This Day in 303rd Bomb Group History: October 18th

glm@303rdbg.com (Gary L. Moncur) — 18 Oct 2026 13:33:08 -0000

October 18, 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS 8th AF: The 369th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group, arrives at East Wretham, England from the US with P-47's. The squadron will fly its first mission on 13 Dec 43.

October 18, 1944
303rd BG (H) Combat Mission No. 259
Target: Ford Motor Plant at Cologne, Germany
Crews Dispatched: 28
Length of Mission: 6 hours, 30 minutes
Bomb Load: 6 x 500 lb G.P. M43 & 6 x 500 lb M17 Incendiaries
Bombing Altitudes: 26,800 & 25,500 ft
Ammo Fired: 490 rounds

October 18, 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS 8th AF: Mission 682: 567 bombers and 604 fighters are dispatched to hit targets in Germany; 5 bombers and 5 fighters are lost: 1. 337 B-17s are dispatched to make a PFF attack on Kassel/Mittefeld (300); targets of opportunity are Cologne (1) and other (2); 2 B-17s are lost; 1 airman is WIA and 18 MIA. Escort is provided by 388 P-47s and P-51s; 4 P-51s are lost. 2. 118 B-17s are dispatched to make a GH attack on the Ford Plant at Cologne (79); 30 others hit Cologne/Nippes marshalling yard; 22 B-17s are damaged; 1 airman is KIA and 2 WIA. Escort is provided by 38 of 45 P-47s without loss. 3. 112 B-24s are dispatched to make a GH attack on the industrial complex at Leverkusen (39); 30 others hit the Cologne/Nippes marshalling yard; 3 B-24s are lost and 26 damaged; 27 airmen are MIA. Escort is provided by 139 of 146 P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost.