Action This Day

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460 Sqn RAAF (Binbrook – Lancaster I) 8.7.43
Weather. Fine during the morning, fair later in the day. Some local flying during the morning. Twenty aircraft were detailed to attack COLOGNE. One of these however abandoned the mission owing to engine trouble, the remainder considered it a very successful show - clouds somewhat obscured the target, but very large fires could be seen through gaps in the clouds. The aircraft of which AUS F/S J. GOULEVITCH was pilot had its hydraulics shot away and could not close the bomb doors. The trouble started over the target when they had trouble with the trimming gear - controls could not be handled properly. The trip home was made with some difficulty the success of which could only be made possible by the Flight Engineer - 1439077 SGT SCARR, R. W. pushing formed on the control gear and the Bomb Aimer- AUS 414344 SGT A. G. ELWING clinging to the rudder bars. They landed at the first possible moment. At first they overshot the aerodrome, but just managed to get around again the aircraft then hit the ground and bounced over a fence and ‘ditched' in a field – they all scrambled out and were making a dash for it when they remembered their ‘passenger’ the pigeon - the Air Gunner AUS F/S P. L. JONES returned to the aircraft and retrieved this ‘feathered bird’.

2nd TAF
Two Mustangs of 400 Squadron became 'hunters' rather than the more usual 'hunted', when they surprised a Fiesler Fi 156 near Combourg in northern Brittany. The German pilot landed the Storch at the first opportunity, and it was destroyed on the ground by the two RCAF pilots. This would be the first of a run of several successes for the Squadron.

BOMBER COMMAND
COLOGNE
282 Lancasters and 6 Mosquitoes of 1, 5 and 8 Groups. 7 Lancasters lost, 2.5 percent of the force.

The Oboe sky-marking was accurate and another successful raid followed, the north-western and south-western sections of the city being the worst hit. 19 industrial and 2,381 domestic buildings were destroyed in areas which had not been severely bombed until now. 502 civilians were killed but the fatalities at a prisoner-of-war camp and an artillery barracks which were both heavily bombed are not known. A further 48,000 people were bombed out, making a total of 350,000 people losing their homes during this series of 3 raids in 1 week.

Minor Operations: 8 Mosquitoes to Duisburg, 46 aircraft minelaying off Texel, Brittany and the Biscay coast, 27 O.T.U. sorties. 1 Wellington minelayer lost.

Total effort for the night: 364 sorties, 8 aircraft (2.2 percent) lost.

USAAF
ENGLAND: The 7th Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping Group assumes operational control over the 13th, 14th, and 22d Photographic Reconnaissance squadrons, which have been operating as independent elements of the Eighth Air Force.

MEDITERRANEAN: Two Ju-88 reconnaissance aircraft are downed, one near Bizerte and the other over the Algerian coast, by pilots of NACAF’s 350th and 52d Fighter groups, respectively.

SICILY: NASAF B-25s and B-26s mount several attacks against the Gerbini Airdrome complex; NASAF P-38s strafe radar installation in the eastern part of the island; NATAF B-25s attack Biscari and Comiso airdromes; NATAF A-20s attack Sciacca Airdrome; NATAF A-36s attack a sulfur plant, a rail yard, and numerous rail and road targets throughout the island; IX Bomber Command B-24s attack the railroad station, a marshalling yard, and telephone and telegraph links at Catania; IX Bomber Command B-25s attack Biscari and Comiso airdromes; and IX Fighter Command P-40s attack Biscari Airdrome. Also, three Bf-109s are downed in a large afternoon fighter battle involving 324th Fighter Group and 99th Fighter Squadron P-40s over Sciacca Airdrome.

During the night of July 8–9, NATAF aircraft attack Sciacca and Trapani/Milo airdromes.

RAF
Base Changes
234 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Honily

First and Last Operational Missions
418 Sqn RCAF (Ford) flies its last OM in the Boston III

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428 Sqn RCAF (Middleton St. George – Halifax V) 9.7.43
Eleven of our aircraft took part in the raid on Gelsenkirchen. One, captained by S/Ldr F.H. Bowden who was "B" Fight Commander and who was nearing completion of his second operational tour, failed to return.

ADDENDUM – Halifax V DK229 NA-W. Crew: S/L FH Bowden DFC & Bar KIA, Sgt H McGeach RCAF POW, Sgt NF Rowe POW, Sgt RJ Gritten POW, Sgt AJA Reynolds EVD, Sgt JWN Hurst POW, P/O B McK Fitzgerald RCAF POW. Hit by flak and abandoned in the vicinity of Cologne. S/L Bowden is buried in Rheinberg War Cemetery. This was the first Halifax V reported missing by 428 Squadron.

BOMBER COMMAND
GELSENKIRCHEN
418 aircraft – 218 Lancasters, 190 Halifaxes, 10 Mosquitoes. 12 aircraft – 7 Halifaxes and 5 Lancasters – lost, 2.9 percent of the force.

This raid was not successful. The Oboe equipment failed to operate in 5 of the Mosquitoes and a 6th Mosquito dropped sky-markers in error 10 miles north of the target. Gelsenkirchen reports that its southern districts were bombed and assumed that the main raid was on the neighbouring towns of Bochum and Wattenscheid, also to the south, which received many more bombs than did Gelsenkirchen. Gelsenkirchen itself suffered 10 industrial firms hit, including the all-important synthetic-oil refinery at Scholven, but damage in all places was only light. 41 people died in Gelsenkirchen.

Minor Operations: 4 Mosquitoes to Nordstern, 18 aircraft minelaying in the Frisians and off Texel. No losses.

2nd TAF
19 Squadron lost two Spitfires while returning from escorting Mitchells over St Omer during 'Ramrod 127'.

USAAF
CRETE: IX Bomber Command B-24s attack Maleme Airdrome.

The Maleme mission is the combat debut for the 389th Heavy Bombardment Group, one of three VIII Bomber Command B-24 groups on loan to the IX Bomber Command.

MEDITERRANEAN: The theater’s first USAAF night-fighter unit, the Twelfth Air Force’s independent 415th Night-Fighter Squadron in British-built Beaufighters, becomes operational.

SICILY: Throughout the day, NAAF and Ninth Air Force bombers and fighters attack numerous targets, especially airdromes, throughout Sicily. In a special last-minute reaction to late-breaking intelligence, 18 IX Bomber Command B-24s successfully mount a low-level attack against a hotel at Taormina that is thought to house the main headquarters overseeing all German forces in Sicily.

P-40 pilots of the 324th Fighter Group’s 316th Fighter Squadron engaged by Bf-109s over the Castelvetrano Airdrome during a morning mission receive credit for five confirmed victories and five probables. In other morning action, a 14th Fighter Group P-38 pilot downs a Bf-109 near Sciacca Airdrome, and 324th Fighter Group P-40 pilots down four Bf-109s over Trapani/Milo Airdrome.

As the Allied invasion fleet approaches the landing beaches, Allied air commanders declare that their air forces have attained air supremacy over Sicily. By the time the Allied amphibious and airborne assaults begin, only two airfields on Sicily are fully operational—Sciacca and Trapani/Milo airdromes; all the others have been abandoned or cannot be used because of damage.

RAF
Base Changes
3 Sqn RAAF (Kittyhawk II) moves to Takali
112 Sqn (Kittyhawk III) moves to Safi
239 Sqn (Mustang I) moves to Fairlop
250 Sqn (Kittyhawk III) moves to Hal Far

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401SqnRCAF (Redhill – Spitfire VB) 10.7.43
Weather: Cloud 7-10/10 at 1-4,000 ft. visibility 6-10 miles, wind 5-10 m.p.h. from W.
Serviceability: 17 a/c. State: At 0430 hours the Squadron was at 30 minutes, 1300 “B” Flt. At readiness, “A” at 15 minutes; 1605 Blue Section at readiness, Green and Black at 15 min., “A” Flt. At 30 min., 1715 Blue Section at readiness, remainder at 60 min. 2315 Squadron released.

This day saw the first signs of breaking up of the old, storied squadron. With its destined incorporation into 83 (Composite) Group, as part of the new Tactical Air Force being formed in the country for future offensive use on the Continent, the convention form of Unit comprised of flying and ground personnel is to go. Today postings came through for two of our four ground officers: F/O R.M. “Rusty” Bragg, of Calgary, Squadron Engineering Officer, and as an airman, one of the first members of the old 1st Canadian Fighter Squadron in 1938, goes to a well deserved Flight Lieutenant post at 126 Airfield and P/O J.W. “Spy” Sancton, of Montreal, Squadron Intelligence Officer, who joined the squadron as an airman a year and a half ago, goes to the same new unit. Both officers will continue to work for the squadron as long as it is located on the same Airfield H.Q., so for the present, it is a departure on paper only.

In the morning some cine gun exercises, low flying and tail chases were carried out. Pay Parade pre-occupied most of the Squadron until early afternoon and later the pilots saw some combat films at Station Intelligence. Weather generally “duff”.

USAAF
FRANCE: Thirty-six of 64 1st Heavy Bombardment Wing B-17s attack Abbeville/Drucat Airdrome at about 0730 hours with just over 62 tons of bombs, and 34 of 116 1st Heavy Bombardment Wing B-17s and five YB-40s dispatched attack Caen Airdrome at about 0830 hours with more than 74 tons of bombs. Losses against light GAF flak and fighter opposition are one B-17 lost and 33 damaged, and ten crewmen missing and one wounded.

One hundred one 4th Heavy Bombardment Wing B-17s dispatched against Paris/Le Bourget Airport abort over France because of thick cloud cover.

In all, 128 4th, 56th, and 78th Fighter group P-47s are dispatched to escort the bombers during the penetration and withdrawal phases, but no GAF fighters are spotted within range of the USAAF fighters.

SICILY: In history’s first mass airborne assault, which begins at 0245 hours, 133 tow planes, including 105 51st Troop Carrier Wing C-47s, release glider-borne British Army airborne troops near Syracuse (Operation LADBROKE). The landing itself is a shambles due to bad weather and inexact techniques, but the British troops manage to secure their objectives. Of the 133 gliders released, only 12 come down in the landing zone and 47 are lost at sea, most with all the troops aboard. The remaining 74 gliders come to rest pretty much all over the island.

A concurrent parachute drop by American paratroopers against Gela (Operation HUSKY NO. 1) meets pretty much the same difficulties. A total of 226 52d Troop Carrier Wing C-47s drop 2,781 paratroopers and 891 parachute equipment packs, but barely enough of both to secure the vital Gela crossroads actually hit the drop zone.

During the day, elements of the U.S. 82d Airborne Division and U.S. Army ground forces landing from the sea near Gela link up on the high ground overlooking the Gela/Ponte Olivo Airdrome. Also, British Army ground forces capture the airfield at Pachino.

Throughout the day, NAAF and Ninth Air Force bombers, fighters, and fighter-bombers undertake a dizzying variety of missions in support of the Allied invasion forces.

Although NAAF fighters mount a maximum effort over the invasion fleet and the entire island, the day’s momentous events are not strongly opposed by Axis air forces. Throughout the day, in fact, only 24 Axis aircraft are downed by NAAF fighters. In the day’s biggest air action, which takes place over southwestern Sicily between 1800 and 1820 hours, P-38 pilots of the 82d Fighter Group’s 96th Fighter Squadron down nine Axis fighters and a Ju-88. Two new aces emerge from this action: FO Frank D. Hurlbut, who downs three FW-190s, and 2dLt Ward A. Kuentzel, who downs the Ju-88 and an FW-190.

During the night of July 10–11, NASAF aircraft attack Sciacca and Trapani/Milo airdromes. All planned follow-up airborne operations scheduled for the night of July 10–11 are canceled.

RAF
Base Changes
247 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to New Romney

First and Last Operational Missions
226 Sqn (Swanton Morley) flies its first OM in the Mitchell II

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501 Sqn (Hawkinge – Spitfire VB) 11.7.43
No flying was done in the morning owing to the weather which was unfit for flying In the afternoon the weather cleared somewhat, especially for Rhubarbs and at 1450hrs F/Lt Lenton (N.2.), F/O De Merode (Belgian), F/o Jackson and Capt, Fuchs (F.F.) left base and crossed the French coast at Berck-Sur-Mer, to attack Railway targets at Rue, On the way they shot up pill boxes, Capt. Fuchs (F.F.) and F/0. Jackson saw a locomotive 2 miles S. of Rue both A/C attacked with M.G. and Cannon, leaving the loco severely damaged, a film was taken which proved that the loco was left in a very distressed condition. “Tim” Lanton and F/O Delferode attacked Rly. Goods' trucks at St. Valery Railway Station. P/0, Stockburn was detailed to attack Railway targets at Hazebrouck, he was last plotted at Dunkirk but failed to return to base. The weather caved in which prevented any further flying.

ADDENDUM – Spitfire VB AA917 SD-E. Pilot: P/O RC Stockburn EVD. Shot down over Gravelines. Returned to England October 10, 1943.

USAAF
ITALY: IX Bomber Command B-24s attack the port area at Reggio di Calabria, directly opposite Messina.

SICILY: NASAF B-17s attack the marshalling yards at Catania; NASAF B-26s attack the Gerbini Airdrome complex and Trapani/Milo airdrome; NASAF B-25s and P-38s attack Sciacca Airdrome and a town; IX Bomber Command B-24s attack a town; and IX Bomber Command B-25s attack the Bo Rizzo and Trapani/Milo airdromes as well as several area targets.

If anything, Axis air forces are even less aggressive in the defense of Sicily than they were on D-day. Despite an all-out effort by USAAF fighters to stop penetrations by Axis warplanes, only 16 confirmed victories are declared, of which half are against GAF medium bombers. Capt Carl W. Payne, a Spitfire pilot with the 31st Fighter Group’s 309th Fighter Squadron, achieves ace status when he downs a GAF fighter near Pazzollo at 1615 hours.

Overall, the invasion is going well. U.S. ground forces capture Comiso Airdrome, but it is unusable due to bomb damage.

During the day, Axis ground forces mount a major counterattack toward Gela, which is being held in part by elements of the U.S. 82d Airborne Division. It is decided by the high command to conduct a reinforcement of the threatened area by a follow-on airborne landing during the night. Some 2,000 U.S. Army paratroopers are assigned to the night drop (Operation HUSKY NO. 2), which will be carried out from bases in North Africa to the vicinity of Gela by 144 C-47s from four troop-carrier groups operating under the control of the 52d Troop Carrier Wing. The drop zone is to be the Gela/Farello Airdrome. Using Malta as a turning point in their flight from the rendezvous off Tunisia, the C-47s reach Sicily on time and in the right place despite strong headwinds, a low haze, and a lack of navigational aids. Unknown to the flight commanders, however, the drop zone has only recently fallen back into the hands of Axis ground troops. Also, no one has bothered to tell the ships of the invasion force, nor the troops manning newly erected coast-defense positions, that the air armada is to be expected. As the C-47s reach the fleet, they are taken under intense antiaircraft fire, and even more fire is added as the airplanes fly over the coast. Aircraft losses—which in many cases include crewmen and passengers—are put at 23, and many crewmen and passengers in aircraft that make it through the maelstrom are nonetheless killed or wounded by penetrating bullets and shrapnel. Half the C-47s returning to Tunisia report heavy damage. A number of pilots who are faced with the need to overfly the landing zone several times in the end refuse to drop vulnerable troops into the maelstrom, and so the reinforcement is further weakened. Perhaps as a result of the diluted and scattered reinforcement effort, the paratroop force already on the ground is unable to fight its way out of an isolated position produced by the enemy counterattack, and so the situation on the ground is at least as bad as it was before the reinforcement effort began.

RAF
Base Changes
26 Sqn (Mustang I) moves to Martlesham Heath

First and Last Operational Missions
3 Sqn RAAF (Takali) flies its first OM in the Kittyhawk III

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467 Sqn RAAF (Bottesford – Lancaster III) 12.7.43
18 tonight with “Musso's Mob” as the target namely TURIN. Captains were:- 68155 S/L A.S. RAPHAEL, 1206897 SGP CLAXTON D.B., AUS405972 F/SGT WILSON W.L., AUS401980 F/0 H.B.LOCK, AUS409543 F/SGT TILLOTSON G.F., AUS413167 F/O J.E. CARRINGTON, AUS407853 P/O J.H. WHITING, NZ415692 F/SGT HARDER R., AUS401845 P/) G.P.GODWIN, 1380158 F/SGT HARRISON G.C., AUS412391 F/O R. CARMICHAEL, AUS5503 P/O M.R.GOOD, NZ4131592 F/SGT WALLACE G.N., 66546 S/L E.E.SINCLAIR, AUS412636 P/) K.A. McIVER, AUS415117 F/SGT CHAPMAN S.A., AUS416693 F/O G.D.MITCHELL and 40468 F/L R.W.A.GIBBS. There were 2 flights during the day totalling 1⅟2 hours.

ADDENDUM – Lancaster III ED5311 PO-T. Crew: F/O GD Mitchell RAAF KIA, Sgt BKH Evans KIA, P/O HR St. George RAAF KIA, F/O WH Morgan, F/S JM Maher RAAF, F/S HB Bolger RAAF KIA, F/S AD Terry RAAF. T/o 2249 Bottesford. Believed engaged by flak and part of bomb load jettisoned. Soon after Lancaster flew into high tension cables near Thyson and crashed 0120. All are buried in Vevey Cemetery.

Lancaster III JA676 PO-B. Crew: F/L RWA Gibbs KIA, Sgt EA Roper KIA, F/O SG Norris KIA, F/O JE Pearce KIA, Sgt DJ Banks, P/O SOC Tate KIA, Sgt DA Chisholm KIA. Lost without a trace. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

Lancaster III LM311 PO-L. Crew: P/O CA Chapman RAAF KIA, Sgt J Greenwood, Sgt AE Michaels KIA, Sgt NC Smith KIA, Sgt P Donlevy, F/S W Bruce KIA, Sgt WS Buchanan KIA. T/o 2248 Bottesford. Severely damaged, forward of the tail section and when on return to base, the flaps were lowered in readiness for landing, structure failure occurred and the Lancaster broke into two sections. Burials took place in their hometowns. P/O Chapman being laid to rest in Oxford Cemetery in the parish of North Hinskey.

BOMBER COMMAND
TURIN
295 Lancasters of 1, 5 and 8 Groups. 13 Lancasters lost, 4.4 percent of the force.

The main weight of this raid fell just north of the centre of Turin in clear weather conditions. The only report obtainable from Italy states that 792 people were killed and 914 injured. This was Turin’s highest number of air-raid fatalities during the 10 raids made on the city by Bomber Command during the war.

Among the R.A.F. casualties on this night was Wing Commander J. D. Nettleton, commander of 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron, who had won the Victoria Cross for the low-level daylight raid on Augsburg in April 1942. Nettleton’s Lancaster was shot down by a German night fighter over the Channel while returning from Turin. He and his crew all died and their names are on the Runnymede Memorial.

Minor Operations: 22 Wellingtons minelaying off Brest, Lorient and St-Nazaire, 19 O.T.U. sorties. No losses.

2nd TAF
Another Boston was lost in another attack on the power station at Langerbrugge, this time from 88 Squadron. On a reconnaissance sortie Flt Lt D.M.Grant of 400 Squadron managed to shoot down a Do 217 12 miles north-east of Chartres.

USAAF
ITALY: IX Bomber Command B-24s attack the port facilities, ferry terminal, and marshalling yards at Reggio di Calabria, and the ferry terminal and rail yards at Villa San Giovanni.

SICILY: NASAF B-17s attack rail bridges around Messina; NASAF and NATAF B-25s, B-26s, and A-20s attack the Gerbini satellite fields, and Agrigento, Canicatti, and Trapani/Milo airdromes; NATAF A-20s and fighters attack Trapani/Milo airdrome and numerous rail and communications targets throughout the island; and IX Bomber Command B-25s attack Bo Rizzo Airdrome.

Efforts by Axis aircraft to penetrate the Allied air cover over the fleet and the in-vasion beaches are virtually nil; throughout the day, only ten Axis fighters are downed in the area. Maj John L. Bradley, the commanding officer of the 33d Fighter Group’s 58th Fighter Squadron, achieves ace status when he downs a Bf-109 during a morning mission near Licata.

Gela/Ponte Olivo Airdrome is captured intact by U.S. Army ground units.

RAF
Base Changes
231 Sqn (Mustang I) moves to Weston Zealand
263 Sqn (Westland I) moves to Warmwell

First and Last Operational Missions
7 Sqn (Oakington) flies its first OM in the Lancaster III
192 Sqn (Feltwell) flies its first OM in the Halifax V
130 Sqn (Oban) flies its last OM in the Northrop N3-PB
431 Sqn (Burn) flies its last OM in the Wellington X
1435 Sqn (Luqa) flies its first OM in the Spitfire IX

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408 Sqn RCAF (Leeming – Halifax II) 13.7.43
Weather: Fair apart from a few scattered showers of rain. Good visibility. Eleven aircraft were prepared for operations. All aircraft took-off on time. Nine aircraft were successful in bombing the target, same being AACHEN, Germany. One aircraft returned early due to inability of aircraft to gain operational height. One aircraft is reported missing. Aircraft "A" ("A" for Apple) piloted by Flying officer D.T. Bain (J.9412) was badly shot up by enemy fighter at approximately five minutes before reaching the target the captain was successful in evading further damage and proceeded to the target only to find that his bomb doors would not open due to damage by enemy aircraft. Course was set and was successful in reaching home base. It was then found that his undercarriage could not be lowered. Owing to having a full bomb load still on the aircraft, finding it impossible to belly land, the captain was ordered to have all the crew members bail out. All members of the crew succeeded in parachute descent without injuries except for the captain of the aircraft who unfortunately broke his left leg. Aircraft crashed into side of a hill approximately 12 miles from this aerodrome and bomb load exploded. Aircraft category "E" burnt.

ADDENDUM – Halifax II DT769 EQ-J. Crew: P/O AO Smuck RCAF KIA, Sgt J Foggon KIA, F/O JJ Kelly POW, Sgt B Domigan POW, Sgt R Barneveld KIA, Sgt DG McKay RCAF KIA, Sgt DLG Brown RCAF KIA. T/o 0008 Leeming. Shot down by Lt Rolf Bussmann (14th victory) 1./NJG1 at Fellenoord, 3 km SW Drunen, at 0140. Of those who died, four lie in Tilburg General Cemetery, while Sgt Brown is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery at Bergen op Zoom.

BOMBER COMMAND
AACHEN
374 aircraft – 214 Halifaxes, 76 Wellingtons, 55 Stirlings, 18 Lancasters, 11 Mosquitoes; 5 Group did not take part in this raid. 20 aircraft – 15 Halifaxes, 2 Lancasters, 2 Wellingtons, 1 Stirling – lost, 5.3 percent of the force.

A strong tail wind brought the first waves of the Main Force into the target area before Zero Hour with the result that, when the first Pathfinder markers were released, an unusually large number of aircraft bombed in the first minutes of the raid. The visibility was good and large areas of Aachen appeared to burst into flame at once. In the words of the report from Aachen, ‘A Terrorangriff of the most severe scale was delivered.’* 2,927 individual buildings were destroyed. These contained 16,828 flats/apartments and there was the familiar list of public and cultural buildings hit. Among those classed as severely damaged were the cathedral, the Rathaus, the town theatre, the police headquarters, the local prison, the main post office, two infantry barracks and an army food depot, and 8 large industrial premises including an aero-engine factory, a rubber factory, a tyre factory and a wagon works. 294 people were killed and 745 injured and 28,500 people appear to have fled the town and were still absent when new ration cards were issued nearly 7 weeks later.

Minor Operations: 2 Oboe Mosquitoes carried out a diversion for the Aachen raid by dropping target indicators over Cologne. 8 O.T.U. Wellingtons carried out leaflet flights to France. 1 Wellington crashed in the sea.

USAAF
BAY OF BISCAY: The 479th Antisubmarine Group, formed in England on July 8 and equipped with B-24s, begins mounting anti-submarine patrols out of the English coastal base at St. Eval in search of surfaced German Navy submarines. By July 18, the group will have virtually swept the Bay of Biscay clean of surfaced German submarines. Despite continued vigorous patrolling, there are to be no sightings of surfaced enemy submarines after August 2, and the group will cease operations in October.

ENGLAND: The first air echelon of the 390th Heavy Bombardment Group, in B-17s, arrives from the United States via the northern ferry route. The unit is assigned to the 4th Heavy Bombardment Wing’s 402d Provisional Combat Bombardment Wing.

ITALY: IX Bomber Command B-24s attack Crotone Airdrome.

SICILY: NASAF B-17s, B-25s, and B-26s attack the Carcitela, Enna, and Trapani/Milo airdromes; the town of Randazzo; and numerous targets of opportunity around the island. Also, NATAF bombers and fighters attack tactical and communications targets, including Axis troop concentrations; IX Bomber Command B-24s attack a town; and IX Bomber Command B-25s attack road targets and several towns in the British Eighth Army zone.

Pachino Airdrome is open to RAF fighters, which arrive from bases in North Africa to begin ground-support operations. It is noted that Axis aircraft are no longer offering resistance over the island; only three Bf-109s and an Mc.202 are downed over Sicily by USAAF fighters.

The 31st Fighter Group moves from Gozo Island (next to Malta) to Gela/Ponte Olivo Airdrome and immediately begins flight operations.

In the Sicilian Campaign’s fourth and final airborne mission, 51st Troop Carrier Wing C-47s are charged with dropping a force of British Army paratroopers at night against a bridge near Catania. Of the 124 C-47s dispatched from North Africa, 11 are shot down, 50 are damaged by friendly fire, and 27 return to their bases with paratroopers aboard. Despite the rough handling, the British force does succeed in securing its objective.

During the night of July 13–14, NATAF bombers, fighters, and fighter bombers attack numerous tactical and communications targets throughout the island

RAF
Base Changes
1 Sqn SAAF (Spitfire VC/IX) moves to Pachino
3 Sqn RAAF (Kittyhawk II/III) moves to Luqa
92 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VC/IX) moves to Pachino
145 Sqn (Spitfire VC/VIII) moves to Pachino
250 Sqn (Kittyhawk III) moves to Luqa

First and Last Operational Missions
105 Sqn (Marham) flies its first OM in the Mosquito B.IX
196 Sqn (Leconfield) flies its last OM in the Wellington X

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139 Sqn (Wyton – Mosquito IV) 14.7.43
Target: BERLIN.
F/SGT. WILMOTT had undercarriage trouble and was forced to return. The remainder started for SWANTON MORLEY and bombed the target about 10/10 cloud. Searchlights were operating below the cloud but flak was slight. F/O. CLARKE did not return. The last report from him said his aircraft was on fire, and the Crew was baling out. Later the aircraft was found on the sea, but there was no sign of the Crew.

ADDENDUM – Mosquito IV DZ515 XD-? Crew: F/O R Clarke KIA, F/S EJ Thorne KIA. Lost without a trace. Both are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

Note: These were the first casualties sustained by 139 Squadron since transferring to PFF from 2 Group.

BOMBER COMMAND
8 Mosquitoes carried out a nuisance raid on Berlin. 1 aircraft crashed in the sea.

USAAF
FRANCE: The day’s heavy-bomber activity is undertaken in three phases. In the first, after a 381st Heavy Bombardment Group B-17 explodes in midair and crashed during assembly, 53 of 64 1st Heavy Bombardment Wing B-17s dispatched attack Amiens/Glisy Airdrome at about 0745 hours with 83 tons of bombs. GAF flak and fighters down one B-17 and damage 36, including one in a collision with an FW-190. This and one other damaged B-17 crash-land in the U.K. Of the ten men in the B-17 that explodes and crashes during assembly, six are killed and four are rescued. Overall crew casualties in this phase of the day’s operations are six killed, ten missing, and three wounded.

In the second phase of the day’s operations, 52 of 84 4th Heavy Bombardment Wing B-17s attack Paris/Le Bourget Airport with nearly 123 tons of bombs. Heavy GAF fighter opposition and flak down four B-17s and damage 51, of which one is abandoned by its entire crew over the U.K. Crew losses are 41 missing and 16 wounded.

In the third phase, 101 of 111 1st Heavy Bombardment Group B-17s and five YB-40s attack Villacoublay Airdrome with more than 232 tons of bombs at about 0810 hours. Two B-17s are lost and 68 are damaged. One of the damaged B-17s ditches off the English coast and the entire crew is rescued. Crew losses for this phase are one killed, 21 missing, and three wounded.

As is now becoming commonplace, VIII Fighter Command P-47s provide escort to the extremity of their range during both the penetration and withdrawal phases of VIII Bomber Command heavy-bomber missions. On this day, however, only the Amiens/Glisy bomber force is escorted by all 128 operational P-47s of the 4th, 56th, and 78th Fighter groups. In several running engagements during the penetration, two FW-190s are downed by 4th and 78th Fighter group pilots, but three P-47s are lost, including a battle-damaged P-47 that is abandoned by its pilot off Newhaven. This pilot is rescued, but the other two are carried as missing.

ITALY: Allied air commanders order a major intensification of the air effort to interdict the flow of Axis reinforcements and supplies to Sicily from the Italian mainland, and Naples is designated as the primary target of the effort. The first attack under this edict is undertaken during the night of July 14–15 by RAF Wellingtons under NASAF control.

SICILY: NASAF B-17s, B-25s, and B-26s attack Enna, Marsala, Messina, Randazzo, and numerous targets of opportunity all across the island; IX Bomber Command B-24s and RAF heavy bombers under IX Bomber Command control attack the rail line, marshalling yards, port facilities, and oil storage at Messina; and IX Bomber Command B-25s attack targets around Enna.

Only one GAF airplane is credited in the entire theater, an HS-129 ground-attack plane that is downed near Agrigento at 0905 hours by a P-51 pilot of the 68th Reconnaissance Group’s 111th Reconnaissance Squadron.

Biscari Airdrome is captured by U.S. Army infantrymen.

During the night of July 14–15, IX Bomber Command B-25s attack Palermo.

RAF
Base Changes
2 Sqn SAAF (Spitfire VC) moves to Houaouria
4 Sqn SAAF (Spitfire VB) moves to Houaouria
43 Sqn (Spitfire VC) moves to Comiso
93 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VC) moves to Comiso
243 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VC/IX) moves to Comiso
412 Sqn RCAF (Spitfire VB) moves to Redhill
601 Sqn (Spitfire VC) moves to Pachino
613 Sqn (Mustang I) moves to Snailwell

First and Last Operational Missions
174 Sqn (Lydd) flies its first OM in the Typhoon IB
223 Sqn (Reyville) flies its first OM in the Baltimore IV

[warshipbuilder]

405 Sqn RCAF (Gransden Lodge – Halifax II) 15.7.43
Weather: Fair with good visibility and variable cloud amounts throughout the night and following day becoming mainly cloudy towards late afternoon with slight rain beginning at 1700 hours and cloud base lowering to 1/1,500 feet. Low cloud clearing rapidly after 2000 hours and rain ceasing. Medium low cloud clearing more slowly to, small amounts by midnight. Visibility good throughout period. Winds: Southwesterly strong at first becoming light.

OPERATIONS:- BOMBING ATTACK ON MONTBELIARD - 12 AIRCRAFT DETAILED
Eleven of our aircraft reached and bombed primary from an average height of 6,800 feet in good visibility and no cloud. Target was identified visually and river, factory and built-up area were clearly seen. There was much dust and smoke with bomb bursts in smoke. One very large fire was observed on target which was spreading to the West. Loads were dropped on red and green T.I.s. Many bomb bursts were also seen. Many incendiaries were burning in built-up area. One of our aircraft suffered slight flak damage. One of our aircraft P, was attacked by an enemy aircraft which was identified by both gunners as a Dornier 217. Both gunners also recognized British camouflage and roundels on the attacking aircraft. Halifax was doing violent corkscrew evasive action. F/O Anderson was wounded four times in the left arm, but continued to keep on firing. Enemy aircraft made seven or eight attacks. Enemy a/c went into slight dive and one engine was seen to burst in flames just before enemy aircraft crashed into the ground where it continued to burn. F/O Anderson displayed the highest courage and devotion to duty during these attacks, while wounded. The enemy a/c is claimed as destroyed. One of our aircraft failed to return from this operation.

ADDENDUM – Halifax II HR854 LQ-A. Crew: F/L JH Foy DCF RCAF EVD, Sgt JB Mc Dougall RCAF EVD, F/O HT Huston RCAF EVD, S/L A Lambert DFC RCAF EVD, Sgt G MacGregor EVD, F/O TW Simpson RCAF EVD, F/S AO Prior RCAF POW. T/o 2153 Gransden Lodge. Homebound, shot down by a night-fighter and crashed 0225 at Tonnerre, France.

BOMBER COMMAND
MONTBÉLIARD
165 Halifaxes – 134 from 4 Group and 31 from 8 Group – to attack the Peugeot motor factory in the Montbéliard suburb of the French town of Sochaux, near the Swiss border. 5 Halifaxes were lost, 3.0 percent of the force.

The outcome of this raid illustrates again the difficulties of hitting relatively small targets in the occupied countries and the danger to surrounding civilians. The night was clear, the target was only lightly defended and the attack altitude was 6,000 to 10,000 ft, but the centre of the group of markers dropped by the Pathfinder crews of 35 Squadron was 700 yards beyond the factory. The local report says that approximately 30 bombs fell in the factory but 600 fell in the town. 123 civilians were killed and 336 injured. The factory was classed as 5 percent damaged; the production was normal immediately after the raid.

617 Squadron carried out its first operation since the Dams Raid in May. It had been decided to keep the squadron in being and to use it for independent precision raids on small targets. It remained in 5 Group and most of its replacement crews came from the squadrons of that group.

The targets on this night were two electrical-transformer stations in Northern Italy – one near Bologna and the other near Genoa. The intention was to disrupt the supply of electricity to the railways carrying German troops and supplies to the battle front in Sicily. 12 Lancasters of 617 Squadron were joined by 12 further 5 Group Lancasters for these attacks, which were not successful. No flares or markers were carried and the targets were partially hidden by mist. After bombing, the Lancasters flew on to North Africa. 2 Lancasters of the supporting force were lost.

6 Mosquitoes flew on a nuisance raid to Munich but only 2 aircraft actually reached the target. No aircraft lost.

2nd TAF
During an afternoon 'Ramrod' (142) to Poix by 12 107 Squadron Bostons, 602 Squadron suffered heavily, four aircraft and their pilots being lost, three of the latter becoming prisoners. One of the attacking Fw 190s was claimed destroyed by Flg Off A.P.Robson and a Bf 109 by Flt Lt W.W.J.Loud. Five Spitfires were claimed by pilots of JG 26, which lost one Fw 190, the pilot being wounded, and a sixth Spitfire was claimed by Ofw Ludwig Jacobs of 5./JG 2, while Ofw Rainer Poettgen of 3./JG 27 claimed a seventh. Maj 'Wutz' Galland of II./JG 26 also claimed a Boston, and one 107 Squadron aircraft taking part was indeed damaged by fire from an Fw 190, landing wheels-up at Eastchurch on return. Crews of other Bostons claimed damage to two Focke-Wulfs. I. and II./JG 2 each lost a fighter.

A separate 'Ramrod 140' was also flown to Poix at much the same time by bomb-carrying Typhoons; one such aircraft of 181 Squadron was lost, Flt Off E.A.Haddock was shot down by a Bf 109, becoming a POW after a lengthy evasion. A second Typhoon from 182 Squadron, which was escorting 181 Squadron, was hit in the wing by a single shell, splinters from which entered the cockpit and wounded the pilot. Two Typhoons were claimed shot down by Hptm Bühligen and Lt Maximillian Buscherz of II./JG 2.

USAAF
ITALY: NASAF B-17s attack Villa San Giovanni, and IX Bomber Command B-24s attack the main airdrome and two satellite fields at Foggia.

SICILY: NASAF medium bombers attack Vibo Valentia; NATAF A-20s and fighters attack Palermo and targets of opportunity around the island; NAAF fighters mount numerous ad hoc strafing missions wherever tactical and communications targets can be located; and IX Bomber Command B-25s attack Randazzo.

During the night of July 15–16, NATAF A-20s and B-25s attack Randazzo and nearby roads.

RAF
Base Changes
40 Sqn SAAF TR (Spitfire IX) moves to Pachino
111 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VC/IX) moves to Comiso
431 Sqn RCAF (Non-Op) moves to Tholthorpe

First and Last Operational Missions
487 Sqn RNZAF (Methwold) flies its last OM’s in the Ventura I/II

[warshipbuilder]

207 Sqn (Langar – Lancaster III) 16.7.43
Weather: Fine. Four aircraft detailed for operations. Five crews detailed for Bulls eye exercise. Five crews carried out competition bombing, Time Distance runs, Air/sea firing. Six crews practise bombing. Four aircraft attacked special target CISLAGO, and flew to diversion base. One aircraft was cancelled and one aircraft was reported missing, it was D.V. 183 (W).

ADDENDUM – Lancaster III DV183 EM-W. Crew: P/O LE Stubbs KIA, Sgt RC Mitchell KIA, P/O AH Coates KIA, F/O E Mawson KIA, Sgt E Morris POW, P/O RM Furnham RCAF KIA, Sgt W O’Brien KIA. T/o 2232 Langar. Those who died are buried in Milano War Cemetery. P/O Furnham came from Decatur, Illinois.

BOMBER COMMAND
MINOR OPERATIONS
18 Lancasters of 5 Group attempted raids on two more transformer stations in Northern Italy. 7 aircraft bombed the Cislago station accurately but the second target was not located and an alternative target was bombed instead. 1 Lancaster lost. 6 Mosquitoes bombed Munich and 7 O.T.U. Wellingtons dropped leaflets over French towns without loss.

2nd TAF
A Mustang of 400 Squadron was hit by Flak whilst undertaking a 'Rhubarb' over France, but Flt Lt S.M.Knight managed to get back across the Channel before baling out near Friston.

USAAF
FRANCE: In the VIII Air Support Command’s inaugural operational combat mission, 14 323d Medium Bombardment Group B-26s conduct a medium-altitude attack with about 17 tons of bombs against a marshalling yard at Abbeville. Ten of the B-26s are damaged by flak, and two crewmen are wounded. This is the 323d Medium Bombardment Group’s combat debut.

ITALY: IX Bomber Command B-24s attacking Bari Airdrome are attacked by Axis fighters. Three B-24s are downed against gunners’ claims for 11 Axis fighters.

MEDITERRANEAN: Axis air units, which have all but disappeared from the skies within range of North Africa–based Allied day fighters, intensify their efforts to bomb Allied shipping and ground targets around Sicily at night. The only Axis airplane downed in the theater is an Fi-156 observation plane that falls prey over Sicily to a 27th Fighter-Bomber Group A-36 during an afternoon ground-support mission.

At 1950 hours, 17 325th Fighter Group P-40s attack and knock out the Axis radar station on Ustica Island, northwest of Sicily. This allows an RAF bomber formation attacking targets around Capodichino at about midnight to do so without advance warning.

SICILY: NATAF aircraft attack a town and numerous targets of opportunity, and IX Bomber Command aircraft attack two towns.

During the night of July 16–17, IX Bomber Command B-25s attack Catania in support of the British Eighth Army.

RAF
Base Changes
4 Sqn (Mustang I) moves to Gravesend
26 Sqn (Mustang I) moves to Detling
417 Sqn RCAF (Spitfire VBT) moves to Cassibile

First and Last Operational Missions
92 Sqn (Pachino) flies its first OM in the Spitfire VIII
304 Sqn (Davidstowe Moor) flies its last OM in the Wellington X

[warshipbuilder]

401 Sqn RCAF (Redhill – Spitfire VB) 17.7.43
Weather Cloud 1-6/10 at 15-20,000 ft., visibility 6-8 miles, wind 5-10 mph, from E.
Serviceability: 16 a/c. State: at 0446 hours Squadron was 30 min., 0846, Squadron at readiness, 0905 Squadron at 30 min., 1300 Sqdn. at readiness, 1700 Sqdn, at 30 min., 2315 hours Squadron released.

A patrol was made off the South Coast at mid-morning covering the movement of “George Mk. VI” (The King), in that neighbourhood. This patrol sighted an empty dinghy, which was reported to Ops. for further attention, which was without results. At 1305 hours 6 a/c were scrambled unexpectedly to participate in Exercise "Eric" no. 11/5. F/Os Maynard, Sheppard, Delbridge, and Bishop and Sgt. Wilson took part. Vectored in to the Reading area, they intercepted 18 Stirlings, 2 plus Wellingtons, 1 Ventura, 2 Lancasters, and 1 Mitchell. About 30 attacks on these bombers were made by sections and a dozen more by individuals. The majority of these were considered "kills". Stirling did best evasion and were given each other good cross over. Ventures also reacted well but remainder of bombers were poor to indifferent in countering fighter attacks. Cloudless with unlimited visibility. Later in the afternoon a Squadron formation practice was carried out under F/Lt. Ibbotson, in which the boys climbed to 20,000 ft. to see how their kites would perform there. Manoeuvrability proved poor and a/c tended to shudder in turns and it is agreed that 15,000 ft. is the safest top limits for operational use of the derated Spitfire V.

BOMBER COMMAND
4 O.T.U. Wellingtons dropped leaflets over France without loss.

USAAF
ENGLAND: The 322d Medium Bombardment Group, which lost ten B-26s and 60 crewmen in a minimum-level raid over Holland on May 17, is returned to combat status following retraining as a medium-altitude bombing unit. The group comes under the operational control of the VIII Air Support Command.

FRANCE: Weather causes severe disruptions after several hundred VIII Bomber Command heavy bombers are already over the Continent. Briefed for a mission against rail-industry targets in Hannover, 205 1st Heavy Bombardment Wing B-17s and two YB-40s are recalled at 0955 hours, but 33 B-17s attack various targets of opportunity along the return route. GAF fighters dog the bombers all the way, damaging 52, of which one is written off in a forced landing in the U.K. after seven crewmen bail out. Also, one returning 351st Heavy Bombardment Group B-17 that is attacked by GAF fighters over the North Sea ditches, but its crew is rescued. Crew casualties are one killed, three missing, nine wounded.

B-26s of the VIII Air Support Command’s 3d Medium Bombardment Wing conduct an unchallenged diversionary mission to the Cayeaux area, and the 13th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron dispatches five F-5s to France, of which one is lost.

ITALY: At approximately 1430 hours, 77 IX Bomber Command B-24s attack marshalling yards and rail installations around Naples. This attack is followed at 1530 hours by 49 NASAF B-17s going after the same targets. Next, at about 1600 hours, 107 NASAF B-26s, escorted by 98 P-38s, also attack Naples. During this attack, in the theater’s only fighter action of the day, P-38s from the 1st, 14th, and 82d Fighter groups take on a feeble effort by a handful of Axis fighters to get at the bombers. Only one Axis fighter is downed in this action, and several other Axis fighters are damaged. Finally, within the hour, 48 NASAF B-17s and 72 NASAF B-25s attack targets around Naples under escort by 67 NASAF P-38s. In all (including an unspecified mission by 59 bombers), 868 tons of bombs dropped in 408 NASAF bomber sorties exact a heavy toll in damage in and im-mediately around Naples. The day’s effort costs NASAF eight bombers, seven downed by flak and one downed by an enemy fighter. Also, 80 IX Bomber Command B-24s attack Naples through fighter opposition described as “fierce.” Two B-24s are lost.

NETHERLANDS: The 4th Heavy Bombardment Wing is recalled at 0955 hours because of bad weather encountered on the way to its briefed target, an aircraft factory in Hamburg. On the way home, 22 B-17s of the 385th and 388th Heavy Bombardment groups, making their combat debuts with the 401st and 403d Provisional Combat Bombardment wings, respectively, drop 49 tons of bombs through holes in the clouds on what they believe to be the Fokker aircraft factory in Amsterdam. Unfortunately, no bombs hit the Fokker plant, but 150 Dutch civilians are killed. One 4th Heavy Bombardment Wing B-17 from one of the veteran groups drops ten 500-pound bombs on an Axis convoy seen through a hole in the clouds, but results are unobserved. In all, one 4th Heavy Bombardment Wing B-17 is lost to enemy fire, one is damaged beyond repair, and 41 are otherwise damaged. Crew losses are one killed, 14 missing, and three wounded.

One hundred twenty-six 4th, 56th, and 78th Fighter group P-47s escort the bombers, but two-thirds of the fighters are recalled due to bad weather.

SICILY: Following through on night-long attacks against tactical targets, NATAF aircraft attack Catania and Paterno, the Riposto railroad station, and tanks, guns, trains, and trucks throughout the island. Also, IX Bomber Command B-25s attack Catania and rail lines and roads around Paterno.

RAF
Base Changes
1 Sqn SAAF (Spitfire VB/IX) moves to Cassibile
60 Sqn SAAF R (Baltimore III/Mosquito IV/VI/IX)
72 Sqn (Spitfire VC/IX) moves to Comiso
92 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VC/VIII/IX) moves to Cassibile
145 Sqn (Spitfire VC/VIII) moves to Cassibile
272 Sqn (Beaufighter VIF) moves to Luqa
601 Sqn (Spitfire VC) moves to Cassibile

First and Last Operational Missions
304 Sqn (Davidstowe Moor) flies its first OM in the Wellington XIII

[warshipbuilder]

410 Sqn RCAF (Ford – Mosquito NFII) 18.7.43
Pilot Officer Wood and his Navigator Flying Officer Slaughter took off from Ford at 00.05 hours to carry out a Ranger sortie in the area Noyon - Cambrai but have not been heard from and must be reported missing. The loss of these two boys is a blow to the squadron as they were both very popular with their messmates. The weather has become overcast and cold once again but flying included G.C.I., Cross Country, Air Firing, and N.F.T.

ADDENDUM – Mosquito NFII DZ472 TH-? Crew: P/O LA Wood RCAF KIA, F/O DJ Slaughter KIA. Both buried at Hautot-sur-Mer, Canadian Military Cemetery. P/O Wood was from El Salvador.

BOMBER COMMAND
16 Wellingtons of 1 Group laid mines off Lorient and St-Nazaire without loss.

2nd TAF
Another Mustang was lost in the Channel when Flg Off G.E.C.Pease of 268 Squadron was forced to bale out south of the Isle of Wight following an engine failure; he was successfully picked up by the ASR services.

USAAF
SICILY: NATAF A-20s attack Catania; NATAF A-36s attack several towns in the battle area; and IX Bomber Command B-25s attack Catania and Randazzo. Between 1918 and 1923 hours, 14th Fighter Group P-38 pilots down 15 Ju-52s between Ischia and Ustica Island.

The 33d Fighter Group moves from Marghana Airdrome, Pantelleria, to Licata Airdrome, Sicily, and the 27th Fighter-Bomber Group moves from Korba Airdrome, Tunisia, to Gela/Ponte Olivo, Sicily. Both units immediately begin flight operations from their new Sicilian bases.

During the night of July 18–19, NATAF A-20s attack Catania.

RAF
Base Changes
3 Sqn RAAF (Kittyhawk II/III) moves to Pachino
40 Sqn SAAF TR (Spitfire IX) moves to Cassibile
112 Sqn (Kittyhawk III) moves to Pachino
232 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VC) moves to Lentini East
250 Sqn (Kittyhawk III) moves to Pachino
260 Sqn (Kittyhawk III) moves to Luqa
450 Sqn RAAF (Kittyhawk III) moves to Pachino

First and Last Operational Missions
609 Sqn (Manston) flies its last OM in the Typhoon IA

[warshipbuilder]

118 Sqn (Coltishall – Spitfire VB) 19.7.43
3 flights by 13 aircraft, shipping strike, air tests and local. Our aircraft attacked two M.V's. of 800 and 1000 tons. One was set on fire the other severely damaged. Unfortunately F/O. F.T. BROWN D.F.C. was shot down into the sea and although seen swimming at first and although P/O. R.J. FLIGHT threw down his dinghy BROWN was lost sight of and not picked up. His loss is very keenly felt by all ranks. During the long period that he has been with the Squadron he has shown himself to be the very best type of Fighter Pilot. Cool and courageous a first rate all round athlete, shining particularly brilliantly at rugger and cricket. He was a really magnificent serum half and some of his delightful innings both for the Station and the Squadron whilst we were at IBSLEY will long be remembered. He neither smoked nor drank but nevertheless managed to be extremely popular. He was the essence of courage and cool headedness. He would never have been shot down by enemy fighters. On his last outing, knowing that his aircraft was mortally hit, as he approached the Flak ship, he nevertheless pressed home his attack with the uttermost vigour and VALOUR. He has twice before brought his aircraft back to base riddled with cannon shells under conditions which would have defeated the vast majority. The Royal Air Force can ill afford to lose men of his calibre.

ADDENDUM – Spitfire VB EN966 NK-? Pilot F/O FT Brown KIA. Hit by flak off Texel, baled out and seen in water but tangled up with his parachute and drowned.

USAAF
ITALY: As part of an ongoing effort to force Italy out of the war by psychological means, more than 500 Allied bombers attack military targets in and around Rome with more than 1,000 tons of bombs. IX Bomber Command contributes all five of its B-24 groups to the undertaking, and the NASAF dispatches four groups amounting to 150 B-17s. Taking special care to avoid priceless ruins and other important historical and cultural sites—a feat sometimes accomplished by flying difficult and disadvantageous courses to various targets—the heavy bombers are credited with putting the Lorenzo and Littoria marshalling yards out of action. Also taking part in the attacks are two NASAF B-25 groups and three NASAF B-26 groups, escorted by 169 P-38s. The medium bombers attack and cause severe damage to the Littoria Airdrome and the two airfields of the Ciampino Airdrome complex. The only mishap with respect to historical and art treasures is the inadvertent bombing of the Basilica of San Lorenzo by NASAF B-17s. Despite the fact that warning leaflets had been dropped for two days prior to the attack, and even though the precise hour of the attack had been given, opposition is nil. The only serious flak concentration is encountered over Ciampino, and the only aircraft losses of the day are a B-25 and a B-26 downed by flak. Only one Italian fighter is downed over Rome, by an 82d Fighter Group P-38 pilot. In fact, this is the only victory credit awarded in the entire theater.

The result of the Rome attacks, coupled with earlier heavy attacks on Naples, is a 200-mile gap in the Italian rail system at a time when Axis forces need to move reinforcements and supplies to Sicily and southern Italy.

In other action over the mainland, NASAF B-25s and B-26s attack Ciampino.

Following the Rome mission, all IX Bomber Command B-24s based in the Benghazi, Libya, area are ordered to stand down from combat operations in order to train for Operation TIDALWAVE, which is set for August 1.

SICILY: NAAF P-40s attack rail facilities around Alcamo; NATAF A-36s attack railroads and road traffic throughout western Sicily; and IX Bomber Command B-25s attack Catania and Randazzo.

The 57th Fighter Group’s “A” Party moves from Tunisia to Pachino Airdrome.

During the night of July 19–20, NATAF A-20s and B-25s attack roads and towns near the battle area.

RAF
Base Changes
196 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Witchford
227 Sqn (Beaufighter VIC) moves to Derna
310 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Sumburgh
342 Sqn (Boston IIIA) moves to Great Massingham

First and Last Operational Missions
104 Sqn (Hani West) flies its first OM in the Wellington X
601 Sqn (Cassibile) flies its first OM in the Spitfire VIII

[warshipbuilder]

198 Sqn (Martlesham Heath – Typhoon IB) 20.7.43
At 09.05, F/LT. R. H. DEUGO (Can) leads Sgt. MACDONALD (Can.) off on Rhubarb to POPERINGHE Area. Section goes into line astern to attack loco of goods train on YPRES - MENIN railway. Loco is severely damaged, but No. 1 fails to pull out of dive, hits the ground, breaks up and bursts into flames, Sgt. MACDONALD fires short burst at the loco then sets course home. Results: 1 Pilot, F/LT. RH DEUGO (Can), missing, believed killed. A Typhoon Cat "E" 1 Loco. Cat. "B".

Both Flights did formation practice and local flying.

ADDENDUM – Typhoon IB JP486 TP-? Pilot F/Lt RH Deugo RCAF KIA. Hit by flak. Buried at Dixmude Town Cemetery.

USAAF
ITALY: In all of Italy, including Sicily, only one Axis airplane is credited, an Italian SM.82 encountered and brought down between Naples and Palermo in a shared effort by three 1st Fighter Group P-38 pilots.

SARDINIA: Forty-eight P-40 dive-bombers from the 325th Fighter Group attack Monserrato Airdrome. Seven of about 40 Italian and German fighters that rise to meet the attack are downed in a running dogfight between 0700 and 0720 hours with 317th Fighter Squadron P-40s. In this fight, Capt Ralph G. Taylor, Jr., achieves ace status when he downs two Mc.202s and a Bf-109. One P-40 and its pilot are lost.

SICILY: NAAF fighter-bombers attack numerous targets of opportunity in western Sicily; IX Bomber Command B-25s attack two towns; and NASAF B-25s attack Montecorvino Airdrome.

NATAF’s 86th Fighter-Bomber Group moves from Korba, Tunisia, to join the 27th Fighter-Bomber Group at Gela.

During the night of July 20–21, NATAF A-20s attack an Axis motor column near Randazzo.

RAF
Base Changes
81 Sqn (Spitfire VC/IX) moves to Lentini East
154 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VC/IX) moves to Lentini East
223 Sqn (Baltimore IIIA/IV) moves to Luqa
260 Sqn (Kittyhawk III) moves to Pachino
350 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VC) moves to Acklington

First and Last Operational Missions
330 Sqn (Oban) flies its first OM in the Sunderland III
421 Sqn RCAF (Kenley) flies its last OM in the Spitfire VB

[warshipbuilder]

401 Sqn RCAF (Martlesham Heath – Spitfire VB) 21.7.43
Weather: Cloud 9/10 at 25,000 ft. visibility 4-5 miles. Wind 5-10 m.p.h. from N.E. Serviceability: 16 A/C. State: NIL.

The course on Air Firing at Martlesham Heath commenced with 18 sorties. Remaining pilots proceeded to Martlesham by rail.

USAAF
ITALY: NASAF B-17s attack Grosseto Airdrome.

SICILY: About 20 IX Bomber Command B-25s attack Randazzo.

U.S. Army ground forces capture the Castelvetrano Airdrome.

RAF
Base Changes
12 Sqn SAAF (Boston III) moves to Hal Far
21 Sqn SAAF (Boston III/IV) moves to Hal Far
24 Sqn SAAF (Boston III) moves to Hal Far
26 Sqn (Mustang I) moves to Church Fenton
87 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to Tingley

First and Last Operational Missions
104 Sqn (Hani West) flies its last OM in the Wellington II

[warshipbuilder]

401 Sqn RCAF (Martlesham Heath – Spitfire VB) 22.7.43
Weather: 9/10 cloud at 1800 ft., visibility 2-3 miles, wind 10 m.p.h. from N.N.E.
Serviceability: 17 a/c.
S/Ldr. E.L.Neal returned to the Station for two hour visit, and said the boys were taking full advantage of the practice - not forgetting their social aspirations.

USAAF
ENGLAND: An Allied intelligence report given in connection with an assessment of the efficacy of the Combined Bomber Offensive to date indicates that half the GAF’s fighter strength is deployed in the defense of the bomber routes from the U.K. to targets in Germany and Occupied Europe. It is noted that these deployments are being made at the expense of other fronts and theaters where active ground fighting is under way.

ITALY: NASAF B-17s attack the Foggia Airdrome complex and a marshalling yard at Battipaglia, and NASAF B-26s attack a bridge and a marshalling yard at Salerno.

SARDINIA: The 325th Fighter Group returns to Sardinia in an ongoing effort to break the will of the Axis air units defending the island. In the course of several simultaneous sweeps over the island’s airdromes, the P-40 pilots down 12 Mc.202s, two Me-209s, two Ju-52s, and two Fi-156s between 0940 and 0950 hours. Two P-40s and their pilots are lost on this mission.

SICILY: NATAF A-20s attack Randazzo and roads, rail lines, and other ground targets near the battlefront. The 27th and 31st Fighter groups begin flying missions from Agrigento Airdrome, the former to support U.S. Army ground forces and the latter to stave off Axis air attacks from close range.

1stLt William J. Sloan, a P-38 ace with the 82d Fighter Group’s 96th Fighter Squadron, downs a Bf-109 over Battipaglia, bringing his final personal tally to 12 confirmed victories. One other Bf-109 is downed in this action, by a member of Sloan’s squadron.

The city of Palermo is surrendered without opposition to U.S. Army ground forces.

RAF
Base Changes
56 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to Manston
153 Sqn (Beaufighter VIF) moves to Reghaia
231 Sqn (Mustang I) moves to Dunsfold
242 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VC/IX)
609 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to Matlask

First and Last Operational Missions
310 Sqn (Sumburgh) flies its last OM in the Spitfire VI

[warshipbuilder]

41 Sqn (Westhampnett – Spitfire XII) 23.7.43
F/O C. Birbeck and Sgt. P.Graham on "Rhubarb" to Le Havre area. They crossed the French Coast at zero feet at Cap D'Antiver. No flak was experienced. They turned left and shot up a hutted camp at Epreville and then recrossed the French Coast five miles east of St.Valery, when light flak was encountered. Sgt. Graham was slightly wounded in the right arm but landed safely at Westhampnett. S/Ldr T. F. Neil, D. F. C. was today posted from the Squadron to 53 O.T. U. Kirton in Lindsey and F/Lt B. Ingham was posted as Squadron Commander from 129 Squadron Hornchurch. S/Ldr T. Neil came to us on the 3rd of September 1942 and during the time he has been with us the Squadron has kept up a fine record of training during our long "rest" in No. 9 Group. The Squadron under his command reequipped with the latest Spitfire XII's and the training on these machines was carried out without an accident - a very successful accomplishment. We all wish him the best of luck in his new post, not exciting work, but a very useful job.

Bomber Command
7 O.T.U. Wellingtons dropped leaflets over France without loss.

USAAF
ITALY: NASAF B-17s attack Leverano Airdrome, NASAF B-25s attack Crotone Airdrome, and NASAF B-26s attack Aquino Airdrome.

SICILY: NATAF B-25s and fighters attack vehicles and bridges near Randazzo and Axis landing craft off the coast.

RAF
First and Last Operational Missions
137 Sqn (Southend) flies its first OM in the Hurricane IV
310 Sqn (Sumburgh) flies its first OM in the Spitfire VC

[warshipbuilder]

305 (Polish) Sqn (Ingham – Wellington X) 24.7.43
WEATHER: Fine. Visibilty good. Wind light variable.
OPERATION No. 217.
Seven aircraft of this Squadron took part in a heavy raid on Hamburg and three in a mine-laying operation in the HELIGOLAND BIGHT: The captains of aircraft in the former operation were G/CAPT. H. I. COZENS (Station Commander, Hemswell), F/O. BOBINSKI, F/O. POPKAWSKI, F/O. DZIEDZIC, P/O. KUJAWA, F/O. STEIN and F/O. LEWICKI. All were able to bomb on the markers and report a very successful trip. The captains of the mine-laying aircraft were F/O. KLISZ, F/O. CZEMPINSKI and F/O. HRYNCEWICZ, all of whom successfully laid their mines in allocated positions. No flying was carried out during the day.

ADDENDUM – Wellington X HF472 SM-S. On return, crash landed at Trusthorpe on the Lincolnshire coast, 2 miles SSE of Mablethorpe. Lack of sufficient fuel was attributed as part of the cause of this incident. No injuries reported.

Bomber Command
791 aircraft – 347 Lancasters, 246 Halifaxes, 125 Stirlings, 73 Wellingtons. 12 aircraft – 4 Halifaxes, 4 Lancasters, 3 Stirlings, 1 Wellington – lost, 1.5 percent of the force.
Window was used for the first time on this night. Conditions over Hamburg were clear with only a gentle wind. The marking – a mixture of H2S and visual – was a little scattered but most of the target indicators fell near enough to the centre of Hamburg for a concentrated raid to develop quickly. 728 aircraft dropped 2,284 tons of bombs in 50 minutes. Bombing photographs showed that less than half of the force bombed within 3 miles of the centre of Hamburg and a creepback 6 miles long developed. But, because Hamburg was such a large city, severe damage was caused in the central and north-western districts, particularly in Altona, Eimsbüttel and Hoheluft. The Rathaus, the Nikolaikirche, the main police station, the main telephone exchange and the Hagenbeck Zoo (where 140 animals died) were among the well-known Hamburg landmarks to be hit. Approximately 1,500 people were killed. This was the greatest number of people killed so far in a raid outside the area in which Oboe could be used.

LEGHORN
33 Lancasters of 5 Group returning from North Africa bombed Leghorn docks but the target was covered by haze and bombing was scattered. No aircraft lost.

Minor Operations: 13 Mosquitoes carried out diversionary and nuisance raids to Bremen, Kiel, Lübeck and Duisburg; 6 Wellingtons laid mines in the River Elbe while the Hamburg raid was in progress and there were 7 O.T.U. sorties. No aircraft lost.

USAAF
ENGLAND: MajGen Frederick L. Anderson, VIII Bomber Command commanding general, declares Blitz Week, an effort to mount seven major bombing missions on seven consecutive days in order to stress the GAF fighter defenses.

ITALY: NASAF B-17s and B-25s attack the rail yards at Bologna, and NASAF B-26s attack the rail yards at Paola.

MEDITERRANEAN: NACAF’s independent 414th Night-Fighter Squadron, in Beaufighters, mounts its first operational sorties of the war. Coincidentally, the 415th Night-Fighter Squadron’s Capt Nathaniel H. Lindsay and his radar operator, FO Austin G. Petry, succeed in scoring their unit’s first and the day’s only confirmed victory in the entire theater, an He-115 reconnaissance floatplane downed over the Tyrrhenian Sea at an undisclosed time.

NORWAY: In the Eighth Air Force’s first-ever attack on targets in Norway—and its longest mission undertaken to date (a 1,900-mile round trip)—167 1st Heavy Bombardment Wing B-17s accompanied by one YB-40 and 41 4th Heavy Bombardment Wing long-range B-17s attack a nitrate plant near Heroya and the naval base at Trondheim, respectively, with more than 495 tons of bombs. Both forces are virtually unopposed, but 64 B-17s in all are damaged, of which one is written off after crash-landing in England and another after crash-landing in Sweden, where the crew is interned. In all, three crewmen are wounded and ten are interned. Due to solid cloud cover, a third force composed of 84 4th Heavy Bombardment Wing long-range B-17s is prevented from attacking its briefed target, the Bergen port area, and it returns to the U.K. with its bombs.

This mission also marks the first use of splasher beacons to facilitate assembly in bad weather. After taking off individually, the heavy bombers fly out to sea to the location of a designated radio beacon. There, individual groups formate and then fly on to acquire a course to the target by overflying three additional designated splasher beacons. This experiment is deemed a complete success and will be used in the future to thwart the effects of bad flying conditions.

SICILY: NATAF fighter-bombers attack an Axis transport at sea near Mt. Etna and port facilities, barges, and several Italian Navy warships in and around Messina harbor. 33d Fighter Group P-40s fly combat and armed reconnaissance missions in support of ground troops and attack motor vehicles.

[warshipbuilder]

419 Sqn RCAF (Middleton St. George - Halifax II) 25.7.43
10 aircraft were briefed for operations, ESSEN being the target. 9 aircraft returned safely; 1 aircraft was missing. Sgt. Northcliffe in aircraft 'P' (Captained by F/Sgt. Stewart, R.) shot down a FW-190 fighter. Particulars of the missing crew are:- R.69955 Sgt. Chapman, L (Captain), R.127990 Sgt. Ross. W.E. (Navigator), R.132192. Sgt. PHOENIX, O.H. (Bomb Aimer), 575014 Sgt. STEWART, J. (Flight Eng.), R.157756 Sgt. HIIL, L. (2nd Gunner), R. 152563 Sgt. PORTER, A.L. (Rear Gunner) and J.8376 F/O S. HANDFORTH (2nd Pilot). F/O HANDFORTH was on his first operational trip, having reported to the Squadron only a few hours earlier.

ADDENDUM - Halifax II JD256 VR-A. Crew: Sgt L Chapman RCAF POW, F/O SW Handforth RCAF KIA, Sgt J Stewart KIA, Sgt WE Ross RCAF KIA, Sgt OH Phoenix RCAF KIA, Sgt GW Asken RCAF KIA, Sgt LM Hill RCAF KIA, Sgt AL Porter RCAF KIA. T/o 2217 Middleton St. George. The crew had completed their bomb run over Essen, and had just entered some cloud over Dusseldorf when another aircraft collided with the tail of their aircraft. Their Halifax went into an inverted dive and was uncontrollable. Sgt Chapman was the only member of the crew wearing his parachute. F/O Handforth had arrived on the Squadron from 1664 CU just hours before the operation got underway. He is buried with the others who died, in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Chapman was a student of Handforth’s at a flying training school in Canada.

Bomber Command
ESSEN
705 aircraft – 294 Lancasters, 221 Halifaxes, 104 Stirlings, 67 Wellingtons, 19 Mosquitoes. 26 aircraft – 10 Halifaxes, 7 Stirlings, 5 Lancasters, 4 Wellingtons – lost, 3.7 percent of the force. The commander of the American VIII Bomber Command, Brigadier-General Fred Anderson, observed this raid as a passenger in an 83 Squadron Lancaster.

This was an attempt to achieve a good raid on this major target while the effects of Window were still fresh. The raid was successful, with particular damage being recorded in Essen’s industrial areas in the eastern half of the city. The Krupps works suffered what was probably its most damaging raid of the war. The next morning, Doktor Gustav Krupp had a stroke from which he never recovered; this saved him from being charged with war crimes after the war.* 51 other industrial buildings were destroyed and 83 seriously damaged. 2,852 houses were destroyed. 500 people were killed, 12 were missing and 1,208 were injured. The 500 dead are recorded as follows: 165 civilian men, 118 women, 22 children, 22 servicemen, 131 foreign workers and 42 prisoners of war.

Minor Operations: 6 Mosquitoes to Hamburg and 3 each to Cologne and Gelsenkirchen, 17 aircraft minelaying in the Frisians, 7 O.T.U. sorties. No losses.

2nd TAF
A number of 'Ramrods' were launched during the mid-afternoon period, during one of which to the Amsterdam area, pilots of 122 Squadron were able to claim two Fw 190s, probably shot down and two damaged, although one Spitfire was lost. Between 1504-1515, pilots of L/JG 26 claimed four Spitfires shot down, two by Hptm Karl Borris and one each by Oblt Artur Beese and Fw Peter Ahrens. Maj Siegfried Schnell, Kommandeur of III./JG 54, claimed a Spitfire and a Typhoon,
and Fw Eugen Ludwig another Spitfire. Apart from the loss by 122 Squadron, Fighter Command's 165 Squadron lost three more. A little over two hours later a reconnaissance Mustang I of 168 Squadron was intercepted and shot down by Oblt Jakob Schmidt of 3./JG 2 12 miles north-west of Le Havre; Flg Off W.A.Brenard survived, and was picked up from the sea by a Walrus next day.


USAAF
BELGIUM: Thirteen 323d Medium Bombardment Group B-26s, of 18 dispatched, attack coke ovens near Ghent from medium altitude with 16 tons of bombs. Six of the B-26s are damaged, but there are no crew casualties.

GERMANY: A force of 123 1st Heavy Bombardment Wing B-17s briefed for a mission against a diesel-engine factory in Hamburg is diverted by cloud cover against the city’s shipyards and various targets of opportunity. In all, 100 of the B-17s drop nearly 196 tons of bombs between 1317 and 1414 hours, but losses are excessive—15 B-17s missing and 67 damaged by heavy flak and GAF fighter opposition. From this force alone, crew losses are one killed, 150 missing, and five wounded.

A second mission by three 1st Heavy Bombardment Wing B-17 groups bound for the Kiel shipyards is abandoned altogether when the aircraft are unable to assemble in bad weather over England.

The day’s third heavy-bomber mission is conducted by 118 of 141 4th Heavy Bombardment Wing B-17s dispatched against aircraft factories in Warnemunde. Unable to locate this target because of bad weather, 118 B-17s attack the Kiel shipyards and other targets of opportunity with total of just over 522 tons of bombs between 1630 and 1700 hours. Faced with flak and modest GAF fighter opposition, this force sustains four B-17s lost and 51 damaged, of which one ditches at sea and another crash-lands in the U.K. and from which both crews are rescued. Crew casualties are one killed, 40 missing, and three wounded.

ITALY: Benito Mussolini’s rule is declared at an end by King Victor Emmanuel III, who appoints himself to head the Italian Army and Marshal Pietro Badoglio to head the government.

SICILY: NATAF A-20s and B-25s mount around-the-clock attacks on docking facilities, shipping, road traffic, and Axis tanks; IX Bomber Command B-25s attack docking facilities and shipping at Milazzo; and nearly 100 IX Fighter Command P-40 fighter-bombers attack the harbors at Catania, Milazzo, and Taormina.

During the night of July 25–26, NATAF B-25s attack Adrano, Milazzo, and Paterno.

RAF
First and Last Operational Missions
149 Sqn (Lakenheath) flies its last OM in the Stirling I
456 Sqn RAAF (Middle Wallop) flies its last OM in the Mosquito NFII and its first OM in the Mosquito FBVI

[warshipbuilder]

317 (Polish) Sqn (Perranporth – Spitfire VC) 26.7.43
Eight aircraft led by W/CDR. ZAK took off at 1030 hours from Martlesham to take part in an 11 Group Ramrod No.159.They acted as close escort to twelve Bostons going out to bomb Courtrai aerodrome. They rendezvoused with the bombers over Clacton-on-Sea at 1048 hours. The bombers, escorted by Nos. 317 and 302 Squadrons only climbed to 11,000 feet and flew towards the enemy coast. One English Squadron joined them in middle channel. The French coast crossed two miles south of Dunkirk. They came in from the south on to Courtrai and the bombers dropped their loads which were seen to burst 200 yards from the aerodrome. Course was set for the coast After a few minutes flying, the bombers turned and flew towards Lille again. Between Lille and Tournai, the Squadron was attacked by F.W.190s. Four F.W.190s attacked W/Cdr. ZAK and his two numbers, F/O FELC T., and F/Sgt BARTYS,P. The Wing Commander fired a burst at a range of 200 yards into one of them but did not see the result. The F.W.s dived away. When the Wing Commander's formation of three wanted to rejoin the bombers they were attacked by another formation of four F.W.190s. W/CDR. ZAK warned his “numbers” and himself turned sharply left.He saw F/O FELC dive after one of the enemy aircraft and fire at it. He dropped from 13,000 to 8,000 feet and F/Sgt.Bartys joined him. Then another three F.Ws. attacked the Wing Commander and F/Sgt BARTYS. F/Sgt. Bartys dived after one of them. An F.W.190 dived after F/Sgt Bartys. The Wing Commander attacked the second F.W.190 and fired a long burst into him. The enemy aircraft turned and dived towards the ground. The Wing Commander clains it as damaged. The third F.W.190 fired at the Wing Commander and hit his tailplane and R/T box. The Wing Commander did not see his “numbers” anymore and so returned on his own to Martlesham Heath landing at 1235 hours. He encountered A/A fire over St.Omer. F/Lt. WROBLEWSKI, at range of 200 yards fired a long burst into an F.W.190 which was attacking the bombers. He saw it burst into flames, explode and dive steeply. He claims this aircraft as destroyed. F/LT.Radomski damaged one F.W.190 when firing at it from distance of 600 yards and again from 400 yards. He saw white smoke come out of its engine. F/LT. WROBLEWSKI’s and F/LT. RAMDOMSKI’s victories were witnessed by other pilots. The Squadron 1anded back at Martleshan Heath at 1220 hours crossing the French Coast, south of Dunkirk. F/O FELC and F/SGT. Bartys failed to return to base and were first listed as NOT YET RETURNED and then MISSING.

ADDENDUM – Spitfire VC AD137 JH-?. Pilot F/O T Felc POW.
Spitfire VC EP328 JH-? F/Sgt P Bartys POW.

Bomber Command
Minor Operations
6 Mosquitoes to Hamburg, 3 O.T.U. sorties. No losses.

2nd TAF
During a raid on Courtrai by nine bombers, an 88 Squadron Boston failed to return, being reported last seen over St Amand at about 1115. It had been shot down one minute later by Hptm Hans Naumann of 6./JG 26; several Fighter Command Spitfires were also lost. Shortly before midday, Typhoons of 181 Squadron bombed Merville airfield without loss; however the escort, provided by 247 Squadron, fared less well. It was a measure of the Typhoon's unserviceability problems, still being encountered at this time, that the unit had been obliged to borrow two aircraft from 245 Squadron to make up the eight required for the operation, and then one of these had returned early with its engine cutting out. One of 247's own Typhoons had suffered an engine failure on take-off and had crash-landed a mile from the airfield; the pilot was helped from the widely scattered wreckage with bruising and lacerations. Returning from Merville at low-level, three of the squadron's aircraft were then unfortunate enough to cross the French coast directly over a Flak position, and all were hit, although only one was seriously damaged. Flak had sliced through a coolant pipe, and eventually Plt Off 'Woggy' Waugh was forced to make a wheels-up landing at Lympne.

USAAF
FRANCE: Although briefed to attack the St.-Omer/Ft. Rouge Airdrome, 15 of 18 323d Medium Bombardment Group B-26s dispatched are only able to find the St.-Omer/Longuenesse Airdrome, on which they drop nearly 15 tons of bombs at about 1115 hours. Four of the B-26s are damaged by flak.

GERMANY: Attacking through heavy flak and GAF fighter opposition, 50 1st Heavy Bombardment Wing B-17s and two YB-40s and 44 4th Heavy Bombardment Group B-17s bomb two separate rubber factories in Hannover between noon and 1245 hours with a total of nearly 134 tons of bombs. Fourteen B-17s are lost over enemy territory, one is written off after reaching a base in the U.K., and two ditch near England during the return flight, but both crews are rescued. Crew losses are four killed, 126 missing, and 22 wounded.

When the pilot of a 92d Heavy Bombardment Group YB-40 becomes crazed from a bullet wound to the head during a fighter attack over the target, FO John C. Morgan, the co-pilot, flies the airplane in formation with one hand for two hours while restraining the struggling pilot with the other hand, until a fellow crewman can relieve the situation. Morgan is awarded a Medal of Honor for this feat.

Unable to attack the briefed target in Hannover, B-17s from three groups of the 4th Heavy Bombardment Wing attack targets of opportunity, including Wilhelmshaven, Wesermunde, and a convoy at sea. These groups suffer aggregate losses of five B-17s missing, one B-17 ditched (from which the crew is saved), and one B-17 damaged, with crew losses of one killed, 51 missing, and three wounded.

A separate mission by 121 1st Heavy Bombardment Wing B-17s is dispatched against the Hamburg U-boat yards, but, thanks to bad weather, only 54 of the heavy bombers drop just over 126 tons of bombs at noon. Lost against light opposition are two B-17s, and crew losses are one killed, 20 missing, and three wounded.

A total of 86 heavy bombers are damaged by flak or fighters in all three phases of the day’s mission.

ITALY: NASAF B-26s attack a marshalling yard at Paola.

MEDITERRANEAN: Events in Sicily and Italy are going so well that the CCS direct Gen Dwight D. Eisenhower to begin immediate planning for Operation AVALANCHE, the invasion of Italy. The main objectives outlined are the port of Naples and nearby airfields.

SARDINIA: Maj Robert L. Baseler, 325th Fighter Group operations officer, achieves ace status when he downs an Mc.202 over the island at about 0930 hours. Altogether on this mission, 325th Fighter Group P-40 pilots down four Mc.202s and a Bf-109.

SICILY: NATAF A-20s repeatedly attack Regalbuto through the day; NATAF fighters attack Axis troop and supply movements via road, rail, and shipping; IX Bomber Command B-25s attack Milazzo; and IX Fighter Command P-40 fighter-bombers attack Catania and shipping at Riposto.

The 79th Fighter Group “A” Party moves to Cassible Airdrome.

RAF
Base Changes
1 Sqn SAAF (Spitfire VC/IX) moves to Lentini West
92 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VC/VIII/IX) moves to Lentini West
124 Sqn (Spitfire VII) moves to Northolt
145 Sqn (Spitfire VC/VIII) moves to Lentini West
417 Sqn RCAF (Spitfire VBT) moves to Lentini West
600 Sqn (Beaufighter VIF) moves to Cassibile
601 Sqn (Spitfire VC/VIII) moves to Lentini West

[warshipbuilder]

429 Sqn RCAF (East Moor – Wellington X) 27.7.43
Notice was received today that three Canadian Pilot Officers were promoted to the rank of Flying Officers. They were P/O J.A. DeRosenroll (Can.J.14804), P/O A. Farquhar (Can.J.1480) and P/O A.J. Miles (Can.J.20853). The Commanding officer of the squadron took off on operational trip tonight and nothing has been heard of him since. S/L AP. Chipling (108173) has assumed temporary command in place of W/C J.A. Piddington (39562). Nine of our aircraft took part in a bombing raid on Hamburg. Six of these successfully completed the operation, two returned early due to technical difficulties, and the remaining aircraft was not reported after leaving base. Members of the missing crew were: WC J.A. Piddington (39562) (Pilot), P/O A. Farquhar (Can.J.14805) (Nav), P/O P. Renton (136393) (B/A), 1129400 Sgt Reineck, L. (WO/AG), and 591518 Sgt Scarth, (A/G).Also six of our aircraft took part in a gardening sortie on Eglantine. One aircraft brought back the vegetables, the others successfully completed the operation.

ADDENDUM – Wellington X JA114 AL-? Crew: W/C J.A. Piddington KIA, P/O ARA Farquhar RCAF KIA, P/O PA Renton KIA, Sgt L Reineck POW, Sgt R Scarth POW. T/o 2228 EaST Moor. Shot down by Ofw Karl Kades (2nd victory) near near Neumünster at 0049, where those who died were buried there on 28 July. Since 1945, their bodies have been take to Hamburg Cemetery, Ohlsdorff.

Bomber Command
HAMBURG
787 aircraft – 353 Lancasters, 244 Halifaxes, 116 Stirlings, 74 Wellingtons. 17 aircraft – 11 Lancasters, 4 Halifaxes, 1 Stirling, 1 Wellington – lost, 2.2 percent of the force. The American commander, Brigadier-General Anderson, again flew in a Lancaster and watched this raid.

The centre of the Pathfinder marking – all carried out by H2S on this night – was about 2 miles east of the planned aiming point in the centre of the city, but the marking was particularly well concentrated and the Main Force bombing ‘crept back’ only slightly. 729 aircraft dropped 2,326 tons of bombs.

This was the night of the firestorm, which started through an unusual and unexpected chain of events. The temperature was particularly high (30° centigrade at 6 o’clock in the evening) and the humidity was only 30 percent, compared with an average of 40–50 percent for this time of the year. There had been no rain for some time and everything was very dry. The concentrated bombing caused a large number of fires in the densely built-up working-class districts of Hammerbrook, Hamm and Borgfeld. Most of Hamburg’s fire vehicles had been in the western parts of the city, damping down the fires still smouldering there from the raid of 3 nights earlier, and only a few units were able to pass through roads which were blocked by the rubble of buildings destroyed by high-explosive bombs early in this raid. About half-way through the raid, the fires in Hammerbrook started joining together and competing with each other for the oxygen in the surrounding air. Suddenly, the whole area became one big fire with air being drawn into it with the force of a storm. The bombing continued for another half hour, spreading the firestorm area gradually eastwards. It is estimated that 550–600 bomb loads fell into an area measuring only 2 miles by 1 mile. The firestorm raged for about 3 hours and only subsided when all burnable material was consumed.

The burnt-out area was almost entirely residential. Approximately 16,000 multi-storeyed apartment buildings were destroyed. There were few survivors from the firestorm area and approximately 40,000 people died, most of them by carbon monoxide poisoning when all the air was drawn out of their basement shelters. In the period immediately following this raid, approximately 1,200,000 people – two thirds of Hamburg’s population – fled the city in fear of further raids.

Minor Operations: 3 Mosquitoes to Duisburg, 6 Wellingtons minelaying in the River Elbe, 11 O.T.U. sorties. 1 Mosquito lost.

USAAF
FRANCE: Seventeen 323d Medium Bombardment Group B-26s, escorted by 119 P-47s, attack the Tricqueville Airdrome with 18 tons of bombs at 1825 hours. After the bombers are safely on their way home, the fighters conduct an unchallenged sweep around Rouen.

ITALY: NASAF B-17s attack Capua Airdrome and the rail line at Lioni.

MEDITERRANEAN: Gen Dwight D. Eisenhower directs subordinate commanders to plan for a dual invasion of Italy. U.S. forces will land near Naples while British forces will land in Calabria, on the “toe” of Italy. D-Day is to be on or around September 7.

In the day’s only air action in the theater, a 414th Night-Fighter Squadron Beaufighter crew downs an SM.82 transport over the sea west of Sicily.

SICILY: NASAF B-25s and B-26s attack the landing ground at Scalea; NATAF aircraft attack a wide range of transportation targets and docking areas throughout the island; and IX Fighter Command P-40s attack shipping at Catania and numerous tactical targets throughout northeastern Sicily.

RAF
Base Changes
40 Sqn SAAF TR (Spitfire IX) moves to Lentini West
152 Sqn (Spitfire VC) moves to Lentini East

First and Last Operational Missions
32 Sqn (Tingley) flies its last OM in the Hurricane IIC
199 Sqn (Lakenheath) flies its first OM in the Stirling III