1 January 1944

SATURDAY, 1 JANUARY 1944

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The Operational Research Section,
organized at Hq VIII Bomber Command in Oct 43, is made a special staff
section, accountable directly to the US Chiefs of Staff (CoS). It is composed
mostly of civilian specialists trained in statistical analysis and other
disciplines pertinent to studying operations of a strategic bombing force.
The section subsequently proves of great value in improving the effectiveness
of strategic bombing.
HQ 491st and it's 852d, 853d, 854th and 855th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy)
transfer without personnel and equipment from the US to England. They will
be equipped with B-24's and fly their first mission on 2 Jun.
The 856th, 857th, 858th and 859th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 492d
Bombardment Group (Heavy) transfer from the US to North Pickenham, England
with B-24's. They will fly their first mission on 11 May.
HQ 493d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 860th, 861st, 862d and 863d
Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) transfer without personnel and equipment from
the US to England; they will fly their first mission with B-24's on 6 Jun.

US STRATEGIC AIR FORCES IN EUROPE (USSAFE): USSAFE is established for
operational control of the Eighth and Fifteenth Air Forces.