13 May 1943

THURSDAY, 13 MAY 1943

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force)
VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 55: 97 B-17s' are dispatched against
the Avions Potez aircraft factory at Meaulte, France; 88 aircraft hit the
target at 1628-1630 hours local. We claim 11-31-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; we
lose 3 and 11 others are damaged. Casualties are 1 WIA and 31 MIA. In a
second raid, 72 B-17's are dispatched against the Longuenesse and Ft.
Rouge Airfields at St. Omer, France; 31 bomb Longuenesse at 1637-1638 hours;
1 B-17 is lost and 1 is damaged beyond repair. Casualties are 1 KIA and 2
WIA.
The 416th Night Fighter Squadron, VIII Fighter Command arrives at
Honiley, England from the US. Detachments are dispersed to Cranfield,
Usworth and Bath to train with Beaufighters under control of the RAF.
The 456th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 323d Bombardment Group
(Medium), with B-26C's, arrives at Horham, England from the US.