This Day in 303rd Bomb Group History: November 2nd

glm@303rdbg.com (Gary L. Moncur) — 02 Nov 2025 17:06:03 -0000

November 2, 1942
8th AF:Brigadier General Robet C Candee, commanding General VIII Air Support Command, states that the effort expended and personnel lost in organizing the Twelfth AF and preparing for its move from the UK to N Africa has severely retarded organization of his HQ and staff.

November 2, 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS 8th AF: The 406th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 8th AF, transfers from the U.S. to Alconbury, England without personnel or equipment. The squadron will be equipped with B-24's and begin CARPETBAGGER operations (dropping supplies to partisans) on 5 Jan 44. The 700th, 701st, 702nd and 703rd Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 445th Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrive at Tibenham, England from the U.S. with B-24's. They will fly their first mission on 13 Dec.

November 2, 1944
303rd BG (H) Combat Mission No. 266
Target: Synthetic Oil Refinery at Sterkrade, Germany
Crews Dispatched: 49
Crews Lost: Lt. Davis, 1 KIA, 9 POW
Length of Mission: 5 hours, 50 minutes
Bomb Load: 20 x 250 lb H.E. M57 bombs
Bombing Altitudes; 28,700, 27,400 & 26,200 ft
Ammo Fired: 1,870 rounds

November 2, 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS 8th AF 2 missions are flown. Mission 698: 1,174 bombers and 968 fighters are dispatched in 5 forces to make PFF attacks on the oil industry and rail targets in Germany. 40 bombers and 15 fighters are lost. 1. 460 B-17s are dispatched to hit the Leuna synthetic oil refinery at Merseberg (383). 13 strike Wolfenbuttel, 23 hit Halle and 17 hit targets of opportunity in the area.12 B-17s are lost. Gunners claim 6 - 2 - 2. 433 P-51s and 34 (9th AF) P-38s escort the 3BD, with the P-51s shooting down 26 e/a, losing 8. The P-38s claim 48 e/a destroyed. 2. 233 B-17s are dispatched to Leuna synthetic oil refinery at Merseberg (210); 5 hit T/Os in the area. 26 are lost, with B-17 gunners claiming 30 - 23 - 25. 209 P-51s escort this force, shooting down 46 e/a, with 6 lost. 3. 191 of 208 B-24s dispatched hit Bielefeld viaduct bridge and rail yards with no lossed. They were escorted by 143 P-47s which claimed no e/a destroyed, but lost 2 a/c. 4. 131 of 146 B-24s dispatched hit oil industry targets in Castrop/Rauxel, losing 1 a/c. 37 escorting P-47s claimed no e/a. 5. 107 of 13 B-17s dispatched, escorted by 20 P-47s, struck oil industries at Sterkrade, and 20 hit the rail yards at Rheine. In all 2,648 tons of bombs were dropped. Mission 699: Leaflet mission - 3 B-17s and 5 B-24s Holland and Germany. 36 BS dispatched 7 B-24s on RCM.