20 October 1943

WEDNESDAY, 20 OCTOBER 1943

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

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.