5 April 1943

MONDAY, 5 APRIL 1943

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force)
VIII Bomber Command Mission 50: 104 B-17's of the 1st Bombardment Wing
are dispatched against industrial targets in the Antwerp, Belgium area.
The main force is directed at the Erla aircraft factory and Erla engine
works. 82 B-17's drop 245.5 tons of bombs at 1530 hours local. We claim
23-8-4 Luftwaffe aircraft; we lose 4 to strong Luftwaffe fighter
opposition; 13 aircraft are damaged. Casualties are 3 WIA and 40 MIA.
HQ 56th Fighter Group and it's 61st, 62d and 63d Fighter Squadrons with
P-47C's transfer from Horsham St Faith, England to Halesworth, England.