Highlights of Day by Day Air Operations
7 August 1944

To meet its increased responsibilities, the strength of XIX TAC was again augmented, with nine full groups of fighter-bombers now under its operational control. These were the 36th, 358th 362d, 371st, 373d, 405th, and 406th, all equipped with P-47's, and the 354th and 363d Groups flying P-51's. Seven of these groups and both of the wings, the 100th and 303d, had been under the administrative control of the Command for months in the old IX Fighter Command days in England, so the basis for effective teamwork was firmly laid.

This was the day on which word was received of the GAF attack on an American supply column; it became apparent that enemy air power becoming more aggressive. It was a day of hard fighting; when it was over, XIX TAC claims included destruction of 33 aircraft (14-1-3 in the air, 19-0-4 on the ground) for a loss of 10 planes and pilots. Sorties hit a new high, with a total of 601. Bomb tons on targets amounted to 62. Thirty-two tactical reconnaissance sorties were flown.

Armed reconnaissance missions now were reaching far beyond Paris as well south of the Loire. Several trains and a power plant were successfully attacked as far east as Troyes and Soissons.

It was moving day, this time from the vicinity of Beauchamps to a point near St. James.