8th Air Force FO 278 BOMBER ESCORT
23 March 1944Description
A combined force of 841 fighters of types: P-38; P-47 and P-51 are despatched to provide escort to heavy bombers attacking at Brunswick, Munster and Handorf, Germany. Despatch summary follows:
A combined force of 119 P-38s from: 20FG; 55FG and 364FG are despatched. There are no losses, casulaties or claims in this element.
A combined force of 539 P-47s are despatched. 8th Air Force: 56FG; 78FG; 352FG; 353FG; 356FG; 359FG and 361FG. These are joined by other from IX Figher Command: 358FG and 362FG. 56FG flies two missions: one on penetration support and the other on withdrawl support. 1 aircraft is Damaged Beyond Repair in a crash landing upon return - 1RTD. 1 is damaged. The fighters in this element claim 4-0-10 of attacking German aircraft and 2-0-10 on the ground. There are no other losses casualties or claims.
A combined force of 183 P-51s are despatched. 8th Air Force: 4FG; 355FG and 357FG. These are joined by others from IX Fighter Commabd: 354FG and 363FG. 4 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 2KIA 2POW. 1 aircraft is damaged. The fighters in this element claim 18-1-6 of attacking German aricraft. There are no other losses, casualties or claims.
Mission Details
HANDORF / BRUNSWICK / MUNSTER
Description: FIGHTER ESCORT
Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
- 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
- Aircraft sent: 119
BRUNSWICK / HANDORF / MUNSTER
Description: FIGHTER ESCORT
Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
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 total, despatched. A 362nd Fighter Group (IX Fighter Command) P-47 was Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) at base. 56th Fighter Group flew two missions.
- 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
- 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 returned to duty: 1
- Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 6
- Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 20
- Aircraft sent: 539
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
- Aircraft damaged: 1
BRUNSWICK / HANDORF / MUNSTER
Description: FIGHTER ESCORT
Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
Notes: A mix of 119 P-38s, 539 P-47s and 183 P-51s from 8th Air Force and 9th Air Force provide escort. All IX Fighter Command aircraft under 8th Air Force control. All statistics bundled. 3 P-51s were lost for 354th Fighter Group (IX Fighter Command).
- 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: 2
- Prisoners of war: 2
- Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 18
- Enemy aircraft probably destroyed by fighter: 1
- Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 6
- Aircraft sent: 183
- Aircraft effective: 1
- Aircraft missing in action: 4
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 5-May-2016. Made connections to IX FC units; Added claims on enemy aircraft to P-51 element statistics 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 5-May-2016. Made connections to IX FC units; Added claims on eenemy aircraft to P-47 element statistics based on "the Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 5-Mar-2016. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman, "Losses of the 8th & 9th AIr Forces" Stan BIshop & John A. Hey MBE and MACRS.
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'.