8th Air Force FO 281 BOMBER ESCORT
26 March 1944Description
A combined force of 266 P-47s are despached from: 8th Air Force: 56FG; 78FG; 352FG; 353FG; 359FG; and 361FG (50 of the aircraft are supplied by IX Fighter Command 362FG) to escort bombers attacking V-Weapon sites in the Pas-de-Calaise area and Chrebourg area of France. 1 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 1EVD. 5 aircraft are damaged. The fighters claim 1-1-4 of German aircraft on the ground. There are no other losses, casualties or claims.
Mission Details
PAS DE CALAIS/ CHERBOURG
Description: FIGHTER ESCORT
Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
Notes: 266 P-47s from 8th Air Force provide escort. Claims are all on the ground. IX Fighter Command 362FG furnishes 50 P-47s under 8th Air Force control.
- 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
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- People evaded: 1
- Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 1
- Enemy aircraft probably destroyed by fighter: 1
- Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 4
- Aircraft sent: 266
- Aircraft missing in action: 1
- Aircraft damaged: 5
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 352nd Fighter Group 353rd Fighter Group 355th Fighter Group 354th Fighter Squadron 486th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-671825
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Nicknames: “Miss Clean Sweep”
- Unit: 355th Fighter Group 354th Fighter Squadron
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 7-May-2016. Made connection to IX FC 362FG and added fighter claims on enemy aircraft based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 7-May-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'.