4 July 1943

SUNDAY, 4 JULY 1943 (INDEPENDENCE DAY)

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force)
VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 71: 192 B-17's are dispatched
against aircraft factores at Le Mans and Nanes, France; 166 make a very
effective attack; we claim 52-14-22 Luftwaffe aircraft; we lose 7 with 1
damaged beyond repair and 53 others damaged; casualties are 1 KIA, 9 WIA
and 70 MIA. 83 other B-17's are dispatched against submarine yards at La
Pallice, France; 71 hit the target between 1201 and 1204 local; we claim
0-1-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; we lose 1 and 1 is damaged; casualties are 10
MIA. Bombing is extremely accurate.