VIII Fighter Command FO-190 FIGHTER/BOMBER MISSION

25 November 1943

Description

This mission is the first time that P-47s have been used as purely fighther/bomber attacks on a ground target. 276 P-47s from 56FG; 78FG; 352FG; 353FG; and 356FG are used in the operation. Those from 56FG and 353FG actually attack the German airfield at St. Omer, France. The other P-47 units are used in fighter sweeps in the Lillie, France area. 1 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 1POW. 16 aircraft are damaged. 1 pilot of a returning aircraft is Wounded in Action (WIA). There are no claims on enemy aircraft from this element, although it seems likely that some damage was done to German aircraft on the ground at St. Omer, France.



This attack is also supported by 55 P-38s of 55FG (this also included some P-38s from 20FG/77FS) which provide escort and top cover. 2 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 2KIA and 1 aircraft was destroyed in a crashlanding at Duxford, UK. 1RTD. The fighters in this element claim 3-3-4 of attacking German aircraft.

Mission Details

ST. OMER/LILLE

Description: FIGHTER MISSION

Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning

Mission Statistics

  • People killed in action: 2
  • People returned to duty: 1
  • Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 3
  • Enemy aircraft probably destroyed by fighter: 3
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 4
  • Aircraft sent: 55
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 2
  • Aircraft damaged: 7

ST. OMER/LILLE

Description: FIGHTER MISSION

Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt

Notes: Some of the P-47 make a dive-bomb attack on the German Airfield at St. Omer, France. The rest fly a sweep in the Lille, France area. This is the first use of the P-47 in that role. Bomb load not in available record. A B-24 was sent as a spotter aircraft for 56th Fighter Group and 353rd Fighter Group. 77th Fighter Squadron/20th Fighter Group flew with the 55th Fighter Group.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: Not determined
  • Prisoners of war: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 276
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1

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: 55th Fighter Group 343rd Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19015392 / O-743392
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
Major Loren G. McCollom, of the 56th Fighter Group with a P-47 Thunderbolt, 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Major Loren G. McCollom, 1943.'
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 353rd Fighter Group 56th Fighter Group 61st Fighter Squadron Headquarters (353rd Fighter Group) Headquarters (56th Fighter Group)
  • Service Numbers: O-393150
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Commanding Officer, Pilot

Aircraft

A P-38 Lightning (serial number 42-67061) of the 20th Fighter Group prepares for take off. Handwritten caption on reverse: '42-670(6(<-?))1.'
  • Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
  • Unit: 55th Fighter Group 343rd Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: Cookie
  • Unit: 353rd Fighter Group Headquarters (353rd Fighter Group)

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 15-Jul-2015. Correcting typo in Mission Narrative.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 13-Jul-2015. Added fighter claims on enemy aircraft to statisitcs of P-38 element per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 13-Jul-2015. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

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'.