigned to HQ Eighth AF; this is the first step in establishing an VIII Air Force Services Command Service Center on the European continent so that Eighth AF can service and administer its own aircraft and personnel in the area. 2 missions are flown.
Mission 705: 690 bombers and 890 fighters are dispatched to make a PFF attack on Merseburg oil plants and Rheine marshalling yard; bad weather causes the recall of 350+ bombers; 3 bombers and 11 fighters are lost:
11 of 14 P-51s fly a scouting missions without loss.
Mission 706: 5 B-17s and 12 B-24s (2 abort) drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany during the night without loss.
THURSDAY, 9 NOVEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 707: 1,309 bombers and 738 fighters are dispatched to hit front line strongpoints and tactical targets in the Metz and Thionville, France areas; 4 bombers and 5 fighters are lost:
The 27th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) (attached to VIII Air Force Service Command), moves from Mount Farm, England to Denain/Prouvy, France with F-5s.
FRIDAY, 10 NOVEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 709: 752 bombers and 808 fighters in 3 forces are dispatched to make PFF attack on airfields in W Germany; 4 bombers are lost.
Mission 711: 6 B_17s and 9 B-24s (1 abort) drop leaflets on the Netherlands and Germany during the night without loss.
SATURDAY, 11 NOVEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 712: 482 bombers and 367 fighters make PFF attacks on oil refineries and marshalling yards in W Germany; 1 bomber and 1 fighter are lost:
12 of 13 B-17s fly a screening mission.
31 P-51s fly a scouting mission.
SUNDAY, 12 NOVEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The operational tour of duty for fighter pilots is set at 270 hours.
MONDAY, 13 NOVEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 713: 4 B-17s and 8 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands, France and Germany during the night.
WEDNESDAY, 15 NOVEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 714: 6 B-17s and 6 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands, France and Germany during the night.
THURSDAY, 16 NOVEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 715: 1,243 bombers and 282 fighters, along with Ninth AF and Royal Air Force (RAF) aircraft, are dispatched to attack tactical targets E of Aachen, Germany in support of the US First and Ninth Armies' offensive; 1 fighter is lost:
4 of 4 B-17s fly a screening force mission.
16 of 16 P-51s fly a scouting force mission.
SATURDAY, 18 NOVEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 716: 402 fighters (47 P-47s and 355 P-51s) are dispatched to strafe oil storage depots in the Hanau and Ulm areas, airfields at Leipheim and Lechfeld, and miscellaneous ground targets in Germany; 374 actually attack; about 70 Luftwaffe fighters are encountered and the AAF claims 26-2-6 in the air and 69-0-41 on the ground; 2 P-47s and 5 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA) and 2 P-51s are damaged beyond repair.
Mission 717: 4 B-24s and 6 B-17s drop leaflets in Belgium, the Netherlands and France during the night.
HQ 92d Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) moves from Sudbury to Bury St Edmunds, England.
MONDAY, 20 NOVEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 718: 172 B-17s are sent to hit the Schowen oil plant at Gelsenkirchen (61); 93 hit the secondary, the marshalling yard at Munster; 25 B-17s are damaged. Escort is 214 P-47s and P-51s; no losses. Other flights:
12 of 12 B-17s fly a screening mission. 310 P-47s and P-51s make fighter-bomber strikes agains miscellaneous targets in W Germany; 1 P-47 and 7 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA) and 1 P-51 is damaged beyond repair.
12 of 12 P-51s fly a scouting mission.
Mission 719: 6 B-17s and 7 B-24s drop leaflets on the Netherlands, France and Germany during the night.
TUESDAY, 21 NOVEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 720: 1,291 bombers and 954 fighters are dispatched to make PFF attacks using H2X on oil targets in Germany; they claim 73-7-25 Luftwaffe aircraft; 25 bombers and 15 fighters are lost:
Mission 721: 7 B-17s and 5 B-24s drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany during the night.
WEDNESDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The 2d and 4th Combat Bombardment Wings (Heavy) of the 3d Bombardment Division are combined to form the Administrative Bombardment Wing (Provisional); this type of unit is expected to be highly suitable for conditions in the Pacific theater where bomb division HQ might be located far from its wing HQ; under this new plan, the administrative wing can absorb many functions of the division HQ; this experiment will be judged acceptable during Feb 45.
THURSDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 722: In Germany, 134 of 155 B-17s and 73 of 78 P-51s make a GH attack on the Norstern benzol manufacturing plant near Gelsenkirchen and the marshalling yard at Duisburg with the loss of 1 P-51 (pilot MIA) and 1 P-51 damaged beyond repair; 13 of 13 B-17s fly a screening mission and 10 of 12 P-51s fly a scouting mission.
SATURDAY, 25 NOVEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 723: 1,043 bombers and 965 fighters are dispatched to hit the synthetic oil plant at Merseburg, Germany using H2X and a marshalling yard; 8 bombers and 6 fighters are lost:
Mission 724: 7 B-17s and 6 B-24s drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany during the night.
SUNDAY, 26 NOVEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 725: 1,137 bombers and 732 fighters are dispatched to make attacks on rail viaducts, marshalling yards and oil installations in W Germany; all but 1 attack is with radar; about 550 Luftwaffe fighters intercept and 34 bombers and 9 fighters are lost; the AAF claims 133-14-42 aircraft:
Mission 726: 8 B-17s and 6 B-24s drop leaflets on France, the Netherlands and Germany during the night.
MONDAY, 27 NOVEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 727: 530 bombers and 770 fighters are dispatched to make PFF attacks on marshalling yards in Germany and fighter-bomber strikes on 4 oil centers in N and C Germany; they claim 102-4-12 aircraft; 15 fighters are lost:
TUESDAY, 28 NOVEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 728: 6 B-17s and 6 B-24s drop leaflets on the Netherlands and Germany during the night. The 845th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 489th Bombardment Group (Heavy), departs Halesworth, England for the US; the squadron will transition to B-29s in 1945.
WEDNESDAY, 29 NOVEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 729: 1,077 bombers and 946 fighters are dispatched to make PFF attacks on viaduct rail targets and oil refineries in Germany; 1 bomber is lost:
Mission 730: 6 B-17s and 7 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany during the night.
HQ 489th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and the 844th, 846th and 847th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) depart Halesworth, England for the US; this B-24 group will become a B-29s outfit that is destined for the Pacific.
THURSDAY, 30 NOVEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 731: 1,281 bombers and 972 fighters are dispatched to hit synthetic oil plants in SE Germany and rail targets; intense accurate flak downs 29 bombers and 3 fighters are lost:
Mission 732: 7 B-17s and 6 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany during the night.
FRIDAY, 1 DECEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 733: 7 B-17s and 7 B-24s drop leaflet in the Netherlands, France and Germany during the night.
SATURDAY, 2 DECEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 734: 455 bombers and 604 fighters make GH attacks on marshalling yards and fighter bomber attacks; they claim 34-3-7 Luftwaffe aircraft; 11 bombers and 4 fighters are lost:
MONDAY, 4 DECEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 736: 1,191 bombers and 977 fighters are dispatched to make PFF attacks on rail targets in Germany; 3 bombers and 3 fighters are lost:
TUESDAY, 5 DECEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 3 missions are flown.
Mission 738: 589 bombers and 884 fighters are dispatched to make attacks on Germany; an estimated 275-300 Luftwaffe fighters attack and AAF fighters claim 90-7-30 aircraft; 12 bombers and 17 fighters are lost:
Mission 739 is an APHRODITE mission with 2 B-17 Castor drones, 3 B-17 control and observation aircraft, a P-38 observation aircraft and 17 of 17 P-51s as escort; the P-51s claim 1-0-0 aircraft.
Mission 740: 11 of the 4 B-17s and 8 B-24s dispatched drop leaflets in the Netherlands, France and Germany.
WEDNESDAY, 6 DECEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 741: 818 bombers and 830 fighters are dispatched to hit oil and rail targets in Germany; all except 9 aircraft bomb using H2X; 4 bombers and 1 fighter are lost:
Mission 742: 11 of the 4 B-17s and 11 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands, France and Germany during the night.
FRIDAY, 8 DECEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): As part of a move to create self-sustaining, mobile air divisions, all sub-depots are relieved from assignment to the VIII Air Force Services Command and assigned to the 3 bomb divisions with VIII Air Force Services Command retaining technical supervision.
SATURDAY, 9 DECEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 743: 413 B-17s are dispatched to hit the Unterturkheim marshalling yard (262) and Boblingen (94) and Echterdingen (25) Airfields at Stuttgart, Germany using GH; targets of opportunity are Halingen (10) and other (4); 1 B-17 is lost, 4 damaged beyond repair and 63 damaged; 3 airmen are WIA and 9 MIA. Escorting are 247 P-47s and P-51s; they claim 1-0-0 aircraft without loss; 6 of 7 P-51s fly a scouting mission.
Mission 744: 4 B-17s and 7 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands, France and Germany during the night without loss.
SUNDAY, 10 DECEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 745: 534 bombers and 690 fighters are dispatched to make PFF attacks and a fighter sweep in Germany; 2 fighters are lost:
MONDAY, 11 DECEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 746: The largest number of bombers so far dispatched, 1,586, and 841 fighters are sent to hit rail targets and bridges in W Germany using PFF means; 5 bombers and 2 fighters are lost:
Mission 747: 3 B-17s and 8 B-24s drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany; 1 B-24 is lost.
TUESDAY, 12 DECEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 748: 895 bombers and 928 fighters are dispatched to make a H2X attack on Merseburg, Germany and visual attacks on rail targets in Germany; 4 bombers and 7 fighters are lost:
FRIDAY, 15 DECEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 750: 674 B-17s and 434 fighters are dispatched to attack rail targets and an armored car factory in Germany using H2X; 1 bomber and 2 fighters are lost:
Mission 751: 2 of 3 B-17s drop leaflets in France and Germany during the night.
SATURDAY, 16 DECEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 752: 236 B-17s are dispatched to attack rail targets at Stuttgart, Germany but extremely poor weather conditions result in many aborts; primary targets are the marshalling yard at Stuttgart (81) and Bietingheim (33); 1 other B-17 hits a target of opportunity; 1 B-17s is lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 9 damaged; 3 airmen are KIA and 9 MIA. Escorting are 106 of 114 P-51s without loss. 10 P-51s fly a scouting mission.
SUNDAY, 17 DECEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 753: 3 B-17s and 7 B-24s are dispatched to drop leaflets on France, the Netherlands and Germany during the night. The 859th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 492d Bombardment Group (Heavy) is detached to Italy and begins a movement to Brindisi today.
MONDAY, 18 DECEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 754: 985 bombers and 773 fighters are dispatched to hit communication and tactical targets in Germany using PFF; 4 fighters are lost:
Mission 755: 4 B-17s and 9 B-24s are sent to drop leaflets in France, Germany and the Netherlands during the night.
TUESDAY, 19 DECEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 756: 328 bombers and 45 fighters are dispatched to hit tactical targets (rail and road junctions, rail and road chokepoints and railheads) in the Luxembourg and Ehrang and Koblenz, Germany area to impede the German counteroffensive launched in the Ardennes on 16 Dec using PFF:
WEDNESDAY, 20 DECEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The 859th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 492d Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrives at Brindisi, Italy from Harrington, England with B-24s and C-47s; the squadron is detached to the 15th Special Group (Provisional) and will fly CARPETBAGGER missions in the MTO beginning 31 Dec.
SATURDAY, 23 DECEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 757: 423 bombers and 636 fighters are dispatched to hit marshalling yards, communication centers and a rail junction in the rear of the battle area; 75-150 Luftwaffe aircraft are encountered and the AAF claims 75-5-23; 7 fighter are lost:
Mission 758: 5 B-17s and 7 B-24s are dispatched to drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany during the night; only 10 aircraft drop leaflets.
The 374th, 375th and 376th Fighter Squadrons, 361st Fighter Group, based at Little Walden, England with P-51s, begin operating from St Dizier, France; the 486th and 487th Fighter Squadrons, 352d Fighter Group, based at Bodney, England, begin operating from Asch, Belgium with P-51s.
SUNDAY, 24 DECEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 759: 10 of 12 B-24s hit the La Pallice coastal battery in France without loss.
Mission 760: A high pressure front across W Europe brings clear weather and the Eighth AF launches a maximum effort against airfields and communications in W Germany; this was the largest air strike of WWII; 2,034 bombers and 853 fighters are dispatched; they claim 92-6-21 Luftwaffe aircraft; 12 bombers and 10 fighters are lost:
MONDAY, 25 DECEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 761: 422 bombers and 460 fighters are dispatched to hit communications centers and rail bridges W of the Rhine River; they claim 49-7-12 Luftwaffe aircraft; 5 bombers and 9 fighters are lost:
TUESDAY, 26 DECEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 762: Poor weather inhibits operations but 151 bombers and 336 fighters are dispatched to hit rail targets behind the Bulge; they claim 11-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 fighters are lost:
WEDNESDAY, 27 DECEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 764: Freezing fog at bases in the UK restrict operations but 641 bombers and 390 fighters are dispatched against rail targets in W Germany in support of the battlefront in the Bulge; they claim 29.5-1-9 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 bombers and 5 fighters are lost:
THURSDAY, 28 DECEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 3 missions are flown. Mission 766: 1,275 bombers and 606 fighter are dispatched to hit rail and road bridges and several cities in the W German tactical area; 2 bombers are lost:
Mission 768: During the night, 2 B-24s drop leaflets in Belgium without loss.
FRIDAY, 29 DECEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 769: 827 bombers and 724 fighters hit communications targets in W Germany; 4 bombers and 3 fighters are lost:
SATURDAY, 30 DECEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 770: 1,315 bombers and 572 fighters are sent to attack rail and communications targets in W Germany; 4 bombers and 2 fighters are lost:
Mission 771: 8 B-24s and 3 B-17s drop leaflet in the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Germany during the night.
SUNDAY, 31 DECEMBER 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 772: 1,327 bombers and 785 fighters hit both strategic and tactical targets in Germany; they encounter about 150 Luftwaffe fighters, mostly in the Hamburg area, and claim 88.5-11-21 aircraft; 27 bombers and 10 fighters are lost:
MONDAY, 1 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 774: 845 bombers and 725 fighters are dispatched to hit oil installations and rail bridges and junctions in W Germany visually and by PFF; they claim 23-1-3 Luftwaffe aircraft including a jet fighter; 8 bombers and 2 fighters are lost:
Mission 775: 5 B-24s and 3 B-17s drop leaflet on Belgium and Germany during the night without loss.
The 1st, 2d and 3d Bombardment Divisions are redesignated 1st, 2d and 3d Air Divisions.
TUESDAY, 2 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 776: 1,011 bombers and 503 fighters are dispatched to attack communications and tactical targets in W Germany visually and using Gee-H; 4 bombers and 3 fighters are lost:
Mission 777: 2 B-17s and 6 B-24s drop leaflets in France and Germany during the night.
HQ VIII Air Force Services Command (Advanced) is established in Brussels, Belgium, along with a "Far Shore" staff division; through this HQ, the Commanding General Air Force Services Command can administer his command and closely communicate with other commands operating on the Continent; this arrangement functions until 29 Apr 45 when it is relieved by the 5th Strategic Air Depot at Merville, France.
WEDNESDAY, 3 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 778: 1,168 bombers and 589 fighters are dispatched to attack rail and communications targets in W Germany; all are PFF attacks using H2X, Gee-H and Micro H; they claim 4-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 4 fighters are lost:
THURSDAY, 4 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 779: 1 B-17 and 2 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany during the night; 1 B-24 is lost.
Mission 780: 10 of 12 B-24s dispatched to hit the Coubre Point Coastal battery near Bordeaux, France hit the target using H2X radar.
The transfer of HQ VIII Fighter Command from Bushey Hall, England to Charleroi, Belgium begins; the HQ is to provide administrative and operational support for fighter groups operating with the Ninth AF on tactical support missions.
FRIDAY, 5 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 781: 1,032 bombers and 584 fighters are dispathed to hit rail targets and airfields in C Germany; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 4-0-0 on the ground; 1 B-17 and 1 P-51 are lost.
Mission 782: 4 B-24s and 1 B-17 drop leaflets during the night over SE Belgium.
SATURDAY, 6 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 783: 816 bombers and 622 fighters are dispatched to hit rail and communications targets in W Germany; all but a few attacks are made using Gee-H and H2X; they claim 14-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground; 1 B-17 and 2 P-51s are lost:
Mission 784: 6 B-17s drop leaflets over Belgium and the Netherlands during the night.
SUNDAY, 7 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 785: 1,073 bombers and 700 fighters attack communications centers, rail targets, bridges and an oil storage depot in W Germany using PFF methods; 3 bombers and 1 fighter are lost.
Mission 786: 2 B-17s and 5 B-24s drop leaflets during the night in SE Belgium and France.
MONDAY, 8 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 787: 736 bombers and 269 fighters are dispatched to make PFF attacks on communications centers, rail targets and bridges in Germany; 2 bombers are lost.
Mission 788: 1 B-17s and 2 of 4 B-24s drop leaflets over St Hubert, Belgium.
WEDNESDAY, 10 JANUARY 1945
FTP SITESSTRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 789: 1,119 bombers and 362 fighters are dispatched to attack airfields, rail targets and bridges in Germany; most attacks are made using PFF methods; they claim 3-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 10 bombers and 2 fighters are lost:
THURSDAY, 11 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 790: 2 B-17s and 4 of 6 B-24s drop leaflets in Belgium during the night.SATURDAY, 13 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 791: 958 bombers and 469 fighters are dispatched to hit marshalling yards and Rhine rail bridges mostly by PFF methods; they claim 6-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 8 bombers and 2 fighters are lost: 1. 367 B-17s are sent to hit the Mainz rail bridge (31), the Gustavsburg rail bridge at Mainz (95) and the Bischofsheim marshalling yard (119); 74 hit the secondary target, the Mainz marshalling yard; targets of opportunity are Euskirchen (13) and other (7); most attacks are made using Micro H but some formations bomb visually; 2 B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 126 damaged; 1 airman is KIA, 4 WIA and 19 MIA. Escorting are 79 of 80 P-51s; 3 are damaged beyond repair.SUNDAY, 14 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 792: 911 bombers and 860 fighters are dispatched to attack oil refineries and plants in C Germany and highway bridges at Cologne; clear skies allow all bombers to bomb visually; about 250 Luftwaffe fighters attack and the AAF claims 158-0-30 aircraft; 7 bombers and 11 fighters are lost:
Mission 793: 2 B-17s and 5 B-24s drop leaflets over SE Belgium and Germany during the night.
MONDAY, 15 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 794: 640 bombers and 782 fighters are dispatched to hit marshalling yards in Germany; they claim 14-0-19 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 fighters are lost.
Mission 795: 2 B-17s and 7 B-24s drop leaflet on the Netherlands and Germany during the night without loss.
HQ VIII Fighter Command moves from Bushey Hall, England to Charleroi, Belgium.
TUESDAY, 16 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 796: A planned major strike at oil and industrial targets in Germany is cancelled by weather; 627 bombers and 693 fighters are dispatched to hit oil targets; 2 B-24s and 1 P-51 are lost; due to heavy fog a large percentage of the bombers are diverted to various landing fields in the UK and on the Continent:
Mission 797: 1 B-24 drop leaflets on Belgium during the night.
WEDNESDAY, 17 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 798: 700 bombers and 362 fighters are dispatched to make visual attacks on oil refineries at Hamburg and Harburg and Gee-H and H2X attacks on rail targets; 9 bombers and 7 fighters are lost:
THURSDAY, 18 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 799: Bad weather limits operations; 114 of 114 B-17s attack the marshalling yard at Kaiserslautern without loss; most are diverted to bases on the Continent after the raid because of heavy clouds; escort is provided by 105 of 113 P-51s with the loss of 3 aircraft and pilots. 6 of 6 B-17s fly a screening mission and 4 of 4 P-51s fly a scouting mission.
FRIDAY, 19 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 800: 2 B-17s and 9 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany during the night.
SATURDAY, 20 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 801: 772 bombers and 455 fighters are dispatched to hit synthetic oil plants at Sterkrade and rail targets and bridges in W Germany using H2X radar; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 4 bombers and 3 fighters are lost:
SUNDAY, 21 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 803: 912 bombers and 523 fighters are dispatched to hit industrial and rail targets in C Germany using PFF methods with some visual bombing; they claim 8-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 8 bombers are lost:
Mission 804: 2 B-17s and 9 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands, France and Germany during the night without loss.
MONDAY, 22 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 805: 206 B-17s and 258 fighters are dispatched to make visual attacks on the Holten synthetic oil plant at Sterkrade (167); 1 hits the secondary target, the marshalling yard at Rheine; targets of opportunity are Dinslaken (12), Osnabruck (5), Heiden (8) and other (4); 5 B-17s are lost, 3 damaged beyond repair and 144 damaged; 13 airmen are WIA and 45 MIA. Escort is provided by 85 P-47s and P-51s; they claim 3-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground. Other fighter missions are:
Mission 806: 1 B-17 and 8 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and France.
TUESDAY, 23 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 807: 209 B-17s are dispatched to hit the marshalling yard at Neuss, Germany (169); 12 others hit the Neuss Bridge; the attacks are made using Gee-H and Micro H; 1 B-17 is lost, 3 damaged beyond repair and 95 damaged; 5 airmen are KIA, 6 WIA and 10 MIA. Escort is provided by 74 of 79 P-51s; 1 is damaged beyond repair. Other operations are:
Mission 808: 5 B-24s drop leaflet in the Netherlands during the night.
WEDNESDAY, 24 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 67 of 70 P-51s based in Belgium are dispatched in 4 flights to fly sweeps over Wahn Airfield-Dorweiler area and Karlsruhe-Koblenz area in Germany, claiming 3 fighters downed; 1 P-51 is lost.
THURSDAY, 25 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 111 of 121 P-51s based in Belgium fly a sweep over wide areas of SW Germany, claiming 2 Luftwaffe fighters NE of Mannheim and E of Kirrlach; 1 P-51 is lost.
FRIDAY, 26 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 31 of 32 P-51s based in Belgium, fly an uneventful fighter sweeps over the Heilbronn, Aschaffenburg, Giessen, and Trier, Germany areas.
SATURDAY, 27 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ 352d Fighter Group and the 486th and 487th Fighter Squadrons move from Bodney, England to Chievres, Belgium with P-51s.
SUNDAY, 28 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 809: With the prospect of improved weather over Germany, 1,006 bombers and 249 fighters are dispatched to hit marshalling yards, bridges and benzol plants at Dortmund; 10 bombers are lost:
The 328th, 486th and 487th Fighter Squadrons, 352d Fighter Group, move from Bodney, England to Chievres, Belgium with P-51s (detachments have been operating from Asch, Belgium since 23 Dec 44).
MONDAY, 29 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 811: 1,158 bombers and 700 fighters are dispatched to hit industrial plants at Kassel and rail targets in C Germany; the attacks were made using H2X radar; they claim 6-0-2 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 B-24 and 2 P-51s are lost:
Mission 812: 1 B-17 and 8 B-24s drop leaflets in Germany and the Netherlands during the night.
WEDNESDAY, 31 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 813: 291 B-24s, 112 B-17s and 186 P-51s are recalled from a mission against targets in Germany because of expected bad weather at UK bases and heavy clouds; 1 B-17 and 3 B-24s are damaged beyond repair; 6 airmen are KIA and 8 WIA.
THURSDAY, 1 FEBRUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 814: 699 B-17s and 328 P-51s are dispatched to hit rail targets and bridges in W Germany using Micro-H and H2X radar; no losses:
HQ 361st Fighter Group and the 374th, 375th and 376th Fighter Squadrons move from Little Walden, England to Chievres, Belgium with P-51s (the squadrons have been operating from St-Dizier, France since 23 Dec 44).
FRIDAY, 2 FEBRUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 22 of 24 P-51s fly an uneventful sweep in the Koblenz-Wetzlar-Siegen-Siegburg, Germany area. Mission 816: During the night of 2/3 Feb, 1 B-17 and 8 B-24s drop leaflets in W Germany.
SATURDAY, 3 FEBRUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 817: 1,437 bombers and 948 fighters are dispatched in a major strike on Berlin by B-17s while B-24s hit the synthetic oil industry at Magdeburg; they claim 38-1-18 Luftwaffe aircraft; 25 bombers and 8 fighters are lost:
Mission 818: 1 B-17 and 10 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and W Germany during the night.
SUNDAY, 4 FEBRUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 819: 7 of 9 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany during the night.
TUESDAY, 6 FEBRUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 821: 1,383 bombers and 904 fighters are dispatched to attack oil targets in Germany; the expected clear weather does not materialize and the bombers attack secondary targets and targets of opportunity using H2X radar; they claim 4-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 5 bombers and 4 fighters are lost:
WEDNESDAY, 7 FEBRUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 822: 295 B-17s and 80 P-51s are recalled when they encounter a weather front rising to 30,000 feet (9,144 m) over the North Sea; 1 B-17 attacks Essen; no bombers are lost. Escort is provided by 41 of 80 P-51s without loss. 36 of 36 P-51s patrol the Siegen, Germany area without loss. Mission 823: 10 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany during the night without loss.
THURSDAY, 8 FEBRUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 150 B-17s and 264 B-24s dispatched to attack targets in W Germany are recalled before leaving the UK coast due to clouds over bases, routes, and targets. 98 of 99 P-51s fly a sweep strafing rail traffic and parked aircraft; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft. 11 of 13 P-51s escort photo reconnaissance aircraft over Germany.
FRIDAY, 9 FEBRUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 824: 1,296 bombers and 871 fighters in 6 forces hit oil targets in Germany; except where noted, attacks were made with PFF; they claim 61-4-22 Luftwaffe aircraft; 8 bombers and 5 fighters are lost:
8 20 of 21 P-51s escort photo reconnaissance missions over Germany.
SATURDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 825: 9 of 164 B-17s carry out the first DISNEY mission (Royal Navy rocket-boosted concrete piercing bombs) against the U-boat pens at Ijmuiden, the Netherlands visually; 140 hit the secondary target, the oil storage depot at Dulmen, Germany using Micro H; and 1 hits Lingen, a target of opportunity; 5 B-17s fly a screening mission; 5 B-17s are damaged. Escorting are 102 of 106 P-51s without loss. 3 of 6 P-51s fly a scouting mission and 20 of 21 P-51s escort photo reconnaissance aircraft over Germany. 102 of 104 P-51s fly a strafing mission in the Steinhuder Lake area but abort because of bad weather; 2 P-51s are lost.
Mission 826: 1 B-17 and 11 of 12 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany during the night; 1 airman is KIA.
SUNDAY, 11 FEBRUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 827: In Germany, 124 of 127 B-24s attack the Dulmen oil depot using Micro H; 1 B-24 hits the Lochern road junction using H2X; no losses. Escorting are 50 of 51 P-51s without loss. Other fighter missions are:
MONDAY, 12 FEBRUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 828: During the night, 6 of 7 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany without loss. In England, HQ 92d Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) moves from St Edmunds to Elveden Hall after all it's bombardment groups are reassigned.
TUESDAY, 13 FEBRUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 829: 9 B-24s drop leaflet in the Netherlands and Germany during the night without loss.
WEDNESDAY, 14 FEBRUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 830: 1,377 bombers and 962 fighters are dispatched to hit oil and rail targets in Germany; bombing of most targets is by H2X radar; they claim 11-0-3 Luftwaffe aircraft; 7 bombers and 7 fighters are lost:
Mission 831: 10 B-24s drop leaflet in the Netherlands and Germany during the night.
THURSDAY, 15 FEBRUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 832: 1,131 bombers and 510 fighters are dispatched to hit oil targets in Germany; with some exceptions, all attacks are made using H2X radar; they claim 2-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 bombers and 1 P-51 are lost
FRIDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 833: 1,042 bombers and 197 fighters attack benzol plants, oil refineries and marshalling yards in C Germany; 8 bombers are lost:
SATURDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 834: 895 bombers and 183 fighters are dispatched to hit synthetic oil plants in Germany and the Frankfurt marshalling yard; deteriorating weather forces the recall of 261 B-17s and 288 B-24s; the weather was so bad that some aircraft controls froze and several had to jettison their bombs during assembly; 3 B-17s and 2 of the recalled B-24 force are lost in addition to 1 P-51. 346 B-17s are sent to hit the marshalling yard at Frankfurt (260); targets of opportunity are the Giessen marshalling yard (45), Aschaffenburg (12), Hanau (10) and other (4); 3 B-17s and 2 B-24s are lost, 1 B-17 and 1 B-24 are damaged beyond repair and 106 B-17s damaged; 17 airmen are KIA, 2 WIA and 38 MIA. The escort is 151 of 167 P-51s; 1 is lost (pilot MIA) and 1 damaged beyond repair. 12 P-51s fly a scouting mission and 4 escort photo reconnaissance aircraft over Germany.
The 862d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 493d Bombardment Group (Heavy) (attached to 3d Air Division), moves from Debach to Wormingford, England and begins flying weather reconnaissance missions with B-17s and P-51s.
MONDAY, 19 FEBRUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 835: 1,135 bombers and 560 fighters are dispatched to hit oil, industrial and rail targets in Germany; they claim 3-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 B-24 and 7 P-51s are lost:
TUESDAY, 20 FEBRUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 3 missions are flown. Mission 836: 1,264 bombers and 726 fighters are dispatched to hit the main station and marshalling yard at Nurnberg, Germany; the target is bombed visually and using H2X radar; they claim 49-1-21 Luftwaffe aircraft; 5 B-17s and 7 fighters are lost:
Mission 837: 10 of 11 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany during the night without loss.
Mission 838: During the night of 20/21 Feb, 30 B-24s attack the Neustadt marshalling yard without loss and 6 of 7 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions.
WEDNESDAY, 21 FEBRUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 839: 1,262 bombers and 792 fighters are dispatched to again attack the tank plant, main railroad station, marshalling yards and locomotive shops at Nurnberg, Germany using H2X radar; they claim 4-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground; 7 fighters are lost:
Mission 840: During the night of 21/22 Feb, 25 of 29 B-24s attack the Duisburg power and gas stations using PFF; 2 B-24s are lost.
THURSDAY, 22 FEBRUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 841: 1,428 bombers and 862 fighters commence Operation CLARION, a joint RAF, Eighth, Ninth and Fifteenth AF operation with the objective of paralyzing the already decimated German rail and road system; most attacks were made visually; bombing was conducted from an optimum 10,000 feet (3,048 m) to achieve accuracy at target without flak defenses; they claim 28-2-43 Luftwaffe aircraft; 7 bombers and 13 fighters are lost:
FRIDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 843: As a follow-up to the yesterday's attacks on transportation facilities as part of Operation CLARION, 1,274 bombers and 705 fighters are dispatched to hit marshalling yards in Germany; they claim 15-0-16 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 B-24 and 6 P-51s are lost:
Mission 844: 24 of 27 B-24s make a PFF attack on the Neuss marshalling yard during the night without loss.
SATURDAY, 24 FEBRUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 845: 1,114 bombers and 592 fighters are dispatched to hit oil refineries and rail targets using H2X radar; they claim 1-0-3 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground; 2 bombers and 11 fighters are lost:
Mission 846: 12 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany during the night.
SUNDAY, 25 FEBRUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 847: 1,197 bombers and 755 fighters are dispatched to hit tank factories, airfields associated with jet aircraft, oil depots and rail targets visually; they claim 34-0-21 Luftwaffe aircraft; 5 bombers and 8 fighters are lost:
Mission 848: 12 B-24s drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany during the night.
MONDAY, 26 FEBRUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 849: 1,207 bombers and 726 fighters are dispatched to make H2X radar attacks on three Berlin rail stations; they claim 6-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 3 B-17s and 3 P-51s are lost:
Mission 850: During the night, 12 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany; and 5 B-24s fly a CARPETBAGGER mission.
TUESDAY, 27 FEBRUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 851: 1,107 bombers and 745 fighters are dispatched to hit road and rail communications at Halle and Leipzig using H2X radar; they claim 83-0-19 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 B-24s and 2 P-51s are lost:
Mission 852: During the night of 27/28 Feb, 23 of 26 B-24s bomb Wilhelmshafen oil storage by PFF without loss and 1 B-17 and 11 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany.
WEDNESDAY, 28 FEBRUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 3 missions are flown. Mission 854: 1,104 bombers and 737 fighters are dispatched to make PFF attacks on rail targets in Germany; they calim 18-0-11 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 B-17 and 5 P-51s are lost:
Mission 855: 11 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany during the night without loss. 1 Mosquito flies a SKYWAVE mission over Germany. (SKYWAVE is a special navigational mission to calibrate LORAN equipment.) Mission 856: 22 of 24 B-24s bomb the Freiburg rail depot during the night using PFF methods; no losses.
The 36th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 1st Air Division [attached to 482d Bombardment Group (Heavy)], moves from Cheddington to Alconbury, England with B-24s (the 36th is engaged in radio countermeasures operations).
THURSDAY, 1 MARCH 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 857: 1,228 bombers and 488 fighters are dispatched to attack marshalling yards in C and S Germany; 3 plants suspected of manufacturing Me 262 jet engine parts could not be attack due to clouds; most attacks are made using H2X radar; the fighters claim 12-0-8 Luftwaffe aircraft; 7 P-51s are lost:
Mission 858: 11 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany.
FRIDAY, 2 MARCH 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 859: 1,232 bombers and 774 fighters are dispatched to hit synthetic oil plants and a tank factory in Germany; most attacks are made using H2X radar; they claim 110.5-9-60 Luftwaffe aircraft; 14 bombers and 13 P-51s are lost:
Mission 860: 11 of 12 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany without loss and 4 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions.
SATURDAY, 3 MARCH 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 861: 1,102 bombers and 743 fighters are dispatched to bomb oil refineries, oil plant equipment works, motor transport factory, tank plant, and rail bridge in NC and E Germany; they claim 25-2-37 Luftwaffe aircraft; 9 bombers and 8 P-51s are lost:
Mission 862: 18 of 24 B-24s bomb the marshalling yard at Emden using PFF.
SUNDAY, 4 MARCH 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 863: 1,028 bombers and 522 fighters are dispatched to bomb targets in SW Germany; bad weather causes 300+ aborts; 1 B-24 and 1 P-51 are lost:
Mission 864: 1 B-17 and 11 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany during the night without loss.
MONDAY, 5 MARCH 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 3 missions are flown. Mission 865: 429 bombers and 689 fighters are dispatched to hit oil targets in Germany; the primary target for the B-17s is the synthetic oil plant at Ruhland but weather forces them to hit the secondary target; all bombing is with H2X radar; 1 B-17 is lost:
Mission 867: 9 of 11 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands, France and Germany during the night.
TUESDAY, 6 MARCH 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 868: 12 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany during the night. 5 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions.
WEDNESDAY, 7 MARCH 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 3 missions are flown. Mission 869: 946 bombers and 322 fighters are dispatched to hit oil and communication targets using PFF; 1 P-51 is lost:
Mission 870: 11 of 12 B-24s drop leaflets in Germany and the Netherlands.
Mission 871: 19 of 20 B-24s bomb Dortmund during the night using PFF; 1 B-24 is lost.
THURSDAY, 8 MARCH 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 3 missions are flown. Mission 872: 1,353 bombers and 326 fighters are dispatched to hit benzol plants, an oil plant and rail targets in Germany using PFF; NO AIRCRAFT ARE LOST AND THERE ARE NO CASUALTIES!
Mission 873: 11 B-24s drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany during the night without loss.
Mission 874: 15 B-24s attack the marshalling yard at Dortmund during the night without loss and 4 of 7 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions.
FRIDAY, 9 MARCH 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 875: 1,045 bombers and 443 fighters are dispatched to hit marshalling yards and industrial plants in Germany; they claim 0-0-2 Luftwaffe aircraft; 7 bombers are lost:
Mission 876: 11 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands, France and Germany during the night; and 2 of 9 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions.
SATURDAY, 10 MARCH 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 3 missions are flown. Mission 877: 1,374 bombers and 670 fighters attack rail targets in Germany by PFF methods; they claim 2-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 P-51s are lost:
Mission 879: 13 B-24s attack the marshalling yard at Munster during the night without loss.
Mission 880: 12 B-24s drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany during the night without loss.
The 857th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 492d Bombardment Group (Heavy) (attached to 1st Air Division) moves from Harrington to Bassingbourne, England with B-24s (the 857th begins flying weather reconnaissance missions today).
SUNDAY, 11 MARCH 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 881: 1,256 bombers and 814 fighters are dispatched to make H2X radar attacks on U-boat yards at Kiel and Bremen and the shipyard and refinery area at Hamburg, Germany; 1 B-17 and 4 P-51s are lost:
Mission 882: 11 of 12 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany during the night without loss.
MONDAY, 12 MARCH 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 883: 1,355 bombers and 797 fighters are dispatched to hit marshalling yards in Germany by PFF; they claim 4-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 B-17 and 4 fighters are lost:
Mission 884: 11 of 12 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany during the night and 4 of 10 B-24s fly a CARPETBAGGER mission.
TUESDAY, 13 MARCH 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 16 P-51s based at Chievres, Belgium fly an uneventful aircraft sweep in the Remagen-Koblenz, Germany area; 17 F-5s fly photo reconnaissance missions over Germany.
WEDNESDAY, 14 MARCH 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 3 missions are flown. Mission 886: 1,262 bombers and 804 fighters are dispatched to hit oil, rail and industrial targets in Germany; they claim 17-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air; 3 B-17s and 2 fighters are lost:
Mission 887: 9 B-17s use DISNEY rockets weapons on the Ijmuiden submarine pens without loss.
Mission 888: 7 B-24s bomb the marshalling yard at Wiesbaden by PFF during the night without loss.
THURSDAY, 15 MARCH 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 889: 1,353 bombers and 833 fighters are dispatched to hit German Army HQ and a marshalling yard at Oranienburg; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 9 bombers and 4 fighters are lost:
Mission 890: 14 of 16 B-24s bomb the rail station at Munster during the night using PFF methods.
FRIDAY, 16 MARCH 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): During the night of 16/17 Mar, 12 B-24s drop leaflets in Germany and the Netherlands and 20 of 22 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions.
SATURDAY, 17 MARCH 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 892: 1,328 bombers and 820 P-51s are dispatched to hit oil, industrial and rail targets in Germany; clouds extend from 1,000 to 15,000 feet (305 to 4,572 m) and over the targets there is 9/10 to 10/10 cloud cover necessitating PFF methods for bombing; 5 B-17s and 2 P-51s are lost:
Mission 893: 9 B-24s drop leaflets in Germany, the Netherlands and France during the night.
SUNDAY, 18 MARCH 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 894: 1,329 bombers and 733 fighters are dispatched to hit railway stations and tanks plants in the Berlin area; the attacks are made both visually and with H2X radar; the Luftwaffe makes it's most concentrated and successful attacks with Me 262s to date; the AAF claims 21-1-5 Luftwaffe aircraft; 13 bombers (8 to flak) and 6 fighters are lost:
Mission 895: 10 of 12 B-24s drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany during the night without loss.
MONDAY, 19 MARCH 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 896: 1,273 bombers and 675 fighters are dispatched to hit airfields and industrial targets in Germany visually and with H2X radar; clouds force 2 of the 3 forces to hit secondaries; 100+ Luftwaffe fighters including 36 Me 262s in formation (largest number of jets seen as a unit) are encountered; the AAF claims 41-3-19 Luftwaffe aircraft (including 3 Me 262s); 6 bombers and 10 fighters are lost:
Mission 897: 11 of 12 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany during the night.
TUESDAY, 20 MARCH 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 3 missions are flown. Mission 898: 451 bombers and 355 fighters are dispatched to hit the shipyard and dock area at Hamburg and an oil refinery; they claim 14-3-17 Luftwaffe aircraft; 4 bombers and 2 P-51s are lost:
Mission 899: 1 B-17, escorted by 4 P-51s, bombs Oberursel at 1650 hours from 25,000 feet (7,620 m); this is the first operational test of Micro-H Mk II radar.
Mission 900: 12 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany and 2 A-26s fly CARPETBAGGER missions (1 A-26 is lost).
WEDNESDAY, 21 MARCH 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 5 missions are flown. Mission 901: Preparatory air operations for the forthcoming (23 Mar) crossing of the lower Rhine River by Allied ground forces begin. 1,408 bombers and 806 fighters, in conjunction with Ninth Air Force and RAF aircraft, attack jet fighter bases; with one exception, all attacks are visual; they claim 58-3-49 Luftwaffe aircraft; 7 B-17s and 9 P-51s are lost:
Mission 902: In a DISNEY operation, 3 B-17s attack the E-boat pens at Ijmuiden, the Netherlands with rocket bombs; 6 P-51s escort.
Mission 903: 1 B-17 bombs Oberursel in a Micro-H Mk II radar test; 4 P-51s escort.
Mission 904: During the afternoon, 90 of 92 B-24s attack Mulheim Airfield at Essen; 60 are damaged and 1 airman is WIA.
Mission 905: 8 of 9 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany during the night.
THURSDAY, 22 MARCH 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 906: Air attacks in preparation for the lower Rhine River crossing by Allied ground forces continue; 1,331 bombers and 662 fighters attack barracks and military encampments in the Ruhr and airfields in Germany visually; they claim 27-1-12 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 B-17 and 3 P-51s are lost:
Mission 907: 9 of 10 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany.
FRIDAY, 23 MARCH 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 3 missions are flown. Mission 908: The Allied ground assault across the lower Rhine River begins; 1,276 bombers and 499 fighters visually attack rail targets in W and C Germany; they claim 1-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 7 bombers are lost:
Mission 909: 1 B-17, escorted by 4 P-51s, bombs Ettinghausen Airfield in a Micro-H Mk II radar test.
Mission 910: During the night, 9 of 10 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany; and 19 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions to Denmark.
SATURDAY, 24 MARCH 1945
AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command): 2,000+ transports and gliders drop and land the British 6 Airborne and US 17th Airborne Divisions (plus artillery, vehicles, ammunition, and other supplies) E of the Rhine River N and NW of Wesel as the British Second and US Ninth Armies cross the river to the NW and SE.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 911: In conjunction with the allied ground forces assault across the lower Rhine River (Operation VARSITY) the Eighth flies bombing, supply, and armed reconnaissance missions; during the day, 1,749 bomber sorties and 1,375 fighter sorties are flown to attack airfields visually in W and NW Germany in the morning and afternoon and drop supplies to US and British troops at midday; they claim 54-0-6 Luftwaffe aircraft; 19 bombers and 9 fighters are lost;
Mission 912: 10 of 12 B-24s drop leaflets in Germany and the Netherlands during the night and 24 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions over Scandinavia.
The 859th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 492d Bombardment Group (Heavy) [attached to the 2641st Special Group (Provisional)] moves from Brindisi to Rosignano, Italy with B-24s and C-47s (the squadron is flying CARPETBAGGER missions in the MTO).
SUNDAY, 25 MARCH 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 913: 1,009 bombers and 341 fighters are dispatched to hit seven oil plants and a tank factory in Germany; they claim 6-4-13 Luftwaffe aircraft; 4 B-24s and 1 P-51 are lost:
Mission 914: 10 B-24s drop leaflets in Germany and the Netherlands during the night.
MONDAY, 26 MARCH 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 915: 337 B-17s and 527 P-51s are dispatched to attack oil and tank plants in Germany; targets are bombed visually despite poor weather; no aircraft are lost:
HQ 7th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) and the 22d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron move from Mount Farm to Chalgrove, England with F-5s.
TUESDAY, 27 MARCH 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Operations during the day include:
Mission 916: 9 of 10 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany during the night.
WEDNESDAY, 28 MARCH 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 917: 965 B-17s and 390 P-51s are dispatched to hit industrial targets in Berlin and Hannover; 10/10 cloud cover forces the B-17s to bomb using H2X radar; 2 B-17s are lost:
FRIDAY, 30 MARCH 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 918: 1,402 bombers and 899 fighters are dispatched to attack targets connected with U-boat construction or operation; they claim 8-1-12 Luftwaffe aircraft; 5 bombers and 4 fighters are lost:
Mission 919: During the night, 13 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany; 19 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions to Norway; 1 B-24 is lost and 1 crashes in the Orkney Islands.
SATURDAY, 31 MARCH 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 920: 1,348 bombers and 889 fighters are dispatched to hit synthetic oil plants, a refinery, munitions plant and tank factory; they claim 9-3-9 Luftwaffe aircraft; 5 bombers and 4 fighters are lost:
SUNDAY, 1 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 921: 12 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany during the night without loss.
MONDAY, 2 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 922:
Mission 923: During the night of 2/3 Apr, 9 of 10 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands, France and Germany without loss and 10 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions to Denmark without loss.
TUESDAY, 3 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 924: 752 B-17s and 569 P-51s are dispatched to hit U-boat yards at Kiel; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 bombers and 4 fighters are lost:
Mission 925: 1 B-17 and 10 B-24s are dispatched to drop leaflets in the Netherlands, France and Germany during the night; 1 returns to base.
WEDNESDAY, 4 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 926: 1,431 bombers and 866 fighters are dispatched to hit airfields, a shipyard and a U-boat shipyard in Germany; they claim 30-4-30 Luftwaffe aircraft; 10 bombers and 4 fighters are lost.
THURSDAY, 5 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 928: 1,358 bombers and 662 fighters attack marshalling yards, ordnance depots, armament works and airfields in Germany; they claim 8-0-6 aircraft; 10 bombers and 1 P-51 are lost:
Mission 929: 12 B-24s drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany during the night.
FRIDAY, 6 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 930: 659 bombers hit rail targets in the Leipzig, Germany area using H2X radar; 4 B-17s and 1 P-51 are lost:
During the night, 3 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions.
SATURDAY, 7 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 931: 1,314 bombers and 898 fighters are dispatched to hit airfields, oil and munitions depots and explosive plants in C and N Germany; all primary targets are bombed visually; they meet 100+ conventional fighters and 50+ jets; the German fighters attack fiercely and in the ensuing air battle down 15 heavy bombers; the AAF claims 104-13-32 aircraft including a few jets:
SUNDAY, 8 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 3 missions are flown. Mission 932: 1,173 bombers and 794 fighters attack various targets in Germany; 9 bombers and 1 fighter are lost: 1. 339 B-17s are dispatched to hit the Derben oil depot (31) and Schafstadt Airfield (73); secondary targets hit are the Stendal marshalling yard workshops (73) and the marshalling yard at Halberstadt (218); Derben is hit visually and the others targets visually and with H2X radar; 4 B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 55 damaged; 1 airman is KIA, 5 WIA and 35 MIA. Escorting are 239 of 252 P-51s.Mission 933: 11 B-24s drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany during the night.
Mission 934: 12 B-24s bomb the Travemunde port area using PFF methods during the night.
The 13th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), moves from Mount Farm to Chalgrove, England with F-5s.
MONDAY, 9 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 3 missions are flown. Mission 935: 1,252 bombers and 846 fighters are dispatched to visually attack underground oil storage, an ammunition plant and 10 jet airfields; they claim 85-1-60 Luftwaffe aircraft; 7 bombers and 5 fighters are lost:
Mission 936: 10 of 11 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and France during the night.
Mission 937: 14 B-24s bomb Stade Airfield during the night using PFF methods; 5 Mosquito's escort the bombers.
HQ 361st Fighter Group moves from Chievres, Belgium to Little Walden, England.
TUESDAY, 10 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 3 missions are flown. Mission 938: 1,315 bombers and 905 fighters are dispatched to attack airfields known or suspected to be used by jet aircraft; about 60 jets and a few conventional fighters attack the formations; 19 bombers and 8 fighters are lost; the AAF claims 328-4-249 Luftwaffe aircraft:
Mission 939: 12 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands, France and Germany during the night.
Mission 940: 13 of 14 B-24s bomb the Dessau rail depot by PFF methods during the night.
WEDNESDAY, 11 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 941: 1,303 bombers and 913 fighters are dispatched to hit a variety of targets in Germany; 1 B-17 is lost:
Mission 942: 9 B-24s drop leaflets in Germany during the night and 11 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions in Denmark.
THURSDAY, 12 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 95 of 99 P-51s escort Ninth AF B-26s in an attack on an ordnance depot.
Mission 944: During the night of 12/13 Apr, 9 of 10 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany and 6 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions in Denmark.
FRIDAY, 13 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 3 missions are flown. Mission 945: The AAF claims 284-0-220 Luftwaffe aircraft.
Mission 946: 10 of 12 B-24s bomb the Beizenburg rail junction during the night without loss.
Mission 947: During the night, 10 of 11 B-24s drop leaflets in France and Germany and 1 of 4 B-24s completes a CARPETBAGGER mission to Denmark.
The 328th Fighter Squadron, 352d Fighter Group, moves from Chievres, Belgium to Bodney, England with P-51s.
SATURDAY, 14 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 3 missions are flown. Mission 948: 1,167 bombers are dispatched without escort to visually attack enemy pockets on the French Gironde estuary; 2 B-24s are lost; other Allied AFs and French naval units attack similar targets; the air attacks precede a ground assault by a French detachment of the Sixth Army Group on the defense pockets which deny the Allies use of port facilities in the Bordeaux area:
Mission 949: 10 of 11 B-24s drop leaflets in Germany, the Netherlands and France during the night.
Mission 950: An experimental bombing operation is flown by a Mosquito and B-24s against Neuruppin Airfield, Germany; the mission is unsuccessful.
1 of 4 B-24s completes a CARPETBAGGER mission to Denmark during the night. HQ 352d Fighter Group and the 486th and 487th Fighter Squadrons move from Chievres, Belgium to Bodney, England with P-51s.
SUNDAY, 15 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 3 missions are flown. Mission 951: 1,348 unescorted bombers are dispatched to visually attack strongpoints on the French Atlantic coast; the first two forces below make the sole operational employment of napalm bomb by the Eighth AF against German ground installations (pillboxes, gunpits, tank trenches, and heavy gun emplacements); the results are negligible and HQ recommends its discontinuance against this type of target:
Mission 952: 1 Mosquito and 9 B-24s abort a mission to Lechfeld Airfield during the night.
Mission 953: 10 of 11 B-24s drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany during the night.
MONDAY, 16 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 3 missions are flown. Mission 954: In the afternoon, 1,252 bombers and 913 fighters are dispatched to attack rail targets in Germany; they claim 727-0-373 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 B-24 and 31 fighters are lost.
Mission 955: During the morning, 485 of 489 B-17s bomb the tank ditch defense line at Pointe de Grave on the S side of the Gironde estuary in the Bordeaux area in support of the ground assault in that area; 14 B-17s are damaged.
Mission 956: During the night, 11 of 12 B-24s drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany.
TUESDAY, 17 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 957: 1,054 bombers and 816 fighters are dispatched to hit rail targets in E Germany and W Czechoslovakia; 50 Luftwaffe fighters are encountered, mostly jets and the AAF claims a total of 300-0-119 aircraft destroyed on the ground and in the air (including 4 jets); 8 bombers and 17 fighters are lost.
Mission 958: During the night of 17/18 Apr, 10 B-24s drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany and 19 of 20 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions.
WEDNESDAY, 18 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 959: 767 bombers and 705 fighters are dispatched to hit rail targets in Czechoslovakia and SE Bavaria; they claim 16-0-14 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 B-17s and 2 P-51s are lost:
Mission 960: During the night of 18/19 Apr, 11 B-24s drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany and 17 of 18 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions to Denmark and Norway.
THURSDAY, 19 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 961: 605 B-17s and 584 P-51s are dispatched to make visual attacks on rail targets in SE Germany and NW Czechoslovakia; they claim 18-1-5 Luftwaffe aircraft; 5 B-17s and 2 P-51s are lost:
During the night of 19/20 Apr, 11 of 16 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions to Norway; 2 B-24s are lost.
FRIDAY, 20 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 962: 837 bombers and 890 fighters are dispatched to hit rail targets NNW to SSW of Berlin, Bavaria and Czechoslovakia; they claim 7-0-4 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 B-17 is lost:
During the night of 20/21 Apr, 12 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions to Norway; 2 B-24s are lost.
SATURDAY, 21 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 963: 532 bombers and 444 fighters attack jet fighter airfields and rail targets in SE Germany; 2 bombers and 2 fighters are lost:
Mission 964: During the night of 21/22 Apr, 10 of 11 B-24s drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany.
SUNDAY, 22 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 965: During the night of 22/23 Apr, 10 B-24s drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany. 4 of 12 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions to Norway. The 27th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), moves from Prouvy Airfield, Denain, France to Chalgrove, England with F-5s.
MONDAY, 23 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 966: During the night of 23/24 Apr, 1 B-17 and 12 B-24s drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany and 14 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions to Denmark.
TUESDAY, 24 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 967: During the night of 24/24 Apr, 11 B-24s drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany.
WEDNESDAY, 25 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 968: 589 bombers and 486 fighters fly the final heavy bomber mission against an industrial target, airfields and rail targets in SE Germany and Czechoslovakia; they claim 1-1-0 Luftwaffe aircraft (including an Ar 234 jet); 6 bombers and 1 fighter are lost:
Mission 969: During the night of 25/26 Apr, 11 B-24s drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany. 12 B-24s and 1 A-26 are dispatched on CARPETBAGGER missions to Norway; 7 aircraft complete the mission.
THURSDAY, 26 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 970: During the night of 26/27 Apr, 6 of 8 B-24s drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany; 1 B-24 crashes on takeoff. 2 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions.
FRIDAY, 27 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): By this date the flow of P-51, B-17, and B-24 replacement aircraft has stopped and the authorization of 68 planes per bomb group and 96 per fighter group is reduced to the original 48 and 75, respectively.
SUNDAY, 29 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 971: 8 B-17s drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany.
MONDAY, 30 APRIL 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 972: 6 of 7 B-17s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and France.
TUESDAY, 1 MAY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 973: 396 B-17s are dispatched to drop food supplies in the Hague (237) and Rotterdam (155), the Netherlands; a total of 777.1 tons of food are dropped.
Mission 974: During the night of 1/2 May, 4 of 5 B-24s drop leaflets in Germany.
WEDNESDAY, 2 MAY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 975: 401 B-17s are dispatched to drop food supplies in the Netherlands at Schipol (250) and Alkmaar (20) Airfields, Vogelenznag (40), Hilversum (20), Utrecht (59) and targets of opportunity (4); 4 B-17s are damaged by 20mm fire which ceases as soon as a green flare is fired; a total of 767.1 tons of food are dropped.
Mission 976: 8 B-17s, escorted by 9 P-51s, drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany during daylight hours.
THURSDAY, 3 MAY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 977: 399 B-17s are dispatched to drop food supplies in the Netherlands at Schipol (251) and Alkmaar (20) Airfields, Vogelenzang (42), Hilversum (21), Utrecht (58) and a target of opportunity (3) in the Netherlands; a total of 739.1 tons of food are dropped.
Mission 978: 14 B-17s, escorted by 43 of 47 P-51s, drop leaflets in Germany during the day.
FRIDAY, 4 MAY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 978: 1 B-17s and 8 B-24s are dispatched on a leaflet mission during the night of 4/5 May; 7 aircraft drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany.
SATURDAY, 5 MAY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 980: 403 B-17s are dispatched to drop food at Schipol Airfield (261), Vogelenzang (40), Utrecht (60), N of Hilversum (16), Alkmaar (21) and other targets (4) in the Netherlands; a total of 744.5 tons of food are dropped.
SUNDAY, 6 MAY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 3 missions are flown. Mission 981: 383 B-17s are dispatched to drop food at Schipol (249) and Alkmaar (18) Airfields, E of Vogelenzang (37), W of Utrecht (59), and N of Hilversum (18), the Netherlands; a total of 693.3 tons of food are dropped.
Mission 982: 15 B-17s, escorted by 8 of 26 P-51s, drop leaflets in France and Germany during the day.
Mission 983: 10 B-24s drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Channel Islands during the night of 6/7 May.
MONDAY, 7 MAY 1945
The German High Command surrenders unconditionally all land, sea, and air forces at Reims, France effective 9 May 45. General of the Army Dwight D Eisenhower says, "The mission of this Allied force was fulfilled at 0241 local time, May 7, 1945."
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 984: 231 B-17s are dispatched to drop food supplies at Schipol (154) and Alkmaar (10) Airfields, Vogelenzang (25), W of Utrecht (28) and N of Hilversum (12), the Netherlands; a total of 426 tons of food are dropped. Mission 985: 15 B-17s, with 30 of 32 P-51s escorting, drop leaflets in Germany during the day.
TUESDAY, 8 MAY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 986: 12 B-17s drop leaflets in Germany during the day.
WEDNESDAY, 9 MAY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ 453d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and the 732d, 733d, 734th and 735th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) begin a redeployment from Old Buckenham, England to the US; it is only group departing by ship. During late May, the 407th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 92d Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Podington, England to Istres France with B-17s.
THURSDAY, 10 MAY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Effective this date, Lieutenant General James H Doolittle, Commanding General, is relieved of duty in the ETO and assigned to HQ AAF in Washington, DC; he is relieved by Major General William E Kepner.
SUNDAY, 13 MAY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The 327th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 92d Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Podington England to Port Lyautey, French Morocco with B-17s and, as part of Project Green, begins servicing aircraft of units which are transporting redeployed personnel from Europe to N Africa.
FRIDAY, 18 MAY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The 862d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 493d Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Wormingford to Debach, England with B-17s.
SATURDAY, 19 MAY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ 93d Bombardment Group (Heavy) begins a movement from Hardwick, England to the US.
SUNDAY, 20 MAY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The 859th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 492d Bombardment Group (Heavy) [attached to 2641st Special Group (Provisional)], moves from Rosignano to Gioia del Colle, Italy with B-24s and C-47s.
MONDAY, 21 MAY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ 482d Bombardment Group (Heavy) begins a movement from Alconbury, England to the US.
SATURDAY, 26 MAY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ 398th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 600th, 601st, 602d and 603d Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) begin a movement from Nuthampstead, England to the US with B-17s.
MONDAY, 28 MAY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Unit moves from England to the US: HQ 445th Bombardment Group (Heavy) from Tibenham; the 564th, 565th, 566th and 567th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 389th Bombardment Group (Heavy), from Hethel with B-24s.
WEDNESDAY, 30 MAY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Units beginning a movement from England to the US: HQ 389th Bombardment Group (Heavy) from Hethel; 700th, 701st, 702d and 703d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 445th Bombardment Group (Heavy), from Tibenham with B-24s.
THURSDAY, 31 MAY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ 303d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 358th, 359th, 360th and 427th Bombardment Squadrons move from Molesworth, England to Casablanca, French Morocco and begin flying troops from Europe to N Africa for return to the US with B-17s.
FRIDAY, 1 JUNE 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The Operational Analysis Section ceases to function as a unit after a successful career of statistical research which assisted materially in improving the effectiveness of US strategic bombing. Unit moves in England: HQ 96th Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) from Horsham St Faith to Ketteringham; HQ 457th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 748th, 749th, 750th and 751st Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) from Glatton to the US with B-17s. During Jun, the 812th, 813th and 814th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 482d Bombardment Group (Heavy), begin a movement from Alconbury, England to the US with B-17s and B-24s.
THURSDAY, 7 JUNE 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The 578th and 579th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 392d Bombardment Group (Heavy) begin a movement from Wendling, England to the US with B-24s.
SATURDAY, 9 JUNE 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Units moving from England to the US: HQ 351st Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 508th, 509th, 510th and 511th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) from Polebrook with B-17s; the 576th and 577th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 392d Bombardment Group (Heavy), from Wendling with B-24s.
MONDAY, 11 JUNE 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The 857th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 492d Bombardment Group (Heavy) (attached to 1st Air Division), moves from Bassingbourne to Alconbury, England with B-24s.
TUESDAY, 12 JUNE 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Unit moves in England: HQ 2d and 98th Bombardment Wings (Heavy) from Hethel and Polebrook respectively to Alconbury; HQ 92d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 325th and 326th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) from Podington to Istres, France with B-17s where they begin transporting troops from Marseilles to Casablanca for return to the US; HQ 379th Bombardment Group (Heavy) begins a movement from Kimbolton to Casablanca, French Morocco; HQ 467th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 788th, 789th, 790th and 791st Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) begin a movement from Rackheath to the US with B-24s.
WEDNESDAY, 13 JUNE 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Unit moves in England: HQ 14th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) from Shipdham to Bury St Edmunds and HQ 20th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) from Hardwick to Snetterton Heath.
THURSDAY, 14 JUNE 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ 458th Bombardment Group (Heavy) begins a movement from Horsham St Faith, England to the US.
FRIDAY, 15 JUNE 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): B-24 units beginning a movement from England to the US: HQ 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 66th, 68th and 506th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) from Shipham; HQ 392d Bombardment Group (Heavy) from Wendling; 328th, 329th, 330th and 409th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 93d Bombardment Group (Heavy), from Hardwick.
SUNDAY, 17 JUNE 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ 379th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 524th, 525th, 526th and 527th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) arrive at Casablanca, French Morocco with B-17s to move troops from France to N Africa.
MONDAY, 18 JUNE 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ 4th, 41st, 45th and 94th Combat Bombardment Wings (Heavy) are disbanded at Bury St Edmunds, Molesworth, Snetterton Heath, and Alconbury, England respectively.
TUESDAY, 19 JUNE 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ 95th Bombardment Group (Heavy) begins a movement from Horham, England to the US.
WEDNESDAY, 20 JUNE 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ 401st Bombardment Group (Heavy) and the 612th, 613th, 614th and 615th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) begin a movement from Deenethorpe, England to the US with B-17s.
THURSDAY, 21 JUNE 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Major General Westside T Larson relieves Major General William E Kepner as Commanding General, Eighth AF.
FRIDAY, 22 JUNE 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Unit moves from England: HQ 2d Air Division begins a movement from Ketteringham Hall to the US; HQ 384th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 544th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) from Grafton Underwood to Istres, France with B-17s to move US soldiers to Casablanca, French Morocco for return to the US; 322d, 323d and 401st Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 91st Bombardment Group (Heavy), from Bassingbourn with B-17s.
SATURDAY, 23 JUNE 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ 91st Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 324th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), begin a movement from Bassingbourn, England to the US with B-17s.
SUNDAY, 24 JUNE 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ 381st and 532d, 533d, 534th and 535th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) begin a movement from Ridgewell, England to the US with B-17s.
MONDAY, 25 JUNE 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Unit moves in England: HQ 381st Bombardment Group (Heavy) begins a movement from Ridgewell to the US; 546th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 384th Bombardment Group (Heavy), from Grafton Underwood to Istres, France with B-17s to transport personnel from France to N Africa.
TUESDAY, 26 JUNE 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Unit moves in England: HQ 1st Bombardment Wing (Heavy) from Bassingbourn to Alconbury; HQ 40th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) from Thurleigh to Istres, France where it oversees the units transporting troops from France to N Africa for return to the US.
SUNDAY, 1 JULY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The 547th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 384th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Grafton Underwood, England to Istres, France with B-17s to begin moving troops from Europe to N Africa for shipment back to the US.
MONDAY, 2 JULY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The 545th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 384th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Grafton Underwood, England to Istres, France with B-17s to transport personnel from France to N Africa for shipment back to the US.
WEDNESDAY, 4 JULY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ 446th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 704th, 705th and 706th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) begin a movement from Flixton, England to the US with B-24s.
THURSDAY, 5 JULY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Units beginning a movement from England to the US: HQ 448th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 712th, 713th, 714th and 715th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) from Seething with B-24s; HQ 491st Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 852d, 853d, 854th and 855th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) from North Pickenham with B-24s; 707th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 446th Bombardment Group (Heavy), from Flixton with B-24s.
FRIDAY, 6 JULY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ 466th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 784th, 785th, 786th and 787th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) begin a movement from Attlebridge, England to the US with B-24s.
SUNDAY, 8 JULY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Units beginning a movement from England: HQ 357th Fighter Group from Leiston to Neubiberg, Germany; HQ 492d Bombardment Group (Heavy) from Harrington to the US.
WEDNESDAY, 11 JULY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ 93d Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) begins a movement from Mendlesham, England to the US.
THURSDAY, 12 JULY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ 95th Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) begins a movement from Kettingham, England to the US.
FRIDAY, 13 JULY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Unit moves in England: HQ 92d Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) from Elveden Hall to the US. The 652d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy, Weather Reconnaissance), 1st Air Division, from Watton to Alconbury, England with B-17s (the squadron flies weather reconnaissance missions in the ETO).
MONDAY, 16 JULY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ Eighth AF issues its last movement order in the ETO; after much reorganization and redeployment of units, HQ relieves the VIII Fighter Command from assignment to Eighth AF and directs HQ and HQ Squadron to move from Charleroi, Belgium back to the UK (the unit moves to High Wycombe the following day, 17 Jul) where VIII Fighter Command is to assume control over all Eighth AF units remaining in UK. HQ Eighth AF is transferred without personnel, equipment, or combat elements to Okinawa, where the Eighth and Twentieth AFs are to comprise US Army Strategic Air Forces in the Pacific (USASTAF) under command of General Carl Spaatz. By this date 90,000+ persons (50+ per cent of the Eighth's strength on 30 Apr 45) have been redeployed to US, N Africa, and various parts of the ETO.
MONDAY, 23 JULY 1945
VIII Fighter Command: Unit moves in England: HQ 4th Fighter Group and 334th, 335th and 336th Fighter Squadrons from Debden to Steeple Morden with P-51s; HQ 25th Bombardment Group (Reconnaissance) begins a movement from Watton to the US.
TUESDAY, 24 JULY 1945
VIII Fighter Command: The 4th, 7th, 18th and 391st Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 34th Bombardment Group (Heavy), begin a movement from Mendelsham, England to the US with B-17s.
WEDNESDAY, 25 JULY 1945
VIII Fighter Command: Units beginning a movement from England to the US: HQ 34th Bombardment Group (Heavy) from Mendlesham; 654th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy, Reconnaissance, Special), 25th Bombardment Group (Reconnaissance), from Watton.
WEDNESDAY, 1 AUGUST 1945
VIII Fighter Command: HQ 447th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 708th and 710th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) begin a movement from Rattlesden, England to the US with B-17s. Unit moves from England to the US in Aug 45: HQ 486th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 832d, 833d, 834th and 835th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) from Sudbury with B-17s; and 858th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) from Harrington with B-24s.
FRIDAY, 3 AUGUST 1945
VIII Fighter Command: The 709th and 711th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 447th Bombardment Group (Heavy), begin a movement from Rattlesden, England to the US with B-17s.
SATURDAY, 4 AUGUST 1945
VIII Fighter Command: Units beginning a movement from England to the US: HQ 390th Bombardment Group (Heavy) from Framlingham; 856th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 492d Bombardment Group (Heavy), from Harrington with B-24s.
SUNDAY, 5 AUGUST 1945
Eighth Air Force: HQ 333d Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) and 435th, 460th and 507th Bombardment Squadrons (Very Heavy) arrive at Kadena, Okinawa from the US with B-29s.
VIII Fighter Command: HQ 96th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) begins a movement from Ketteringham, England to the US; the 653d Bombardment Squadron (Light, Weather Reconnaissance), 25th Bombardment Group (Reconnaissance), moves from Watton to Chalgrove, England with Mosquito XVIs; the 728th, 729th, 730th and 731st Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 452d Bombardment Group (Heavy), begin a movement from Deopham Green, England to the US with B-17s.
VIII Fighter Command: Unit movements from England to the US: HQ 13th and HQ 20th Bombardment Wings (Heavy) from Horham and Snetterton Heath; HQ 385th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 548th, 549th, 550th and 551st Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) from Great Ashfield with B-17s; HQ 388th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 560th, 561st, 562d and 563d Bombardment Squadrons from Knettishall with B-17s; HQ 452d Bombardment Group (Heavy) from Deopham Green; HQ 493d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 860th, 861st, 862d and 863d Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) from Debach with B-17s; 334th, 335th, 336th and 412th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 95th Bombardment Group (Heavy), from Horham with B-17s; 406th and 857th Bombardment Squadrons (Very Heavy), 492d Bombardment Group (Very Heavy), from Harrington and Alconbury respectively; the 568th, 569th, 570th and 571st Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 390th Bombardment Group (Heavy), from Framlingham with B-17s.
TUESDAY, 7 AUGUST 1945
Eighth Air Force: HQ 346th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) arrives at Kadena, Okinawa from the US.
MONDAY, 13 AUGUST 1945
Eighth Air Force: The 461st, 462d and 463d Bombardment Squadrons (Very Heavy), 346th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy), arrive on Okinawa from the US with B-29s.
FRIDAY, 17 AUGUST 1945
VIII Fighter Command: The 368th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 306th Bombardment Group (Heavy), based at Thurleigh, England with B-17s, sends a detachment to operate from Gibraltar to fly photo-mapping missions.
MONDAY, 20 AUGUST 1945
VIII Fighter Command: The 367th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 306th Bombardment Group (Heavy), based at Thurleigh, England with B-17s, sends a detachment to operate from Lagens, Azores to photo-map Africa.
SATURDAY, 25 AUGUST 1945
VIII Fighter Command: HQ 2d Bombardment Wing (Heavy) begins a movement from Alconbury, England to the US.
SUNDAY, 26 AUGUST 1945
VIII Fighter Command: Units beginning a move from England to the US: HQ 1st and 14th Bombardment Wings (Heavy) from Alconbury and Bury St Edmunds respectively; HQ 487th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 836th, 837th, 838th and 839th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) from Lavenham with B-24s; and HQ 490th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 848th, 849th, 850th and 851st Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) from Eye with B-17s.
FRIDAY, 31 AUGUST 1945
VIII Fighter Command: The 369th and 423d Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 306th Bombardment Group (Heavy), based at Thurleigh, England with B-17s, send detachments to operate from Istres, France to photo-map Europe and Africa.
392nd BG Personnel
Bombing Missions
392nd BG Aircraft
The Wendling Base
Airmen POW Camps
Memorial Association