Official description
Not yet known
Description
A combined force of 88 P-47s from: 56FG; and 353FG are dispatched on a divisionary sweep in support of bombers. The citation of this mission in Roger A. Freeman's "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" is not clear on which bombers were supported with this sweep as there are no citations of any bomber mission being flown by VIII Bomber Command on this date. No records could be found to establish that any RAF bomber mission was conducted on this date. So, assuming that Freeman is correct in citing that a fighter mission was flown on this date, it may have simply been a fighter sweep rather than a bomber support mission. There are no losses or claims.
Mission details
1.
Description
FIGHTER DIVERSION
Aircraft type
P-47 Thunderbolt
Notes
Diversion in support of RAF bombers.
Units
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Group
The 353rd Fighter Group was assigned to the Eighth Air Force on 7 June 1943. The group flew P-47 Thunderbolts, and from October 1944, P-51 Mustangs, as escorts for bombing missions across occupied Europe and to strafe targets on the ground. Tactical...
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Group
Flying P-47 Thunderbolts throughout their time stationed in England, the Group, known as "the Wolfpack", had more ace pilots than any other Eighth Air Force Fighter Group. The 56th Fighter Group also destroyed more enemy aircraft in air combat than any...
Mission Statistics
Number of aircraft Sent |
88 |