VIII Fighter Command FO 227 BOMBER ESCORT

30 January 1944

Description

A combined force of 635 fighter aircraft are despatched to provide escort to heavy bombers attacking the avaition industry at Brunswick, Germany. All three types of fighter aircraft are employed: P-38s, P-47s and P-51s. Source data does not state how many of each type were despatched. The contingent of 51s were contributed by IX Fighter Command 354FG. Mission summary as follows:



P-38s from 20FG & 55FG (Exact number not in source data). 2 of these aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 1KIA 1 POW. 2 aircraft were damaged. 1 airman in a returning aircraft was WIA. The fighters in this element claimed 4-0-1 of attacking German aircraft.



P-47s from: 4FG; 56FG; 78FG; 352FG; 353FG; 355FG; 356FG; 358FG; 359FG; and 361FG are despatched (exact number not in source data). This is the last mission flown by 358FG as part of VIII Fighter Command. This Group will be exchanged for 357FG of IX Fighter Command on 1-Feb-44. 2 aircraft in this element Failed to Return (FTR) - 1KIA 1POW. 3 aircraft sustain battle damage. The fighters in this element claim 36-13-20 of attacking German fighters.



P-51s are despatched by IX Fighter Command, 354FG (exact number not in source data). No aircraft are lost but 2 sustain battle damage. The fighters in this element claim 5-2-10 of attacking German fighters.

Mission Details

Brunswick, Germany

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning

Notes: 635 fighters are despatched. Split not recorded in available data but approximately 85 P-38 and 45 P-51. P51s contributed by 354th Fighter Group IX Fighter Command This is the last mission for 358th Fighter Group before being transferred to IX Fighter Command in exchange for 357th Fighter Group.

Mission Statistics

  • People killed in action: 1
  • People wounded in action: 1
  • Prisoners of war: 1
  • Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 4
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 85
  • Aircraft missing in action: 2
  • Aircraft damaged: 2

Brunswick, Germany

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt

Notes: Exact number despatched not provided in source data.

Mission Statistics

  • People killed in action: 1
  • Prisoners of war: 1
  • Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 36
  • Enemy aircraft probably destroyed by fighter: 13
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 20
  • Aircraft sent: 505
  • Aircraft missing in action: 2
  • Aircraft damaged: 3

Brunswick, Germany

Description: BOMBER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang

Notes: Approximately 45 P-51s from IX Fighter Command, 354FG participate.

Mission Statistics

  • Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 5
  • Enemy aircraft probably destroyed by fighter: 2
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 10
  • Aircraft sent: 45
  • Aircraft effective: 45
  • Aircraft damaged: 2

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
A P-47 Thunderbolt (LH-T, serial number 42-74665) nicknamed "Fatty Patty II" of the 353rd Fighter Group flown by Captain Charles W Dinse shoots down a BF 110 during a mission. Gun camera image. Printed caption on reverse: '50416 AC - Discovering an Me 110 below him, Capt. Charles W. Dinsa, 304 Touhy Ave., Park Ridge, Ill., dove down and destroyed it. The pictures were taken by his automatic camera as his bullets found their mark. Credit for the kill was shared with Lt. Richard A. Stearns, Jr., 102 Forest
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 353rd Fighter Group 350th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-665391
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 17-Jan-2016. Added Mission event for P-51s per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 17-Jan-2016 Added fighter claims on enemy aircraft to P-47 statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 17-Jan-2016 Added fighter claims on enemy aircraft to P-38 statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 17-Jan-2016 Added Mission Narrative per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman and "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Changed location target pin from Brunswick in the USA to Germany.

Date
ContributorLucyMM
Changes
Sources

Changed location for mission event 1 from Brunswick in the USA to Brunswick, Germany.

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'.