8th Air Force FO 267 BOMBER ESCORT
13 March 1944Description
A combined force of 213 P-47s from: 352FG; 353FG; 356FG; 359FG and 361FG are despatched to provide escort to heavy bombers attacking V-Weapon sites near Pas-de-Calaise and Poix, France. All P-51 squadron are grounded to make modifications to their radio equipment. 1 aircraft is damaged. There are no losses, casualties or claims.
Mission Details
POIX
Description: FIGHTER ESCORT
Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
Notes: 8th Air Force assigns 213 P-47s and 44 P-51s as escorts, but all P-51s were grounded for modifications (radio?). No claims on enemy fighters.
- 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
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- People killed in action: 6
- Prisoners of war: 4
- Aircraft sent: 213
- Aircraft damaged: 1
POIX
Description: FIGHTER ESCORT
Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
Notes: All P-51 were grounded for modifications (radio?).
Mission Statistics
- Aircraft sent: 44
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 23-Feb-2016. Added Mission Narrative based on 'The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
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'.