Highlights of Day by Day Air Operations
20 August 1944

Shortly before dark, 406th Group pilots reported the main highway from Paris to Sezanne loaded with dispersed enemy motor vehicles headed east. Marshalling yards at Joigny and Sezanne were likewise loaded. Obviously the Germans were pulling out of Paris.

Rain and low ceilings limited combat sorties to 388 and reconnaissance sorties to 36. Claims in aerial combat were 6-0-1 and losses were 3.

Eight P-47's were bounced by 12 Me-109's and 20 FW 190's at 3,000 feet about 12 miles southwest of Paris at 1545. Despite the odds of 4 to 1, the Thunderbolts destroyed 6 and damaged 1 for a loss of 2 planes. A third P-47 was lost on a later mission.