This Day in . . .
303rd Bomb Group (H) History
August 20, 1942
ETO 8th AF: The principle of coordinated day and night bombing receives its first formal definition in the "Joint British/American Directive on Day Bomber Operations involving Fighter Cooperation." The emphasis is placed on achieving continuity in the bombing offensive from the UK. Mission 3: 11 of 12 B-17s bomb Amiens/Longeau marshalling yard, France at 1801 hours without loss. Unit moves in England: 27th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, from Atcham to High Ercall (the squadron is operating from Reykjavik, Iceland with P-38s); 352nd Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 301st Bombardment Group (Heavy) to Podington from the US with B-17s (first mission is 5 Sep).
August 20, 1943
303rd BG: A mission to Villacoublay Airdrome was scrubbed due to heavy overcast and strong winds.
August 20, 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS 8th AF: HQ 66th Fighter Wing transfers from Duxford, England to Sawston, England where it will remain until Oct 45. HQ 482nd Bombardment Group (Pathfinder) and its 812th, 813th and 814th Bombardment Squadrons (Pathfinder) are activated at Alconbury, England where they will remain until May/Jun 45. The 812th and 813th, equipped with B-17's, will fly their first pathfinder mission on 27 Sep 43 and 24 Sep respectively; the 814th, equipped with B-24's, will fly its first path-finder mission on 11 Jan 44.
August 20, 1945
VIII Fighter Command: The 367th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 306th Bombardment Group (Heavy), based at Thurleigh, England with B-17s, sends a detachment to operate from Lagens, Azores to photo-map Africa.
August 19
August 21
