23 November 1942

Monday 23 November 1942

Eighth Air Force): Mission 23: 50 B-17s
and 8 B-24s are dispatched to hit the St Nazaire submarine base in France for
the 5th time in 2 weeks; the cumulative effect of the operation on the base
is large though the sub shelter shows little permanent damage; 28 B-17s and 8
B-24s hit the target; they claim 16-2-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; the AAF crews
report a change in fighter tactics from rear to head-on attack as the
Luftwaffe learns that the B-17 and B-24 are weak in forward firepower; 4
B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 16 B-17s and 1 B-24 are damaged;
3 airmen are KIA, 16 WIA and 43 MIA. Admiral Sir Dudley Pound, First Lord of
the Admiralty, writes to Lieutenant General Ira C Eaker, Commanding General
Eighth AF, praising the effects of the US bomber attacks on disorganizing the
servicing schedule of the German U-boat bases on the French W coast.