6 September 1943

MONDAY, 6 SEPTEMBER 1943

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (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.
1. 151 of 181 B-17's of the 1st Bombardment Division attack various
targets of opportunity at 0951-1017 hours; they claim 32-6-21 Luftwaffe
aircraft; 27 B-17's are lost, 9 are damaged beyond repair and 47 damaged;
casualties are 14 WIA and 153 MIA.
2. 111 of 157 B-17's of the 3d Bombardment Division hit Stuttgart and
various targets of opportunity at 0940-1229 hours; they claim 66-14-29
Luftwaffe aircraft; 18 B-17's are lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 69
damaged; casualties are 2 KIA, 13 WIA and 180 MIA.
3. 60 of 69 B-24's of the 2d Bombardment Division fly a diversion.
176 P-47's fly escort for the B-17's; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft;
1 P-47 is lost. Strong fighter opposition is encountered and 45 B-17's are
lost.
VIII Air Support Command Missions 50 and 51.
1. 144 B-26's are dispatched to the marshalling yards at Ghent, Belgium
and Rouen, France; the Ghent mission is recalled when bad weather prevents
the fighter escort from taking off; 66 hit Rouen at 0738 and 0739 hours; 3
B-26's are damaged; casualties are 1 WIA.
2. 144 B-26's are dispatched to the marshalling yards at Amiens and
Serqueux, France; 126 hit the targets at 1755 to 1757 hours; 3 B-26's are
damaged.