17/8/1943
8.= am. Frank Philips
Our bombers were out last night and from reports
from Switzerland, it seems to have been
Italy's turn again. It is reported that
air raid warnings sounded in Northern Italy.
Further details are not yet available but
during the day American and RAF bombers
kept up the offensive by bombing 7 more
airfields in Northern France.
36 fighter planes were destroyed for a loss of
10 bombers and 10 fighters. Le Bourget airfield
near Paris used for the distribution of
fighters included. The Fortresses met with
strong opposition. 17 fighters were destroyed
by the bombers and the same number by
our escorting Thunderbolts. 2 more enemy
fighter were also destroyed. In the evening
Bostons attacked a shell works near
Valenciennes.
Today a year ago the Americans started their
raids. Since that date 82 missions were
flown, over thousands of bombs dropped
and some 400 aircraft lost.
There was little enemy activity over the
Thames estuary last night. A few bombs
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