This Day in 303rd Bomb Group History: October 12th

glm@303rdbg.com (Gary L. Moncur) — 12 Oct 2026 12:04:13 -0000

October 12, 1942
8th AF: The VIII Fighter Command is made responsible for the preparation and movement of air echelons of the Twelfth AF from the UK to N Africa.

October 12, 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS 8th AF: The 359th Fighter Squadron, 356th Fighter Group, transfers from Goxhill to Martlesham, England with P-47's. The squadron will fly its first combat mission on 15 Oct.

October 12, 1944
303rd BG: Mission to Wessling, Germany was scrubbed after briefing.

October 12, 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS 8th AF: 2 missions are flown. Mission 674: 552 bombers and 514 fighters are dispatched to hit targets in Germany; they claim 18-3-1 aircraft; 3 bombers and 5 fighters are lost: 1. Weather prevents the 290 B-24s dispatched to hit the primaries at Vechta, Achmer, Rheine and Varrelbusch; PFF means were used to hit the secondary, the marshalling yard at Osnabruck (267); 5 others hit Diepholz Airfield, a target of opportunity; 2 B-24s are lost and 67 damaged; 19 airmen are MIA. Escort is provided by 210 P-47s and P-51s; they claim 1-1-0 aircraft in the air. 2. 262 B-17s are dispatched to aviation industries at Bremen (267) bombing visually; 1 other hits a target of opportunity; 1 B-17 is lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 59 damaged. 7 airmen are KIA, 1 WIA and 9 MIA. Escort is provided by 273 P-47s and P-51s; they claim 17-2-1 aircraft; 5 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA). Mission 675: 8 aircraft are dispatched to drop leaflets in the Netherlands, France and Germany during the night; 2 B-24s are lost.