16 April 1943

FRIDAY, 16 APRIL 1943

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force)
VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 51: 25 B-24's are dispatched
against the Brest, France U-Boat base while 83 B-17's are dispatched
against the Lorient, France U-Boat base. 19 B-24's drop 52 tons on Brest at
1337-1338 hours; the B-24's claim 2-3-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 3 B-24's are
lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 9 are damaged; casualties are 3 WIA
and 31 MIA. 59 B-17's bomb Lorient at 1412-1414 hours dropping 147 tons of
bombs; they claim 9-4-2 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 B-17 is lost and 8 are damaged;
casualties are 7 WIA and 10 MIA. The attack is hindered by an effective
smoke screen and strong fighter opposition.
HQ 96th Bombardment Group (Heavy) arrives at Great Saling, England from
the U.S.