VIII Fighter Command FO 213 BOMBER ESCORT

5 January 1944

Description

This is a VIII Fighter Command operation of the despatch of fighter elements to escort bombers attacking targets in Germany and France. The operation consists of four elements. The first element is a despatch of 70 P-38s from 20FG and 55FG. These are also joined by a despatch of 41 P-51s from IX Fighter Command 354FG. This combined formation is assigned escort of bombers attacking at Kiel, Germany (Statistics for VIII FC and IX FC are detailed separately). 20FG sustains 3 aircraft MIA - 2KIA 1POW; 55FG sustains 4 aircraft MIA - 3KIA 1POW. The VIII FC fighters in this element claim 6-1-3 of attacking German fighters, those of IX FC claim 16-0-5 of attacking German fighters. The IX FC despatch has no losses or damage.



The second fighter element is a force of 76 P-47s from 78FG A & B despatched to escort bombers attacking the German airfield of Merignac at Bordeaux, France. 5 aircraft in this element are MIA - 3KIA 2POW and 1 aircraft with battle damage makes a crash landing at Ford Airfield, the aircraft is DBR but the pilot is OK - 1RTD. 1 other aircraft is damaged. This fighter element claims 2-0-1 of attcking German aircraft.



The third figther element is a combined force of 149 P-47s from 4FG and 352FG despatched to provide escort to bombers attacking the German airfield at Tours, France. This element sustaines no losses, but 1 aircraft despatched as a spare was ordered to RTB. Pilot got lost and attempted a landing at RAF Biggin Hill, but hit hard and blew a tire and damaged left landing gear. Took off and returned to Stepple Morden and made a belly-landing in the grass. 1RTD. 1 other aircrat is damaged. The fighters in this element claim 3-0-1 of attacking German fighters.



The fourth element is a combined force of 243 P-47s from 56FG; 353FG; 358FG; and 359FG despatched to provide escort to the bomber formations attacking at Elberfeld, Germany. The target is obscured by clouds, so thee bomber force attacks targets of opportunity. There are no losses in this element, but 1 aircraft is damaged. The fighters claim 6-1-0 of attacking German fighters.

Mission Details

BORDEAUX

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt

Notes: Fighter escort for raid on Bordeaux.

Mission Statistics

  • People killed in action: 3
  • People evaded: 2
  • People returned to duty: 1
  • Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 2
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 76
  • Aircraft missing in action: 5
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1

ELBERSFELD

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt

Notes: Fighter escort for mission to Elberfeld, Germany, bombers bomb Targets of Opportunity

Mission Statistics

  • People returned to duty: 1
  • Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 6
  • Enemy aircraft probably destroyed by fighter: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 243
  • Aircraft damaged: 1

KIEL

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning

Notes: VIII Fighter Command despatch of 70 P-38 fighters from 20FG & 55FG to escort bombers on mission to bomb the port facilities and industrial areas of Kiel, Germany.

Mission Statistics

  • People killed in action: 5
  • Prisoners of war: 2
  • Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 6
  • Enemy aircraft probably destroyed by fighter: 1
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 3
  • Aircraft sent: 70
  • Aircraft missing in action: 7

TOURS

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt

Notes: Fighter escort for raid on Tours.

Mission Statistics

  • People returned to duty: 2
  • Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 3
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 149
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 1

Kiel, Germany

Description: BOMBER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang

Notes: IX Fighter Command contributes 41 P-51s from 354FG to fighter escort force to accompany bombers on their mission to Kiel, Germany

Mission Statistics

  • Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 16
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 5
  • Aircraft sent: 41
  • Aircraft effective: 41

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 2-Dec-2015. Added fighter claims on enemy aircraft to Tours element per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 2-Dec-2015. Added statistics to Elberfled emelent per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 2-Dec-2015. Added statistics to Bordeaux element per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 2-Dec-2015. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman losses cross checked with MACRs.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 2-Dec-2015. Added Mission Event and statistics for IX Fighter Command 354FG P-51 fighter element as part of fighter escort for bombers attacking at Kiel, Germany per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 2-Dec-2015. Edited event detail note, added fighter claims of VIII FC - 20FG & 55FG to statistics per "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'.