This Day in 303rd Bomb Group History: October 26th

glm@303rdbg.com (Gary L. Moncur) — 26 Oct 2026 03:11:53 -0000

October 26, 1944
303rd BG (H) Combat Mission No. 263
Target: Marshalling Yard at Munster, Germany
Crews Dispatched: 48
Length of Mission: 6 hours, 10 minutes
Bomb Load: 18 x 250 lb H.E. M57 bombs
Bombing Altitudes: 29,850, 28,400, 27,700 & 27,400 ft
Ammo Fired: 1,410 ft

October 26, 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS 8th AF: Mission 689: 1,225 bombers and 674 fighters make PFF attacks on industrial and communications targets in W Germany; 1 fighter is lost: 1. 430 B-17s are dispatched to attack a storage depot at Bielefeld (155) and aircraft repair plant and Ludwig marshalling yard at Munster (108); targets of opportunity are Munster (87), Gutersloh (24) and other (1); 10 B-17s are damaged. Escort is provided by 204 of 215 P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA). 2. 432 B-17s are dispatched to hit the Hannover/Hanomag military vehicle plant (155); targets of opportunity are Hannover (221), Bielefeld (36) and other (1); 2 B-17s are damaged beyond repair and 14 damaged; 16 airmen are KIA, and 1 WIA. Escort is provided by 235 P-47s and P-51s; 1 P-47 is damaged beyond repair. 3. 242 of 246 B-24s hit the aqueduct and Mittelland Canal at Minden; 5 B-24s are damaged. Escort is provided by 128 P-47s and P-51s; they claim 2-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft without loss. 4. 117 B-24s are dispatched to hit the Welheim synthetic oil plant at Bottrop (65); 33 others hit Munster; 37 B-24s are damaged; 1 airman is WIA. Escort is provided by 59 of 66 P-51s without loss.