Stray USAAF bombs cause disaster

5th April 1943: Belgium's worst loss of life in a single incident during the entire war

‘Night and Day air blitz of enemy continues. "Forts" smash Axis factories at Antwerp raid carried out by crews who took part in Paris raid previous day.’

Crews arriving back after the Antwerp raid at their home base "somewhere in England"

The Public Relations office of the 8th Air Force in Britain released a group of images on the 6th April 1943, highlighting the success of raids carried out over the previous few days.

Night and Day air blitz of enemy continues. "Forts" smash Axis factories at Antwerp in Raid carried out by crews who took part in Paris raid previous day. The greatest air offensive in history is being carried out by the Anglo-American air forces.

For 72 hours bombs have been crashing down on Hitler's Europe in the West almost nonstop. Axis Factories, ports and shipping have felt the weight of allied bombs. On Sunday American Fortresses raided the Renault works at Billancourt, near Paris with telling effect.

On Monday the same crews took part in a smashing attacked on the Erla plane engine works at Antwerp, where Minerva car engines used to be made. In addition to the great damage inflicted by the heavy weight of the bombs a number of German Fighters were shot down by the bombers.

One of the American Fortresses piloted by 1st Lieut Harold H Beasley of Andalusia, Alabama shot down four German fighters in the Paris raid and another one during the Antwerp Raid. ¹

Lieut Harold H Beasley of Andalusia, Alabama shot down four German fighters in the Paris raid and another one during the Antwerp Raid.