This Day in 303rd Bomb Group History: November 13th

glm@303rdbg.com (Gary L. Moncur) — 13 Nov 2026 04:59:02 -0000

November 13, 1942
ETO 8th AF: HQ VIII AF Composite Command moves from the temporary station at Long Kesh to Kirkassock House, Ireland.

November 13, 1943
303rd BG: The scheduled mission to Bremen, Germany was recalled. The three Combat Wings were unable to assemble because of adverse weather.

November 13, 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS 8th AF: VIII Bomber Command Mission 130: 79 of 159 B-17's, 61 of 109 B-24's and 3 of 4 B-17 PFF aircraft hit the port area at Bremen and targets of opportunity in the Kiel-Flensburg area at 1120-1145 hours; 100+ aircraft abort the mission due to weather; they claim 20-14-13 Luftwaffe aircraft; 3 B-17's and 13 B-24's are lost; 3 B-17's and 3 B-24's are damaged beyond repair and 12 B-17's and 10 B-24's are damaged; casualties are 21 KIA, 26 WIA and 162 MIA. The bombers are escorted by 45 P-38's (all the way to the target) and 345 P-47's; they claim 10-3-6 Luftwaffe aircraft; 7 P-38's and 3 P-47's are lost; 2 P-38's are damaged beyond repair; 5 P-38's and 2 P-47's are damaged; casualties are 9 MIA.

November 13, 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS 8th AF: Mission 713: 4 B-17s and 8 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands, France and Germany during the night.