11 June 1943

FRIDAY, 11 JUNE 1943

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force)
VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 62: 252 B-17's are dispatched against
the U-boat yard at Wilhelmshaven, Germany and the port area at Cuxhaven,
Germany; 218 hit the targets; we claim 85-20-24 Luftwaffe aircraft; we
lose 8 and 62 are damaged. Casualties are 3 KIA, 20 WIA and 80 MIA. The
raid on Wilhelmshaven demonstrates the difficulty of operating beyond
range of fighters escort as enemy fighters attacks prevent accurate
bombing of the target.
HQ 388th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 560th, 561st, 562d and 563d
Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) arrive at Knettishall, England from the US
with B-17's. The group will fly it's first combat mission on 17 Jul 43.
HQ 389th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 564th Bombardment Squadron
(Heavy) arrive at Hethel, England from the US with B-24's. The group will
fly it's first mission on 9 Jul.
The 416th Night Fighter Squadron, VIII Fighter Command transfers with
Beaufighters from Honiley, England to Acklington, England.