Highlights of Day by Day Air Operations
16 August 1944

After several days of intensive operations, activity was curtailed by low stratus clouds which covered airfields in the Cherbourg peninsula from approximately 1000 to 1500. Many pilots returning from early morning missions were unable to land at their own bases.

The weather definitely favored the enemy; while our bases were "socked in," his were clear. Hourly attacks by three strafing Me-109's were reported by Combat Command "A" of the 4th Armored Division at Orleans. These strafers successfully eluded our fighters, but a probable attack on our ground forces southwest of Paris was apparently prevented at 1545 when 70-plus FW-190's many carrying bombs, were engaged by eight p-51's of the 354th Group over Rambouillet Forest, 10 miles west of the capital. Two German planes were shot down and two P-51's were lost, but enemy forces were dispersed toward the south.

Half an hour later, another patrol of 8 P-51's sighted 20-plus Me-109's south of Dreux at 11,000 feet. Orbiting in elements of 2, the squadron climbed to 14,000 feet and attacked from above. At the same instant, 60 or more Me-109's joined the combat, emerging from cloud cover to the north. In the next 15 minutes the 8 Mustangs, outnumbered 10 to 1, were busily embattled from 11,000 feet to the deck. The enemy was aggressive and apparently experienced, but he tried to turn with our aircraft. When it was all over, our pilots had destroyed 11 and damaged 2 against losses of 2 planes.

Because of the weather, only 280 combat sorties and 36 reconnaissance sorties were flown. Thirteen enemy planes were destroyed and 4 damaged. Five of ours were lost. Five tanks, 25 motor vehicles and 55 railroad cars were demolished or damaged, 2 airfields and 2 gun positions attacked, and 3 railroad lines cut.