Today in World War II History—December 30, 1942
Friday, December 30, 2022 by Sarah Sundin
Diagram of combat box bomber formations used by US Eighth Air Force, summer 1943 (US Army Air Forces diagram)
80 Years Ago—Dec. 30, 1942: US Eighth Air Force based in England first uses “combat box” formation to better protect bombers from German fighters.
Henry Kaiser opens Kaiser steel plant in Fontana, CA.
Frank Sinatra performs at New York’s Paramount Theater to screaming fans, his breakout performance.
My uncle was with the 8th in England. “Slick Chick” was his plane.
“Oldest and longest serving 466th BG B-24 to survive the war
Flew over 100 missions without an abort. GCC John Doskocz was awarded the Bronze Star for this achievement.
In total she went through 10 engines and dropped 592,500 lbs. of bombs in 880 combat hours”
“B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-94979) nicknamed “Slick Chick” of the 466th Bomb Group. “
What an amazing record! That says as much about the mechanics as it does about the air crew!