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WEDNESDAY, 18 OCTOBER 1944
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)
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:
1. 337 B-17s are dispatched to make a PFF attack on Kassel/Mittefeld
(300);
targets of opportunity are Cologne (1) and other (2); 2 B-17s are
lost; 1
airman is WIA and 18 MIA. Escort is provided by 388 P-47s and P-51s;
4 P-51s
are lost.
2. 118 B-17s are dispatched to make a GH attack on the Ford Plant at
Cologne (79); 30 others hit Cologne/Nippes marshalling yard; 22
B-17s are
damaged; 1 airman is KIA and 2 WIA. Escort is provided by 38 of 45
P-47s
without loss.
3. 112 B-24s are dispatched to make a GH attack on the industrial
complex
at Leverkusen (39); 30 others hit the Cologne/Nippes marshalling
yard; 3
B-24s are lost and 26 damaged; 27 airmen are MIA. Escort is provided
by 139
of 146 P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): Weather prevents operations
of all
commands (including the 9th Bombardment Division) except IX Tactical
Air
Command fighters which fly sweeps, rail cutting missions, and night
patrols,
and provide air cover for the US 1st Infantry Division in the
Aachen, Germany
area.
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