Eagle Day to Bombing of the Reich is a improved and enhanced edition of Talonsoft's older Battle of Britain and Bombing the Reich. This updated version represents the best simulation of the air war over Britain and the strategic bombing campaign over Europe that has ever been made.
I just wanted to say i enjoyed reading the actions this day recently.I do own two copies of this Game the original Battle of Britian which no longer works in my dvd drive which i bought in 1999, and GG Eagle day to bombing the reich.So ive been playing this game on/off for roughly 24 years! Back then i had No idea who Gary Grigsby was,but i did realise that the Game wasn't your average game that's for sure,but you knew it was special.Keep up the good work!
I just wanted to say i enjoyed reading the actions this day recently.
Thankyou, I enjoy doing it.
401 Sqn RCAF (Redhill – Spitfire VB) 3.6.43
Weather: Cloud 7-10/10 at 2,000 feet, visibility 6-9 miles, wind 10-15 mph from W.
State: NIL
Serviceability: NIL
All quiet on the Redhill front. F/S Maybee and S/P Buckles took off for Cranfield in late afternoon with two unmarked, uncamouflaged, new Spitfires.
BOMBER COMMAND
MINOR OPERATIONS
24 Wellingtons and 15 Stirlings minelaying off the Biscay ports, 16 O.T.U. leaflet flights. 1 O.T.U. Wellington was lost in the sea.
USAAF
EGYPT: Col Charles D. McAllister replaces BriGen Auby C. Strickland as commander of the IX Fighter Command. McAllister also assumes command of the Desert Air Task Force.
PANTELLERIA: NAAF mounts an all-out effort against the island’s defenses using medium bombers, light bombers, and fighters.
TUNISIA: One FW-190 is downed by a 52d Fighter Group Spitfire pilot near Cap Bon.
RAF
Base Changes
16 Sqn SAAF (Blenheim V) moves to Misurata West
39 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to LG239
108 Sqn (Beaufighter VIF) moves to Luqa
428 Sqn RCAF (Non-Op) moves to Middleton St. George
402 Sqn RCAF (Digby – Spitfire VC) 4.6.43
10 a/c led by W/C Ford flew to Coltishall and from there took off on a Lagoon off the Dutch coast. Three “E” boats were successfully attacked. Heavy fire was experienced from the boats. W/C Ford failed to return. F/S Miller saw a splash shortly after going over the target and saw the tail of a Spit sticking out of the water. It is a great loss suffered not only by the station and Squadron but to the service as well. W/C Ford had a fine record and was very popular in his recent post. Claims made from this attack; 2 damaged and 1 probable. W/O Shepherd suffered slight wounds in the face when his a/c was hit. Very little training as the Squadron was away most of the day. Total time for the day 27:30 hours. Non-operational 7:20 hours.
USAAF
ENGLAND: The 386th Medium Bombardment Group air echelon, in B-26s, arrives from the United States via the southern ferry route for service with VIII Bomber Command’s 3d Medium Bombardment Wing.
ITALY: IX Bomber Command B-24s attack Grottaglie Airdrome.
PANTELLERIA: The NAAF mounts an all-out effort against the island’s defenses using heavy bombers, medium bombers, light bombers, and fighters.
RAF
Base Changes
19 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Matlask
81 Sqn (Spitfire IX) moves to Takali
154 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VC) moves to Takali
219 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Casablanca
247 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to Bradwell Bay
272 Sqn (Beaufighter IIF/VIF) moves to Luqa
309 Sqn (Mustang I) moves to Snailwell
414 Sqn RCAF (Mustang I) moves to Portreath
First and Last Operational Missions
69 Sqn (Luqa) flies its last OM in the Baltimore III
Weather: Sunny and bright today with approximately 3/10ths cloud. Also a south-westerly wind, very light.
Circus 313: S/L. H.C. Godefroy led the wing whose role was that of forward target support in the Abbeville Amiens Poix area while 12 Bostons were bombing the Poix Aerodrome. The Wing crossed out at Tye and joined up with the Hornchurch Wing. They then began climbing and crossed in Quend Pigge at 12,000 feet thence to Abbeville and Amiens at 22,000 feet thence Poix at 23,000 feet. Appledore Control then gave vector of 010° and Wing reached Aux-Le-Chateaux at 24,000 feet. Yellow Section of 403 Squadron went down on 3 F.W. 190 1000 feet below and going in opposite direction but were unable to engage. 6 F.W.s were seen by the Squadron and a further 12 reported coming in behind the wing at 24,000 feet. They were first reported as friendly but later were found to be F.W. 190's and Wing turned to face them. 421 Squadron were engaged. F/L R.W. McNair, D.F.C. fired at two with no results but later shot one down and it was destroyed. The was now approaching Abbeville and somewhat broken up so the Wing Leader tried to reform the Wing but a further 50+ F.W. 190's were seen coming towards Abbeville at 27,000 feet and this prevented the Wing reforming. 403. was ordered to dive towards the Somme Estuary which they did but Blue Section had become separated. Near Aux-Le-Chateaux Blue 1 had spotted a F.W. 190 making for Blue 4 Sgt. K.D. Windsor and so ordered Blue Section to break but Blue 4 did not respond and was next seen with black smoke pouring from his a/c as he had been hit. Later while Blue was trying to reform Blue 2 (P.O. J.C. Elliott) lost height on account of oxygen trouble and he dove downwards so Blue 1 and 3 followed. They lost him in high thin cloud and he wasn't seen again so is posted missing. By this time Blue 1 and 3 had lost the Squadron and so made for the Coast. A gaggle of about 20 F.W. 190’s were encountered and after 1 F.W. was reported right beside them Blue 1 ordered Blue 3 to break but he merely did a gentle turn and was hit by the F.W. 190. He was later seen by Blue 1 to be in a spin with about 8 F.W.190's on his tail. This was the last seen of Blue 3 (P/O. F.C. McWilliams) and he is reported missing, South of Le Touquet Blue 1 out turned other F.W. 190's and crossed out at Hardalot. 421 did not formate on 403 Squadron but climbed up to 32,000 feet and out at Gris Nez, in Dungeness at 5,000 feet. There was no flak reported and no shipping was seen.
ADDENDUM – Spitfire IX LZ899. Pilot: F/O FC McWilliams RCAF KIA. Engaged Fw190s of JG26 near Abbeville. Crashed near and buried at Le Touquet but now in Etaples Military Cemetery.
Spitfire IX BR637. Pilot: P/O JC Elliot RCAF KIA. Engaged Fw190s of JG26 near Abbeville.
Spitfire IX BS383. Pilot: Sgt KD Windsor KIA. Engaged Fw190s of JG26 near Abbeville.
BOMBER COMMAND
FRIEDRICHSHAFEN
60 Lancasters to attack the Zeppelin works at Friedrichshafen, on the shores of Lake Constance (the Bodensee). This factory made Würzburg radar sets which were an important part of the German-fighter interception boxes through which Bomber Command had to fly every time they attacked a target in Germany.
This was a special raid with interesting and novel tactics. Like the recent Dams Raid, the attack was to be ‘controlled’ by the pilot of one of the Lancasters. This feature would later be known as ‘the Master Bomber’ technique. The plan was formulated by 5 Group which provided the Master Bomber – Group Captain L. C. Slee – and nearly all of the aircraft involved; the Pathfinders sent 4 Lancasters of 97 Squadron. Group Captain Slee’s aircraft developed engine trouble and he handed over to his deputy, Wing Commander G. L. Gomm of 467 Squadron. The attack, like the recent raid on Le Creusot, was intended to be carried out from 5,000 to 10,000 ft in bright moonlight, but the Flak and searchlight defences were very active and Wing Commander Gomm ordered the bombing force to climb a further 5,000 ft. Unfortunately the wind at the new height was stronger than anticipated and this caused difficulties.
The bombing was in 2 parts. The first bombs were aimed at target indicators dropped by one of the Pathfinder aircraft. The second phase was a ‘time-and-distance’ bombing run from a point on the shores of the lake to the estimated position of the factory. This was a technique which 5 Group was developing. Photographic reconnaissance showed that nearly 10 percent of the bombs hit the small factory and that much damage was caused there. Nearby factories were also hit. 44 people are known to have been killed in Friedrichshafen.
The bomber force confused the German night fighters waiting for the return over France by flying on in the first shuttle raid to North Africa. No Lancasters were lost.
Minor Operations: 4 Mosquitoes to Berlin and 1 to Düsseldorf, 15 aircraft minelaying off La Pallice and in the River Gironde. 3 O.T.U. sorties. No losses.
USAAF
LAMPEDUSA: The recently captured airfield becomes operational, thus shortening the range to targets on and around Sicily.
SICILY: NASAF B-26s attack Bo Rizzo, Castelvetrano, and Trapani/Milo airdromes, and P-38 escort pilots of the 1st and 14th Fighter groups down 15 Bf-109s during an engagement over Sicily between 0830 and 0855 hours
RAF
Base Changes
19 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Gravesend
199 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Lakenheath
223 Sqn (Boston IIIA) moves to Reyville
302 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Perranporth
414 Sqn RCAF (Mustang I) moves to Dunsfold
613 Sqn (Mustang I) moves to Portreath
First and Last Operational Missions
540 Sqn (Leuchars) flies its first OM in the Mosquito PRIX
408 Sqn RCAF (Leeming – Halifax II) 21.6.43
Weather: Fair to fine with good visibility. Thirteen aircraft took off from this base for bombing operations over KREFELD, Germany. All but three were successful in their assignment and returned to base without casualties. Three aircraft are reported missing from this operation.
ADDENDUM – Halifax II BB375 EQ-T. Crew: Sgt CC Reichert RCAF KIA, Sgt GM McLean RCAF KIA, P/O JCB Russell RCAF POW, P/O JE Monahan RCAF KIA, Sgt JP Dockerill RCAF KIA, Sgt GI Pridham RCAF POW, Sgt W Searle RCAF KIA. T/0 2335 Leeming. Shot down by Hptm. Hans-Dieter Francke (36th victory) 2./NJG1 ½ km N Fort Jaarsveld, near Lopik at 0230. Those who died are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. Sgt Pridham was held at Heydekrug, from where he was repatriated on May 28, 1944. In trying to assist his skipper, he lost a leg when a cannon shell exploded. Realizing he was unable to maintain control, Sgt Reichert ordered the badly wounded AG to bale out. Since 1945 parts of the Halifax have been recovered from the river and now form a memorial to the crew. At its unveiling, the citizens of Lopik invited Sgt Pridham to attend as their honoured guest.
Halifax II DT772 EQ-E. Crew: Sgt D Brooke KIA, Sgt CL Sebelius RCAF KIA, Sgt GR Bisheff RCAF KIA, Sgt JC MacDonald RCAF KIA, Sgt MD Shakespeare KIA, Sgt WD Walsh RCAF KIA, Sgt JR Archambault RCA KIA. T/o 2340 Leeming. Shot down by Hptm. Hans-Dieter Francke (35th victory) 2./NJG1 2 km SW Zeist, 6 km E Utrecht at 0224. All rest in Amersfoort General Cemetery. Sgt Brooke served under this name. he was a Frenchman from Marseilles.
Halifax II JD209 EQ-B. Crew: P/O JGA Patry RCAF KIA, Sgt JHW Bishop RCAF POW, F/S N Kellmer RCAF KIA, Sgt D Rudge KIA, Sgt GA Freeman POW, Sgt E Moorcroft RCAF POW, Sgt AB Lewis RCAF KIA. T/o Leeming 2345. Shot down by Hptm. Heinrich Wohlers (11th victory) Stab IV/NJG4, det. 3/NJG1 2 km E Kempen at 0212. Those who died rest in the Reichswald War Cemetery. Sgt Lewis served under this name though his correct surname was Lewis-Staniford.
BOMBER COMMAND
KREFELD
705 aircraft – 262 Lancasters, 209 Halifaxes, 117 Stirlings, 105 Wellingtons, 12 Mosquitoes. 44 aircraft – 17 Halifaxes, 9 Lancasters, 9 Wellingtons, 9 Stirlings – were lost, 6.2 percent of the force. This raid was carried out before the moon period was over and the heavy casualties were mostly caused by night fighters. 12 of the aircraft lost were from the Pathfinders; 35 Squadron lost 6 out of its 19 Halifaxes taking part in the raid.
The raid took place in good visibility and the Pathfinders produced an almost perfect marking effort, ground-markers dropped by Oboe Mosquitoes being well backed up by the Pathfinder heavies. 619 aircraft bombed these markers, more than three quarters of them achieving bombing photographs within 3 miles of the centre of Krefeld. 2,306 tons of bombs were dropped. A large area of fire became established and this raged, out of control, for several hours. The whole centre of the city – approximately 47 percent of the build-up area – was burnt out. The total of 5,517 houses destroyed, quoted in Krefeld’s records, was the largest figure so far in the war. 1,056 people were killed and 4,550 were injured. 72,000 people lost their homes; 20,000 of these were billeted upon families in suburbs, 30,000 moved in with relatives or friends and 20,000 were evacuated to other towns.
Minor Operations: 1 Mosquito to Hamborn, 15 O.T.U. sorties. No losses.
USAAF
ITALY: NASAF B-17s attack a marshalling yard at Battipaglia, an air depot at Cancello Arnone, rail yards at Naples, and marshalling yards and a railway trestle at Salerno. Also, IX Bomber Command B-24s attack port facilities and rail yards at Reggio di Calabria, and the ferry terminal at Villa San Giovanni.
RAF
Base Changes
26 Sqn (Mustang I) moves to Detling
41 Sqn (Spitfire XII) moves to Westhampnett
55 Sqn (Baltimore IIIA) moves to Reyville
169 Sqn (Mustang I) moves to Middle Wallop
239 Sqn (Mustang I) moves to Fairlop
317 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Perranporth
412 Sqn RCAF (Spitfire VVB/VC) moves to Friston
501 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Hawkinge
First and Last Operational Missions
47 Sqn (Protville) flies its first OM in the Beaufighter X
109 Sqn (Wyton) flies its first OM in the Mosquito BIX
137 Sqn (Southend) flies its last OM in the Whirlwind I
454 Sqn RAAF (Gambut) flies its first OM in the Baltimore IV
429 Sqn RCAF (East Moor – Wellington X) 22.6.43
Twelve Wellington aircraft from this Squadron took part in a bombing raid on Mulheim. Eight of the aircraft successfully completed the operation, two returned early, and the remaining two were not reported after leaving base.
ADDENDUM – Wellington X HF457 AL-? Crew: W/O2 WA Sneath RCAF KIA, P/O RG Clarke RCAF POW, P/O AB Drummond-Hay RCAF POW, Sgt JT Hindley KIA, Sgt JO Hills RCAF KIA. T/o 2338 East Moor. Shot down by Oblt Autenreith 2./NJG1 and crashed at Houthalen, 12 km NNE of Hasselt, Belgium. Those who died were buried on 25 June at St-Truiden, since then their bodies have been removed to Haverlee War Cemetery.
Wellington X HZ312 AL-? Crew: W/C JL Savard DFC RCAF KIA, F/O JS Macityre RCAF KIA, F/S JCA Laberge RCAF, W/O J Allen KIA, P/O JOR Bonenfant RCAF KIA. T/o 2328 East Moor. All lie in Reichswald War Cemetery. At 22, W/C Savard was amongst the youngest Commanding Officers to be killed on bomber operations in 1943.
The Pathfinders had to mark this target through a thin layer of stratus cloud but Mülheim’s records contain reference to the accuracy of the markers over this medium-sized town and to the ferocity of the ensuing bombing. The now familiar area of fire and temporary breakdown of the fire and rescue services followed. In later stages of the raid, the Pathfinder markers and the bombing moved slightly, into the northern part of the town; this had the effect of cutting all road and telephone communications with the neighbouring town of Oberhausen, with which Mülheim was linked for airraid purposes. Not even cyclists or motor-cyclists were able to get out of Mülheim; only messengers on foot could get through. The centre and north of Mülheim and the eastern parts of Oberhausen were severely damaged. 578 people were killed and 1,174 were injured in the 2 towns. 1,135 houses were destroyed and 12,637 damaged. Other buildings hit were 41 public buildings, 27 schools, 17 churches and 6 hospitals. The only reference to industry is a general note: ‘a large proportion of industries were severely affected’. The post-war British Bombing Survey Unit estimated that this single raid destroyed 64 percent of the town of Mülheim.
Minor Operations: 4 Mosquitoes each to Berlin and Cologne, 26 O.T.U. sorties. 1 O.T.U. Wellington lost.
Total effort for the night: 591 sorties, 36 aircraft (6.1 percent) lost.
USAAF
BELGIUM: Thirty-nine B-17s of the 381st and 384th Heavy Bombardment groups, in their combat debuts as part of the 1st Heavy Bombardment Wing, attack industrial targets around Antwerp with more than 95 tons of bombs. Losses sustained by the newcomers are four B-17s missing and 18 damaged. Crew losses are one killed, 40 missing, and three wounded. 4th Fighter Group P-47s escort the B-17s part of the way home from the target, but no known contacts with GAF fighters result from the effort.
GERMANY: In the Eighth Air Force’s main event of the day, 183 of the 224 1st and 4th Heavy Bombardment wing B-17s dispatched and 11 YB-40s attack a synthetic-rubber plant at Huls with 422 tons of bombs. Results of this first large-scale strategic mission against an industrial target in the Ruhr region of Germany are considered particularly good, but losses from heavy flak and determined GAF fighter attacks are high: 15 B-17s and one YB-40 are lost and 75 B-17s damaged, with crew losses of two killed, 151 missing, and 16 wounded. A diversionary mission by the 100th Heavy Bombardment Group, making its combat debut, fails to confuse the German defenses on account of a late start.
NETHERLANDS: Between 0915 and 0925 hours, P-47 pilots of the 4th and 78th Fighter groups down seven GAF fighters over Walcheren Island without sustaining any losses.
SARDINIA: NACAF Beaufighters claim a small vessel sunk off the coast.
RAF
Base Changes
144 Sqn (Wellington X) moves to Ingham
First and Last Operational Missions
38 Sqn (Berka III) flies its first OM in the Wellington XI
144 Sqn (Protville) flies its first OM in the Beaufighter X
412 Sqn RCAF (Friston) flies its last OM in the Spitfire VC
401 Sqn RCAF (Redhill – Spitfire VB) 23.6.43
Weather: Cloud 6-10/10 at 5,000 feet. Visibility 3-10 miles, and 5-8 m.p.h. from W. Serviceability: 13 a/c.
State: At 0427 hours the Squadron was at 30 minutes. 2320 Squadron released. Cine gun exercises, aerobatics, tail chases and local flying occupied the day until 1515 hours, then the Squadron was briefed for their part in Ramrod 100, close escort to 12 Bostons bombing the aircraft factory at Meaulte, near Albert, as part of another large scale U.S.A. 8th A.F. effort in Northern France. Our aircraft were airborne at 1703 hours and made R/V at Dungeness, 1720 on deck. After five minutes the formation began to climb, crossing French coast at Fort Mahon at 9,000 feet and reaching target 1747 hours at 13,500 feet. Bombing results were not observed. A little heavy flak at target and intense, accurate, heavy stuff from Foret de Crecy on way in and out was encountered. Halfway back to the French coast four e/a made a swipe at the Bostons from the port beam without effect. The attackers were in echelon formation and all four were fired on by four of our pilots S/L Neal, F/L Ibbotson, F/O Sheppard and P/O Gray without claim. Two 411 Squadron pilots also fired, none could give chase as their role was close protection of the bombers. Immediately afterwards an aircraft was seen spiralling down with smoke issuing but it is not thought that this was one of the four attacking e/a. Gaggle recrossed French coast at Fort Mahan at 9,000 feet and English coast at Dungeness, 1820 hours, 1,000 feet, all our aircraft landing safely at base at 1840 hours. The weather was hazy over channel with 4/10 cloud at 5,000 feet over target.
BOMBER COMMAND
LA SPEZIA
52 Lancasters from the force which bombed Friedrichshafen 3 nights earlier flew from North Africa, bombed La Spezia, and then flew on to England without loss. Bomber Command claimed damage to an armaments store and an oil depot at La Spezia.
Minor Operations: 3 Mosquitoes each to Cologne and Duisburg, 30 aircraft minelaying off Brittany and Biscay ports. No aircraft lost.
USAAF
ENGLAND: While being prepared for the day’s mission, a 381st Heavy Bombardment Group B-17 blows up, killing 22 USAAF personnel and one British civilian and damaging another B-17. Then, after 180 VIII Bomber Command B-17s are dispatched on two separate missions against targets in France, all are recalled due to bad weather.
The 4th Heavy Bombardment Wing’s 96th Heavy Bombardment Group is re-assigned to the 4th Heavy Bombardment Wing’s new 403d Provisional Combat Bombardment Wing.
The final air echelon of the 388th Heavy Bombardment Group, in B-17s, arrives from the United States via the northern ferry route and is assigned to the 4th Heavy Bombardment Wing’s 403d Provisional Combat Bombardment Wing.
RAF
Base Changes
5 Sqn SAAF (Kittyhawk III) moves to Ben Gardane South
16 Sqn SAAF (Blenheim V) moves to Misurata West
40 Sqn SAAF TR (Spitfire IX) moves to Luqa
134 Sqn (Hurricane IIB) moves to Bersis
170 Sqn (Mustang I) moves to Odiham
253 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to Lampedusa
405 Sqn RCAF (Gransden Lodge – Spitfire VB) 24.6.43
Weather: Fine, becoming cloudy by noon with cumulus at 3,000 feet which dispersed during the afternoon as medium cloud spread in. Layer cloud formed about dusk when medium and high cloud cleared. Visibility good. Wind Northwest backing to Southwest by midnight.
Operations:- 14 aircraft were detailed for bombing operations on ELBERFELD, reduced to 11 aircraft by Group, 10 aircraft reached and bombed primary from an average height of 19,500 feet in moderate visibility, with some ground haze. Many large fires with other smaller scattered ones were observed in target area. Large masses of black smoke were rising in target area. There was a splendid concentration of red and green T.I. in target area, but the area of most intense bombing was slightly to Southeast and East. 9 good photographs were taken. Starboard outer engine failed on one aircraft at English coast on return Journey. 3 of our aircraft suffered damage from heavy flak. One of our aircraft is missing from this operation and nothing has been heard from any of the crew since time of takeoff.
ADDENDUM – Halifax II HR816 LQ-C. Crew: Sgt PC Andrews POW, Sgt CW Price RCAF KIA, Sgt G Jones POW, F/S W Kingsley RCAF POW, Sgt F Bowker POW, Sgt GC Tisbury POW, Sgt JW Kucinsky RCAF KIA. T/o 2246 Gransden Lodge. Shot down by Maj. Werner Streib (56th victory) Stab I./NJG1 at Kempen near Wassenberg. Those who died rest in Rheinberg War Cemetery.
This attack was aimed at the Elberfeld half of Wuppertal, the Barmen half of the town having been devastated at the end of May. The Pathfinder marking was accurate and the Main Force bombing started well but the creepback became more pronounced than usual. 30 aircraft bombed targets in more western parts of the Ruhr; Wuppertal was at the eastern end of the area. These bombing failures were probably a result of the recent run of intensive operations incurring casualties at a high level. However, much serious damage was again caused to this medium-sized Ruhr town. The post-war British survey estimated that 94 percent of the Elberfeld part of Wuppertal was destroyed on this night and Wuppertal’s own records show that more bombs fell in Elberfeld than had fallen in Barmen on the last raid. 171 industrial premises and approximately 3,000 houses were destroyed; 53 industrial premises and 2,500 houses were severely damaged. Approximately 1,800 people were killed and 2,400 injured.
There was a dramatic incident in Gelsenkirchen, 20 miles north of Wuppertal, when an R.A.F. 4-engined bomber crashed into the hall of a building which had been taken over by the Wehrmacht. The bomber blew up ‘with a terrific explosion’. A German officer, 13 soldiers, the caretaker of the building and 5 Dutch trainee postal workers were killed and 2 more soldiers died later.
Minor Operations: 4 Mosquitoes to Duisburg, 4 Stirlings minelaying in the River Gironde, 7 O.T.U. sorties. No losses.
USAAF
BELGIUM: Of 128 P-47 sorties launched over northern Europe, one 78th Fighter Group P-47 pilot downs an FW-190 near Ostend at 0910.
FRANCE: Joining the veteran 13th Photographic Squadron, the 22d Photographic Squadron mounts its first combat reconnaissance sorties of the war.
GREECE: Forty-nine IX Bomber Command B-24s attack Salonika/Sedhes Airdrome.
MEDITERRANEAN: An Me-210 is downed at sea at 1910 hours by an 81st Fighter Group P-39 on convoy-escort duty.
SARDINIA: NASAF B-25s and B-26s attack the Alghero/Fertila and Venafiorita airdromes, the rail junction at Chilivani, Axis ships at sea off the coast, and various targets of opportunity. Also, while conducting aggressive sweeps over southern Sardinia, NAAF P-40s attack motor vehicles near La Maddalena, sink two small vessels off the coast, and strafe Axis aircraft on the ground at Capoterra Airdrome.
While escorting the morning bombing attacks or conducting sweeps, 14th Fighter Group P-38 pilots down seven Bf-109s over Alghero Airdrome, 325th Fighter Group P-40 pilots down five Bf-109s over the Gulf of Palmas, and 1st Fighter Group P-38 pilots down eight Bf-109s over Chilivani.
RAF
Base Changes
2 Sqn SAAF (Kittyhawk III) moves to Ben Gardane
104 Sqn (Wellington II) moves to Hani West
227 Sqn (Beaufighter VIC) moves to El Magrun North
234 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Church Stanton
312 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VC) moves to Skeabrae
427 Sqn RCAF (Leeming– Halifax V) 25.6.43
Nine aircraft were detailed for a raid on GELSENKIRCHEN. W/Cmdr. Burnside crashed on takeoff due to lack of brake pressure. F/Sgt. Rodwell was a non-starter due to Guns being Unserviceable. Of the seven aircraft five only returned to base. P/O Gagnon and F/Sgt. Higgins D.F.M. are missing from the raid. These two Pilots were original members of the Squadron and both will be missed very much.
ADDENDUM – Halifax V DK135 ZL-? Crew: P/O GA Gagnon RCAF KIA, Sgt KA Shannon POW, F/O RJ Frost RCAF KIA, Sgt CR Page RCAF POW, Sgt JR Hooley RCAF POW, Sgt CR Munson RCAF POW, Sgt AA McKinnon RCAF POW. T/o 2322 Leeming. Shot down by Hptm. Hans-Joachim Jabs (28th victory) 11./NJG1 between Alkmaar and Koedijk at 0235. Aircraft was abandoned, but tragically, P/O Gagnon fell into a canal and drowned. He is buried in Bergen General Cemetery.
Halifax V DK190 ZL-? Crew: F/S FJ Higgins RCAF DFM KIA, Sgt FJ Hunter, F/O GT Matynia RCAF KIA, F/S AK Young RCAF KIA, Sgt RR Stickney RCAF KIA, Sgt W Kashmar RCAF, F/S HG Froud RCAF. T/o 2328 Leeming. Shot down by Hptm. Wilhelm Dormann (13th victory) at Gorssel , 6 km N Zutphen at 0201. All were buried 13 July in Gorssel General Cemetery.
BOMBER COMMAND
GELSENKIRCHEN
473 aircraft – 214 Lancasters, 134 Halifaxes, 73 Stirlings, 40 Wellingtons, 12 Mosquitoes. This was the first raid to Gelsenkirchen since 1941, when it had been one of Bomber Command’s regular ‘oil targets’, although, being in the middle of the Ruhr, this town had often been hit when other targets were attacked. 30 aircraft – 13 Lancasters, 7 Halifaxes, 6 Stirlings, 4 Wellingtons – were lost, 6.3 percent of the force.
The target was obscured by cloud and the Oboe Mosquitoes, for once, failed to produce regular and accurate marking since 5 of the 12 Oboe aircraft found that their equipment was unserviceable. The raid was not a success. Düsseldorf reports 24 buildings destroyed and 3,285 damaged but 2,937 of these suffered only superficial blast damage. 20 industrial premises were hit and 4 of them suffered total production loss but no large fires were involved and the loss in production lasted for no longer than 2 weeks. 16 people were killed.
Bombs probably fell on many other Ruhr towns. Solingen, nearly 30 miles from Gelsenkirchen, recorded 21 people killed and 58 injured on this night.
33 aircraft were sent minelaying in the Frisians and off French ports. 1 Lancaster lost.
USAAF
ENGLAND: The final air echelon of the 387th Medium Bombardment Group, in B-26s, arrives from the United States via the northern ferry route and is attached administratively to the Eighth Air Force’s VIII Air Support Command.
NETHERLANDS: Due to extremely poor visibility over much of northwestern Europe, 149 1st Heavy Bombardment Wing B-17s—of 190 B-17s and seven YB-40s dispatched—attack targets of opportunity and targets of last resort, including a convoy underway at sea. GAF fighters and flak account for 15 B-17s missing and 39 damaged, and crew losses of three killed, 142 missing, and 11 wounded. All crewmen are rescued from a B-17 that is abandoned near the English coast and one that ditches at sea.
Also hampered by poor visibility, 18 of the 78 4th Heavy Bombardment Wing B-17s dispatched attack a convoy off Juist Island. Three B-17s are downed and 22 are damaged, and crew casualties are 20 missing and three wounded. This is the first actual combat mission undertaken by the 100th Heavy Bombardment Group, but only two of the 18 B-17s dispatched by the unit drop their bombs.
SICILY: In their heaviest single raid of the month, NAAF B-17s attack Messina with 300 tons of bombs.
RAF
Base Changes
4 Sqn SAAF (Kittyhawk I) moves to Ben Gardane
33 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to Misurata
40 Sqn (Wellington IC/III/X) moves to Hani West
600 Sqn (Beaufighter VIF) moves to Luqa
First and Last Operational Missions
53 Sqn (Thorney Island) flies its first OM in the Liberator V
432 Sqn RCAF (Skipton-on-Swale – Wellington X) 26.6.43
The weather was fair becoming cloudy with good visibility. Four aircraft were detailed for operations and all of them took off. One returned early owing to a technical defect. One did not plant the vegetables owing to the heavy flak from shore batteries. One aircraft planted the vegetables in the allotted garden. One of our aircraft is missing from this operation.
ADDENDUM – Wellington X HF568 QO-Y. Crew: F/S WW Horn RCAF KIA, Sgt FH Schull RCAF KIA, Dgt GDW Tate RCAF KIA, Sgt LJ Davidson RCAF KIA, Sgt LG MacKenzie RCAF KIA. T/o 2223Skipton-on-Swale and set course for the Jellyfish area. Shot down by Fw Fritz Hobusch (4th victory) 4./NJG2 into the sea 80 km SW Lorient at 0142. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
BOMBER COMMAND
MINOR OPERATIONS
4 Mosquitoes to Hamburg, 3 Mosquitoes to Duisburg, 16 Wellingtons minelaying off Lorient and Brest, 14 O.T.U. sorties. 1 Wellington minelayer lost.
USAAF
ALGERIA: A 350th Fighter Group P-39 pilot downs a Ju-88 near Algiers at 1530 hours.
ENGLAND: Thirty-nine 93d Heavy Bombardment Group B-24s are dispatched to Benghazi, Libya, for temporary duty with the Ninth Air Force. The 93d, which has previously served on detached duty with the Ninth Air Force in North Africa, is the first to go of three 2d Bombardment Wing’s 201st Provisional Combat Bombardment Wing B-24 groups that are to be dispatched to Libya for a special IX Bomber Command operation code-named TIDALWAVE.
The 385th Heavy Bombardment Group air echelon, in B-17s, arrives from the United States via the northern ferry route for service with the 4th Heavy Bombardment Wing’s 401st Provisional Combat Bombardment Wing.
FRANCE: Of 123 1st Heavy Bombardment Wing B-17s and five YB-40s dispatched on a late-afternoon mission against Villacoublay Airdrome, a total of only 17 B-17s attack an aircraft-industry plant at Villacoublay or Poissy Airdrome (secondary targets); 39 of 42 B-17s dispatched by the 305th and 306th Heavy Bombardment groups attack their primary, Tricqueville Airdrome; and all 81 4th Heavy Bombardment Wing B-17s dispatched against Le Mans Airdrome abort before reaching the target. Moderate GAF opposition over the targets and during the withdrawal accounts for five B-17s lost and 14 damaged, and crew losses of one killed, 51 missing, and three wounded.
Between 1850 and 1915 hours, while escorting withdrawing heavy bombers, 4th and 56th Fighter group P-47s are engaged over Dieppe by FW-190s and Bf-109s. The P-47 pilots receive credit for four confirmed victories, but four 56th Fighter Group P-47s are downed, four pilots are missing, and the wounded pilot of another 56th Group P-47 crash-lands his battle-damaged P-47 at a base in England. Also, the pilot of a damaged 56th Fighter Group P-47 is rescued from the English Channel after abandoning his airplane following an abortive landing attempt in which only one wheel comes down.
RAF
Base Changes
19 Sqn (spitfire VB) moves to Bognar
127 Sqn (Hurricane IIB/Spitfire VC) moves to Ramat David
131 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VC) moves to Exeter
310 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Castletown
610 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VC) moves to Bolt Head
First and Last Operational Missions
29 Sqn (Bradwell Bay) flies its last OM in the Beaufighter IF
39 Sqn (Luqa) flies its last OM’s in the Beaufort I/II
101 Sqn (Ludford Magna – Lancaster I) 27.6.43
"A" Flight - Sent up aircraft on local flying, and detailed one Crew captained by F/O T.W. Rowland for the Gardening Trip as ordered. It was a successful trip, but the aircraft was diverted on account of weather.
"B" Flight - Put up 8 aircraft for local flying, air test, and air firing, and detailed 3 Crews for the Gardening. F/O. F.S. Buck failed to return, this was his first trip. F/S. Walker, A.F.S. and F/L. D.K. MacKay successfully completed the mission.
“C” Flight - Did two air tests and scrub. 2 Crews captained by F/S. Marsh, W.A., and F/O J.P. Mahoney, on the operation both were successful.
ADDENDUM – Lancaster I ED377 SR-Q. Crew: F/S FS Buck RCAF KIA, Sgt KDS Mordecai KIA, Sgt GW Fuller KIA, Sgt JN Sparkes EVD, Sgt KB Coulter KIA, Sgt KW Gadsdon KIA, Sgt HT Clarke KIA. Shot down by Oblt Erich Gollasch 11./NJG5 (7th victory) at Angrie, 25 km WNW Angers at 0227. Those who died are buried in Nantes Communal Cemetery.
BOMBER COMMAND
MINOR OPERATIONS
15 Lancasters and 15 Stirlings minelaying in the Frisians, off La Pallice and in the River Gironde, 4 O.T.U. sorties. 1 Lancaster minelayer lost.
USAAF
ENGLAND: Thirty-eight 44th Heavy Bombardment Group B-24s are dispatched to Benghazi, Libya, for temporary duty with the Ninth Air Force. The 44th is the second 201st Provisional Combat Bombardment Wing B-24 groups to be dispatched to take part in a special IX Bomber Command operation code-named TIDALWAVE.
RAF
Base Changes
239 Sqn (Mustang I) moves to Martlesham Heath
First and Last Operational Missions
40 Sqn (Hani West) flies its last OM in the Wellington IC
129 Sqn (Ibsley) flies its last OM in the Spitfire VB/VC
164 Sqn (Warmwell) flies its first OM in the Hurricane IV
453 Sqn RAAF (Hornchurch) flies its last OM in the Spitfire LFIXB
419 Sqn RCAF (Middleton St. George – Halifax II) 28.6.43
11 aircraft were detailed to attack COLOGNE. 1 aircraft was reported missing from the operation. The missing crew are:- C.14078 P/O W.H.Fowler (Pilot), J.14770 P/O W.B.Mayes (Nav), J. 21038 P/O D. R. Agnew (Bomb Aimer), J.5901 F/Lt. A.C. Raine (W/Op.A. G.), 1368890 Sgt. Dickson, J.E. (Flight Eng.), R.113091 Sgt. Otterholm W.G. (2nd Gunner), R. 104231 Sgt. Hood, W.A. (Rear Gunner).
ADDENDUM – Halifax II JD215 VR-B. Crew: per above, Fowler RCAF AFM KIA, Dickson KIA, Mayes RCAF KIA, Agnew RCAF KIA, Raine RCAF KIA, Otterholm RCAF KIA, Hood RCAF KIA. T/o 2304 Middleton St. George. Shot down by Maj Günther Radusch (27th victory) Stab II./NJG3 det. Stab I./NJG1, at Waalre, 7 km S Eindhovern at 0215. Six were originally buried at Woensel General Cemetery. Since then, P/O Mayes, P/O Agnew, and Sgt Otterholm have been taken to Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery. F/L Laine was the Squadron’s Signal Leader and was on his second tour of bomber operations.
The circumstances of this raid did not seem promising. The weather forecast said that Cologne would probably be cloud-covered although there might be a break; the Pathfinders had to prepare a dual plan. The target was cloud-covered and the less reliable sky-marking system had to be employed. Only 7 of the 12 Oboe Mosquitoes reached the target and only 6 of these were able to drop their markers. The marking was 7 minutes late in starting and proceeded only intermittently. Despite all these setbacks, the Main Force delivered its most powerful blow of the Battle of the Ruhr. The result was Cologne’s worst raid of the war. 43 industrial, 6 military and 6,368 other buildings were destroyed; nearly 15,000 other buildings were damaged. Listed as ‘completely destroyed’ were: 24 schools, 16 churches, 15 major administrative buildings, 11 hotels, 8 cinemas, 7 post offices, 6 large banks, 2 hospitals and 2 theatres. The cathedral was seriously damaged by high-explosive bombs.
The casualties in Cologne were 4,377 people killed, approximately 10,000 injured and 230,000 forced to leave their damaged homes. The number of dead was greater than in any previous Bomber Command raid of the war on any target. The ‘number of dead’ record had thus increased nearly tenfold since the opening of the Battle of the Ruhr 3½ months earlier.
Minor Operations: 4 Mosquitoes to Hamburg, 6 Stirlings minelaying in the River Gironde. No losses.
USAAF
ALGERIA: A 350th Fighter Group P-39 pilots downs a Ju-88 near Algiers at 1930 hours. This is the second downing of a GAF airplane in this area in three days.
ENGLAND: Although the final air echelon has been in England for only three days, a large detachment of 389th Heavy Bombardment Group B-24s is dispatched to Libya to join the rest of the 2d Bombardment Wing’s 201st Combat Bombardment Wing in IX Bomber Command’s upcoming Operation TIDALWAVE.
FRANCE: Of 185 1st and 4th Heavy Bombardment wing B-17s and six YB-40s dispatched, 158 B-17s attack port facilities at St.-Nazaire between 1655 and 1713 hours with 300 tons of bombs. Losses to flak and GAF fighters are eight B-17s missing and 57 damaged, three crewmen killed, 50 crewmen missing, and 14 crewmen wounded. The crews of three 95th Heavy Bombardment Group B-17s—30 men in all—are saved by the Air-Sea Rescue Service. Of special note is the first appearance in combat of longer-ranged B-17s. The new airplanes, first used by the 4th Heavy Bombardment Wing, incorporate extra wing tanks (“Tokyo tanks”) that raise the fuel capacity of B-17Fs from 1,730 gallons to 2,810 gallons.
Forty-three 1st Heavy Bombardment Wing B-17s attack the Beaumont-le-Roger Airdrome with 103 tons of bombs at 1736 hours.
One hundred thirty 4th, 56th, and 78th Fighter group P-47s escort the 1st Heavy Bombardment Wing B-17s partway to St.-Nazaire, but they are not challenged.
GREECE: Twenty-four 98th Heavy Bombardment Group B-24s attack Athens/Eleusis Airdrome, and 22 376th Heavy Bombardment Group B-24s attack Athens/Kalamaki Airdrome.
ITALY: NASAF B-17s attack Leghorn.
SARDINIA: NASAF B-25s attack Alghero and Olbia airdromes, B-26s attack Milis Airdrome, and NASAF fighters attack Decimomannu Airdrome.
A total of 11 Axis fighters are downed by NAAF fighter pilots during the afternoon. 1stLt Edward T. Waters, a P-38 pilot with the 82d Fighter Group’s 96th Fighter Squadron, achieves ace status when he downs an Mc.202 over Alghero Airdrome at 1230 hours.
RAF
Base Changes
66 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VC) moves to Church Fenton
75 Sqn (Stirling I/III) moves to Mepal
91 Sqn (Spitfire XII) moves to Westhampnett
313 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Peterhead
453 Sqn Spitfire VB) moves to Ibsley
First and Last Operational Missions
612 Sqn (Chivenor) flies its first OM in the Wellington XIV
3 Sqn (Manston –Typhoon IB) 29.6.43
F/O SCHWARTZ was attached to NAPIERS.
The Squadron sent 4 BOMPHOONS and 4 TYPHOONS led by F/LT COLLINS, DFC. on a ROADSTEAD, with 7 TYPHOONS of 609 Squadron, and 4 HURRICANE, R.P. of 194 Squadron to search for enemy shipping between BOULOGNE and the ST. VALERY area. The Squadron crossed out at zero feet over RYE, and patrolled to VEULES) LES ) ROSE and PT DE ST QUENTIN, seeing nothing to report, s returned to base. The other Squadrons patrolled off BOULOGE with similar lack of result. Weather 10/10th cloud at 2500 feet. The trip was made early in the morning (0500/0610 hrs). Visibility excellent.
Late that night the Squadron sent 4 Bomhoons, led by F/LT COLLINS. DFC. with 8 Typhoons of 609 Squadron and 8 Hurricanes R.P. of 184 Squadron, on ROADSTEAD to attack shipping off DUNKIRK. The other two Squadrons were some ten minutes ahead, and approached two vessels about 1500/2000 tons, that were just leaving the harbour, escorted by two flak ships. They were met by murderous fire, from sea and the harbour, covering the entire area from sea level to cloud base, and was quite unapproachable. Seeing this, the formation Leader, S/LDR INGLES A.F.C. warned the aircraft not to attack, but withdraw and return to base, This warning was not received by 3 Squadron, who were just off OSTEND at that time, and who observed the white flashes of the gunfire off DUNKIRK, and promptly set out to join the battle, Coming on the scene of operations, they found 2 E/R boats, followed by a tug boat and 2000 tonner, with two more E/R boats, bringing up the rear. F/LT COLLINS D.F.C. and SGT BUTCHER attacked the larger vessel and the nearest E/R boat, firing their cannon, and releasing 250 1b bombs Their cannon fire was seen to be effective, but the bombs bursts were observed. The enemy put up a violent evasion action, and intense barrage. F/LT MACKICHAN and P/O PURDON (CANADIAN) on the word "TARGET, AHEAD" turned to seawards, and attacked the convoy at an angle of 20 degrees. F/LT MACKICHAN dived down upon the smaller vessel, firing his cannon, and releasing his bombs, but although he saw the cannon bursts amidships, the bomb explosions were unobserved. The barrage was extremely hot but F/LT MACKICHAN seemed to notice that the fire slacked off in his direction, and concentrated on another aircraft, over the edge of the Harbour. This was undoubtedly P/O PURDON but what eventually happened to, him is not known, as he failed to return. The little CANADIAN was extremely popular with the boys, and the 'Baby of the Squadron, and his loss was very keenly felt by all. The remainder of the formation returned quite safely to base. Weather 10/10ths 1200 feet with frequent rain showers.
ADDENDUM – Typhoon IB EJ961 JF-H. Pilot: P/O RM Purdon KIA. Shot down by flak. He lies in Dunkirk Town Cemetery
BOMBER COMMAND
16 Wellingtons were sent to lay mines off Lorient and St-Nazaire. 1 aircraft lost.
USAAF
FRANCE: All 146 1st Heavy Bombardment Wing B-17s and two YB-40s dispatched against Villacoublay and Tricqueville airdromes return to England with their bombs aboard after finding solid cloud cover over both targets. Fourteen of these B-17s are damaged by GAF fighters, but none are lost and no casualties are sustained. Likewise, no losses, damage, or crew casualties are sustained by a force of 86 4th Heavy Bombardment Wing B-17s that attacks marshalling yards and an aircraft-industry factory at Le Mans with 181 tons of bombs at about 2000 hours. During the bomber withdrawal, a 78th Fighter Group P-47 pilot downs two Bf-109s near Gournay.
RAF
Base Changes
16 Sqn (Mustang I) moves to Hartfordbridge
First and Last Operational Missions
236 Sqn (North Coates) flies its last OM in the Beaufighter VIC
611 Sqn (Biggin Hill) flies its last OM in the Spitfire IX
302 Sqn (Polish) (Perranporth – Spitfire VC) 30.6.43
Weather fine, visibility 6 miles. Wind 10 mph. Cloud 3/10ths at 3000ft. 4 a/c landed from Exeter. At 13.00hrs 4 Pilots took off on weather test over France at 25.000 ft, three returned at 14.45, one being shot down over France, Sgt Makosz baled out, but has so far been reported missing. Some aircraft tests were carried out, and Squadron was released at 23.20 hours. Operational times 9h.15m. 7 Sorties. Non-op times 4h. 2 sorties.
ADDENDUM – Spitfire VC EP516. Pilot: Sgt K Makocz POW. Shot down by JG2.
2nd TAF
One Mustang from 430 Squadron hit the sea whilst seeking to evade the attacks of an Fw 190 off Le Havre. It appears that Fw Martin Brendel of 1./JG 2 mistook this aircraft for a Typhoon, claiming one of the latter destroyed 30 kilometres north-west of Le Havre at 0843. A second Mustang was lost later in the morning when it suffered an engine failure whilst crossing the South Coast on its way to France. The pilot pulled off a force-landing at Ford, but was injured when the aircraft overshot and hit the sea wall.
USAAF
ENGLAND: The RAF formally relinquishes operational control of all VIII Fighter Command units, and the 4th Air Defense Wing assumes operational control.
The 56th and 78th Fighter groups are assigned to the 4th Air Defense Wing.
MEDITERRANEAN: NACAF aircraft sink two schooners off the Sardinian coast and damage an Axis vessel at sea off the west coast of Italy.
SICILY: NASAF B-17s attack Bocca di Falco Airdrome and the city of Palermo; NASAF B-25s attack Sciacca Airdrome; and NASAF B-26s attack Bo Rizzo Airdrome. 82d Fighter Group P-38 pilots down three GAF fighters over Sciacca Airdrome at 1130 hours.
Since the air offensive opened on June 18, NAAF and IX Bomber Command medium and heavy bombers have completed 990 combat sorties against targets in Sicily and Italy, most of them against railroad marshalling yards, ports, and supply points—i.e., against the Axis supply system.
RAF
Base Changes
132 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Gravesend
245 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to Lydd
502 Sqn (Halifax II) moves to Holmsly South
504 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VC) moves to Churchstanton
First and Last Operational Missions
66 Sqn (Church Fenton) flies its last OM in the Spitfire VI
248 Sqn (Predannack) flies its last OM in the Beaufighter VIC
3 Sqn (Manston – Typhoon IB) 1.7.43
A large convoy was reported off the HOOK OF HOLLAND and the Squadron set out 11.12/12.42 with 184 and 609 to intercept. The HURRICANES of 184 escorted by the 609 TYPHOONS swept round the DUTCH ISLANDS, but were eventually forced to return as at limit of endurance - 3 Squadron at first saw fishing fleet off OVERFLAKKEE and just afterwards sighted the big convoy travelling in an arc six miles off the HOOK OF HOLLAND turning in towards NORDWAL. The Squadron then made beam attacks with cannon and bombs damaging seven ships. During the engagement, a few FW 190s endeavoured to defend the convoy and F/LT R.W.A. MACKICHAN and F/O J.L. FOSTER have each one FW 190 damaged to their credit. F/O A.T. LITTLE (NZ), P/O C.G. BENJAMIN (AUST) and SGT A.W. LAWRENCE failed to return to base. One pilot, presumed to be F/O A.T. LITTLE was seen to be inflating his dinghy and waved to F/SGT C. CRISFORD he flew low over the water. Later in the day eight BOMPHOONS Led by F/LT J.R. COLLINS DFC escorted by 12 TYPHOONS of 1 Squadron set out to bomb COURTRAI a/d 1458/1516 but were recalled, as the weather was unsuitable for operations.
ADDENDUM – Typhoon IB R8946 JF-L. Pilot: F/O AT Little KIA. Shot down by JG2.
Typhoon IB EJ970 JF-M. Pilot Sgt F Lawrence POW. Shot down by either JG1 or JG2.
Typhoon IB DN589 JF-A. Pilot P/O CG Benjamin KIA. Shot down by either JG1 or JG2.
BOMBER COMMAND
MINOR OPERATIONS
12 Lancasters minelaying in the Frisian Islands, 25 O.T.U. sorties. No aircraft lost.
USAAF
ENGLAND: MajGen Frederick L. Anderson replaces MajGen Newton Longfellow as commanding general of the VIII Bomber Command.
NETHERLANDS: In the day’s only combat air engagement in the theatre, 78th Fighter Group P-47 pilots down two FW-190s over the Dutch coast. One P-47 and its pilot are lost—Col Arman Peterson, the 78th Fighter Group commander, who is killed.
TUNISIA: In the day’s only combat air engagement in the theatre, patrolling Spitfires of the 52d Fighter Group’s 5th Fighter Squadron down four GAF fighters northeast of Cap Bon.
UNITED STATES: Gen Henry H. Arnold is informed that the present ratio of one fighter group for every four bomber groups operating from the U.K. must be changed to no fewer than one fighter group for every one or two bomber groups.
RAF
Base Changes
65 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Kingsnorth
87 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to Monastir
122 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Kingsnorth
165 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Ibsley
174 Sqn Non-Op) moves to Lydd
175 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to Lydd
208 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Rayak
485 Sqn RNZAF (Non-Op) moves to Biggin Hill
602 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Kingsnorth
611 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Matlask
First and Last Operational Missions
74 Sqn (LG.76) flies its first OM in the Hurricane IIB
129 Sqn (Tangmere) flies its first OM in the Spitfire IX
236 Sqn (North Coates) flies its first OM in the Beaufighter TFX
248 Sqn (Predannack) flies its first Om in the Beaufighter TFX
268 Sqn (Odiham) flies its first OM in the Mustang I
453 Sqn (Ibsley) flies its first OM in the Spitfire VC
401 Sqn RCAF (Redhill – Spitfire VB) 2.7.43
Weather: Cloud "NIL" to 5/10 at 2,000 feet, visibility 3 miles, wind 5-8 m.p.h. from N.W. Serviceability: 17 a/c. State: At 0430 the Squadron was at readiness; 0830 Squadron at 30 min.; 1300 "A" Flt. at readiness, "B" at 30 minutes; 1700 Squadron at 30 minutes, 2330 Sqdn. released. A completely quiet day but for some cine gun exercises, formation flying and local hops. In the afternoon Lt. Snair of the Canadian Armoured Corps, who is attached to the Station this week, gave a very interesting impromptu talk to the pilots on tanks, their capabilities and limitations. These liaisons with army people are considered a good thing as surprisingly antiquated ideas about the army are prevalent and in the future the air force is bound to be working ever closer with the ground arm.
BOMBER COMMAND
MINOR OPERATIONS
3 Mosquitoes to Cologne, 2 Mosquitoes to Duisburg, 32 aircraft minelaying in the Frisians and off Brittany ports. No aircraft lost.
USAAF
ENGLAND: Forty B-24s from the 2d Heavy Bombardment Wing’s brand-new 389th Heavy Bombardment Group are dispatched to a base near Benghazi, Libya, to take part in a special IX Bomber Command operation code-named TIDALWAVE. It is the last of three VIII Bomber Command B-24 groups to be so dispatched. Operation TIDALWAVE is considered to be so important that the 389th Group is dispatched to take part even though it has no combat experience and is incompletely trained; its lead flight echelon reached England from the United States only on June 11, and the final flight echelon arrived on June 25.
ITALY: In the largest mission of its kind so far in the Mediterranean, 91 IX Bomber Command B-24s mount a pre-emptive attack against Axis airdromes in the “heel” of Italy—at Grottaglie, Lecce, and San Pancrazio Salentino. Four B-24s are lost, including at least two downed by aerial rockets—the first such use in the theatre.
Among the B-24 groups participating in the airfield strikes are the 44th and 93d, which are on loan from VIII Bomber Command’s 2d Heavy Bombardment Wing for Operation TIDALWAVE. However, due to the urgent need for every available warplane to take part in softening up targets for the impending invasion of Sicily (Operation HUSKY), Operation TIDALWAVE is put on hold, and VIII Bomber Command’s entire 201st Provisional Combat Bombardment Wing (three B-24 groups) is committed to preinvasion strikes.
MEDITERRANEAN: NACAF aircraft attack two Axis ships at sea off Italy’s west coast.
SICILY: The intensified final phase of Operation HUSKY, the pre-invasion bombardment of military targets in Sicily, formally begins. NATAF B-25s attack Castelvetrano Airdrome; IX Bomber Command B-25s attack Sciacca Airdrome; and NATAF’s 86th Fighter-Bomber Group, in A-36s, makes its combat debut in attacks on Sicily mounted from its base at Korba, Tunisia.
1stLt Charles B. Hall, a “Tuskegee airman” flying a P-40 with the independent 99th Fighter Squadron, scores that unit’s first aerial victory of the war, an FW-190 downed over southwestern Sicily on a morning mission. Hall is the first African-American airman ever to down an enemy airplane in combat. Three other FW-190s are damaged in the action by other 99th Squadron pilots, but two P-40s and their pilots are lost.
RAF
Base Changes
19 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Newchurch
41 Sqn SAAF (Hurricane IIC) moves to Bu Amud
132 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Newchurch
182 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to New Romney
First and Last Operational Missions
39 Sqn (Protville II) flies its first OM in the Beaufighter TFX
81 Sqn (Takali) flies its first OM in the Spitfire VC
142 Sqn (Kairouan) flies its first OM in the Wellington X
151 Sqn (Colerne) flies its first OM in the Mosquito NFXII
165 Sqn (Ibsley) flies its first OM in the Spitfire VC
242 Sqn (Takali) flies its first OM in the Spitfire IX
243 Sqn (Hal Far) flies its first OM in the Spitfire IX
302 Sqn (Perranporth) flies its first OM in the Spitfire VC
431 Sqn RCAF (Burn – Wellington X) 3.7.43
Ten crews were briefed for bombing raid on COLOGNE. Only eight took off as a/c. 'R' pilot S/L. Wynyard-Wright B.A. had interom. u/s. and a/c. 'C' F/L Lindemere N.V. had large magneto drop. Three aircraft returned early. A/c. ‘B’ pilot Sgt. Long. F.A. - loop and GEE u/s, A/c. 'A' pilot Sgt. Palmer, D.I. port engine revs, fluctuated abnormally with excessive mag. drop. bomb was jettisoned. A/c. 'V' pilot F/O. Wilkinson, H. - starboard oil temp, was over 950 with oil leaks. Four aircraft bombed primary target from 13000'. A terrific explosion was seen at 01.53 hrs. and many fires seen. A/c. ‘G’ pilot Sgt. Apperley, N.H. failed to return. Weather was good on route and in target area, vis, excellent. Flak was intense heavy, and moderate light. There were many s/lights working in small comes.
ADDENDUM – Wellington X HE443 SE-O. Crew: Sgt NH Apperley KIA, F/O RC Sutherland RCAF POW, F/O A Mcl Penman RCAF KIA, Sgt VG Trew KIA, Sgt GA Lilley KIA.T/o 2300 Burn. Shot down by a nightfighter. Those who died are buried in Rheinberg War Cemetery.
The aiming point for this raid was that part of Cologne situated on the east bank of the Rhine. Much industry was located there. Pathfinder ground marking was accurately maintained by both the Mosquito Oboe aircraft and the backers-up, allowing the Main Force to carry out another heavy attack on Cologne. 20 industrial premises and 2,200 houses were completely destroyed. 588 people were killed, approximately 1,000 were injured and 72,000 bombed out.
This night saw the first operations of a new German unit, Jagdgeschwader 300, equipped with single-engined fighters using the Wilde Sau (Wild Boar) technique. In this, a German pilot used any form of illumination available over a city being bombed – searchlights, target indicators, the glow of fires on the ground – to pick out a bomber for attack. Liaison with the local Flak defences was supposed to ensure that the Flak was limited to a certain height above which the Wild Boar fighter was free to operate. R.A.F. crews were not used to meeting German fighters over a target city and it was some time before the presence of the new danger was realized. The reports on this night from 4 bombers that they had been fired on over the target by other bombers were almost certainly the result of Wild Boar attacks. The new German unit claimed 12 bombers shot down over Cologne but had to share the 12 available aircraft found to have crashed with the local Flak, who also claimed 12 successes.
Minor Operations: 4 Mosquitoes to Duisburg and 4 to Hamburg, 14 Stirlings minelaying in the Frisians. 2 Stirlings lost.
2nd TAF
A Boston of 342 Sqn (FF) failed to return from a raid on Langerbrugge.
USAAF
ENGLAND: A report from LtGen Jacob L. Devers, ETOUSA commanding general, to Gen Henry H. Arnold praises VIII Bomber Command bombardiers but stresses the dire need to better train gunners for high-altitude combat.
LIBYA: The 389th Heavy Bombardment Group, a B-24 unit of the Eighth Air Force’s 201st Provisional Combat Bombardment Wing, arrives at Benghazi from England for special duty in IX Bomber Command’s Operation TIDALWAVE. The 389th is a virgin unit that has only just been declared combat-operational.
SARDINIA: NASAF B-17s and B-25s attack Alghero, Chilivani, and Monserrato airdromes; and NASAF B-26s attack Capoterra and Milis airdromes. A 14th Fighter Group P-38 pilot downs a Bf-109 near Cagliari while covering one of the afternoon bombing missions.
SICILY: IX Bomber Command B-25s attack Comiso Airdrome. 33d and 325th Fighter group P-40 pilots down two GAF fighters in separate actions over Sciacca and Trapani/Milo airdromes, respectively.
RAF
First and Last Operational Missions
15 Sqn SAAF (LG.91) flies its last OM in the Blenheim V
154 Sqn (Takali) flies its first OM in the Spitfire IX
620 Sqn (Chedburgh) flies its last OM in the Stirling I
411 Sqn RCAF (Redhill – Spitfire VB) 4.7.43
A composite ramrod operation to Amiens was carried out. Squadron Leader Russel led Nos. 411 and 401 Squadron to the rendezvous at Rye at 1700 hours where the Squadrons acted as close support to Beehive of Bombers, crossing the French coast at 17.24 hours at Bayou. From 10 to 15 miles south of Abbeville Blue section was bounced by 5 plus ME 109's. The section broke and Blue 3 (F/O. Matheson) got in bursts on the engine and spinner of one of them. The Beehive proceeded to the target and bom bursts were seen on the railway tracks north of roundhouse. No flack was experienced in target area. Red Section was bounced by 7 plus M.E.109s over the target attacking and reforming three times. During the third attack Red 4 (F.L. Stayner) made short bursts on a Hun at 300 yards without a claim. Red 5 (P.O. Spaetzel) last seen in a steep dive and then a spiral dive. He has been listed as missing. On the way out intense medium flack, accurate for the height, at 12,000 was encountered from Foret De Crecy. During the engagement one of our aircraft (piloted by Sgt. Stewart) was damaged. Sgt. Stewart sustained a slight injury but was able to make a forced landing at Donnland Wood.
ADDENDUM – Spitfire VB AB802 DB-? Pilot: F/O JR Spaetzel RCAF KIA. Shot down by JG26 over Amiens. Buried at Abbeville Cemetery.
BOMBER COMMAND
Minor Operations
3 Mosquitoes to Duisburg, 13 Stirlings minelaying off La Pallice and in the River Gironde, 4 O.T.U. sorties. No aircraft lost.
2nd TAF
During 'Ramrod 124' to Amiens, four Spitfires were lost by the Hornchurch Wing, including two from 122 Squadron, while escorting twelve 2 Group Mitchells. Five claims were made by German fighter pilots, including one each by Hptm Kurt Bühligen, Kommandeur of II./JG 2, and by Ofw Kurt Goltzsch and Uffz Max Umlauft of this unit; further claims were made by Maj Wilhelm-Ferdinand Galland, Kommandeur of II./JG 26, and by Oblt Rudolf Leuschel of 10./JG 26. The German units however, lost at least four Bf 109s or Fw 190s.
USAAF
FRANCE: On the first anniversary of the first USAAF bombing mission against targets in Occupied Europe—while on VIII Bomber Command’s seventy-first mission of the war—166 1st Heavy Bombardment Wing B-17s attack aircraft-industry targets in Le Mans and Nantes at about 1245 hours with more than 404 tons of bombs. Seven B-17s are lost and 54 are damaged, of which one is written off after crash-landing in the U.K. Crew losses are one killed, 70 missing, and nine wounded. Ninety-three 4th and 78th Fighter group P-47s dispatched to provide withdrawal cover are recalled due to bad weather.
On a separate mission, 71 4th Heavy Bombardment Wing B-17s attack La Pallice at about noon with more than 137 tons of bombs. One B-17 is lost and one is damaged, and crew losses are ten missing.
SICILY: NASAF B-17s and B-26s attack Catania and Gerbini airdromes; NASAF B-25s attack two of Gerbini Airdrome’s satellite fields; NATAF A-20s and B-25s attack Castelvetrano, Comiso, Sciacca, and Trapani/Milo airdromes; and IX Bomber Command B-25s attack Comiso Airdrome.
324th Fighter Group P-40 pilots down five Axis fighters while covering the NATAF morning mission against Sciacca Airdrome; and 82d Fighter Group P-38 pilots down three Italian Air Force fighters while covering NASAF’s two afternoon attacks against the Gerbini Airdrome complex, at about 1315 hours and between 1500 and 1530 hours, respectively.
RAF
Base Changes
109 Sqn (Mosquito BIV/BIX) moves to Marham
139 Sqn (Mosquito BIV) moves to Wyton
First and Last Operational Missions
15 Sqn SAAF (LG.91) flies its first OM’s in the Baltimore IIIA/IV/V
23 Sqn (Luqa) flies its last OM in the Mosquito NFII
55 Sqn (Reyville) flies its first OM in the Baltimore IV
192 Sqn (Feltwell) flies its first OM in the Halifax II
231 Sqn (York) flies its first OM of the war
249 Sqn (Orendi) flies its first OM in the Spitfire IX
611 Sqn (Matlask) flies its first OM and 3rd tour of duty in the Spitfire VB
466 Sqn RAAF (Leconfield – Wellington X) 5.7.43
Weather: Fine and clear with light Westerly winds. Eight aircraft were detailed for minelaying at BREST. All took off from base and seven completed the operation. The eighth failed to return. The Captain was Wing Commander J. OWEN, an officer on attachment from GROUP HEADQUARTERS and the crew came from 196 SQUADRON. In addition, two aircraft proceeded to R.A.F. STANTON HARCOURT to take off from there to lay mines at ST.NAZAIRE. One completed the operation the other was prevented from doing so by a technical defeat. The opposition from ground defences at BREST was heavy and difficulty was experienced by crews getting accurate pin-points.
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ADDENDUM – Wellington X HF601 HD-? Crew: W/C JJ Owen MID KIA, F/O EH Swain KIA, F/O F Derbyshire KIA, F/O AM Long RCAF KIA, P/O JF Ray KIA. T/o 2211 Leconfield for mining operations in the Jellyfish area. Presumed crashed in the target area. Four lie in the Conquet Military Cemetery, while F/O Derbyshire, is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
BOMBER COMMAND
MINOR OPERATIONS
4 Mosquitoes to Cologne and 4 to Hamburg, 34 aircraft minelaying off French ports and in the Frisians, 18 O.T.U. sorties. 1 Stirling and 1 Wellington lost from the minelaying force.
USAAF
SICILY: NASAF B-17s, B-25s, and B-26s attack various parts of the Gerbini Airdrome complex and the radar stations at Licata and Marsala; NATAF aircraft attack the Biscari, Comiso, Sciacca, and Trapani/Milo; 86 IX Bomber Command B-24s attack port facilities, oil storage, and rail yards at Messina; and IX Bomber Command B-25s attack Biscari and Sciacca airdromes.
In the most strongly opposed bombing mission of the preinvasion bombardment cycle, 27 B-17s of NASAF’s 99th Heavy Bombardment Group bound for the Gerbini Airdrome complex are attacked by an estimated 100 Axis fighters as they near the target. Three B-17s are lost, but the formation succeeds in dropping 3,240 fragmentation bombs on the airdrome, resulting in damage or loss to an estimated 28 Axis fighters on the ground. Bomber gunners claim 38 Axis fighters downed and 11 probably downed, but these are certainly liberal estimates. P-38 pilots of the 82d Fighter Group’s 95th Fighter Squadron down five Italian and German fighters.
RAF
Base Changes
80 Sqn (Spitfire VC) moves to Savoia
130 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Honiley
272 Sqn (Beaufighter VIF) moves to Gardabia West
308 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Hutton Cranswick
315 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VC) moves to Ballyhalpert
414 Sqn RCAF (Mustang I) moves to Gatwick
421 Sqn RCAF (Spitfire IX) moves to Kenley
103 Sqn (Elsham Wolds – Lancaster I) 6.7.43
MINING IN MOUTH OF RIVER GIRANDE.
Four aircraft were detailed for this expedition. Two laid their mines successfully, one could not pin-point after 20 minutes search and brought his mines back, and F/S. BARR and crew failed to return. The other three returned to Base.
ADDENDUM – Lancaster I W4363 PM-U. Crew: F/S DLS Barr RAAF KIA, Sgt P Maynard KIA, Sgt RF Garside KIA, Sgt H Gardner, F/S GH Isaacs RAAF, Sgt DFO Turner KIA, Sgt R Hollis KIA. T/o 2228 from Elsham Wolds to lay mines in the mouth of the River Gironde (Deodar garden). Lost without a trace. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
BOMBER COMMAND
MINOR OPERATIONS
4 Mosquitoes to Cologne and 3 to Düsseldorf, 36 aircraft minelaying off Biscay ports. 1 Lancaster minelayer lost.
USAAF
SCOTLAND: The 352d Fighter Group, in P-47s, arrives by ship from the United States for service with VIII Fighter Command.
SICILY: Beginning before dawn, NATAF aircraft mount day-long attacks against the Biscari, Comiso, Sciacca, and Trapani/Milo airdromes; NASAF B-17s and IX Bomber Command B-24s attack the Gerbini Airdrome complex; and NASAF B-25s attack Biscari Airdrome. In an engagement over Gerbini at about 1520 hours, 1st Fighter Group P-38 pilots claim seven Bf-109s as damaged or probably downed, but no victory credits are awarded.
During the night of July 6-7, NATAF light bombers attack Sciacca Airdrome.
RAF
First and Last Operational Missions
73 Sqn (La Sabella II) flies its last OM in the Hurricane IIC
407 Sqn RCAF (Chivenor) flies its first OM in the Wellington XIV
485 Sqn RNZAF (Biggin Hill) flies its first OM in the Spitfire LFIXB
which i bought in 1999, and GG Eagle day to bombing the reich.So ive been playing this game on/off for roughly 24 years! 
Back then i had No idea who Gary Grigsby was,but i did realise that the Game wasn't your average game that's for sure,but you knew it was special.Keep up the good work! 
