8th Air Force FO 264 BOMBER ESCORT
9 March 1944Description
A combined force of fighters of types: P-38s; P-47s and P-51s are despatched to provide escort to heavy bombers attacking at Berlin, Hannover, Brunswick and Nienburg, Germany. Mission summary follows:
A comined force of 83 P-39s from: 20FG; 55FG and 364FG is despatched. 1 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 1KIA. 3 aircraft are Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) - 1KIA 2RTD. 1 airman in a returning aircraft is WIA. There are no other losses, casualties or claims in this element.
A combined force of 572 P-47s is despatched. 8th Air Force: 56FG; 78FG; 353FG; 353FG; 356FG; 359FG; and 361FG. These are joined by IX Figher Command: 358FG and 362FG. 352FG, 359FG and 361FG each flew two operations (one on penetration the other on withdrawl). 352FG flew a mixed formation of P-47s and P-51a. There are no losses, casulaties or claims in this element.
A combined force of 153 P-51s is despatched. 8th Air Force: 4FG; 352FG; 355FG; and 357FG. These are joined by IX Fighter Command: 354FG and 363FG. 1 aircraft from 355FG is Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) in a crash on take off - 1KIA. There are no other losses casualties or claims in this element.
Mission Details
BERLIN
Description: FIGHTER ESCORT
Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
Notes: The Luftwaffe, still licking its wounds of 87 aircraft lost the previous day, only provided perfunctory opposition. American fighters scored no successes on this escort.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- People killed in action: 1
- People returned to duty: 2
- Aircraft sent: 83
- Aircraft missing in action: 1
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 2
BERLIN
Description: FIGHTER ESCORT
Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
Notes: The 352nd Fighter Group flew a mixed formation of P-47s and P-51s.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
![Ground crew of the 356th Fighter Group congratulate the pilot of a P-47 Thunderbolt nicknamed "Zombie" at Martlesham Heath air base. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'ZOMBIE yellow, black outline. [illegible text] black white common practice of 361st FS.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-377162.jpg.webp?itok=Cj8CR9kY)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
![Three P-51 Mustangs of the 369th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group fly together in formation. The aircraft foreground to background are: (IV-P, serial number 44-14543) nicknamed "Precious Pat", piloted by Lieutenant Ralston; (IV-Z, serial number 44-15007) piloted by Lieutenant Klem; and (IV-D, serial number 44-15394). First handwritten caption on reverse: 'November 15 1944- 369th FS Lts. Ralston (P), Klem (Z), [illegible] (D).' Second handwritten caption on reverse: '15/11/44 369th Fighter Squadron, 3](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-377226.jpg.webp?itok=RQw6Mu-P)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- Aircraft sent: 572
BERLIN
Description: FIGHTER ESCORT
Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
Notes: 358th Fighter Group and 362nd Fighter Group from IX Fighter Command contribute an undetermined number of P-47s to the escort, number included in the total despatched. Totals combined 8th Air Force and IX Fighter Command. 352nd Fighter Group, 359th Fighter Group and 361 Fighter Group flew two missions each.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- People killed in action: 1
- Aircraft sent: 153
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 22-Feb-2016. Made connections to IX FC P-51 units per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 22-Feb-2016. Made connections to IX FC P-47 units per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 22-Feb-2016. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman and "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.
Lee Cunningham, 8th Air Force missions research database / Stan Bishop's 'Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces', the Combat Chronology of the US Army Air Forces and the work of Roger Freeman including the 'Mighty Eighth War Diary'.