Air War WW2 Portal 
9th Air Force Europe in July 1943
THURSDAY, 1 JULY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
P-40's, along with Twelfth Air Force fighters, fly armored reconnaissance of S Sicily and convoy patrol in the Cap Bon, Tunisia area and off Kebili, Tunisia. Royal Air Force (RAF) Halifaxes hit Catania, Sicily railway yards.
FRIDAY, 2 JULY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
B-24's bomb airfields at Lecce, Grottaglie and San Pancrazio Salentino, Italy. In Sicily, B-25's hit the airfield and surrounding area at Sciacca; P-40's, escorting bombers to Sciacca, shoot down a fighter and damage 1. 2 P-40's are lost.
SATURDAY, 3 JULY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
B-25's hit airfield at Comiso, Sicily. P-40's fly escort over Sicily and over Pantelleria Island in the Mediterranean, claiming destruction of 1 fighter.
The 564th, 565th, 566th and 567th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 389th Bombardment Group (Heavy) based at Hethel, England begin operating with B-24's from Bengasi, Libya.
SUNDAY, 4 JULY 1943 (INDEPENDENCE DAY)
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
Royal Air Force (RAF) Halifax aircraft bomb the Catania, Sicily railroad yards during the night of 3/4 Jul. B-25's hit the airfield at Comiso, Sicily. P-40's escort bombers and convoy and fly sea-search for a missing pilot. Fighters claim 3 Bf 109's shot down. 4 P-40's are lost.
The 86th and 87th Fighter Squadrons, 79th Fighter Group transfer with P-40's from Tunisia to Malta.
MONDAY, 5 JULY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Sicily, B-24's attack the harbor, harbor installations, railway yards, and oil storage at Messina while B-25's hit the airfields at Sciacca and Biscari. P-40's fly uneventful sea patrol. Royal Air Force (RAF) heavy bombers strike railroad yards at Catania, Sicily.
TUESDAY, 6 JULY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Sicily, B-24's strike satellite airfields at Gerbini; B-25's hit the airfields at Biscari and Gerbini while P-4O's escort bombers, patrol, and carry out dive-bombing operations.
The 85th Fighter Squadron, 79th Fighter Group transfers with P-40's from Tunisia to Malta.
WEDNESDAY, 7 JULY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Sicily, B-24's hit airfields at Gerbini and the rail line N of Brucoli; and B-25's bomb the airfield and surrounding areas at Biscari and Comiso. P-40's bomb and strafe Lucca Airfield, Italy.
THURSDAY, 8 JULY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Sicily, B-24's attack the Catania railway station, telegraph and telephone buildings, and industrial area; B-25's hit the airfields at Biscari and Comiso and nearby areas; and P-40's attack Biscari Airfield, escort bombers over Sicily, and carry out sea patrol.
FRIDAY, 9 JULY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
B-24's bomb airfields at Maleme, Crete, and Comiso and Taormina, Sicily.
In Sicily, B-25's hit Sciacca landing ground and Biscari Airfield and dispersal areas while P-40's escort bombers over Castelvetrano, and Milo Airfields. This pre-invasion air bombardment of Sicily provides air superiority over the enemy. British and US airborne contingents are dropped on the island during the night of 9/10 Jul to help facilitate the amphibious assault of seaborne troops which are to land tomorrow morning. This is the first major airborne operation to be undertaken by the Allies in World War II, and subsequently becomes the subject of intensive study.
SATURDAY, 10 JULY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Sicily, B-24's attack the marshalling yard at Catania and airfield at Vibo Valentia; and B-25's hit Palazzolo, Sciacca, Catania, Agrigento, Floridia, Giarratana, Biscari, Syracuse, and Piazza Armerina while fighters cover the assault beach areas.
SUNDAY, 11 JULY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
B-24's hit airfields at Vibo Valentia, Sicily and Reggio di Calabria, Italy. In Sicily, B-25's hit airfields at Trapani, Milo and Bo Rizzo, and areas between Sciacca and Enna. P-40's escort bombers and provide beach cover as invasion forces push inland in Sicily.
On the ground in Sicily, the US Seventh Army's II Corps is hit by a counterattack, mainly in the Gela region. The attack is repelled, but an airdrop of a contingent of 82d Airborne Division troops results in heavy casualties.
MONDAY, 12 JULY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Italy, B-24's attack the harbor, ferry slip, and marshalling yard at Reggio di Calabria, and the ferry slip and railroad yards at Villa San Giovanni. In Sicily, B-25's hit Bo Rizzo Airfield while P-40's patrol over the Licata area. On the ground in Sicily, with bridgeheads firmly established by the end of day, British and US troops make contact at Ragusa. Royal Air Force (RAF) heavy bombers bomb Reggio di Calabria Airfield, Italy.
TUESDAY, 13 JULY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
B-24's strike airfields at Crotone, Italy and Vibo Valentia, Sicily.
In Sicily, B-25's attack the Leonforte road and harbor at Termini; and P-40's patrol the Licata area.
WEDNESDAY, 14 JULY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Sicily, B-24's and Royal Air Force (RAF) heavy bombers hit railroad, marshalling yard, harbor, and oil storage facilities at Messina; B-25's hit the Enna and Palermo areas; and P-40's patrol Licata and attack the Lentini area.
THURSDAY, 15 JULY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
B-24's strike main airfield and 2 satellite fields at Foggia, Italy.
In Sicily, B-25's bomb Palermo, Cape Gallo, Salina Island, and Cape Zifferano; and P-40's patrol over the Licata area.
FRIDAY, 16 JULY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
B-24's attack Bari Airfield, Italy; enemy fighters attack persistently and 3 B-24's are shot down; they claim 11 fighters destroyed in combat.
B-25's bomb Randazzo and Valguarnera, Sicily. Royal Air Force (RAF) heavy bombers hit Reggio di Calabria Airfield, Italy.
HQ 79th Fighter Group transfers from Tunisia to Sicily.
SATURDAY, 17 JULY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
About 80 B-24's bomb the Naples, Italy marshalling yard in face of fierce fighter opposition; 1 B-24 is shot down and several are damaged; they claim 23 fighters destroyed in combat. In Sicily, B-25's hit Catania and the rail yards and roads at Paterno; and P-40's fly escort to Gela and Comiso. Royal Air Force (RAF) heavy bombers hit Reggio di Calabria, Italy.
The 87th Fighter Squadron, 79th Fighter Group, transfers with P-40's from Malta to Sicily.
SUNDAY, 18 JULY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
B-25's bomb Randazzo and Catania, Sicily.
The 85th and 86th Fighter Squadrons, 79th Fighter Group, transfer with P-40's from Malta to Sicily.
MONDAY, 19 JULY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
100+ B-24's attack the Littoria, Italy marshalling yards and nearby airfield. On the return flight railroads at Orlando, Sicily and Anzio, Italy are bombed. B-25's hit Catania and Randazzo, Sicily. P-40's escort C-47's.
The 64th, 65th and 66th Fighter Squadrons, 57th Fighter Group, transfer with P-40's from Malta to Sicily.
TUESDAY, 20 JULY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Sicily, B-25's attack Randazzo and Taormina; and Royal Air Force (RAF) heavy bombers hit Vibo Valentia Airfield.
WEDNESDAY, 21 JULY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Sicily, about 20 B-25's bomb Randazzo and P-40's escort C-47's to Licata and return.
THURSDAY, 22 JULY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
P-40's escort C-47's to Ponte Olivo, Sicily.
FRIDAY, 23 JULY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
P-40's escort C-47's to Licata, Sicily. Royal Air Force (RAF) heavy bombers hit Reggio di Calabria, Italy Airfield.
SATURDAY, 24 JULY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Sicily, P-40's fly armored reconnaissance and fighter-bomber missions over the Adrano and Milazzo areas. The attacks are concentrated against motor transport targets.
SUNDAY, 25 JULY 1943
ITALY
King Victor Emmanuel III announces the fall of the Benito Mussolini government. Marshall Pietro Badoglio becomes premier and takes command of the Italian army.
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Sicily, B-25's bomb docks and shipping at Milazzo; almost 100 P-40's strafe and bomb Milazzo, Taormina, and Catania harbor. Other P-40's escort C-47's.
MONDAY, 26 JULY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Sicily, B-25's bomb Milazzo, Paterno, and Adrano; and P-40's strafe and bomb Catania and shipping at Riposto harbor.
TUESDAY, 27 JULY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
P-40's attack tactical targets in battle area in NE Sicily, and others hit shipping at Catania, Sicily.
WEDNESDAY, 28 JULY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Sicily, almost 100 P-40's hit shipping at Catania and Santa Teresa di Riva, fly patrol over the Straits of Messina, and bomb encampments.
THURSDAY, 29 JULY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Sicily, 200+ P-40's, to date the largest number of fighters operating in 1 day during the Sicilian campaign, attack Messina Riposto, shipping at Catania, Santa Teresa di Riva, Taormina, Milazzo, and in the Straits of Messina.
FRIDAY, 30 JULY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Sicily, 100+ P-40's attack shipping at Milazzo, Messina, and Riposto, and hit targets in the battle area.
SATURDAY, 31 JULY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
P-40's fly escort missions and hit shipping in the Milazzo, Sicily area.
Source:
COMBAT CHRONOLOGY OF THE US ARMY AIR FORCES
Jack McKillop
USAF (Airways and Air Communications Service)
1955-59
used sources by McKillop:
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force History,
Headquarters USAF, 1961, ISBN 0-912799-02-1
COMBAT SQUADRONS OF THE AIR FORCE, WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force
History, Headquarters USAF 1982
THE ARMY AIR FORCES IN WORLD WAR II: COMBAT CHRONOLOGY, 1941-1945 by the
Office of Air Force History, Headquarters USAF, 1973
