23 December 1943

THURSDAY, 23 DECEMBER 1943

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 92 P-47's are dispatched to
Gilze-Rijen Airfield in The Netherlands; 2 squadrons dive-bomb the target
while the 1 squadron provides escort; no casualties.
HQ 453d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 732d, 733d, 734th and 735th
Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) arrive at Old Buckenham, England from the US
with B-17's. They will fly their mission on 5 Feb 44.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): HQ 71st Fighter Wing arrives at
Aldermaston, England from the US.
HQ 363d Fighter Group and it's 380th and 382d Fighter Squadrons arrive at
Keevil, England from the US without aircraft. They will be equipped with
P-51's and fly their first mission on 24 Feb 44.
The 386th Fighter Squadron, 365th Fighter Group, arrives at Gosfield,
England from the US with P-47's. They will fly their first mission on 22 Feb
44.