This Day in 303rd Bomb Group History: February 7th

glm@303rdbg.com (Gary L. Moncur) — 07 Feb 2026 05:39:35 -0000

February 7, 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS 8th AF: 36th and 406th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 1st Bombardment Division attached to 482nd Bombardment Group (Heavy), transfer from Alconbury to Watton (36th continues operating from Alconbury) with B-24s; the squadrons fly CARPETBAGGER missions.

February 7, 1945
303rd BG: An order was received to bomb the synthetic oil plant at Bottrup, Germany. Crews were briefed and took off, but found a solid wall of clouds extending to 30,000 feet. The mission was recalled over the North Sea.

February 7, 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS 8th AF: 2 missions are flown. Mission 822: 295 B-17s and 80 P-51s are recalled when they encounter a weather front rising to 30,000 feet (9,144 m) over the North Sea; 1 B-17 attacks Essen; no bombers are lost. Escort is provided by 41 of 80 P-51s without loss. 36 of 36 P-51s patrol the Siegen, Germany area without loss. Mission 823: 10 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany during the night without loss.