This Day in 303rd Bomb Group History: July 11th

glm@303rdbg.com (Gary L. Moncur) — 11 Jul 2026 07:41:43 -0000

July 11, 1942
ETO 8th AF: First formal decoration ceremony held in the 8th AF takes place when Major General Carl Spaatz pins the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) on Major Charles C Kegelman for extraordinary gallantry and heroism during the raid of 4 Jul.

July 11, 1944
303rd BG (H) Combat Mission No. 201
Target: City area, Munich, Germany
Crews Dispatched: 38
Length of Mission: 8 hours, 50 minutes
Bomb Load: 18 X 250 lb M57 bombs
Bombing Altitudes: Group A - 27,500 ft; Group B - 25,300 ft

July 11, 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS 8th AF: Mission 466: 1,176 bombers and 795 fighters attack targets in Germany; 20 bombers and 4 fighters are lost: 1. Of 401 B-17s, 371 hit the Munich marshalling yard, Passing electrical station and a tire factory and 3 hit targets of opportunity; 1 B-17 is lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 42 damaged; 3 airmen are KIA, 3 WIA and 10 MIA. Escort is provide by 209 P-38s, P-47s and P-51s without loss. 2. Of 340 B-17s, 183 hit the BMW factory at Munich and 106 hit the Munich marshalling yard; 3 B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 89 damaged; 1 airman is KIA, 2 WIA and 30 MIA. Escort is provided by 166 P-38s, P-47s and P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot is MIA). 3. Of 435 B-24s, 291 hit Munich, 55 hit Munich/Riem Airfield, 29 hit Augsburg, 8 hit Eppingen and 1 hits a bridge on the Autobahn; 16 B-24s are lost and 2 damaged beyond repair; 8 airmen are KIA, 14 WIA and 149 MIA. Escort is provided by 324 P-38s, P-47s and P-51s; they claim 2-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground; 1 P-47 and 2 P-51s are lost (pilots are MIA) and 1 P-51 is damaged beyond repair. Mission 467: During the night, 6 of 6 B-17s drop leaflets on France. 29 of 30 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions during the night.

July 11, 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS 8th AF: HQ 93rd Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) begins a movement from Mendlesham, England to the US.