Description

This fighter escort operation is composed of two separate elements. The first element is a combined force of 140 fighters of types: P-47 and P-51 are despatched to provide escort to heavy bombers attacking at Munster, Germany and vicinity. Mission Summary follows:



A combined force of 90 P-47s from: 356FG and 359FG are despatched. 2 aircraft are damaged. There are no losses, casualties or claims.



A combined force of 50 P-51s from 355FG are despatched. 2 aircraft Failed to Return - 2POW. There are no other losses, casualties or claims.



The second element is a combined force of 253 fighters of types: P-38 and P-47 are despatched to provide escort to B-24 heavy bombers attacking V-Weapon sites at Wizernes, France. The P-38s were orginally slated to provide direct escort to the B-24s but this was amended to the P-47s from 353FG. The escort was abandoned due to weather. Despatch details follow:



A combined force of 40 P-38s from 364FG are despatched. These provide high top cover for the attacking bombers. There are no losses, casualties or claims.



A combined force of 213 P-47s from 352FG and 353FG are despatched but the escort is abandoned due to weather so 352FG makes low level sweeps and attacks ground targets of opportunity. 2 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 2KIA. 1 aircraft is Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) in a crash landing upon return - 1RTD. 2 aircraft are damaged. There are no losses, casualties or claims.