VIII Fighter Command FO-211 BOMBER ESCORT

31 December 1943

Description

This is the last fighter operation of 1943. It is composed of three elements despatched to escort bomber formations attacking German airfield in France. The first element is a forc of 74 P-38s from 20FG and 55FG. 2 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR)1POW 1RTD (rescued by ASR). 1 aircraft caught fire over Woonewton, UK and crashed killing the pilot 1KOM. 1 aircraft was damaged. This fighter element calimed 3-0-1 of attacking German aircraft.



The second element was a froce of 441 P-47s from 4GH; 56FG; 78FG; 352FG; 353FG; 355FG; 358FG; and 359FG. 2 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 1KIA 1RTD (baled out over Isle of Wight) 1 aircraft ditched into the English Channel 1RTD (rescued by ASR). 2 airfcraft crashed upon return in England, pilots OK 2RTD. 4 aircraft were forced to ditch in the English Channel when their aircrafts ran our of fuel 4RTD (rescued by ASR). 3 airmen in returning aircraft were WIA. The fighters of this element claim 6-1-0 of attacking German fighters.



The third element is a force of 33 P-51s from 354FG (9th Air Force). Roger A. Freeman shows one aircraft MIA, but this loss could not be confirmed. The fighters in this element claim 2-0-0 of attacking German aircraft.

Mission Details

BORDEUX-PARIS

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning

Mission Statistics

  • People killed in action: 1
  • Prisoners of war: 1
  • People returned to duty: 1
  • Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 3
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 74
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 2

BORDEUX-PARIS

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt

Notes: Fighter escort for raids on Bordeaux through Paris above. 358th Fighter Group despatch runs low on fuel on return and has 6 aircraft crash-land at various stations in England, 3WIA. 354th Fighter Group IX Fighter Command contributes 33 P-51s to the escort. (Statistics not included in totals).

Mission Statistics

  • People killed in action: 1
  • People wounded in action: 3
  • People returned to duty: 7
  • Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 4
  • Enemy aircraft probably destroyed by fighter: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 441
  • Aircraft missing in action: 2
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 6

Paris, France

Description: Escorting bombers to Paris. 354FG (9th Air Force) operating under VIII Fighter Command control

Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang

Mission Statistics

  • Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 2
  • Aircraft sent: 33

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: 56th Fighter Group 61st Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12030330 / O-659222
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 358th Fighter Group 367th Fighter Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 28-Jul-2015. Added fighter claims on enemy aircraft to P-38 element per "The Mighty Eight War Diary", Roger A, Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 28-Jul-2015. Added NEW mission event from 354FG (9th AF) per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 28-Jul-2015. Added fighter claims to P-47 element statistics per "The Mighty Eight War Diary", Roger A, Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 28-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'.