This Day in 303rd Bomb Group History: October 20th

glm@303rdbg.com (Gary L. Moncur) — 20 Oct 2026 03:35:56 -0000

October 20, 1943
303rd BG (H) Combat Mission No. 79
Target: Center of City, Duren, Germany
Crews Dispatched: 19
Crews Lost: Lt. Hartigan, 11 crewmen; Lt. Hendry, 10 crewmen
Length of Mission: 5 hours, 15 minutes
Bomb Load: 10 x 500 lb G.P. bombs
Bombing Altitude: 26,700 ft
Enemy Aircraft Claims: 2 Destroyed, 3 Probable

October 20, 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS 8th AF: VIII Bomber Command Mission 116. The industrial area at Duren, Germany is the primary target. 97 of 170 B-17's hit the primary target at 1413-1416 bombing from 30,000-feet (48,000 m) because the cloud tops were at 29,500-feet (47,200 m); the 1st Bombardment Division uses Oboe PFF for the first time but the equipment fails and 60 aircraft return to base without bombing; 42 of the 1st Bombardment Division's aircraft hit Woensdrecht Airfield in the Netherlands as a target of opportunity; and 70 B-24's fly a diversion; the totals are 4-1-1 Luftwaffe aircraft claimed; 9 B-17's lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 10 damaged; casualties are 4 KIA (including 3 gunners who died from oxygen system failure), 2 WIA and 85 MIA. VIII Bomber Command Mission 117: During the night of 20/21 Oct, 5 B-17's drop 876,960 leaflets over Roen and Paris at 2211-2217 hours. HQ 358th Fighter Group and its 365th, 366th and 367th Fighter Squadrons arrive at Goxhill, England from the US.