27 September 1943

MONDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER 1943

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (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.
1. 246 of 308 B-17's hit the Emden industrial area and targets of
opportunity at 0958-1008 hours; they claim 32-7-24 Luftwaffe aircraft; 7
B-17's are lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 78 damaged; casualties are
1 KIA, 18 WIA and 71 MIA. This mission is escorted by 262 P-47's which
claim 21-2-6 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-47 is lost, 1 damaged beyond repair
and 1 damaged; casualties are 1 MIA.
2. 24 B-24's fly a diversion.
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.
1. 65 of 72 B-26's hit Beauvais/Tille airfield at 1044-1045 hours; they
claim 4-6-4 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 B-26 is damaged beyond repair and 23
damaged; casualties are 4 MIA.
2. 68 of 72 B-26's hit Conches Airfield at 1729 hours; 1 B-26 is lost
and 4 damaged; casualties are 6 MIA.